Audiobook The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon
Title: The Fiery Cross
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Narrator: Davina Porter
Series: Outlander, #5
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Random House Audio (Imprint of Random House)
Date Published: November 2nd, 2001
Edition: Audiobook (Unabridged)
Rating:

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.

My Review:

I think if you’ve gotten to book five in the Outlander series, then it’s pretty much a given that you’re a fan. Don’t get me wrong, the books are good. But they’re so long that there’s no way a non-fan would’ve gotten this far. They would’ve fallen off the wagon long ago. Because each book averages between 900-1500 pages (paperback) then five books could really be translated to more like ten or fifteen books by normal book-length standards.

So although I’m obviously a fan because I have gotten this far in the series, this book was a pretty big disappointment and quite easily the weakest in the series so far. Anyone who’s read anything by Diana Gabaldon could tell you that she loves her details. She loves to tell us each and every tidbit — right down to who’s on the rag and when boobie milk is leaking and uncomfortable. Does she go a bit far on the details? Some die-hard fans would argue that no, absolutely not; everything she writes is gold and should be read and devoured and read again. Although I am still a fan of this series, I really have to disagree. I can understand how some details would advance the plot or add to the personalities of the characters. But Gabaldon takes it a bit too far. We really do not need to know every single detail and if she edited out some of the more mundane and unnecessary details then these books could easily be hundreds of pages shorter, and probably a hell of a lot more enjoyable.

I decided to read this as an audiobook because I have a job where I am able to listen to audio while working and can still catch everything I’m listening to. Because I was disappointed in Drums of Autumn as well, I decided to go that route. So as far as the narration goes, Davina Porter is a flipping genius narrator. She is so good at creating different and unique voices for each character, no matter the accent, language, or gender. Even the men sound fantastic in this. She could seriously have 10 different people in a conversation at once, and I would be able to tell who was who. It’s pretty crazy. I haven’t listened to a ton of audiobooks, but this was by far the highest quality one I’ve ever listened to. She’s a really fantastic narrator and for that reason (as well as the absurd book length of these books) I will probably continue this series only as audio.

Despite the book being so darn long, really not much happened. I know that sounds insane and impossible. But I would say probably three major things happened in this book and they were very spread out. So in between those three things, mostly what we get is a day-to-day life of the Fraser’s. Fun. Even though I love these characters, I really don’t care about a lot of this. I want to jump into their lives when exciting things are happening as opposed to when they’re cooking dinner for ten pages or changing diapers and breastfeeding for twenty. The stuff that happens in this book is just normal every-day (for the year 1771) stuff and is not exciting in the least to read about, or listen to in this case.

Another thing that is really dragging these down for me is Brianna. I really, really dislike her. She is the ultimate b-word. To the extreme. She is so full of herself and whatever is going on with her. She argues constantly and has the shortest fuse imaginable. I can’t tell you how many times even Claire pointed out that “Brianna was on-edge today” and made some excuse for it on her behalf. Why are we making excuses for this woman who behaves like a child the majority of the time? She is extremely annoying and everytime we’re forced into her perspective I want to tear my hair out. She’s just…ahh! On top of all that, she doesn’t deserve Roger at all. I do not understand what he sees in her. She’s totally cruel to him all the time and he’s a sweet man who doesn’t deserve it. In some ways he needs to step up to the plate and take the lead a bit in their relationship, but at the same time she would probably just beat him up if he did.

But aside from the things I didn’t like I am still very much attached to the characters (Jamie and Claire especially) and the story overall so I can’t justify giving it any less than three stars. I’m excited about one thing in particular that happened at the end of this one as well, but I won’t say what to prevent spoilers. But it’s pretty awesome! I hear that the next book, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, is very good so I will definitely continue the series. I’m not sure if I will right away or wait a little while though.

3 Hearts More Reviews Goodreads | AmazonPurchase Links Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble

  • Voyager by Diana Gabaldon

    Their passionate encounter happened long ago by whatever measurement Claire Randall took. Two decades before, she had traveled back in time and into the arms of a gallant eighteenth-century Scot named Jamie Fraser. Then she returned to her own century to bear his child, believing him dead in the tragic battle of Culloden. Yet his memory has never lessened its hold on her... and her body still cries out for him in her dreams. Then Claire discovers that Jamie survived. Torn between returning to him and staying with their daughter in her own era, Claire must choose her destiny. And as time and space come full circle, she must find the courage to face the passion and pain awaiting her...the deadly intrigues raging in a divided Scotland... and the daring voyage into the dark unknown that can reunite or forever doom her timeless love.
  • The Many Sins of Lord Cameron by Jennifer Ashley

