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Summary: It's a GREAT BOOK!
Review: One review said that this book (Dragonfly in Amber) must have been written by someone whose research came from English history books. I've read Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, and am now reading Voyager. Okay, I know the Scottish view of Bonny Prince Charlie and the highlanders who fought at Culloden is somewhat idealized, but the book was obviously well-researched. It's clear that the author went to some trouble not to just grab the everyday information that's available from "English history books." Most common sources don't include quite a few items that the book makes note of; therefore, the author went to extra trouble to find the information and make use of it. Dragonfly in Amber is a wonderful book. Many authors try to achieve the level of writing that Diana Gabaldon employs, yet so often they fail. The entire Outlander series is a must read for everybody, not just those who follow this genre. Aspiring writers should read this book to learn about how their craft should be done. Others should read the series if they are at all interested in romance, Scotland, Europe, timetravel, and just because it draws people in and doesn't let go.
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Summary: Oh my god... Fabulous!!!
Review: I was at the library one rainy afternoon, trying to find something to read that would keep me occupied over the weekend - the forecast called for rain, rain and more rain. At this point(about 4 years ago) I had not yet heard about this book, the author or even the series. The reason I did pick up the book was cause I liked the cover. I know, I know, don't judge a book by it's cover, but let's be honest - a catchy, intreaging cover/title is a great marketing tool. I'm refering to the paperback version with the open cover that shows Clair and Jamie and the new world and the old world. Anyway, I took it home, and I don't think I got out from under the covers of my bed the whole weekend - I COULD NOT put this book down. I refuse to read cover jackets or the back of the book before I start - I ususally like to just jump right in (try this sometime, it makes the reading experience that much more exciting) Remember, I didn't know at the time that this was book #2 in the Outlander Series. I just started reading about a woman and her daughter who go to Scotland... so when Clair discovers Jamies tomb stone and freaks, I freaked as well. Oh my god... this was promising to be a great story. I won't bore you with a play by play of my emotions as I continued to read, but let me just say that I was totally blown away. In the last line of the book, Claire basically gets told that Jamie never died. And that's how the book ends - and that, I thought, was the end end. I really and honestly thought that DG was just going to leave us hanging. That was the end of the story, period. Well, let me tell you that I was just about in a state of depression for about a week, until I picked up the book to return it back to the library and thought "OK, let's read the reviews on the inside pages" - Finally, me the idiot, finds out that there is a whole Jamie and Claire series out there. - Let's just say that I'm a big fan. Seeing as how this was my first D. Gabaldon book, it remains my favorite. "Outlander" was also great although I found it a little repetative (remember, I had already been exposed to the Jamie/Black Jack Randall issue albeit a little backwards I know). "Outlander" and "Dragon Fly in Amber" remain two of my favorite books. "Voyager" was a great adventure story but "Drums in Autumn" just didn't measure up. I could really care less about Brianna and Roger - What I want is more of Claire and Jamie. I'm eagerly awaiting book #5. Overall, this book, "Dragonfly in Amber", is fantastic. Diana Gabaldon's style of writing is riviting. I loved it!
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Summary: More enjoyable reading in this series
Review: Diana Gabaldon lays out another very entertaining novel about Claire and Jamie. Since this follows her first in the series, Outlander, I recommend reading this, as well as the next books, without too much of a gap in time. The story follows nicely when the details are fresh in your memory. The scenes are nicely framed to allow your own imagination to fill in where otherwise any description would detract from the beauty of this writing. Thoroughly enjoyable reading.
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Summary: Truly Enchanting Sequel to 'Outlander'...an original...
Review: This is the second book in the 'Outlander' series. Usually the second book in any series doesn't live up to its 'parent', but this one, this one truly is an enchanting sequel and kept me spellbound.
The setting is so original and the plot is so unique, I can't seem to get through these books fast enough!
Leaving us waiting anxiously after Claire decides to stay in Scotland and in the past, her and Jamie must leave Scotland for fear of his capture. They travel to the political and scandalous courts of Paris where Claire must try and save his life and help Jamie save the country he loves from a king bent on claiming the throne.
The love they share is tested many times and in many ways; through pain and torture, Claire can never imagine her life back in the future without the undying love of her Scottish warrior. On the brink of a Jackobite Rebellion, the country is torn and Claire suffers in her heart the knowledge of what is to come. Hearing the fatal call of the doomed battle of Culloden Moor, Claire must convince Jamie not to fight. How do you convince a Highland warrior not to fight for his freedom and life?
Bearing too much knowledge and fear, Claire is forced to make a decision that she must live with... Now twenty-years later (1968)after her disapearance in 1945 she suddenly reappears staggering and confused in the same spot she vanished 2 years later. Claire must face her husband Frank and his astonishment at her arrival and her insistence that she was lost in the past, the 1700's to be exact. Can their marriage survive? Can Claire forget her heartwrenching love for a man lost in the past still?
