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I'm about half way through this book and I just don't know if i can keep reading. I am curious about Ian's future and if people pursue time traveling further, but at this point i just don't think i can take another family disaster. I started getting really depressed reading this. But part of me wants to keep going since Echo in the bone is about to be released. Tell me what to do people? is it worth finishing, will the next book be just a bunch more disasters?

I am just about to start Outlander #6 and I do so with some trepidation. I finished #5 but kept thinking, like you, of the other books on my list. But even at almost 1500 pages, it does go pretty fast, and I'm also operating under the encouragement of my partner, who burned through almost the entire series in one sitting (or so it seemed), and who enjoys reading it again through me by asking, "Where are you now?" Ah, the things we do for love!

I hope you enjoy it more than me! And what better reason is there to slog through thousands of pages if not for love? ;-)

I loved reading this review because it's what I've been saying since book #3! With so much else to read, how can I spend so much time on such a predictable guilty pleasure? I also agree - not a huge fan of Roger and Bree (her one saving grace is that it's interesting to see what she might invent), but I am interested in Ian and am happy to read about a romance (Jamie and Claire) that can apparently outlast any challenge imaginable. My edition is nearly 8 1/2 x 11 so on top of being long...it's a pain to hold. I have to prop it on a pillow.

I have a feeling this series is going to be around a while. At least another couple books. But now that I'm pretty much caught up with the publications, I can at least take a break in between!

i still haven't finished book 5 either...I think that tells me it's not as compelling as the other books were. But I bought this one to read in future anyway ;)

I agree with your review. She needs an editor, so I did it for her. It's called skimming!

I still haven't read Book 7 Echo in the Bone, but I know I will. I just can't help myself, I love Jamie and Claire too much to not finish their story!! But Book 7 won't do that either, because there will be a Book 8! :)

I agree. While DG's love for detail and historical accuracy is part of what makes the series so special, it has got to the point of being a bit too much. 900 pages would have done just fine.

I can see how you would feel that way however, I listened to the audios, narrated by Davina Porter and they were sheer delight. I have to commute anyway so did not feel like I was wasting precious reading time. In fact, I had heard from a friend that Fiery Cross was really hard to get through so I got the abridged audio on that one. I didn't like the narrator as well but I think it got me through the vital plot points.

Janet wrote: "I can see how you would feel that way however, I listened to the audios, narrated by Davina Porter and they were sheer delight...."

That's an interesting point Janet. I think when I return to the series I will try the audiobook next time!

Actually re-reading #6 because I started to read #7 and was very confused. I thought it would help to go back and had planned to just skim the book. But I find I am enjoying the stories. It is NOT as good as the earlier books. Yet I care about the characters so I am willing to go along with it. But enough is enough.

Claire was kidnapped twice (I can't remember if it was all in this book or over book 6 and book 7)! Come on! Your review is mostly how I feel about this series. I loved the first few books, but these later ones are just... too long, too repetitive, too focused on Bree.

I know, right? ::heaves great sigh of disappointment::

Yes, somebody needs to stick a fork in the Outlander series--because it was done about 3 or 4 books ago. Like you, I hang on because I do love Jamie and Claire, but the Roger and Brianna narratives have loaded some serious dead weight to the series.

Amanda wrote: "Yes, somebody needs to stick a fork in the Outlander series--because it was done about 3 or 4 books ago..."

I know, right??? But goddamn it, I will have to read books seven and eight (eventually). I don't know if that makes me a masochist, an idiot or just a misled completest.

Trudi wrote: "I know, right??? But goddamn it, I will have to read books seven and eigh..."

Whatever it makes you, you're in good company--because I'm one, too. I space them out quite a bit, but I will eventually get around to all of them. I keep coming back for more, even though I'm consistently disappointed.

I'm bored out of my mind reading on and on and on...I'm about 500 +/- pages into snow and ashes or whatever it is. I CAN. NOT. TAKE. ANYMORE. TRAGEDY! It's gut wrenching. When Claire was abducted and beaten the way she was, and raped?! Oh my God no!!

But I'll keep on reading this one and everyone that follows because I swear I have ADD. One of my crazy behaviors is that I absolutely, positively, no exceptions made...must finish all books in a series. I have tried, Lord knows how I've tried. It's just a thing I do that I can't get past. Even if the first book is the most horrible book in the entire bookstore, and I'll still finish the series. Needless to say, I've become a book snob, only willing to spend my time reading really amazing, spell bounding books.

Any recommendations?

Update: while I did finally finish #6 (that I hated the ending of) and I still think it was horribly painstaking to finish (also agreeing with you that there are so many other books on my nook just waiting to be read)...for some reason I am really hooked on #7. I can't put it down. I don't want to ruin it for anyone that hasn't read it yet, but there are a few different narratives (not just B & R) that I am finding myself a lot more interested in than I thought I would be. That being said, it could change at any moment. Especially if there are as many chills down people's spines as is typical of DG's writing thus far.

Thanks for stopping by to comment Melissa. I haven't given up on the series and with Book 8 coming out this year it's good to know 7 is holding your interest!

This is the only book in the series that I didn't finish & I haven't looked at book 6 or 7 yet. I love Jamie & Claire but agree it might be time to let them off into the sunset. I found Book 5 tedious & couldn't suspend belief enough to finish it. A shame because I loved Books 1-3

I also have to agree. I loved the first two, but couldn't finish the next one and don't even remember the title.

I could not agree more. This is ridiculous.

Yeah, well, the paperbacks are abridged. And if you've read the series In hard cover and then reread them in paper, you'll notice some details missing...but DG CAN be a little "wordy" like Stephen King.

