Rating: 
Summary: too much detail, but worth reading if you have the time
Review: I would have to agree with previous reviews that criticize the enormous amount of detail and description in this book. I got tired of reading over and over again about the sound of rain, how the air smelled, how the sky looked, how red/auburn/copper/cinnamon Jaimie's hair is. I like hearing about what life was like in the 1770's, but I could be spared the myriad details. There wasn't really a central theme to the plot. It was more a collection of small adventures, and it seemed that more pages were devoted to the time before and after those adventures than on the action itself. This book was a bit of a disappointment after the suspense and action of the first four books. I'm giving it four stars simply because I was happy to have another installment of Jaimie and Claire's life and for the interesting adventure/suspense sequences.
Rating: 
Summary: Really should be 2.5 stars
Review: I've followed the series from book one. Jamie and Claire are two of my favorite fictional characters. Yet, I can't get past the half way point of this book. I even jumped a head, hoping something would encourage me to go back and read the missed pages. There are spots where the writing sings. Phrases, passages that remind me of the earlier works. Then it sags...or too many pages. I love detail, but this is overkill on detail. Within a couple pages the reader is given the same details of a gun. This happens in too many spots. The more mature Jamie and Claire didn't bother me. Even Roger and Brianna were fine. Yes, I'll try the next installation. And possibly even finish this book. But I miss the fun that I had with the first four.
Rating: 
Summary: Venting
Review: As I was reading this book, I was trying figure out why it was so tedious and hard to get through. I am an avid reader. I read every night. I feel that if I can get through a James Michener novel I can get through anything. And that is what it felt like reading the Fiery Cross, like reading an interesting historical Michener novel, or a history book. Through the whole book I was analyzing, trying to figure out why it wasn't working. I thought "The writing is exceptionally good, I don't want to skim or miss a word or phrase (which meant rereading pages a lot, as my mind would drift) the characters I already know and love, so what is the problem?" One problem apparent to me, was that there were no feelings of "I can't put it down, what happens next?,I can't turn the page fast enough" in this book. I love reading details of daily living, anytime in history. I love history. Not enough writers, in my opinion, deal with problems like no toilet paper, or tampex, or Pampers, etc. I find those things fascinating, and I am curious, so for me, it wasn't that it was bogged down in details as some of the disappointed fans have stated. I appreciate those details, that bring me more into the time, the place, and the plot. So what was it then? ....the plot? maybe that was the whole problem. The plot was poor and boring, almost non existent. It was almost an insult to the fans, almost megalomania on the part of the author, as if wanting to let us know how much research she has done, and knowledge she has, but neglecting, or forgetting to take the time, and thought, to plan and execute an exciting page turning plot, to go with all those details, of course. I love learning, but at the same time I like to be entertained, that is why I choose novels over history books. I want both, and you are the writer who can do that, Diana, you have done it before. I also agree, as others have stated, that the characters were weak, boring, unlikeable, and yes some almost annoying ...I can't fathom all the fans that thought this was an engaging and exciting book, who have given it more than 3 stars? I came here, after reading the book, to find out if others were feeling as I was, and was gratified to learn that some of the best Gabaldon fans feel the same way. This book took me 3 weeks to get through *sigh*....I would be embarrassed to recommend this book to my friends, at least James Michener novels don't have that weird time travel thing going on, lol. And, I love long books... when I love the characters, time, place, and plot, I never want it to end, but this book was not hard to put down, it was just hard. Where was your editor on this one Diana??? Your editor needs to take some wake up pills for the next one. I do appreciate and acknowledge your hard work on these novels, but please, next time don't forget, to go along with the history lessons, and your great writing skills, the passion and the exciting adventures, the thrill of a skillful and suspenseful plot with interesting characters to love and hate. You know what I mean... that feeling of "OK one more chapter and then I will turn out the light" and three hours later you still can't put it down, because you keep on turning the page to see what is going to happen next. This book was a chore. Well I am all vented all out now...thanks for reading, ...
Rating:
Summary: Latecomer to Outlander series
Review: I originally read Drums of Autumn because my husband bought it in an airport as a travel book and just couldn't get through it. I fell in love with the characters of Jamie and Claire (especially Jamie). I bought the Fiery Cross as soon as I saw it in the bookstore and couldn't wait to find out what happened next. I've only picked up the history of the first three books from references in #4 & #5. I've just ordered the first three and will start all over. I will say the Fiery Cross was a little slow going at first, but I enjoy the reality of the day to day as love and marriage mature. I'll start from the beginning with Outlander and hope that the next book will be complete when I finish reading all five in a row. Please Diana...don't kill Claire and Jamie off in that housefire. Keep them around for awhile...
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing....
Review: As much as I hate to give any book by Diana Gabaldon only three stars, I really have to for "The Fiery Cross." I waited so long to read this book and when I finally did, it was a huge letdown. Of course, there were parts of it that were good. I loved the parts written from Jamie's point of view especially. But there was too much detail in many parts and the whole thing that happened to Roger was really hard to believe (in fact the whole time-travel thing I found more believable than what happened to him). So, if you loved the previous books, definitely read this one if only to keep up with the story, but be prepared to be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: A great Book!
Review: 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 continues to grow & expand, along with Brianna & Roger, who we get to know them as a couple. Diana has again showed her unique sense of humor 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 also recomend The Price of Immortality by C.M. Whitlock. Amazon is offering it with The Fiery Cross.
Rating:
Summary: No Fiery Criticism Here
Review: I was in my 40's before I read a "romance novel" from cover to cover. Diana Gabaldon was the first writer of this genre (that I found) who truly wrote well. I love her sense of humor and ability to pull you completely into the lives and times of her remarkable characters. I loved Outlander and quickly zipped through the remaining books. I had to wait over a year to read "The Fiery Cross". I have read it slowly over this summer, savoring the return of Claire, Jamie, Brianna and Roger. These characters continue to mature and face new dilemmas in their everyday lives. It's not instant gratification. It's the ungoing story of some of the best characters I've ever discovered. Give me book six!
Rating:
Summary: Bearing the Fiery Cross
Review: It appears that the author is improving in her writing with every book. She becomes more adept at drawing the reader farther into the time and place and the daily lives of the characters. They make mistakes, learn from their mistakes or sometimes not. They do change; they do grow. This book is hard to read, however, because the reader knows the Revolution is coming and is almost eager for it to begin. The action is not decisive; nothing is satisfactorily resolved. It may be that reading all that came before is necessary to understand it, and it may be that reading what is to come after will be necessary to appreciate it. For readers involved with the characters, it doesn't disappoint.
Rating:
Summary: It was "okay"
Review: Let me first say that I adore the Outlander series, and have heartily recommended it to everyone I meet...however, I feel that the series hit a brick wall with this book. Despite the fact that I think Ms. Gabaldon is a wonderful writer, the book gets so weighed down in details that the plot just plods along. I read the book before reading some of the negative reviews, and was relieved to see that other Gabaldon fans were as disappointed as I. By all means, read this book as the next installation in a beloved series, just don't expect the burning passion and excitement of some of the previous books. And expect a lot more Brianna, which is fine for her fans, but for the rest of us who find her incredibly annoying, it's painful.
Rating:
Summary: Enough is Enough
Review: I just finished reading the last of the series, I enjoyed the story part but enough is enough. I got so truly tired of reading about breast feeding, engorged breast and being bedded. If she had cut most of this out of the book it would have been alot smaller and more enjoyable. I don't believe anyone on their deathbed would be interested in sex! I almost put the book down but was 3/4's through it. I hope the next one put more into the story line,the characters and a little more from Scotland.
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