An Echo in the Bone: A Novel (Outlander)

No spoilers - I promise. I loved this book. Since you're looking at book 7 I will assume you've read the first 6. Here are some questions you may want answered in a review. No, this is not the final installment. Yes, a lot happens in this book. Yes, there is romance. Yes, there is sex. Yes, there is historical detail. Yes, there is battlefield detail. Yes, there is medical detail. So far this should sound like this book is right in line with the series and it is. So, if you've loved the first 6, this book is for you. What is different about this book is there are four story lines. If you've been reading some of the other reviews that I have, you may have other questions. No, this book is not all Jamie and Claire. Yes, there is a story line about Bree & Roger. Yes, there is a story line about William. Yes, there is a story line about Lord John. No, you do not have to read the Lord John series to understand his story (although it adds to it and I did like that series). No, I did not find the crossover characters a plug from the author to read her other series. The author tells you what you need to know. Yes, characters from earlier books are mentioned or reintroduced. Yes, there are cliffhangers. Yes, they are VERY frustrating especially since we care so much and have to wait so long between installments. The book does switch between story lines often and some readers may find it confusing. I did not, but I read this book fairly quickly and that may have helped. The multiple story lines are important even though I, like other reviewers, prefer Jamie & Claire. The conflicts, events, revelations, conclusions, etc. would not be nearly as meaningful or dramatic if only told from Jamie & Claire's point of view. I will agree that the ending did seem a little rushed compared to Diana's usual style. She did wrap up a number of potential unanswered questions, but only briefly. No doubt these will be addressed at length in the beginning of the next book. I found reintroduction or reference of early characters brilliant and entertaining. This series spans 30 years or so and to have irony or karma coming back to bite you is true to the lives we all live. This book is a winner. I laughed out loud and I cried. I think that after you read it, sit back and take it all in, try and get over the aggravation of the questions not answered, and you may find this to be one of the best in the series. I can't wait for book #8. Bring it on!

This is the seventh book in the Outlander saga, and it was amazing. I love these books so very much, they are the perfect mix of historical fiction and sizzling romance. Claire and Jamie are the ultimate couple who travel through time to be with one another. This series is one of the very best that I've ever read, and I love all the characters in them.

Reviewed at Another Look Book Reviews First thing I said to myself after finishing my first re-read of An Echo in the Bone is, 'what was I thinking?!?!' The reason for my self reprimand was because the first time I read this amazing book, I was not pleased. I was not pleased at all. In fact I rated An Echo in the Bone low. Now after just finishing it for a second time and then plugging my Kindle into the wall for a full recharge, I am stunned by my first Goodreads review and I'm about ready to kick my butt and replace with this one. Admittedly Echo in the Bone is not my favourite of the series but it is still well deserving of my highest rating possible. I found Echo in the Bone not as emotionally charged or as angsty as the other books in this stellar series.....that is until you get to the end. There are so many cliffhangers dangling from the end of this book that I hope Diana Gabaldon gets so tired of hearing about fans needing the next book pronto that she never leaves a cliffhanger of this magnitude again. I yi yi yi! What Echo in the Bone does deliver is a close factual account of what life would have been like for the soldiers/militia/army and citizens during the American Revolution war. I walk away with a deep appreciation of the what the people on both sides of the war experienced. The amount of research that went into Echo in the Bone is staggering. There are numerous story lines within Echo in the Bone and it is easily followed and paced perfectly. I immensely enjoyed reading each and every one. The Roger and Bree story line was well set and planned. I loved that they emotionally struggled a bit when they have returned to Lallybroch. It is a reasonable assumption that they'd have to learn to discover their place and concur the "what's next?" dilemma. Other than the obvious cliffhangers left with the family, I find I am extremely curious and Mandy and her connection with Jem. Small children have an odd way of trying to explain their feelings but I think there is something special with Mandy and Jem. Perhaps it is the seed that was planted way back in Voyager regarding a certain Fraser Prophesy? Regardless, I am desperate to be caught up on the numerous cliffhangers left with the readers. Young Ian and Rachel's story line brings me delight. I want nothing more than to have Ian come to terms with himself. Even though Friend Rachel is peaceful Quaker, she is a spitfire and I adore her. I very much want to read how they manage on. William. Oh what a way to end the book! I felt I was in utter anticipation the entire book just waiting for a big moment. It was like a fire bomb when that moment came. When is that next book again? The biggest story line that threw me for a complete loop was Jamie, Claire and Lord John. Not to reveal any spoilers but I must say, even the second time through Echo in the Bone, I was astonished. I usually don't like to read spoilers of the next book but I must admit, I shall now go forth to see if I can find any tidbits about the next book to hopefully get some more clues about how it all works out.

