Rating: 
Summary: Gabaldon's done it again!!
Review: Am shocked by the negative reviews here as I found 'The Fiery Cross' to be a real page turner from beginning to end. Was particularly pleased by the way Roger's character was fleshed out and, as a result, he's now one of my favorite characters. As the old saying goes, "there are as many opinions as there are people" ... and, in spite of that, I find it hard to believe that anyone could read this novel and not be captivated by it. In my opinion, Gabaldon's done it again ... and masterfully at that!
Rating: 
Summary: "I've had a wonderful time, but this wasn't it."
Review: ...seems appropo for this most unfiery experience.Diana, you are so right "The Fiery Cross" is not a romance. For one, there's nothing romantic about Brianna's bulging leaky breasts flapping in the wind. Absolutely nothing wrong with it just not particularly romantic. And for two, there's no doubt Jamie and Claire have a deep abiding love each other but what romantic moments they seemingly had can only be described as passionless and robotic in nature. I can't believe that is what passes for Claire's midlife romance with Jamie. Rather anticlimatic to say the least. You are also right about it being a fantasy novel. Its pure fantasy to suggest there was anything even remotely resembling a plot to carry the book. There were moments when the story, albeit deceptively, seemed to take off but those moments quickly fizzled. Yes, I know there was Roger's hanging but having read that incident and other apparent high points as excerpts eons ago they rather lost the element of surprise or shock value, if you will. After suffering through 899+ pages of mind numbing detail of what amounted to absolutely nothing in particular I'm tempted to suggest that since this book isn't technically Scottish then its crrrap. Too simplistic a description to be sure but you've given precious little to work with here. I've been thoroughly captivated by your previous books. I respect you and your talent too much to lie or gloss over how this one book made me feel. Having said that, I can't believe you are at all content much less satisfied with how this book turned out. I'm seriously hoping you were suffering temporary writer's block and your next book will measure up to your previous body of work, namely Outlander. In a recent CNN review about Outlander you are quoted as saying "Look, pick it up, open it anywhere and read three pages. If you can put it down again, I'll pay you a dollar." If this applied to "The Fiery Cross" as well then I seriously doubt you have access to the amount of dollars it would take to fulfill such a promise.
Rating: 
Summary: A disapppointment
Review: This book advanced the story of Claire and Jamie, but was a disappointing read. I was glad to see Roger's character develop, he was a bit flat until this book. Compared to other books in this series, the storyline moved sooo slowly. There were some twists and turns, but just not up to par for this author. Some themes were repetitve--how many times can Jamie almost be killed??? Far too many references to Jemmy's soiled diapers-- we get it-- enough please Diana. As a hardcore fan, I will buy the next two books. but I hope they are better.
Rating:
Summary: Magical
Review: I've read the reviews and can not believe some of the comments. This book is obviously meant to be read as part of a series. Diana as always, writes with humor and pathos. The story lines are well developed and the character development is subtle. This is not a book to read if you're looking for nonstop action and sex. This is a book about people caught in an impossible situation yet still about to live their lives. Diana aptly protrays life in prerevolutionary America. I found the diapers, lactation etc..., (which have caused such negative comment among some of the other comments,) to fit naturally into the story. I find it refreshing to read a book where the author talks about the normal icky details of life. I especially enjoyed Roger and Jamie's evolving relationship. Roger is caught in a situation for which he is not prepared, yet he shows how strong he is. He learns how to be a leader and how to protect his family. The relationship between the two men is becoming stronger and I look forward to seeing the development. Brianna has her own demons to fight. She is becoming a strong women in her own right and is starting to realize what kind of man Roger really is. As for Jemmy, I love him. He's adorable! I strongly recommend this book if you are willing to be immersed in history and a true love story. This book is about life, in all it's glory, grossness, joy, pain, laughter and tears. If you are looking for sex and action, look elsewhere. Go Diana! I love your writing and am waiting eagerly for the next book.
Rating:
Summary: I can't wait for the next one!
