Name: The Fiery Cross
Rating: 3.84375 (128 reviews)
ISBN: 9780770427979

Diana Gabaldon

In 1771, Scotsman Jamie Fraser and his twentieth-century time-traveler wife, Claire, become caught between loyalty to the Crown and the changing times, as the American Revolution draws inevitably closer.

The Fiery Cross

The time is 1771 and the colony of North Carolina teeters on an uneasy edge - an internal conflict between the colonial aristocratic rich planters and the struggling pioneers of the backcountry is threatening to explode. Jamie Fraser is a man of worth - respected by all, born of good family and possessed at last of the land he has longed for. But Jamie has a lot to lose. His wife, Claire, is known notoriously as a wisewoman or a witch. As a traveller from the twentieth century she is all these things and more. Her unique view of the oncoming Revolution is both a deliverance and a danger- a torch that may light Jamie's way in the perilous years ahead or the spark that may ignite a conflagration that will leave their lives in ashes. And far more than just their lives hang in the balance. The lives of Jamie's tenants, his daughter Brianna, her husband Roger, his grandson Jemmy, his nephew Ian and his foster son Fergus could all get caught in the blaze. Claire and Jamie know war only as those who have survived it can. And they will have to use all that knowledge, and more, to follow the path of the fiery cross to battle once more...and try to survive it if they can.

I FINALLY FINISHED IT. It only took me nearly a year and having to switch from my physical copy to the audiobook to make it through this book. Largely, it's just simply boring. It's a huge book, coming in at 1,400 pages or so, and so much could have been edited down. I adore the first two Outlander books, and I even really appreciated the third one, but the further we get from Scotland and are immersed in Colonial America, I just find myself losing interest. The books begin to lose so much of their magical realism with the move from Scotland. I don't care too much about daily life in the 1700s backcountry of North Carolina, no matter how much I love Jamie and Claire. Roger and Brianna are good characters, too, but not as strong. Another pet peeve is how much Diana Gabaldon is in love with her main characters; each is physically perfect, for one thing, and hardly flawed in their thinking or personalities. Their perfection almost comes across as bland. Don't Jamie and Claire ever age? 

There were some moments of wholesomeness and humor, especially with little Jemmy. But there doesn't seem to be much plot; instead, things just happen to the characters without really enhancing any overall story. 

Additionally, even though I stuck with the audiobook, I did not care for the narrator. She did a good job with Jamie and Roger's voices, but otherwise I didn't like her voice for other minor characters or even Brianna and Claire. In short, this was a slog to get through. There were a few stories and anecdotes I enjoyed, but overall, this novel was not strong or exciting enough to garner more than 2 stars. I have heard the next books in the series might be a little better; I don't want to abandon this series entirely. But it will probably be a while before I return to it. 

Amanda

I FINALLY FINISHED IT. It only took me nearly a year and having to switch from my physical copy to the audiobook to make it through this book. Largely, it's just simply boring. It's a huge book, coming in at 1,400 pages or so, and so much could have been edited down. I adore the first two Outlander books, and I even really appreciated the third one, but the further we get from Scotland and are immersed in Colonial America, I just find myself losing interest. The books begin to lose so much of their magical realism with the move from Scotland. I don't care too much about daily life in the 1700s backcountry of North Carolina, no matter how much I love Jamie and Claire. Roger and Brianna are good characters, too, but not as strong. Another pet peeve is how much Diana Gabaldon is in love with her main characters; each is physically perfect, for one thing, and hardly flawed in their thinking or personalities. Their perfection almost comes across as bland. Don't Jamie and Claire ever age? 

There were some moments of wholesomeness and humor, especially with little Jemmy. But there doesn't seem to be much plot; instead, things just happen to the characters without really enhancing any overall story. 

Additionally, even though I stuck with the audiobook, I did not care for the narrator. She did a good job with Jamie and Roger's voices, but otherwise I didn't like her voice for other minor characters or even Brianna and Claire. In short, this was a slog to get through. There were a few stories and anecdotes I enjoyed, but overall, this novel was not strong or exciting enough to garner more than 2 stars. I have heard the next books in the series might be a little better; I don't want to abandon this series entirely. But it will probably be a while before I return to it. 

Read as a read along for the Binge watch of the TV show.

Lover of Romance 

Read as a read along for the Binge watch of the TV show.




