The Barbarian's Slave

Northlands Barbarians #1

by Atlas Jones

Avrid Ironwolf has earned his reputation as a fierce warrior with a heart of stone, but when he finds a bloodied and broken slave dying in the northern forests, he can't walk away. Ancient laws declare the man his property by right of rescue, but Avrid has never believed in owning people—and he certainly doesn't trust the way his chest tightens every time he looks at the healing stranger.

Faye survived years of brutal slavery, passed from one merciless master to another, learning that kindness is just cruelty in disguise. When Avrid brings him to the barbarian village, Faye braces for the inevitable—waiting for gentleness to twist into something darker. But day after day, Avrid's patience never wavers, his touch never turns harsh, and Faye finds himself falling for the tender warrior who defies everything he thought he knew about strength.

As Faye learns the barbarian tongue, he begins to understand the impossible he's been free all along. But freedom means nothing if it comes at the cost of losing the man who saved him—and when others in the village question his worth he fears that soon so will Avrid.

MM • Hurt/Comfort • Size Difference

Genres: M M Romance, Gay

191 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 20, 2025

Reviews

[...]

DNF @62% - I want to like this book soooo much. But sigh. I just can't. The writing style is draining the love for life out of my soul. It's ALLLLLLLL tell-not-show, and includes (as other reviewers have noted) tons of repetitious telling of the same things over and over and over. I just... don't care. I stepped away from it for a few days to see if I could make myself feel interested in finishing, and I just can't. So I think this book, and probably this author, just aren't for me. 🤷‍♀️

[Mishukitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really don't know what to make of this book. It seems to take place during the Roman Empire, but has place names that I don't recognize. The story seems to be set in a Northern European location, but not as far north as the Nordic countries (no ocean is crossed).

Faye is a young man living in what appears to be a Romanized section of the Empire. He is training to become a merchant, taking advantage of his skill learning languages, when he is captured by a Barbarian Horde. He is sold as a slave multiple times, each time much worse until he is finally left for dead in a forest.

Avrid is a barbarian hunter who comes across Faye, decides to bring him back to his village and save him. Faye slowly recovers and assumes Avrid is his new master.

This is where the story breaks down for me. Several impossibilities and things that just made me scratch my head are in the plot :

1. Faye within two weeks becomes fluent in the Barbarian Language. It is implied in the story that there are many Barbarian Languages, and Faye does not recognize any of Avrid's language. That's some talent for language!

2. Again, it is implied that while Faye was with his previous masters that he was sexually abused. Yet, as his romance with Avrid developes, he clearly has very limited knowledge of gay sex.

3. Avrid, meanwhile, is depicted as a loner. No evidence is given that he has ever been in ANY physical relationship. Yet it is Avrid who clearly has more experience!

4. Avrid makes it clear from the beginning that he does not view Faye as a slave. Indeed, most of the village does not view him as a slave (there is one minor exception). Once Faye demonstrates that he is a hard worker and eager participant in the village, the inhabitants actually embrace Faye as one of their own.

And finally, there really is no conflict in the story (other than Faye's disbelief that he is a free man). Avrid is perfect: always patient, sensitive to Faye's background, and kind. In fact I found Avrid TOO perfect, which made him a much less interesting character.

This book might have been meant to be a fantasy romance, which would explain some of the problems I had. But if so, there is virtually no world-building. I'm just left with an unsatisfying story.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ashley Carrillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm quickly becoming a big fan of this author's work. This book is just another reason. I like that this book is different. It's an MM romance but the time it's set in makes it even more interesting. I love their world building and the way I can picture what they're describing. The writing flows pretty well and at times it's sort of whimsical. I fell head over heels for Arvid and Faye. Who could have imagined a stoic barbarian warrior turned town hunter and a Southern merchant's son taken, broken and enslaved only to be left for dead would find each other and not just fall in love but help each other become better people who bridge communities and their people. There was something between them from the start. A reason Avrid couldn't just walk away and leave Faye to his inevitable death. A reason that even though technically since Faye was a slave when Avrid saved him by law he is seen as Avrid's slave yet deep down he didn't feel like one. When they first met they didn't even speak the same language yet with Faye's past education and travels as well as his proficient linguistic abilities he's able to learn the language and from there Faye uses his knowledge to help the people who gave him shelter and let him stay and who respected his opinions and him as a person even though he was an outsider. Together with Avrid and the rest of the community they build something beautiful. Something that they can work together to do so they can continue to thrive. Avrid and Faye both found a home with each other and there was no stopping them. They couldn't believe what they have is real life but every day spent together good and bad shows that they're meant to be. This is a lovely book with a heartfelt message and some steamy spice. I'm excited for the next books in the series!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sunny Groves · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was really sweet but I do think the title is misleading (thankfully). Avrid saves Faye, an enslaved man he finds dying in the forest, which makes Faye his "property" according to traditional laws in their lands, but Avrid immediately is like "fuck that" and he and Faye just end up living together while he heals and they gradually grow into a relationship. Faye was never actually enslaved by Avrid, which I think is an important distinction because I almost didn't read this, worrying that Avrid DID treat him that way. I've read this trope done poorly a lot of times before, which is why I wish it had been called something else.

