"Voyager" by Diana Gabaldon

Voyager by Diana Gabaldon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I have to say, I really love how Diana Gabaldon writes! Her stories are full of adventure and suspense! "Voyager" is the third book in Gabaldon's Outlander series. I was glad to have Claire & Jamie back together. For a large portion of the book, I wondered… it never seemed that it would ever happen.

I remember wondering how Claire would cope with Frank, and how Frank would deal with Claire being pregnant. This book tells that story. I felt so sorry for Claire. The first book showed that Claire was in love with Frank, and it seemed that nothing could dissuade her from going back to him. However, as we see in this book, it is very clear whom she truly loves.

It would seem that Claire has trouble with carrying babies. We know she lost her first child in France, and had she not gone back to the 20th century, she might have lost her second. So for me, that is the plus side of Claire returning to Frank. I'm also very glad that she did further her career as a doctor. Not only was she brave enough to go back through the stones, pregnant, but she also educated herself further.

Now, in Voyager, we read both Jamie's and Claire's stories. We catch up with Claire in Scotland where she and her daughter, Brianna, come to do more research. However, this is where Brianna learns for the first time that Frank is not her father. She learns that her father, Jamie Fraser, is from the 18th century. After her initial introduction to the story of her father, Brianna begins to help locate Jamie in history.

As they, in the 20th century search for those in the 18th century, Gabaldon switches points of view to Jamie and his predicament. We learn what he has had to live through whilst Claire was back in her own time. Let me just say, he goes through much more than I would have dreamed in a story. You could say, he went to hell and back.

After several chapters of Jamie's life, we bounce back to Claire and Brianna. We come to the point where Claire must decide if she wants to go back to Jamie.

Throughout this whole story Jamie and Claire, face one problem after another. Just when you think these two might live happily ever after, they're faced with something else. Even as the end of the book draws to a close, our protagonists almost die at sea. However, within the story I found multiple scenarios or possibilities for the next book in the series.

I'm pretty sure that this book was one of the longest books I have ever read. Yet, there was not one moment where I was bored. In fact, there was a time or two where so much happened in a short period, so I had to take some time off to recuperate. The story took me on an emotional rollercoaster! I had moments where I wish I could have been like Gumby and Pokey from my childhood, gone into the book and strangled or beat the hell out of whoever was annoying me at the time. At one point, it was Claire, the next Jamie, and then another when Claire and Jamie met Mistress Abernathy. You'll have to read the book to know who she is.

I loved this book and I know you will too! If you love historical fiction, romance, time travel, and lots of adventures, you need to look into reading the Outlander series. If you started the series and just not sure if you want to go to the next… DO! I can't wait to start the next book, "Drums of Autumn." In fact, I'm starting it right after I post this review. ;)


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"Dragonfly in Amber," by Diana Gabaldon

Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


"Dragonfly in Amber," by Diana Gabaldon, is the second book in the Outlander series. The story started slowly and for me, parts of the story seemed to walk by slowly as well. However, with that said, I would not skip one word in this whole book.

If you have read the first book, you know the story is about a 1945 WWII nurse who falls through time and ends up in the 18th century. In the story, we got a glimpse of how she coped with the English and the Scots, the hard times, and how she was saved from death numerous times.

In this second book, we're back in the 20th century, but we have no explanation until she tells her story to her daughter and the son of the ol’ reverend. Claire tells of her adventures in extensive detail. On several occasions, I had to bring out the tissue because I felt as if I were in Claire’s shoes, suffering as she suffered.

My overall opinion of this book was definitely 5-stars! Yes, I struggled with parts and it took longer than usual to get through the book. However, I wouldn't give up one second of my time reading it. I felt that the author did very well at immersing me into the story, putting me right there shoulder to shoulder with Claire. I also felt that I got a good dose of Scottish and English history. Whether all or none of it was truly from our history books didn't matter. Gabaldon's method of writing made you believe it was an historic event!

This is such a beautiful love story too. I swoon every time I think about getting back into the story. There's nothing fake about the love between Claire and Jamie.

Now, onward to "Voyager!"

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"Outlander," by Diana Gabaldon

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I finally had a chance to get to Diana Gabaldon’s book, “Outlander.” Unfortunately, or perhaps I'm fortunate, to have read this book whilst Starz was running season 1 of Outlander this summer. I have one friend, Aimie, who kept on telling me that I should read this book. I’d guess that she had suggesting the book a couple of years ago. I did have it on my list, but my most favorite genre of books always took precedence. I’m glad that I finally dove in and read the book.

In this story, a 1945 WWII English nurse, on her second honeymoon, falls through time and lands in the 18th century. Talk about culture shock! When she awakens in the 18th century, she finds herself in the middle of a scuffle between the English Dragoons and Scottish Highlanders. With nowhere to hide, and unfamiliar with her surroundings, Claire is shot at and nearly raped by the English Dragoons before a Scottish Clansmen saves her.

Throughout the whole story, Claire learns to cope with the various hardships of the 18th century. She is accepted as a healer in most the lands. I love how she brought her 20th century medical knowledge into the 18th century, saving many lives that probably would have died had she not been there.

Gabaldon’s method of writing immerses you deeply into this beautiful love story! I would definitely recommend grabbing this book and reading it! I look forward to reading Gabaldon’s next book in this series!


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