*Poke* *Poke* *Poke*

"AAAAHHHHHH!! What the?.....who the?....where the?"

"When the?"

"Stephanie wake up! It's Claire Fraser. What are you doing here? And should you be driving that contraption? You smell like a brewery!!"

"Oh Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ!....whaa....I'm not *hiccup* a-saxtly sure how I ended up here. Oh look..hee...hee... I'm sitting on the time mower.....Kemper ish going to be sooo pissed at me, but what else is new?....haaaaaaaa!" *slowly sides off time mower in heap*

“Claire, what happened to her?”

“Jamie....do you remember Stephanie? She’s another time traveler like me, but she’s from somewhere in the 2010’s.”

The corner of Jamie’s mouth twitched in a wry smile, “Aye, I do. I’d say that lassie is drunk!” he rubbed his knuckle on his long straight nose.

Holding my hand up “That’s because I am....very, very drunk. Ya see, I read another book *hic* in the series that has been written about your lives, A Breath of Snow and Ashes. Don’t ask me how this is poshsible, I don’t know, but it’s most likely something to do with you messing about with time. Anyhow, just for funnzies I decided to make a drinking game out of the book, whenever you said “Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ” I took a shot of whiskey since you all drink the stuff like water and I thought whatzz good fer the goose is good for the gander.......Haaaaaa.......weeee!

“Why would you do that? Not a wise move if you asked me, I say that ALL the time.” Said Claire. “I KNOW! That was the point......Well, I didn’t ask you Claire because I don’t think you make the wisest choice with the whiskey yourself! By the way, who the hell do you think you are judging me about my alcohol consumption? Around here it’s the answer for everything. Pregnant? Drink some whiskey. Just vomited from being sedated with homemade ether? Drink some whiskey. Been gang raped? Drink some whiskey....okay that one makes sense. Whatever is going on the answer is “drink more whiskey!!” One has to admire that. It’s a damn good thing that I didn’t pick the words ‘wry, knuckle, or rubbed’ or I would be in an alcoholic coma or worse, dead.”

Jamie looked at me and narrowed his cat eyes “If our lives and the words the lady who writes these books uses bothers ya so much, why do ya keep reading them?” The corner of his mouth twitched in a wry smile and he rubbed his long straight nose with his knuckle......again.

“That’s an excellent question Jamie and I don’t have a good answer for you other then that I can’t quit you.....either of you.” *sigh*

“Awe Stephanie, that’s so sweet I could cry. I think we need to drink to that!” said Claire. “Suuure…..what’s a little more whiskey gonna hurt at this point?” Said I. Jamie pours us all a dram of whiskey, says something in Gallic, and we all drink it down in one swallow. He then rubs his long straight nose with his knuckle and smiles wryly.

“One thing I can say in the positive about the authors’, Diana Gabaldon, word choices is that she never ever uses the words ‘throbbing’ and ‘member’ together, and with all the sex scenes in all of these books that’s saying something.”

*Blushes* “She writes about…..mm hmm? What happens at night between me....and my wife?” asks Jamie. “Oh sure…between the two of you, and between Roger and Brianna, between any two people who may cross paths, I’m pretty sure that’s why so many people read the books.” I said.

“She’s also obsessed with describing hair. Seriously how many times must we hear about hair? I know everything there is to know about everybody’s hair in the history of ever. Yours Jamie is always a fire and Claire, you constantly have escaping curls.” I said “but I guess that’s better than the last book, The Fiery Cross, where Diana was obsessed with describing every detail about every dirty diaper, or clout as you call them, that adorable little angelic Gem produced. Forget about the obsession with lactating breasts…..and sex with, around, and about lactating breasts…..and the sticky aftermath. I couldn’t even come back and talk to you about it, any review I tried to write just came out dirty, and not always in a good way.”

“That sounds disgusting.” Said Claire. “At times it was” I said.

