Finished

A few weeks back I did a post about the Outlander books by Diana Gabaldon.

Last week I finished them.

All 6,944 pages worth.

I gave myself a week to decompress and get some coherent thoughts together to give a review.

Honestly I am still having a hard time trying to sum up almost 7000 pages of story.

My first impression was that it was EPIC.

I still believe that.... maybe even more so.

I am not going to give specific details or plot lines. 

If you are interested  you can go to the above links to get more info.

 Also I don't want to spoil it for you.

The series as a whole is fantastic. There are though certain parts and story lines that I could have done without. The first book, Outlander, is the best. Once you get about 120 pages into the story it's captivating. I simply could not put it down until it was finished which was about a day and half later. You will absolutely fall in love with the characters and their lives.

Dragonfly in Amber is good as well but different. This book took me twice as long to get through only because it was filled with lots of details. Lots of details that you had to pay attention to and understand in order to understand the twists and turns of the story. Complicated politics of 18th century Scotland, France, and England. That then brings us into Voyager. The first half of the book is great. Moves right along and is interesting. The second half of the book is where I started to loose focus. It was long, drawn out unnecessary plot line.

I was pushed through by my Outlander mentor and friend, Kerrie, to continue.... she assured me that it would be worth it. She was right! Drums of Autumn was really good. The characters now finding themselves in Colonial America before the revolution. Lots of new characters were introduced and the pace picked back up a bit. I did feel as though I could relate a little bit better because of the Colonial American setting. That brings us to the Fiery Cross. Out of all the books, this was my least favorite. I had to really push myself through this one. Again, having Kerrie motivate me on to finish. In retrospect this book is simply a stepping stone for the next. Which leaves us at A Breath of Snow and Ashes. I found myself back into the swing of things. Captivated once again. Emotional story lines that left me teary eyed a few times.

~

The entire time I was reading the last book. I couldn't wait to go back and reread the first. It's somewhat overwhelming to think about where it starts and where it ends and everything in between. Yesterday I sat down and reread my favorite parts of Outlander and fell in love even more. Jamie and Claire Fraser are a permanent part of me now. 

As Kerrie says,"... they're family. I reread the books from time to time to visit with them again."

~

I said it before and I'll say it again....

this series requires commitment. You have to be willing to go through the sometimes mundane to get to the reward of the overall greatness of the story. You have to be prepared for an author that has a lot to say and will paint every single detail for you. (Sometimes topics you'd wish you didn't see so clearly.) But her research into 18th century life is incredible and fascinating. Another valuable entity to the story.

 

But in saying that, Outlander, on it's own is a wonderful story and can stand alone if need be.

I have to say that Outlander is one of my favorite books I have ever read.

A seventh book, Echo of the Bone, is due out in September '09 sometime. I anxiously await the next installment. In the meantime there are spin off novels by the same author pertaining to a popular character in the series. 

Do I recommend this book? Yes.

Will I read it again? Yes. (Just not right away ;)

Thanks Kerrie. :)