As most of you know by now, I’ve been working my way through the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon and enjoying them thoroughly. You can see my review of Outlander (book 1) here and Dragonfly In Amber (book two) here. Actually, “enjoying thoroughly” is a bit of an understatement; I love this series! As I mentioned in my review of Dragonfly In Amber, there is quite a cliffhanger ending, so I was excited to move on to the next book in the series, Voyager, to see what happens to Jamie and Claire!
I’ve been sticking with the Goodreads plot summaries for this series, as there is too much that I could let slip! Plus with all the time-traveling elements I’m pretty sure I’d just confuse you with all I wanted to tell you! SO, once again, from Goodreads:
Their passionate encounter happened long ago by whatever measurement Claire Randall took. Two decades before, she had traveled back in time and into the arms of a gallant eighteenth-century Scot named Jamie Fraser. Then she returned to her own century to bear his child, believing him dead in the tragic battle of Culloden. Yet his memory has never lessened its hold on her… and her body still cries out for him in her dreams.
Then Claire discovers that Jamie survived. Torn between returning to him and staying with their daughter in her own era, Claire must choose her destiny. And as time and space come full circle, she must find the courage to face the passion and pain awaiting her…the deadly intrigues raging in a divided Scotland… and the daring voyage into the dark unknown that can reunite or forever doom her timeless love.
After the cliffhanger that ended Dragonfly in Amber I wasn’t sure my heart could take any more. I needed a period of emotional mourning, stability, and recovery before I could pick up my shattered heart, begin book three, and risk it shattering all over again. I can honestly say that the Outlander Series has taken me on a deep and tumultuous emotional journey that I’ve never felt with any other book/series I’ve read. Sure I’ve had emotional reactions to books before, but I’ve never reacted quite the way I have with this series. Voyager was no less of a riotous journey, but it’s told with such beauty and passion that you gladly go back for the laughter, tears, heartache, and smiles that Gabaldon’s prose brings.
As much as I love Jamie and Claire and their timeless love story, much praise has to be reigned on Gabaldon for all of the other intriguing things she adds into her novels. In Voyager we’re given a glimpse into slave plantations and slave markets of the Caribbean in the late 1700’s. We’re also given a lesson in Chinese culture and the deep seeded racism that existed for the Chinese people in Scotland and the surrounding countries. There is a great depth to her works; depth that is obviously and meticulously well researched and presented in a way that adds to the plot as well as opens the eyes of the readers to what life was like back in the day. Gabaldon pulls no punches in presenting what she finds. All of it is not pleasant and I love that she doesn’t try to sugarcoat it and make it pleasing to read. She respects history and for that I bow down to her.
With all this being said, it’s no wonder I keep going back for more in this series. Every time I think Gabaldon won’t get any better, she blows away my expectations. I can’t wait to see what she’ll do next in the series with Drums of Autumn, the fourth installment, especially considering that it takes place in my home country, America. Look out for my review coming soon!
5 out of 5 stars
This is my tenth completed review for the Historical Fiction Challenge.
Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
Random House (2004)
eBook: 1044 pages
ISBN: 9780440335153
I love this series too! I can’t wait for the next book to come out this year.
I’m trying to do one book in the series per month so that I’ll be all caught up for the new one! I’m nervous to go beyond book 4 though. I heard it kind of gets nuts then.
Oh book 4. I do love it. It does kond of get crazy.
The series just keeps getting better and better 🙂 i think Voyager was one of my favorites of the series because Jamie and Claire ar BACK TOGETHER!!
Once you are done this series, you’ll need to check out the Lord John Grey books. And you should read her short novella called A Wind in All Hallows. But definitely wait until you’ve read all the Outlander books
YES! THANK GOD THEY ARE TOGETHER AGAIN. Seriously. When he sees her for the first time I was just squeeing and dancing all over my house.
I’m beginning the John Grey book tonight! I read on her website you should read them prior to Drums in Autumn? (This is the link for my reading order: http://www.dianagabaldon.com/books/chronology-of-the-outlander-series/)
I imagine I read them after Drums since I read as I bought. If I was to re-read the entire series I might break it up with the Lord John books now that I have a loose chronology 🙂
I’m trying to read them in her exact order. I’m starting the John Grey books hopefully this weekend. So many stories to read!!
I wasn’t aware of the loose chronology 🙂 That will help should I ever decide to go back and re-read the entire series.
I love your reviews on this series! Your Goodreads comments on your progress are also a riot. This book seems like it took you on quite a journey. Was it as heartbreaking?
This one wasn’t as heartbreaking as the first two. The end of book one is the hardest to get through. It’s an absolutely rewarding series though! Totally worth ALL the heartache.
PS – I’m glad you’re loving my updates – HAHA
I loved the first three or four books, but eventually I found myself drifting off. I just couldn’t stay tuned in on the characters any more. It just went on too long for me. But I did really love the first few books. Thanks for reminding me of how much I enjoyed them.
You aren’t the first person to tell me this! I’ve heard it goes downhill after book 4. I’m keeping my fingers crossed though that I’ll love them though. I can’t think about not wanting to continue reading about Jamie and Claire!
I tried to read the first book, Outlander, and I just couldn’t get into it. Maybe it was because every time I began to read it was only to occupy time whilst waiting for other things. I didn’t get very far into the book, maybe 50 pages. Is it one of those books that gets better after the first 100 or so pages? My friend recommended the book to me, she is completely obsessed with the series. Maybe I should give it another try.
I will admit that the books are HUGE, but they are SO worth it. I’m obsessed too. I recommend them x 100.
I fell in love with this series back when there was only the first three books! I love Jamie & Claire and the history that Diana has researched so well. One day I would love to go to Scotland! It has been a long time since I read Voyager. Thank you for the storyline reminders.
I want to go to Scotland now too! Just to see all the places Jamie talks about etc. It’d be fabulous!
I propose an Outlander fan trip, where we all go and gush over our love for Jamie.
10 Stars on that!
Thank you for reintroducing these books to me. I’ve read and loved books 1 and 2. Although, as I remember the books are long winded. Now, I want to find the time to catch up with you and read book 3.
I’m taking a slight break between book 3 and 4 to read all the John Grey spin-offs. You have time to catch up! I’d love for you to join me in reading them!
I hope you can cope with another award because in about 15 minutes, you’re getting a Versatile Blogger Award from me at http://teepee12.com/2013/03/26/60000-hits-and-im-a-versatile-blogger-too/ Be of good cheer! It really IS a good thing, so smile, smile, smile!
oh my! Thank you thank you thank you!
I’m so glad you liked it! Wait until you get to the end of An Echo In The Bone and are anxiously awaiting her to finish this next book…
I’m trying to plan it so that I finish all of the books in time for the next one to be published. It’s hard curbing my reading speed!
I love this series too. It is one of the few series that I go back and read again and again. Glad that so many other people enjoy these books.
Since I started reading it I feel like everyone around me is too. I seriously hadn’t noticed anyone talking about it before. Now, I feel like it’s everywhere and I LOVE IT!
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