My favorite one so far? Maybe? They all blur together at this point, but this one was SO GOOD.

It had something special that made it stand out from the rest. The moment I laid eyes on it, I knew it was different.

The details were exquisite, and the overall design was simply captivating.

It had a certain charm that drew me in and made me unable to look away.

Every time I think about it, I can't help but smile.

It's like a precious gem that shines brighter than all the others.

I'm not sure if I'll ever find another one that can compare to it.

But for now, it holds a special place in my heart as my favorite.

Gabaldon's epic historical series continues to unfold, with the narrative edging closer to the American War of Independence.

An early crime has the Frasers and MacKenzies on edge, deeply shaking Claire. However, this doesn't stop her from providing prophetic commentary before the key battles of the war. It also allows Jamie to chart his own course in the upcoming clash, as he grapples with the conflict between honouring the Crown and knowing the final outcome.

Amidst the war preparations, Gabaldon enriches the text with numerous vignettes that bring more characters to life. The key players continue to experience familial growth. Claire uses her time to explore her role as a traveller through the Stones, having met others who have shared the same fate in her 'new life'. These individuals educate her about the Stones and the various portals that enable people to move relatively easily from the 20th to the 18th centuries, albeit at a great cost to their lives.

Roger, seeking his place in the 18th century, takes up the cloth and becomes a Presbyterian minister for the Ridge, drawing on some of his adoptive father's life lessons before crossing into the past.

The residents of Fraser's Ridge face numerous quandaries and legal battles, sometimes resembling a soap opera. Yet, they forge ahead as the colonies around them strive to create their own history and future independent of Britain.

No story would be complete without another appearance by Irish pirate Stephen Bonnet, who attempts to claim what he believes is his, Brianna. However, she turns the tables on him and tries to put an end to his marauding ways once and for all.

As the story progresses and the Clan expands, a medical issue may force the Frasers and MacKenzies to part ways, a decision that no one takes lightly. Gabaldon continues her story with such verve that avid readers are left yearning for more.

Gabaldon has masterfully used the War of Independence as a focal point for the series. As the months pass and the prophetic article in the Wilmington Gazette predicts their death, Jamie and Claire must confront their history, future, and love for each other, while also advancing the story of the entire Fraser's Ridge cast in this sensational sixth novel. Gabaldon finds new historical angles to explore, keeping the chapter-based tales fresh and captivating. The comparative exploration of science and medicine in both centuries is highly informative for the reader, and history is used as a forward-looking guide rather than just a collection of past lessons. Gabaldon also forces Claire to face the truth about her original destiny as a Stone traveller and what it means for her as a person and for the many others who may have made similar journeys around the world.

Claire and Jamie continue to connect on multiple levels, but they have stepped back to let the next generation take the spotlight and tell their own story. Gabaldon's long and detailed narrative is masterfully told and intricately crafted, captivating fans from start to finish.

Kudos to Madam Gabaldon for continuing to amaze readers with her ideas, plots, and subplots. I am in awe of how much she can reveal while still leaving so much mystery for future novels.

Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others can be found at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

The paperback edition of the sixth book in the Outlander series is an astonishing over 1500 pages long. And, to be honest, I simply couldn't hang on every single word. Seriously, who could? There are just way too many of them! It really feels bloated. Diana Gabaldon's editor must have an enormous amount of love for her or perhaps is just too nice for this cutthroat business. Remember that timeless piece of advice from Mark Twain: "Kill your darlings"?

I truly love Jamie and Claire (not so much Roger and Brianna), and I've been completely hooked since Outlander. However, the series has been floundering for quite some time now. In fact, I couldn't even finish the fifth book, The Fiery Cross. As for Breath of Snow and Ashes, one has to wonder how many times the same handful of people can escape from prison, mob scenes, near-death experiences, kidnappings, and so on. Maybe I'm just being cranky because while I was plowing through this massive tome, I could have easily finished at least four other books on my to-read list. But I sacrificed my time, I persevered, and I really, really wanted to love this book. Alas, it just wasn't meant to be.

There were indeed enough Jamie and Claire antics and classic Gabaldon humor to recommend this title, but only to the most hardcore Outlander fans. Remember, 1500 pages is an incredibly huge chunk of prose, which means it's a massive investment of your precious reading time. So, approach this book with caution.

