I love everything about these books. The story of Claire and Jamie and their new stage in America is truly captivating. And then there's Roger and Bree, their story. At first, I thought it might bore me, but it actually managed to hook me.

The story of Ian and his growth is something I really enjoy. He is such a wonderful character with a great ending. We'll just have to wait and see what fate has in store for him in the following books.

These books have so many elements that draw me in. The historical backdrop, the complex relationships, and the adventures all combine to create a world that I can't get enough of. I can't wait to see what happens next in this amazing series.

Really 3.5 Stars

The best aspect of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander Series is undoubtedly the vivid description of everything. In this series, the depth of the created world is truly extraordinary. It makes me feel as if I can experience firsthand what the clothing felt like, how everyone's typical day unfolds, how to travel across the sea as a sailor, how to prepare for winter, how to build a cabin in the woods, what it's like to run a plantation, and so much more. Reading her books is almost like taking a history class. I am completely drawn into the story she tells. However, this can also be the worst part as sometimes it takes an incredibly long time to progress.

I really enjoy this series, although it's not all happiness and rainbows. Gabaldon doesn't seem to pamper any of her characters. They have all endured hardships multiple times, depending on the character. She is excellent at writing about various situations, better than any other historical writer I've read. Her plotting is a bit weak, but I'm so caught up in the stories that I sometimes forget that not much is actually happening.

Jamie and Claire remain my favorites. They have tender and loving moments that are truly beautiful. I love reading about them starting their lives in the Colonies. The story also includes the love story between Bree and Roger. While Gabaldon was trying to give them an equally epic love story, in my opinion, it took too long to develop, and Bree wasn't as likable as Claire.

Bree and Roger both travel through the stones to find Jamie and Claire. They experience two very different and traumatic events to get there. But they can never replace Jamie and Claire in my heart. The two characters in the book that I wanted to scold were Jamie and Bree. Both had extremely stupid moments and were incredibly stubborn. Many of the situations that occurred were due to a lack of communication and could have been avoided. I loved Roger. He was everything one would want in a love interest, and although Gabaldon put him through hell in this book, he persevered.

I have to say that this book gets extremely long, and my one complaint is that the main characters sometimes disappear for 200 pages. I was engaged in the book, trying to find out what happened to them, but you had to read almost an entire novel written by someone else to find out. I got a little bored at the end as I waited for some resolutions to occur. Lord John was a high point, and his character really grew on me after I didn't like him much in the last book. His interactions with the Fraser clan really enhanced his character for me. In this book, I would say that Roger and John were the highlights. I do wish it had been a bit shorter, though.

I will need a significant break before starting the next book in this series. It's not quite as good as some of her other books in the series, but I have high hopes as the story progresses.

4.5 golden stars

In comparison with the other books in this series, Drums of Autumn left me disappointed:

- The rhythm is not the same as what Diana Gabaldon has accustomed us to; the relatively slow development of the plot makes some parts of the book boring, which can be a problem in a book of this size. The story drags on without us really understanding its direction, especially regarding Jamie and Claire who, for a large part of the book, are limited to accounts of daily life and random episodes.

- The development of the characters is minimal and what little happens doesn't even seem positive to me. The characters even seem lost, with unwise or ill-considered attitudes, immature and somewhat superficial. This is even more exasperating when we remember that Jamie and Claire are now middle-aged and have lived enough to know how to handle things differently. Moreover - and I really hope this changes - I didn't sympathize with Roger at all and spent most of the chapters in which his point of view is developed frankly uninterested.

But what really annoyed me and I think made me mean towards this book, intolerant of its other 'problems', is the recycling that Gabaldon does of the stories, reusing the same elements to create similar episodes but with other characters.

That said, I really like this series and I hope that, with the interesting historical developments that are looming, the next book will be much better than this one. I really like Gabaldon's writing, in this edition severely marred by translation, full of errors and very bad sentence constructions; I appreciate the details that the writer includes throughout the books, I love the whole concept of the plot and I liked having access to different points of view.

Drums of Autumn is not my favorite in the series, that's all.

