Outlander (Outlander, #1)

by Diana Gabaldon

[Linda]

I feel like I should change all of my other five stars to four stars, if only to give the proper review for this book! I was amazed from the start, even if I felt that the beginning was slow. It set the proper pace in order to get the real an full back story for Claire, so that it would be possible to see who she was once she passed the cleaved stone to come to Scotland 200 years ago.

Claire is an extraordinary heroine, both strong and stubborn, but full of love and common sense anyway. The people she first encountered on her new adventure helped her understand what was happening, even at the very beginning, when she couldn't really believe what was happening to her.

Both Randall, Dougal and Jamie showed her a very different way of life from what she was used to, and all she thought she already knew had to be questioned for her to be able to continue and still be sane!

Jamie, young as he was, was the epitome of a strong, and full hero. A worthy man for the heroine of the story, and he showed this, time and time again, even during the times when I really didn't agree with him. Their wedding, taking place in the very same church where Claire married Frank, was heart-breaking both with tenderness, and wishes for another time... But Claire still thought her wovs were very much vaild both for God and for man.

Her new life gave her a lot of things, both good and bad, and I was crying when she finally chose Jamie once he brought her back to the mystic fairy hill, and she (maybe) had the possibility to go back to her known life with Frank.

I loved the gentle, tentative way she made friends with Jenny, and the way she settled into life with Jamie's family at his manor. And also the way she showed that her love was really true when he disappeared after being taken by the Watch.

The most spectactular part was after she really understood that Geilie was from the future as well, even a future farther away than her own, and that she still felt that Jamie was the one for her. She was willing to risk everything and anything for him, and the way she nursed Jamie back to life was simply incredible.

I was so happy when they were able to meet again as equals towards the end of the book, after Claire had her pardon from one of the Fathers of the monastry, and the way she helped Jamie cope with his own demons.

Now, the only thing I question is why I didnt' gather my own courage and read this huge book (850 pages o.O) before now! I can't wait to read more!

Diana Gabaldon really knows the way of story-telling, I felt like I was a part of the story from the very beginning, and I cried so hard when I though Jamie might not make it in the monastry. So many different twists and turns, and I still feel so amazed of being so immersed in this universe for so many pages.

I am so happy, though, to know that there are many more books to this series, and I truly look forward to sharing more of this amazing adventures!