I AM DONE!

WOW. Just wow. That ending. woah.

It's truly remarkable how within just 40 pages, I found myself ugly crying.

My heart seemed to explode with a plethora of feelings.

There was confusion, there was hope, and now I'm completely mind blown by the ending.

WOW. Diana, you've done it again!

It took me a while to really get into DiA.

But once I got past the 300-page mark, it just got so incredibly good and kept on getting better with each passing page.

I have no hesitation in giving this book a 5/5 stars rating.

It's a literary masterpiece that has touched my heart and left a lasting impression.

I can't wait to see what else Diana has in store for us in the future.

This one truly took me by surprise. In some aspects, it was definitely superior to Outlander. However, a significant portion of it felt like the same old. Confusing, right? Let me elaborate further.

The pacing of the book is as sluggish as that of Outlander (not at all unexpected), and it's definitely not a book you can devour in one sitting. There are moments when it becomes incredibly dull. The book exceeds 900 pages, and in my view, it could easily be condensed to around 600 to 750 pages. I have no idea why the author seems to enjoy numbing our senses with such hefty tomes.

The story commences with a twenty-year leap, and I found those initial chapters to be truly captivating and well-written. I might even be so bold as to say that they were relatively fast-paced compared to the remainder of the book, especially when Claire and Jamie were among the elites in Paris. The political intrigue, at times, can be rather tedious for me personally, so I did skim through some of it (in my defense, it's a substantial book).

Jamie and Claire are an absolutely perfect couple. The way they love each other, ready to sacrifice their entire world just to cherish and adore one another, is truly swoon-worthy. It was truly impressive to witness the evolution of their characters. Forever in love, they know how to communicate and resolve their issues. They encounter setbacks (major ones), but instead of creating petty drama, they talk, which was something I adored. The two had me in tears towards the conclusion of Parts Six and Seven.

Jamie Fraser, although slightly flawed, is beyond romantic and exudes such charisma. The man simply loves to love. His passion for Claire and her happiness is truly amazing to read about. You can't help but love him. And, ladies, he's attentive! He pays attention to all the minute details about Claire. The guy actually kept track of Claire's period, and while it may not seem like a big deal, it's those little and simple things that truly matter.

"We are bound, you and I, and nothing on this earth shall part me from you."

Claire, being a bit ahead of her time, radiates a sense of independence. Moreover, the fact that Jamie doesn't hold her back is truly remarkable, especially considering the era in which this book is set. (That's something definitely worth mentioning.) Claire is resolute and strong. The only thing that bothers me about her is the constant swearing. Honestly, it's a bit excessive. But that's just my personal opinion.

I don't have a particularly strong opinion about Brianna, but so far, I don't like her much. I understand that she has her reasons for acting the way she did towards Claire at the end, but to me, she seems stuck up and bratty (sorry not sorry). I'm not sure what to anticipate from her in the next book, nor am I overly eager to find out.

As I pointed out in my review of Outlander, violence against women is a historical reality. This holds true in this book as well. Since I've already addressed this point previously, I won't elaborate on it further in this review.

The ending was truly something else. I never saw it coming, and I was in tears throughout the conclusion of Part Six. I genuinely didn't think it would end on a cliffhanger, and such a major one at that.

It is a decent read, nothing extraordinary, but I can't wait to discover what occurs in the next installment.

One of the saddest and most beautiful chapters (46) that I have read is in this book.

I love everything about this story.

The way the author weaves the plot, the vivid descriptions of the characters and the settings, all contribute to making it a truly captivating read.

Each chapter seems to unfold like a画卷, revealing new layers of emotion and complexity.

The sadness in chapter 46 is palpable, yet there is also a certain beauty in the way the story is told.

It makes me reflect on the human condition and the power of love and loss.

This book has truly touched my heart and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good story.

*This review will be a little spoily, read it at your own risk*

“Ok, so I set the date on 2012 and set it for Kansas City Kansas, specifically Kemper’s deck. I think all I have to do is reverse the directions on Google maps on the laptop. Uh, turn the key. Yay, it works.”

“Or I thought so, Toto I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore (had to do it!).”

“Hello Stephanie. Toto, I love the Wizard of Oz.”

“Aaaaack! Claire Beachum Randel Fraser! You just scared the piss out of me. Don’t sneak up on a person sitting on a time mower and whisper in their ear. It’s downright creepy.” Sighs. “Hey Claire, you look a little older than the last time I saw you, moments ago, but don’t worry you still look young and fresh and beautiful.”

“Oh thank you Stephanie, I have to admit that people mention that a lot! I mean a lot! It must have been all that whiskey and malnutrition in the 1700’s that preserved me.”

“Well, Claire, could you fill me in on the when and the where this is?”

“Still in Scotland, but we’re in 1968. Frank, Brianna and I moved to the States where I became a doctor. We stayed there until Frank passed away. I brought Brianna back to get her acquainted with her roots.”

“Brianna is your daughter? Is that her over there? Wow! Tall, beautiful, look at that mane of red hair. She looks just like her father Jam… mph… nni.”

“Keep your voice down, she doesn’t know that Frank wasn’t her biological father. I brought her here to break the news and tell her who her father really was, Jamie Frasier.”

“Get your hand off my mouth, that’s rude! Did Frank look just like Jamie?”

“No. Total opposites. Frank was short and had dark hair.”

“She doesn’t look much like you, and nothing like Frank, she is an Amazonian redhead. She didn’t once ask you about that?”

“Not once. Did I mention the whiskey and the malnutrition?”

“Claire, don’t tell me. You drank alcohol during your pregnancy? You were a trained nurse then, don’t tell me you didn’t know better!”

“Just a little, bottle, every day, Stephanie, we didn’t know any better back then.”

“Ok, never mind. If she never grasped the fact that Frank wasn’t her father on her own because of possible fetal alcohol syndrome, how is she supposed to understand time travel now?”

“You have a point there. Maybe I’ll find a young handsome historian to help explain things to her.”

“I don’t see the logic, but you go with it Claire. I’m afraid to ask, but what were you and Jamie up to during the rest of the time you were back in time, besides getting drunk and having lots of sex?”

“We tried to change history by joining the Jacobite cause and save a bunch of lives. We went to France to get this accomplished. I had to have sex with the King of France to get Jamie out of The Bastille; it wasn’t very good on account of his tiny penis.”

“Oh dear god, I did ask.”

“Yes you did. And guess who we ran into? Jack Randel! Jamie wanted to kill him straight away, but I stopped him because I was afraid Frank would never be born if he killed him. Jack is Frank’s ancestor you see.”

“I see, but I thought you killed Jack Randle with cows, which didn’t seem to upset you at all at the time. Now you get all angry about it?”

“I changed my mind. Turns out it wasn’t Jack trampled by the cows. It’s really hard to identify someone after a trampling.”

“But Claire, you tried to change the course of history without ANY concern for the consequences. Any number of people could have been born that wouldn’t have and others who were never born that should have, and you are concerned NOW about Frank, one person, never existing? Oh my head hurts again.”

“Claire it’s been great, but I have to get this timemower back to its rightful owner, he has a short fuse. There we go, forgot to hit enter. Please, don’t mess with history anymore Claire. Promise?”

“um, sure, Stephanie, I promise.”

“I don’t believe you.”

Gabaldon's novels are truly a unique blend. They are sex-ridden, yet hugely researched and academically adventurous. The combination of time travel, sci-fi, and historical romance makes them a guilty pleasure for lit nerds.

These books are filled with a wealth of information,涵盖了 clan warfare, herbal medicine, genealogy, British history, and even WWII. In fact, what little Gaelic I know started with these books. And as a bonus, the heroine gets to have numerous passionate encounters with a handsome, hard-bodied Highlander. It's really a win-win situation.

The books were recommended to me when I was living in England, and it was a lucky break. If I had seen the Fabio-in-a-kilt-of-passion American paperback cover, I probably would have refused to read it. Thankfully, the British version, called Cross Stitch, had a less sexy cover with a field of heather. For a while, I was completely hooked on the series, but my interest waned once the Frasers headed to America.

Although the books are long, the pages turn quickly. Gabaldon has a real talent for creating engaging characters and her prose flows smoothly. However, if you're squeamish about certain topics, be warned. The negative reviews of these books often focus prudishly and tediously on one specific encounter in an otherwise predominantly heterosexual storyline.

SWEET BLEEDING JESUS!!! I KNEW IT!!!!!!! DAMNED BLOODY FUCKING CLIFFHANGERS!!!!! This is a truly sensational story.

5 STARS ★★★★★

The author's writing is so vivid that it brings the story to life. The characters are well-developed and the plot is full of twists and turns.

In this book, Claire and Jamie face many challenges as they try to change history and save Scotland. Their love for each other is put to the test, and they must make difficult choices.

The descriptions of the settings, from the prisons of Wentworth to the aristocratic circles of Paris, are detailed and immersive. The reader feels as if they are right there with the characters.

One of the things I loved most about this book was the addition of new characters. Fergus, in particular, stole my heart. His loyalty and mischief made him a joy to read about.

The ending of the book was heart-wrenching. I was in tears as I read the final pages. But, as the author said, thank God for sequels! I can't wait to see what happens next in Claire and Jamie's story.

Overall, this is an amazing book that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves historical fiction, romance, or adventure. It's a must-read for fans of the Outlander series.

*Heavy sigh.*

[Theme spoilers, but no plot spoilers. Read at your own risk.]

I'm truly at a loss as to where to begin. A proper review of this would require extensive quoting and detailed backup, but after plowing through 700+ pages, I simply don't have the energy for that. The essence is that the romantic hero character unfortunately perpetuates rape culture. He uses the words 'rape' and 'sex' interchangeably, blames sexual assault on a woman's clothing, and claims that once men are aroused, they physically can't stop themselves from ravaging those nearby. His wife, the modern woman, actually expresses fear that he will beat and rape her. Although she briefly gets angry with him, she soon finds herself unable to resist him (a cycle that repeats), thus presenting all the rape-related aspects in a romantic light. This is precisely my issue with it.

Furthermore, if you're unfamiliar with what an emotionally abusive and controlling relationship looks like, take a look at the last 3 paragraphs of page 677 and the first half of page 678. There's jealousy, demands, physical shaking, blaming her for his actions, shaming her past, and solving their problems through sex. Oh, look at that. I did manage to muster the energy to provide at least one example. I found this to be highly unhealthy. Maybe you don't share the same view. But having lived through a very similar type of relationship, I can say that if this is what's being sold as "romantic," then this book is indeed part of the problem. I sincerely hope and pray that most readers can see that this is far from desirable.

I've discussed cultural relativism on my channel. I can understand when a book needs to depict troublesome content to remain true to the time period. However, what I can't respect is when this content is romanticized. There are villains in this series who behave in the same manner. Heroes can definitely have a morally gray area or a darker side without presenting something harmful. But when the villains and heroes act identically, what's the real difference between them? Are we simply rooting for the most attractive one?

I had numerous problems with the sexism and rape culture in this book, so you might be wondering why I gave it 2 stars. Despite the problematic subjects, I do believe the writing is of good quality. I have no idea if the historical research was thorough, but it had a depth that gave the impression of being well-researched. To be fair, historical fiction isn't my preferred genre, but perhaps you'll enjoy it more if it's yours.

I did also really enjoy the parts of the book set in the 1960s when Jamie is out of the picture. Yes, I know I'm strange. Isn't Jamie supposed to be the main excitement of the story? Well, not for me. I was much more intrigued by the way the story played with time travel and its consequences in Claire's original time. This time period framed the story, and honestly, I was reading all of the past settings just to discover how the timelines would converge.

If you're curious, from what I've seen of Outlander season 2, the show did remove the problematic lines from Jamie. The show appears to be a better adaptation, and so I do think I'll continue watching it since it's my preferred, less harmful version of this story that allows the truly interesting premise to shine through.

Outlander ★★★★★

Dragonfly In Amber ★★★★.5

Voyager ★★★.5

Drums of Autumn ★★★.5

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I've never cried so hard in my life over fictional characters before. The Outlander series has truly taken me on an emotional rollercoaster. Each book is filled with such vivid characters and intense storylines that it's impossible not to become deeply invested. From the passionate romance between Claire and Jamie to the heart-wrenching sacrifices and challenges they face, every moment feels real and raw. The attention to detail in the historical setting adds another layer of authenticity, making it easy to lose myself in their world. I find myself laughing, crying, and holding my breath throughout each page. It's a series that has touched my heart in ways I never thought possible with fictional characters.

This is the sequel to Outlander, and it commences in 1968, twenty-one years after we left Claire and Jaime recuperating in the French Abbey, ruminating on their decision to attempt to prevent Bonnie Prince Charlie from initiating a war that they are aware will decimate the Highland Clans.

At first, it comes as such a shock that you think you've picked up the wrong book. Frantically checking online, you are relieved to discover that this is indeed the sequel. Returning to the book, it all becomes clear, although you are panicking at the thought of twenty-odd long years of separation for Jaimie and Claire. Then, there is a horrible wrench of the heart when we learn from Claire that Jaimie perished at the battle of Culloden, Prince Charles' final stand.

Claire is back in Scotland for the first time since returning to her own era, pregnant and disoriented. Her husband, Frank Randall, has passed away, and she is fulfilling a promise to herself to inform her daughter Brianna about her real father. She goes back to the Reverend Wakefield's house to find his adopted son, Roger, in residence after the Reverend's death. Roger, too, must hear her story, for reasons she doesn't disclose until the end. And so, as she relates her tale, we learn what transpired after the events in Outlander, how she came to return to Frank, and what befell Jaimie.

I have a confession to make. Firstly, I'll state that the beginning of this book made me so melancholy that I questioned whether I could read it at all. Secondly, I'll admit that I didn't mean to shatter this well-written illusion of the hangman's rope by cheating. I did flip to the back of the book, but not to read the last page or anything. I am always hoping that there is some kind of pronunciation guide, and I'm one of those individuals who read everything from the author's bio and acknowledgements page to the copyright details. There was no pronunciation guide, but there was one of those ads for the next book, Voyager, which begins by stating that Claire has gone back to 18th century Scotland because she believes Jaimie is still alive.

This was a bit of a double-edged sword. On one hand, it did make it significantly easier to read this book, knowing that he would survive. But on the other hand, I also actually like to experience what an author intends for me to feel, and I didn't shed a tear at Claire and Jaimie's parting before the battle of Culloden when, faced with dying the traitor's death for killing his cousin Dougal and betraying his country, Jaimie has decided to die in battle. That, I regretted, although it did make it easier to sleep! Some reviewers didn't appreciate the way the narration kept alternating between Roger's third-person and Claire's first-person narrative at the beginning and end. Personally, I didn't have an issue with it; I found it simple to distinguish between them. I admit I skimmed a bit at the end, when Claire and Roger are searching for Geillis Duncan/Gillian Edgars. I was feeling a bit impatient by then.

As for Gabaldon's writing style, which I haven't said much about previously, I do find her a touch verbose. She tells a great story, extremely well-researched and, despite the time travel, believable. But her descriptions can be a little overly ornate, and often unnecessary. She slows down the pace with pointless asides on the state of wilting flowers by a door as they wait for it to be answered. I understand it adds to the character development - in this case, to make it clear that Gillian has not been home for some time and her husband is unable to take care of himself. Except that this is made clear several times over. A lot of the description is superfluous, and often distracting. Removing some of it would definitely have saved some trees used to make this thick, hefty book. Don't misunderstand me; I love thick and hefty books. But it's ultimately a tragic story, and the little flowery sentences scattered throughout were as irritating as little bugs fluttering around your face that won't go away no matter how hard you wave your arm, looking like a complete fool.

Now that I've gotten that off my chest, I'll repeat: I did enjoy this book, and I will continue with the series, just not now. I need some recovery time first.

While I didn't have the same level of profound love for this one as I did for Outlander, I still managed to find a great deal of enjoyment within it. In fact, I find myself hovering somewhere between a 3 and 3.5-star rating.

The initial shock of the significant jump forward in time was quite palpable. However, as the story progressed, I gradually eased into it. It was truly a delight to journey along with the characters, traveling from the beautiful landscapes of France to the familiar and beloved Lallybroch, and then back to the very place where it all began.

Of course, one of the absolute highlights was the continuation of Jamie and Claire's captivating love story. Their relationship has always been at the heart of these novels, and in this installment, it continued to unfold in the most enchanting and emotional ways. It's their love that keeps pulling me back into this world, eager to see what adventures and challenges await them next.

Overall, despite not being my absolute favorite in the series, this book still has its charms and manages to hold my attention from start to finish.

I stood still, my vision blurring. In that very moment, I heard my heart break. It was a small, clear sound, like the snapping of a flower's stem.

Trying to fit these bricks (by which I mean the thick books) into my reading schedule has been an arduous task.

But now, I'm going back to tackle Outlander. I have such incredibly massive books on my To Be Read (TBR) list this year. Lol.

Here are some images that might give you an idea of what I'm dealing with.

It's both exciting and a bit overwhelming to have so many great reads lined up, but I'm determined to make my way through them.

This book truly shattered my heart. Even though I knew what was coming as I had watched Season Two before reading, it didn't lessen the impact. I've been crying non-stop, feeling as if my heart will break into a million pieces.

Let's stop here for a moment. There will be spoilers ahead, including thoughts about the next book. So, if you haven't read these books, you might want to stop. But if you don't mind, carry on.

I was worried when the story picked up 20 years later. Jamie and Claire's daughter, Brianna, is grown. Claire named her after Jamie asked her to name the baby Brian if it was a boy before she left him. It's so heartbreaking.

After Frank's death, Claire brings Brianna back to Scotland. Brianna has no idea who her real father is, but she soon finds out. They stay in Scotland, visiting old sites. Claire takes her to see Roger, whom she knew when he was a boy. Claire actually knew his adoptive father, who had passed away but kept extensive records.

Claire goes back to some of the old places while Roger shows Brianna around. It's all so heartbreaking. I'm extremely worried that the next book will bring more heartbreak. After all, it's been 20 years. Jamie has been with other women and might have a child, but it's not what I thought. I asked ahead and found out he's never forgotten Claire. I hope they can regain their love.

At one point, Claire finally tells Brianna and Roger everything. Roger had found papers confirming what Claire was saying but kept them a secret as he didn't know what to make of it. Brianna freaks out, as you can imagine.

The best part is when we get to go back in time before Claire came back and hear their story. They set off for France to see if they can get in with Jamie's cousin. Jamie couldn't return to Scotland, so this is where they ended up. Murtagh was with them, but they left the others behind. They were going to try to change history to prevent the Klan from being killed in a certain battle.

In France, they had to deal with a lot of strange people, and then Captain Randall shows up. Claire and Jamie thought he was dead, but he's always around. The king of France is also a bit crazy.

Jamie takes in a little boy named Fergus, who is a thief. But Randall gets his hands on Fergus, and it's just too much to bear. Claire and Jamie also lose their first child, a little girl. There were many possible reasons for this, and Claire thinks it might be because Jamie was dueling with Randall or because she was poisoned and attacked.

Jamie gets put in jail and has no idea what happened to Claire. He thought she was dead. But Claire had to have sex with the strange king to get Jamie out of jail. It was a very strange situation.
Jamie finds Claire later when she is staying with a friend in the country. Claire is angry and doesn't want Jamie near her until they talk and sort things out. Thank goodness they do, as it was all so sad.
Then they are sent back to Scotland. It was another condition from the king. They think they are safe, but they're not. They go to battle, and it's not good. Jamie sends Claire back as he knows he's going to die and doesn't want Claire or their unborn baby to be killed too. It just about killed me to read this.
I thought I was okay when I watched it, but I'm still heartbroken. I only hope they can get their love back as strong as it was. The first book is the best and will always be, but I will love them all as long as Jamie and Claire have their love. I love their love story!
They cut each other's hands and make a vow. Claire, Brianna, and Roger witness something that suggests Claire might be able to go back through the stones. Then something else happens. I also highly recommend listening to the audio versions of these books. The narrator, Davina Porter, is amazing! ❤
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