About half way through Echo

Am about half way through Echo and I must say, some chapters/sections are great, true to form, but am not all that into the Lord John sections. Perhaps it's because I have not read all of the LJ series, so I'm listening to them now in the car. Awesome to hear it's available for audio download already, I'm hoping FC and ABOSAA is as well.

A Breath of Snow and Ashes-Book Review

Cover of A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander)

Whew, talk about making it down to the wire! But actually I'm glad it worked out this way so when I get my Echo in the Bone this week, everything will be fresh in my mind. Initially reading ABOSAA in 2005, I honestly forgot alot! So thank you to Michelle @Readers Respite for sponsoring this challenge.



This sixth installment is much about the impending Revolutionary War but also much about the inhabitants of Fraser's Ridge. Groups of men calling themselves the "Committees of Safety" are going around the back country of North Carolina burning out people who will not join their cause to support the Crown. The "regulators" are causing civil unrest in the colonies, Jamie and Claire know exactly when war will break, but now they are in the thick of things, as it were, experiencing what was not written in the history books.



I found myself comparing the trials and tribulations of the folks of Fraser Ridge to "Payton Place"! Illegitimate children, affairs, deceit, in addition to kidnapping, rape, murder, sickness and the like. This installment has it all! Claire herself being the victim of many of the above. Diana has really put Claire through the "wringer"!



Claire also encounters other time travelers who help her but also in the end only want to use her knowledge of gemstones which ends quite violently.



Stephen Bonnet makes a repeat appearance, though the Frasers and MacKenzies thought they had rid of him a few years back. His demise is met with much trepidation from Brianna, can she do what she must to rid of him forever?



Through all the commotion and violence brought to the two families, the Frasers and MacKenzies continue to thrive and live in the wilderness with only their love and determination to survive. Brianna is quite the artist and she manages to make a bit of money drawing portraits in addition to making match sticks, water ways and hunting for the family. Roger has finally found his calling and becomes a minister, something they are both comfortable with. Claire finds an apprentice to assist with her doctoring and she couldn't be more happy. She makes ether which is met with much apprehension amongst the residents of Fraser's Ridge, is she truly a witch who can put people to sleep? Jamie continues his commission as Indian Agent and of course rescues the family in many forms and fashions, he wouldn't be Jamie Fraser otherwise!

A former prison mate of Jamie in Ardsmuir, Tom Christie and family, who was introduced in Fiery Cross, settle in Fraser Ridge and bring much to the story. Diana weaves their story into the Frasers/MacKenzie's lives with brilliance and excitement, one can never forget what the Christie family means to them.



Since the return of Ian from the Mohawk, he returns to himself somewhat, but there is a secret he is harboring in which he finally confides with Brianna, his cousin whom they both have a close bond. His story is sad and tragic and hopefully will continue in the next installment. Ian is always close by his Uncle Jamie to assist in rescuing and the like, I love their bantering!



Fergus and Marsali's story is brief but touching. Fergus has much to overcome with his handicap and finally with assistance from Jamie, they move to the city and Fergus becomes a printer, an occupation he is more comfortable with and in which he knows he can provide for his family.

Jamie and Lord John correspond quite bit, he doesn't make an appearance until the last few chapters when Lord John brings his son, William to North Carolina. Jamie must make a decision which side he will fight when war comes and this decision will make or break their long friendship. Brianna meets William and she is shocked to learn of a secret Jamie and Lord John have been keeping from her.

The mystery behinds the Frenchmen's Gold is finalized in this book and it was quite surprising to learn who had a hand in it all.

Brianna and Roger also conceive and a very sick baby girl is born to them. Claire knows she cannot operate, so the family is torn between staying in the past or going to the future to save the child. A historical find in the end thrilled me, Diana couldn't of written it any other way!

A Breath of Snow and Ashes is by far one of the best books in the Outlander series. Davina Porter is magnificent as always in her narrations, she truly is a talented actor.

And through it all, Claire and Jamie remain steadfast and true, though not to say, their love is not tested. Diana has made these two fictional characters so real, it's hard to believe it is a writing of fiction. You will be hard pressed to find another couple written in fiction that seeps into your mind and soul and stays with you the reader who just can't wait to hear more and never wanting their story to end!

