“When the day shall come, that we do part,” he said softly, and turned to look at me.

His eyes held a depth of emotion that made my heart skip a beat.

I could see the sincerity and the pain in them, as if he was already dreading that moment.

“If my last words are not ‘I love you’—ye’ll ken it was because I didna have time.”

His voice was filled with a tenderness that made me want to hold onto him forever.

I knew that he meant every word he said, and it made me realize just how much he truly cared for me.

In that moment, I felt a connection with him that I had never felt before.

It was as if the world around us had stopped, and it was just the two of us, sharing this precious moment.

I knew that no matter what happened in the future, this moment would always be etched in my memory.

The Fiery Cross (Outlander #5) by Diana Gabaldon is a captivating installment in the Outlander series.

It follows the adventures of time-traveling Claire Randall and her 18th-century Scottish Highlander husband, Jamie Fraser. The story is a rich blend of historical fiction, romance, adventure, and science fiction/fantasy.

Claire, now a reluctant oracle and wife to Jamie, faces the political turmoil of the approaching American Revolution. The previous novel, Drums of Autumn, ended with Jamie and Claire helping their daughter and son-in-law from the 20th century settle on Fraser's Ridge. The Fiery Cross picks up where it left off, with Brianna and Roger about to formalize their marriage and baptize their son.

As unrest brews and the American Revolution looms, Jamie is called to form a militia to suppress the beginnings of rebellion in North Carolina, putting his life at risk for a king he knows he must soon betray. Gabaldon ties up several loose ends from the previous novel, revealing mysterious plots and characters along the way. By the end, the Frasers and their family are on the brink of war, leaving readers eager for more.

The first reading date was March 4, 2018. The title in Persian is "Foreign: Book Five: The Fiery Cross; Author: Diana Gabaldon." The strange story of Claire Randall Fraser unfolds as she, a World War II nurse, travels to Inverness, Scotland, with her husband Frank in 1945. There, she stumbles upon a sacred place with standing stones and follows strange sounds, only to find herself in 1743 Scotland, the time of her husband's ancestor, Black Jack Randall. She meets a brave Scottish warrior named Jamie Fraser and eventually marries him. Their love story blossoms, and in this fifth book, their daily lives are presented with such detail that the reader's focus is easily diverted from the story of time travel. a. Sharbiani

About 3.5 stars for me.

I listened to the audiobook version of this book - all 55 hours of it. Yup, 55 hours. It's truly a long journey. Luckily, the narrator Davina Porter is amazing. Her performance does make the book come alive. She brings the characters and the story to vivid life, making it easier for the listener to immerse in the world of the book.

I've listened to the first 4 books in this series back to back and now it is time for a break. While I love Jamie and Claire deeply, I kind of don't have the same intense feelings for Brianna. Maybe it's because her character development didn't resonate with me as strongly as the others.

The historical aspect of the book is interesting. It makes me think about how different life was in the 1700's compared to the 1970's. However, I feel that it would be incredibly difficult for someone to jump from the modern era to the past without making some gaffes. As I listened to the book, I thought about all the things we take for granted like electricity, indoor plumbing, sanitation, vaccines, household appliances, big box stores, etc. and wondered how I would do without them. It really makes you appreciate the conveniences of modern life.

Anyhow, I'll get back to this series as the TV show catches up. I can't wait for that! I'm curious to see how the show adapts the story and brings the characters to the screen. It's always exciting to see a beloved book come to life on TV.

3 1/2 - 4 stars.

As with the previous Outlander books, there were aspects that I loved, and some that I didn't really care for.

Pros:

I loved that the focus was on Roger a lot of the time. He is such a wonderful character and it was nice to see him shine a bit. His growth and development throughout the story were truly engaging.

I also adored the quiet moments between Jamie and Clare. Their love story is simply timeless, and I never tire of it. The love scenes, although fewer in number in the last couple of books, are always a perfect blend of sweet and steamy, adding just the right amount of passion to the narrative.

The return of a beloved character was like a warm embrace. It truly did my heart good and brought a smile to my face.

Cons:

I have stated this before and will likely repeat it after reading the rest of the books in the series. DG seems to take an absurd amount of pleasure in torturing her characters. In this book, poor Roger was the main target of her wrath. How many horrible things can one character endure in the course of just one book? It felt almost excessive at times.

