Reviews

A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon

rogue91's review against another edition

adventurous challenging slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

This book was, in my opinion, so much longer than it had to be. It took me forever to finish it. 

kaylynbosak's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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

5.0

palomien's review against another edition

5.0

It's unbelievable how those 1000+ pages just go by and you find yourself at the end of the book and not knowing how to live on. Seems too much to start the next one right away, but also impossible to live without them. Only two more to go... And I never would have believed that I will actually consider re-reading the series, but... I am.

simpukkasini's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

lauralily24's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This is now my favorite book of the series (besides the first book, OF COURSE)! The pace is perfect and a huge improvement from the previous books in the series. I loved the section break down and found the ending super satisfying 💚

peachpie's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny hopeful informative sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

craalm's review against another edition

5.0

I'm giving this book five stars because it's Jamie and Claire - and how can I NOT give any book with them five stars? Well, ok, I didn't give "The Fiery Cross" five stars, but I thought that that book was the weakest in the whole series so far - but this one was certainly so much better! I'm getting very used to these books now and I know there will always be times where things seem to drag a little. This book is nearly 1500 pages long and some of it is going to be unnecessary. And that was the case. But if you can get through some of those detailed bits which aren't so interesting, the story is amazing. None of the books will ever be as good as the first, "Outlander" but the writing is simply gorgeous. You can't help but fall in love with the main characters. Even Brianna. Ok, so sometimes she annoys me, and I know there are people who really don't like her at all. I didn't like her at first. But in this book there were moments where I found myself warming to her, and now I think I have to say I do like her. She matured, in my opinion. Still has some way to go though, but she's getting there. Jamie, Claire, Roger, Brianna; all those main characters just come to life when Diana writes their story. The last book let me down a little - not much happened and when it did, it seemed kind of pointless (though I still gave it 4 stars because, well, it's Jamie and Claire!) but this book had some really interesting plot twists that I genuinely didn't see coming - and I am excited to read the next one now!

lici2107's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

lilylanie's review against another edition

3.0

A Breath of Snow and Ashes is a book that has been on my shelf for a couple of years, which is odd given how ravenously I read the first five in the series. I haven't been as crazy about the books since the shift in location to America, but I really did enjoy this one, certainly more than I did the previous book. And now it seems that Jamie and Claire are heading back to Scotland, so I anxiously await book seven (which may be the last book in the series, but Gabaldon hasn't been entirely clear on that).

Generally speaking, novels that revolve around romance mingled with a bit of science fiction are not something I would rave about, but there's just something about the way Gabaldon writes that transcends the genre. Claire is not your typical romantic heroine, and Jamie is far more enticing than the typical hero. They are truly interesting, multi-dimensional characters, who almost seem as if they could be real people that you would enjoy a conversation with (should you happen to stumble through the stones and end up in the 1700s). Gabaldon has done a wonderful job of researching the era and providing believable detail (usually) without turning it into a history lesson with myriad dates and names.

People who read these books either fall madly in love with them or don't get them at all. I think it's well worth reading the first in the series (Outlander) to find out which category you fall into.

torijoy24's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective sad 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? Yes

4.0