The Outlander Book Tag!

OutlanderBookTag

🎶SIING ME A SONG OF A LASS THAT IS  GOOOOONE, SAY COULD THAT LASS BE I…..🎶

So it’s no surprise that Outlander is my favorite series of all time and I am obsessed. So when I saw Sasha from abookutopia create this tag I just knew I had to do it as well. Now I am going to try really, really hard not to choose Outlander for every single question because let’s be real, I could…

Let’s do this!

➳ YOU TOUCH SOME STANDING STONES AND GET TRANSPORTED BACK IN TIME, WHAT YEAR WOULD YOU HOPE TO LAND IN?

I am going to have to say the Victorian Era. I know many people always pick this era but honestly, it’s so fascinating to me. I am such a sucker for period piece movies and this time period was always my favorite. Besides, hello TID! Where’s my William?

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➳ CLAIRE IS A VERY GOOD NURSE, WHAT TYPE OF SKILL WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE THAT A FICTIONAL CHARACTER EXCELS AT?

Honestly, I am so untalented that it makes me cry that I am so worthless lol so I would take literally anything. However, I think I would like to a hacker? And I mean an awesome hacker like Penelope Garcia from Criminal Minds. That woman can do and break into anything! Plus Felicity Smoak is pretty awesome so I wouldn’t mind being like her too! 

➳ JAMIE AND CLAIRE ARE ULTIMATE RELATIONSHIP GOALS, WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FICTIONAL COUPLE?

Okay, Jamie and Claire are my ULTIMATE OTP so I just had to mention them, but I will choose…William Herondale and Tessa Gray. Yep another shocker right? Sorry, not sorry.

But how can I not choose them? I love their connection and their passion for the written word that they share. They are so beautiful and cute and I love to love them!

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➳ THE ENDING OF OUTLANDER WAS SHOCKING, WHAT IS ONE ENDING OF A BOOK YOU READ THAT TOTALLY BLEW YOUR MIND?

Every single Sarah J Maas book! But I am going to go with LADY MIDNIGHT! This book took me completely by surprise. Oh man, my mind still goes fuzzy just thinking about it.

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➳ SCOTLAND HAS LOTS OF CASTLES AND WE SEE QUITE A FEW IN OUTLANDER. WHAT FICTIONAL KINGDOM WOULD YOU WANT AS YOUR OWN?

Limeros from Falling Kingdoms. I am constantly wishing I could be in the frozen palace with my baby Magnus Damora ❤ 😀

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➳ OUTLANDER HAS SOME VERY STEAMY SCENES; WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ROMANCE NOVEL?

Every single Colleen Hoover novel ever. Seriously, this woman knows how to write tragic and beautiful love stories that also have such a greater meaning. I think my favorite is going to have be Ugly Love because Miles and Tate have some very very hot and steamy scenes!

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➳ THE JACOBITE RISING IS A HUGE PLOT POINT IN THE OUTLANDER SERIES; WHAT BOOK HAS YOUR FAVORITE BATTLE IN IT?

I don’t know if this is considered a huge “battle” scene but I really liked the ending to Queen of Shadows with Aelin and Dorian…that is all I will say because of spoilers. But I really loved the visuals of it all. I thought it was a great scene. 🙂

➳ JAMIE AND CLAIRE GET MARRIED VERY UNEXPECTEDLY; WHAT FICTIONAL CHARACTER WOULD YOU WANT TO MARRY ON A WHIM?

Okay, I am sorry. I can’t not choose Jamie Fraser for this answer. No way. James Alexander Malcolm Fraser always! He is everything. I will never not choose him okay?
We belong together!

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💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

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➳ SCOTLAND IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE; WHAT IS ONE FICTIONAL WORLD YOU WOULD LOVE TO VISIT?

THE WIZARDING WORLD. I’d feel like a fraud if I didn’t choose this world. I mean come on, IT’S MAGICAL!

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➳ IF YOU COULD CHANGE THE PAST, WOULD YOU?

No, I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Plus, I think I would be too afraid to change something that makes the future even worse. I watch The Flash, it never goes well lol

If you want to do this tag then, I TAG YOU!

Until next time,
dee (2)

 

Voyager (Outlander #3) by Diana Gabaldon

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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.

This book was absolutely fantastic that IT GAVE ME SO MUCH ANXIETY!

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I am still in awe with the amount of research that goes into this series and how flawlessly Diana Gabaldon weaves history into this incredible journey all the while showcasing Jamie and Claire’s unforgettable love. If history was this much fun I think I would have paid way more attention in high school 😉

I would recommend reading this book quickly. I made the mistake of picking it up and then setting it down for over a month so I lost my momentum. But once I got into the rhythm again, I flew threw it. I am no longer going to go into too much detail in my reviews because I don’t want to spoil anything for those who have not read the series, but I will say that if you loved Outlander you will not be disappointed. Jamie and Claire are their adorable selves and I couldn’t stop giggling like an idiot every time they have a scene together.

