Tag Archive: fantasy


Review: The Outlandish Companion: Companion to Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, and Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon

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December 18, 2025

The Outlandish Companion: Companion to Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, and Drums of AutumnThe Outlandish Companion: Companion to Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, and Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a bit of ‘Cliff Notes’ of the four books, that I think if you just need a reminder or a quick overall read.

My favorite part of this book was the author tells her side the tale and her writing methods.

I believe that if a person just wanted to step into the world and learn about writing this book could stand alone.

My Audible verson gave me the variety of voices offered by Diana Gabaldon, herself, and Davina Porter reading the book summaries. I loved getting the chance to revisit the places I have been three times before. I love the world of Outlander.

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REReview: Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon

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December 11, 2025

Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone (Outlander, #9)Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just finished my third reading of this series. I can’t think of anything to add to this review. It is still my favorite, and I am still in love with the series, Diana Gabaldon, and Davina Porter. I’d like to learn to be even half the writer or narrator as these two.

***
As much as I love all the Outlanders, this may be my favorite. The sad part is that the next book isn’t ready to read. So now I am floundering with Diana Gabaldon’s novellas. And Davina Porter makes Ms. Gabaldon’s writing shine!

Don’t let it scare you; think honey, not stingers. Bees do play a part in telling this story. My takeaway is to always talk to the bees; they want to know.

As with the rest of the series, this book is educational about the American Revolution. It is inspirational as I long to read and research our history to know more than I learned in school. It proves my point that the student will feel curious if you throw in a bit of magic.

Ah, but, Diana, why did you have to leave this on a cliff? Especially knowing that it would be ages until your perfected sequel (as opposed to the Game of Thrones hurried ending by someone else.) But it wasn’t a high cliff, so I’ll tolerate it knowing our heroes will be safe somehow and once again save the day.

I love, love, love all the lessons the Frasiers and friends have to teach us and can’t wait for more.
If you get the chance, please listen to these books in audio form as Davina Porter brings the story to life.

