It is a bit interesting how the more I like a book the harder is for me to review it. And as I was completely trapped into this book and read it breathlessly, this will be a very hard article to write.

What should I begin with? I fell completely in love with the two characters, Jamie and Claire, each a perfect match for the other. They are both very courageous, very stubborn and sometimes temperamental, but they are both loving and gentle too. They laugh together, they cry on each other’s shoulders and, of course, they make steamy love to each other. Unfortunately they have to keep rescuing each other from some terrible trials too (especially as Jamie is an outlaw, being convicted for a crime he never committed). One can easily forget Jamie is only 23 given that he’s been through so much and that he is so in control of himself (Claire is 28). I could write a lot more about these two characters, but I don’t want to give spoilers away. For me this book was quite an experience because I was always wondering what will happen, will Jamie live, will they be together forever or will Claire have to go back to Frank in the end, and so on, and I wouldn’t like to ruin this things for others. :)

When I first read the book I knew nothing whatsoever about it beforehand, because I wanted to let it surprise me. And so I paid little attention to the ghost (“a Scot, in complete Highland rig-out, complete to sporran and the most beautiful running-stag brooch on his plaid“) that was looking unhappily at Claire’s window in the very beginning. I have even forgotten all about it while reading (there’s nothing else ghost-related in the book). Now that I remember though I cannot help but feeling immensely sorry for Jamie (because it could only be Jamie’s ghost), come to take a look at his beloved wife in 1945, two hundred years after his own time.

I absolutely recommend this book. I was immensely sad to have to let go of the characters. The good thing is that the book has no less than five sequels at the moment, with rumors about another one or two. So it’s very likely that I’ll keep in touch. :)

Here is a random quote:

Jamie twisted in his saddle, to look back up the slope.
“I prayed all the way up that hill yesterday,” he said softly. “Not for you to stay; I didna think that would be right. I prayed I’d be strong enough to send ye away.” He shook his head, still gazing up the hill, a faraway look in his eyes.
“I said ‘Lord, if I’ve never had courage in my life before, let me have it now. Let me be brave enough not to fall on my knees and beg her to stay.’ ” He pulled his eyes away from the cottage and smiled briefly at me.
“Hardest thing I ever did, Sassenach.”

I so loved the way he called her Sassenach (meaning English or Outlander and usually said as a term of abuse; not in this case though :) ).

This book is a prequel to:
Dragonfly in Amber
Voyager
Drums of Autumn
The Fiery Cross
A Breath of Snow and Ashes

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