Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 54
 Outstanding (may include spoilers if you have not read the rest of the series) September 27, 2009
AnetteF (UK)
99 out of 104 found this review helpful
This latest instalment in the Cross Stitch (US-Outlander) series is as good as Gabaldon gets.
Fast paced, it switches a lot between viewpoints of different characters and sometimes you have read a couple of paragraphs before realising that the action has moved to a different location and who is talking. I really liked that aspect of it. The whole book was incredibly entertaining and will re-unite you with just about everyone you love in the series.
For the first time we have extensive sections about Jamie's son William and especially towards the end of the book he becomes more fully integrated into the storyline. Lord John, too, is back and whilst everyone will understand his storyline, those that have read the Lord John books will have the perk of picking up on some cross referencing to events in those. Some events involving those two will leave you gob smacked, promise. One section is appropriately named 'A series of short, sharp shocks'.
After finishing the previous book in the series, I had been concerned that maybe this book would mainly consist of us getting told events through the letters found in the wooden box. I am glad to say that whilst yes, they do appear, they are only a small part of it and we mainly see 'live action'. Talking of letters, the only part I found a little boring were a couple of letters written by William to his step-father, mainly because details of military campaigns are not a favourite topic of mine.
We do get to hear a lot more from Brianna, Roger and the kids, something I think most readers were very much hoping for. If you have read the excerpts that have been available pre-publishing, you'll be surprised at what turns out to be the danger lurking in the tower at Lallybroch, the explanation for which in turn, leads to a whole series of events that towards the end leaves you with a rotten, and I must say in my case, not anticipated cliffhanger. But there is balance as several events come to pass that we have anticipated for quite some time.
I am extremely grateful to Diana Gabaldon that whilst Jamie and Claire are still 'at it', the sex scenes are still neither repetitive, nor overdone, nor do you get the impression they are put in as page fillers or to add some dubious shock value to the book. If only one or two other authors would take note.
On the negative side, Williams letters apart, there wasn't a great deal. I was on such a constant high that I had no trouble dealing with the inevitable battles in-between (which as mentioned, aren't my thing). The worst thing is, I now have to wait however long, for the next book.
Update: after re-reading the book and listening to it on audio as well, I still love it. I think it is only natural that everyone has their favourite characters and some they are not so keen on. Having read and taken part in several discussions about it, I would say that for those readers who want Jamie and Claire to be centre stage all the time, this book will not be their favourite. For those who like me, have an equal interest in what happens to some of the others, this book certainly delivers.
The Saga Continues November 17, 2009
Mrs. C. V. Leary (West Sussex, UK)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Diana Gabaldon has lost none of her ability to draw you into the adventures of the characters. Her descriptions of scenery and people create vivid images and I feel guilty for reading this book so quickly when it has taken her so long to write it - but I could not put it down. However, all her books can be re-read several times over and there is always something new to pick up on which might have seemed insignificant the first time around - my favourite author for years.
Relieved that it is good. January 17, 2010
Booklover (Worcester UK)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have been a major fan of this series since the start and must have read the previous books 4 or 5 times each. I was therefore worried when I read the fairly poor reviews of Echo after it was released in the USA.
I am pleased to announce though that I personally think it is still up to scratch. Yes, there are a lot of characters but to be honest I think it would get stale without them. I liked reading about Bree and Roger in the 20th Century and I think it was good to see the contrast. Some of the military stuff was a bit dull but necessary to a story set within a war.
My only 'complaint' would be the sex scenes seem a little cruder than necssary and sort of forced into the narrative. Anyone who has followed the series from the start is fully aware of Jamie and Claire's passion for each other and I don't think we need to keep being reminded of their desire to copulate!!
For anyone who is a fan of the series this book is a must as there are lots of revelations and cliff hangers.
An Echo in the Bone September 4, 2010
P. A. Cunningham (N.Ireland)
I have always shied away from reviewing this series of books by Diana Gabaldon as I always felt that my reviewing skills wouldn't really do them justice! They are so jam packed with everything you could want from a book!
The series comes under the heading of Romance but this does not do it justice at all! There are high jinx and adventure at every turn of the page, along with time travel, sadness, happines a bit of medical drama and yes there is romance but there is so much more than that!
An Echo in the Bone is like the other books bursting with adventure, with twists and turns at every turn , and as with the others ends on a cliff hanger (oh goody there will be another one!!)
Once you start reading these books you will be caught up with the story of Claire and Jamie and their large extended family!
Believe me when you read the first in the series you will want to read on, and good luck to you, you will be in for a treat!!
The Outlander Series June 26, 2010
Barbara E Mackie & William Mackie
This whole series is the most amazing series of books I have ever read. I have been a reader all my life and this series has taken many years since the first one was published and I have to say reading this last book "An Echo in the Bone" has been like meeting up with many old friends. I thank Diana Gabaldon for introducing them to me and I am about to start at the beginning so I can meet them all again. Well done - great book and great series.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 54
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