    A renowned rake, Cameron Mackenzie doesn't care if Ainsley Douglas has a virtuous excuse for sneaking around his bedchamber. He only cares that she's at his mercy. One kiss at a time, he plans to seduce her. But what starts out as a lusty diversion may break Cam's own rules.
  • Audiobook The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

    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.
Load More Related Articles
  • You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister

    Aisling Grey is a courier enjoying a free, work-related trip to Paris when she learns she's a Guardian. That's a keeper of the Gates of Hell, for those who don't know. She finds this out from Drake Vireo, who's scrumptiously sexy-at least in his human form. Now Drake has stolen the package Aisling was sent to deliver, and she must track him down, get the package, and try to resist the passion boiling inside her.
  • Written in Red by Anne Bishop

    As a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet, Meg Corbyn can see the future when her skin is cut—a gift that feels more like a curse. Meg’s Controller keeps her enslaved so he can have full access to her visions. But when she escapes, the only safe place Meg can hide is at the Lakeside Courtyard—a business district operated by the Others. Shape-shifter Simon Wolfgard is reluctant to hire the stranger who inquires about the Human Liaison job. First, he senses she’s keeping a secret, and second, she doesn’t smell like human prey. Yet a stronger instinct propels him to give Meg the job. And when he learns the truth about Meg and that she’s wanted by the government, he’ll have to decide if she’s worth the fight between humans and the Others that will surely follow.
  • Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

    When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she’s certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer—one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack—and the man—she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.
Load More By Sarah
  • Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

    When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she’s certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer—one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack—and the man—she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.
  • Upon the Midnight Clear by Sherrilyn Kenyon

    Ever think Scrooge had it right before the ghosts ruined his life? Meet Aidan O'Conner. At one time he was a world-renowned celebrity who gave freely of himself and his money without wanting anything in return...until those around him took without asking. Now Aidan wants nothing of the world--or anyone who's a part of it. When a stranger appears at his doorstep, Aidan knows he's seen her before…in his dreams. Born on Olympus as a goddess, Leta knows nothing of the human world. But a ruthless enemy has driven her from the world of dreams and into the home of the only man who can help her: Aidan. Her immortal powers are derived from human emotions--and his anger is just the fuel she needs to defend herself… One cold winter's night will change their lives forever… Trapped together in a brutal winter storm, Aidan and Leta must turn to the only power capable of saving them--or destroying them both: trust.
  • The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

    Sussex, England. A middle-aged man returns to his childhood home to attend a funeral. Although the house he lived in is long gone, he is drawn to the farm at the end of the road, where, when he was seven, he encountered a most remarkable girl, Lettie Hempstock, and her mother and grandmother. He hasn't thought of Lettie in decades, and yet as he sits by the pond (a pond that she'd claimed was an ocean) behind the ramshackle old farmhouse, the unremembered past comes flooding back. And it is a past too strange, too frightening, too dangerous to have happened to anyone, let alone a small boy. Forty years earlier, a man committed suicide in a stolen car at this farm at the end of the road. Like a fuse on a firework, his death lit a touchpaper and resonated in unimaginable ways. The darkness was unleashed, something scary and thoroughly incomprehensible to a little boy. And Lettie—magical, comforting, wise beyond her years—promised to protect him, no matter what. A groundbreaking work from a master, The Ocean at the End of the Lane is told with a rare understanding of all that makes us human, and shows the power of stories to reveal and shelter us from the darkness inside and out. It is a stirring, terrifying, and elegiac fable as delicate as a butterfly's wing and as menacing as a knife in the dark
Load More In 3 Hearts

Leave a Reply

Check Also

You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister

Aisling Grey is a courier enjoying a free, work-related trip to Paris when she learns she's a Guardian. That's a keeper of the Gates of Hell, for those who don't know. She finds this out from Drake Vireo, who's scrumptiously sexy-at least in his human form. Now Drake has stolen the package Aisling was sent to deliver, and she must track him down, get the package, and try to resist the passion boiling inside her.

Welcome to The YA Shelf

Helping you find the BEST young adult literature online! We're YA authors, readers and bibliophiles, who read everything and sometimes post book reviews and fandom summaries. Check out our "best books for teens" lists to see our favorites, or browse nearly 300+ book reviews!

Check out today's deals or See what's hot! Today's FREE books
Today's BestSellers


imlovingbooks

Top Posts & Pages

The Best YA Fae Fantasy Books
Sarah J Maas and YA cancel culture (what's up?)
The Best Angel and Fallen Angel Romances for Teens
50 YA fiction tropes and cliches we can't get enough of!
The Best YA/Teen Fiction Books With Zombies
Young Adult Bloggers, Sites and More
The Best YA Magic Academy Books
The Best Time Travel Books for Teens

Search

Category Posts