 "An Epic Story of Long Lasting Romance" | 2008-08-20 |
| - Reviewed By literacyandslp |
Ms. Gabaldon is a superior writer and story teller. This tale is of Jaime and Claire, now well into their relationship with all the joys and vagaries of love in middle age. Is this as steamy and tumultuous as earlier works? Well, no... They are older now and broiled in making commitments made earlier in life work. This is what life is all about, after all. As in earlier books, Claire knew she was setting herself on a course of relative poverty and hardship when she made Jaimie her choice as a life partner. And this is partially what this book is about.
I, for one, found the interjection of homely details such as the daily struggle with hygiene without running water and washing machines very interesting. This is my fourth time through the novel and very much appreciate how she braids these themes into the story. Life goes on during menstrual cramps, hot flashes, lack of water, etc. These details makes me care for the characters deeply. Because I know they are human and have mundane, maddening, mind numbing problems like I do.
Diane's style of humor has me laughing outloud on a regular basis. One such example is the baptism of Joan and Jemmy, with the Jaime, Roger and Germaine grinning episode.
I find myself dogearing pages I love so much I want to revisit them. There are many such pages... for reasons of humor, an exceptionally phrased passage, an epiphinal moment, or just plain tenderness.
Don't let the negative reviews stop you from reading this book! It is well worth the time to drop in for a visit with these very human characters to see how they live their lives and solve their problems.
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 "The series is pure poetry!" | 2008-08-18 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1MBOTC01N0IY9 |
| I don't know how anyone can give these books below three or even four stars. Every single one is absolutly enchanting and without a doubt some of the best novels written by anyone in years. I'm nearly done with the fifth installment and can't wait to move onto the next. Although I must admit that this one starts out the slowest of any of the rest, but it does pick up dramatically after Aunt Jocasta's wedding. Then later (DON"T READ ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS) when Roger nearly dies from being hung, I just couldn't put it down. Such drama that you can really emmense yourself in. I can't say this enough, everyone should read these books!!!!!!! |
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 "book size" | 2008-08-13 |
| - Reviewed By User: A17GR7G5RET69 |
| book size is too small to read comfortably! would not have purchased if I knew the size. |
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| "Enthralled!" | 2008-05-11 |
| - Reviewed By User: A25FMUJWUMZN3S |
| I just finished reading "The Fiery Cross" and I was totally enthralled with it from beginning to end. I, of course, have read the first four books. Twice actually. This one was my favorite. The other books are excellent and exciting. What I really like about "The Fiery Cross" is that it really digs into each of the characters. You really get to know each of them. Like them or not, they're human. You get a look into their lives and what it was like to live in the 1770s. The love story continues between Claire and Jamie, it deepens, and matures and their passion remains...well, passionate. I never thought this book was boring. I could not get enough of Claire and Jamie's world. I loved getting to know Roger and Bree better. I was happily engrossed with this story, so much so that the hours flew by. I would dream about these people what was happening with them. I would find myself thinking about the story all through the day always anxious to get back it. I read because I love a good story, especially a good love story. It's wonderful to get into Diana's books and totally leave the real world behind for a while. This is an excellent continuation of the series. I enjoyed it very much. I recommend it highly. |
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| "A second read through changed my mind" | 2008-05-06 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3AEBJF3BGN3WV |
| When I initially read this book, I found some of the details tedious and I would have agreed that this book was the least enjoyable of them all, however, when I read it a second time I slowed down and really payed attention to the details of the story. I think like many people on my first read of new Gabaldon books, I DEVOUR them quickly. This is a book to take your time with. On my second read, I found it much more exciting and intriguing than my inital read where I didn't take the time to follow the story lines as closely as I could have. I find it to be a transitional book- where a transition occurs between the inital part of the series and what will be the later stories of the series. The intial parts of the series appear to be much more fast paced, youthful and full of dangers. As Jamie and Clair age, the story appears to adjust to a more rich and full description of their surroundings, family and locale. I now appreciate the book for what it was meant to do- initiate us into the slower paced environment of the Frasier world. The only reason I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5 was because of my initial reaction during my first read. For those who didn't like it, I recommend reading it again slowly. |
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| "Downer" | 2008-04-29 |
| - Reviewed By iblack19 |
FIREY CROSS has a riveting title, but as a fascinating read it ends right there. Any author has a dud ever once-in-a-while, but this story reads more like it was written to fulfil a contract or to appease demanding fans who are impatient for the story to move on.
It begins at the ending of DRUMS OF AUTUMN and takes us through rather modernistic philosophy or attitudes of middle age and early marrage. Ms. Gabaldon had best either jump start Brianna and Roger or get rid of them, they interfere with our love affair with Jamie and Clarie. Clarie was smart when she left her spoiled daughter in Scotland.
Not the best, but I'll take Diana's worst to other historical fiction I've read.
Nash Black, WRITING AS A SMALL BUSINESS and SINS OF THE FATHERS. |
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| "Gabaldon" | 2008-04-22 |
| - Reviewed By User: ASD6QTCGEKPES |
| I bought this for my wife. This is her third time through the series. She decided that it is easier to buy them than to continue to check them out at the local library, as she intends to read the series several more times. It must be really good. |
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| "A place to get lost in..." | 2008-02-08 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2L5T5UC7XUBUE |
| Ah, everything you dreamed about having in a relationship with a man, everything you want to be as a woman, and enough adventure to carry the story well along to the end of the book. I am on the third in the series and so far, this is her absolute best. Even though she struggles more to create the story I have fallen in love with her characters and won't stop reading until I have read them all. I will reread them, too. I was once told that if you find you dream about a book, then it is a very powerful book. It's a verra good read and I canna recommend it enough. |
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 "The worst one of the series" | 2008-01-15 |
| - Reviewed By User: AUW6UZ4F7SP1C |
| I am an avid DG fan, and have read all of the books to this series. This one is the only review I will post, reason being because I waited SOOOO long for it's release after the Drum's book. The writer is a classic for "leaving you hanging" until the next book. I have to honestly say, that I was really disappointed with this one. It took me forever to get thru it because of all the historical jargon and the story just lagged and lagged. If you are a first time reader of the series, I would go for the abridged version on CD (if available), and move on from there. You will not miss much and the later books are all worth the read! |
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| "Not as good as 1-3, but better than 4" | 2007-12-31 |
| - Reviewed By aprildt |
| The fifth book in the Outlander series. Not as good as books 1-3, but way better than 4. Claire and Jamie have settled in the "backcountry" in the Colonies. Now, they're preparing, as best they can, for the Revolutionary War, which Claire knows is coming in a few short years. This book also contains a fair bit about Jamie & Claire's daughter Brianna, and her husband Roger, both from the 20th century, too. The best thing about this author is how real Jamie and Claire seem. |
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