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A review by cherique89
The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon
3.0
2.5 STARS OUT OF 5
When I started this book, I had given up all hope of both plausibility and character development as I had come to like in the first two books. I was not wrong, but I wasn't right either.
You see, while this book is no where near the enthralling mood of the first two books (the second being a my favourite due to the betterment of the author's writing style and plot development in comparison with Outlander,) this book gets one thing much much better than The Drums of Autumn. And that dear friends, is a sense of plausibility. Not the plausibility that you may find in reality (as I'd say, that would make a rubbish story) but the plausibility that within their world you can accept things that are happening. Characters that were reduced to absolute idiots, once again have regained their mental capacity and intelligence. Something I will never understand why, was missing in Drums.
While this book is not as good in those two aspects of the first two books, it is better than Drums and sections of Voyager. So I was pleasantly surprised, whether this surprise was because I lowered my expectations to zero or because it actually has merit on its own, I do not yet know.
Do be warned, this is a very slow paced book. The first 200+ pages are set in the same day and many events in the book are paced likewise. In fact you could be able to draw-up all happenings in the book on one page of text. I go as far to say that there is no real planned plot for this instalment. Instead the whole thing is woven together with specific events, (events that might one day be useful for writing a novel with a clear plot, hopefully.) Some dangerous, some mundane, and a few rather unnecessary. 1400+ pages for a book is acceptable when a lot of things are happening, but to reach that many pages the author has used constant long-winded inner monologue that there were moments I groaned and skipped out a few regarding Bree.
Here is my honest opinion though, I would much rather read this book, than ever have to read the mind-blowing shit that was Drums of Autumn. Here even Bree suddenly realizes she has a brain worth using (not that I love her now, still somewhat hate her but with less vigour.)
I gave this book 2 stars, I would have liked to give in 2.5, because Outlander the first book to me had 3.5 stars and I need to make clear that they are vastly different and that Outlander is still a better book regarding plot.
If you love Jamie and Claire and want to know what might happen to them, I think you might be inclined to read this. If you somehow managed to pick this book up without reading any of the previous books (if so GO BACK AND READ OUTLANDER!) you are going to be bored out of your skull. This book is for the people that already are addicted to Jamie and Claire. So much so you're willing suffer through Bree and Roger once a while too (I've come to like Roger, more so than Bree.)
SPOILER SECTION
I was soo happy to see Ian again though, however briefly at the end. I stared at the page a full 10 seconds, thinking,.. Ian? I held back the urge to express loud happiness. The only redeeming quality Drums had, was Ian.
And the most unexpected thing of all...NO ONE GOT RAPED! I am so happy about this. There was a threat of it, but it didn't happen. (See Diana, you don't have to add rape! YOU CAN DO IT!)
I have to say though, I hated it when you finally get intimate scenes with Jamie and Claire, and it cuts in the middle to than go on to the morning after. I'm reading these books for Jamie and Claire, I NEED MY FIX! The characters are not the only ones frustrated about these things. I on the other hand, have very little desire of reading about Roger and Bree's love life.
I was happy with most of this book, like I said, I can deal with long winded, but not with characters acting idiotically for the sake of a bad plot. I feel good enough to read the next book, which I am thankful for.
When I started this book, I had given up all hope of both plausibility and character development as I had come to like in the first two books. I was not wrong, but I wasn't right either.
You see, while this book is no where near the enthralling mood of the first two books (the second being a my favourite due to the betterment of the author's writing style and plot development in comparison with Outlander,) this book gets one thing much much better than The Drums of Autumn. And that dear friends, is a sense of plausibility. Not the plausibility that you may find in reality (as I'd say, that would make a rubbish story) but the plausibility that within their world you can accept things that are happening. Characters that were reduced to absolute idiots, once again have regained their mental capacity and intelligence. Something I will never understand why, was missing in Drums.
While this book is not as good in those two aspects of the first two books, it is better than Drums and sections of Voyager. So I was pleasantly surprised, whether this surprise was because I lowered my expectations to zero or because it actually has merit on its own, I do not yet know.
Do be warned, this is a very slow paced book. The first 200+ pages are set in the same day and many events in the book are paced likewise. In fact you could be able to draw-up all happenings in the book on one page of text. I go as far to say that there is no real planned plot for this instalment. Instead the whole thing is woven together with specific events, (events that might one day be useful for writing a novel with a clear plot, hopefully.) Some dangerous, some mundane, and a few rather unnecessary. 1400+ pages for a book is acceptable when a lot of things are happening, but to reach that many pages the author has used constant long-winded inner monologue that there were moments I groaned and skipped out a few regarding Bree.
Here is my honest opinion though, I would much rather read this book, than ever have to read the mind-blowing shit that was Drums of Autumn. Here even Bree suddenly realizes she has a brain worth using (not that I love her now, still somewhat hate her but with less vigour.)
I gave this book 2 stars, I would have liked to give in 2.5, because Outlander the first book to me had 3.5 stars and I need to make clear that they are vastly different and that Outlander is still a better book regarding plot.
If you love Jamie and Claire and want to know what might happen to them, I think you might be inclined to read this. If you somehow managed to pick this book up without reading any of the previous books (if so GO BACK AND READ OUTLANDER!) you are going to be bored out of your skull. This book is for the people that already are addicted to Jamie and Claire. So much so you're willing suffer through Bree and Roger once a while too (I've come to like Roger, more so than Bree.)
SPOILER SECTION
Spoiler
The one thing I couldn't help but cringe at, was that Bonnet somehow managed to get away. Sure he had at least a section of his privates blown off, but I would have been much more satisfied with him biting the dust. He's deeply uninteresting, pathetic and unworthy. Black Jack was vile, I hated him with every fibre of my being as he was twisted in such darkness, you wondered constantly what he was and how he had become as such.. I don't want to know a thing about Bonnet. He does not make me furious, he annoys me.I was soo happy to see Ian again though, however briefly at the end. I stared at the page a full 10 seconds, thinking,.. Ian? I held back the urge to express loud happiness. The only redeeming quality Drums had, was Ian.
And the most unexpected thing of all...NO ONE GOT RAPED! I am so happy about this. There was a threat of it, but it didn't happen. (See Diana, you don't have to add rape! YOU CAN DO IT!)
I have to say though, I hated it when you finally get intimate scenes with Jamie and Claire, and it cuts in the middle to than go on to the morning after. I'm reading these books for Jamie and Claire, I NEED MY FIX! The characters are not the only ones frustrated about these things. I on the other hand, have very little desire of reading about Roger and Bree's love life.
I was happy with most of this book, like I said, I can deal with long winded, but not with characters acting idiotically for the sake of a bad plot. I feel good enough to read the next book, which I am thankful for.