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A review by knod78
An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon
5.0
4.5 stars because it ended with only 1.5 things out of about 5 big things resolved. Thankfully I have the next book ready to go, but I need a break before I start another 1,100 page book.
This book brought me back to the magic of the first two books, even more so than book 6. I was so engaged throughout the entire book and I never thought at any point that I was reading a 1,152 page book. I was surprised and emotional and just amazed at the way Diana took the story and characters. I could barely put it down. In fact, I felt like it needed 100 pages more, because the ending was rushed and there were so many things left unsaid. I mean Roger is back in the past and Brianna/Jem are kidnapped?
The author added three new narrators in Young Ian, John Grey, and William Ransom (you know, Jaime's son). Diana did a good job adding these main characters and I thought it was so interesting to get their thoughts. I can't stress enough on how many surprises occurred. Almost every other chapter was a new surprise of maybe someone of the past or something that happened. I mean FERGUS! Wow. Buccleigh McKenzie! Wow. Benedict Freaking ARNOLD. WOWWWWW! Just so much. But I also liked that unlike the last book, the plots and twists weren't as much and didn't make me roll my eyes to yet another drama. These were manageable plots. My favorite was Brianna and Roger Mac's return to the present time. I loved the letters they got from Claire and Jaime. I loved that they are living in Lallybroch. This was the only plot line I guessed would happen. And because of years watching Murder She Wrote in School, I am trained to suspect that Cameron was the bad guy and not Buccleigh. Never go for the obvious one. No one is that nice. Jenny did hurt me as if I was Claire. I was so dissappointed in her and I almost gave this book 4 stars, because I didn't like any of their return to Scotland. But she came around in the end. And then when Ian died, I was just an emotional wreck. It was a good death though.
I think I have decided that Young Ian is my favorite character. I always thought it was John Grey, but Ian has become something so much more. He's just always practical and deadly and nice and observant. I never have to worry about him and he knows with a glance from Jaime or Claire what is to to be done without saying a word.
If you slogged throught book 3-5, just know (in my opinion) that it does come back and you won't be let down. I seriously was sad all weekend to have completed this book.
This book brought me back to the magic of the first two books, even more so than book 6. I was so engaged throughout the entire book and I never thought at any point that I was reading a 1,152 page book. I was surprised and emotional and just amazed at the way Diana took the story and characters. I could barely put it down. In fact, I felt like it needed 100 pages more, because the ending was rushed and there were so many things left unsaid. I mean Roger is back in the past and Brianna/Jem are kidnapped?
The author added three new narrators in Young Ian, John Grey, and William Ransom (you know, Jaime's son). Diana did a good job adding these main characters and I thought it was so interesting to get their thoughts. I can't stress enough on how many surprises occurred. Almost every other chapter was a new surprise of maybe someone of the past or something that happened. I mean FERGUS! Wow. Buccleigh McKenzie! Wow. Benedict Freaking ARNOLD. WOWWWWW! Just so much. But I also liked that unlike the last book, the plots and twists weren't as much and didn't make me roll my eyes to yet another drama. These were manageable plots. My favorite was Brianna and Roger Mac's return to the present time. I loved the letters they got from Claire and Jaime. I loved that they are living in Lallybroch. This was the only plot line I guessed would happen. And because of years watching Murder She Wrote in School, I am trained to suspect that Cameron was the bad guy and not Buccleigh. Never go for the obvious one. No one is that nice. Jenny did hurt me as if I was Claire. I was so dissappointed in her and I almost gave this book 4 stars, because I didn't like any of their return to Scotland. But she came around in the end. And then when Ian died, I was just an emotional wreck. It was a good death though.
I think I have decided that Young Ian is my favorite character. I always thought it was John Grey, but Ian has become something so much more. He's just always practical and deadly and nice and observant. I never have to worry about him and he knows with a glance from Jaime or Claire what is to to be done without saying a word.
If you slogged throught book 3-5, just know (in my opinion) that it does come back and you won't be let down. I seriously was sad all weekend to have completed this book.