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4.27 of 5 stars
In this breathtaking novel--rich in history and adventure--New York Times bestselling author Diana Gabaldon continues the story of Claire Randall a... read full description

reviews

Jan 23, 2008
k8lane rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Gabaldon's sex-ridden, hugely researched, academically adventurous, time travel/sci-fi meets historical romance novels qualify as trash novels for lit nerds -- they're absolutely a guilty pleasure. From clan warfare to herbal medicine to genealogy to British history to WWII, the books are packed with information (what little Gaelic I know started with these book). Bonus: the heroine gets to have many, many rolls in the hay with a handsome hard-bodied Highlander. Can't really go wrong.

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5 comments like (21 people liked it)
Nov 29, 2009
Debbie rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Fourth in the Outlander series.

Claire, now a doctor, is living with Jamie in pre-revolutionary America. Brianna is back in contemporary Boston, feeling lost and abandoned. When she makes a frightening discovery about her mother, she sets off through the circle of stones to save her parents. Roger, in love with Brianna, follows.

The path of true love continues to be a rocky one, for both sets of lovers...
0 comments like (9 people liked it)
Jan 25, 2008
Za rated it: 2 of 5 stars
I too, am one of those folks that was totally in love with Outlander and, despite some rather graphic violence, thought it was a good enough book that I have continued to read the series up to this one. Unforunately, like most series, this one does not get better. By this book DG is reusing plots that we've already seen and the characters are becoming two dimensional caricatures of themselves. Jamie, the tough masculine hero, Claire, the strong and fiesty woman that knows how to handle her man, More...
4 comments like (15 people liked it)
Sep 18, 2008
Jen rated it: 5 of 5 stars
So, I'm giving this a five. Not because it's the best book I've ever read, but because it's my favorite by far of all of the rest in the series.

I smiled the whole way through (well, not really because there were some pretty intense moments in it) and I LOVED reading all of the reunions. I loved reading about Brianna and Roger. I loved that Brianna made me upset with her naive ways. I loved young Ian. I loved John Grey. I loved Roger. It was just good, OK? I laughed, I almost cried ;) More...
7 comments like (9 people liked it)
Nov 06, 2011
Tash rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here
0 comments like (2 people liked it)
Aug 09, 2010
Tatiana rated it: 4 of 5 stars
As far as Outlander novels go, Drums of Autumn is the most bodice-ripperish out of the 4 I've read so far. Mainly, because the entire book is plotted around a MISUNDERSTANDING that could have been resolved with one adult conversation. Oh, how I hate those in romance novels!

Here is how it goes. In this installment Claire and Jamie are in America establishing a Scottish colony in North Carolina, of course not without a fair share of difficulties and misfortunes. Two hundred years into More...
25 comments like (15 people liked it)
Aug 10, 2011
Rae rated it: 2 of 5 stars
Probably 2 1/2 because I really like the little moments that Claire and Jamie shared. Almost like the first two books! :-) I really liked the section where Jamie took his son out fishing while Claire cared for Ian and Lord John. Lots of good character development there.

I didn't really like Roger and Brianna's relationship as they both run hot and cold by themselves and especially toward each other. It felt uneven and I couldn't really buy their love when it came to a head. Plus it f More...
1 comment like (3 people liked it)
Aug 29, 2007
Katie rated it: 5 of 5 stars
So far, my favorite book in the Outlander series. Even though the author skips POV's so often it can get confusing, i found the addition of major characters really exciting and well executed.

I loved the story of Brianna and Roger. So complicated. I found Roger to be incredibly endearing, and his struggles throughout the book were very moving.

Wee Ian is one of my favorite characters, and his plight was one of my favorite storylines. I got very choked up when he was More...
0 comments like (2 people liked it)
May 11, 2011
Michelle added it
As this is the fourth novel in the series, there will most likely be spoilers for those who have not yet gotten this far in the story. Consider yourself warned.

I do love Jamie and Claire Fraser. They continue to be the couple that gets the entire idea of marriage - the give and take, the intimate knowledge of each other, the partnership of the entire relationship. Their banter and genuine support of one another is strikingly authentic and realistic. Any time the action revolves around More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Nov 01, 2007
Erin added it
Book 4. Brianna and Roger join Claire and Jamie. Not so much easy going.

