Showing posts with label Diana Gabaldon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Diana Gabaldon. Show all posts

Saturday, 4 February 2012

HISTORICAL FICTION REVIEW: The Scottish Prisoner - Diana Gabaldon

Release Date: 01/12/11

SYNOPSIS:

In this highly-anticipated new novel, Diana Gabaldon brings back one of her most compelling characters: the unforgettable Lord John Grey - soldier, gentleman, and no mean hand with a blade. Set in the heart of the eighteenth century, Lord John's world is one of mystery and menace. Diana Gabaldon brilliantly weaves together the strands of Lord John's secret and public lives. Capturing the lonely, tormented, and courageous career of a man who fights for his crown, his honor, and his own secrets, Diana Gabaldon delivers breathtaking human drama, proving once again that she can bring history to life in a way few novelists ever have.


REVIEW:

OK, to those who’ve already Diana’s work I’m not saying anything that they didn’t already know, to those who have seen the authors name and not sure whether or not to take a chance, this is perhaps the review to help you make up your mind.

First of all I was new to Diana’s writing when I was lent An Echo in the Bone. Yes I know, it was the seventh book in the series but the beauty and the story weaving was so exceptional that I had to go all the way back to the first book and read the series back to back.

As with Diana’s other books, this latest title is a story of honour, love, battle and of course the development of roles for the characters within. The fact that Jamie Fraser makes a reappearance will more than please fans of the Outlander series as he gets back to doing what he does best. Add to this a seriously delicious storyline, cracking character development alongside prose that many will fall in love with alongside a masters understanding of pace and it’s a book that is serious value for money. All I have to do now is set up a guard to protect my copy from a certain parent who’s already setting her sights on it.

Monday, 28 February 2011

HISTORICAL FICTION REVIEW: Outlander 7: An Echo in Bone - Diana Gabaldon

Release Date: 30/06/11

SYNOPSIS:

The year is 1777. The place, North Carolina. And as the American rebellion grows in intensity, Highlander Jamie Fraser and his wife Claire need to decide which side their family is going to be on. The choice should be an easy one, given that Claire was born in the twentieth century and has already seen the future - in history books. But things are never simple where the Frasers are concerned, as father and son unwittingly come face to face on the battlefield, and an old adversary reaches forward in time to threaten the next generation. Up to now, Claire and Jamie's love has survived every danger history has put in their path, but in the chaos of war, with families bitterly divided against each other, is the future finally going to catch up with them?


REVIEW:

Fans of Diana’s writing have had to wait a little while, for this the seventh release in her Outlander series. Whilst the readers may have been left a little apprehensive due to the lack of action within the last book (A Breath of Snow and Ashes) then they’ll be pleased to see that it picks up in this release. Whilst the history concerned is well known to the reader, the characters within have a quality that the reader just can’t let go of. They’re beautifully created and with the next generation getting bigger and better chances to take centre stage the reader has a lot to look forward to.

What can be a little troublesome is the sheer amount of subplots within, so much so that as the tale progresses it can be quite easy to either get confused or wonder what the author is intending with these for future titles. Diana is an author that represents quality writing, one that my Mum put me onto as she’d read the series from its inception way back in the early 90’s and whilst it has taken me a few years to appreciate this authors writing it’s the emotional context that she does well which when backed with a great writing style, a serious sense of pace as well as a need to give the reader the emotional content that they desire which creates a series that few others can currently even dream of.

All in a seriously wonderful read, although to be honest, I was lucky enough to be able to get the most from this due to a reread of all the titles from the original release (Outlander) which is what I’d advise other readers to do as well. Great stuff.