Rating: 
Summary: Great so far
Review: I'm still in the middle of this book(its a big book!) But so far I find it to have the magic and beauty of Diana Gabaldon's previous books. A bit slow starting out, but once you reach a certain point the pages just fly by! Won't give out any spoilers though...just check it out for yourself!btw, I agree with Mary Agnes Ledbetter about Harriet's posts-How in the world did she read the book in one day, and still have time to write a post on it??? Is she paid by the books publishing companies to write 5 star posts on certain books...because she never gives less than a 5 star! And her posts are so impersonal too...fishy...
Rating:
Summary: CONTINUING EXCELLENCE!!!
Review: She does it again! Diana Gabaldon continues her incredible story of Jamie and Claire in the years just before the American Revolution. Rarely is a reader treated to such excellence in any story, but to have an author write a fifth book in a series (with 2 more to come) proves her ability, genius, imagination and love of her craft. Others will give highlights of the book in their reviews. I just want to urge readers to begin, if they haven't started, the adventure of a lifetime. And, I might add, these books do not belong in the "Romance" genre, although the publishing industry places them so. These books belong in the historical fiction section of all booksellers' stores. So, if you're looking for some bodice-ripper, don't waste your time--these books explore the relationship of two extraordinary people living in precarious times. Read this book. Read all the 'Outlander' books. You'll be glad you did.
Rating:
Summary: Finally!
Review: Thank goodness it's finally here. Love it! And no - I haven't finished yet - I'm rationing! I plan to make this one last. Then, of course, I'll go back and read it again! Gabaldon just keeps getting better. Thank you Diana Gabaldon!
Rating:
Summary: A Book You Want to Read!
Review: Diana Gabaldon is a fantastic writer. I have enjoyed her books and her tapes. I even got my husband to listen to her books on tape. I have been reading excerpts on her home page and have been waiting this book. It is not disappointing. You feel as if these people are your friends and part of your family. I would recomend the whole series it is great. I have not finshed the Firey Cross yet. Nine hundred and some odd pages, but I am glad it is so big. I don't want to finsh with these people for a while. My Thanks to Mrs Gabaldon for such a fine series! I have enjoyed it very much. I like Clair, Jamie, Bree and Roger. They feel like they are my friends.
Rating:
Summary: Jamie & Claire better than ever!
Review: I have waited such a long time for the fifth book in this series to be released! It was hard to put it down, but at the same time I didn't want to rush.... because then it would be another long wait to hear Jamie & Claire's voices. I love the way the story is woven around historical fact, with a dash of philosophy thrown in for good measure. I have always been fascinated with history, and how life was lived down to the most mundane of domestic duties. Diana has again showed her unique sense of humour and her extraordinary hold on matters of the heart. I enjoyed reading about Brianna and Roger and how their lives entwined in Jamie & Claire's, yet managed to build their own style of relationship and marriage. I can't wait for the next one.
Rating: 
Summary: An Average Entry in the Saga
Review: Having been hooked by Outlander, I anxiously awaited the sequels, and despite my vow not to purchase The Fiery Cross when it came out after waiting 2(?) years and suffering through Diana's Outlandish Cookbook (read: money-making scheme!), I broke down and purchased the new novel. I should have trusted my first instincts and waited for paperback! I finished the book in three days and not because it was a page-turner...I was just waiting for SOMETHING to happen! This book is about 700 pages too long and the reader is forced to suffer through the menses of each character, more breast-feeding passages than a baby-rearing text, and countless (and I DO mean COUNTLESS) descriptions of Jamie's "flowing molten tresses." Although the central theme of the novels is the love story between Jamie and Claire, it seems as though the first 300 pages of this book was simply there to re-establish just HOW MUCH they STILL love one another. Ditto Roger & Brianna. By page 250, the author had established that Claire & Jamie and Roger & Bree would STILL sleep together...and that's IT! There's a vague plot about the Revolutionary War coming on, also some other kind of plot involving Stephen Bonnet...but mostly the author resorts to flogging the reader with vignettes of Jamie & Claire and Roger & Bree's homelife. I have a home life with the every day banalities of kids and dishes and laundry and menses, etc. -- I don't want to spend my time reading about it too! This novel made me wonder if Diana is being paid per written word. So -- if you're a rabid fan of the series, invest the (price) for the book. Or if (like me) you're tired of the author trying to turn spoiled Brianna and dull Roger into the exciting Jamie & Claire of Outlander, wait for the paperback. Overall, a disappointing entry in an otherwise good series.
