Rating: Summary: Self-Indulgence Starts to Creep In Review: I have read all five "Outlander" novels, and must say that I feel they started to go downhill a little with "Voyager". I enjoyed the book, but feel that the "self indulgent" writing which becomes more pronounced in the later novels really starts to rear its head in Voyager. Parts of the novel (especially towards the end) don't appear to "gel" or bear any relevance to the continuing story - particularly the "Scottish serial killer" sub-plot - I was a bit taken aback at the end that it didn't actually seem to have any relevance! I felt that the book could have benefited from some fairly major editing in parts - could have lost a good 200 pages. Another ongoing theme that raises its head in Voyager is the "nastiness for the sake of it" so far as gratuitous violence/disease goes. The first two books were brutal in places, but I think "Voyager" goes a little too far. Some of my ambiguity towards "Voyager" is due to the plot, having known the characters from the first two books I found the description of the 20 years that Claire and Jamie were separated quite sad, and felt that their lives (especially Jamie's) had become a little over-soured and that the changes might be irreversable. I also found the whole "pirate kidnapping" plot a little over-the-top. Still, I did enjoy the book, but not as much as the first two!
Rating: Summary: The weakest of a brilliant lot of 5 (so far)--t'ain't bad Review: I have read all 5 Gabaldons from Outlander to Fiery Cross. While others I pass them on to, saying YOU HAVE GOT TO LOVE THIS!, see only the length, they like I quickly find that something is *always* happening to keep you turning the pages. I couldn't believe how quickly I finished "Fiery Cross," which @ 900pp.+ must be the longest of the lot but isn't, in the reading. (Based on the reviews of the "Outlandish Companion," which I didn't feel I needed--haven't I memorized all I've read, after all?--like the others, I am now killing time--too long!--till the next.) Of all these great books, it was "Voyager" that *felt* longest to me, as though it could have been trimmed a bit in the opening few hundred pages. But another Scots friend co-reading (co-dependent!) said, you have to keep going till p.__, you won't BELIEVE what happens there...so I did, and was again richly rewarded. How to say what's BEST, from the opening book to the incredible "Dragonfly" and "Drums/Fiery"? One learns so much history from the day-to-day lives as well as the fictional characters. All I know is that the ONLY book that feels "worst," while still brilliant, because it tried my patience in spots--something the other books never did for a paragraph--is "Voyager." I'm awarding it three stars only to contrast it with the A+++s the other books should get (say, TEN stars)--because it's still rated by all at over 4.5 stars in a group of 5-star books. But once you star with "Outlander," who could stop? One can't miss "Voyager"; I simply think it's the weakest of the lot.
Rating: Summary: A little slower paced than the first two in the series. Review: This is the third in a series of books about Claire Randall, an English woman who mysterious falls through a wedge in some ancient stones and finds herself in eighteenth century Scotland. All three books have been mesmerizing, and it is difficult to determine which so far has been the best. Absolutely saturated with adventure, mayhem and story after story of breath holding moments, in Voyager, there is plenty of adventure on the high seas, including pirates and shipwrecks, marooners, slaves, English soldiers and even a bit of life onboard a slave ship. Truly this author does keep you enthralled and a willing page-turner. The love story between Claire Randall/Fraser and her eighteenth century husband spans so much eternity it is hard to see past it. Even though the book separates itself so openly from reality, the fantasy is still there, and very much alive. It is not at all difficult, through the literary gifts of this author, to imagine these things actually taking place, and to find yourself immersed in a time of wonder and intrigue and plenty of danger. Our protagonist is a woman of much courage. In real time she is an actual surgeon, chairperson of the board at a prestigious hospital, and somehow Diana Gabaldon can amazingly link that life to our protagonists life in eighteenth century Scotland. Truly a great read, but I gave it four stars because of the intense sex, it just becomes a bit much. Still, I'm ready now for 'Drums of Autumn', the last in the series.
Rating: Summary: The adventure continues..... Review: in 1968 as time-traveler Claire Randall learns that her 18th-century Scottish husband, Jamie Fraser, did not die on the battlefield at Culloden after all. Twenty years have passed since he sent her back through the stone circle to her own time to give birth to and raise their daughter, Brianna. After tracking him down with the help of a historian, Claire travels back through the stone circle to 1768 Edinburgh and the timeless love affair continues. As usual though, trouble seems to follow these two and they are constantly on the run. When Jamie's 15-year old nephew is kidnapped by a pirate ship, the two set sail for Jamaica to track him down. They encounter one adventure after another--pirates, typhoid, slavers, witchcraft, voodoo, the Royal Navy--well, you get the picture. With over 1,000 pages to the paperback edition, Gabaldon sure gives you your money's worth! As usual, I can't wait to begin the next book in the series (Drums of Autumn).
Rating: Summary: A New Addiction Review: One thousand words is not enough to describe the intoxicating writing of this author. I stummbled upon Voyager by accident and was gripped by its pages the moment I began to read it. Jamie is a character worth falling in love with and Claire is a woman worth being with. There was nothing about this book that I didn't like, only that it had to end. Thank goodness Diana Gabaldon saw to this dilema and wrote Drums of Autumn.
Rating: Summary: A great read but maybe a little over the top at the end Review: I love her books and I've been particularly fascinated with this saga. I've read the first four in this series and this is the only one I felt she took just a little too far with all the life changing experiences Claire and Jamie have to deal with. But overall it is a great read and as always she writes some of the best books I've ever read in the genre.
Rating: Summary: As good as the others Review: With the understanding and loving consent of her daughter,Brianna,Claire returns through the stones in Scotland in search of Jamie.She does so and following a wonderful reunion with him and his family,returns to Glasgow with him where he is running a printing shop and at the same time,taking part in a brandy smuggling operation.Jamie's nephew,Ian,is kidnapped by pirates who sail off with him to Jamaica.Claire and Jamie set out after him and,in doing so,meet with many adventures including meeting Geilie Duncan,a so-called witch who had saved Claire's life when she was in Scotland the first time and whom Claire had thought to be burned as a witch. On their quest,they come into contact with voodoo ceremonies and upon escaping from Jamaica,are shipwrecked and finally land in America.If this sounds as though it's turned into a huge "ripping good yarn" it probably has ,although this doesn't mean that it's any the less enjoyable-----now for book 4 "Drums of Autumn"
Rating: Summary: Voyager Review: The third novel by Diana Gabaldon about Claire and Jamie Fraser links the two lovers back again. On the bout of thinking each other dead, both move on with life, though they still love each other. Claire believed Jamie to be dead at Battle of Culloden until a friend of hers proved otherwise. With new knowledge that Jamie might have survived the battle, Claire must choose between her present life and her life with Jamie... Voyager again captures all emotions felt in Dragonfly in Amber and Outlander and Claire and Jamie's love for each other is more real than ever. Gabaldon also interweaves adventure, history, suspense, even humor into this wonderful tale. Voyager was a great read!
Rating: Summary: A non stop adventure Review: I couldn't put this book down! I read it in 4 days. Outlander was Diana Gabaldon's first book, and you can see her writing and style change and improve with each novel. The non stop action kept me glued to each page. As Jamie and Claire re-discover each other, the new characters make the adventure fun. A true romantic page turner.
Rating: Summary: continuing with the best characters in fiction Review: Voyager was another great installment in the Outlander series. Everything that can be said has been said here already. Please read these books!!!
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