Gabaldon writes very well. You get to love the characters and cant stop reading this book, really imagining the places and the drama enfold itself. I loved it!!!!!

I received the book the day expected. I love the cover, there are only a few marks due to the delivery. I already love the show so I can’t wait to read the books !

La edición es preciosa. Con el uso y el tiempo se van despegando las esquinas de la portada y me dan ganas de forrar el libro para que no se estropee más, pero echaría a perder el brillo y el relieve de la cubierta. Es lo que tienen las tapas blandas. El libro en sí... ¿Qué decir de él? Sale James Fraser. ¿Qué más quieres?

Mit Überraschung habe ich die Reaktionen auf die 7. Folge der Bestseller-Serie um Jamie& Claire gelesen. Mir hat das Buch sehr gut gefallen, daher möchte ich einige positive Aspekte hervorheben; über den Inhalt wurde ja bereits ausführlich berichtet. Zunächst möchte in anmerken, daß manche eher unrealistische Handlungselemente meinen Lesegenuß nicht gemindert haben. Natürlich ist die Vorstellung sehr unwahrscheinlich, daß die fiktiven Charaktere gleich mehreren historischen Figuren begegnen, genauso, daß sie sich auf dem riesigen amerikanischen Kontinent immer wieder finden. Mich hat das nicht gestört - bei einer Geschichte, die auf der Voraussetzung von Zeitreisen durch Megalithenkreise basiert, erwarte ich keinen Tatsachenbericht. Spätestens seit Claire in einem Band mit dem französischen König einen 10-minutes-stand hat, wundert mich rein gar nichts mehr, im Gegenteil gehören für mich die skurileren Ideen zum Reiz der Geschichte, ebenso wie die fortlaufende Umsetzung der Vorstellung, wie wohl Personen aus dem 20. Jahrhundert (vor allem eine Chirurgin) mit den Verhältnissen im 18. Jh.zurechtkommen würden - insbesondere mit dem Wissen der bevorstehenden unabwendbaren historischen Ereignisse. Bemerkenswert ist auch der schriftstellerische Mut, eine enorm erfolgreiche Serie trotz zunehmenden Erwartunsdrucks und steigenden Flop-Risikos weiterzuführen; viele Autoren gehen da den bequemeren Weg und nutzen ihren Ruf für neue Projekte. Nicht so Mrs. Gabaldon. Sie läßt die Charaktere altern und zeigt, wie sie mit dem Älterwerden umgehen. Gut dramaturgisch in Szene gesetzt ist der aufgrund der langen erzählerisch abgedeckten Zeitspanne notwendige Generationenwechsel: die ersten der Elterngeneration sterben, die jüngeren Charaktere werden in den Vordergrund gerückt. Die Szenen um "Young" Ian Murray und auch um William, Lord Ellesmere, gehören zu den besten des ganzen Buchs und bringen Spannung und frischen Wind in die Handlung. Gabaldon bleibt ihrem Erzählstil treu - die Geschichte umfaßt mehrere hundert Seiten, es wechseln eher bedächtige, detailreiche Passagen mit aktionsreichen Stellen, die sich aufs Ende hin zuspitzen. Vieles bleibt offen, ganz klar muß es einen achten Band geben. Einige Wendungen zum Schluß hin sind wirklich überraschend; daß Claire Lord John heiratet, wurde ja schon von einem Rezensenten enthüllt. Auf Jamies Reaktion, der doch nicht umgekommen ist, darf man gespannt sein. Fazit: Auf jeden Fall sollte man die vorausgegangenen Geschichten kennen. Wer den Erzählstil der Autorin und fantasievolle Geschichten mag, kommt auf jeden Fall auf seine Kosten.

I would highly recommend any of the Outlander series. They are excellent books! This is a book you don’t want to put down!