Rating: 
Summary: Gabaldon-A Driving Force
Review: Diana Gabaldon is a driving force in the romance novel business and has so many levels of intellect-YEAH RIGHT!!!!!!!!!I would rather have really bad indigestion than go and buy another one of these boring books.I think people contemplating buying one of these books should go buy a red hot chilli peppers cd,nirvana's nevermind,Pearl Jam's ten,or go buy the movie Looking For Ali Brandy,or if you are still interested in reading pick up a copy of Anthony Kiedis's Bio Scar tissue out next fall,and if it's fiction you are into well go to the Library and pick out a book instead of spending your money on this waste of time.
Rating: 
Summary: The Culmination Of A Glorious Saga!
Review: "The Fiery Cross" is the fifth and last book in Diana Gabaldon's extraordinary "Outlander" series. Claire and James Fraser have weathered more storms than most, crossed oceans and centuries to make a life together, and this last novel is the culmination of all their struggles. We were first introduced to Jamie and Claire right after Claire made the voyage from peaceful 20th century Scotland to 18th century Scotland and total mayhem. We witnessed passion, love and friendship grow between this couple as they began married life, and experienced adventure, adversity and attempted to alter history. Now they have finally settled in North Carolina along with their daughter Brianna, her husband Roger, their son Jemmie, many of their family members and friends from Scotland, including most of Jamies fellow prisoners from Ardsmuir and hundreds of refugees in exile in the wake of the Jacobite rebellion. The novel opens as "The Fiery Cross," used to summon highlanders to war, is lit again at the 1770 Gathering of Clans in the Royal Colony of North Carolina. William Tryon, North Carolina's governor, has asked Jamie to gather men to form a militia in order to put down a local uprising - one of the many precursors to the Revolutionary War. Unlike Ms. Gabaldon's other novels, this is not a book focused on adventures and conflict, with many plot twists and turns, although there is no lack of excitement here. "The Fiery Cross" is all about character growth, interpersonal relationships, survival in the wilderness, and the mature love of a middle-aged couple who adore each other. We have witnessed Claire and Jamie live, work and love, almost as one entity - now they experience what it is like to be family elders, surrounded by loved ones, and wrestle with commonplace chores and leadership issues. Claire, now a beautiful matron in her 50s, spends much of her time utilizing her physician's skills and searching for ways to bring 20th century science to her 18th century practice. James is the founder of the Fraser's Ridge community and acts as an unofficial clan chief to all the families who look to him for leadership. Brianna and Roger, and Fergus and Marsali are young couples coping with a heavy daily work load and parenting. This is a period when backbreaking work, from first light to last, is necessary for survival. Many may not care for this book as much as they did for the others, but I believe that this may be our last glimpse of the Frasers and am glad to see them settled with their loved ones and still very much in love with each other. The Fraser family, especially Claire and James, have come to mean so much to me. They are aging and Ms. Gabaldon clearly shows the toll that the years and their plights have taken. Now she allows her characters to experience some stability, home life and joy of family. Diana Gabaldon has an imagination for which I will always be grateful, and she is as skilled a writer as there ever was. She develops characters so that they truly come to life and remain with the reader forever - no small accomplishment. Her ability to capture the essence of a loving relationship, whether between lovers, spouses, parents and children, or friends can easily move her readers to tears. The dialogue is excellent and the wonderful Scottish dialect, interspersed with Gaelic, adds much to the novels' credibility and the readers' enjoyment. The "Outlander" books are my favorite series and Jamie and Claire my favorite literary characters. "The Fiery Cross" is a worthy culmination to a glorious saga.