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I love Jamie’s loyalty, strength, bravery, and love he has for his family, friends and Sassenach. With Claire, I love her sass! She doesn’t take anything standing down and isn’t afraid to take risks.

Voyager introduced many new characters that were great, sans wee Ian, as well as bringing in some favorites from previous books. These books have so many interweaving story lines and flows together beautifully. I am so glad I have decided to give this series a chance because it’s my favorite. If you have any reservations about starting this series, please do.

And if you have read Outlander…you are in for a ride with this one! ❤

Overall, this book was a wild “voyage” get it, get it? 😉  I think this is my second favorite book in the series so far, because I still have a soft spot for Outlander.

Until next time,
dee (2)

Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander #2) by Diana Gabaldon

Dragonfly

Published by: Delta
Released: August 7, 2001 (First published in 1992)
Genre:  Adult Historical Fiction – Time Travel
Series: Outlander #2
Format: Paperback
Pages: 743

For nearly 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 Jamie 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.

After the heart-wrenching, initial shock of the loss/absence of Jamie, I was able to finally get into it. This book starts off with a bang. It is set 20 years after the events of Outlander and I was completely confused. Probably because I was solely focused on where Jamie was and what happened to him, I didn’t care for much else until I knew what happened to him (sorry, I am a girl in love with this Scot ❤ ) I won’t get into too much detail because I don’t want to spoil anyone, but this book is fantastic. I can definitely see why people didn’t enjoy this one as much as Outlander, but I actually did. I admit it was rather slow in many, many places, but that is just Gabaldon’s storytelling. What do you really expect with a 700+ novel? There are going to be a slow buildup, it’s expected. But I had a great time. It took me a while to get through this book and I hit a small reading slump in-between but I made it through! AND IT WAS AMAZING!

I instantly fell in love with some new characters that we got to meet, wee Fergus, Mary Hawkins, Alexander Randall. DiA brought some great additions to our cast and I enjoyed reading and getting to know them more. It was interesting to meet the Bonnie Prince Charlie and see how the Jacobite rebellion started. I admit, I get so confused where politics are involved, but if you just go with the flow everything comes together and makes sense in the end — at least it did for me.

I am not going to get into too much detail because I don’t want to spoil anyone who is reading, or considering reading the series, but I can say that this is a good sequel story-wise. It’s action-packed with many twists and turns. I was still thrown off guard by many events even when I thought I had things figured out. The writing takes some getting used to but once you get into it, it gets easier to understand. If I can do it, you can do it trust me,

Blood of my blood, bone of my bone. You carry me within ye, Claire, and ye canna leave me now, no matter what happens. You are mine, always, if ye will it or no, if ye want me or nay. Mine, and I wilna let ye go.

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❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

Jamie and Claire’s relationship in this book just makes me swoon all over the place! Okay, that’s  because of Jamie, but they are so perfect together! They will literally die for each other and it’s so beautiful how strong their love is. I admit, I was crying like a baby when Jamie told Claire that if anything happens to him he wants her to go back to Frank maybe it was because of the heartbreaking beginning of this book or because of how selfless and protective of Claire Jamie is, but this broke my still healing heart. Plus the ending of this book? Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ! What are you doing to me Diana? 😥 I need the next book ASAP that’s for sure.

5Star

SPOILERS— DON’T READ IF YOU HAVEN’T READ DiA

lIKES:

  • Being in Paris and court life. Though I missed Scotland terribly and couldn’t wait to go back. I think I cried when we finally got back to Lallybroch and got to see Jenny and Ian and the kids again!
  • Ian! Ian and and Jamie’s friendship. These two are so adorable and I cried when Ian told Jamie he would stay behind to guard his “weak side” oh.my.god 😥
  • Fergus, this little pickpocket was adorable and I loved his loyalty to Jamie as well as his determination to prove himself trustworthy. I can’t wait to see him in season 2 of the show.
  • Murtagh and his loyalty for Jamie. When Jamie goes to him when he killed…..Murtagh doesn’t even ask questions he just asks Jamie what they are going to do. Love him! Also how distraught he was over letting Jamie down and letting those men in the alley harm Claire.
  • Murtagh’s oath of fealty to Jamie when he was born. Aww ❤
  • Jamie telling people that Claire was La Dame Blanche so that they would fear her and leave her alone. 🙂
  • Alexander Randall and Mary Hawkins and their link to Jack Randall. (totally called it and I am so proud of myself)
  • Prince Charlie and the rebellion. It was actually pretty interesting to see how it was getting started and where it would end.
  • Jamie’s upper hand he got over disgusting Black Jack!
  • Pregnant Claire and Jamie’s fussing over her ❤
  • Everything with Jamie ❤
  • The story of Geillis Duncan! and Roger Wakefield! Totally caught me off guard and I love it.