Rating: 
Summary: Hard to follow her own act!
Review: I've finished just over half of The Fiery Cross and I would be dishonest if I said I thought it was up to par. Diana Gabaldon's writing is wonderful as always and she continues to be a flawless storyteller. Just flawless. However, I just now reached a point where something has happened that raises the stakes in the story and created some tension. Up to now there were many many many wonderfully written scenes of experiences and observations, plenty of very graphic description of life, but these bits and pieces have failed, as of yet, to tie themselves together in any way. Maybe they will. I hope they do! If not, I will somehow feel deprived of Diana Gabaldon's particular gift.
I find myself wishing that there were some of the supernatural element in this story. One of the things that made her past books so spectacular was the regular element of time travel and it's ramifications. Again, so far, other than a brief comment here and there, that element is missing. I'm hoping it too, will appear.
This book is rather like a nice history book of early American life. (I'd have bought a history book if I wanted that.)
I feel as if I'm reading a book of wonderful scenes that Diana Gabaldon pieced together. Granted she can write and piece together better than almost anyone. I simply would have hoped to have more at stake by this point in the book. It's still good reading and I love the characters (though Roger and Brianna seem cartoon-y, not as complex and realistic as Jamie and Claire were when we first met them.)
I think that Diana Gabaldon has, in her previous books created an act that's awfully hard to follow!
Rating:
Summary: Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ...
Review: As Claire would say...The Fiery Cross is everything a Diana Gabaldon fan could be wishing for. The book is a near 1,000 pages long & still when it ended I began longing for more. What can you say about this book? ...Jamie is still our wonderful, sweet hero. The main focus is still on Himself & Claire, we watch as their love contiues to grow & expand. Along with Brianna & Roger, whom we get to know them as a couple. I laughed & I cried. I chewed my finger nails down & sighed as Jamie proved his love for Claire many times over & she in return. Though I wasn't left as shocked as in the 1st book, Outlander, I still verra, verra much enjoyed The Fiery Cross. It answered some questions & still left others hanging in air...
Rating: 
Summary: Great -- but not quite as great as the first four
Review: After waiting a year and a half (since I discovered the "Outlander" series) for "Fiery Cross" -- and even taking a week of vacation time to read it -- I have to say I'm slightly disappointed. It's still fabulous, but I don't think it's quite as fabulous as the other books in the series. Certainly, Diana's writing, which was always great, has improved with each book. Jamie and Claire are still as wonderful and likable as ever. So what's the problem? I think it's that the first half of this book goes pretty slowly. I'm not that interested in American history and find all the bits about the militia a little dull. I also never cared much for Roger and Brianna, and they're in here quite a bit. A couple of burning questions aren't answered until the very end, and the question I most want to know the answer to isn't answered at all. (I won't go into more details, as I don't want to spoil the book for hardcore fans.) The last half of the book is the best, in my opinion. There's more adventure and mystery -- but I still miss Scotland. Of course, "Drums of Autumn" had a wonderful, primitive feel, and it was set in the United States. That feel is what's lacking through most of "Fiery Cross."
Rating:
Summary: Best Yet!
Review: I am only about half way through and I never thought to say this, but, it's the best one yet! I've read and reread the first books whilst hanging out for this one, wondering how any one could better what had gone before. Well she's done it! It's like catching up with long lost friends and family. I can barely take time away to write this. My only gripe is, there's only one more book in the series AND I want it NOW <g>.
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