I want to keep this spoiler-free, so I won't give a lot of details.

Claire, Jamie, Brianna, Roger, Ian, and the others - they are all alive and well. They are still on the hunt for Steven Bonnet, and they remain torn between not being traitors to the King and being on the winning side when America will gain independence. This book kicks off with significantly more action than The Fiery Cross. I'm extremely pleased to see Claire get her claws back (and put them to use) :)

Some parts really gave me the creeps, such as Jamie's "dreams" or the ever-present and looming threat of them dying in a fire (as per the newspaper article discovered by Brianna in book 4). However, there were several tender and touching moments as well (and those are the ones I cherish the most). For instance, there was a very lovely conversation between Ian and Brianna. Tissue alert! I absolutely LOVED it!

The story continues to unfold with its unique blend of adventure, romance, and historical drama, keeping readers on the edge of their seats and eager for more.

Well, it took me a full 4 months to listen to this extremely large audio book, spending 30 minutes a day on it.

That's indeed a long time, but I truly loved every moment of it and I'm still deeply interested in the story.

At the conclusion of the book, it's 1776 and the colonies are filled with the rumblings of war. Roger and Brianna have accomplished what they needed to do in order to save Amanda. Meanwhile, Jamie and Claire are together, getting ready for the upcoming battle.

I have a great affection for this series and I will soon commence reading book 7.

I can't wait to see what new adventures and challenges await the characters in the next installment.

The rich and detailed world created by the author has truly captured my imagination and I'm eager to continue exploring it.

Wow....what a book!

This was indeed a long one, there's no doubt about that. But, fortunately for me, it's back on par with Outlander and Voyager!

After truly loving the series up until #3, the 4th and 5th books were somewhat of a letdown for me. Both of them were far too long and I actually got bored in certain parts.

The story left Scotland and Europe and ventured to the American colonies. It started out okay, but then it became monotonous for me.

I also didn't like what happened to some of the characters and felt that some of them had very minor roles to play.

However, in this book, I felt that many questions were answered, the characters returned, and so did the action.

Rape, murder, savages, illness, fire....lying, cheating, stealing....people died...more babies were born....it truly had everything!

I'll take a short break before moving on to #7. For fans of this series....this is a great one!!

The mind truly boggles when one stops to consider just how much history Gabaldon has managed to expertly weave into this novel. The Outlander series, which might initially appear to some as an overly written tome catering to the hysterics of Jamie Fraser fans, actually contains a wealth of American history that is quite astonishing. The author's ability to seamlessly incorporate such a vast amount of historical detail is truly remarkable. It is evident that Gabaldon has done extensive research and has a deep understanding of the time periods she writes about. This attention to historical accuracy adds a layer of authenticity and richness to the story that is truly captivating. I have nothing but the utmost admiration for the author's talent and dedication. A hearty 4.5★ seems more than justified for this remarkable work of historical fiction.

It is a testament to Gabaldon's skill that she can make history come alive in such a vivid and engaging way. Readers are not only treated to a thrilling romance but also to a fascinating exploration of the past. The Outlander series is a must-read for anyone interested in history, romance, or simply a great story.

**A Review of a Heart-Wrenching Book and Its Audio Format**

Not a complaint about the book itself, but a heads-up for those considering the audio version. Amazon has this book configured in a way that it's not whisper-sync enabled. So, you can't follow along with the audio while reading the same book as the other books do (where they highlight for you and you can pause and play audio from the book). You have to download the audiobooks separately. However, note that these audiobooks come in 7 different parts, none of which are labeled with which section they belong to. I had to download all 7 parts and figure out which one was which by trial and error. I eventually got the hang of it, but it was slightly annoying.

This book was by far the most heart-wrenching among the other 5. I think I spent the majority of my reading time with my heart in my throat, constantly worried about what would happen next. There were fewer "new" characters in this one, which I really enjoyed. Sometimes I have a hard time learning about all the new people and keeping them straight. Yes, there were new ones, but unlike in The Fiery Cross (book 5), it didn't feel like they were force-fed to me.

