I can't believe my Outlander challenge has officially come to a close. Time flies. I am so sorry that I ended up getting two months behind with the Outlander posts, but I have a really good reason. I bought my first house and got a second job a couple of months ago, which in turn made for one crazy summer. Anyway...
Even though I failed at my own challenge, some of you succeeded and deserve to be recognized for your efforts. Whether you read 1, 2, or all of the books in the series, you can enter to win a $10 gift card to The Book Depository or Amazon! Heck, I even have a free entry for anyone who originally signed up in the challenge, because I of all people know that sometimes you have the best intentions but life gets in the way. Not to mention that I never pass up an opportunity to help support my fellow book nerds' bookish buying habits. ;) All you have to do is share the links to your reviews on the books in the rafflecopter below. It can be a link to a blog post, a tweet, a goodreads review, etc. Anything that shows that you read the book counts. Good luck!
Link your reviews to the first book here and head over to discuss what you thought. Link your reviews to the second book here, and here is the link to the third book, the fourth, and the fifth.
How am I doing? Not the best... I am now three books behind! Ahhhh! As my life continues to get busier I keep putting off reading these larger novels. I need to stop doing that. I hope everyone else is doing well with the challenge! Tell me how you are doing below.
Do you want more information about the challenge? Do you want to sign-up? Read this post first.
What is the purpose of this post? To link-up your reviews of the sixth book in the Outlander series (A Breath of Snow and Ashes) that you read for the challenge so that we can read them! Link to wherever you post reviews -- your blog, Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, etc., etc.
I will be posting a review link-up post on the first of every month for the next book in the Outlander series. I think this will be a good way for me to keep organized and motivated to read a book a month. In September there will also be a giveaway for everyone participating in the challenge! So keep a look out for that as well.
When you link up below please make sure to use the direct URL to your individual post/review, not the book's information page or your blog's homepage. You don't have to write a review to participate. You can just tell me in the comments below that you read the book.
Please also use this space as a place to discuss all things to do with the fifth book. Try to avoid big spoilers, but if you do want to talk about them just warn us first. Share how the challenge is going for you. Which book are you reading now? I want to know how you are enjoying the series. Some discussion prompts for A Breath of Snow and Ashes will be posted on this page at the end of July.
Link your reviews to the first book here and head over to discuss what you thought. Link your reviews to the second book here and head over to discuss what you thought, and here is the link to the third book and the fourth.
How am I doing? I am now two books behind! Ahhhh. I enjoyed the first two books a great deal and I think I will like the third one even more. I plan on reading Voyager soon. I swear. I hope everyone else is doing well with the challenge! Tell me how you are doing below.
Do you want more information about the challenge? Do you want to sign-up? Read this post first.
What is the purpose of this post? To link-up your reviews of the fifth book in the Outlander series (Drums of Autumn) that you read for the challenge so that we can read them! Link to wherever you post reviews -- your blog, Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, etc., etc.
I will be posting a review link-up post on the first of every month for the next book in the Outlander series. I think this will be a good way for me to keep organized and motivated to read a book a month. In September there will also be a giveaway for everyone participating in the challenge! So keep a look out for that as well.
When you link up below please make sure to use the direct URL to your individual post/review, not the book's information page or your blog's homepage. You don't have to write a review to participate. You can just tell me in the comments below that you read the book.
Please also use this space as a place to discuss all things to do with the fifth book. Try to avoid big spoilers, but if you do want to talk about them just warn us first. Share how the challenge is going for you. Which book are you reading now? I want to know how you are enjoying the series. Some discussion prompts for The Fiery Cross will be posted on this page at the end of May.
Dragonfly in Amber (#2) by Diana Gabaldon (1992)
743 pages
Genre: Adult/Historical Fiction/Time Travel/Romance/IDK
Publisher: Dell
Source: The Library
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Rating:
Goodreads Summary: From the author of Outlander... a magnificent epic that once again sweeps us back in time to the drama and passion of 18th-century Scotland...