Brianna really annoys me. I'm not sure if it's the character, or if it's that I listened to this book on CD and the actress's voicing of her annoyed me (in general, I love Davina Porter's readings of these books, she's spot-on for both Claire and Jamie ... but her Boston-that-isn't-really-Boston accent for Brianna grates on me). Perhaps if I'd read-read it instead of listened to it, Brianna wouldn't irritate More...
1 comment like (4 people liked it)
Jun 25, 2007
Nicole rated it: 5 of 5 stars
The Outlander series is definitely one of my most recommencded series of books. I might even love these books more than Harry Potter - and that's saying something.

The Outlander books are set in the 1700s. They start off in Scotland, but later travel to Paris, Jamaica and the American Colonies.

Claire and Jamie, the book's two main characters are fantastic. They're deep, smart and action-oriented, yet very real. As their relationship evolves over the series of books, it More...
0 comments like (3 people liked it)
Nov 03, 2008
Kate rated it: 2 of 5 stars
Books one and two were so very good, the third "Voyager", became quite the travelogue, and dragging in places, but because I loved the first 2 I wanted to keep going with the series.

I decided to try listening to it instead of reading and it's a good thing! This book was much flatter than the third so I am sure listening to it was much funner than reading it.

I'm stopping here with the series.

Though I wanted to see Jamie and Claire's story continue More...
0 comments like (3 people liked it)
Mar 31, 2009
Sara rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Number 4 in the Outlander Series and what a ride! Again, I'm putting up flashing signs that say "Lots of descriptive sex in here", don't read these if you're not married. Seriously. You will burn with lust.

These have a great storyline, anxiety inducing adventure, deep character development, wrestling over moral issues (abortion, slavery, honor), and lots of travel to dream over. We will read all of Gabaldon's books.

Now I'm really attracted to plaid.
0 comments like (3 people liked it)
Jun 25, 2008
Kristin rated it: 2 of 5 stars
I was disappointed in this book because I loved the three before it so much. The first 3, it only took me 200 pages at the very most for me to be completely absorbed and unable to put the books down to even sleep. But this one, it took nearly 600 pages for me to feel like it was starting to get interesting. And much to my dismay the feeling did not last. I struggled throught the last 100 pages as the story seemed to drag on unnecessarily. I really want to finish the series but after this book, I More...
0 comments like (5 people liked it)
Feb 23, 2009
Julie rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Good stuff. I know by now you're all aware how besotted I am by this entire series. In this installation, we get to know Roger and Brianna a bit better. I find Brianna a bit...an teensy bit...tedious. But Roger is a darling. And, of course, we get to meet a new villian who I like only marginally better than Black Jack Randall (which is to say "not at ALL"), may his soul rot.

Gabaldon's book #7 is due out in SEPTEMBER. I can hardly wait!!
0 comments like (2 people liked it)
Dec 18, 2008
Stacy rated it: 3 of 5 stars

I always say that the Outlander series is a guilty pleasure read. But in truth, I think the first couple of Gabaldon's books prove that she can be an incredibly good storyteller. "Autumn" has elements of what made those books such a success - historical adventure, interesting twists, likable characters - but it just feels way, way too long. I feel like I read multiple scenes over and over. Plus, this has always been Jamie and Claire's story; the increased focus on Brianna and More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Sep 27, 2011
Romantika rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Finalmente sono riuscita a dedicargli tutto il tempo necessario (e diciamoci la verità ho letto + di 300 pagine in un giorno :P) Ogni volta dimentico quanto mi piace questa saga.. e gioiosa novità, oltre a Jamie in questo capitolo c'è anche la storia di Brianna e Roger *_* certo che anche loro sono un pò sfigatucci ma quando Jamie gonfia per benino Roger mi son fatta 4 risate!XD Però porello davvero..la fortuna non è con loro. Anche se ho adorato i battibecchi tra Jamie e Roger :D Che dire d'al More...
May 13, 2011
Nancy rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Drums of Autumn-Diana Gabaldon[return][return]Gabaldon states in an interview that she was tired of romances that stopped at the altar. So she wanted to tell a married love story. Marriage is hard. It s hard to be half a couple it's hard to support the relationship without forfeiting yourself.[return][return] & ye canna be my conscious. [return][return]In spite of everything, I felt a lightening of spirit, as though some indefinable burden had dropped away.[return]& [return] You re the bes More...
May 08, 2011
Debora rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Come in Tamburi D'Autunno continua la storia di Roger e Breanna. Roger raggiunge l'America ma sembra che tutto sia contro di lui, infatti, suo malgrado, si trova coinvolto in un orribile equivoco che lo riallontanerà nuovamente dalla sua Bree che, nel frattempo, ha finalmente fatto conoscenza con Jamie.