Some sections, especially towards the end, seemed overly drawn out. I found myself nearly skimming through them. The cat and mouse game involving Bonnet has been going on for far too long and needs to be wrapped up soon. However, I did enjoy the bit of revenge that Bree managed to get on him this time around.

Other readers have mentioned this in their reviews, and I can't help but agree. The constant descriptions of Bree needing to breastfeed Jemmy, of her leaking breastmilk, and of changing his diapers were just too descriptive and repetitive. It felt like overkill and detracted from the overall story. DG seemed intent on making sure the readers understood how much of a handful baby Jemmy could be, but the message was received loud and clear after the first few mentions.

This obviously wasn't my favorite book in the series. But, even with the issues that I have with certain aspects of the story, the Outlander universe is still one of my all-time favorites. I can't wait to see what adventures lie ahead for Jamie, Clare, and the rest of the gang.

2014: Sigh of contentment:

Book Five is truly one of my absolute favorite installments in one of my all-time favorite series. It simply couldn't be any better. Diana Gabaldon is an absolute genius. I firmly believe that I'll never grow tired of reading these books. Although my family might wish otherwise as they know that when I'm immersed in the eighteenth century with Jamie and Claire, there's a good chance there will be no dinner for days on end. The knowledge of what's to come gives added depth and meaning to the most seemingly innocent of earlier events. There are countless clues and minor characters that will prove to be of great significance later on. I'm going to attempt to stretch out my rereading of the next two books in anticipation of MOBY's June release, but I'm quite certain that'll turn out to be impossible.

2016: I still feel exactly the same way. I love this book with all my heart.

2020: Every time I embark on reading this series, I initially think perhaps it's book one or book two that's my favorite. But then I reach the end of TFC, and no, this one without a doubt is the one that holds my heart the most (a little more than the others, at least). “For the sake of love alone, would I walk through fire again.” That sentiment truly resonates with me.

There's just so much to love! The writing is as brilliant as always, and from start to finish, it's a non-stop adventure filled with action (even when on the surface there might not seem to be much happening, there's still a flurry of activity going on mentally). And the character arcs are, mwah! - chef’s kiss - absolute perfection. I mean, seriously! Just look at all the amazing things that happen:

The Gathering

Adso the cat

The Bugs

Jocasta’s Wedding

The Beardsley Twins

Brownsville

The Frenchmen’s Gold

Roger’s hanging

The snakebite

Wylie’s Landing

Shooting Bonnet

The return of Ian and Rollo

Otter Tooth’s Journal

“And I understood very well just then, why it is that men measure time. They wish to fix a moment, in the vain hope that so doing will keep it from departing.”

And once again, our Jamie has the perfect last line. #JAMMF

2021: It's still absolutely perfect. I couldn't love it any more than I already do.

Tome Topple Round 15: Catch Up on an Old Series.

Book 5 in the Outlander series is truly a remarkable read that offers a great adventure.

However, at times, it can feel a little drawn out.

After finishing this book, I came to the realization that it is the one that turns the series and guides it along a different path.

It manages to keep the elements that we love and maintain the authenticity without losing the magic. In a sense, you could say that it represents the growth of the series.

Moreover, it solidifies the relationships between the characters, showing us love, friendships, and trust, all with a hint of darkness.

This series is definitely worth recommending. It has the power to transport readers to another time and place, filled with excitement, drama, and romance.

Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the series, Book 5 is sure to captivate you and leave you eager for more.

The Fiery Cross is the fifth installment in Diana Gabaldon's captivating series. It follows Clare Fraser, who has the extraordinary ability to travel through time by touching stones, much like Stonehenge. Her first time travel was an accidental one, transporting her two hundred years back to the 1740s, where she met the love of her life, Jamie Fraser, a Scottish highlander. Their enchanting love story has evolved throughout each book, with Gabaldon intricately detailing the historical backdrop that surrounds them.

