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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
I really wish Goodreads could do half stars, for me this was a 4.5 star book.
No, this isn't a sweeping, comprehensive story. But the Outlander books haven't really been that for the last 6 books, and I personally like that.
Gabaldon still has a strong sense of who her characters are, and I enjoy getting to spend time with them. There are still moments that make me chuckle, that make me misty eyed, and that get me in the heart, which is what I think the book sets out to do.
Light spoiler and then spoiler explained: ACTUAL
major SPOILER:
yes, I'd like it if DG had a concept of a character beat other than 'stubborn', but I really felt for all the character moments and stories.
No, this isn't a sweeping, comprehensive story. But the Outlander books haven't really been that for the last 6 books, and I personally like that.
Gabaldon still has a strong sense of who her characters are, and I enjoy getting to spend time with them. There are still moments that make me chuckle, that make me misty eyed, and that get me in the heart, which is what I think the book sets out to do.
Light spoiler and then spoiler explained:
Spoiler
I was glad to have one thing spoiled for me (by my choice) before starting the book, and I think it made me enjoy it more than others.major SPOILER:
Spoiler
The title, the hype, and stuff in the book seems to hint that Jamie or Claire (really Jamie) could die in the book, especially in a battle at the end. He survives, the book covers the battle, Jamie almost dies but he doesn't. not being stressed about this honestly made the book more enjoyable.yes, I'd like it if DG had a concept of a character beat other than 'stubborn', but I really felt for all the character moments and stories.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*currently sobbing because I'm finished and have no new Outlander content to delve into*
In all seriousness, this book definitely took me the longest (out of every book in the series) to get invested in. It wasn't until about 500 pages in that I felt that there was a definitive plot and not just a recap of what the characters have been up to. It's been a few years since MOBY was out, so reading this felt a little like a reunion show. There was a lot of flashbacks, and many times I was just sitting there reading with a huge smile on my face.
In typical Outlander fashion - I laughed, cried, smiled, and felt increasing anxiety (towards the end) whilst I was reading. It was so great to be back in the Outlander world with the characters I love so much.
There were a few characters who had a bit more of a spotlight than I would have liked, and I definitely rolled my eyes when I had to read about them. I'm hoping book 10 will show their relevancy.
Like I said, I wish there was MORE! But it was great and I definitely enjoyed the reading experience. I absolutely can't wait for book 10.
In all seriousness, this book definitely took me the longest (out of every book in the series) to get invested in. It wasn't until about 500 pages in that I felt that there was a definitive plot and not just a recap of what the characters have been up to. It's been a few years since MOBY was out, so reading this felt a little like a reunion show. There was a lot of flashbacks, and many times I was just sitting there reading with a huge smile on my face.
In typical Outlander fashion - I laughed, cried, smiled, and felt increasing anxiety (towards the end) whilst I was reading. It was so great to be back in the Outlander world with the characters I love so much.
There were a few characters who had a bit more of a spotlight than I would have liked, and I definitely rolled my eyes when I had to read about them. I'm hoping book 10 will show their relevancy.
Like I said, I wish there was MORE! But it was great and I definitely enjoyed the reading experience. I absolutely can't wait for book 10.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
I *did* enjoy this. Despite all odds, I guess. I suppose I just like the characters having spent so much time with them by this point. But.
It is 900 freakin’ pages long. That’s not even rounding up. And nothing happens. All the other books in the series are … the one where they go to Paris or the one where they got to Jamaica or the one where the get to America. The story does not move ahead at all in this one. I don’t know how they even wrote a plot summary for the back of the book, because there is no plot, there is no climax, there is no ending.
Also, this is the first one that I read as it was written, rather than one after another after another. And … I don’t know how many minor characters we have met at this point but I for sure know that I cannot be expected to remember them all. The previous books are too long to reread to refresh my memory, so I just had hope that if they were important the backstory would eventually become clear. It mostly did not, whether or not it was important. (It mostly was not.)
There were also weird details and “plot” points that never went anywhere. What in the world was the point of the dead man who looked a little like the man who raped Claire (one or two books ago? I can’t remember.)? And why in the world did they need to speculate on whether he was Jewish?? And Ulysses. What? He shows up, threatens them … just because he’s dastardly I guess? … and then it’s resolved off screen.
And I can’t stress this enough: I do not care about John Gray.
(ETA: I do think the author’s notes at the end of the book make it clear that she is just throwing in things to prove she’s done some research. I just saw another review that described the book as self indulgent, and that seems extremely accurate. There is no other explanation that I can come up with for some of this.)
It is 900 freakin’ pages long. That’s not even rounding up. And nothing happens. All the other books in the series are … the one where they go to Paris or the one where they got to Jamaica or the one where the get to America. The story does not move ahead at all in this one. I don’t know how they even wrote a plot summary for the back of the book, because there is no plot, there is no climax, there is no ending.
Also, this is the first one that I read as it was written, rather than one after another after another. And … I don’t know how many minor characters we have met at this point but I for sure know that I cannot be expected to remember them all. The previous books are too long to reread to refresh my memory, so I just had hope that if they were important the backstory would eventually become clear. It mostly did not, whether or not it was important. (It mostly was not.)
There were also weird details and “plot” points that never went anywhere. What in the world was the point of the dead man who looked a little like the man who raped Claire (one or two books ago? I can’t remember.)? And why in the world did they need to speculate on whether he was Jewish?? And Ulysses. What? He shows up, threatens them … just because he’s dastardly I guess? … and then it’s resolved off screen.
And I can’t stress this enough: I do not care about John Gray.
(ETA: I do think the author’s notes at the end of the book make it clear that she is just throwing in things to prove she’s done some research. I just saw another review that described the book as self indulgent, and that seems extremely accurate. There is no other explanation that I can come up with for some of this.)
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this book. I am addicted to the Outlander Series of books!
slow-paced
Diana's other books have always felt like going on a new and exciting, but sometimes terrifying journey. This one, though? This one felt like coming home to visit old friends. I adored spending time with Claire and Jamie, Bree, Roger, Ian, Rachel, Willie, and John. It took me a full week to get through the book, not because I wasn't enjoying it, but because I WAS enjoying it, so much that I wanted to draw it out as long as possible. I loved the lack of relationship drama.
That's not to say that there wasn't conflict. The Grape Picking Incident broke me, and the climax of the story was heart-breakingly intense. I can't wait to see what happens in the next (and final?) book!
That's not to say that there wasn't conflict. The Grape Picking Incident broke me, and the climax of the story was heart-breakingly intense. I can't wait to see what happens in the next (and final?) book!