“Well, I better get this thing back to its owner before he misses it. I’m not scared of the guy, he likes to pretend he’s evil and all by wearing fake felt mustaches….but he doesn’t fool me.” I said, and then set the time mower for home instead of Kansas; if Kemper wants his time mower back he’ll just have to come to Ohio and get it.

“Haahaa ha…..Mwa ha ha……MWAHAHAHHAHAHAAAAA!!!”

I did enjoy this book more than the previous one. It's a 3.5. There was a new time traveler from her time that enter the story and I was disappointed with how the author handled this character. There was a potential there for something really interesting and she decided to make the character boring instead. But overall it was entertaining. The story had its moments of excitement and drama, and the characters, as always, were well-developed. However, the handling of the new time traveler was a letdown. It could have added a new layer of complexity to the story, but instead, it felt flat. Despite this, I still found myself engaged in the story and looking forward to the next installment. I hope the author will take more risks with new characters and storylines in the future.

Wow, I truly felt like there was an abundance of things happening in this particular installment.

However, it had a distinct feel that the story was progressing with a greater sense of purpose, which was a refreshing change compared to the previous one in the series.

I absolutely loved it! Every single page held my attention and kept me engaged from start to finish.

The author did an excellent job of creating a vivid and exciting narrative that had me on the edge of my seat.

I can't wait to see what comes next in this series and how the story will continue to unfold.

Overall, this was a great read and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good story with a clear direction and plenty of action.

I have finally completed the sixth book in the Outlander series. It has taken me over a year to read this book, not because it wasn't an enjoyable experience. On the contrary, it was. However, it is in typical Gabaldon style, a saga that I could pick up and put down as I pleased. I did this for a while until I got close to the end and then realized that I simply had to finish it.

Now that I have finished, I am feeling a little forlorn because I won't have this book to keep me company. Thankfully, there are two more books in the series to read, and I have book 7 waiting for me. I don't need to say too much more about how wonderful these books are and how awesome the characters are. Those who have read them know, and those who haven't... well, in my opinion, you are missing out. Do yourselves a favor and immerse yourselves in the lives of Claire and Jamie.

The Outlander series is a captivating and engaging read that will transport you to another time and place. The characters are well-developed and the storylines are full of adventure, romance, and drama. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves historical fiction or a good romance.

The action of the book takes place in North Carolina during the period: 1773 - 1776. Diana Gabaldon has managed to surprise me again. Being the sixth volume, I thought it wouldn't impress me with anything anymore, but lo and behold, many things happen, and I, from my reader's armchair, don't want to let go of the book anymore...... The colonies had started to boil over from the previous volume and politically the wheels had begun to turn. Jamie and Claire are confronted with the upheavals of the American Revolution, but at the same time they strive to lead a normal life in their little corner of paradise "Fraser Ridge". A constant problem in this series is the reaction of those in the 18th century to the treatments applied by Claire to patients, hence the increasingly malicious accusations including crime. I won't say more so as not to spoil the surprise for anyone, and yet I've said too much.....

We find out what happened to Ian's wife and the baby they were expecting. New characters appear (another "traveller") and characters already met in previous volumes reappear (Stephen Bonnet, Lord John Grey, William Ransom). Specific to the times, women are in great danger. It happens that one of the heroines is kidnapped, beaten and raped. Another is kidnapped and escapes rape because she is pregnant.... I don't want to say too much.

The relationship between Lizzie and the Beardsley twins is portrayed in a super hilarious way (shock and horror :)). Because Jemmy has lice, he will be shaved on the head and a mark behind the ear identical to Roger's is discovered, and Claire tells them that this kind of mark can be hereditary.

Jamie is confronted with contradictory loyalties: the oath to the British crown after the Jacobite rebellion and the hope for independence that Brianna assures him of. I don't like how the great pirate and smuggler Bonnet is caught, nor the way he exits the scene. I would have liked something more worthy of a negative character. It gave me the impression that the author tried to humanize him too much for my taste and he seems pitiful. Major changes in Fergus' family.

