Rating: 
Summary: Still good--just not AS good
Review: "Drums of Autumn," the fourth novel in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, continues the adventures of eighteenth-century Highlander Jamie Fraser and his time-travelling twentieth-century wife Claire. Recently arrived in the American colonies after the shipwreck that ended "Voyager," Jamie and Claire, along with Jamie's nephew Ian, make their way to the mountains of western North Carolina to establish their new home (after the requisite meetings with relatives, bandits, and other assorted colorful characters). Meanwhile back in 1969 Boston, their daughter Brianna makes a horrible discovery about her parents' demise and decides to journey back in time herself to prevent that. She is followed by Roger Wakefield, the dashing Scottish historian, who always shows up a little too late to prevent the headstrong Brianna from getting into major trouble.Brianna and Roger are the two major reasons I did not enjoy "Drums of Autumn" nearly as much as the other books. They are in many ways the typical couple to be found in historical romances--Brianna is at once whiny and stubborn, while Roger is overbearing. Gabaldon uses the classic (and annoying) romance devices of miscommunication and "whose child is this?" to further their story along. Jamie and Claire are, as always, great characters, but Gabaldon's tendency of making sure every bad event has closure (and good ones as well, since she drags in John Gray and Jamie's son Willie) stretches thin the already thin suspension of disbelief necessary to make the time-travel idea work. Overall, Gabaldon's work is miles above other romance writers (and, at heart, these books are romances), but "Drums of Autumn" is definitely the weakest in the series.
Rating: 
Summary: Continued Excellence
Review: Contines the excellent tale of Jamie and Claire started in the superb Outlander. If you are new to Gabaldon, start there but keep reading. Unlike many series which falter as time goes on, Gabaldon's writing holds up over time. Can't recommend this series highly enough.
Rating: 
Summary: The Outlander Series
Review: At first I had my doubts about the first book,only because it seems to take so long to get things moving.But once Claire goes through and ends up in Scotland not really understanding what happend to her,that is where the fun begins.It kept me truly mesmerized the whole time.Jamie is young,and so rough in one moment and kind and gentle in the next and so very protective of Claire even before they were married.I am not sure if I have ever truly enjoyed any other series more than I have these.It was a great Christmas gift that I received.
Rating:
Summary: I hope it never ends.
Review: The fourth book in the Outlander series, it's as great as the three that came before. I have just finished reading it for the second time in preparation for the fifth book THE FIREY CROSS which is scheduled to be released in November. Drums, is the continuation of the adventures of Jamie and Claire Fraser in 18th century America. The tale of Brianna and Roger is cultivated in this book and deeply enriches the storyline. Gabaldon gives the reader what he or she wants and the promise of more to come. Every page read draws the reader on for more and more. A great book to accompany the series is THE OUTLANDISH COMPANION, which pulls the story together with descriptions, pictures, maps, and timelines of all the important places and characters.
Kelsana 9/24/01
Rating:
Summary: Continued excellence
Review: As a huge fan of Diana Gabaldon's work, I eagerly awaited the fourth installment of this saga. I was a little anxious that after three books the writing might have lost some of it's power. Not so. I found that the author has continued her along the same winning way as in the three previous books and with the change of continent, infused not only Jamie with a new and intriguing life ahead, but Claire also is faced (perhaps for the first time) with the uncertainty of not really knowing what lies ahead.
I found myself enjoying this fourth book as much as the others ( although I think Crosstitch is still the most riviting of them all for it's sheer suspense) and I am chomping on the bit while waiting for the next installment in the lives of Jamie and Claire
Rating:
Summary: Best thing since James Herriot!
Review: It took me two years before I was to pick up and read Ms Gabaldon's books, as the notion of reading a time travel romance was off-putting to say the least. However, after much encouragement from a friend, I finally took the plunge. To date, I have not come up for air. I haven't read anything this good since James Herriot (All Creatures Great and Small). Speaking of James, Diana creates wonderful character's, and James and Claire are no exception. My life has not been the same since reading the Outlander series, and I often find myself reflecting on the lives and times of her character's. Her books are so good, that it is heartbreaking to finish them. And so, upon finishing her fourth book, Drums of Autumn, I turned right around and started the series all over again. I eagerly await her fifth book, The Fiery Cross, which continues the story of Jamie and Claire. Thankyou Ms Gabaldon, for providing me with a safe sanctuary to go to on rainy days.
