The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon
Narrated by Davina Porter
Series: Outlander #5
Dell / Recorded Books
Publication Date: November 6, 2001 (print) & November 3, 2011 (audible version)
Date Read: December 9, 2016
Source: Audible Purchase
Length: 55 hours 34 minutes
★★★★☆
The year is 1771, and war is coming. Jamie Fraser’s wife tells him so. Little as he wishes to, he must believe it, for hers is a gift of dreadful prophecy — a time-traveler’s certain knowledge.
Born in the year of Our Lord 1918, Claire Randall served England as a nurse on the battlefields of World War II, and in the aftermath of peace found fresh conflicts when she walked through a cleftstone on the Scottish Highlands and found herself an outlander, an English lady in a place where no lady should be, in a time — 1743 — when the only English in Scotland were the officers and men of King George’s army.
Now wife, mother, and surgeon, Claire is still an outlander, out of place, and out of time, but now, by choice, linked by love to her only anchor — Jamie Fraser. Her unique view of the future has brought him both danger and deliverance in the past; her knowledge of the oncoming revolution is a flickering torch that may light his way through the perilous years ahead — or ignite a conflagration that will leave their lives in ashes….
Anyone who knows me knows how much love I have for this series. I really enjoyed listening to this book. I have recently listened to the first four books in the series after having read them years earlier. This was the first time that I have experienced this book and I was a little nervous about listening to it instead of sitting down with a book but I think it worked out well in the end.
So much happens in this book! That is really kind of normal for this series but this book has so many things going on. I guess that really should be expected since this book is also really long. It is like 3 or 4 books if you just compare page counts. There were a few sections of the book that I did think went on a little longer than was really needed. The book starts out at a gathering and I wasn’t sure that they would ever leave but they did in the end and the book did start to really pick up steam quickly.
All of the characters that I have grown to love over the years were back in this book. Jamie and Claire are getting a bit older and it is really nice to see watch them grow over the course of the series. It is refreshing to see a couple that have been married for a long time still have the passion and love that Jamie and Claire have for each other. Brianna and Roger go through a lot in this book. In a lot of ways this book isn’t very kind to poor Roger. Jemmy is growing up and his personality really starts to shine through in this book.
I really enjoyed the narration of this audiobook. I think that Davina Porter does a fabulous job with this series. In this book, she is able to give a unique voice to all four of the main characters. She is able to convey a lot of emotion during her narration. I found myself not wanting to stop listening because I had to know how things would work out.
I would highly recommend this book to others but I do believe that this is a series that needs to be read in order so please start with Outlander. The ending of this book really was exciting for me and I came really close to moving directly into the next book in the series. I can’t wait to read more about Jamie and Claire!
About the Author
Photo: © Nancy Castaldo Diana Gabaldon is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the wildly popular Outlander novels—Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross, A Breath of Snow and Ashes (for which she won a Quill Award and the Corine International Book Prize), An Echo in the Bone, and Written in My Own Heart’s Blood—as well as the related Lord John Grey books Lord John and the Private Matter, Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade, Lord John and the Hand of Devils, and The Scottish Prisoner; one work of nonfiction, The Outlandish Companion; and the Outlander graphic novel The Exile. She lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, with her husband.
How come I have still not read this series yet? I am so glad you have a series you can love inside and out and reread so many times as you have done with these. Can't wait to read them for myself!
My recent review: http://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/2016/11/a-criminal-magic-book-review-giveaway.html
Your review makes me want to read this again! It's been years. Listening to the audiobooks sounds like a great way to revisit our favorite characters. I totally agree that some parts of these books drag too long (particularly the parts without Jamie in them, in my opinion). But still a beloved series.
Sure you are having a good time. Love the holiday look.
Wow its a lovely time of the year. Hope you are having A good time. Have a lovely Sunday.
New post
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You're one book ahead of me in the re-read/listen to the series. I'll just be starting Drums in Autumn.
I enjoy seeing your thoughts on it and how it brings back my excitement about all the family adventures. I agree that sticking with a couple from the beginning through middle age was a huge draw. Oh yes, poor Roger and Bri.
Holy Hannah. This is 55-hour=long?! OMG. Such patience!