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Outlander #5-8

The Fiery Cross / A Breath of Snow and Ashes / An Echo in the Bone / Written in My Own Heart's Blood

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As their story is told on the hit Starz series, the unforgettable adventures of steadfast Highland warrior Jamie Fraser and time-traveling Englishwoman Claire Randall continue in the ongoing Outlander novels. This eBook bundle includes the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth books in the series:
 
THE FIERY CROSS
A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES
AN ECHO IN THE BONE
WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD
 
The year is 1771, and war is coming. Jamie Fraser’s wife tells him so. Little as he wishes to, he must believe it, for hers is a gift of dreadful prophecy—a time-traveler’s certain knowledge. Claire’s unique view of the future has brought him both danger and deliverance in the past. Her knowledge of the oncoming revolution is a flickering torch that may light his way through the perilous years ahead—or ignite a conflagration that will leave their lives in ashes.
 
Praise for Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander novels
 
“Marvelous and fantastic adventures, romance, sex . . . perfect escape reading.”San Francisco Chronicle, on Outlander
 
“History comes deliciously alive on the page.”—New York Daily News, on Outlander
 
“A grand adventure written on a canvas that probes the heart, weighs the soul and measures the human spirit across [centuries].”—CNN, on The Fiery Cross
 
“The large scope of the novel allows Gabaldon to do what she does best, paint in exquisite detail the lives of her characters.”Booklist, on A Breath of Snow and Ashes
 
“Features all the passion and swashbuckling that fans of this historical fantasy series have come to expect.”People, on Written in My Own Heart’s Blood

4580 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

1632 people are currently reading
758 people want to read

About the author

Diana Gabaldon

203 books180k followers
Diana Jean Gabaldon Watkins grew up in Flagstaff, Arizona and is of Hispanic and English descent (with a dash of Native American and Sephardic Jew). She has earned three degrees: a B.S. in Zoology, a M.S. in Marine Biology, and a Ph.D in Ecology, plus an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Glasgow, for services to Scottish Literature.

She currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona .

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5 stars
1,987 (84%)
4 stars
281 (11%)
3 stars
60 (2%)
2 stars
10 (<1%)
1 star
14 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
Profile Image for Urtė Jarockė.
214 reviews5 followers
February 2, 2025
I made it! Honestly, it was quite a challenge to read another half of book series in English which is not my native language. But after very long time I managed it and I'm proud of myself. Books of Diana Gabaldon is not an easy task for not native speakers. She uses a lot of unknown, unheard words which are not commonly used in everyday speech.

I really loved the story. Without this love I would not dare to even start reading these enormous books. But it's worth it. There were a lot of chapters, paragraphs that made me stop and think, and smile, and remember things of my own.

I fully immersed in these books and often keep myself thinking about Claire and Jamie, Brianna, Ian, and others.
6 reviews
April 19, 2021
Fabulous!

Excellent! Always love every book of Diana’s and hate to finish.
Can’t wait til November’21 for Tell the Bees I’m ...
157 reviews
January 31, 2021
4,139 pages in this massive 4 book set. Somehow I hadn't realized how long the Revolutionary War lasted. In the final book of this set, Jaime resigns his commission of general in the Continental Army and takes his family back to Fraser's Ridge. It will be interesting to see in the next book that is not yet published, if their world is once more torn apart by war. Such a fun series to read!
Profile Image for Sarah.
14 reviews2 followers
October 29, 2017
There went a week of my life!

Perfect escapism! After the third book, I stopped thinking about an editor and just let myself enjoy the endless ebbs and flows of the myriad subplots.
Profile Image for Storm.
2,323 reviews6 followers
February 8, 2023
This is a nice bundle, which collects books 5, 6, 7 and 8 of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander Series. Links to detailed reviews.

The Fiery Cross - 2⭐
This whopper of a book was long, and frankly, way more boring than the previous entries. Excessively detailed descriptions of mundane things like "Oh, we have more people coming. We might not have enough coffee. Let me think of all the items we are supposed to prepare for breakfast, we need more bags of flour for biscuits, and more coffee, and ... . Possibly my least favorite book so far. Frankly it felt like THIS.
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A Breath of Snow and Ashes - 4⭐
It seems like folks in the past didn't have many diversions so their society was overly focused on Sex, Sex, Sex, which made this quite a lurid but exciting read. At the end of this, some folk have no choice but to return to the modern world.
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An Echo In The Bone - 3⭐
It's great we get more Ian action even if he does seem to have the most horrific luck. However, whether it is in the past or present day, it seems like the entire Fraser clan is prone to that plot device, kidnapping.
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Written in my Heart's Own Blood - 3⭐
Claire realizes she's become a bigamist (again) when her supposedly deceased husband, Jamie, returns to find her wed to Lord John Grey! The men leave to talk things over, code for "try not to fight" and during the talk, we hear John's excuse for what happened when he and Claire were trying to process their sadness and grief, which ends up being one of the greatest lines to ever grace an Outlander novel.

