Rating: 
Summary: Wanted: Editor with a Heavy Hand
Review: Is Diana Gabaldon being paid by weight? I enjoyed the early books in this saga very much. She is a talented writer and the story has a lot of intrinsic interest. She has a large group of devoted followers who are hungry to continue with the characters. But we are given a pile of pages with no coherent story, no dramatic energy and far too many words. Get it at the library and skim it, if you have to find out what's going on. You'll find that not much is.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed fan
Review: I had truly looked forward to continuing my acquaintance with Claire and Jamie. The first four books were enthralling but this one was a disappointment. I finally ended up buying the abridged audio CD version and found that easier to wade through.
Rating: 
Summary: A Thousand Page Disappointment
Review: I loved the Outlander series, and waited eagerly for this next volume. I was hugely disappointed. The book is laden with excrutiating detail and events that do not contribute to the development of the plot (which was only vaguely present) or the understanding of the people involved.. The first 200 pages describe the events of one afternoon! Frequent references were made to characters introduced in prior books, without the gentle reminders that most authors of series will give you. I was racking my brain to remember these people and how they fit into the story and the lives of the Fraser family. I gave it a valiant try, but I just couldn't finish the book. What a huge disappointment. Save your money and your time.
Rating: 
Summary: The Fiery Cross
Review: I enjoyed this book just as much as the others. Gabaldon and her characters have matured through the story just as in life. I am disappointed in the ratings however. I hope Gabaldon doesn't change her direction in the story to appease a few people who obviously need to return back to their romance books. As for The Fiery Cross it has everything and more that I look for in a book and it is quite obvious that Diana did her research, took her time and came out with another masterpiece!
Rating:
Summary: disappointed
Review: I was very disappointed with this book. It just did not feel like Diana Gabaldon's usual work. The story did not go any where until the last 300 pages and then I kind of felt like I was left hanging. I really thought we would know something about why Ian returned and where his wife and child were. I guess I really wanted to feel like there was something complete in the book.On the brighter side the next book I picked up was called Exit Unicorns by Cindy Brandner and it was so good. It really reminded me of Diana Gabaldon's earlier books in that I could not put it down.
Rating:
Summary: Review? Opinions.
Review: I found the book disappointing and could quote many other reivews by readers who were right on the mark as to why this book fell short of it's expectations. I think the point has been made about.. ..the changes in the characters and the juvenile scenes that go hand in hand with a lack of plot, but what bothers me more is the way this "review process" is handled. I know a few who wrote and their reviews have not shown up, so why bother? I guess only avid, or should I say "rabid" supporters of Diana Gabaldon are being posted. When an author falls short of her potential, I think it's only kind to let them know. I hope the next book is better.
Rating:
Summary: Readers too polite to take Diana up on her offer
Review: I have one thing to say to Diana in response to her comment via the CNN interview that she's never lost any money after offering to pay a dollar to any reader who can put one of her books down: Most readers are too polite to take you up on it. After waiting for The Fiery Cross with such anticipation, I could hardly bring myself to pick it up again after it put me to sleep or knocked me into waking boredom many times. And, while I've been hooked on the story of Claire and Jamie from the beginning, guess what, not everyone is. I've recommended the books to many friends. Most liked them, but several didn't. The writing in some individual passages of FC is beautiful, but there needed to be some coherence to the story. Of course, no one can or should dictate to any writer what she writes, but at the same time, I appreciate having this forum to say what I think. Since so many of the dissenters here are avowed Gabaldon fans, I think it should be clear to all that we care about these books and these characters. The many unanswered questions and unfinished bits and downright contradictions from one page to the next can't be laid at the doorstep of the editor. I found myself being kicked out of the story by conflicting details far too many times. Nothing much happened for 850 pages, and then the hurry-up events that took place were only there to raise more questions. And ... why would Ian return from the Mohawk and never even mention his wife or baby? It felt very much like this book was only about making money. Check this one out from the library.
Rating:
Summary: The Fiery Cross - Long Winded
Review: Having high expectations of this book after REALLY enjoying the last 4 (even though I am no fan of first person), I have been really disappointed. I have found 'The Fiery Cross' long winded, full of excessive unneccessary detail and quite frankly boring. It is a hard book to stay interested in and basically nothing happens until 2/3rds the way through. Huge detail is put into how people stand/speak, the baby drooling, the baby moving, gazing at the scenery, gazing at Jamie, etc.. very tedious. The characters seem to have lost all depth and come across quite shallow and at times silly. Im not sure if this book is supposed to be more humourous but if it has it has failed dismally.
Sorry Diana, this is a real bummer!! Lets just say, I will be very tentative about buying Book 6.
Rating:
Summary: For Outlander diehards only
Review: This volume is for true diehard fans of Gabaldon's previous books. If you really want to know what happens to Claire & Jamie (not a whole lot), read this. Otherwise, spend your time on the first few, unforgettable volumes. The gem events in this book could have been captured in half the 1,000 page count. Some key details come together in this book which is why it is rated 3 and not 2 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Borrow it from the library
Review: This book is not worth the money. I was hopefull this book would be written more in the style of the 1st three and was very disappointed when it was more like the Drums of Autumn. I also don't understand why at least once a chapter Brianna's engorged breasts had to be mentioned. I think the author is trying to push Brianna & Roger and I never really cared for these two characters.
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