Rating:
Summary: Four to Score!
Review: This is the 4th episode in the Outlander Series. Glad it isnt the last! There are so many side stories to keep your interest and the characters are vivid. Of course, it continues the story of Jamie and Claire and what a story it is! This series is so refreshingly different from the standard 'historical romances' they should not even be labeled as such! I've read the 4 books over the summer and am glad to have the opportunity to catch up on my sleep waiting for the 5th book in November. Diana ends each chapter with a lure to go on to the next, thereby delaying chores, sleep etc. etc. Good author! Diana, you are amazing!
Rating:
Summary: Amazing series
Review: I was enthralled with the Outlander series. So much so that I didn't want it to end. I read the first three without blinking but as I came to the fourth, I knew the end of the series was near. I put down the book half way through because if I didn't finish it, the characters would stay alive in my mind. I waited over a year - reliving the story in my head and still not wanting it to end. I finally picked up the book and late last night, and read the last pages. Now that I've finished, I'm hoping there will be a fifth book. I'd love to hear of any other recommendations for books similar to these.
Rating:
Summary: Time Travel Plot That Works
Review: Diana Gabaldon's fourth novel in her Outlander series is a rarity in that time travel here is no gimick, but rather an intergrating aspect of plot. Moving from the 20th century to 18th century Scotland and on to the New World, heroine Clare Randall is somebody I could travel with. The great love between Clare and the 18th century Scot Jamie Fraser makes both of these characters believable and enjoyable. This is good reading for those of us who are bored with most contemporary fiction. Author Gabaldon stirs up an enthralling blend of imagination and historical research compelling the reader to keep turning those pages. Combined with strong plot lines, believable heroes and heroines,and a vivid cast of secondary characters, these books offer up adventure, history, mystery and an intense love story. Note: read these books in order and I'm hoping for a movie!
Rating:
Summary: Lost in the Past
Review: The time travel episodes in Drums of Autumn and the preceding three novels of this series were written so I felt as though I traveled along with the characters through the mysterious stone circle in Scotland. The sensory descriptions left me feeling this process was entirely possible. In spite of the speculation by the characters over what is actually the catalyst that allows them to step through into time, it is believable in the way it was written. There is another mystery that accompanies this unfolding saga in the lives of the two main characters. Jamie and Claire share a connection that transcends all obstacles. This is heartening and hopeful to a reader who would wish for such a deep and abiding love relationship. This surely must be the impetus that pulls readers to want more of this series in spite of some of the annoying behavior of Jamie and Claire's daughter, Brianna. As other readers have said, Brianna seems to be spoiled and throws tantrums that embarrass me to read. Her pencant for name calling is really disgusting. In her anger, she does not hesitate to use words that I doubt very much she would have gotten away with during her upbringing. Where did this all come from? How can she, when provoked, call the man she loves and the man she learns is her father names that you would not expect to hear from the mouth of a young girl of that time. She supposedly grew up in modern times with two very respectable parents who would have seen to the training of a young lady. Instead she comes off as a gutter mouth. I was troubled by this unbelievable handling of this character. I sincerely hope the author finds a way to straighten Brianna out if she continues to appear in the next book. I can't believe that her unforgiving and stubborn behavior comes from her heritage or from the stress of traveling into a strange new world where life is harsh. It did not seem to affect her mother that way. Claire has a presence as she matures that is worthy of the man of honor who is her husband. Jamie is one of the most incredible heros in a novel of this kind I have ever read about. It's easy to feel sympathetic to Jamie and Claire and therein lies the answer to the mystery. We love them and want to continue to know them. I will buy any book that is written in this series.
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