In 'Barbarian Alien', the second installment of Ruby Dixon's Ice Planet Barbarians series, Liz Cramer finds herself unwillingly tethered to an alien planet, home to the fierce and brooding Raahosh. Forced to coexist with a symbiont inside her that pushes towards alien coupling, Liz fiercely maintains her independence even as her 'cootie' has other plans. Raahosh, certain of their destined bond, kidnaps Liz, sparking a tumultuous push-and-pull between natural instinct and personal desire. In the icy and unyielding environment, their chemistry blurs the lines of resistance, leading Liz to question if her growing affection is truly the cootie's influence or a genuine connection in a life-or-death world.