description

This book was long but meandering. It gave us decent character development for William and Ian, but was dragging at other parts of the narrative although there is somewhat of a "happy" ending at the end.
Profile Image for Becket Warren.
181 reviews5 followers
April 14, 2019
Magic, Passion, History, and Pure Reading Delight

The Outlander series is eminently readable, rereadable, and each of the novels and short stories has a permanent place on my Keeper Shelf, both the books that are tangible and those I access electronically. I love the characters, the peripheral ones all the way into the heart of the material: Claire Randall Fraser and Jamie Fraser, lovers and partners who belong together despite the former belonging in the twentieth century and the latter the eighteenth. I absolutely recommend these books to anyone looking for satisfying, rip-roaring, heart-rending, funny, poignant literary genius. Diana Gabaldon’s epic saga couldn’t be more deserving of its popularity. From the beginning, this multi-volume tale erupts with suspense and romance with an added bonus of a rich historical setting.
3 reviews
March 27, 2021
Most entertaining - an “intellectual bodice ripper” that treats sex like dessert: a treat to be enjoyed and not overdone. Throw in some science, a bit of engineering, a generous dose of non-preachy religion, and history to ground it and you have the perfect recipe for escapism that doesn’t induce overwhelming feelings of guilt! With heroic men AND women who don’t succumb to the vapid unrealistic stereotypes (well, Jamie is almost superhuman in strength, honor and male hotness, but still not quite an unrealistic Adonis). Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed the series and recommend it but not to someone who is a 250-page, max, reader. Thanks, Diana!!
121 reviews1 follower
April 10, 2021
Marvelous

I absolutely loved these books. I started watching outlander when it was at season 3 and fell in love with the story. Watch season 1-3 more than once, but with the pandemic I needed something to read, I ran out of books and I’m waiting patiently for season 6 to begin, I figured I would read these books and it did not disappoint. I loved these books as much as I loved the show. I must say I was mad for what happen with Henry Christine, I didn’t like that one bit, and I loved William even those he was a spoiled brat at first I can’t wait to see who he will be in the show. Can’t wait for book 10 too.
98 reviews1 follower
July 16, 2019
8th book in Outlander series.

This one is totally satisfying. I adore all of the Outlander books- so much so that when I try to read other authors lately, I'm unsatisfied. Not so this one. Beautifully written as all of MS Gabaldon' s books, this one gave me all of the "feels" It's full of romance, the excitement/ terror of battle, kidnapping, birth and death, joy and sorrow and pure delight of reading an expertly crafted phrase. I laughed aloud, I wept, gasped and yelled at the villains. If you want to be totally transported to Colonial/ Revolutionary America, read this!
4 reviews
July 4, 2022
Awesome!!

I loved the historical facts along with the beautiful description of the land. I am from North Carolina. Intact not far from where Fraser's Ridge would have been located. I have read books 5 - 8 twice. This is a series of books that I could pick up and read again and again. You fall in love with its people and celebrate or mourn as if they really exist. I am getting ready to start book 9. Do not rely on the TV series. Read the BOOKS. They bring the story to life!
2 reviews
October 14, 2019
I need more

Reading these books continuously I now have an empty place where I need to read more. I watched the tv series before reading the books which helped a lot in giving faces to the characters. I can say for me the fighting battles of war sometimes went on too long. I recommend these books to anyone who loves historical fiction with a little fantasy thrown in. What a great read!
115 reviews
September 12, 2021
What next!