For twenty years Claire Randall has kept her secrets. But now she is returning with her grown daughter to Scotland's majestic mist-shrouded hills. Here Claire plans to reveal a truth as stunning as the events that gave it birth: about the mystery of an ancient circle of standing stones...about a love that transcends the boundaries of time...and about James Fraser, a Scottish warrior whose gallantry once drew a young Claire from the security of her century to the dangers of his ....
Now a legacy of blood and desire will test her beautiful copper-haired daughter, Brianna, as Claire's spellbinding journey of self-discovery continues in the intrigue-ridden Paris court of Charles Stuart ...in a race to thwart a doomed Highlands uprising...and in a desperate fight to save both the child and the man she loves....
I was hesitant to read Dragonfly in Amber simply because I liked Outlander so much, and the synopsis of this one had me weary. I shouldn't have been worried at all.
Dragonfly in Amber may have had a different feel about it when I read it and may not have been exactly what I was expecting, but I did like it. I liked it a lot. I really loved the air of mystery surrounding Jamie and Claire's story.
Jamie and Claire are probably one of my all time favorite couples. There is just something about them that I can't help but love. I think I love how stubborn they both can be but how strong they are as well. I love them both, even if Claire and Jamie can both occasionally be a little frustrating. It just makes them seem even more real. I know I care about these character like they are real. It's too bad they have to endure so much hardship during their wonderful relationship. Not only did I enjoy getting more time with Jamie and Claire, but I did like all the new characters that were introduced in this second book as well.
There were serious moments, funny moments, and everything in-between. I liked all of them. I also now watch the Outlander television show so I kept picturing those actors while reading, and I didn't mind one bit. I am actually looking forward to see what the show does with regards to the second book.
Although I had a little trouble getting into the story at first, Dragonfly in Amber was a delight to read. The ending made me even more excited for the next book in the series. I am so glad I am finally reading all of these.
Link your reviews to the first book here and head over to discuss what you thought. Link your reviews to the second book here and head over to discuss what you thought. How am I doing? I admit that I have only read the first book so far. Don't worry, I plan to read the second book, Dragonfly in Amber, super soon. I hope everyone else is doing well with the challenge! Tell me how you are doing below. Do you want more information about the challenge? Do you want to sign-up? Read this post first. What is the purpose of this post? To link-up your reviews of the third book in the Outlander series (Voyager) that you read for the challenge so that we can read them! Link to wherever you post reviews -- your blog, Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, etc., etc. I will be posting a review link-up post on the first of every month for the next book in the Outlander series. I think this will be a good way for me to keep organized and motivated to read a book a month. In September there will also be a giveaway for everyone participating in the challenge! So keep a look out for that as well. When you link up below please make sure to use the direct URL to your individual post/review, not the book's information page or your blog's homepage. You don't have to write a review to participate. You can just tell me in the comments below that you read the book. Please also use this space as a place to discuss all things to do with the third book. Try to avoid big spoilers, but if you do want to talk about them just warn us first. Share how the challenge is going for you. Which book are you reading now? I want to know how you are enjoying the series. Some discussion prompts for Voyager will be posted on this page at the end of April.
Link your reviews to the first book here and head over to discuss what you thought.
Do you want more information about the challenge? Do you want to sign-up? Read this postfirst.
What is the purpose of this post? To link-up your reviews of the second book in the Outlander series (Dragonfly in Amber) that you read for the challenge so that we can read them! Link to wherever you post reviews -- your blog, Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, etc., etc.
I will be posting a review link-up post on the first of every month for the next book in the Outlander series. I think this will be a good way for me to keep organized and motivated to read a book a month. In September there will also be a giveaway for everyone participating in the challenge! So keep a look out for that as well.
When you link up below please make sure to use the direct URL to your individual post/review, not the book's information page or your blog's homepage. You don't have to write a review to participate. You can just tell me in the comments below that you read the book.
Please also use this space as a place to discuss all things to do with the second book. Try to avoid big spoilers, but if you do want to talk about them just warn us first.Share how the challenge is going for you. Which book are you reading now? I want to know how you are enjoying the series. Some discussion prompts for Dragonfly in Amber will be posted on this page at the end of March.
