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sheffies's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
jenmangler's review against another edition
3.0
I am a fan of this series, and I will read every last one of them. I have to know how the story plays out.
natashaanson's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
pkrantz's review
adventurous
emotional
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? No
4.0
vacv98's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
illyanadallas222's review against another edition
5.0
Man, I plowed through this 1k in a little over a week. Am I an overachiever? Or perhaps was the book THAT good? I'll let God decide.
Having the benefit of hindsight and having already read the series and ability to cross-compare with other novels in the universe, Book 4 is not one that comes to mind as "the favourite" throughout the fandom. Nothing CLIMATIC stands out, and a lot of miscommunications throughout the families are riddled throughout the book, for better or for worse.
The context that colours this book throughout reminds me that of 'fall colours' and autumnal backdrops. Moving to the colonies and starting from the ground up (quite literally, camping in the North Carolina wilderness) created a idyllic environmental context that quite different from the backdrop we were formerly in, in Voyager, where the environment was... pirates... ships... sea... Jamaica... high key Pirates of the Caribbean vibes, only obviously better... we learn and bond with Tuscarora and Mohawk people, mainly with small allusions to the Cherokee. Diana's detailed odes and representation of Native Americans kindling with outlander communities was not only educational but also a deepened understand of the vibe they lived in.
In terms of our characters, Jaime really was full frontal and center in this novel, as a reader completely felt FRUSTERATED at our hero Jaime for meddling so much into affairs he only knew half-truths of, causing consequential damages that I don't think are easily remedied in the foreseeable future. Alas, this book really exposed his character flaws. With no closing redemption arc, aside from his admissions of his wrongdoings. His arc stood out the most, making him almost mortal in the reader's eyes. Aside from him, experiencing Claire and Jaime again as a unit, and now an extended unit as added family members join them in the home-building in the Colonies, was as well a delight. Drums of Autumn was a very 'domestic' book, where we got to see our family members bubble about their days, tune into their rants and antics as well as the sweet nothings that characterise their days. Only Diana's god-given gift in writing could make me interested in Claire's process of yeasting Penicillin from bread.
And most importantly (excuse the sequious thought), this book gave me Roger. And let me tell you, ROGER, is a true hero in this book. Despite being 'only' a historian he has survived SLAVERY like no other. and Bri! God Bri is so strong.
Diana famously indulged the notion that she doesn't like characters that she likes characters that have 'innate grit and have a strong sense of self-sufficiency', ending it with, 'dysfunctional characters do not interest me' and BOY, was that tested and trailed true in Drums of Autumn.
Alright, Onwards Outlanders heres to Book 5, the Fiery Cross!
Having the benefit of hindsight and having already read the series and ability to cross-compare with other novels in the universe, Book 4 is not one that comes to mind as "the favourite" throughout the fandom. Nothing CLIMATIC stands out, and a lot of miscommunications throughout the families are riddled throughout the book, for better or for worse.
The context that colours this book throughout reminds me that of 'fall colours' and autumnal backdrops. Moving to the colonies and starting from the ground up (quite literally, camping in the North Carolina wilderness) created a idyllic environmental context that quite different from the backdrop we were formerly in, in Voyager, where the environment was... pirates... ships... sea... Jamaica... high key Pirates of the Caribbean vibes, only obviously better... we learn and bond with Tuscarora and Mohawk people, mainly with small allusions to the Cherokee. Diana's detailed odes and representation of Native Americans kindling with outlander communities was not only educational but also a deepened understand of the vibe they lived in.
In terms of our characters, Jaime really was full frontal and center in this novel, as a reader completely felt FRUSTERATED at our hero Jaime for meddling so much into affairs he only knew half-truths of, causing consequential damages that I don't think are easily remedied in the foreseeable future. Alas, this book really exposed his character flaws. With no closing redemption arc, aside from his admissions of his wrongdoings. His arc stood out the most, making him almost mortal in the reader's eyes. Aside from him, experiencing Claire and Jaime again as a unit, and now an extended unit as added family members join them in the home-building in the Colonies, was as well a delight. Drums of Autumn was a very 'domestic' book, where we got to see our family members bubble about their days, tune into their rants and antics as well as the sweet nothings that characterise their days. Only Diana's god-given gift in writing could make me interested in Claire's process of yeasting Penicillin from bread.
And most importantly (excuse the sequious thought), this book gave me Roger. And let me tell you, ROGER, is a true hero in this book. Despite being 'only' a historian he has survived SLAVERY like no other. and Bri! God Bri is so strong.
Diana famously indulged the notion that she doesn't like characters that she likes characters that have 'innate grit and have a strong sense of self-sufficiency', ending it with, 'dysfunctional characters do not interest me' and BOY, was that tested and trailed true in Drums of Autumn.
Alright, Onwards Outlanders heres to Book 5, the Fiery Cross!
dnandrews797's review against another edition
2.0
Definitely my least favourite book in the Outlander series. This one felt like it dragged on forever and the “suspense” of the main misunderstanding of the novel wasn’t tense enough to carry the plot. Also, while Rodger and Brianna are an interesting side plot, I didn’t like them taking center stage for almost half the novel. I was a bit relieved to have this one finished.
amylikestoread's review against another edition
4.0
3.5*
Whilst I did enjoy Drums of Autumn I found it to be the slowest book in the series so far. After reading the previous 2 books in less than a week each, this took me over 10 days to complete. I don't feel like a great deal actually happened in this book compared to the previous ones and it felt overly drawn out at times. I also felt a shift in focus from Jamie and Claire to Brianna and Roger and I don't find them as compelling to read about as J and C. I think I'm going to take a break before reading The Fiery Cross as this book has definitely made me need a bit of a break from the series.
Whilst I did enjoy Drums of Autumn I found it to be the slowest book in the series so far. After reading the previous 2 books in less than a week each, this took me over 10 days to complete. I don't feel like a great deal actually happened in this book compared to the previous ones and it felt overly drawn out at times. I also felt a shift in focus from Jamie and Claire to Brianna and Roger and I don't find them as compelling to read about as J and C. I think I'm going to take a break before reading The Fiery Cross as this book has definitely made me need a bit of a break from the series.
bethanyschmitz13's review against another edition
5.0
This book was jam packed with drama. Absolutely marvelous, onto the fiery cross next