Enjoy the real story as written. I love a good story but this is not it! These books are a great story! One worth reading. Now I have seen the series of the outlander, and as good as it is the book is so much better! Following the family of Jamie Fraser as the go though life in 1700' s , seeing the family grow with new branches and since keeping story focused of Jamie and Claire.Thanks Diana Gabaldon for writing this and staying true to history of the time!
18 reviews
December 25, 2020
OMG page turning. Unable to stop reading

I started this series a few months ago. Working my way though the books. I bought most them outright knowing soon as I read most the first book how very little was changed in the show. And how much I adore both. I’ve now read all 8. And will proceed to the John grey books. I hope she writes more though!!! Unbelievably good.
35 reviews
January 10, 2023
I love the whole series. Every time Diana writes a new book I re-read the other books. I am currently on my seventh time through. SO many great characters! After 25 years of reading their stories over and over, I feel like they're almost a part of my family. As long as the books in this series keep coming, I'll keep reading them again and again.
10 reviews1 follower
April 10, 2023
I have read and reread the first 8 books of this series. Each time a new book comes out, I begin the whole series over. Each time I reread them I discover something new. I will continue to do this as long as the series continues. I currently have the entire series in hardcover, softcover, and on my Kindle.

Definitely worth the read!
4 reviews
December 30, 2017
Love Outlander

I so appreciate your historical research. We were in Scotland a few years ago and I find it interesting to say “I know where that is “. I will recommend this series to everyone who enjoys Scottish-American history. Thanks for the fun of reading your books.
Profile Image for Karen.
1 review
September 30, 2018
Of the entire 8 book series, I'm finished with 6 great novels,and have difficulty putting each book down..carry on Ms Gabaldon!

I would recommend this 8 book s.series ( and have)
To persons who read and Don,t want to put the books down....I,m just starting book #7.....
1 review
October 1, 2019
Amazing

I love these books. They are incredibly well-written. I did not think I would like them because I had my doubts about the time traveling bits but the whole series is amazing. It’s rare to find a series that makes it past the 2nd or 3rd book without faltering.
1 review
October 3, 2019
Long books but oh so worth it!

What a great series! I can’t wait for the next one! These big oks are long but well worth the time to read. Thanks to the Outlander series on Showtime I can picture all the characters clearly in m mind.
Profile Image for Amy Sloan.
39 reviews
January 31, 2020
How could I be finished?????

I tried as hard as I could to read the last book in this series very slowly. However, recuperating from knee replacement surgery left me with plenty of time on my hands. Please take your time with this amazing series because you are going to be so sad when you are finished!
Profile Image for Joanne Rhodes.
63 reviews
April 28, 2020
Entertaining and Educational

I enjoyed following the further adventures of all the characters. I loved the historical backdrop. I was engaged to research various events on my own in order to learn more. Ms. Gabaldon is a fine storyteller.
5 reviews
July 30, 2020
Best best best books ever! Loved it! Loved it! Loved it! Highly recommend. Everything is there. Romance. Intrigue. Suspense. History. Family. Adventure. Read them. You will not be sorry. Only wish there was more!
1 review
July 30, 2020
Very Riveting

Enjoyed the series. Can't wait for more! I was very surprised at the many twists and turns in the storyline. I found it hard to put the books down! Thank you , Diana for such a great series. Can't wAit to see what comes out on the show. 😊
3 reviews
September 19, 2020
Awesome

I loved all the books. I could not wait to start reading them again. I love the Stars series, but the books really describe the love that James and Claire have for each other. I can’t wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Lola Foberg.
117 reviews
November 2, 2020
Adventure

Travel thru history. Love and romance. Action and mystery. There are not enough adjectives to describe these books. Occasional slow spots but,then things happen with a bang. Can’t wait for the next book. One is coming for sure.
18 reviews
April 3, 2021
More please.....

The characters have been identified, linked in the story, need to continue the next chapter. Note: would have been useful to have glossary of basic language for old terms and also French language use. Otherwise, amazing storytelling.
Profile Image for Theresa Marko.
46 reviews1 follower
May 12, 2021
Did not disappoint!

I just finished reading all the books, and my heart is breo Jen that I don’t have another book to read. I feel like I’ve lost friends. The books are amazing and wonderful and a really good read for anyone that likes historical fiction. Highly recommended
3 reviews
August 25, 2021
Thank you Diana!

I have read all eight books and was always amazed at your insights and captivating characters. I would recommend the Outlander Series to all adults that love a story that will become part of your life!
3 reviews
February 19, 2022
Outlander

The words just come to life and you feel like you are right there with the characters. A love story with all the suspense included. Did not want to put it down. I must now get (I believe is the last in the series; number 9).
Profile Image for Hanna Evans.
76 reviews
March 14, 2025
I’ve been reading this series on and off for many years now and I love these characters fiercely. There is satisfaction in finishing a book, but also complete sorrow in knowing I’ll never experience that part of the story for the first time again.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews

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