Book Review: Dragonfly in Amber, Outlander #2 by Diana Gabaldon

Pages :  369

Read on : Kindle

Goodreads Rating : 4.30/5

Review:  I'm weak when it comes to really juicy synopses. Those couple of lines are good enough to get me hooked and before I know it, I have my nose buried deep into a fantasy novel. Seduced by the prospects of a faraway, nonexistent parallel universe that I so desperately desire to seek. After my lukewarm fling with Outlander, much to the shock of a lot of fans, I still remained curios to know how Diana Gabaldon managed to stretch this highland fairytale into 6 backbreaking books.

 Lo and behold, before I know it, I'm devouring the the second book 'Dragonfly in Amber' and I daresay, I quite enjoyed it much much more than Outlander. Of course, Jaime still hold mine ( and everyone else's) heart. That could be the major contributing factor. THE major contributing factor, I'll admit. Aside from this, of course, I will give Gabaldon her due credit for her impeccable research of the era, the politics of the region and cleverly manipulating them to fit the title. The language is brilliant and Claire's wit shines through.

There are more dimensions to otherwise pointless characters or so I had  deemed earlier, All of the surrounding people like Fergus, Murtagh and everyone else seemed to boast more persona that most of the people in Outlander #1. The romance was kept well muted, thankfully. The lack of love in my life is kind of making me scoff at anything remotely romantic I suppose. War, issues at war, injuries, the spirit of belonging to a clan etc were well coloured with just the right amount of emotion and technical detailing to avoid constant yawning. Jamie as sweet natured as he seems, does act daft at times. As expected to be honest.

The 'villain' was way underplayed for the heinous crimes that he had committed in the past. For such a dastardly character, I was surprised the author went soft on him.There were new challenges for Claire and Jaime, if those were topped with a haunt of the past, I think the story would have been able to better trace the state of helplessness. 

Most definitely a progress from Outlander (Review here!) considering how I felt about that.

Final Rating : 3.5/5
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Book Review: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Pages :  896

Read on : Kindle

Goodreads Rating : 4.15/5

Review:  It took me a month to finish reading Outlander. All of January and I was NOT happy about it. It made me want my month back.  Let me get the facts out first. This was published in 1991 by Diana Gabaldon and at a certain point this was one of the highest rated book on Goodreads.

The plot starts in 1945, Claire Randall has just returned from her duties as a British Army nurse and is now reunited with her husband Frank. While exploring a certain area in of the ancient circles, a force hurls her back in time. Claire ends up in the Highlands amidst lairds, spies and Scotsmen in the year 1743. This is where she meets James Fraiser and things happen.

At a lot of points in this book I rolled my eyes, so much that I did say 'Give me a break!' quite loudly in open spaces. Where do I begin? Claire. I feel very mean saying this but the woman seems absolutely characterless. She definitely thinks a lot of the unnecessary, forgets about her husband at the drop of the hat and goes on with her life in the Highlands. She makes no gallant effort to go back to Frank or even explore the cause of this time travel. It was all very bizarre to me. How did the author overlook such gaping details? 

Also, this book is really high on sexual content. So much that I often mocked it by calling it ' 50 Shades of Grey- Version 18th century' and you cannot blame me for saying so. Claire indulges a lot. Jack Randall ( the villain ) is strangely fixated on her with absolutely no valid reason. Jamie Fraser, is always around to save his damsel in distress which I'm figuring turns him on and Claire, I guess indebted to him, doesn't object. I repeat, how does a woman forget her husband so quickly?! How does she get comfortable in a strange place without the itch to go back?

I still don't know what the story was trying to convey to me. What I did like is the setting. I'm a sucker for historical fiction and also the way judgement and ruling was carried out. The punishments, as I expected, pretty severe.

I struggle to find what is it that made people swoon over Outlander and jump into the series which to me seems like it would take me eternity if it went on the way the first book did.

Would I recommend this? No. I just want my January 2015 back.

Final Rating: 2/5

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Top 5 Book Series I Want to Start This Year

Due to an injury that kept me immobilized for the a good initial chunk of 2014, I was able to zip through book series like no tomorrow. Some of them left me with mean cliff-hangers but I have to say, book series give you the best thrill ever. Missed out on quite a few which I fully intend to pursue this year.

5. Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon

I'm cheating here a bit. I have already started with Outlander (Progress!!!) and going through it at snail pace. This series would be a challenge. 8 book x over 600 pages = ?!?!?!
I have very high expectations for this one since I've heard fabulous things about it.

4. Leviathan series by Scott Westerfeld

Lesser know fact about me, Steampunk is a genre I enjoy like a giddy 16 year old. I have read Westerfeld's Uglies which I found so-so. However, that would not stop me from taking this plunge.

3. Hopeless series by Colleen Hoover

What would I be if I didn't read any romance. I read Hoover's Ugly Love (Review here!) and was floored.  She usually covers the New Adult genre which I prefer to read with regards to romance. I am very excited for this one, despite the hideous covers (Let's just admit we all appreciate beautiful covers).

2. Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness

Every Booktuber, Book Blogger has not failed to mention Patrick Ness in their best books of 2014. I'm a little over dystopia as its so over done but I'm curious to know what all the fuss is about. Can't wait to find out!

1. Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare

Another well-loved and highly rave about series. The reason why I didn't get to this earlier was because someone mentioned that Mortal Instruments was not as good as it's prequel Infernal Devices which I thoroughly enjoyed. Still, the buzz and excitement surrounding this series did not dull and the curious cat that I am, I will most definitely get to it this year.

I will let you know if I stay faithful in this endeavor.

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