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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
Hmmmm.... This is the 9th Outlander book I read in little under a year, after never reading a single book or seeing a single minute of the show. Claire and Jamie and Ian and Jenny and Fergus and Brianna and Roger and all those other people are part of my soul. I open a book with them and I return to my make-believe family. It's comfortable and I like that.
But.
Although all those comfortable people were in this book, and I really love that, this was not a fabulous book for them. It gave big second-bo0k-in-a-trilogy vibes, trying to connect the previous book with the next book with a huge heap of purgatory and abstract development. Yeah, I know revolutions do not develop quickly and there's lots of behind the scenes talking and planning and such. And by now, Gabaldon has introduced so many characters with limited 3rd person narration that she needs to check on each one, but it's rare for any of them are co-habitating. But there has got to be some resolution to some of these conflicts eventually, right? I mean, there are even old characters who resurface in this book, reopening conflicts that I thought had already been resolved / avoided! Yeesh!
I skipped over a lot of the long natural descriptions in this volume (and previous ones, too, really). They are well-written, but badly-placed for pacing so often, imho.
But.
Although all those comfortable people were in this book, and I really love that, this was not a fabulous book for them. It gave big second-bo0k-in-a-trilogy vibes, trying to connect the previous book with the next book with a huge heap of purgatory and abstract development. Yeah, I know revolutions do not develop quickly and there's lots of behind the scenes talking and planning and such. And by now, Gabaldon has introduced so many characters with limited 3rd person narration that she needs to check on each one, but it's rare for any of them are co-habitating. But there has got to be some resolution to some of these conflicts eventually, right? I mean, there are even old characters who resurface in this book, reopening conflicts that I thought had already been resolved / avoided! Yeesh!
I skipped over a lot of the long natural descriptions in this volume (and previous ones, too, really). They are well-written, but badly-placed for pacing so often, imho.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-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:
No
I love this series!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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:
Complicated
This felt like coming home. It is perhaps less graphic and more slower paced than some others (especially the first) in the series, however it felt right for this book that is about home and settling.
I started and stopped reading this book several times over the last two years. Outlander is definitely one of my "Roman Empire" series but this one didn't have the same draw for me. There were parts I felt moved so slowly (drawn out unnecessary details) and other parts I wanted to keep going. Finally making it to the end of 900+ pages and having it end on a cliffhanger, literally had me screaming!
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It took a couple of tries to get back into reading this series. I switched to the audio version and found out I really enjoy the narrator.
I love the ensemble of characters. I loved getting Rachel’s perspective. I hope we hear more from her brother. And the interactions between Jenny and the sachem were interesting. I think the story could certainly grow in that direction.
I wonder how many years we’ll have to wait to find out how Jamie reacts to William showing up to ask for help, presumably, saving Lord John.
I love the ensemble of characters. I loved getting Rachel’s perspective. I hope we hear more from her brother. And the interactions between Jenny and the sachem were interesting. I think the story could certainly grow in that direction.
I wonder how many years we’ll have to wait to find out how
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
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:
No
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
slow-paced
Beware of possible spoilers
Brianna, Roger, and the kids have made it back to Fraser’s Ridge. At the time, going back to the past seemed like the safer option, but with war looming was it really? They have enjoyed reuniting with everyone on the ridge, Claire, Jamie, and Ian and his young family, to name a few. They must keep racking their brains on what they remember from history class with every move they make now that the American Revolution is upon them. They don’t want to be caught at the wrong place at the wrong time. And, the thought of their enemies following them to the past still looms.
Brianna, is offered a commission to do a painting for someone that affords her time with her brother, William, now that he knows who his real father is. Roger and the kids go along as it’s the perfect opportunity for Roger to do what he must, to be ordained, finally. Not to mention, to get the guns that Jamie needs to help protect his family.
Ian will now need to face his past as well. The village where his ex-wife resides was attacked, her husband killed. Ian goes to assure the safety of her and her children. Rachel, Oggy, and Jenny go along for the ride, as well. And they come back with more than they expected.
Jamie must maneuver through the usual politics that are involved in war to put himself and his family in the best position possible. What happens when even the ridge suffers from tenants aligned from both sides? Can they overcome their differences to assure their own survival?
This has become a series that I have to force myself to read. At the time of writing this, it’s the last book that has been written so far. I had to read it because I’ve come so far. However, the books are just hard to read and can feel a bit torturous. They are long and drawn-out, but once I’m done, I struggle even to know what happened during the book. For such large novels, nothing seems to truly happen. It never seems to be a complete story with a clear beginning, middle, and end with a problem and a conclusion. It’s just a bunch of random events that happen. Also, the war and politics and the history, probably things Gabaldon pours so much into, are just so incredibly boring to me. And, don’t even get me started on the full sentences in other languages that give no translations.
I love Ian, but there is just never enough of him in these later books. I felt there could have and perhaps should have been so much more of him in this one (and the previous one too). However, with so many characters now, he just doesn’t get the amount of coverage that he deserves.
The William chapters were better in this one as he slowly grows more tolerable and even likeable at times. However, I couldn’t care less about Ben and his wife.
This tome leaves off with William coming for Jamie’s help. It’s not going to be a quick fix like it was when Jamie helped him with the Jane situation. So, maybe the two can finally forge some kind of father/son relationship in the next book.
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was a slow read and then the pace picked up in the last 50 or so pages of the book. I think there are so many characters that I truly do not care about that are being focused on. Will I read another book if it were to be released. Of course!