Not my favourite in the series, but still an enjoyable read if you're (still) interested in the adventures of Claire and Jamie Fraser. Part of what turned me off was the seeming monotony of day-to-day life in Colonial America.
I loved the earlier books set in Scotland/England because that's the region whose history I am interested in. I don't much care for Colonial/Revolutionary American history, so I've been lukewarm about this series since it came to America shores.
I loved the earlier books set in Scotland/England because that's the region whose history I am interested in. I don't much care for Colonial/Revolutionary American history, so I've been lukewarm about this series since it came to America shores.
goddesslovingbookworm -
Helpful Score: 3
The sixth volume of the saga of Jamie and Claire Fraser. The whole series is an annual re-read for me and still brings bouts of laughter and vales of tears; this may be the best volume yet. Are these romances? Yes, but not in the typical use of the word, for the historical documentation of the lives and times of the characters far outshine the underlying love story. Perhaps these could be read separately, but the full breadth of the storyline can only be felt if the books are taken in order.
Helpful Score: 3
Loved this latest addition to the Outlander series. I felt this book brought the focus back to Jamie and Claire (where I like it). It was full of surprises, some quite shocking! All of it leading up to that fateful newspaper clipping that foretells the death of Jamie and Claire in a house fire. As usual, the beautiful writing brings the back country of North Carolina to life, and the characters live and breathe. Ms. Gabaldon's ability to make you see every tendril of fog and smell the beautiful pine forests amazes me. I have yet to encounter a writer whose stories are so rich with detail without bogging the reader down, and whose characters are brought to life with such depth and sensitivity. None of her characters are two dimensional, even the secondary ones and all of them have flaws as well as heroic traits. This is the best series of books I have ever read, no mistake!
Laney W. (LaneyShirl) reviewed A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, Bk 6) on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
the 6th book in the Outlander series. What can I say? They are truly addictive... adventure, love, history, delightful characters, intrigue, and written in a very engaging and intelligent way.
Lynne J. (Doughgirl) reviewed A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, Bk 6) on + 138 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon - 5*(rounded up from 4.75*)
A Breath of Snow and Ashes (ABOSAA) is the sixth book in the Outlander time travel/historic fiction/romance saga about the extraordinary lives of Claire and Jamie Fraser and their family.
By this time in the series Jamie and Claire are well settled into their home on Fraser's Ridge in the mountains of North Carolina in the years right before the Revolutionary War. Most of their immediate family lives on the Ridge also, and more Scottish settlers. Jamie is "Mac Dugh" - in many ways the laird of the Ridge community. But it's an uneasy leadership. Many of the settlers are Scottish lowlanders and Protestant (Presbyterian). Jamie is a Highlander and Roman Catholic.
Some readers of the series have said that the previous book (A Fiery Cross) is their least favorite because of the lack of action. But there is no lack of action in this book - especially in the back half when we have disappearing slaves, disappearing gold, murders and a trial for murder, kidnapping, the beginnings of the Revolutionary War, time travel and more. One of the best parts of the book for me was listening to Brianna recite the poem "Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" (which she had learned in grade school), at the same time that the ride itself was happening. It sent a few chills down my back.
The only reason this book isn't rated a full 5* is that I occasionally find it overly conicidental that so many bad things can happen to one family. BUT I've had this problem with other historical fiction books (exp: The Illuminator), and for me these events in the Outlander series seem much more critical to the plot and make more sense than in the other examples I gave, so it only mildly detracts from the ultimate rating. Plus, there are plenty of good times and sometimes even LOL moments to lighten the mood.
Most of the mysteries in this book are wrapped up before the end but not all. I can't wait for the next book!
A Breath of Snow and Ashes (ABOSAA) is the sixth book in the Outlander time travel/historic fiction/romance saga about the extraordinary lives of Claire and Jamie Fraser and their family.
By this time in the series Jamie and Claire are well settled into their home on Fraser's Ridge in the mountains of North Carolina in the years right before the Revolutionary War. Most of their immediate family lives on the Ridge also, and more Scottish settlers. Jamie is "Mac Dugh" - in many ways the laird of the Ridge community. But it's an uneasy leadership. Many of the settlers are Scottish lowlanders and Protestant (Presbyterian). Jamie is a Highlander and Roman Catholic.
Some readers of the series have said that the previous book (A Fiery Cross) is their least favorite because of the lack of action. But there is no lack of action in this book - especially in the back half when we have disappearing slaves, disappearing gold, murders and a trial for murder, kidnapping, the beginnings of the Revolutionary War, time travel and more. One of the best parts of the book for me was listening to Brianna recite the poem "Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" (which she had learned in grade school), at the same time that the ride itself was happening. It sent a few chills down my back.
The only reason this book isn't rated a full 5* is that I occasionally find it overly conicidental that so many bad things can happen to one family. BUT I've had this problem with other historical fiction books (exp: The Illuminator), and for me these events in the Outlander series seem much more critical to the plot and make more sense than in the other examples I gave, so it only mildly detracts from the ultimate rating. Plus, there are plenty of good times and sometimes even LOL moments to lighten the mood.
Most of the mysteries in this book are wrapped up before the end but not all. I can't wait for the next book!
