I have already posted a review for The Outlander Book 1
and you can read it here: https://elisabethzguta.blogspot.com/2016/04/outlander-book-review.html
Here are a few more thoughts of mine about the books. I hope you find my short reviews an enticing glimpse and encourages you to read them if you haven't already. I know some fellow readers who began the series and gave up after a few books. It is a long series, but I found the payoff worth every word. You may notice that toward the end I began listening to the books via Audible. The experience was better while reading, however, the audio books were done well. (I missed reviewing book 5, but it was as good as the others)
Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander, Book 2) (Paperback)
Great Character-Driven Story
After reading the first book we have come to
expect a story with in-depth characters and meandering plot, and this
book delivers. The pace is character driven and very creative. Excellent
time and setting descriptions, and very enjoyable travels. Bravo,
looking forward to next story in the series.
Voyager (Outlander, Book 3) (Paperback)
Captivating Suspense
The suspense continues with book three Voyager. The story goes from the
1700's to the 1960's and then back again. The reader experiences the
troubles of Jamie and his tribulations after the battle of Culloden.
Lots of pain and dark thoughts are touched, so not for the faint of
heart. Also, the reader is plunged into the world of Claire and
daughter Brianna in the 1960's. We see their relationship with each
other and follow their search to find answers in the written history of
Scotland.
It is a precarious situation, balancing the truth with what the heart yearns. The pace is often fast, yet the author is laborious with words, at time verbose, but I could not skip a sentence. Every character and new place is described in detail and lends to the reason I became so involved with the story of their lives.
This is not a quick read, nor a book to skip through parts because each detail quickly propels into a turn of events. Suspenseful, emotional and heart rendering situations throughout. The ending reveals clues to future scenarios and definitely hooks the reader into the next book, which I am currently reading. Well done and captivating characters.
It is a precarious situation, balancing the truth with what the heart yearns. The pace is often fast, yet the author is laborious with words, at time verbose, but I could not skip a sentence. Every character and new place is described in detail and lends to the reason I became so involved with the story of their lives.
This is not a quick read, nor a book to skip through parts because each detail quickly propels into a turn of events. Suspenseful, emotional and heart rendering situations throughout. The ending reveals clues to future scenarios and definitely hooks the reader into the next book, which I am currently reading. Well done and captivating characters.
Drums of Autumn (Outlander, Book 4) (Paperback)
Unexpected situations - New friends & enemies
The book Drums Of Autumn opens in Charleston, June 1767 with scorching
sun and new troubles to overcome. Claire and Jamie drench the reader
with a wide-screen description of new places with their travels. The
humid weather and torturous journey, plagued with escaped criminals,
theft, and humbled introductions, lands them on the doorstep of Jamie's
aunt from the McKenzie side. Then chapters bounce forward to the late
1960's for a bit, and the other story thread of Brianna and Roger, not
quite the mirror image of her parents' love story, however similar in
some ways. The influence her parents had on her relationship in itself
could be a long discussion.
There is a large cast of characters, and the reader sees each of their growth as they plow their way through perilous situations with action. The characters old and new are larger than life. We meet Jamie's Aunt Jocasta and her glorious estate which also causes personal dilemma to our heroes when faced with the immorality of slave owning. They retreat to the mountains and stake a claim, and create their own homestead. Old friends come to visit. The reader is drawn to Jamie and Claire just as they are. Once again, Claire heals all and survives despite herself while Jamie shows his physical and moral strength and leadership qualities. . . Until he messes up big time.
Finally, Jamie sees his
illegitimate son again and spends some time comforting him
after losing his mother. Also, he meets his daughter, Brianna. Even
though they are miles apart and from different times, their shared
sensibilities are evident. When Jamie assumes Roger a rapist due to a
name mix-up, he condemns him to be a slave for the local natives.
From the midpoint of the book until the end terrible situations happen and the pace quickens. Each main character, Jamie, Brianna, and Roger, being strong willed and dynamic in their own right, bring lots of action packed adventure. Also some heroic acts by the other characters like Ian and John Grey. One of my favorite scenes took place at a Mohawk camp where they were holding a Jesuit. I would have liked to have read more story about Father Alexandre. He was an interesting new character; however his presence was short-lived, so there will never be more to learn about him. I also liked the scene when Brianna faced Bonnet and the scenes where John Grey gave her emotional support. It's refreshing to read about characters living by their high morals.
