Written In My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon – 848 pages
Book Blurb:
WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD is the eighth novel in the world-famous OUTLANDER series. In June of 1778, the world turns upside-down. The British army withdraws from Philadelphia, George Washington prepares to move from Valley Forge in pursuit, and Jamie Fraser comes back from the dead to discover that his best friend has married Jamie’s wife. The ninth Earl of Ellesmere discovers to his horror that he is in fact the illegitimate son of the newly-resurrected Jamie Fraser (a rebel _and_ a Scottish criminal!) and Jamie’s nephew Ian Murray discovers that his new-found cousin has an eye for Ian’s Quaker betrothed. Meanwhile, Claire Fraser deals with an asthmatic duke, Benedict Arnold, and the fear that one of her husbands may have murdered the other. And in the 20th century, Jamie and Claire’s daughter Brianna is thinking that things are probably easier in the 18th century: her son has been kidnapped, her husband has disappeared into the past, and she’s facing a vicious criminal with nothing but a stapler in her hand. Fortunately, her daughter has a miniature cricket bat and her mother’s pragmatism.
My Review: 4.5 stars
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Oh how patiently I’ve waited for the 8th book in Diana Gabaldon’s cliffhanger of a series that’s lasted over 20 years. Finally, with my book in hand, I became a self-proclaimed recluse so that I could finish this book before I left for my summer vacation. The anticipation matched the experience and once again I was left breathless and emotional as to the fates of these characters. For whatever reason, I didn’t connect with Brianna as I had in the previous books and her story left me impatient. I was much more fulfilled reading about Ian and Rachel’s relationship, Mohawk/Highlander and Quaker. Gabaldon did a wonderful job at picking up the pieces for parts of the storyline the reader may have forgotten over the years or for new readers to the series, while simultaneously having it flow perfectly. Once again, her research was spot on, the story telling on pitch with perfect highs and lows, the romance told beautifully without being to graphic and overall created a wonderful piece of historical fiction. The first book in the series is Outland, which I highly recommend!
Quotes I liked:
I have loved others, and I do love many, Sassenach—but you alone hold all my heart, whole in your hands,” he said softly. “And you know that.”
– “Ye always carry your women wi ye into battle, Ian Og. They’re the root of your strength, man.”
– “I may be out of bed, but I’m in no way equipped to conduct hypothetical conversations before I’ve had a cup of tea.”
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Can’t wait to read this! Thanks!
You’ll love it! enjoy.
Just finished it this week! Loved all the books in the series and others. Great story, great details. Watching the tv series this season.. we’ll see…
I’m glad you liked them all as well! I’m loving the TV series…wish there were more episodes!