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RE-re-read Review

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November 23, 2025

Written in My Own Heart's Blood (Outlander, #8)Written in My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So a few days ago, I finished the book again. I am still in awe and in love with the whole Outlander series. I love the adventure of seeing history through the eyes of my imaginary literary friends. I love the ways Brianna and Roger attempt to solve a kidnapping of their child. A scary enough event without all of history to explore. I love the way Jamie and Claire were able to stay in touch with their daughter and her family over time. This story only seems to pull me more and more. I’ve already started re-reading 3 of the next book. Even now, I have reruns of the first season playing while writing this and my NaNoWriMo. I love the music, and I don’t have to be involved while it is on. If there were a magic wand, I would wave it and wish I could write like Diana Gabaldon and narrate like Davina Porter.
~~~

Yes, I reread it. And I still say the same things about it being my favorite Outlander so far. Do you want to know why? Okay, beyond Diana Gabaldon’s writing and research and Davina Porter’s voice acting, this character and scenes list goes beyond the first review I wrote below.

Characters: Jamie Fraser, Brianna Randall, Roger MacKenzie, Jeremiah MacKenzie, Fergus Fraser, Marsali Fraser, Germain Fraser, Ian Murray, Lord John Grey, Benedict Arnold, Claire Randall Fraser, Jonathan Randall, Dougal MacKenzie, Geillis Duncan, Jenny Murray, Young Ian Murray, William Ransom, Rachel Hunter, Denzell Hunter, William Buccleigh MacKenzie, Amanda MacKenzie, Harold, Duke of Pardloe, Henri-Christian Fraser, Brian Fraser, Jane Pocock, Frances Pocock, Dorothea Grey, Jerry MacKenzie, George Washington.

Settings: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1778 (United States)
Lallybroch, Scotland, 1980 (United Kingdom)
Lallybroch, Scotland, 1739 (United Kingdom)
Savannah, Georgia, 1779 (United States)
North Carolina, 1779 (United States)
Fraser’s Ridge, North Carolina, 1779 (United States)

***

I thought that book 7, Echo In The Bone, was my favorite of the Outlander books. Nope. Written in My Own Heart’s Blood wins. It was fantastic!

Regardless of the time the characters land in, they all grow and help us learn the rules of Gabaldon’s Time Travel.

What can I tell you that won’t spoil it for you?

As usual, there is a lot of research evident in the reading, and as one supposes, there are instances of poetic license, which Diana Gabaldon admits she has it framed on her wall.

The most exciting part of the book is when Breanna talks about Doctor Who in a chapter called “Thank You For The Fish.” (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy). Now I really wish I had a TARDIS so that I could play in all three universes.

And I wish I could move on to book 9, but my Audible credits don’t come until the middle of the month. A quick note about why I read by Audible most often now: actual reading is impossible for my eyes. It seems to be a tracking issue. So I use Kindle Text-to-Speech a lot. Though TTS works well for most books, I want to hear words pronounced correctly when other languages are involved. Davina Porter is able to range the language barriers and character ages and sexes with apparent ease. I love listening to her.

If you get the chance, the books are as good, if not better than the shows, and the Audible versions are the best of all the worlds. Enjoy!

***
By the way, since the first reading and the need for Audible, I have had cataract surgery and hope that soon I can read paper books. But for books like this with many foreign languages I don’t know how to pronounce, I’ll stick with Audible.

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Re-review: An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon

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November 10, 2025

An Echo in the Bone (Outlander, #7)An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Below are my first two reviews of this book. Nothing has changed in this third reading. I LOVE the OUTLANDER series, both the books and the television series. Diana Gabaldon is a super author. Davina Porter is the best narrator ever!

Below is my first review of this Audio version of the book. Nothing has changed. This is still my favorite Outlander book. It was great to read it as this season of Outlander streams. In fact, the scene from a couple of weeks ago —I had just read it the same day. Claire got sick. I’ll write no more about that without spoilers.

I took longer to read (listen) this time. Instead of knitting, I spend the listening time on Diamond Painting, a series of dragons. I can only devote an hour or so to that endeavor. So with the before-bed read and creative pursuits, I couldn’t read straight through. I am already set up to read book 8. It’s like I can’t remember what happened next, yet I remember and can’t wait to visit it all again.

***
This book may be my favorite of all the Outlanders. Maybe because of how I chose to read it nearly 24/7. After all, I had reached the skinny-mini underbelly of all streamings–teens or young people who look like Barbie Dolls going through the same-same life issues. Give me some older adults, women of all shapes and colors, real people, not Hollywood mothers, whores, or weaklings. Not enough streaming of strong women holding up half the world. So, back to reading —the only way I could. Audible.

Also, I was making scrubbies and washcloths while listening. That helped me ‘hear’ better.

By constant reading, I could stay in the story better. And family members came and listened with me on occasion. So it wasn’t a lonely process.

At any rate, I loved watching the cast of characters struggle with life, time travel, and historical moments. I especially loved the parts about Brianna and Roger at Lallybroch recovering letters from Claire and Jamie. And though I used to find Willy obnoxious, I think I clicked with him this time. And I grew more in love with John Grey. How nice to see good, honest, quality men portrayed.

I tried to find something else to read last night as my bedtime read, but couldn’t resist looking for more Outlander. Now I am listening to book 8, Written In My Own Heart’s Blood.

Time to lower my reading goal as I seem stuck in tome reading. I love it! I hope you get the chance to read these. Oh, and Davina Porter does so many voices so well. I still wish for more actual actors, for sometimes Bri and Claire sound the same, and all the children sound the same, and Roger, even with his sore throat, sounds like other men. Still, for one person covering so many people, Davina is fantastic!

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ReReview:

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October 26, 2025