Vilde

Ever since I heard that the 
  Outlander
 series was going to be made into a TV series, I've been itching to pick up the series again, for a reread. I originally planned to do it through audiobooks, but I forgot that Claire deals with the human body in ways that I prefer not to listen - thus I've been repeatedly stumped. In that regards, it was easier to pick up the books. 

There's a certain drive in the previous books; 
  Outlander
, 
  Dragonfly in Amber
, 
  Voyager
 and 
  Drums of Autumn
, that I feel is missing in The Fiery Cross. I can't quite put my finger on what exactly it is. But by all means, The Fiery Cross is not a disappointment, but something different. It is certainly interesting to read, but it becomes slightly long-winded in terms of the plot.

Robin M Cabana

This was my least favorite book of the Outlander series. It took me so long to read it because it just wasn't as interesting or adventuresome as the previous books. Now that the Frasers have seemed to settle down, there are lots of little incidents along the way, but not enough to comprise a solid plot or to keep up the momentum. And at this point, I find all the medical details kind of dull, but I did like reading some of the details about colonial life, especially the different roles for men and women and how Claire and Brianna adjust - or don't - into those roles. I didn't really get into the book until around page 900 or so when something terrible happens to Roger. It also seems that when action happens, the scenes get cut off and are just kind of wrapped up in conversations back on the homestead. But I was happy to see the return of a favorite character at the end and I'm curious what will happen with a newish character as well.

Kaitee Tredway

I think this is my favorite of the series so far. I can't put a finger on why.

Corine Booij

First half of the book was quite slow and took quite some time to get through. The second part of the book made it well worth the struggle it took to get through the first bit.

Alli King

Maybe 3.5...
I miss Scotland. Some of the magic was lost in the journey to America, although I appreciate the WNC setting as a resident.

Christina M Masters

In the possible words of Jamie Fraser, "this book is verra long". But it is also very, very good. It has probably been a good 20 years since I read a book that is over 1400 pages mainly because of time factors. Meaning I don't have a lot of it. I love Stephen King books, but much like this one, when I read one of his longer ones I always think about how the author could have cut probably about 500 pages of the book and it still have been an excellent book. But also much like a King book, I was never really bored, and once I got into it the reading of this one it was fairly swift going. I am assuming that Gabaldon had a reason for including all of the stuff she did. I mean, some of it was character building for sure and of course giving you a sense of the world. 

I have to say I can away with much greater respect for Roger from this. And it was the relationship that developed and become stronger throughout between Jamie and Roger that really intrigued me most while I was reading. I have to admit there were some passages about farming or sometimes the landscape that I skimmed over because those are the ones that make my eyes cross when I read any book. Also, at a gathering for Outlander fans, I had talked to someone and she mentioned that there was a book that some fans agree is harder to get through than others and I have a sneaking suspicion it is either this one or the next one (in which the paperback is also over 1400 pages...damn verbose authors!) and I think that had a psychological effect on me before I even started reading this and kept me from reading it for a while, but really, I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it and the ending and some of the stuff that is starting to be revealed totally pulled me in.

Elena Enns

This instalment was full of ups and downs. Though it was slow at times, it made up for it with enthralling narratives. Though, I will say that it probably could have been shorter, and some stuff cut out, because I found it to be way too long.

Chantale

This is my least favourite book in the series so far. I found it dragged on and on. I think it should have been shorter.

Bárbara Deoti

This book had some really tiresome parts. I particularly didn’t care for the parts that centered Roger, because I am indifferent to him most of the time. Also, the casual homophobia annoyed the hell out of me and was so unnecessary. But oh God I love the women so muuuuch, especially Bree.

Geneviève Rouleau

I really enjoyed some parts of this book, while some other were very long. 3.5⭐

Meg K

As much as I love the characters and the world of Outlander... this particular novel was a bit tedious to get through. I’m in agreement with many other reviews I’ve seen, that the plot is practically nonexistent in this book until you hit page 600 or so (and with how small the print is, as the books are large, that’s absolutely criminal). The immersion in the story can be bogged down at times by over-detailed descriptions and thoughts, and the dizzying array of minor characters. Did it have its moments? Absolutely, but it was a hard fought battle to finally get to the heart of it! Can’t say I hated it, but also can’t say I loved it. That being said, I am glad to be prepared for the new season on Starz next month!

The Fiery Cross (Outlander, No.5)

Manon van Heumen

This was yet another great installment in the series! So curious to see how it will go on.

The Fiery Cross

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