Some precious stones are used for "travelling", part of the gold sent by the King of France as aid in support of Prince Charles Stuart appears and the fire that Brianna read about in the newspaper burns down the big house, but..... that's all I won't say anything more.

Where do I begin my review of “A Breath of Snow and Ashes”, the sixth installment in Diana Gabaldon’s highly acclaimed “Outlander” series, which has also been adapted into a popular television show on Starz? How can I possibly express the torrent of thoughts and emotions that surged through my mind after completing this magnificent work of historical adventure, honor, love, and family? I think it all starts with, “My name is Scott and I am an Outlander fan…”

I have voraciously consumed the first six books of this incredibly well-written series. It encompasses a plethora of elements, such as history, time travel, mystery, adventure, drama, and yes, romance. Each book is an epic masterpiece, overwhelming the reader with its rich background, intricate plotting, authentic characters, and powerful dialog. These elements blend seamlessly together to form a unique and multi-layered mythology that is truly one of a kind. And with each successive book, the story builds and evolves, with multiple plotlines intersecting and surprising the reader in the most wonderful ways. I can only speak for myself, but I am living proof that men can also enjoy and be captivated by the Outlander series.

As many diehard fans of the series already know, Claire Randall is a 20th-century doctor who has managed to travel back and forth through time via an ancient stone circle. There, she meets Jamie Fraser, an 18th-century Scot involved in the Jacobite uprising against England, and they are forced to marry. Claire later returns to the present to bear and raise their child, believing Jamie to be dead. Twenty years later, when their daughter, Brianna, is grown, Claire discovers that Jamie is alive and risks everything to return to him. Later, Brianna and her husband, Roger, join them in the untamed frontier of North Carolina as they strive to build a new future together as a family, all while the seeds of rebellion against England are germinating into the War for Independence.

When “A Breath of Snow and Ashes” commences, civil unrest is on the rise and the eve of the American Revolution is drawing near. Claire and Jamie Fraser are expanding their settlement in the foothills of North Carolina, along with their daughter, Brianna, and her family. However, as expected, they encounter numerous challenges and difficulties. These include rescuing one another after violent kidnappings, solving the mystery of a murdered pregnant neighbor, confronting an old adversary named Steven Bonnet, and being caught between a pledge of loyalty to the British crown or facing betrayal by siding with the rebels fighting for independence and freedom.

“A Breath of Snow and Ashes” is a substantial read, consisting of 1,439 pages in paperback and 1,088 pages on my Kindle. These pages cover the years 1773 - 1776 in the lives of the Fraser clan. As one would anticipate, patience and attention to detail are required of the reader, but this comes easily. Similar to the previous book, “The Fiery Cross”, the storylines develop gradually over the first three hundred or so pages, allowing time for the plot to simmer and intensify, ultimately resulting in several emotionally charged payoffs throughout the book. This includes several heart-wrenching experiences for Claire, Brianna, and Jamie, as well as the revelation of secrets that were set up in the previous two books.

And then, in the final 300 pages, everything takes off like a rocket, hurtling through a storm of drama and angst that left my head reeling. There is so much action and activity that one can almost be overwhelmed by the unfolding drama. Gabaldon holds nothing back. The last quarter of the book is filled with more twists and turns, unexpected appearances, and emotional moments than you can imagine, making it feel like you are on the world’s most thrilling roller coaster ride. And don't even get me started on the multiple climaxes… Wow! I almost needed a scorecard to keep track of all the exciting events. For me, the strength of this book lies in how Gabaldon elevates the themes of family, love, and sacrifice in the relationships between husband and wife, and parent and child. She uses mystery, secrets, and revenge as just a few of the tools in her vast storytelling arsenal.

In my opinion, Gabaldon is an outstanding writer with masterful skills in plotting, character development, scene setting, and dialog. Her plots are meticulously planned, multi-layered, and detailed, regardless of the time period involved, and are full of twists that leave room for future development. She grabs your attention and engages all of your senses as you immerse yourself in her world. Her characters are rich and complex, each with their own unique personalities, motivations, and characteristics. You can't help but love the good guys and hate the bad guys, but every character is three-dimensional and feels completely authentic.