JANA
Rating:
Summary: A Slightly Different Perspective
Review: I have not finished this book yet but, being past the much maligned first 200 pages, I thought I would throw in a couple thoughts. Bottom line: Does it really matter whether this is the best book of the series or not? We probably all have our own opinion of which book is the best. If you have come this far on the journey it is just the next step we must take, for better or worse, as we anxiously (& sadly) await the final chapter. If you have not read the entire saga, don't start here. You just wouldn't get it anyway. Go back to the beginning and be grateful that, like me, you don't have to wait 2 years between books like many did. I was introduced to this series late so, fortunately for me, I could buy all the books at once, line them up on the shelf, and immerse myself in the story. Maybe that makes it easier to view the entire saga in an unbroken line of continuity and put FC's beginning into context. Unlike so many novelists, DG gutsily allows us to see a little of what life was really like back then (not all perfume, silk gowns and carriages for sure), ie in terms of hygiene and how they dealt, or didn't, with issues we don't even think twice about these days with our daily showers, indoor plumbing, and throw-away diapers. The beginning of Fiery Cross is a bit like the 18th century family vacation from hell. It paints a picture, granted not particularly pretty, of the baser issues people dealt with...made even more difficult by being away from home. Ok, not so romantic, but I can appreciate the snapshot of a real 18th century life. Beyond that, the beginning of FC paints the picture of J & C's life now, in many ways Jamie's dream life (warts and all), some 25 years later as they approach middle age and deal with many similar issues as today's families. They are surrounded by the chaos and difficulty and irritation and blessings of family and friends who share a mutual love and respect. Glamorous, no...happy?...well, getting there. I have ached for them to have just a bit of peace together and so I have enjoyed meandering through the gathering with them. They are getting older now, their relationship has matured and they just want the peace and joy and home that we all want. *sigh* We all know that will only last for so long...200 pages doesn't seem nearly too long to me. I love the fact that DG is allowing Jamie & Claire such a realistic lifeline. May not always be exciting but it sure makes them feel real. Edited for additional comments at end of book:
I will agree that there is way more attention to and technical detail on Claire's medical activities than I find interesting. I really don't care how an elbow is reconstructed....unless it is Jamie's o' course... ;-} ...and, dear Lord, the only reason I don't feel more guilty about my inability to take much interest in Bree & Roger is that obviously I'm not alone. Still...it has been a pleasant book in a quieter way, just to enjoy those heartbreaking 'Jamie moments' for as long as we can.
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Summary: Furthering the saga
Review: I truly enjoyed this book. I read several of the negative reviews prior to reading it and was pleasantly surprised. There were enough plot twists to keep things interesting. The last few chapters linked the book to the time travel aspects of the other four, and as usual raised the hair on the back of my neck. I'm sad to see Jamie and Claire growing older, but I enjoyed watching Roger and Brianna growing into stronger characters. I can't wait for the next one, and for Jemmy to grow out of a whiny toddler.
Rating: 
Summary: The Fiery Cross
Review: This book continues the exciting story of Claire and Jamie--a truly unique couple. This book, like its predessors has a very original story. Romance is just part of the story--there is action,adventure, mystery,time-travel,history and a bit of the supernatural thrown in. This book joins the others in the series as being much longer than most novels but it captures your interest on every page.If you dont enjoy books with predictable plots, this one is for you. And like me, you won't be able to wait until the next book in the series is published.
Rating: 
Summary: something missing
Review: Outlander fans will read this and like it, but I have to agree it is missing the magic of the other books. The plot is slow and mundane. The breastfeeding goes on and on - for heaven's sake, give us a break! Every other page is about milk squirting or hurting Brianna's breasts or messing up her dress. Claire and Jamie are reduced to sex-crazed wooden characters who constantly do it on stairs, benches, standing up, in the barn...come on now. Brianna's annoying baby Jemmy is constantly screaming, sweating, or spitting up all over the place. The weaving together of the plot just isn't there this time...but you'll be glad to be back with your favorite characters anyway.
Rating:
Summary: Still enjoyable but an end must be in sight...
Review: Having no desire to re-iterate what others have said, I'll proceed to my secondary gripe with the book. I'm tired of Stephen Bonnet! Must there always be a nasty, twisted villan to menace the main characters (first Randall, then Bonnet)? There's enough of interest in the relationships between Jamie, Claire, Brianna, and Roger; in descriptions of life in the 18th century; and in the coming political storm of revolution to fill a book. Let Bonnet disappear into the wilderness or be done in... anything so that we can dispense with the increasingly contrived plot twists that keep him coming back for more.
Rating:
Summary: A feel for the time
Review: Wow, while I didn't think this was the best book of the series, I wasn't as disappointed as so many reviewers. I thought this book did something better than all the others - which was to give a feel for just how hard life was then. The dirt, the chores, the hard scrabble just to keep going each day. This book painted that picture much better than all the others.
Rating:
Summary: Not the Best
Review: Have to agree with earlier postings that this was not the best of the 5 Outlander books. There were glimmers of adventure here and there and one certainly comes to appreciate the drudgery and boredom which was part of everyday life in the wilderness--not to mention the misery of living thru a damp, cold, cheerless winter--something which most of us have never experienced in our modern world. I missed the time travel element in this book since all of the main characters are now living in the 1700's. Hope Diana will take a bit longer to do the Revolutionary War chapter of this story which should present all kinds of plot twists.
Rating:
Summary: Lumbering but still great
Review: I admit, I have been taking my time with this installment of the Outlander series. Perhaps that is why the slower pace hasn't bothered me. (Or alternatively, maybe my slow pace is due to the dragging story.) In any case, it is noticeable that the plotting isn't as tight in this book as it was in the earlier installments. However, the full realization of the characters and environment more than make up for it. Since I've been reading the book for a couple months, I feel like the characters are really alive in this alternate universe. When I get a chance, I visit with them. It's not a page-turner like the earlier books may have been, but it's brought me great pleasure nonetheless.
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