I totally agree, I've tried to read this book since it was published. I am finally getting through it with the audio books and I find that it could be edited down a lot.

I know ! I was actually angry after finishing the 5th book because after all that time nothing of substance happened. I only bought the 5th book because I want to know how it ends. Honestly it is like reading the diary of a woman who wrote down every detail of her life every day - it so boring

Ok i thought it was just me. I love the series but had difficulty getting through this one for the same reasons. Will check everyones comments after Echo...I don't wish to encounter any spoilers.

Good review. I'm like most people here. I loved the first two books. The third not so much. Then I became disenchanted with the series. Too much detail, rape and violence and not enough alone time with Claire and Jamie.

There was a point in reading this book, that I thought to myself, "Oh no, Diana, not another kidnapping!" I would imagine she might sometimes run out of exciting situations.

The first time I read the series, I read for the Jamie/Claire relationship. The second and third go round, I enjoyed so much more, as I noticed so much more. Her writing is wonderful.

I love the outlander series and this one is one of my favorites. My least fave is the fiery cross but from re-reading it learned to love it more 😄

I give up. Will come back to it in a couple of months, or not. Fed up with sexy descriptions of all Frasers and McKenzies intimacy. Once and again the same scenario, once and again so unbelievable couple bliss. Ouchs. Really done with it.

The audio books are better

Natalie wrote: "The audio books are better" I agree those of you having a tough time getting through it move to the audio book version. It still wasn't my favourite but I was able to get through it. I found the books on the other side much better.

Side note: everyone seems to love the narrator and I don't like her at all but was able to get used to the narration.

Yes, and of course there are the rapes. It seems in order to be part of this family, one must be raped: Jamie, Ian, Brianna, and now Claire. I guess Roger’s next....

Susie Turk Good Lord that put it into perspective...is William also next seeing as he has barely a relationship with his real father? Does DG use rape as a device to bring the Frasers and Mackenzie's closer?

I am on page 812 pages but I had put the book down for a long time. Not sure if I'll continue the series since this one was so badly bloated....

Whhaaat this is as good as the first in my opinion book five was rough but good. This one was so good some kills but not many.

I'm in total agreement. I think I'm going to bail. I'm surprised I couldn't remain true. But at this point I think DG is taking us for a merry goose chase. She is dragging it out too long. I got to the middle and quit. The last one was enough, The Fiery Cross and i was hoping she would focus on this one. But I cant. I'll just watch the series on television. She is rewriting themes.

Trudi you have read my mind! I am so upset I spent so much time on this book. My reading challenge should give me extra credit for books over 1,000 pages.

I completely agree! I have been trying to read for a year!!! I finally gave up for a break and read 7 other books and remembered that I actually love reading!! I want to know what happens to the characters but there are just so many pages! And so many of them are dull or repetitive!
I want to love it as much as I did in the beginning, and I'm hoping I will again.

Omg just started this one after struggling through Fiery Cross for over 2 years! Was hoping the Going nowhere- kinda no plot, just every day life- would be over now. Impressed by those who say they've read all books 5-10 times hahahaha the patience omg

Omg just started this one after struggling through Fiery Cross for over 2 years! Was hoping the Going nowhere- kinda no plot, just every day life- would be over now. Impressed by those who say they've read all books 5-10 times hahahaha the patience omg

Your review sounds almost identical to the ones I have been giving to the series from book #2 on. They have about 200 pages of awesomeness and 700+ pages of tediousness and boredom. What doesn't *someone* tell her to write less, cut something out, anything?? The books are marginal at best IMO. And they have great potential. But man, Gabaldon likes the sound of her own narration! A lot!

Fully agreed!

If you’re in the middle of the book and so so bored, everyone magically saves everyone. Skip to chapter 100 and go from there. It gets more interesting

Melissa Pollard you give me hope. I was wondering if I should quit on this series or give a try to volume 7. Volume 6 bored me to death.... and I don't really enjoy Davina Porter. She somehow makes everyone's voice sound old.

@Trudi I 100% agree with you!

Totally agree! What a slog to get through! Why do we need chapter upon chapter of Roger walking around in the woods and nothing happens. Then all of a sudden there’s something going on that’s an actual storyline and she writes it’s vaguely in like 3 paragraphs. It’s bizarre!

I started listening to these books on audible after physically reading book 2. Takes me about a month to read one of these books when I could have read 3 or 4 from a different author in the same time frame. Starting to notice some differences between this book and the show.

Omggggggg exactly how I feel� but you can’t just read the ending because the first 700 pages build up to everything that resolves in the last 300 🤣🤣 such an investment�. Such a sacrifice to read one of these�. I can only handle one a year�. If that� explains why I have been reading the series since 2014.

I appreciate where your coming from, but, completely disagree.

I love the detail taken to allow the reader to feel as though you are right there in the surgery, River Run, the forest, etc., etc. I love the way DG has expanded the characters taking them from self-centered immaturity to more empathetic maturity, i.e. Bree and Rodger.

After reading Bees, I decided to re-read the whole series. (I read each book as they were originally released.) I am truly enjoying them. I think I am enjoying them more the 2nd time around than I did the 1st time.

Anyway, your comments stayed with me after I read your review.

The thing I would say about this series is, if you are in the mood for quick gratification this series is not for you. I think how you do with the Outlander Books depends on both the mood and the expectation of the reader.

If you want a series where you can emmerse yourself deeply by way of extreme detail in fantasy, history, and an amazing love story this is for you.

If you want something fast moving, jumping into the action and reaching the climax of the story in a quick and satisfying manner, DG is not for you.

I appreciate both approaches to a good book. I find my satisfaction with a book often has to do with my mood when I reading the story.

Sorry so long.