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monwall's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jderv's review against another edition
3.0
too long, too many characters and confusing plot throughout... i've read most of DG's novels and this one was sadly not as good as the first Lord John Grey or any in the Outlander series. A good 100 to 150 pages could have been removed as well as a large number of characters and names.. just too confusing to follow. she manages to tie it up all in the end but it is exhausting getting there.
amyreading2024's review against another edition
2.0
Do not read if you are a fan of LJG.
That's how I'm starting to feel about the LJG series.
I would however love very much to have a series led by Benedicta Grey. Every interaction with her was a mystery and a delight. She is unpredictable and brilliant.
Often used words of Diana Gabaldon's: "gravely" and "grey skies". The audiobook makes each instance especially noticeable because it sounds like they are about to say "Grey".
That's how I'm starting to feel about the LJG series.
I would however love very much to have a series led by Benedicta Grey. Every interaction with her was a mystery and a delight. She is unpredictable and brilliant.
Often used words of Diana Gabaldon's: "gravely" and "grey skies". The audiobook makes each instance especially noticeable because it sounds like they are about to say "Grey".
asherwood11's review against another edition
3.0
I quite liked this book and found it much more humorous than previous Gabaldon books. I listened to it, rather than read it and I believe that lends a great deal to the enjoyment as the accents are authentic and very well done. The pacing was good and I found LJ much more likeable than in previous meetings. People looking to fill the gaps til the next Outlander book comes out might find this a nice way to take the edge off...
socialpsysteph's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Outlander is one of my favorite series of all time but the Lord John series hasn't really lived up to it for me. The first book in the series was definitely slow and I just couldn't get into it. This one was definitely better than the last but nowhere near as amazing as any of the actual Outlander books. Parts of it just felt slow and dragging. I will definitely be continuing on but I miss Claire and Jaime.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and War
Minor: Sexual content
chelseasofia's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was great, even better than “Private Matter” because it was a more personal story having to do with LJs family, his and his family’s honor, and his identity as a man, soldier, and as a gay man. It is still written (like Private Matter) in a way where all the many threads of the story end up intertwining by the end, and the complexity of events and characters can be a little confusing sometimes. Barely mentioned characters early on become important later, etc. I had to go back into the ebook to search for names to remember things said. All that said, this was a beautiful book.
Even though all the LJ books are meant to be standalones I am reading them in order, including the short stories, (I had read some of them previously and out of order) and I am getting *a lot* more out of them this way. The continued relationships he has with different people (esp Herr Hauptman in this book and the prior short story [Succubus], and one James Fraser [some real interesting moments between them here] and LJ’s family in all the stories) take on more meaning and seem to fill the exchanges with much more weight. It’s pretty beautiful. The actual conclusion to the events in this book are also quite exciting, nail biting moments. The last lines gutted me as one of the threads of the story and a relationship of his concludes.
I highly recommend this book, but preferably read in order with all the stories. Also, I must continue to praise the audiobooks read by Jeff Woodman that bring even more color and character to the stories. I think my love for the stories is buoyed by the audiobooks and I can’t recommend them enough. I continue on my journey!
Even though all the LJ books are meant to be standalones I am reading them in order, including the short stories, (I had read some of them previously and out of order) and I am getting *a lot* more out of them this way. The continued relationships he has with different people (esp Herr Hauptman in this book and the prior short story [Succubus], and one James Fraser [some real interesting moments between them here] and LJ’s family in all the stories) take on more meaning and seem to fill the exchanges with much more weight. It’s pretty beautiful. The actual conclusion to the events in this book are also quite exciting, nail biting moments. The last lines gutted me as one of the threads of the story and a relationship of his concludes.
I highly recommend this book, but preferably read in order with all the stories. Also, I must continue to praise the audiobooks read by Jeff Woodman that bring even more color and character to the stories. I think my love for the stories is buoyed by the audiobooks and I can’t recommend them enough. I continue on my journey!
lisawreading's review against another edition
5.0
2014 update: After listening to the audiobook version, I'll just reiterate my earlier comments: This is a must-read for Outlander fans, and the more Lord John audiobooks I listen to, the more I love Lord John as a character! He comes to life via audio in a way that's just so magical (kudos to the narrator!). I completely enjoyed this re-read!
I would definitely say that "Lord John & the Brotherhood of the Blade" is the best of Diana Gabaldon's Lord John books and novellas. "Brotherhood" is a tautly written mystery, action-adventure story, love story, and examination of a man's soul, all in one. Readers of the Outlander series have come to know Lord John as an interesting, somewhat enigmatic secondary character. In Brotherhood, John's family history is explored and the understanding of John's personal code of honor is greatly enhanced. Lord John is a heroic, honorable man, forced to hide his true nature by the strict code of his time. I would recommend reading Brotherhood prior to reading Echo in the Bone in the Outlander series. I hadn't, and realize now that I would have understood some of the plotlines in Echo much better had I read this one first. As an added bonus for devoted fans of Jamie Fraser, Himself makes several noteworthy, powerful appearances in Brotherhood. For fans of Diana Gabaldon's fictional world, Brotherhood of the Blade should not be missed.
I would definitely say that "Lord John & the Brotherhood of the Blade" is the best of Diana Gabaldon's Lord John books and novellas. "Brotherhood" is a tautly written mystery, action-adventure story, love story, and examination of a man's soul, all in one. Readers of the Outlander series have come to know Lord John as an interesting, somewhat enigmatic secondary character. In Brotherhood, John's family history is explored and the understanding of John's personal code of honor is greatly enhanced. Lord John is a heroic, honorable man, forced to hide his true nature by the strict code of his time. I would recommend reading Brotherhood prior to reading Echo in the Bone in the Outlander series. I hadn't, and realize now that I would have understood some of the plotlines in Echo much better had I read this one first. As an added bonus for devoted fans of Jamie Fraser, Himself makes several noteworthy, powerful appearances in Brotherhood. For fans of Diana Gabaldon's fictional world, Brotherhood of the Blade should not be missed.
delaneyyyw's review against another edition
3.0
Probably the weakest book in the Outlander canon that I've read so far, but I think that's mostly because I was so confused by all of the political machinations. And at the end a bunch of new names came up that I think had been mentioned earlier...but I'd forgotten them completely, so I was pretty confused.
mero_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
tellingetienne's review against another edition
4.0
This was a return to this book, thanks to audiobooks. The audiobook is wonderfully narrated and I highly suggest giving it a listen. This book rips my heart out and feebly attempts so stuff it back in, but it fails.