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A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, Bk 6)
A Breath of Snow and Ashes - Outlander, Bk 6
Author: Diana Gabaldon
The year is 1772, and on the eve of the American Revolution, the long fuse of rebellion has already been lit. Men lie dead in the streets of Boston, and in the backwoods of North Carolina, isolated cabins burn in the forest. — With chaos brewing, the governor calls upon Jamie Fraser to unite the backcountry and safeguard the colony for King and C...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780385257404
ISBN-10: 0385257406
Publication Date: 2005
Pages: 1,158
Rating:
  • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
 56

4.5 stars, based on 56 ratings
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Members Wishing: 2
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

MarciNYC avatar reviewed A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, Bk 6) on
Helpful Score: 3
Not my favourite in the series, but still an enjoyable read if you're (still) interested in the adventures of Claire and Jamie Fraser. Part of what turned me off was the seeming monotony of day-to-day life in Colonial America.

I loved the earlier books set in Scotland/England because that's the region whose history I am interested in. I don't much care for Colonial/Revolutionary American history, so I've been lukewarm about this series since it came to America shores.
goddesslovingbookworm avatar reviewed A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, Bk 6) on + 170 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
The sixth volume of the saga of Jamie and Claire Fraser. The whole series is an annual re-read for me and still brings bouts of laughter and vales of tears; this may be the best volume yet. Are these romances? Yes, but not in the typical use of the word, for the historical documentation of the lives and times of the characters far outshine the underlying love story. Perhaps these could be read separately, but the full breadth of the storyline can only be felt if the books are taken in order.
ladybird avatar reviewed A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, Bk 6) on + 44 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Loved this latest addition to the Outlander series. I felt this book brought the focus back to Jamie and Claire (where I like it). It was full of surprises, some quite shocking! All of it leading up to that fateful newspaper clipping that foretells the death of Jamie and Claire in a house fire. As usual, the beautiful writing brings the back country of North Carolina to life, and the characters live and breathe. Ms. Gabaldon's ability to make you see every tendril of fog and smell the beautiful pine forests amazes me. I have yet to encounter a writer whose stories are so rich with detail without bogging the reader down, and whose characters are brought to life with such depth and sensitivity. None of her characters are two dimensional, even the secondary ones and all of them have flaws as well as heroic traits. This is the best series of books I have ever read, no mistake!
reviewed A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, Bk 6) on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
the 6th book in the Outlander series. What can I say? They are truly addictive... adventure, love, history, delightful characters, intrigue, and written in a very engaging and intelligent way.
Doughgirl avatar reviewed A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, Bk 6) on + 138 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon - 5*(rounded up from 4.75*)

A Breath of Snow and Ashes (ABOSAA) is the sixth book in the Outlander time travel/historic fiction/romance saga about the extraordinary lives of Claire and Jamie Fraser and their family.

By this time in the series Jamie and Claire are well settled into their home on Fraser's Ridge in the mountains of North Carolina in the years right before the Revolutionary War. Most of their immediate family lives on the Ridge also, and more Scottish settlers. Jamie is "Mac Dugh" - in many ways the laird of the Ridge community. But it's an uneasy leadership. Many of the settlers are Scottish lowlanders and Protestant (Presbyterian). Jamie is a Highlander and Roman Catholic.

Some readers of the series have said that the previous book (A Fiery Cross) is their least favorite because of the lack of action. But there is no lack of action in this book - especially in the back half when we have disappearing slaves, disappearing gold, murders and a trial for murder, kidnapping, the beginnings of the Revolutionary War, time travel and more. One of the best parts of the book for me was listening to Brianna recite the poem "Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" (which she had learned in grade school), at the same time that the ride itself was happening. It sent a few chills down my back.

The only reason this book isn't rated a full 5* is that I occasionally find it overly conicidental that so many bad things can happen to one family. BUT I've had this problem with other historical fiction books (exp: The Illuminator), and for me these events in the Outlander series seem much more critical to the plot and make more sense than in the other examples I gave, so it only mildly detracts from the ultimate rating. Plus, there are plenty of good times and sometimes even LOL moments to lighten the mood.

Most of the mysteries in this book are wrapped up before the end but not all. I can't wait for the next book!
Read All 45 Book Reviews of "A Breath of Snow and Ashes Outlander Bk 6"

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reviewed A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, Bk 6) on + 2 more book reviews
another great book about the lives of Jamie, Claire and everyone else
tnlmorris avatar reviewed A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, Bk 6) on
awesome book. as long as all the books are i can honestly say i wish they were longer,LOL. so much going on...a few surprises. i didn't find there to be any more romance in this book than in any of the others. a must read.
reviewed A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, Bk 6) on + 71 more book reviews
The "Outlander" series is fabulous, of course... but things are really drifting, and there's more and more emphasis on sex (a la romance novels), etc. Not my thing.
reviewed A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, Bk 6) on + 2 more book reviews
Of the entire series, this is the one that rivals first place with the 1st book (Outlander). So much happens, the characters really grow and change, the author does amazing things with this story. It's a riveting story! One of my all time favorites!
reviewed A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, Bk 6) on + 18 more book reviews
As you read this series you become engrossed in the everyday lives of all of Gaboldons characters. You watch them grow and mature over the years, just as you would in real life. But since the story is so long you begin to move so far away from where the story started and the things you fell in love with in the first two books. This sixth book though brings you right back the beginning. It embraces everything that caused your heart to race with the introduction to the story 6 books ago. Simply wonderful.
reviewed A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, Bk 6) on + 4 more book reviews
Love love love this series!!!
MKSbooklady avatar reviewed A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, Bk 6) on + 937 more book reviews
I honestly think I finished this book with more questions than answers. While there is a lot going on, and some loose ends are 'tied up', I'm still a little confused. However, it's still a great read, and keeps you wanting more.
MyLikeIt avatar reviewed A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, Bk 6) on + 450 more book reviews
Another exciting installment in the Outlander series. I was most interested in the depiction of life in colonial America immediately before the Revolution. As the war draws nearer, colonists face many challenges to their survival. Gabaldon's time-travellers (and those they love) may know that a war is coming, and which side will win, but nothing guarantees their individual safety. A wonderful long read.
sixteendays avatar reviewed A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, Bk 6) on + 130 more book reviews
This might be my favorite in the series thus far (save the first)! Absolutely packed to the gills with domesticity, emotion, and medical content (which are the things I love about these books) and very light on the politics and battles, despite it happening during the American Civial War.

I was honestly shocked at the turn of events near the end. I likely should have expected it, but I was so cozy on Fraser's Ridge with everyone it hadn't crossed my mind.

The only thing that holds this back from a perfect score is the unfortunate amount of r*pe and SA that occur. Sadly not new themes in Outlander books, but truly the instances here added nothing to the story, and made no significant changes to character or plot.
reviewed A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, Bk 6) on
I have fallen in love with the Fraser Family! This series is Wonderful!
srfbluemama avatar reviewed A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, Bk 6) on + 80 more book reviews
I was a bit hesitant to dive into this one because it was so long, but I'm so glad I did. I loved this book. The series is one of my favorites, and even though this book is very, very long, it was a page-turner throughout. It kept me guessing every step of the way, and had several twists that I didn't expect. Another great book from Diana Gabaldon. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
reviewed A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, Bk 6) on + 8 more book reviews
I love this series. I have read the first book three times. All of the books feel so real. This is a great store for those who relize there are down sides to love to.
Kristi1968 avatar reviewed A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, Bk 6) on
This is my favorite out of the series. I found it hard to put down.

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