For interest sake:

In history, there is actually a person called Farquand Campbell. It makes one wonder if Gabaldon used this person as the basis for her character of the same name. There is also a Hector McNeill. Gabaldon uses Hector Campbell as Jamie's uncle. Farquand and Hector are friends in the book and have links in history records. This is truly interesting. A link below provides information about clans at Cape Fear in the 1760s.

http://www.capefearclans.com/Deeds.ht...

When I consider the vast amount of detail contained within this series and the incredible scope of imagination required to write it, I am simply overwhelmed. Gabaldon has once again earned an outstanding 4.5★ for this remarkable effort. Her ability to blend historical facts with fictional characters and storylines is truly remarkable. It makes the reader feel as if they are living in that time period, experiencing all the events and emotions along with the characters. The series is not only entertaining but also educational, providing a unique perspective on history. It is no wonder that Gabaldon's work has gained such a large following and critical acclaim.

Reading this book was truly my greatest accomplishment during the lockdown. I engaged with it in multiple formats, alternating between the audio version, the ebook, and the physical copy. It was like taming a wild beast, but I managed to conquer it, and I'm extremely pleased with myself.

The story, although it had a slow start and seemed to drag a bit at the beginning, once again proved the brilliance of its author. There were random events that initially annoyed me as a reader, thinking they were just filler pages. However, as the story progressed, these seemingly insignificant details turned out to be rather significant.

The scenes between Brianna and Lord John were particularly entertaining. They had me cackling like a hyena, much to the annoyance of my family. It was a great source of laughter and joy during those lockdown days.

And, of course, after reaching the end of the book, I was finally able to enjoy Starz's 4th season. It was a great follow-up to the story I had just read.

Now, I'm onto the 5th book because the 5th season is almost at its end, and I can't wait to see what's next for our beloved characters. I'm excited to continue this journey and see how their stories unfold.

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

This series is truly amazing. I can't even begin to express how much I love it. Years ago, I first read this book, and my family affectionately nicknamed it "the brick" due to its substantial size. Recently, I've been re-reading the first four books in the series before delving into those I haven't read yet. I'm so glad I chose to listen to this book because the narrator brings the story to life in the most wonderful way. In fact, I believe I liked this book even more during this second reading.

The story is epic in every sense. There is so much happening within its pages, and all of it is completely captivating. Jamie and Claire are in America, trying to find their place in the world. The story also focuses on their daughter, Brianna, and Roger. There are countless exciting events, including encounters with pirates, bears, Indians, and even a dinner party surgery.

I'm completely in love with the characters. Maybe a bit obsessed, too. I just adore Jamie and Claire. Over the course of these four books, I've come to know them so well that they almost feel real to me. I love the depth of their relationship and how easily their emotions come through in the story. I liked Brianna and Roger as well, although not quite as much as Jamie and Claire. This is the first book in the series where their roles are so crucial to the overall plot. They're still working on figuring out their relationship, and they go through a lot in this story. Some of it was truly painful to witness.

The narration of the audiobook was outstanding. Davina Porter is the perfect voice for Claire and Jamie. She does an excellent job of differentiating between all the characters. One of her greatest strengths is her ability to infuse the characters' emotions into the story. This is an incredibly emotional book, and I really felt everything along with the characters as I listened. I was able to listen for hours at a time, mainly because of the high quality of the narration.

I would highly recommend this series to anyone. This is the fourth book in the series, and it's essential to read them in order. I can't wait to continue with this series. I'm already looking forward to moving on to the fifth book, The Fiery Cross, which will be a new adventure for me, and I'm eagerly anticipating it.

Initial Thoughts
I'm head over heels in love with this series. Everything about it is just perfect. The characters are so vivid and lifelike that I often have to remind myself they're not real. I listened to this audiobook for hours on end and loved it just as much, if not more, than the first time I read it.

The series is starting to get a little stretched out.

It feels as if the story is being elongated perhaps a bit more than necessary.

And yet, it's important to note that it's only half done at this point.

There is still a significant portion of the narrative that has yet to unfold.

Despite the slight sense of stretching, the series remains worth reading.

The story has enough elements that keep the reader engaged and curious about what will happen next.

