Laura P. (hemmputnam) reviewed Written in My Own Heart's Blood (Outlander, Bk 8) on + 1113 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
I cried out in dismay when I turned the last page of this one. (There are 10+ pages of author's notes and acknowledgements at the end so I didn't realize how close I was to the finish.) I have so enjoyed this series that I'm planning to start over at the beginning. Claire and Jaime may be my favorite fictional couple. If you haven't read the series and enjoy a good saga, start with Outlander and enjoy the ride! If you are a reader, don't miss this one where lots of loose ends are wrapped up.
Carol F. (cactusflowerwomen) reviewed Written in My Own Heart's Blood (Outlander, Bk 8) on + 628 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Absolutely fantastic, of course; maybe the best in the series. Lots of this book takes place during the revolutionary war in the U.S. All the important characters of the Outlander series are brought back to life and put to right. I want more, more, more!
Angie (aladdin) -
Helpful Score: 1
How does she keep all the threads of the resourceful, loving and complicated family going? GREAT READ. From the 20th century to the 18th, from Scotland to COlonial/revolutionary America, the adventures continue. So enjoyed seeing how all the Frasers and kin overcome challenges and adversity with love and honor.
Nicole G. (nyteacher) reviewed Written in My Own Heart's Blood (Outlander, Bk 8) on + 152 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I put off reading this book because of the length and the fact that some of the recent books in the series have been a disappointment. I shouldn't have waited. In my opinion, this is one of the best books in the series. Now that they're involved in the American Revolution, we get to meet historical figures like George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. Without giving too much away; we also get to revisit some of my favorite characters who have not been in recent books. This was the first book I've read since the TV series started. With that fresh in my mind, I could really appreciate had Gabaldon has realistically evolved her characters as they age, while still staying true to their original inception. I won't put off reading the next book.
Karen C. (cowanrn) reviewed Written in My Own Heart's Blood (Outlander, Bk 8) on + 8 more book reviews
Awesome, as all the previous ones
Karen S. (MKSbooklady) reviewed Written in My Own Heart's Blood (Outlander, Bk 8) on + 945 more book reviews
So many stories, so many people in this book. I wonder how Diana Gabaldon keeps them all straight as she writes. Having finally gotten to the last (until next week) book in the series, I am finding that I miss all of these people. There are still a lot of loose ends, and I won't tell you what they are, but they're good!
Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
The fantastic next chapter in the saga of the Frasers. At the end of An Echo in the Bone the Frasers were in the midst of the American Revolution and the MacKenzies were in modern day Scotland. Jem had been kidnapped and presumed taken into the past, though we last saw him in the tunnel at the dam. We're not sure if he's traveled or not. Roger and Brianna are naturally frantic, and Roger, along with his many times great grandfather have gone to the past to look for him.
So much happening in this book. Of course, we have our main couple, Jamie and Claire, reunited. There are, naturally, some adjustments to make, as both come to grips with Claire's marriage to John while Jamie was presumed dead. Jamie becomes reinvolved in the war, with Claire accompanying him in her medical capacity and as his wife. It was fascinating to read of the war's progress, through the occupation of Philadelphia, the Battle of Brandywine, and so on. There are many historical characters that make appearances, such as George Washington and Benedict Arnold. I loved Claire's reactions to those experiences, especially considering what she knows. I loved the minute details of what was happening, things that are generally left out of this history books, but which make events feel real.
Roger and Buck have gone into the past looking for Jem, not knowing that he never left the present. Something went wrong in the transfer and they went back too far. It was interesting to see them interact with Jamie's father and Jenny, with Roger knowing what is yet to come. They are having no luck finding Jem, naturally, but in their search run into another time traveler. This one is quite a shock to Roger, and gives one explanation as to why they landed when they did.
Lord John has quite a rough time of it in this book. Jamie finally reacts to John's statement regarding his marriage to Claire. Beaten and left in the woods, John ends up captured by the Americans, spends some time as a prisoner, nearly hanged as a spy, then escapes, only to pretend to be an American to save his neck yet again. We also see him dealing with some issues from his own past, when Percy makes a reappearance. John also comes to William's rescue when he ends up with some trouble of his own.
Ah, William. William is not coping well with his new found knowledge about his parentage. He is angry, but he is also confused. He doesn't quite know who he is any longer and his emotions are all over the place. There were times when I wanted to shake him, especially when he got nasty with both Jamie and John. But there are also times when I really liked him. His care for the young woman who was forced into prostitution and her little sister was wonderful. It was satisfying to see him go to Jaime when he needed specialized help. There were hints of reconciliation between the two, but it's still in the early stages.
Ian and Rachel. Ian is still working as a scout for the Continental Army and Rachel is still helping her brother with the wounded. They are still intending to marry, though there are challenges to that happening. I enjoyed getting the background on how Quaker marriages occur. I loved how Rachel is always there for Ian, ready to listen to him as he struggles with his future. Ian has changed and matured quite a bit over the last couple books, and I like who he has become even better. There was also a terrific scene with Claire, Rachel and Dottie as Claire explains to both of them what to expect after the wedding. I must say there are parts of that which had me laughing so hard I cried.