For me, Gabaldon’s ability to write engaging scenes and dialog is perhaps her greatest strength as a writer. Each of these books is filled with wonderful payoff moments, and this one is no exception, as I mentioned earlier. When it comes to characters communicating and sharing information to推动 the plot forward, she is truly excellent. Her dialog flows naturally and has a certain rhythmic quality that sets it apart from most other writers.

Overall, “A Breath of Snow and Ashes” is yet another outstanding addition to Gabaldon’s “Outlander” series. For me, she has managed to create unforgettable characters that I have come to know and care deeply about. I am not ashamed to admit that I have shared some of my most personal moments with them, including laughter, struggle, pain, sadness, and tears of joy. I cannot wait to continue this journey and see what awaits in the next book… Onward!

I sit down to read A Breath of Snow and Ashes over a year after finishing the last Outlander book, A Fiery Cross. For those unfamiliar, A Fiery Cross is essentially a test of a reader's tolerance for the unedited details of unremarkable 18th-century backwoods life, with a dash of completely crazy nonsense thrown in to make them believe more is happening than actually is. That last sentence should hopefully give some insight into why it took me so long to pick up this one. So, I finally do, and I'm like,



In short, I liked this one better than the last one by a significant margin. However, I still can't give it a higher "score" in a practical sense because it has all the same issues as its predecessor. But Gabaldon just happened to explore more interesting (to me) tangents in this one. More specifically, this book actually evoked emotional responses from me (even when they were negative, like anger), while The Fiery Cross just bored me. The only reason I finished it was because I had to return it to the library, and this one I actually read through fairly quickly and still had spare time in my borrowing period.

All that being said, Diana Gabaldon. Must every book contain rape and/or sexual assault? I know this complaint is a common one. I know you don't seem to care. (I know this because you have plenty of time between publishing these huge books to consider criticism on this matter.) But now, in one immediate family unit, a daughter, her father, and now, her mother, have all been violently raped. The claim that these storylines are valid and accurate because sexual violence was more common back then can only go so far. To have it happen to this many primary protagonists, all in the same family, is less a reflection of historical accuracy and more an author looking for something dramatic to happen to her characters. I've probably said this before, but it's just lazy writing. It's offensively lazy because, in addition to being a storytelling cliché, it's intentionally disturbing. Readers can handle a lot of grotesque imagery, but I'm tired of reading scenes that are upsetting just for the sake of it, and not because it will meaningfully impact the story and the character's active role in it. Yes, the trauma of Claire's rape is revisited later in acute PTSD episodes, and while these are sympathetic moments, they may not be necessary in the context of the story and Claire's character, who is already well-defined without adding "rape survivor" to her list of traits. But I've said all this before, and I'm sure I'll say it again.

Both Brianna and Rodger improved for me in this book. I was previously either disinterested or actively annoyed by their storylines. Brianna's story had mainly consisted of dream journal nonsense and overly detailed descriptions of early parenting that made me want to block people on Facebook. Rodger had irritated me with what I thought were rather tiresome and regressive thoughts on masculinity. There are still some of those moments here, with Bree coming up with clever modern convenience projects (like creating matches and a functioning water delivery system) and Rodger feeling lost on how to provide for her when she seems so capable. But here he actually finds some direction, so there's less whining and more taking charge of his own life. Surprisingly, that's much more appealing!

Claire and Jamie are, as always, #OTPgoals. There's not much more I can say about them that I haven't already said in previous reviews. They work so well as a team and are clearly deeply in love with each other. It's really nice to read a romance that shows the enduring love of a happy marriage beyond the initial honeymoon phase. That's where these books remain so strong and engaging for me. Despite all my complaints, I love reading about these two facing all the challenges they do, and that's why I keep coming back to the series.

The amazing series persists, and this is the fourth installment that I have perused.

