4.0 out of 5 based on 31 reviews. – Customer review on 02/10/2009

Another great read by Diana Gabaldon. Was a little confusing at the beginning with all the changes in narratives. But followed on well from A Breath of Snow and Ashes. Left me wanting to scream at the end, I can't wait the next few years for the next book. At least it's a good long read, plenty of happenings, just like the other books.

3.0 out of 5 based on 31 reviews. – Customer review on 11/11/2009

Oh dear! I have read all this series twice and have considered it one of the best collections of novels ever but this book really drags in parts...and I must admit I had been warned by others!
Lord Grey and his cohorts are not interesting characters, nor are the many military deliberations and discussions of battles to be fought. When Clare and Jamie are on the pages it is as always fascinating. I am only halfway through and will finish it out of "loyalty" and the fact that I always do like to finish a book but it is not one that I "just can't wait to read" like her others in the series!

5.0 out of 5 based on 31 reviews. – Customer review on 05/02/2010

Again another fantastic book in the series, but the changing narratives irks somewhat. John Grey and William's stories are not that interesting and found myself skipping them. Have since gone back to the first few books in the series to reread as enjoy reading Claire's narrative much more. But still, can't wait for the next installment.

5.0 out of 5 based on 31 reviews. – Customer review on 27/11/2009

The five stars are an expression of my Outlander fangirl enthusiasm, since I'm incapable of objectively judging the quality of these books. I'd probably have given five stars to anything that wasn't a huge disappointment. Which this wasn't, of course; I thought it was quite good.

The first couple hundred pages are admittedly a little slow. We get a lot of POV from Lord John and 19-yr-old William, and there is some crossover from the LJ spin-off series, which I think may be confusing for people who haven't read those books. I like John and William very much, but in this series I really want to read about Jamie and Claire and fortunately the book soon begins to focus more on them.

The last hundred pages are riveting and really quite shocking. But after the earlier slow pacing they felt a little rushed, and the ending is abrupt. It was made worse because I didn't realize that there is an author's note at the end, so the story stopped suddenly when I thought there were still a few pages to go! If I weren't such a fangirl I would probably dock the book a star for concluding with multiple dramatic cliffhangers, which I in general dislike. I don't remember the other books in this series leaving us hanging in mid-scene! There are also some storylines left unresolved, so even at 800+ pages this felt like the first half of an extremely long novel.

But *dreamy sigh* the book thrilled me anyway. Gabaldon claims to write in scenes, and when I re-read these books I do tend to skim some of the connecting narrative and focus on my favorite scenes, and there are plenty of new favorites in this one. Claire's medical work is as fascinating as always, particularly a long sequence which I had already read as an excerpt in The Outlandish Companion.(less)

5.0 out of 5 based on 31 reviews. – Customer review on 18/11/2009

I love the whole Cross stitch/Outlander series, and am always pleasantly surprised that Diana Gabaldon manages to continue the saga. After each of the latest books I have thought 'well, there will only be one more book now and then she will finish', but she keeps on rolling them out!

This latest book follows all the different threads that have been introduced along the way - Brianna and Roger 'back' in the 20th century; Jamie's son William's adventures in the English army during the beginnings of America's fight for independence; Lord John; Jamie's nephew Ian's exploits; and of course Jamie and Claire themselves. Plus a few new characters!

There are some great plot developments which I won't ruin for you, but suffice to say they will keep you turning those pages, and counting the days until the next instalment comes out once you reach the end!

I enjoyed this book immensely. As usual, Gabaldon's characters are warm and engaging, and her historical detail makes the stories seem quite believable.

4.0 out of 5 based on 31 reviews. – Customer review on 27/10/2009

Awesome read, hard to put down as you continue to follow the lives of all the well known characters from previous books in the series. I found the end rather rushed, suddenly a lot happens and leaves a lot of unfinished business that obviously means we have to wait a few years for the next installment. I find this frustrating as a book should be reasonably complete unlike a soap opera that finishes on a "cliff hanger".

1.0 out of 5 based on 31 reviews. – Customer review on 09/10/2010

I found this book very disappointing - so much so that I probably wont bother with any more books in this series. I found that I skipped paragraphs & in some case pages - the story lines are just getting riduculous. I get the feeling she gets paid by the word as she spins the story out so much. The first 4 in the series were the best.

4.0 out of 5 based on 31 reviews. – Customer review on 01/06/2010

really enjoyed this book - however it is obvious she is going to write a next one as all the stories were left up in the air - obviously not finished with these characters yet.

3.0 out of 5 based on 31 reviews. – Customer review on 23/05/2010

As with the other reviewers, I too eagerly awaited the release of this book but was disappointed. It dragged in parts but then the last 40 pages were almost hyperactive - so much action and story lines left hanging obviously for the next book. The chapters with Claire and Jamie and Brianna and Roger were enthralling. Still looking forward to the next and possibly last installment.

5.0 out of 5 based on 31 reviews. – Customer review on 17/05/2010

An excellent read as usual. Diana Gabaldon is just such a skilled story teller and I do rate this series in the top 3 I have ever read. I thought this may be the last so with reverence I rationed my reading so it would last (always the sign of a good book). It does place a greater focus on Lord John and William and although I didn't mind this I think it is always much more exciting when Claire and (sigh..) Jamie are on the page. Love your work Diana!