Rating: 
Summary: Don't get to excited about number 4
Review: Firstly, I am greatly impressed by Diana's other books, but this book has not held my interest like her previous ones. I have to confess to being very bored with the first part of this book. Unlike her other books, which I was able to read long into the night, after about two pages reading each night of this one, I had trouble staying awake. It took me about 3 months to work through "The Fiery Cross" but the saving grace was, that things started to improve towards the latter stages of the book. I felt however, that Claire & Jamie's relationship had been dragged out to the bitter end, and to be quite honest, I felt as though I wouldn't be very upset if a wild Grizzly bear broke in and killed them both (it would have been a little more exciting). Perhaps I have been harsh here, as Gabaldon's previous books have been nothing short of outstanding, and I suppose anything short of her best is really surprising. Then again, an average book by Diana would in many cases be considered something very special by any other author. So overall, this is a long read which lacks the excitement and energy of the previous instalments, but still has that remarkable attention to detail and atmosphere so characteristic of this author. Slow in the beginning but picks up later. Still a must read for fans of this author, but as a first time Gabaldon reader I suggest you start with an earlier book in the saga.
Rating:
Summary: Doesn't stand alone and detail over load!
Review: I'll make this short and sweet - take a lesson Diana Gabaldon!The book doesn't stand alone well. You need to have read the other books in the series or pick up the companion. I read all the books in the series but got the companion out of the library anyway and it was very helpful and interesting. As with many of Diana's books there was a bit of a detail overload. But you get in the rythm of scanning over the descriptive paragraphs and getting to the meat.
Rating: 
Summary: Have to disagree - I loved the details, loved this book
Review: I was introduced to Gabaldon by an older lady at a book sale and after reading Outlander, I ran out to buy the others. The latest, The Fiery Cross, is different in some ways because there is less real action. But there is no shortage of feelings, undercurrents, wondering, and hoping. I think Gabaldon did a wonderful job of letting us see the more peaceful side of living in this time on the brink of the American Revolution. Several reviewers complained of the details - but I love the details. It's what makes me feel like I'm there. The little sounds, smells - it really puts you at Fraser's Ridge. I hated to see this series end. I'm hoping to learn Ian's story, and John Grey's story. Gabaldon is definitely one of the best writers today.
Rating:
Summary: The adventure continues!!!
Review: I couldn't wait to to read "The Fiery Cross". I found this chapter of the Claire and Jamie saga well worth the wait. Of course for me, it just wasn't long enough. ( I love really long books!) The fact that the book begins exactly where "Drums of Autumn" ends is wonderful. The historical accuracy of her books is amazing. Diana's background in research is evident as is her wonderful imagination. The combination is unbeatable. Her memory (or notes) means that incidents from previous books remain true. I don't find that very often, and I read A LOT!! I have all the books in the series in both paperback and hardback and I'll buy this one in paperback when it comes out. Every book is worth reading again. If you read the whole set in order, it can help make sense of some the later incidents. I can't wait for the next book. But until then, I can always stay in touch with Claire, Jamie and all the wonderful, colorful characters by reading the series again. All the books, and this one especially are well worth the time.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: This is an excellent book but not for the squimish. If you don't like the nitty gritty facts of life (which are all natural and we have all experienced) like vomit, blood, and feces, then don't read this book. Overall it portrayed a very realistic and entertaining account of colonial life. You definately have to read the previous books in the series to be able to appreciate this book. It was great to see how sexy and romantic Jamie and Claire are in their middle age. The book leaves you waiting breathlessly for the next installment.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed too and yet..............
Review: While I have to agree with the other reviewer that Diana Gabaldon at her worst is still better than most writers at their best, this installment of the Outlander series does not live up to the first three for me. Nor did Drums of Autumn. Maybe it's just that I don't find colonial American history as interesting as European or the fact this I detest the Brianna character. There's just too much of her for me in these last two books and I just couldn't buy all her "inventions". It doesn't ring true to me. Also, as an animal lover I was tired of the detailed descriptions of killing and butchering of animals with Brianna as the goddess huntswoman. I suppose she'll single-handedly save the whole North Carolina colony in the revoulution in the next book. Like Claire, I couldn't wait to get on that horse and leave Fraser's Ridge and Brianna and Jemmy behind. The best part of this book for me was the Claire narrative. I didn't really even want to read this book as the first three were magic to me and I didn't want to break the spell. And that's what's happened in these last two installments. I might try to give the next one a miss but I doubt I'll be able to.
Rating:
Summary: Loved the series
Review: Yes I loved the series totally and feel in love with the people and Scotland, but I had to force myself to read this last book and found myself skipping many paragraphs as I got bored.
I did feel let down with this book but I still had to know what happened to Claire and Jamie.
:-) Still if you are a fan of this series, you have to read it.
PS: Gosh I felt poor Roger gets a raw deal in the last two books! I would have thought Roger, Brianna and their child would have gone back to their time (I would have!)
Rating:
Summary: Drowning in the details
Review: There were times when I forced myself to continue reading, for surely there must be a payoff ahead! There were many times when I got through by skimming, and I really don't like to do that but I couldn't endure the relentless details. More than 160 pages of one relentlessly long, drearily rainy day makes up the first PART of this book! How rainy was it? Please don't ask, I'm still trying to forget. Especially when it got a little colder and the rain turned to hail. Hail? In October? Surely the author, like the illustrators of "Where's Waldo" has placed a small trick in there by placing one of the 10,000 details wrong, because hail accompanies the thunderstorms of spring and summer, and sleet and freezing rain are what the cold drizzles of late fall can become. I hate to harp on the details, but they seem to be most of what this story is about. What happenned to the author of that great fight scene between Jamie and Jenny in the first book? I fear that she has exchanged the skill of that writing for the meticulous detailing in this book. She's also resorting to cheap tricks. What happens to Roger seems like a crutch to enliven the plot and the resolution of that storyline is completely predictable. And I wonder if the author has ever experienced a baby or young child that is actually pleasant, smiling or laughing? It does happen. But the children in this book are only described positively if they happen to be (finally!) asleep. Impossible children and unneeded descriptions of sore nipples qualifies this book at least as a great contraceptive.
Rating: 
Summary: terrible
Review: I tried and tried to read this book (cause I pd soooo much for it) and did NOT like this book AT ALL> Could not get into it...
YUCK
Rating:
Summary: disappointed and yet...
Review: While I was disappointed in 'The Fiery Cross' I still have to say Diana Gabaldon at her worst is still better than most writers at their best. The writing gets five stars but the plot momentum was sadly lacking. There were moments that I saw glimpses of Gabaldon magic- when Jamie calls to Dougal for instance. The last couple hundred pages were great and really kept me turning. However I did feel a tad cheated not to learn anything about why Ian had returned. Sigh...guess I'll be getting the next book. For those of you waiting for the next installment however I highly recommend 'Exit Unicorns' by Cindy Brandner. I bought it due to a previous mention on here and absolutely loved it.
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