Delacorte Press Dragonfly in Amber

You know you have a gifted author at hand when the second book is as good as the first one in a series. I say as good, but to be honest I was considering calling it better. It’s difficult to say because the books are so different from each other. Where outlander was a very romantic novel in a historical setting, dragonfly in amber was a historical novel with a romantic story. It might seem a small difference but when you read other reviews of Dragonfly in amber you might notice the book is sometimes called "slow". And I actually think that the historical focus is why some people might consider this book a slow read. Diana Gabaldon is a very talented writer, who sets a story with a lot of attention for details and historical accuracy. She weaves a fictional story into historical background without any flaws. And I understand that this scene setting might seem a little bit slow. But for me it was a perfect pace and I love how she creates the feeling that you are actually there with the characters.Dragonfly in Amber has two big storylines. One set in the 1960's, where Claire is ready to tell her daughter the truth about her father. The other storyline is set in the 18the century and picks up where we left Jamie and Claire at the end of outlander.Dragonfly in amber is a complicated story full of political intrigues, war, bloodshed and conspiracies. But there is also room for a lot of (brilliant) character development. The hot, searing passion between Claire and Jamie has settled down a bit. The courtship over, they are settling in their marriage. And there wasn't a moment I missed the raw passion from the first book. Because Diana creates a love that is stronger than time itself between these characters. It might sound a bit cheesy but the love they evoke for each other together and the marital devotion is just breathtakingly beautiful to read.I think in this second novel there is also more time to bring other characters into view more detailed. I loved how Murtagh was portrayed in this novel. His loyalty, friendship and faithfulness is heart rendering. And I can't even begin to describe how much I loved Fergus and I sure hope to see more of him in the coming novels.Speaking of those novels. Starting this one I (and all other readers reading this series now) already know Jamie didn't die in Culloden. We already know there are at least 6 other novels about the Frasers. So I wasn't expecting to suffer heartbreak. I couldn't have been more wrong. And that is where the genius of Diana Gabaldon comes into play. Even when you know it isn't over and there is more to come. She sucked me into the story and ripped my heart into a million pieces. I was so glad I was home alone when I was crying my heart out.Brilliant in all its little details! More I cannot say about it.

I opened this book to read the first page and finished it three days later. I could nt put it down. I generally like some heavy classic literature, so whilst this doesn't reach the heights of Proust, it is a gripping story, told with charm and pace. I loved it. I'm now not sure whether it's good to watch the tv first or read the novel, having always been a book first person.

I have nearly finished reading D in A - so easy to read, never dull, and is everything that has already been said. The clever weaving of the many stands of this story make it utterly believable, immersing the reader into the past alongside the characters. I have sniggered, snorted indignantly, been in fits of laughter and wept at several points with the tremendous emotion that the story has created in its telling and ending - Diana is a gifted wordsmith who manages to find obscure words of the English language every now and again (to keep you on your toes), who weaves in the most unexpected situations and who can write beautifully and fulsomely of love and lovemaking.

Sorry but I could fill a few pages with praise for this series by Diana Gabaldon. She is a master writer and commands all my respect.Dragonfly in Amber is brilliant as is the whole series of Outlander. There is too much content within each book to give an accurate and complete critique:,However if you like amazing and complicated characters tension,adventure, tears and laughter delivered with twists and turns that paint a larger than life picture you won't be disappointed. Add two amazing main characters Jamie and Clare who you will both laugh and cry with throughout their incredible journey and you have an amazing read.

I fell upon the fifth of the Outlander series in a charity shop a few weeks ago and loved it. Since then I have bought all the others in the series from Amazon. I can't believe I hadn't heard of this author before - the books are great from a historical and romantic viewpoint. Escapism with gritty reality, what more could you want for bedtime reading! Dragonfly in Amber is the second in the series, it links Claire's emotionally fraught return to the present day with the events leading up to the battle of Culloden. Following on directly from Cross Stitch the love story leaves you crying and you learn more history in one novel than I thought possible.