A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, #6)A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Reading this the third time has felt a lot like the first time. I stick with the other two reviews below. What I noticed this time I didn’t take note of before was the story arcs for Jocasta’s slaves. I have to admit I like the stories in the television series more.

The other thing I noticed this time is Arch Bug and the part he has played from the beginning, and his sad ending.

I’m still in love with these stories and the magic of Diana Gabaldon and narrator now character on Bone of My Bone, Davina Porter.

***

Below is the review from the last time I read/listened to this book. I have re-rated this and given it five stars. I think this reading aligns with the latest episodes of the show. The last episode I watched was exactly what I had just listened to that day. I love following both the book and the show and seeing how they translate the written word, especially a long book like this, into an excellently done show.

Though I stay with the thought that the narrator, as excellent as she is, for the most part, had a hard time helping the listener to know whose point of view she was portraying. Still, I followed better this time than I did the last time I read.

I highly recommend these books. Like last time, I have already started book 7. Yay, William as a grown-up!

***

Wow! Am I finally finished with this book? It is the longest book I think I have ever read. I don’t think it needs to be that long, either.

Look. Don’t get me wrong. I still love the story, the characters, and the concept of time travel. I just found the length unbearable with the thousands of books on my TBR shelf.

It is fun to explore the early days in America with the characters. I have to admit that I loved the time in Scotland the most, so this book is missing that aspect.

The other problem with this book is that our magical narrator, Divina Porter, couldn’t handle all the characters. Now that Brea is an adult, she sounds like Clair. Now that Roger is an adult, he sounds like Jamie. All the children sound the same. Maybe if I could read simultaneously as listening, I could sort them out. But that is not possible for me and my eyes.

The last thing I need to point out, in case it counts for your reading the book, is that I am already reading book 7, so…

It is worth the read. Stay with it. There are rewards in the story. And in this crazy world, a sweet time-travel romance can calm the worries that like to strike at bedtime.

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ReReview: The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

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October 9, 2025

The Fiery Cross (Outlander, #5)The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Obviously, this is my third read of Fiery Cross. I still love the author, narrator, story, and television series. This third rereading is due to the new series, Blood of My Blood.

The new season on television prompted me to reread what I hoped was the equivalent of the book series. Except for a couple of scenes, this book felt more like the previous season. Still, this read raised my rating from four stars to five.

The narrator, Davina Porter, is terrific as she reads Diana Gabaldon’s outstanding writing. In fact, I have decided that Ms. Gabaldon is one of my favorite authors. And Ms. Porter may be my favorite narrator. I love living in the Outlander world. I not only read at night before sleep, which is hard to put down, but also while doing Diamond Painting or knitting.

I found it easier to figure out when the voice is Claire’s, Bree’s, Jamie’s, or Roger’s this time, knowing the story from the TV show and having read this before. I have already picked up the next book, A Breath of Snow and Ash. Now I am nearly caught up with the television series. I just wanted to see how the Revolution progressed in the books.

I highly recommend this series and its TV counterpart.

Below is my earlier review.

These are such great books. The story continues. And now I can watch the current series on TV. But…

Until this book, Divina Porter, the narrator of all the Outlander books, was able to change the voices of most characters enough that a listener could tell who was speaking. With Bree, Roger, and Ian grown, they all sound like Clair and Jamie. If my eyes could handle the tracking, I would try to have the book or Kindle version open to track who is speaking. Instead, I have to back up a bit to see if I can find out. Or I keep listening, and finally, context will indicate who had just been the speaker. That throws me out of the story.

Is it me, or is this book a little less exciting? I know with COVID-19 all around and the stress that has caused us all, it may be playing a part in my attention levels. I may have to reread the series later when life returns us to quieter minds. So I will try not to let this issue affect my rating. I still loved it and have already downloaded the next book. I can’t wait to see how Jamie and his men adjust to the American Revolution. What if you were on the wrong side of history, knew it, but couldn’t do much about it because only you had access to future history? Yeah. What a conundrum! Excellent writing, Diana Gabaldon!

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Review: The Baby Dragon Café by Aamna Qureshi

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September 22, 2025

The Baby Dragon Café (The Baby Dragon, #1)The Baby Dragon Café by Aamna Qureshi
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

When you find yourself having a sleepless night, it is nice to have a cozy book about baby dragons on hand. This was quite cozy. The amount of tension was just right to help me calm my thoughts.

That said, I was disappointed there weren’t more bits about the baby dragons. It is more of a romance and a career goal that includes dragons. The writing was immature. The author didn’t seem to let go of reality so as to allow the reader to fall into the imaginary world she built.

Ash Raja and Hunter Johns narrated nicely. I did like that they helped the listener separate the characters.

I picked up this audiobook on Libby.

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Re-Review: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon

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September 8, 2025

Voyager (Outlander, #3)Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Because of Blood of My Blood (BOMB), the newest addition to the television series of Outlander, I decided to re-listen to the Outlander books. This one seemed the longest yet. I didn’t want to take forever reading it, so I listened during the days as well as the long hours at night. I carried my Fire around while doing chores, knitted, or played easy games while living in the Outlander world. I highly recommend these books and the show. Below is my previous review.

