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rebelread's review against another edition
2.0
rambled quite a lot. However, picked up in last 1/4 which will make you want to dive right into book #6, A Breath of Snow and Ashes.
melodier93's review against another edition
4.0
(3.5 stars) The same thing that makes Diana Gabaldon's writing so compelling - long conversations and digressions, descriptions of daily life, labyrinthine plots and huge casts of characters to keep track of - are also what can make it so maddening. This is hardly a page turner. There are days in this novel that stretch over hundreds of pages, filled with Claire dealing with minor medical emergencies, Jamie discussing local politics with various men I can't keep straight, endless babies and diapers and milk-filled breasts, and various descriptions of body odor, horniness, and other carnal experiences. This novel certainly has its moments of breathtaking beauty and profundity - there's a scene about aging between Jamie and Claire that will linger with me for a long time - along with some truly exciting and profound moments. It's also, frequently, extremely funny and charming - the book sparkles most in its discussion about science and technology between Jamie and Claire, and there are moments so delightful that I had to read them aloud to my partner. It also, of course, contains the same problematic things that Diana Gabaldon is always doing - frustrating treatment of Black and Indigenous people, a glorification of heterosexual masculinity that gets me eye-rolling, the continued existence and angst of Roger (my least favorite character). This is a great book to spend a lazy afternoon with if you're there for the experience itself and not the destination - I spent many lovely hours with it over the last year, most pleasantly at a cabin in the mountains sitting next to the fire. But if you're reading to get anywhere quickly, you'll be continually disappointed. I am Outlander trash - was from the moment I started watching the TV show four years ago, and probably will be for years to come - but it will be a little while before I have the energy and the endurance to pick up the next one, if it means more of the same long-windedness - and the mixed horror and beauty - that marked this one.
allybl's review against another edition
3.0
Taking me forever to finish - but not for lack of good story! I just have run out of time!
krdegan's review against another edition
4.0
Written from my phone. Contains spoilers so don't read unless spoilers don't matter to you. I tried to set it so they won't show but I don't know if it worked.
At this point Jamie and Claire seem like actual people to me...I've spent such a large part of this year getting to know them through this Outlander series that time travel somehow doesn't seem so implausible anymore.
I liked this book even though not much happens. I'm still not a fan of Roger. Brianna's character is somehow underdeveloped, and I wish she figured more prominently. I am still waiting for Geilie's prophesy about Jaime's spawn to turn into something. (Will it be Jemmie or William?) There were fewer loose ends in this book than the others, and a few of the others got wrapped up, which was nice. But it does seem like characters are sometimes introduced to bring a certain level of intrigue or suspense (the slave healer, Lord John and William with smallpox, Ian and the Mohawk and his life there, etc.), and then just dropped unceremoniously with loose ends dangling.
Still, these books are a great escape and I do enjoy envisioning the 18th century through Gabaldon's eyes.
At this point Jamie and Claire seem like actual people to me...I've spent such a large part of this year getting to know them through this Outlander series that time travel somehow doesn't seem so implausible anymore.
I liked this book even though not much happens. I'm still not a fan of Roger. Brianna's character is somehow underdeveloped, and I wish she figured more prominently. I am still waiting for Geilie's prophesy about Jaime's spawn to turn into something. (Will it be Jemmie or William?) There were fewer loose ends in this book than the others, and a few of the others got wrapped up, which was nice. But it does seem like characters are sometimes introduced to bring a certain level of intrigue or suspense (the slave healer, Lord John and William with smallpox, Ian and the Mohawk and his life there, etc.), and then just dropped unceremoniously with loose ends dangling.
Still, these books are a great escape and I do enjoy envisioning the 18th century through Gabaldon's eyes.
avenevs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
kmp's review against another edition
5.0
They just keep getting better. Although I wish there were more interaction with Fergus.
sestreet's review against another edition
3.0
The weakest in the series so far but mainly because it really could have been edited down. I did enjoy the story overall, just wish there was less of Diana Gabaldon glorying in her own writing.
boonehirth's review against another edition
2.0
I really enjoyed the first three Outlander books, but it's going downhill quickly. This book was absolutely pointless. Nothing happens to move the story along. It didn't get interesting until the very end. Hoping the series has a stronger finish.
amberweinberg's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this book would never end. It was way too long with nothing really important happening.
daniiiileighhhh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.25
My god this book was long and for what