I could list more but this is getting long…

Dislikes

I don’t really have any complaints this time around. I thought it was a little longer than it could have been, but that’s just Gabaldon’s writing style and I am not holding it against the book in any way.


In case you missed it…OUTLANDER SEASON 2 TEASER

 


So there you have it! Overall, the book was great and I had fun reading it. It wasn’t until the middle where I got really absorbed with the story and it was a wild ride. It was fun and good to be back in Scotland. Now the wait until I get my hands on Voyager so I can find out what happened to my precious Jamie!

Until next time,
dee (2)

 

Outlander (Outlander #1) by Diana Gabaldon

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Goodreads

Outlander
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Published by: Bantam Bell
Released: June 2, 1992
First Published: January 1, 1991
Format: Paperback
Pages: 896
Genre: Adult Historical Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Time Travel
Series: Outlander
In Series: 1

Synopsis:

Unrivaled storytelling. Unforgettable characters. Rich historical detail. These are the hallmarks of Diana Gabaldon’s work. Her New York Timesbestselling Outlander novels have earned the praise of critics and captured the hearts of millions of fans. Here is the story that started it all, introducing two remarkable characters, Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser, in a spellbinding novel of passion and history that combines exhilarating adventure with a love story for the ages.

OUTLANDER
 
The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is just 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 circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an “outlander”—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of Our Lord . . . 1743.

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


Opinion:

After two months of attempting to “read” this novel I can proudly stand up from my rooftop and scream “I FINISHED OUTLANDER!”

I feel pretty accomplished right now *pats self on the back.*

Now that I have finally read Outlander I can definitely see why everyone drools over Jamie Fraser and why they call him “bae.”

Jamie Fraser is definitely bae.

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I won’t say too much about the book because I am still trying to wrap my head around it, but I loved it. I absolutely loved it. It did take me a while to get used to the writing style or the Scottish language being that it was a time piece, but once I did it was smooth sailing and I was completely enthralled within these near 900 pages. I loved Gabaldon’s writing style and I could see everything so vividly as if I was actually there. There were so many twists and turns that kept me on my toes, plus a hot steamy, seductive romance that made me feel so giddy because James Fraser is one fine specimen. If you have seen the show or simply just curious about the series, definitely pick it up. I know it’s intimidating (I, too, get scared of books over 600-700 pages) but it was so fantastic and I am so glad I challenged myself by picking this book up.

The writing was surprisingly easy to follow once I fell into step with the language. Being that I am not from Scotland, it was of course different for me, but I found it easy enough to understand. I am glad of it, too, because that was the one issue that I was holding me back from reading this book. However, Gabaldon weaves words together wonderfully so that it’s easy, yet captivating and staying true to the wonderful and beautiful country of Scotland. I cannot, absolutely cannot wait to see the show now!

The only problem, though small, I had with this book was that there were a lot of areas where it got really slow. For example, there are multiple chapters were nothing is really going on plot wise besides Jamie and Claire having sex. Okay, I get it let’s move on. And I am talking vivid scenes to where it was almost too much and I wanted to skip. Also the attempted rape scenes really churned my stomach. I didn’t care for those at all. However, given the time setting, I get it. I don’t like it at all – in fact I hate it – but I get it.

I’m not going to talk about him, but can we all just agree that Jonathon Randall is scum? God, he makes me stomach churn!

We have a long cast of characters in this world as well. Though we mostly see only a few throughout the entire novel, there is still a bunch of people to keep track of. However, I’ll only be talking about Claire and Jamie because they are the stars of the show.

I absolutely loved Claire. I thought she handled herself beautifully given what has happened to her and I don’t blame her one second for anything she has done and what she feels guilty of. She is strong and quick tongued and isn’t afraid to shove and yell at Jamie when he’s being an idiot. She has a powerful voice that is enjoyable to read and I look forward to hearing more from her. One thing that I found quite hilarious was how little Claire would think about Frank the more she was around Jamie. It’s okay, Claire I would be thinking “Frank who?” If I had Jamie in front of me too. 

Jamie, on the other hand, is my absolute favorite characters. He can make me swoon so fast that I would think I’d be jello. He is beautiful! His heart is beautiful. Every single word that comes out of his mouth is beautiful! CAN I HAVE HIM?! (sorry I let my fangirl get out a second there, I’m okay now). I loved how protective he was over Claire and how deeply his love ran. God, this man would face death itself if only to keep Claire safe. Plus, he has his own silver tongue that made me giggle over his banter with Claire.

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Overall, this book was fantastic. I highly recommend it if you haven’t read it already or if you’ve watched the show and are interested in the book. I haven’t watched the show yet because I wanted to read the first book first, but nothing is stopping me now!

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