Review: If you have read the series because you like "bodice rippers" then you may not want to read this one. This definately shows that Diana is telling the story of a marriage, not just a romance. Many of the complaints have been about Bree and Jemmy and how boring raising this little one is, but for me, it was the chance to see Jamie and Claire as active grandparents that was compelling. They missed out on raising their own together, but they get to watch her raise their grandchild. Some of the characters grow, (Bree's journals are great), but for the most part, we get to see the characters live life on the Ridge. Maybe it is not as exciting as some of the books of the past, but the Revolution will make up for that, and we'll be looking back at The Fiery Cross for a bit of peace. Some new minor characters are introduced. As always, Diana makes even the minor characters seem real. Mrs. Bug is a treat. Buy it, enjoy it, but only if you have read the others, and only if you enjoy the romance of a marriage, rather than a Harlequin.
Rating: 
Summary: Why so negative?
Review: I have read the negative reviews of Fiery Cross. I will grant some of you your negative comments, but on the whole, I found the book as captivating as the first four. When I acquired the first four, I re-read the Outlander and then went on. I never bogged down and found each as interesting as the one before. This last book, Fiery Cross, I couldn't wait for the paperback, and found Gabaldon's detailed accounts of each day captivating. Maybe I'm just a romantic, but I thoroughly enjoy the detail, because it helps me picture it in my mind. Like other reviewers, I'm wondering how Jamie's ghost came to be looking up at Claire in the window in the first book. I can't wait for the rest of the series to develop.
Rating: 
Summary: And I thought it was just me!!!
Review: I purchased "The Fiery Cross" in November and it's almost January and I haven't gotten to page 150. Oh, I will finish this novel one day but that day is far into the future. I agree totally with the reviewers who described this novel as "boring/too slow", I just can't get into it.
I was one of the many who became hooked on the Outlander series (Claire and Jamie's story was a phenomenal -- one the great love stories of my time) and as others have stated I couldn't wait until the release of The Fiery Cross and to admit how terribly disappointed I am hurts a lot. Ms. Gabaldon was one of the first authors who made me appreciate the concept of time travel. I just wish I could travel through time and get her to do a rewrite to bring life to the characters I have loved for years and miss very much.
Rating:
Summary: Slogging through 979 pages
Review: I love the Outlander series, but this book nearly did me in. I had to force myself to finish it. The story started to be engaging around page 600, but then it got awful again. Gabaldon got so bogged down in the minutiae of 18th century colonial life that I missed the plot points (if they were even there). Also, since there was such a long break between installments, it would have been helpful to have a little backstory included --- but that probably would have entailed another 500 pages! I'll get the next one from the library, but that's her last chance!
Rating:
Summary: Not what I had hoped
Review: My husband and I met over this series of books, and were looking very forward to the next installment......and then it came out and I finished it first. UG! I love Diana Gabaldon, but PULEEZE!!! Brianna needs Midol and some psychosis therapy and needs to MOVE ON past playing Whose Baby Is It Anyways. I will always love Jamie and Claire, but I think Claire is getting a little risque, even for her own character. It dragged, and really, how much hell can we put Roger through and have him (realistically) live? We may have modern times characters, but they aren't superhuman. Let's keep it real, people. I put it down and had to fight to get through it....just to say I'd finished it. I'm sorry, it just wasn't what was promised or anticipated. It struggled to find it's own way, and LOTS could have been cut out.....who edited this thing?
Rating:
Summary: Managed the Impossible - I no longer care! : - (
Review: Sorry to just reiterate what most of the reviewers have already said, but I wanted to cast my vote. I didn't finish this book despite sincere intentions. I just didn't have the heart to slog through any more, and sounds like I didn't miss much. What Gabaldon seems to have lost is that incomparable ability to make you CARE desperately what happens next. Voyager just about killed me, I was so anxious to see Claire return to Jamie. The instant where she finds him again in his printing shop ended the series for me. The circle was complete. Sure, his reunion with his daughter was important but nothing has returned that sense of breakneck urgency. Life isn't like that, but a great story should be. Otherwise it's just "Moonlighting" after Bruce and Cybil had sex.
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