LIFE CHANGING READS #1: OUTLANDER SERIES

 LIFE CHANGING READS is occasional blog feature in which I talk about books that recently (or in the past) had a big impact on me and left me in the state of slight addiction in one form or another.

We know it all. Sleepless nights and reading until early morning hours. Sneaking to read your kindle/paperback in work or school. Daydreaming about book characters and being unable to concentrate on something else than the book you are reading at the moment. Hours and hours of chatting with your friends and passionate discussions on book forums. Emotional reactions to all the bad or good that happened to the characters of the novel you are addicted to and the biggest possible book hangover as a result. And most importantly the knowledge that in some way, your life has been altered. Oh yes, I am talking about life changing reads.

QUICK REVIEW: DRAGONFLY IN AMBER BY DIANA GABALDON

Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander #2)

Written by Diana Gabaldon

Genre: Historical Romance

Purchase: Amazon / B&N

SYNOPSIS:

With her now-classic novel Outlander, Diana Gabaldon introduced two unforgettable characters — Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser—delighting readers with a story of adventure and love that spanned two centuries. Now Gabaldon returns to that extraordinary time and place in this vivid, powerful follow-up to Outlander....

For twenty years Claire Randall has kept her secrets. But now she is returning with her grown daughter to Scotland’s majestic mist-shrouded hills. Here Claire plans to reveal a truth as stunning as the events that gave it birth: about the mystery of an ancient circle of standing stones ... about a love that transcends the boundaries of time ... and about James Fraser, a Scottish warrior whose gallantry once drew a young Claire from the security of her century to the dangers of his....

Now a legacy of blood and desire will test her beautiful copper-haired daughter, Brianna, as Claire’s spellbinding journey of self-discovery continues in the intrigue-ridden Paris court of Charles Stuart ... in a race to thwart a doomed Highlands uprising ... and in a desperate fight to save both the child and the man she loves....

* 5 STARS * REVIEW:

I love Jamie's playfulness, temper and selflessness.

I love Claire's wit and determination.

I love Mrs. Gabaldon's writing abilities and complex storytelling skills.

And I freaking adore this series!

Do not make any excuses, you have to read and experience this epic story yourself!

James Fraser in all his glory:

And just a little advice for my fellow readers:

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REVIEW: OUTLANDER BY DIANA GABALDON

In a month this time (August 9th), STARZ will start broadcasting TV series based on worldwide popular book series Outlander written by Diana Gabaldon. The curious creature that I am, I had to find out myself what all that hype was about. And I am glad I did.

Outlander (#1) by Diana Gabaldon

Genre: Historical Romance

Purchase: Amazon / B&N

SYNOPSIS:

The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon--when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach--an "outlander"--in a Scotland torn by war and raiding Highland clans in the year of Our Lord...1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into intrigues and dangers that may threaten her life...and shatter her heart. For here she meets James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, and becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire...and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

* 5 HUGE STARS * REVIEW:

Outlander is a complex story with multilayered depiction of characters that will touch your heart, consume your thoughts and mesmerize you with the beauty of its settings. This is the kind of book that you will live through together with main characters and you will never be the same once you finish it.

Claire Randall - a witty and compassionate woman from 20th century thrown into dangers of 18th century Scottish Highlands. James Fraser - a selfless and passionate Scottish warrior finding his way in the game of intrigues between Scottish lords and English superiors. What happenes when fate brings these two people together?

First of all, let me tell you one important thing. Outlander is the most epic romance I have ever read. And when I say epic, I really mean epic - grand, impressive, outstanding, remarkable. Whenever I only think about Jamie & Claire, about their epic romance, my pulse speeds up. This book just simply has such a powerful effect on me.

Secondly, author proves her astonishing story-telling skills in this novel. The amount of reasearch author had to do prior to writing this novel, the way she captured historical period, it is phenomenal. I was sucked into the story from early chapters and even the large number of pages never bothered me.

I loved how authentic this story was, thanks to the use of old Scottish. I loved how adventurous and eventful this novel was. I loved how flawed and realistic characters were. I loved it all.

Outlander is not an easy read. Your heart will rejoice for the characters at one point, only to ache terribly for them seconds after. But reward for investing your time, mind and heart into reading this book is more than worth it. And this reward is Jamie Fraser. 

"A big man, with hair like fire, and eyes like the summer skies". He is the perfect example of how to write unforgettable character. Stubborn but kind. Temperamental but courageous. Proud but selfless. Believe me, it is impossible not to fall in love with him. So, are you ready to meet Jamie Fraser?

P.S. Even though story continues, there is no cliffy at the end.

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