The Fiery Cross

Rating:
Summary: Great -- but not quite as great as the first four
Review: After waiting a year and a half (since I discovered the "Outlander" series) for "Fiery Cross" -- and even taking a week of vacation time to read it -- I have to say I'm slightly disappointed. It's still fabulous, but I don't think it's quite as fabulous as the other books in the series.

Certainly, Diana's writing, which was always great, has improved with each book. Jamie and Claire are still as wonderful and likable as ever. So what's the problem? I think it's that the first half of this book goes pretty slowly. I'm not that interested in American history and find all the bits about the militia a little dull. I also never cared much for Roger and Brianna, and they're in here quite a bit.

A couple of burning questions aren't answered until the very end, and the question I most want to know the answer to isn't answered at all. (I won't go into more details, as I don't want to spoil the book for hardcore fans.)

The last half of the book is the best, in my opinion. There's more adventure and mystery -- but I still miss Scotland. Of course, "Drums of Autumn" had a wonderful, primitive feel, and it was set in the United States. That feel is what's lacking through most of "Fiery Cross."

Rating:
Summary: Best Yet!
Review: I am only about half way through and I never thought to say this, but, it's the best one yet! I've read and reread the first books whilst hanging out for this one, wondering how any one could better what had gone before. Well she's done it! It's like catching up with long lost friends and family. I can barely take time away to write this. My only gripe is, there's only one more book in the series AND I want it NOW <g>.

Rating:
Summary: nisha's Review
Review: This is a very good book because it handles the subject very nicely

Rating:
Summary: Diana's best yet.
Review: I can say that experience shows highly here in Diana's 4th. Her imagination does not run wild but keeps perspective to the time frame in which she writes, 1700's to 1900's. I don't care what anyone says, fantasy can be stupid, and a stupid waste of time if it is too inventive, Diana keeps the balance. I want to read the book again, not because I didn't understand it, I want to go back and re live it. I also want to recommend another book like this, Karl Mark Maddox's SB 1 or God.

Rating:
Summary: OK, So I haven't finished it, but just started . . .
Review: OK, So I haven't finished it, but just started . . . I couldn't wait.

I got my copy this morning and I'm through the first 50 pages.

If I could take off work and hole up somewhere until I'm done, I would.

Rating:
Summary: Another gem from Gabaldon
Review: Diana does it again in this sweeping saga of the Fraser clan. I was a little leery when the Outlander story moved to the U.S., as American history has never been my thing. But THE FIERY CROSS is infused with all of the passion, romance, adventure, and just plain smarts readers have come to expect from this series. Read them all!

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely fantastic
Review: In 1770 the Colonial Governor of North Carolina Tryon drafts Jamie Fraser to head up a militia that is to help rout the rebellious Regulators. Jamie names his son-in-law Roger MacKenzie, who just married his daughter Briana, as an officer in his unit. Roger makes it clear that Jemmy is his son regardless of whether it his seed or that of Bree's rapist Stephen Bonnet. While Claire practices medicine, Jamie continues to search for information on Bonnet.

Bonnet and an associate accost Jamie's Aunt Jocasta and her new husband in their home in search of gold brought from Scotland during the last failed Stuart effort to regain the throne. The adventures of Jamie, Roger, Claire and Bree continue as they struggle with health problems and finding Bonnet.

The latest adventures of Diana Gabaldron's time traveling trio and Jamie are as exciting and insightful as any of its predecessors. Readers see inside the character's hearts and know they remain true to form. The audience also obtains a wondrous look at North Carolina prior to the Revolution. The story line is loaded with action through the deeds and motives of the four prime players. Fans of the series will be delighted with this novel and there are threads left dangling for another mega epic from the great author.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: The Fiery Cross
Review: Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the previous Diana Gabaldon books about the tales of Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall this was simply a book I had to read. Up until around page 300 I kept wanting to put it down, hoping to come back and find it as enthralling as I found the previous books. And I did, I found myself smiling at the dry sense of humour Jamie possess. I found tears rolling down my cheeks and at other times found I was holding my breath. The attention to detail and Diana's ability to draw you into the story was wonderful. It is a long read at 976 pages and even though I kept waiting for something to happen ( as per previous books ) I wouldn't have missed reading it.

Rating:
Summary: A True DG Fan
Review: I just have to say for those who are giving this book less than 4 or 5 stars, are you a true DG fan? Any of her books are more than worthy of 5 stars. I'd give them all a 6 if I could. The continuing story of Jamie and Claire is what I wait for. If you want them to go back to Scotland and back to Lallybroch, then read Outlander, DIA & Voyager over again. These books are meant to be continuous and move on with their lives. Remember, it is fiction and things will be a little unbelievable, I mean, ahem, it is a time travel novel, no? She has every intention of making these characters more than fantastic. Take the fiction at face value, rather than trying to make it reality. Enjoy them for the wonderful works of fiction they are.

Rating:
Summary: disappointed
Review: I am a huge Diana Gabaldon fan (loved every book in the Outlander series except this one). This book was very hard to get through. I bought it in hardcover and have picked it up several times but can't get past 200 pages. Will someone please tell me what happens in the end of this book? I want to read the next one in the series (whenever that comes out) and I want to know what I missed in The Fiery Cross.