Dottie and Denzel. Denzel's work as a doctor is always interesting, especially as it pertains to his Quaker religion. His relationship with Dottie was a bit of a surprise, but I'm really enjoying it. In the previous book Dottie had come across as a bit flighty, but here she is quite focused. I have to admit that it was pretty amusing seeing her trying to be Quaker, but she loves Denny and will do whatever she has to in order to be with him.
Fergus, Marsali and the kids. They have settle in Philadelphia at this time. He has continued as a printer, and like Jamie has a tendency to get himself into trouble with some of his products. Meanwhile Marsali is left trying to keep home and hearth together.
Brianna, Jem and Mandy are dealing with problems of their own. Jem has escaped the tunnel and made it back to his mother. There are other attempts made on them all. The reason behind the attacks has been alluded to before, but is explained more in this book. This leads Brianna to make a life changing decision in order to protect them.
Two major characters pass away during this book, creating two big holes in the lives of our characters. I cried for both and ached for those left behind.
Jamie and Claire make the decision to return to Fraser's Ridge. I loved their arrival and seeing them settle back in. Claire had quite a surprise waiting for her, one that made me very happy for her. As she and Jamie are checking out the site for their new house, they are stunned by a call of "Hello the house!" Of course, Diana leaves it there, and we are left to wait and wonder about the story behind their arrival. I can't wait.
So much happening in this book. Of course, we have our main couple, Jamie and Claire, reunited. There are, naturally, some adjustments to make, as both come to grips with Claire's marriage to John while Jamie was presumed dead. Jamie becomes reinvolved in the war, with Claire accompanying him in her medical capacity and as his wife. It was fascinating to read of the war's progress, through the occupation of Philadelphia, the Battle of Brandywine, and so on. There are many historical characters that make appearances, such as George Washington and Benedict Arnold. I loved Claire's reactions to those experiences, especially considering what she knows. I loved the minute details of what was happening, things that are generally left out of this history books, but which make events feel real.
Roger and Buck have gone into the past looking for Jem, not knowing that he never left the present. Something went wrong in the transfer and they went back too far. It was interesting to see them interact with Jamie's father and Jenny, with Roger knowing what is yet to come. They are having no luck finding Jem, naturally, but in their search run into another time traveler. This one is quite a shock to Roger, and gives one explanation as to why they landed when they did.
Lord John has quite a rough time of it in this book. Jamie finally reacts to John's statement regarding his marriage to Claire. Beaten and left in the woods, John ends up captured by the Americans, spends some time as a prisoner, nearly hanged as a spy, then escapes, only to pretend to be an American to save his neck yet again. We also see him dealing with some issues from his own past, when Percy makes a reappearance. John also comes to William's rescue when he ends up with some trouble of his own.
Ah, William. William is not coping well with his new found knowledge about his parentage. He is angry, but he is also confused. He doesn't quite know who he is any longer and his emotions are all over the place. There were times when I wanted to shake him, especially when he got nasty with both Jamie and John. But there are also times when I really liked him. His care for the young woman who was forced into prostitution and her little sister was wonderful. It was satisfying to see him go to Jaime when he needed specialized help. There were hints of reconciliation between the two, but it's still in the early stages.
Ian and Rachel. Ian is still working as a scout for the Continental Army and Rachel is still helping her brother with the wounded. They are still intending to marry, though there are challenges to that happening. I enjoyed getting the background on how Quaker marriages occur. I loved how Rachel is always there for Ian, ready to listen to him as he struggles with his future. Ian has changed and matured quite a bit over the last couple books, and I like who he has become even better. There was also a terrific scene with Claire, Rachel and Dottie as Claire explains to both of them what to expect after the wedding. I must say there are parts of that which had me laughing so hard I cried.
Dottie and Denzel. Denzel's work as a doctor is always interesting, especially as it pertains to his Quaker religion. His relationship with Dottie was a bit of a surprise, but I'm really enjoying it. In the previous book Dottie had come across as a bit flighty, but here she is quite focused. I have to admit that it was pretty amusing seeing her trying to be Quaker, but she loves Denny and will do whatever she has to in order to be with him.
Fergus, Marsali and the kids. They have settle in Philadelphia at this time. He has continued as a printer, and like Jamie has a tendency to get himself into trouble with some of his products. Meanwhile Marsali is left trying to keep home and hearth together.
Brianna, Jem and Mandy are dealing with problems of their own. Jem has escaped the tunnel and made it back to his mother. There are other attempts made on them all. The reason behind the attacks has been alluded to before, but is explained more in this book. This leads Brianna to make a life changing decision in order to protect them.
Two major characters pass away during this book, creating two big holes in the lives of our characters. I cried for both and ached for those left behind.
Jamie and Claire make the decision to return to Fraser's Ridge. I loved their arrival and seeing them settle back in. Claire had quite a surprise waiting for her, one that made me very happy for her. As she and Jamie are checking out the site for their new house, they are stunned by a call of "Hello the house!" Of course, Diana leaves it there, and we are left to wait and wonder about the story behind their arrival. I can't wait.