The Fiery Cross Book Review

Cover of The Fiery Cross

Diana Gabaldon's fifth installment of the Outlander Series, The Fiery Cross begins exactly where Drums of Autumn left off, smack dap in the middle of a Scottish Gathering, at the River Run plantation in Cross Creek, NC. Brianna has said "yes" to Roger's marriage proposal, Claire, of course is very busy working in her make shift clinic and making wedding plans. And because this is Diana Gabaldon, the wedding cannot go off without a hitch! The couple along with Claire and Jamie have to get very creative to make the nuptials happen which I think was a pretty hilarious chapter!


I listened to Fiery Cross on Audio CD partly and then read the last 300+ pages. While this installment is by no means lacking in adventure, DG decided to quite elaborately describe the very mundane and common occurrences of their lives. A tad bit over the top for me, I could only take so many descriptions of Brianna's milking breasts, Jemmy's dirty "clout" and Claire's monthly "courses"! Not that I mind reading about them here and there, DG just belabors these points over and over. Claire's ministerings as a doctor are either downright boring or quite entertaining! Jamie and Claire continue to have a healthy sex life in which DG takes up many pages. Ok, I get it, they are super duper lovers....I just once want to hear Claire say......."sorry dear, I have a headache"!! ;-)

Once the MacKenzies and Fraser's return to Fraser's Ridge after the Gathering, farm life continues. The reason Brianna came through the stones to warn her parents of what she read in an article reminds them of their mortality, but the Fraser's and MacKenzie's don't dwell on it and settle in quite nicely. Jamie builds Claire a large 2 story home with a surgery to boot, they adopt a cat, Jamie makes illegal whiskey and Claire makes penicillin. Brianna's artistic talent comes to life as well as her hunting skills. Roger is beginning to feel inadequate as he can't seem to measure up to "Himself". He has vision problems, so hunting is out and he can't seem to find his place amongst the wilderness settlers. Plus the big if, is he the father to Jemmy?

What is on everyone's mind and heart are the rumors of "uprisings" against the Crown. Jamie is sequestered to put together a regiment by the Governor, the same Governor who granted him Fraser's Ridge. Loyalties are tested, neighbors will fight against neighbors. Armed with the knowledge of what will happen in about 4 years, Claire and Jamie are not that alarmed, these two really live in the moment! The fiery cross is a Scottish ritual calling the clans for war in which Jamie must now prepare for. DG illustrates a few skirmishes and I thoughorly enjoyed them.

The Fraser clan travels back to River Run to attend Aunt Jocasta's wedding in which a murder is discovered with many suspects. A conspiracy is brewing regarding the possibility of the missing Frenchman's Gold(that would of helped Bonnie Prince Charlie win the war). Oh, the tangled webs we weave!

Roger, poor, poor Roger! He's only just healed from his ordeal with the Indians(Drums of Autumn) and DG decides to torture him even more! Roger's love for Brianna and Jemmy are the only thing he can cling to. A very heart wrenching story line that makes the stomach queasy, not for the weak! Roger, get a clue, you cannot go wandering about by yourself nor should Jamie be sending you out alone as his messenger! Roger is a very intelligent man and so evident he does not belong in the 18th century!

The story begins to pick up steam when Jamie is injured(almost fatally) and he must entrust to Roger what his plans are to rid of Brianna's most horrid nightmare. Jamie finally feels Roger has earned his right in the family. Jamie recovers and off they go to seek out this demon of the past. Jamie and Roger both want this monster dealt with once and for all, but the devil's a sly one, how will they catch him?

Another twist enters towards the end and the family quite by accident is given an explanation of what they've been wondering about for many years regarding the standing stones and the mystery of the gemstones. Enter Ian Murray(and Rollo)! Yeah, Ian is back!

I was dissappointed not more was written on Fergus, DG introduced many new characters, some linger only for awhile, some stay for bit. I'm itching to see what DG can concoct regarding Fergus and Ian!

The Fiery Cross is still a splendid story as it is the catalyst to Jamie and Claire entering into their middle years and how they deal with their still new surroundings and the pending war. Though I mentioned earlier of her redundicies, DG has slowed her pace somewhat in this installment and as a reader of her works, one should savor the story of the Fraser clan, rich in it's history, glorious in it's passions and above all, strong family ties.

"When the day shall come, that we do part," he said softly, and turned to look at me, "if my last words are not 'I love you'___ye'll ken it was because I didna have the time."