Although the villainous Bonnett doesn't make an appearance until page 847, the central narrative revolves around Jamie's struggle on behalf of the Americans against the British. The addition of the kidnapping of Jamie, Claire, and Brianna further enhances the novel, making it a truly great one.

However, my only gripe lies with Ian. I find him rather boorish, and I'm astonished by the significant amount of attention he receives in the story. His love life seems rather silly, and when he is in the company of Jamie, his character comes across as childish.

Interestingly, the fact that all the household help at River Run is aware of where the gold is and who Ulysses' secret lover is, while Jamie and Claire remain oblivious, is quite hilarious. It adds an element of humor and mystery to the overall plot.

Overall, despite my reservations about Ian, this novel continues to be an engaging and captivating read within the series.

Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series is truly a phenomenon. The story of Claire and Jamie Fraser continues to captivate readers, and this installment is no exception. Set in the wilderness of North Carolina during the American Revolution, the book is filled with mystery, action, and romance.

Jamie Fraser finds himself in a difficult position, torn between his loyalty to the king and the need to make a choice that will ensure his survival and that of his family. His knowledge of the future events adds an extra layer of complexity to his decisions, and his actions will surprise even his closest friends and countrymen.

Claire Fraser, on the other hand, has to face numerous life-altering events in this book. Her tenacity and ferocity in the face of adversity make her a truly inspiring character. I was constantly on the edge of my seat, wondering how she would manage to overcome the many challenges that came her way.

Brianna and Roger's story also takes an interesting turn in this book. Their romance is developing in a different way than Jamie and Claire's, but it has great potential. The addition of the children, especially Jemmy and Germain, adds a touch of humor and warmth to the story.

One of the things that I love most about these books is the way that Gabaldon weaves together real-life dramas with historical events. The result is a rich and detailed world that feels both familiar and exotic. Despite the length of the book, I never once got bored. There was always something happening, and I was completely invested in the lives of the characters.

In conclusion, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is a must-read for fans of historical romance, adventure, and mystery. Diana Gabaldon is a master storyteller, and I can't wait to see what she has in store for us in the final book of the series.

5 STARS!!!!!!!!! JESUS H. ROOSEVELT CHRIST!!!!!!

So, I have painstakingly gone through all 6000 or so pages of this. And to be honest, I truly despise myself because, incredibly, I actually have a desire to read the next one when (if?) it comes out. I firmly believe that the next story she has set up appears to be more captivating.

I suppose I can fathom the allure of these books. She weaves a "thrilling tale" although it takes her an incredibly long time to reach the climax. Her characters manage to leave a lasting impression. She incorporates interesting details (albeit an excessive number of them).

By no means is it great writing, but it is indeed a page-turner that keeps you engaged. And I must admit that I had a great deal of fun chuckling at the so-called erotic passages and her rather odd fixation with people's asses. It's a guilty pleasure that, despite its flaws, manages to hold my attention and make me look forward to what might come next.

The story still lacks a proper plot. It mainly consists of people going about their activities, with a few kidnappings, rapes, and childbirths thrown in. There are also countless scenes of Clare healing someone. However, at least Brianna didn't have the issue of lactating throughout the entire book this time.

It seems that the author is more focused on presenting individual events rather than weaving a coherent and engaging narrative. The lack of a central plot makes it difficult for the reader to become fully invested in the story.

The repetitive nature of Clare's healing scenes can also become tiresome after a while. While it is understandable that her character has healing abilities, it would be more interesting if there were more variety in the types of challenges she faces and the ways in which she uses her powers.

Overall, the book has its flaws in terms of plot and pacing, but it still manages to hold the reader's attention to some extent due to the interesting characters and their various experiences.

Poor, poor Claire...

Diana Gabaldon really put you through the wringer in this book, didn't she? She had to endure so much. One kidnapping, one group rape, her husband being accused of impregnating a young girl, that girl being murdered, getting arrested, losing her daughter again, and her grandchildren to another time.