Keeping secrets from her daughter for years and keeping a promise to Frank until his death, she reveals the shocking truth to her twenty-year-old daughter Brianna. She must reveal a love so great it spanned lifetimes, but can Claire tell the story? Questions still remain to what happened to Jamie and the mysterious stones that brought her to him. Finding out what happened to him will take another toll she isn't prepared to take...
Brings us right to the door of the third installment in this riveting series called 'Voyager'.
Ms. Gabaldon shows us how magical and everlasting love and honor can be and brings us right into the heart of this saga with tails blazing...
A definate keeper for the shelves and a mysterious look into life and love and how alike we are to Dragonflies caught in Amber...
1. Outlander 2. Dragonfly in Amber 3. Voyager 4. Drums of Autumn 5. The Fiery Cross Tracy Talley~@
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Summary: I laughed, cried and couldn't put it down!
Review: I'm don't normally read romance but had happened upon a historical romance involving time travel that I had loved and recommended to a friend. She is turn recommended Diane Gabaldon's series. I've just finished Dragonfly in Amber and loved every moment. I don't think there was one page in this book or the last, Outlander, where my mind wandered. I highly recommend this book! This author is unbelievably gifted in her abilities to keep your interest along a finely woven, but often unexpected, story line. I can't wait to start Voyager!
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Summary: Outlander
Review: I just read Outlander and cannot wait to read the rest of the series. The book is fantastic. I now want to go to Scotland to find a carbon copy of Jamie! Incredible storytelling, I strongly recommend this book.
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Summary: Unbeatable! The BEST Historical Romance Novel EVER!
Review: I started this series with Dragonfly In Amber, although it is the 2nd book of the series. I was at a library skimming through and i happened to open up the cover (of the paperback) and saw an artist's depiction of Jamie. WELL, I just had to read the book because Jamie (the drawing)looked so handsome. Anyways, I read the book, and could not believe how AWESOME it was, I actually had a dream about the characters (no lie) because Ms. Gabaldon made it so real . Needless to say, I bought Outlander the next day, and read the entire series back to back. This is the book that started me off though, and I have never felt so strongly attached or so emotional about Jamie and Claire (I can't tell you how many times I burst out laughing or bawled like a baby). It makes me feel like I have a special bond with them somehow, like no one else can intrude in our world. I am a hopeless romantic and have read countless novels, but I am happy to say that Jamie and Claire's stories are the only ones falling apart (from being re-re-re-read of course) BUY THIS BOOK & THE WHOLE SERIES....YOU WILL LOVE IT =)
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Summary: Not so easy to change history after all
Review: I read this whole book with a sense of dread at the impending prospects of Culloden and what Jamie's involvement would be. It was quite stressful! It made me think about how maybe it is not so easy after all for one person (or two) to actually change the movements of history. How awful to go back in time weaponed with knowledge that you can do so little about no matter how hard you try. Perhaps a lesson for our times? I was, however, disturbed in this book by the duplicity of Claire. She MADE the decision to stay with Jamie and not return to Frank. So why, then, does she keep Frank's ring on her finger and not let him go? She holds onto Frank out of duty and I felt sorry for poor Jamie and how fiercely he loves Claire. I just kept expecting her to come to a point where she was completely and wholly "with" Jamie! I truly don't understand it (maybe it's just me?). Perhaps it is all just a plot device by the author so we all don't feel too guilty that Claire WAS a married woman when she stepped through the stones and she DID get married again. That we have to feel some semblance of respect for Frank?? I dunno. This author has some guts, I tell you. It seems in this book everything pure was turned into the profane. I was constantly shocked that she actually went through with some of these things! I.e., before young Mary was raped, I thought surely.... But then it happens! In vivid detail! I approach Voyager with a sense of relief that at least Culloden is over!
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Summary: Fantastic!
Review: Truly a wonderful piece of artistry! This is the second book in this series and I could not put it down! Left me running to order the next in the series. Diana is amazing!
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Summary: Diana Gabaldon is a genius!
Review: I have never liked the cheesy genre of romance novels, so when I recieved Outlander as a Christmas gift one year I was very hestitant to begin reading. However, when I finally picked it up one snowy afternoon I realized the mistake I had made when I passed it off as another lame Romance novel! I flew through the pages and loved every minute of it! The story of Claire Randall's journey through time was actually beliveable,and her love with Scottish hearthob Jamie Fraser is honest and poignant. Though the plot line at first appeared like a script for some soap opera, Gabaldon managed to capture my imagination and make it work. The charcters were so real and lovable ( or in the case of Jack Randall hatable) that it was impossible to put the book down. It does tend to be a bit graphic which may turn off some readers, but if you look past this you can see that it really does capture life in a way that no other author has managed to do. It made me cry, it made me laugh, and it made me mad that no man like Jamie exsists in MY life! Dragonfly in Amber is much more melancholy then Outlander as it tells the tragic story of Claire's departure from Jamie. The fact that I could get that upset over a book shows just how incredibly talented Diana Gabaldon is! Her series is an achingly beautiful and well written masterpiece.
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