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bandherbooks 's review for:

A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon
5.0

I tried holding off as long as I could before reading this one, because I'm so scared to run out of story. However, returning to Fraser's Ridge and all my favorite people was just so damn enjoyable (even though the library copy I was reading vexed me the entire time due to the broken binding).

Basically, revolution is brewing in the colonies, and the Frasers, Mackenzies, and other denizens of Fraser's Ridge need to figure out when and how they will declare for the revolutionaries. Various horrible and dangerous things happen, and LOTS of medical procedures are performed. Claire finally distills some ether, which will play a huge role later in the book, and Brianna creates little gadgets and tries to get running water to her and Roger's homestead. We get more info on Ian and why he left the Mohawk, and Fergus and Marasali have another baby (and oh baby what a baby). There's kidnappings, more time travel talk, and one big huge snake living in their midst that turn Jamie and Claire's life upside down. And holy crap, that ending!

My one quibble as usual with Gabaldon's writing style is that it takes 500 pages for her to 'set the scene' and then holy shit let the crazy times roll. And the ending felt very rushed to me. Basically from the Bonnet stuff-the resolution, I couldn't believe all of THAT took up so little page count.

And of course, with that flippin' ending, I want to read the 7th book so very badly...but I'll wait :)

Spoilers ahead of the jump.

Spoiler-Jamie and Claire, despite being "old" (mid-fifties) are still super hot, super sexy, and so happy being together. I love their relationship and their firm strength in the others regard. Even with naked native lassies keeping you warm or flippin' Malva Christie.
-Ian. So glad Ian is back. I felt sorry for his situation, but was a little surprised to hear his wife is still alive. I wonder if she will ever return to the narrative. I hope we find a different lady for him, and soon.
-speaking of Ian, that scene where he catapults Fergus into the air so Fergus can use his hook to tear open a feather mattress made me spit my drink out of my mouth. Awesome.
-Rollo is the best dog ever.
-Brianna is still my least favorite character. She just slightly bothers me for some reason. She just always seems a bit awkward and not happy. Although, when she shot Bonnet in the head (FINALLY) that was pretty amazing.
-Lizzie and her damn Beardsley twins. Who knew. I can't get over how well that seems to be working for her, even if her father won't talk to her. So much crazy sex stuff going on in Fraser's Ridge.
-That Malva Christie story ARC kept me reading all hours of the night. I hated her so much for accusing Jamie and betraying Claire, but then when you found out WHY, gross.
-Ether blew up the house! Poor Jamie and Claire have nothing.
-That ending. They are going BACK to Scotland. They aren't dead. The newspaper was WRONG! Thank god. I did cry when Brianna and Roger took the babies back to the future. So sad.
And I just deleted half of what I typed so I'll come back to this later.