In The Fiery Cross, set in 1771, the unrest and dissatisfaction of the colonists in the New World are palpable. Despite the author's use of nearly 1,000 pages, the story progresses less than a year in time. In my view, there is an overwhelming amount of information without much significant happening to the characters. Jamie continues to lead, Clare astonishes everyone with her 20th-century medical practices in the 18th century, Briana constantly nurses (and the author's repeated emphasis on this was quite tiresome), and Roger remains a complete outsider.
This book was released four years after the previous one, Drums of Autumn. I finished Drums of Autumn just a few months ago and was frequently confused by the numerous unimportant character names Gabaldon throws at the readers. Turns out, most of them weren't really important. My theory is that Gabaldon makes it so complicated to convince the masses that these books are more than just fantasy romance, but legitimate historical fiction. She has indeed made her point, as she has clearly done extensive research on the living conditions, medicinal remedies, and political atmosphere of the pre-revolutionary war colonies. However, her excessive digressions about medicine that Clare Fraser couldn't possibly have known or remembered from med school are annoying. It takes away from the authenticity of Clare's character. Why can't she just be wrong or not know something? Gabaldon has pigeonholed her greatest characters, making Jamie uberbrave and Clare ubersmart. Throw in some romance and you have the book.
This took me way too long to read as it simply wasn't very interesting. That is, until the very end. Around page 920, Gabaldon finally introduced some of her good stuff - the time travel elements. There was genuine conflict and not just a pointless side story. Darn it...I'm going to have to read the next one!

I read this book as soon as it was released. I simply had to have it in hardback because I couldn't bear to wait for the paperback version. I was eager to have my very own precious copy. However, in hindsight, I wish I had either waited or borrowed it from the library.

I was extremely excited to discover what Claire and Jamie were up to in this installment. But unfortunately, it turned out to be a very slow read. The author seemed to explain every little detail exhaustively. While I do appreciate books that don't shy away from depicting the less pleasant aspects of life, the repeated descriptions of a child needing a diaper change and the associated unpleasant aroma were not only ridiculous but also incredibly boring.

For the majority of the book, they didn't really go anywhere. This time, they remained in one place, which was quite different from the previous books where they were adventurous and seasoned travelers, constantly getting into all sorts of mischief. This was a huge disappointment, especially considering the huge success of the rest of the series. Nevertheless, I would still recommend reading it, if only to get you to the next book in the series.

The year is 1771, and war looms on the horizon. Jamie Fraser's wife, Claire, tells him this with a sense of foreboding. Despite his reluctance, he must believe her, for she is a time-traveler with the gift of dreadful prophecy. Her unique view of the future has brought both danger and deliverance to him in the past. Now, her knowledge of the oncoming revolution is like a flickering torch, which may either light his way through the perilous years ahead or ignite a conflagration that could leave their lives in ashes.

Book 5 of this series is starting to show some wear and tear. The author seems to suffer from a bit of Dickens syndrome, as there is just an overwhelming amount of content in the book. So many things occur, and while nothing is poorly-written or uninteresting, there are simply too many events that have no direct connection or influence on the main storyline. In fact, it's not even clear if there is a main storyline.

The author does a decent job of presenting snippets of the characters' lives, but there is no overarching narrative. This may make it more realistic, as few of our lives have neat and tidy arcs. However, in a work of fiction, I expect a beginning, a middle, and a defined end. I want a story that builds towards a resolution, not one that just meanders along. The first two books in the series had clear arcs and definite end-points that the reader could sense they were moving towards. The third book had almost three separate arcs, and the fourth, despite a lot of extraneous material, could be said to have one overarching arc. But this fifth book? It feels like the author didn't really know where she was going and just kept writing until she thought the book was long enough. As a result, it doesn't end in a logical place; it just stops.

All of this made it a bit of a struggle to get through this book. It's a shame, really, because the first two books were very good. But since I'm this far into the series, I feel obligated to finish it - at least as far as it has been published so far. So I will read the next book, but not right away. I need some time to recharge before I start fresh with it.

I DID IT. I FINISHED THIS HULKING BEAST OF A BOOK.

The Fiery Cross is the fifth book in Arizona (woot) author Diana Gabaldon’s time-traveling historical fiction saga. I have enjoyed all the books up until this one, some with reservations, but still enjoyed. They all felt like they had strong backbones, and even though they were long, most of the stuff stuffed up in there had a point. Not so with this fucker.

Since the book is soooooo looooooong, I’m going to respond by being more concise than I would usually, just to get my point across here.

- – -

HOW TO WRITE A TURGID HOT MESS OF A BOOK, IN FIVE EASY STEPS!

