The Fiery Cross

Diana Gabaldon

The fiery cross, once used to summon Highland clans to war, now beckons readers to take up Diana Gabaldon’s fifth installment in the Outlander series featuring the time-traveling Frasers. Historical fiction fans who have waited four long years since the publication of Drums of Autumn will thrill to Gabaldon’s trademark detail and sensuality, both displayed liberally throughout the nearly 1,000 pages of The Fiery Cross. In this pre-Revolutionary War period, Claire Fraser and her husband, Jamie, have crossed oceans and centuries to build a life together in the bucolic beauty of North Carolina. But tensions both ancient and recent threaten not only Claire and James, but their daughter, Brianna, her new husband, Roger, and their infant son, Jemmy, as well as members of their clan.

This is a HUGE read. The longest book of the series, this was definitely my hardest one to get through. Sometimes it felt really slow but then important parts happened that you will need to remember for the next book. Diana Gabaldon, as usual, is so descriptive you feel as though you are there, part of their clan if you will. You feel the hurt and the joy that the characters go through. I really like the character of Roger and feel like he just has gotten the short end of the stick. He risked his life to find Brianna and has been through torture ever since. I’m still trying to figure out if Brianna is worth it. Yes, she is strong minded like her father, which is not a bad thing but I find her spoiled and self centered.

The fact that Jamie knows the outcome of the Revolutionary War, he has to figure out at what time he is a loyalist and when it is safe to switch to the other side so that he will not lose his property after the war. It is interesting to me how he trys to maintain both sides.

Claire has come far in some medical advances and her and Brianna become very inventive. It is very interesting to see what Claire will come up with that is similar to modern medicine.

Some characters return and new ones are introduced, this is definately an important book even though there are parts that I felt you really have to just get through.

I give this book a 3 1/2. It was probably my least favorite of the series.

Favorite quotes…

“To see the years touch ye gives my joy, Sassenach,” he whispered, -”for it means that ye live.”

“You bloody, unspeakable, infuriating–” His smile was startling, a white grin in the ruddy face.
“If ye call me a Scot, Sassenach, then I know I’m going to live.”

“When the day shall come, that we do part,” he said softly, and turned to look at me, “if my last words are not ‘I love you’— ye’ll ken it was because I didna have time.”