raelin 's review for:

A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon

4.75

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-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

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What a pacing change from the pervious book!!! This FLEW by, there was constant tension and action. 

I really enjoyed this book, except for (big “except”) the depiction of slavery. All descriptions of slavery are very hard to read in this. It is either a raw, brutal, and more accurate depiction of slave markets, slave ships, etc OR very rosy assumptions that the slaves of “good” masters must be content in their lives because Jocasta is “kind” and referring to most of her slaves as “servants” “butler” or “body maid.” These two representations of slavery are hard to read for opposite reasons. I was really disappointed in the casualness 

of Phaedre’s situation and assumption she would be okay if sold again because she is a “fancy,” followed so closely by Bree’s close brush with being sold by Bonnet and her abject horror of the prospect of not being in control of her life.

There is a lot in this area of the books I struggle to reconcile. 

Bonnet, I wanted a very concrete ‘we see him dead’ to know his story arc is (finally) over. I also wish Bree had just killed him. I didn’t want him to be given the chance to escape capture and the noose for a third time.

I was really hoping to get a mention of Joe Abernathy when the MacKenzie’s return at the end of the book. I love him and would really like to know what he thinks of Bree disappearing then popping back up with children who have no birth certificates and a husband with no marriage license.

I lost it at the end when Jamie has the dream about the Jemmy trying to call him. I was so incredibly heartbroken for the two of them to be separated. Jamie is far and away my favorite person in this world, and it breaks my heart how much loss the man has had to suffer. And how much he has willingly endured because he knows even though it is hard for him it is better for others.

I don’t really like Roger. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I had mixed feelings about him being saved from the hanging in book 5.  He has grown on me this book with his minter’s calling. But I really do not ship the Roger/Bree. I think Bree deserves a more solid and worthy partner.