Dragonfly in Amber (25th Anniversary Edition): A Novel (Outlander Anniversary Edition)

The second book, like the first, is epic in length, continuing the rich and wonderful relationship between Jamie and Claire. It shows the lengths they will go to in order to maintain the relationship and how good intentions cannot always change the future. Steeped again in witchcraft and mysticism this alluded to a century that saw a massive change in both Scotland and England. A time when Catholicism was still viewed with suspicion and the void left by the enlightenment was to be filled by darker ideas, especially at the end of the century.The story begins in 1968 with Claire and her daughter returning to Scotland after the death of the Reverend. Written in the third person this tells of Roger’s interest in Brianna, he was only a boy in the previous book. Claire wants him to search for survivors of Culloden. In his research, he discovers Claire went missing and came back pregnant. He assumes Brianna does not know her real father, believing this is the reason for coming back to Scotland.The story then goes back to Claire and Jamie in France and returns to the first person and Claire’s story. She tells how Jamie suffers from seasickness on the journey, how he runs his cousin’s import business while researching sponsors for the Jacobite cause. Jamie’s business interests keep him close to Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite cause, while they secretly seek to prevent the events which will lead to Culloden. When Charles Stuart lands in Scotland and draws pledges from the clans, including putting Jamie’s name to the list of supporters Culloden seems inevitable.When Collum McKenzie dies it is Dougal who succeeds him as clan leader and overhearing a conversation believes Jamie to be betraying the Jacobite cause. In the ensuing fight, Dougal is killed and Jamie insists Claire return to her own time for the sake of the baby.Back in modern-day Scotland, we return to the third person and Roger's story. Claire in an attempt to change fate looks for Geilis Duncan to try and persuade her not to go. Like the first book the second ends with a satisfying conclusion, Claire finds out what happens to Jamie, but leaves the door open for the next book, with the question, will she return to Jamie or stay with her daughter.In common with the first book, this is beautifully written and there are some interesting points about the court of Versailles, but I suspect the passages in Scotland are more historically accurate than those of France. This did not diminish my enjoyment of the book. I really liked the introduction of her daughter Brianna who obviously idolized her father Frank and shows the other side of this three-way, complicated relationship.

You know you have a gifted author at hand when the second book is as good as the first one in a series. I say as good, but to be honest I was considering calling it better. It’s difficult to say because the books are so different from each other. Where outlander was a very romantic novel in a historical setting, dragonfly in amber was a historical novel with a romantic story. It might seem a small difference but when you read other reviews of Dragonfly in amber you might notice the book is sometimes called "slow". And I actually think that the historical focus is why some people might consider this book a slow read. Diana Gabaldon is a very talented writer, who sets a story with a lot of attention for details and historical accuracy. She weaves a fictional story into historical background without any flaws. And I understand that this scene setting might seem a little bit slow. But for me it was a perfect pace and I love how she creates the feeling that you are actually there with the characters.Dragonfly in Amber has two big storylines. One set in the 1960's, where Claire is ready to tell her daughter the truth about her father. The other storyline is set in the 18the century and picks up where we left Jamie and Claire at the end of outlander.Dragonfly in amber is a complicated story full of political intrigues, war, bloodshed and conspiracies. But there is also room for a lot of (brilliant) character development. The hot, searing passion between Claire and Jamie has settled down a bit. The courtship over, they are settling in their marriage. And there wasn't a moment I missed the raw passion from the first book. Because Diana creates a love that is stronger than time itself between these characters. It might sound a bit cheesy but the love they evoke for each other together and the marital devotion is just breathtakingly beautiful to read.I think in this second novel there is also more time to bring other characters into view more detailed. I loved how Murtagh was portrayed in this novel. His loyalty, friendship and faithfulness is heart rendering. And I can't even begin to describe how much I loved Fergus and I sure hope to see more of him in the coming novels.Speaking of those novels. Starting this one I (and all other readers reading this series now) already know Jamie didn't die in Culloden. We already know there are at least 6 other novels about the Frasers. So I wasn't expecting to suffer heartbreak. I couldn't have been more wrong. And that is where the genius of Diana Gabaldon comes into play. Even when you know it isn't over and there is more to come. She sucked me into the story and ripped my heart into a million pieces. I was so glad I was home alone when I was crying my heart out.Brilliant in all its little details! More I cannot say about it.

I adored the first book, and couldn’t put it down. I was so eager to get started on this and also continue through all the books. It was quite an exciting feeling, as I hadn’t ever read that many books by one author. But I couldn’t get past the first 200 pages, I mirror all the other reviewers who also got to a point and just stopped, skimmed or read an audio version. I am considering whether to watch the series, but in reality I think that I will just draw a line in the sand at the first book and not move on to the next.

Gripping narrative and engaging characters. Just a problem with the Americanisms that should have been edited out, and that weren't a problem in Cross Stitch. We don't have "parking lots", we have car parks; we don't "fix supper", we prepare or make or cook it; a mockingbird in Paris? Really? There are others. A US reader wouldn't notice them, of course, but as an English reader, reading the words of an Englishwoman in 1968/1740s Scotland and France I found they tripped me up and broke the spell. Hopefully Diana's editor will deal with them before the next edition.