Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
Why can't I quit these books?! I'm a disheveled heap. Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ.
Loved loved loved this book! Already starting #7 now :)
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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:
No
What a pacing change from the pervious book!!! This FLEW by, there was constant tension and action.
I really enjoyed this book, except for (big “except”) the depiction of slavery. All descriptions of slavery are very hard to read in this. It is either a raw, brutal, and more accurate depiction of slave markets, slave ships, etc OR very rosy assumptions that the slaves of “good” masters must be content in their lives because Jocasta is “kind” and referring to most of her slaves as “servants” “butler” or “body maid.” These two representations of slavery are hard to read for opposite reasons. I was really disappointed in the casualness
of Phaedre’s situation and assumption she would be okay if sold again because she is a “fancy,” followed so closely by Bree’s close brush with being sold by Bonnet and her abject horror of the prospect of not being in control of her life. There is a lot in this area of the books I struggle to reconcile.
Bonnet, I wanted a very concrete ‘we see him dead’ to know his story arc is (finally) over. I also wish Bree had just killed him. I didn’t want him to be given the chance to escape capture and the noose for a third time.
I was really hoping to get a mention of Joe Abernathy when the MacKenzie’s return at the end of the book. I love him and would really like to know what he thinks of Bree disappearing then popping back up with children who have no birth certificates and a husband with no marriage license.
I lost it at the end when Jamie has the dream about the Jemmy trying to call him. I was so incredibly heartbroken for the two of them to be separated. Jamie is far and away my favorite person in this world, and it breaks my heart how much loss the man has had to suffer. And how much he has willingly endured because he knows even though it is hard for him it is better for others.
I don’t really like Roger. 🤷🏻♀️ I had mixed feelings about him being saved from the hanging in book 5. He has grown on me this book with his minter’s calling. But I really do not ship the Roger/Bree. I think Bree deserves a more solid and worthy partner.
I really enjoyed this book, except for (big “except”) the depiction of slavery. All descriptions of slavery are very hard to read in this. It is either a raw, brutal, and more accurate depiction of slave markets, slave ships, etc OR very rosy assumptions that the slaves of “good” masters must be content in their lives because Jocasta is “kind” and referring to most of her slaves as “servants” “butler” or “body maid.” These two representations of slavery are hard to read for opposite reasons. I was really disappointed in the casualness
Great read, though long book. I liked all the big plots, and the book ended well. I loved reading about Claire and her medical experiences/scientific things going on. And I enjoyed reading more about Ian.
A Breath of Snow and Ashes is much more entertaining to read than its predecessor, The Fiery Cross. This had to be one of the saddest of the novels though. I look forward to Gabaldon's new novel which I will begin after I read a few uplifting novels first!
The number of pages in this book is wrong on this counter - if you're looking for an under 1000 page book, you're going to be in for a shock with this one!!!!
This, I have to say, is a vast improvement over the Fiery Cross. Still dragged in a lot of places, particularly since I have minimal interest in medical or Claire's general disdain for a lot of people and... honestly I normally like Claire but she was terribly judgmental in this book. She's so willing to see the bad in good people, and then acts like she could never have seen things coming when bad people do things because... of course she sees herself as someone who sees the good in people. Claire's characterization frustrated me, and many of the criticisms of the previous books still stand. I'm going to touch on three main before I get onto a positive assessment to round this book out!
1) If you don't want to read a book where someone (I won't name names for spoiler's sake) attempts suicide, and it's completely glossed over by Claire's situation, general angst, and her rather cold treatment of this character... you might want to skip this book. Suicide is a big deal, and it was like a minor inconvenience to Claire.
2) All. The. Damn. Kidnappings. I've never liked kidnapping or kidnapping/rape plots. And we get multiple in one story. I felt like once in a book series was plenty, but Gabaldon definitely likes this plot device. Twice in one book. Other attempts.
3) I felt like most the surgery stuff I'd read before. Because Claire took on a protege I felt like probably a hundred or so pages of medical review were included in the book.
Overall though, definitely better than the last. This book finally started to wrap up and address plot points that had dragged on for literally thousands of pages with no address or conclusion, while managing to still leave avenues open for a great many new adventures! I look forward to what comes next.
This, I have to say, is a vast improvement over the Fiery Cross. Still dragged in a lot of places, particularly since I have minimal interest in medical or Claire's general disdain for a lot of people and... honestly I normally like Claire but she was terribly judgmental in this book. She's so willing to see the bad in good people, and then acts like she could never have seen things coming when bad people do things because... of course she sees herself as someone who sees the good in people. Claire's characterization frustrated me, and many of the criticisms of the previous books still stand. I'm going to touch on three main before I get onto a positive assessment to round this book out!
1) If you don't want to read a book where someone (I won't name names for spoiler's sake) attempts suicide, and it's completely glossed over by Claire's situation, general angst, and her rather cold treatment of this character... you might want to skip this book. Suicide is a big deal, and it was like a minor inconvenience to Claire.
2) All. The. Damn. Kidnappings. I've never liked kidnapping or kidnapping/rape plots. And we get multiple in one story. I felt like once in a book series was plenty, but Gabaldon definitely likes this plot device. Twice in one book. Other attempts.
3) I felt like most the surgery stuff I'd read before. Because Claire took on a protege I felt like probably a hundred or so pages of medical review were included in the book.
Overall though, definitely better than the last. This book finally started to wrap up and address plot points that had dragged on for literally thousands of pages with no address or conclusion, while managing to still leave avenues open for a great many new adventures! I look forward to what comes next.
Four stars for having me on edge for numerous points, though it drags throughout. There’s no steady build to anything- rather short spouts of story that are then resolved 150 pages later, then 50 pages of nothing before it all starts again.
I will say this book provided some satisfying conclusions to several ongoing sub-plots, and it does leave you on edge to read the next book. I’ll stick with it because I do love seeing the lives of these characters and want to know how it ends (if it ever ends?)
I will say this book provided some satisfying conclusions to several ongoing sub-plots, and it does leave you on edge to read the next book. I’ll stick with it because I do love seeing the lives of these characters and want to know how it ends (if it ever ends?)
FINALLY. Good God I thought this book would never end.