1. Don’t have an outline or any other sort of plan going in. Narrative arcs are not important, and neither is change. Just have your characters do thing after thing after important thing for a whole novel and it doesn’t matter if you have something to tie it all together by the end. You can even switch genres halfway through your novel. It will totally not be confusing or frustrating at all! It is totally okay, even encouraged! to have your reader not be able to identify more than three or four parts that were actually important and relevant.

2. Describe in great detail meals, bowel movements, sweaty clothing, every poopy diaper, regular updates on the breasts of a character who is breastfeeding (a little swollen, leaking milk, rock hard, empty, etc.). Include extended excerpts from dream journals that hint at character arcs but never actually turn into anything. No detail is too small or insignificant. (DON’T EVEN MISS ONE!) EVERY SMALL DETAIL AND ACTION YOU CAN HAVE YOUR CHARACTERS DO WILL MAKE YOUR NOVEL EVEN LONGER AND HOTTER AND MESSIER. Don’t listen to those people who tell you that most of the things in your novel should connect to the central storyline or theme. Don’t listen to the people, even your readers, who will tell you that these moments are nice every now and again, but not all the time. Your novel should be mostly these moments, like we’re following your characters around in a neverending documentary of their every waking moment over a period of years.

3. Make your novel as long as possible. Longer=better. More=better. Drown these people in words. Their hands should be black with ink and their wrists ache by the time they’re finished. Never mind that pesky writing advice that says the more times you do something, the less impact it will have. Never mind all those people who praise concise writing, or get off on variation. Your characters are special, and the more time you let your readers spend with them, well, they should just be grateful, dammit.

4. When you’re at the thousandth page of your manuscript and have been teasing your reader mercilessly with the promise of a plot for hundreds of pages by this point, make sure to take one last completely pointless trip into the woods so your characters can deal with a mystical fucking white ghost bear* because in previous books the natives had given them portentous names like The White Raven and Bear-Killer, so they’re the only ones who can help, obvs. Have the bear be killed in a freak storm by a giant bolt of lightning while your characters coincidentally watch. The whole episode should take up at least seventy-five pages and have no bearing on the plot whatsoever.

\\n  *Or equivalent thereof.\\n

5. Make sure to fit in the actual important bits towards the absolute end of the novel, after your reader has already checked out emotionally from the book and couldn’t actually give a flying saucer about any of it anymore. Just really make sure to bury completely the really interesting bits of your novel in absolute mundane as shit stuff so your reader can’t even find it!

- – -

Voila! Follow this formula, and even your most diehard reader will think twice next time about purchasing your books. Again, don’t listen to those people with common sense. Turning away readers is an excellent way to make money.

The story of Jamie and Claire unfolds further from October 1770 to October 1772. They, along with Brianna, Roger, Fergus, Marsali, and other Scottish immigrants, have founded their settlement at Fraser's Ridge. The book commences with a Gathering of the region's Scottish folk. It's a time of celebration, with marriages and baptisms, and also a chance to exchange and discuss news from the wider world. However, tensions between the colonists and the English government are simmering, as seen in some of the events at the Gathering. Jamie's land ownership hinges on maintaining the governor's favor, so he shoulders the responsibility of leading the local militia if needed.

There are several major events in the book. A trip to River Run for his aunt Jocasta's wedding embroils Jamie and Claire in a murder mystery. Claire's medical knowledge helps uncover the how, but the why remains a mystery. When the militia is called upon to stop a rebel group known as the Regulators, Jamie's leadership is put to the test. He tries to prevent the battle, but things go awry. Roger finds himself in a harrowing situation that nearly costs him his life and changes his world forever. A hunting trip also proves nearly fatal for Jamie. Meanwhile, Jamie and Roger continue their efforts to track down Stephen Bonnet, and Ian returns to the Ridge.

Interwoven with these major events are the details of daily life in Colonial America. The descriptions are so vivid that one can easily envision the scenes while reading. Some of them are quite humorous, especially those involving pigs. The relationship between Brianna and Roger deepens and grows stronger. Their wedding is both comical and deeply emotional. Both are still adapting to life in the eighteenth century, with Roger sometimes struggling more. Despite not knowing the true paternity of Brianna's son Jemmy, Roger works through his feelings. After the battle with the Regulators, he must find his way out of depression and embrace his new reality. It's heartwarming to see him and Jamie grow closer. Jamie's confidence in Roger at crucial moments in the book boosts Roger's own self-assurance.

As always, the love between Jamie and Claire shines bright and strong throughout the book. They have settled into life on the Ridge, each contributing their unique strengths. Their support for each other is unwavering, even when they disagree. Jamie's protectiveness is always at the forefront of his mind, but he knows when it's futile to argue with her. Similarly, Claire understands that asking Jamie to be anything other than the Highland warrior he is would be asking him to betray himself. But for all his toughness, there is a romantic side to him that he expresses beautifully, as in the line: “When the day shall come, that we do part,\\" he said softly, and turned to look at me, \\"if my last words are not 'I love you'—ye'll ken it was because I didna have time.” This love saves him from the brink in the terrifying incident of the snakebite. There are also times when his words are hilarious, like when he sees his sperm in Claire's microscope.

The search for Stephen Bonnet persists throughout the book. The grief he has already caused the family and the threat he poses make it imperative that he be dealt with. As they learn more about his activities, it becomes clear that he is a far greater danger than they initially thought. Jamie blames himself for Bonnet's freedom, and he and Roger have a plan to address the situation. Claire sums it up perfectly when she says: “While the Lord might insist that vengeance was His, no male Highlander of my acquaintance had ever thought it right that the Lord should be left to handle such things without assistance.” A terrifying encounter between Bonnet and Claire, Brianna, and Marsali has an unexpected conclusion, but the issue is left unresolved, to be continued in the next book.

The theme of time-travel resurfaces when Ian returns to the Ridge at the end of the book, bringing a gift for Claire from the old Mohawk woman. It's a notebook that belonged to the one known as "Otter-Tooth." Its revelations are both eye-opening and terrifying, giving the family much to ponder. Of all the events in the book, my favorite part is when Ian says: “Mmphmm,\\" Ian said, and his face lighted with an expression of profound satisfaction. \\"I knew ye weren't a fairy, Auntie Claire!” As is often the case with Gabaldon's books, minor characters flit in and out of the story, seemingly for no particular reason. But more often than not, these characters serve a purpose, even if it's not revealed until a book or two later. I've learned not to dismiss anyone as unimportant.

3.75 stars for the story and 5 stars for the narration.

Well, this was, to some extent, entertaining. At least it was for me. However, others might easily get bored. I'll admit there were moments when I wished the plot would kick in right away. With 55 hours of narration, the plot is rather thin. Loosely speaking, it's about the settling of the back country/Appalachians during Colonial times and the beginnings of the revolution. But it's mostly about the settling and less about the revolution. It results in a day-to-day story with many humorous, amusing, and sometimes aggravating episodes, all tied together by taking place in the same book.

The Frasers and Mackenzies are learning to live in America, expanding their community on the Ridge, and mostly behaving sensibly for a change. Even Briana and Roger aren't too annoying here, for the most part. There's intrigue about French gold, two weddings, some stuff about the time travelers, and a skirmish for action and to keep the looming revolution in the background. Poor Roger has a traumatic experience where he gets hanged accidentally on purpose and has to deal with that. Then Jamie gets bitten by a snake and nearly loses his leg until Claire miraculously makes penicillin. Fortunately, he has a wife from the future who's a doctor.

But once again, I'm confused by Gabaladon's use of rape and sexual assault, or even just creating situations where we don't know if it's assault or not. It seems pointless as there's no plot point depending on it, and it's almost forgotten as soon as it happens. If that was Jamie lurking in the dark like a creepy person touching Claire without identifying himself first, there's no reason not to make it clear in the text. Seriously, why is this here? Does Gabaldon think it's cute or exciting? I find it sickening, even if it's Jamie since Claire doesn't know who it is and never finds out. And then there's the aftermath of Briana's stupidity in the previous book regarding Stephen Bonnet. Obviously, every woman should worry about the state of mind of her rapist and tell him silly things before his death, only for him to escape and terrorize her again. At least she gets to shoot him in the balls this time, so that's something. She's not completely stupid.

I'll listen to book 6 next month, but it's already clear where the show writers started combining the two books in Season 5. I'm curious how much of the book is left to cover in the next season or if they'll jump right to books 7 and 8.