What's her problem anyway? Is it too much to ask that she and Jamie get just one moment of peace? I would have thought that twenty years apart would warrant some kind of second honeymoon.

I never thought I'd say this, but I actually like Bree and Roger more and more. Still not enough though. Going from reading about Jamie and Claire to Brianna and Roger gave a certain nice diversity. But they were given way more space than they should have had for my taste. Some of their storylines were emotional and interesting, but let's face it. If this book was solely about Jamie and Claire, it would have been a big, fat 5! They were amazing, as usual.

I've read the series multiple times and they are all amazing books. They're actually in my top three favorite series of all time. Diana's writing style and attention to detail are crazy good. She manages to paint a vivid picture without boring you. These books are so huge that they can be intimidating to start. But over time and with multiple rereads, I've gone from thinking they're too huge, detailed, and slowly paced to pretty perfect. I'm still not thrilled with all the various points of view. They make me lose a little interest, but I've come to accept and semi-like them. I just take it for what it is. I'm surprised to find that I like all the characters and every small detail of 18th-century America, although I do miss my beloved Scotland. And to be honest, if I had one wish, I would only like to read about Claire and Jamie.

“A Breath of Snow and Ashes” was filled with adventures, drama, heart-stopping moments, and emotional storylines. So many things happened. It was like ten books in one. I wish I was a better reviewer so I could do this amazing novel justice. Too bad that Bree and Roger's POVs slowed this awesome book down. I've tried to like them for years, but I just don't care about them enough. They're good and solid characters, but for me, Outlander is Claire and Jamie's story. I wouldn't mind if Roger and Bree and their kids were side characters in the future, but unfortunately, they've taken over more and more and that makes me lose interest.

The dialogue between Jamie and Claire, "But - oh God! Did she tell ye how it happened?" - Jamie Fraser and "Yes. I'll tell you the gory details later." - Claire Fraser, truly encapsulates the essence of this remarkable book. It was absolutely amazing! I must confess that after reading The Fiery Cross, I was beginning to lose interest in this series as it was rather dull. However, this installment more than made up for it. The drama, scandal, and gossip were all captivating. The sex scenes were improved, and the dialogue and jokes were better than ever. At times, it felt like I was watching a hilarious Saturday Night Live sketch. At other moments, I was deeply moved by the touching interactions within the Fraser/MacKenzie family and their unwavering unity. There were numerous action scenes, and the story was told from the diverse perspectives of Claire, Jamie, Bree, and Roger. It wasn't just a mundane diary of Claire Fraser's daily activities. It was truly outstanding, with so many unexpected twists and turns. So many times, I found myself exclaiming, "OMG did that just happen!?" It was really cool to experience the beginning of the Revolutionary War from the perspective of those who had only read about it in history books. Without a doubt, this is my favorite book in the series after Outlander and Dragonfly in Amber. I haven't been this completely immersed in the world of Jamie and Claire since reading Voyager. I was shocked because I had heard that book 6 was extremely long, slow, and boring, but I devoured it in less than four days. I couldn't even take a break! It was written so beautifully, with humorous and touching dialogue. I can't emphasize enough how much I loved the drama. It was like watching the Jerry Springer show, but set against the backdrop of the Revolutionary War in North Carolina. I cried, and I laughed so hard at times. Just look at my tags on this book, and you can see how poor Jamie would be scandalized by the goings-on at his Ridge.

I. Loved. It. If you're犹豫 about continuing with the series after the slow pace of Drums of Autumn and The Fiery Cross, just do as I did. Consider The Fiery Cross as necessary research and background reading for the rest of the series. I must say that the Back To The Future moment at the end was an especially cool touch... really liked that one!

Well done, Mrs. Gabaldon... WELL DONE! I will be starting An Echo in the Bone tomorrow, and then I'll finally be in the same boat as all the other Outlander fans, eagerly awaiting the release of the eighth book.

"But - oh God! Did she tell ye how it happened?" -Jamie Fraser

"Yes. I'll tell you the gory details later." -Claire Fraser