Book Review: Outlander

Title: Outlander

Author: Diana Gabaldon

Rating: 5+ ‘Sassenach’ stars

 

One of my new favourite books and new favourite series!

 

I remember when I first joined Goodreads in 2013 and I was exploring the website and in particular Listopia I kept seeing this book with a blue cover appearing on all the best lists and I was curious to see what it was about. Fast forward to 2014 and I started watching the TV and I absolutely loved it. After the end of season two, and gaining first place as my favourite show. I made it one of my reading goals of 2017 to read the series and now hear I am.

 

I am more than happy I started this series and am pleased to say I absolutely LOVED IT. Welcome to Jamie and Claire to my favourite OTPs and welcome Jamie Fraser to the realm of book boyfriends. As much as I love Claire, Jamie has become a new favourite and is completely swoon worthy. Words cannot describe my feelings when reading about Jamie and Claire.

 

Claire is on a second honeymoon in Inverness, Scotland with her husband Frank after the end of the war in 1945. They have been married for eight years but with the war, they have been apart for most of those years. Frank is a historian, focused on researching his ancestor Captain ‘Black Jack’ Randall and Claire is researching medicinal herbs. On one of her trips she comes across this stone formation, Craigh na Dun. On one of these visits to the stones, Claire hears a weird bzzing noise and ends up getting transported to 1743 Scotland.

 

Claire first sees someone she thinks is Frank but turns out it’s Black Jack Randall who lives up to his bad reputation. Claire also comes across of highlanders who end up taking her with them. Among this group of man is Jamie. Claire with her medical experience helps Jamie who has been injured. This establishes a kind of camaraderie between the two although Claire is still confused as to her circumstances.

 

As the story progresses Claire finds herself needing to be protected against Black Jack, who as an English Captain holds some rank. Claire is a suspected spy and has no friends or family and as an outsider is considered unprotected. So the idea is proposed that she marry Jamie who although an outlaw will give her protection.

 

“Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone,
I give ye my Body, that we Two might be One.
I give ye my Spirit, ’til our Life shall be Done.”

 

I love the formation of Jamie and Claire’s relationship. They built a great foundation of friendship, love and understanding. I love how their love grew over a long period of time and the passion was one of its kind.

 

“Oh, aye, Sassenach. I am your master . . . and you’re mine. Seems I canna possess your soul without losing my own.”

 

The book is filled with love, romance, adventure, drama and emotion. I love learning about Scottish history and now I want to know about any Scottish history that I have myself (both parents have Scottish last names, so I know I’m from there, somewhere!).

 

This is a truly amazing book and a great start to a an epic series that’s well worth a read. Give me man in a kilt anyday.