Maybe there are hidden plot twists or character developments that will make the extra length worthwhile.

So, even though it might seem a bit drawn out at the moment, it's still advisable to continue reading and see how the rest of the series pans out.

Who knows, it could end up being a truly remarkable and satisfying read.

I was extremely disappointed in this book. This is mainly because I had adored the previous three books so very much. In the first three installments, it only took me a maximum of 200 pages to become completely engrossed and unable to put the books down, not even to sleep. However, with this particular book, it took nearly 600 pages for me to start feeling that it was beginning to get interesting.

And to my great dismay, that feeling did not last. I had to struggle through the last 100 pages as the story seemed to drag on needlessly. I truly desire to finish the series, but after reading this book, I'm not inclined to jump into the next 1000+ page story anytime soon.

After reading other reviews of this book, I can understand why people don't have much affection for Brianna. She didn't bother me to that great an extent, but the story of her and Roger is nowhere close to being as captivating as that of Claire and Jamie.

Fourth in the captivating Outlander series, the story unfolds with Claire, who is now a highly skilled doctor, residing with Jamie in pre-revolutionary America. Their life is filled with the challenges and joys of this new land. Meanwhile, Brianna is back in contemporary Boston, experiencing a profound sense of being lost and abandoned. Her world is turned upside down when she makes a truly frightening discovery about her mother. Driven by love and a sense of duty, she bravely sets off through the mysterious circle of stones with the determination to save her parents.

Roger, who is deeply in love with Brianna, cannot bear to let her go alone. So, he follows her, embarking on this perilous journey. The path of true love continues to be a rocky one for both sets of lovers. Claire and Jamie face the uncertainties of a revolutionary era, while Brianna and Roger must navigate the unknowns of time travel and the challenges that come with it. Their love is put to the test at every turn, but it is their unwavering commitment to each other that keeps them going.

5 STARS!!!! ABSOLUTELY SENSATIONAL!!!!!!!!

Jamie and Claire's story continues to unfold, taking them on a thrilling journey from the wild and untamed West Indies to the unclaimed land of the new world. This installment has once again completely captivated me. The story is filled with a rich tapestry of characters, both old and new. Many familiar faces remain, adding depth and continuity to the narrative, while a host of new characters, both good and bad, bring fresh excitement and drama. Their journey through the past is constantly interrupted by unexpected visitors from the future, adding an element of mystery and intrigue. The romance between Jamie and Claire is as passionate as ever, and their relationship continues to evolve and deepen. The adventure and excitement never ebb, keeping me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I found my emotions all over the place while reading this book, laughing, crying, and everything in between. Near the end, I was completely gutted. I cannot express the praise and awe that these books have stirred in me for Diana Gabaldon. Her highly descriptive writing style brings the story to life in the most vivid way, making me feel as if I am right there with the characters. It is rare to connect with a work of fiction so intensely, and I am truly grateful to have discovered the Outlander series. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance, adventure, or historical fiction. It is more than worth the length of the books, and I dread reaching the end.

5 STARS!!!! ABSOLUTELY SENSATIONAL!!!!!!!!

Apesar duma péssima tradução, que me obrigava frequentemente a reler frases estranhas, tentando perceber o original e a tradução correcta, gostei muito de ler este quarto volume do Outlander.

Senti falta duma lista dos muitos personagens, pois no final apareciam referências a nomes que eu não conseguia identificar.

Para quem leu os três volumes anteriores, recomendo vivamente que leia este. Apesar de alguns problemas com o argumento, não desilude e tem um final bastante satisfatório, não obrigando a continuar a saga se não quisermos.

Mas preparem-se para ficar com dores nos pulsos, pois o livro pesa quase 1 quilo e meio!

(review in English below)

In spite of a terrible translation, I really enjoyed reading this fourth volume of Outlander.

I missed a character list as I could no longer remember some names that came up by the end of the book.

For those who've read the three previous books, I strongly recommend reading this one. In spite of some plot issues, it doesn't disappoint and the ending is quite satisfying, not making it obligatory to continue this saga if you don't want to.

Be prepared to get sore wrists though, this is a heavy tome!...