This story had many character arcs and some unexpected situations which kept me reading. The author does get a bit long-winded in some of the scenes; however, it's worth the time for the overall story. The ending was a trite too Pollyanna-ish. But after everything the cast went through, they deserved a happy moment. Very exciting book - I'd recommend it to anyone who likes action adventure and/or historical fiction. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
There is a large cast of characters, and the reader sees each of their growth as they plow their way through perilous situations with action. The characters old and new are larger than life. We meet Jamie's Aunt Jocasta and her glorious estate which also causes personal dilemma to our heroes when faced with the immorality of slave owning. They retreat to the mountains and stake a claim, and create their own homestead. Old friends come to visit. The reader is drawn to Jamie and Claire just as they are. Once again, Claire heals all and survives despite herself while Jamie shows his physical and moral strength and leadership qualities. . . Until he messes up big time.
From the midpoint of the book until the end terrible situations happen and the pace quickens. Each main character, Jamie, Brianna, and Roger, being strong willed and dynamic in their own right, bring lots of action packed adventure. Also some heroic acts by the other characters like Ian and John Grey. One of my favorite scenes took place at a Mohawk camp where they were holding a Jesuit. I would have liked to have read more story about Father Alexandre. He was an interesting new character; however his presence was short-lived, so there will never be more to learn about him. I also liked the scene when Brianna faced Bonnet and the scenes where John Grey gave her emotional support. It's refreshing to read about characters living by their high morals.
This story had many character arcs and some unexpected situations which kept me reading. The author does get a bit long-winded in some of the scenes; however, it's worth the time for the overall story. The ending was a trite too Pollyanna-ish. But after everything the cast went through, they deserved a happy moment. Very exciting book - I'd recommend it to anyone who likes action adventure and/or historical fiction. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, Book 6) (Paperback)
Still Gives Thrills & develops the relationship
An Echo in the Bone: A Novel (Audible Audio Edition)
Intense Drama Continues - Book 7
More characters are introduced along the way as well as more insight into William, Jamie's illegitimate son. We say good-bye to some of the favorite characters that we've grown fond of as well. Drastic measures are taken, as always in these books, and the ending left me wanting to reach out for the next book in line.
Great drama, though the writing is a bit verbose at times.
Written in My Own Heart's Blood: Outlander (Audible Audio Edition)
Best Saved for Last - Enthralling Last Look- Book 8
So this is the last book (so far as we know) of
the Outlander series "In My Own Heart's Blood" which ended the family
saga while the reader could still imagine more drama in their futures. I
like when an author leaves an opening for our imaginations instead of
leaving with an absolute ending. We know by the previous books that the
Fraser family have a lot more to do and given the strong characters
we've read so far, the reader can infer that more of life's drama awaits
them with open arms.
The Outlander series is a great story line, each
novel gave details of personal tragedy and happiness, and this last book
was filled with the same: lots of plotting, strong dialogue, deep
character development, and visual scenes that the reader can embrace. Of
course, the scenes are packed with history as well. However, I didn't
feel compelled to check them to know for sure accuracy. It doesn't
matter because it's a fantasy story that will pick up the reader and
carry one away to another world, just as we like our stories to do.
I recommend this book - if anyone gets stuck on a previous books, I implore you to keep reading.
The ending is worth the hours spent. Who knows, someday the author might pick up the story line again, it is a possibility, or we can just continue to let our imaginations go on with our own made-up scenes . . .
I Hope you enjoyed my reviews - You can find the books here: OUTLANDER
The Outlander series is a great story line, each
novel gave details of personal tragedy and happiness, and this last book
was filled with the same: lots of plotting, strong dialogue, deep
character development, and visual scenes that the reader can embrace. Of
course, the scenes are packed with history as well. However, I didn't
feel compelled to check them to know for sure accuracy. It doesn't
matter because it's a fantasy story that will pick up the reader and
carry one away to another world, just as we like our stories to do.I recommend this book - if anyone gets stuck on a previous books, I implore you to keep reading.
The ending is worth the hours spent. Who knows, someday the author might pick up the story line again, it is a possibility, or we can just continue to let our imaginations go on with our own made-up scenes . . .
I Hope you enjoyed my reviews - You can find the books here: OUTLANDER
Keep Reading - Keep Writing!
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