ultimately though I think it was lovely and the way that Faye found his place among their community was super nice to read. I think the potential power imbalance between Avrid and Faye was addressed well too. this was also very low-conflict, which I really liked because after years of enslavement I didn't want to see Faye have to go through anymore bullshit.

regarding the writing, it was largely good but weirdly repetitive. like the author would use a phrase at the beginning AND end of the same paragraph, then never use it again. it just felt like it could've used a little more proofreading.

TLDR: cozy, gay, sweet, pleasantly short.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story. I saw a previous ARC for another of this author’s books, and loved it, so when I saw an ARC for this one, I jumped at the opportunity. I loved the pace of the story. I loved the characters’ development and growth, and how Faye finds the true meaning of home, what it means to be free, and how bonds can make you feel free, feel at home. It’s a beautiful story, not super angsty or nail bitting, but enough that keeps your interest. I really loved the flow and speed, it was a well deserved break from reality, and perfect length as well. Long enough to develop the characters and the story, and short enough to prevent dragging. I enjoyed it very much, and look forward to reading more from this author.

[CatOnABlueBackground · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a really nice story about Faye finding his home (with Avrid). It's a lot less dramatic and angsty than the blurb makes it sound. The romance isn't instant - it takes some time for Faye to recover and to find his footing within the village. One of the villagers tries to get him thrown out of the village when he first arrives, but Faye proves himself so useful in trade negotiations over the season, that even THAT villager finally accepts him. Both of them find themselves in love with each other, eventually, after a slow period of getting to know each other.

There's no third act breakup, and it's mid-level spice.

[Arlo Quinn]

This was a really good read; it's also the first book I've read with barbarian characters. Avrid and Faye were great characters. Their personalities complimented each other. I found myself liking most of the characters, even eventually Erik after he had come around and matured.

The character interactions, drama, development… everything was perfect. Even the world building was awesome. I loved every second of this book. I'm really looking forward to the sequel.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Me Mine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avrid is the quintessential hero; a little broody, a little quiet, a little lonely and looking for love.

Faye is recovering from unspeakable pain and find solace in his Barbarian, Avrid’s company. Avrid defends, protects and creates the perfect environment for Faye to flourish. This low-angst, slow burn is a heartwarming HEA and a must read.

[Barbara Schoonover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is the second book I’ve read from Atlas Jones and it was just as good as the first one! MM romance has always held a spot in my heart even as a female reader and when I see it done so well I love it all the more. I enjoyed reading about the struggles that Faye goes through after everything he has endured and watching the big burly barbarian fall for him was a delight!

I can’t wait to read more from Atlas in the future and will be on the look out for more.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book, the relationship felt really healthy and progressed naturally. I will say the book felt a little rushed near the end, with the secondary plot resolving quite anticlimactically. It’s a short, sweet book, great for a few hours when you want something lighter to read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this. The writing style was very pleasant and I liked the way the author described things throughout. The relationship between the main characters was very sweet. Definitely will be checking out more by this author in the future.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Story

This one took me a little bit of time to get into but I did find it to be an interesting story by the end. I can see myself reading more of this author's work.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[Stephanie W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good story. Less angst than I prepared myself for but just enough for the plot described. Avrid and Faye found home and love with one another.

Nicely done and definitely recommend.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[C.Gard · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

This books was very sweet and heartwarming. It was full of love, tenderness, kindness, and healing. So precious! I did find it a bit slow throughout as not much really happened, but it was a cute and quick read that I mostly enjoyed!

[Alissa Harrison-Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Read- RTF

[Jesica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Closer to a 2.5 for me but rounding up

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

A prime of example of where "show, don't tell" needed to be applied.

[Lara · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF.