Darn those last 100 pages!

Now I find myself eager to read 'Drums of Autumn', but I know it'll be a completely different reading experience when it's not a requirement for university.

This particular installment was just...eh. I really don't have a great fondness for when the action takes place on boats, and unfortunately, there was a significant amount of sea-faring in the latter half of this book.

Perhaps it's because the blurb only mentions Claire and Jamie reuniting, and that already occurred within the first 300 pages. So, what about the remaining 700 pages? Well, it turns out there are pirates!

That added an element of adventure, but it still didn't quite capture my full attention like some of the earlier books in the series.

Nevertheless, I'm still curious to see where the story goes in 'Drums of Autumn' and how the characters will continue to develop.

Hopefully, it'll offer a more engaging and satisfying reading experience.

So in May, I made a significant decision. Amidst my Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) and other To Be Read (TBR) desires, I resolved to make an effort to re-read some of my all-time favorite books and series that I had cherished long before my Goodreads days. And I would also review them.

Now, my paperback copy of "Voyager" is a hefty 1,059 pages. I have read this book quite a few times, and it still holds the top spot as my absolute favorite in the series.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Why is it my favorite? Well, when I was a rather oblivious 19-year-old, I purchased this book at my local bookstore without realizing that it was actually the third book in the series. I wouldn't recommend future readers to treat any of these books as stand-alones. Suffice it to say, "Voyager" was an addictive read. I was so curious, with so many questions that demanded answers, that I promptly went back and bought books 1, 2, and 4. The rest, as they say, is history.

He gave you to me. Now, I have to give him back to you, Mama

If you haven't yet had the pleasure of experiencing "Voyager," understand that Diana Gabaldon is going to tug at every single emotional chord within your body. From the heartwarming goodbye between Brianna and Claire to the joyous reunion of Jamie and Claire, and all the exciting action that takes place at Lallybroch and beyond, prepare yourself for a thrilling adventure. Also, be prepared for the fact that Claire and Jamie will not stay in Scotland. The first time I read that, I was a bit taken aback, but now I have definitely come to terms with it. Obviously, since I have read all the books up to this point, it seems like such a minor thing now. But in the beginning, it was quite a shock.

When did you break your nose?
About three minutes after I last saw ye-Sassenach

Diana Gabaldon does an excellent job of re-introducing and introducing a plethora of characters in this novel. Something that would surely bring a smile to the face of every Russian novelist. "Voyager" is filled with the missing years of Jamie and Claire. It delves into the turmoil of post-Culloden Scotland, the difficult marriage of Claire and Frank, Jamie's time in prison, Claire's journey to becoming a medical doctor, and a few surprises that keep us readers on the edge of our seats. To this day, I find it incredibly easy to lose track of time, especially when reading this particular novel.

Do ye want me? Sassenach, will ye take me-and risk the man that I am, for the sake of the man ye knew?
It's a lot too late to ask that. Because
I 've already risked everything I had. But whoever you are now, Jamie Fraser- yes. Yes, I do want you.

Ugh, I'm such a sucker.

I really don't understand why I've continued with this series. It's not just because of the absolute literary excitement I felt during "Outlander." Although that was definitely a big factor.

The excitement waned a little throughout "Dragonfly in Amber," but there were still some truly breathtaking chapters. Like Claire's miscarriage and mental breakdown, which were both heart-wrenching and powerful.

The healing that took place in La Havre after James was tortured by Randall was also quite moving. And there were some interesting meditations on faith and other deep topics.

Now, three books in, I still have a good chance of reading "Drums of Autumn" and "The Fiery Cross." It's kind of like forcing yourself to finish your brussel sprouts in the hopes of getting that delicious chocolate pudding at the end.

However, there is one big turn-off. Gabaldon made some really ridiculous choices in "Voyager." Especially when it came to her offensive personifications of Asian men, fat women, and slaves in the West Indies. The list goes on and on.

But on the other hand, her attention to detail is truly hypnotic. It makes the whole story come alive and keeps you engaged from beginning to end.

Overall, it's an engrossing, yet problematic and hefty read. And there are still more books in the series to come.

The original article is not provided, so I can't rewrite and expand it specifically. However, I can give you a general example of how to expand an article.

Let's assume the original article is: "The dog is cute. It has a fluffy tail."

Expanded version:

The dog is extremely cute. Its appearance is truly charming. It has a beautiful, fluffy tail that sways gently as it moves. The soft fur on its tail seems to be inviting a touch. The dog's cuteness is enhanced by its big, bright eyes that look at you with innocence and curiosity. Its small nose twitches constantly, as if it is always exploring the world around it. Overall, this dog is a delight to behold.

You can provide the original article, and I will follow your requirements to rewrite and expand it.

"Me and you against the world!" Stars!

Whew! That last 15% or so was brutally tough! It feels as if I've been thoroughly beaten. I have an abundance of thoughts swirling around in my mind. Mostly, I think that Claire and Jamie are truly epic. I understand precisely why so many people are deeply in love with them. However, I find that I only like them. Lol. They both manage to annoy me to a great extent. But there's no denying that they are incredibly compelling, and I'm completely hooked on their epic adventures!

I'll be moving on to book 4 very shortly! I simply must know how life unfolds in *** *** *****. I should have anticipated that's how this one would conclude, but to my somewhat clueless (despite there being plenty of clues) surprise, I was indeed surprised! Lol. I'm certain it will be yet another perilous adventure. Happy reading!

UPDATE OCTOBER 2017:

It was truly an even more remarkable experience the second time around. The first time I read it, I had overlooked so many intricate details.

\\n  “Only you," he said, so softly that I could scarcely hear him. "To worship ye with my body, give ye all the service of my hands. To give ye my name, and all my heart and soul with it. Only you. Because ye will not let me lie--and yet ye love me.” \\n

EPIC STORY. PHENOMENAL WRITING.

This is, without a shadow of a doubt, my all-time favorite series! The story is so captivating and the writing is simply outstanding. It has the power to draw you in and make you feel as if you are a part of the characters' lives.

To read my reviews of the previous books, click on the pics:

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Oh, what a wonderful book! There are two interesting perspectives, an exciting reunion and shocks. Reversals of the situation, emotions and fears as much as it contains, unexpected adventures. I have experienced all of these while reading this book! Claire and Jamie are a special couple!

The story unfolds in a captivating way, taking the reader on a thrilling journey through different times and places. The author's writing style is engaging, making it easy to get lost in the story. The characters are well-developed, with their own unique personalities and motives.

Claire is a strong and independent woman, while Jamie is a brave and passionate man. Their relationship is the heart of the story, and it evolves and deepens throughout the book. The chemistry between them is palpable, and their love story is both touching and exciting.

In addition to the romance, the book also explores themes such as history, war, and family. It provides a fascinating look at different cultures and time periods, and makes the reader think about the past and its impact on the present.

Overall, this is a must-read book for anyone who loves historical romance, adventure, and a good story. It will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end, and leave you wanting more.

Wowww!!!

I find myself completely unable to tear myself away from these damn books.

Every time I pick one up, it's like being drawn into a different world, a world that I can't seem to escape from.

The words on the pages seem to dance and come alive, captivating my attention and holding it hostage.

I know I should probably put the books down and do other things, but I just can't bring myself to do it.

They have become an addiction, something that I need in order to feel satisfied and fulfilled.

Whether it's a thrilling mystery, a heartwarming romance, or a thought-provoking non-fiction work, I devour them all with equal enthusiasm.

I can't stop reading these damn books, and I don't think I want to.

I truly wish that I had never laid my eyes on this book, as it completely shattered the image of Jamie and the overall storyline for me. This 1000+ page behemoth was an absolute letdown. I'm aware that there are many people out there who adore this book and the series to a great extent, but unfortunately, this is the end of the road for me. I have no intention of continuing with the series.

Moreover, this book could have easily been condensed to 600 pages. I simply can't fathom why the author has a penchant for writing these unnecessarily long and overly slow-paced books.

Although Diana Gabaldon has been accurate in depicting violence against women in the past, it's not unexpected that the "superior" race would also exhibit racism. Portraying your characters as racist and revealing the mindset of the people of that era is one thing, but being racist while narrating is quite another - it reflects on who the author is. It was extremely uncomfortable to read.

Jamie's character was completely ruined for me in this book. In the previous two installments, his character had evolved into someone who was moral, strong, and honest, with an abundance of love to give. However, this book decided to toss all those wonderful traits aside and transform him into an immoral, rapist, liar, and a conniving coward.

It's rather ironic (not in a good way) how he repeatedly assures Claire that he's an honest man while hiding his second wife and later his son. He even rapes a young virgin who is screaming at him to stop! He also continues to take God's name in vain, an unattractive trait he seems to have picked up from Claire, which is still shocking as he never used to do that before.

While some may offer the excuse that "Jamie is a broken-hearted man," it simply isn't sufficient. It's a weak excuse, and he continued to engage in such despicable behavior even after being reunited with Claire. Jamie is a walking red flag, and both Claire and Laoghaire deserve far better.

I really don't want to delve into Frank's character. He'll always be remembered in my mind as a racist and adulterous man.

Claire frustrated me to no end. She is such a strong woman who stands up to Jamie in petty arguments, but when he commits truly major wrongs, she forgives him far too easily. Come on, woman! Where has your self-respect gone now?

Did I care about the entire Ian storyline? Not in the slightest.

I rated this book two stars instead of one solely because I liked the part where Claire and Jamie are reunited, and she shows him pictures of Brianna (whom I still don't particularly care for).

I'm relieved that I managed to make it through 1070 pages, and now it's finally over.

This book was truly massive!!!

The first half of the book was outstanding and brought me great joy after the emotionally devastating ending of Dragonfly in Amber. It was like a breath of fresh air, rejuvenating my spirit.

However, as I reached the last half of the book, the pace slowed down significantly. Although it remained highly entertaining, the "Voyager" part seemed to drag on and on. I had the impression that Diana could have advanced the plot a little more briskly.

Nonetheless, the first book remains my favorite. It's such a pleasure to embark on these adventures with Jamie and Claire. But now that they are older, I'm not entirely sure how I'll be able to relate to the characters.

Despite these minor drawbacks, I still rate this book a 5/5 stars. The storytelling is simply wonderful, captivating my attention from beginning to end. And I'm eagerly looking forward to continuing this amazing series.

I can't wait to see what new adventures and challenges Jamie and Claire will face in the upcoming books.

I wasn't entirely certain if Diana Gabaldon had the ability to manage a 20-year absence between the characters. However, she accomplished it exquisitely.

In the initial half of the book, I truly relished reading about Jamie's escapades. I found myself chuckling along with him, experiencing heartbreak on his behalf, and eagerly awaiting his reunion with Claire.

The second half was nothing short of spectacular. I adored the scenes that the author vividly描绘 with the new locations. At times, I could almost sense the gentle sway of the boat or envision the beaches and mountains of the West Indies.

There were numerous surprises, romance, and adventures galore. All these are the very reasons why I am迫不及待 to get my hands on the next book. I am eagerly anticipating what new and exciting developments await the characters in the upcoming installment. The story has truly captured my imagination and left me longing for more.

I can't wait to continue following Jamie and Claire's journey and see how their love and adventures unfold. It's safe to say that Diana Gabaldon has once again crafted a captivating and engaging tale that has me completely hooked.