There were several jaw-dropping moments for me. I'll hide them inside spoilers for those who haven't read yet. Claire being kidnapped, beaten, and raped while at the whiskey shed with Marsali was truly terrifying. I was so scared for her, and I could feel her doubt in those few moments when the men were on top of her, not sure if she was going to make it. Especially when she started to lose air and was hanging on by a thread. But the way Jamie marched in with the drums was EPIC!

Donner, that guy I thought might turn out to be a friend for Claire since he was also a time traveler, but that wasn't the case.

Bree getting pregnant again was exciting. I felt like Roger loved Jem as his own, but he really needed a baby he was sure was his. Even after she was kidnapped by Bonnet and his men to be sold (and I hate that man!), I loved hearing her say that now that she had the new baby growing inside her, she knew she wasn't alone.

Amanda, Bree and Roger's baby girl, was born with a heart issue. Jamie, Bree, and Claire had to make the tough choice to send the little family back through the stones to get Amanda medical treatment that Claire couldn't provide. It really broke my heart, even though I knew it was for the best. I felt like they were huge parts of Jamie and Claire's life, and to send half the family away and have no way of contacting them to see if they were safe was just so sad.

I adored learning how Jamie was able to see things. Remember back in Outlander when Frank saw a Scottish man outside of his and Claire's window? Well, learning that these were dreams of Jamie's was really awesome. And I loved when he was able to see Roger, Bree, Jem, and Amanda with Fiona and asked Claire what the object on the table was (it was a telephone).

Sorry about the spoilers, but this really was an amazing book with so much going on that I had a hard time putting it down. It took me a little longer to read because of the way the audio was set up, as I couldn't stop easily when someone needed me, so I would pause for longer periods. I loved the explanation of the newspaper error in the end! Jamie and Claire are going back to Scotland, and I can't wait to see how this plays out!

A Breath of Snow And Ashes by Diana Gabaldon is an absolute gem.

Rated 5/5 stars (or rather, a million, billion stars!), this review contains numerous spoilers.

The Outlander series is among my all-time top three. I am completely and passionately in love with Jamie and Claire. Their bond is incredibly strong, unique, and all-consuming. It often feels as if I'm peeking into something too intimate, but I'm selfish in that regard and just keep reading. They seem so real, like the story of an epic couple who truly lived and are buried side by side.

This book is thick, but I noted down some of my favorite scenes. Ian's story is heart-wrenching. He falls in love, loses two beautiful daughters, and his wife leaves him due to deformities. My heart broke for him, but he has grown so much. I adore him and wish he were my nephew.

The part about Sir John Gray and Bobby is also powerful. At first, you might think he did something wrong and hate him, but then you feel a sort of understanding, followed by all-consuming relief.

Malva grows on me quickly. I love her fierceness and eagerness to learn. The evolving bond between Tom Christie and Claire is beautiful to read, especially how he starts to trust her to operate on him. But then comes the sudden twist with Malva's lie, setting off a chain of events including murder, a bloody baby, and a confession that leaves me completely drained.

Fergus and Marsali's storyline also grips me. I missed their larger role in previous books. Fergus battles alcoholism, and then their sweet baby boy Henri is born. I instantly love him, even though he is a dwarf. It breaks my heart that they have to move to the city due to gossip and the potential hurt Henri might face.

Claire being raped again frightens and scares me, but I'm happy she is so strong and fierce. I also love the humanity of Jamie, with his recurring nightmares and how calming Claire's presence is.

I also laughed a lot while reading, like when Jemmy and Germaine got drunk or when that lady came back to life at the funeral. Aunt Jocasta, Duncan, and Phaedra's storyline is engaging, and Auntie Jocasta is not to be messed with!

The biggest shock might be the birth of sweet Amanda, daughter of Bree and Roger, who has a heart murmur and needs to go back in time for surgery to live. This reminds me of the epilogue. I liked what they did in the present time, and Bree finding that letter was everything.

Diana, you've written another masterpiece. Thank you for giving us such a detailed history of these amazing characters. Never stop writing. I adore your books, your words, and your characters are second to none! A million, billion stars from me for this masterpiece!

I initially harbored doubts that this series could ascend to greater heights. However, A Breath of Snow and Ashes shattered those misgivings. This volume centered predominantly around Claire, delving deep into her emotions and experiences. She was confronted with a plethora of arduous circumstances, and time and again, we witnessed her confronting them with a resolute mind and unwavering determination. Claire's aloofness, which I had always found to be a captivating character trait, remained intact, yet she underwent a remarkable evolution and emerged as a far more complex and endearing character by the conclusion of this book. It seemed impossible for me to develop an even deeper affection for her, yet that's precisely what occurred.

Despite being enthralled by the non-stop action, the intricate mystery sub-plots, the remarkable ensemble of secondary characters, the foreboding atmosphere that lingered, and the uproariously hilarious dialogues, one aspect that sent shivers of excitement down my spine was Jamie's dreams/visions. Without delving into spoilers, Jamie knew and saw things that defied explanation - such as his knowledge of Brianna's birthmark behind her ear, despite having never met her in a previous installment. I have an insatiable love for this type of magical realism, and I eagerly anticipate obtaining some answers regarding the origin of Jamie's extraordinary ability.

As for the conclusion, it was a whirlwind of events, completely unpredictable, and left me in a state of emotional turmoil. That first epilogue was utterly devastating, causing my heart to writhe within my chest. I fervently hope that An Echo in the Bone provides us with insights into the activities of certain individuals, as I'm not certain if I could bear the alternative.

In conclusion, A Breath of Snow and Ashes stands as one of my all-time favorite Outlander books thus far. I wholeheartedly encourage you to persevere with the series and reach this stage of plot and character development.

This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.

I almost feel as if Claire and Jamie are family. Over the years, we've endured a great deal together, and it appears that things never truly become any simpler, do they? This was my initial encounter with this book, and I opted for the audio version instead of the paper copy. The audio was extremely long. To be frank, it was perhaps too long. I adore Jamie, Claire, Brianna, Roger, and the entire gang, but by the time I completed this audio, I was really eager to progress to something else. Don't misunderstand me; this story is truly excellent, and I'm glad I listened to it, but at a certain point, it nearly wore me out.

These books are somewhat distinct from what you would typically read. I always inform people that most books address a specific issue and possess a definite story arc. However, the books in the Outlander series are highly character-driven and don't concentrate on any particular plot point. It's truly just all the events that occur during this period in Jamie, Claire, Brianna, and Roger's lives. You do need to read this series in sequence because elements from previous books tend to resurface时不时.

So much takes place in this book. As I mentioned, Jamie and Claire feel almost like family, so when misfortunes befall them, I truly feel it. Adversities do occur in this book. There are things that made me want to weep, things that made me laugh, and things that made me angry. I really appreciate how Jamie and Claire's love for each other remains unwavering, and even now that they are older, they still enjoy a very healthy sex life.

Davina Porter does an outstanding job in narrating this book. The voices and accents she employs for all the main characters have remained remarkably consistent throughout the series. I find it astonishing how proficiently she manages the male voices. Her portrayal of Jamie is simply perfect. I like how much emotion is palpable in her voice as she reads this story. I'm capable of listening to her voice for hours on end without ever growing weary of it.

I would highly recommend this series to others. It's a series that I intend to revisit periodically because the characters are so wonderful and the writing is so skillfully executed. I will be continuing with this series in the near future.

Initial Thoughts

I did relish this story. So much occurs in this book. As much as I relished the story, it seemed to persist indefinitely. With the audio duration listed as 57 hours and 46 minutes, I almost feel as if I deserve some sort of accolade for paying attention to anything for that length of time.

I am truly and utterly disappointed with the last book. Gabaldon's writing has always had a tendency to be flighty and disjointed, but this time she took it to a whole new level. She just kept adding one storyline after another of things that were, quite frankly, wrong and completely unnecessary. Take Lizzie and the Twins for example. What on earth was that all about? And the Malva storyline was just as bad. With each passing page, every character seemed to become more and more despicable. It really seems as if Gabaldon was writing solely for shock value. Or maybe she was trying to introduce some new moral code that we're all supposed to accept. Claire, who was once a strong heroine, ended up becoming weak, blindly accepting everything that was happening around her. It's clear that Gabaldon had a difficult time saying goodbye with this 1400-page monstrosity. I've heard that another one is coming out, but needless to say, I can wait for it to hit paperback or it's no longer on my wait list at the library. The only character that still holds any interest for me is Jamie. Really.

That's about it. I'm just so disappointed with how this series has turned out. I used to love it, but now I'm not so sure.