This fifth installment of this fabulous epic "OUTLANDER" adventure has always been less adventurous than the previous 4 books. All the books hold so much adventure and detailed historical information...but this installment is more of a stepping stone of information to the next book. It lays a foundation of forming of the Militia and the coming Revolution.
It's now 1770 and this installment begins with Jamie, Claire, Brianna and Roger Mac attending the annual Gathering of the Clans. A time of reunion of Clans who make hundreds of separate camps...cooking over open fires - - women laboring to maintain a family's clothes, health and appetites from the limited provisions of saddle bags and pack mules. It's a time of matchmaking, marrying, baptizing, meeting new people, hearing new talk/gossip, and of challenging Scottish games. I found the historical information of the Clan Gathering fascinating. Still, it basically details "a day in the life of" the Frasers while at this Gathering. Jamie is well known and highly regarded for his wisdom as well as his history. His presence is absolute among Clan members. Clair is renowned for her healing abilities.
Jamie has always been a Warrior and a soldier most of his life with a mind of an educated gentleman and a soul of a barbarian. Now he's approaching his mid-40's...good sense has tempered his fighting passion. He's set on carving out a new life for Claire on Fraser's Ridge, North Carolina. Claire is content to go where Jamie leads. Her happiness IS Jamie and nothing more. Yet she knows the Revolution will occur less than 8 years in their future. Facing another war is a frightening thought.
This fifth book of the OUTLANDER saga could actually stand on its own....but WHY would you not want to read this fabulous epic from it's beginning?!? IMHO, it's best to start at the beginning with Outlander - - if for nothing else than to fully appreciate and understand the devoted, passionate relationship between Jamie and Claire....and to thoroughly KNOW them.
Ms. Gabaldon ALWAYS discloses and informs the reader of facts, events and experiences of Jamie and Claire, then walks away from those events and experiences. And then, somewhere in later episodes, she brings that moment back ....somewhere in the series. And "Fiery Cross" follows this line of dropping information upon the reader, only to make it reappear later in the book. It's like little informative or mysterious puzzle pieces that she plops down in our laps and walks away, closing the chapter. And leaves the reader thinking, "WOW!" ....and then somewhere later in the same book, (or subsequent books), that information or event is brought back to our mind/attention. And the reader is soundly blown away!
This is the third time I've read this Epic 7 book Outlander Saga through the many years but it's the first time I've taken time to give a review. Like all the other 5★ rave reviews, I can never put this story down once I begin...errands are curtailed, housework goes to pot and laundry piles up. It holds me completely captive with crippling intensity with all of its emotional structure and profound dimension. The story is so captivating and consuming that I find that I begin to slow my reading down as I see the end looming in sight, hating to let Jamie and Claire go. It never fails...BECAUSE THESE CHARACTERS ARE REAL.. DANG IT!
When I read this fantastic Saga, I'm transported to Scotland, or France, or the Colonies of America! I mean......I'M THERE! I'm experiencing the deplorable living conditions...smelling the stink of the slops thrown out the windows. I'm walking the cobblestones and seeing the people...seeing all the immigrants in their different cultural garb. The descriptive detail and narration are so strong, exact and perfect that one cannot help be emotionally invested in little time. I am transported into another world and time...and I am reluctant to return. I am thoroughly ensconced into the story...it's close to impossible to put these books down to even run to the bathroom...for to put them down for any trivial purpose is to return to the 21st century and that I just hate to do. I begin to go through withdrawals as soon as I begin to close the book and set it down.
Diana Gabaldon is...simply put... brilliant! The absolute best! Yes, the stories are long but each character is carefully considered and the scenic details imperative to the emotion of the era...and the events that are chosen to be included are necessary to have the story told well. IMHO, the story isn't long enough.
If you will allow the time, and give the effort to patiently absorb the detailed narration, you will be blessed and rewarded with the most emotional, captivating Saga ever to hold in your hands.
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Popular Highlights in this book
“To see the years touch ye gives me joy, Sassenach,” he whispered, “—for it means that ye live.”Highlighted by 3,042 Kindle readers- “The past is gone—the future is not come. And we are here together, you and I.”Highlighted by 2,302 Kindle readers
- He was not afraid to die with her, by fire or any other way—only to live without her.Highlighted by 1,709 Kindle readers
From the Publisher
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| OUTLANDER, 20th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTOR’S EDITION | EXILE | OUTLANDER COMPANION | The Outlandish Companion Volume Two | THE OFFICIAL OUTLANDER COLORING BOOK | SEVEN STONES TO STAND OR FALL | |
| Customer Reviews |
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| Price | $21.78 | $16.89 | $21.89 | $22.00 | $11.99 | $12.99 |
| This special edition features an original essay, a new map, and more. | This Outlander graphic novel gives readers a fresh look at the events from Jamie Fraser’s point of view, gorgeously rendered by artist Hoang Nguyen. | Perfect for readers of the bestselling Outlander novels. This compendium covers the first four novels and divulges insider accounts of the making of the Starz original show. | This exciting second volume, covering books 5-8 in the Outlander series, is bursting with generous commentary and juicy insider details. | This spectacular adult coloring book features forty-five all-new illustrations! | A magnificent collection of Outlander short fiction—including two never-before-published novellas—featuring Jamie Fraser, Lord John Grey, Master Raymond, and many more, from Diana Gabaldon |
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Reviews with images
Book is used! Not new!
Irritated to say the least. This is not a new book! The cover is bent out of shape and is torn! It isn't worth returning because I can still read it, but I'm not at all happy that I paid full price for a book that arrived in used condition!
Top reviews from other countries
Annlar
Brilliant writing, I love the characters.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 26, 2023Esperanza Alejandra Retes
Apasionante y entretenida
Reviewed in Mexico on March 14, 2019