Why am I hosting this challenge?
A while ago I read the first book in this series and never got around to reading the rest. Then I watched the television show this past year and realized that I wanted to read this series now more than ever. Therefore, I decided to challenge myself to finally read all eight Outlander books by Diana Gabaldon, and I didn't want to do it alone. I really couldn't find any other challenges out there this specific so I decided to create one. (I know this is kind of like a read-a-long but these books are so big I feel like it is more of a challenge.) **This is my first time hosting a challenge so hang in there.
Who can join?
Anyone and everyone is welcome to join the challenge. It doesn't matter if you have read the books before and just want to re-read them or if this is your first time digging in.
How long does this challenge last?
The challenge runs from Feb. 1, 2015 to Sept. 30, 2015.Why those months? Those months seem to be the least hectic for everyone. Also, I wanted to aim for reading a book a month.
The Reading Schedule (The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon in Order) February - Outlander March - Dragonfly in Ember April - Voyager May - Drums of Autumn June -The Fiery Cross July - A Breathe of Snow and Ashes August - An Echo in the Bone September - Written in My Own Hearts Blood
** If you get behind or ahead in the reading schedule that is totally fine. The goal is just to read all eight books by the end of September.
Bonus Reads
The Exile - A Graphic Novel
Lord John Grey Series
- Lord John and the Private Matter
- Lord John and the Hand of Devils
- Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade
- Scottish Prisoner
Will there be a giveaway?
If at least 10 lovely people sign up for this challenge I will host a giveaway at the end as a reward for all of those who participated, whether you read one or all eight books. There will be a chance for extra entries if you read any of the bonus books on this list.
How do you keep track and share what you have read?
Head on over to the review link up post (COMING SOON!) to share your reviews on the books! If you don't have a blog you can always just post a link to your review on goodreads or simply share in the comments what book you finished reading and what you thought.
How do you join?
Sign up below with the linky anytime! All you have to do is share the link to the blog post, twitter, goodreads shelf, or whatever way you want, stating that you are going to participate in the challenge. Please link back to this page so others can join the challenge as well and see what it is all about. Feel free to use the challenge banner below in your post.
Sign Up Here!!!
Do you have any more questions?
Ask away in the comments below!
Summary: Claire Randall was an army nurse. Once the war
ended she was reunited with her husband. The year was 1945. On their second
honeymoon, she touches an ancient stone that sends her into the past. Now the year
is 1743 and she is in the middle of Scotland where she must try to stay alive
and where she meets the irresistible James Fraser.
Review: I was cruising the internet one day looking for a
good romantic novel. I’m not usually that into romance novels but the mood hit
me. This book kept popping up over and over again in my search results.
Although the plot didn't pull me in at first, I ended up checking the book out
at the library.
This book is a great romantic novel. Don't worry, it is also full of fight scenes, adventures, escapes, and of course, men in kilts. My favorite part of the novel is James and Claire's relationship. I very much enjoy their
relationship and above everything else, I enjoy reading about an adult
relationship. I love young adult novels but this relationship is better, even
though there are secrets and centuries between them, their shyness and honesty
are genuine. James is the perfect fictional character from a book to have a crush on.
Gabaldon did a great job at making the reader truly believe they
are actually in Scotland during the 1700s. She writes so vividly and is amazing
at depicting the physical and emotional drama of the characters. There is only
one downside to the amazingly real descriptions Gabaldon gives us. There are some brutal torture scenes that are somewhat
unnerving to read. It made me hate the evil scum that tortures people beyond my
imagination and sometimes it really rolled my stomach. I suffered through and
although it was hard to read, it really showed the characters in a very personal
light and made you connect with them even more.
This book is a big novel and took me longer than it normally
takes me to read most books, but it wasn't drawn out. I soaked up every
sentence on every page. The worst problem was that it ended and I realized that
there are many more books in the series. At least the ending didn't totally
leave me hanging.
Grab this book next time you are at the library, especially if
you are looking for a good romance novel to sink your teeth into to help you forget
about the real world.