~~~
Whew! These books are long. But good. This review is for the Audible version. After you get used to her, Davina Porter, the narrator, you will find her voice versatile and natural for this story. One of my reasons for using this method to read these books is pronunciation. There are words in Gaelic or French and a couple of other languages that I wouldn’t know how to say, and text-to-speech would garble.

I don’t usually like to read a book after watching the show. I like to form my ideas of the characters before I see a director’s point of view. But so far, this series translates nearly directly. It makes me proud of the show and the author of the book. It seems each of the scenes in the show was in the books. The only difference in this one is Gilly (not sure of the spelling–Audible doesn’t have written word.) I won’t spoil it for you. I actually like the book version over the show. But both work.

I can’t wait to listen to book four. And I’m looking forward to the next season of the show.

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ReReview: Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

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September 2, 2025

Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander, #2)Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The review below was from my first reading of the books. Now, because of the new series, Bone of My Bone (BOMB), I am reading and rewatching everything again. I am still so excited about the series. I finished this a couple of days ago and am already onto Voyager. I am still amazed at these books and shows.
~~~

If my mind has not been very focused. This book may be the cause. Lack of sleep. Not because of worries. Nope, I just couldn’t stop reading/listening to the book.

I had the Audible Whispersynched with the Kindle version. Davina Porter did a marvelous job of narrating the story. Hers is not the sweet voice of the actress who played Claire Randall, Caitriona Balfe, of the TV series. But Ms. Porter has the versatility to act all the characters perfectly.

The show did a good job following the books. The only thing I miss in the reading is the music.
That’s okay. I can Sing Me A Song of a Lass That Has Gone…

This story is captivating either way. I love getting involved in the history presented. I wish I were better versed in world history, especially France and the British Isles. I know the next book will bring me into the founding of the United States of America. So that gives me a timeline,000 00I know, somewhat.

Since I read the book after watching the show, I wish I could have read it first. Not that the show is missing anything. I just like visualizing the story for myself. Now the people and places are fixed by the show.

At any rate, it is a good read, even if you’ve seen the show. It will keep you engaged in the story. I can’t wait until I can afford book three.

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Rereview: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

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September 1, 2025

Outlander (Outlander, #1)Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The following is the review of Outlander Kindle, Audible, and the show. Since Blood of My Blood started on Hulu, we began rewatching Outlander from the beginning, and I decided to re-read the series. I finished the first book a few days ago. And Drgonfly in Amber. I’m well into Voyager now. I stand by my original review.
~~~

It has been several days since I finished book one. I still feel caught in the afterglow of it.. While I was reading it, I binge-watched the show. First with my son and brother. Then with my friend. Then with my husband. So this review includes the book, the Audible version, and the show.

I borrowed the book from the local e-library. I noticed it came with text-to-speech. But the show was full of Gaelic, so I didn’t want to hear the TTS mispronouncing those words. So I used my credit to pick up the Audible version to whispersynch.

Narrated by Davina Porter, made the story come alive. Her voice isn’t like that of the actress, Caitriona Balfe, from the show, which was a bit of a surprise, but Davina did a great job acting out the different characters from the book.

I must admit that I will often recommend the book over the show. The explicit rape scenes may trigger those who watch the show. The book leaves more to the imagination. It spent more time on the story itself than details of the acts.

My only complaint about the book was that it was so long I didn’t finish before it was due back. Who knew that the email saying a book is due on Monday means you only have part of Monday to finish it? They took the book back Sunday night at midnight. I was forced to buy the book with only 10% left to read. Oh, well, now I can share it with my husband and read it again someday.

With the trigger warning for the show, I highly recommend the book, audio, and show for everyone. Those days spent back in history, especially in Scotland, were dreamy! I wish I could actually go and experience the whole of the UK.

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