A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander)
by Diana Gabaldon
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Book Reviews of A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander)
Book Review: An enthralling historical adventure!
Summary: 5 Stars
A Breath of Snow and Ashes is the sixth installment in the time travel/historical adventure series by Diane Gabaldan. The central character is Claire Fraser, a 20th century woman who accidentally traveled back in time in the 1940's and ended up in 18th century Scotland. She returns to her own time pregnant from her true love, and then returns again to find him 20 years later. Now Claire is settled with her 18th century husband and is building a life in the 18th century from 1771-1776.
Claire, her husband Jamie and her daughter Brianna live on an enormous property in the mountains of North Carolina. The rigors of frontier life from a 20th century perspective are detailed in an interesting and captivating manner. Claire is a trained surgeon and works to provide medical services using 18th century tools.
The difficulty and danger of 18th century life for both men and women is the theme of this enthralling adventure novel. Strangely enough the first time I picked this book up, I did not read beyond the first few pages, but upon the second try I thoroughly enjoyed it and could not put it down. Gabaldan's writing continues to develop. She writes beautifully and lucidly both in her description of the natural world, as well as in her intense portrayal of relationships. The main character, Claire, continues to develop as a person and physician in a way that makes the reader feel they have grown along with her. This sixth book of the series is more adventure and historical novel than romance and is the better for it. Highly recommended!
Book Review: A Exceptional Followup!!! 5 Stars
Swept away, back in time, the author does not hold back as she captures the 1700's in great detail, the way they were. She doesn't sugar coat it. There is cruelty. There is violence. Amongst it all there is love, deep love. It was a bit longer than I traditionally like; however, you can't please everybody ;). The author writes in great deail, HUGE detail! lol Just the same, there are certain parts in which you can't put the book down, you just can't. You have to know what happens next, even if it's bedtime and you have to tape your eyes open to read it ;)Gabaldon talks about witchcraft and shows us how easy it was for people to label something or someone as witchcraft just because they didn't understand it. Makes you wonder, if we don't still do a little of that today. After all with all this reinvented law of attraction stuff, why not? I can quite imagine being in the 18th century and just talking about the law of attraction, let alone using it. I'm sure I too would have been labeled a witch and burned at the stake... anyhoo. Diana Gabaldon has a way with words and you can envision yourself in the characters shoes! The ride she takes you on is quite amazing. It's almost uncomparable!
This is definately the best of the series so far! All you unanswered questions are answered here! Roger, BRianne, Claire, and Jamie!! All I can say is WOW. The characters can't get any better than this!!
Happy Reading!!
Book Review: Better than Fiery Cross but Not as Good as 1st Four
Summary: 4 Stars
The first four in this series were so fantastic they had me torn-I couldn't wait to finish each one, yet I never wanted them to end! I laughed and cried while reading them. That being said, I was so excited when The Fiery Cross was published, but found myself plodding along til the end and wondering to myself if Diana Gabaldon was on her own time-travel trip! But plod thru I did. Of course, when this one came out, I had to have it too. In the beginning I was thrilled, as it seemed Gabaldon had found her way back. However, and tho I did enjoy this book, it was not with the same excitement and feelings as the first four. I had no problems setting it aside to do other things, and as I got near the end it was not with an 'I can't wait to see what happens' but more of 'well, it's only 25 more pages so I'll just go ahead and finish so I can start another book'. And, tho I am somewhat curious to know where she might take the next book, should there be one-especially with 2 epilogues, at this point I don't think my curiousity is enough to want to read it. If I could I would give this book 3 1/2 to 3 3/4 stars and not the 4 that I gave.Book Review: Bravo!
Summary: 5 Stars
Bravo to Diana Gabaldon for getting back on track! I have to agree with alot of people who said Fiery Cross was not good at all - I had problems getting through it, there were no exciting plots or the feeling that I just had to keep reading. I especially didn't like how the first 250(?) pages were devoted to that one day at the Gathering - extremely boring and longwinded! But, being the avid fan that I am, I just had to plod my way through it to get to the next one. And it was worth it! A Breath of Snow and Ashes brought me right back to the exciting action, plots and twists and turns! ABOSAA definitely kept my interest throughout the book. I've laughed and cried many times, and could almost feel the anguish Claire felt many times throughout the story. There have been many nights that I've stayed up late, all because I just couldn't bear to put the book down. It saddens me that I am almost to the end of this book, as another one of the series is not out yet. I do know that this series will get another 1 or 2 readovers by me!Book Review: Another hit for Jamie & Claire
Summary: 5 Stars
Seriously, could there ever be a doubt about this series. Gabaldon is such a good writer. If you haven't read these books, go back to Outlander and start at the beginning. I know they're thick, but normally Outlander alone would have taken me three months. I finished all of the first three in a month's time and have been captivated by this story ever since. In this sixth novel in the series, you'll find out more about the next generation, and there's a big surprise ending. Best of all, the way things are left made it a virtual impossibility that this would be the last book. (I believe Diana has said there will be two more--but you know how that goes!!! And I'm sure none of us devoted readers will be sad to hear her say that, and even write more if necessary.) In the days when I was working in a bookstore, I must have started 200 people on these books. To this day I've had precisely 2 people tell me they didn't like them. "A Breath of Snow & Ashes" is Ms. Gabaldon's latest triumph. Don't miss these books!!!!!