L'incontro fra i due è a dir poco epocale, catartico. Assolutamente da leggere ma il meglio l'autrice lo da alla prima "lite" furiosa fra i due che costringerà Clare e Ian e battere la r More...
May 08, 2011
Debora rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Si potrebbe pensare che dopo aver abbandonato, apparentemente per sempre, le montagne scozzesi la Gabaldon non sarebbe più in grado di coinvolgere ed affascinare il lettore. La poesia della terra di James Fraser ci ha catturati e conquistati senza possibilità d'appello ma, sorprendentemente, anche l'America coloniale ha un fascino tutto suo in grado di carpire il lettore e avvolgerlo nelle sue spire.

Clare, che questa sembra giocare in casa - anche se diverse decine di anni prima -, sembra molto More...
Sep 18, 2010
Jeri added it
I have to admit that I was strangely wary when I picked up DRUMS OF AUTUMN. Anticipation warred with a fear of disappointment. High hopes can led to big letdowns. I loved OUTLANDER. I loved DRAGONFLY IN AMBER, with a few reservations. I have very mixed feelings about VOYAGER. The parts I was interested in I loved. The reunion scene alone was worth the price of the book. I felt, however that too much of the book was spent with our favorite couple apart, and their adventures once reunited were a b More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Nov 19, 2008
Tina rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Really good!
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Feb 01, 2012
Shannon rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Book 4 of the Outlander series- could be read alone but would make more sense if read in order.
For this book, the Fraser clan is set up in pre-Revolutionary North Carolina, way up in the mountains. Book 3 saw a decrease in the action-adventure aspects of the series and it continues in this book. There is still a very readable plot and the story moves along well but it becomes more of a glimpse into daily life. Claire, Jamie and friends get to stay in one place for a while and although the More...
Jan 12, 2012
Kaitlin rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I love this series. I feel that the first book, Outlander, is, of course, the best, but so far the others in the series haven't been lacking. I just finished Drums of Autumn and have now moved on to The Fiery Cross. Great story, great detail, great characters, interesting read. I only have two complaints: overdone sections and Brianna.

First, Gabaldon is sometimes a little TOO detailed, making for extremely long books, which can be a turn-off. She risks losing the readers' attention More...
Oct 21, 2011
Fernandez rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I have spent all day reviewing books. I vow to (hopefully) never get so behind on my reviews again. Trying to remember my thoughts about a book that I read almost two months ago is nigh impossible. Shame on me.

I am staunch supporter of this historical, sort-of paranormal, romantical (sorry, had to keep the “al” ending going) series and my gosh, the hours that Diana must pore into the research for them, but the length of them has started to wear on me. I had to give myself a pep talk More...
Sep 11, 2011
Beverly rated it: 3 of 5 stars
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here
Jun 30, 2011
Gem marked it as to-read
It began in Scotland, at an ancient stone circle. There, a doorway, open to a select few, leads into the past--or the grave. Claire Randall survived the extraordinary passage, not once buy twice. Her first trip swept her into the arms of Jamie Fraser, an eighteenth-century Scot whose love for her became legend--a tale of tragic passion that ended with her return to the present to bear his child. Her second journey, two decades later, brought them together again in frontier America. But Clai More...
Jun 13, 2011
Hope rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Just finished this one a few days ago...I really enjoyed the path the story takes in this, the 4th installment of the Outlander Saga. And once again, when you think you can predict the next move - she surprises you again! ( the author...but Claire too - and Brianna as well here!)

These books not only transport the characters but the reader as well. The author's research is amazing, the use of language, the sense of time and place from her detailed descriptions. I can feel the bonfires More...
Jan 26, 2011
Melissa rated it: 4 of 5 stars
The fourth in the Outlander series, Drums of Autumn takes off a bit after the third book ends. As a recap (and a bit of a spoiler if you haven't read the first 3) we learn in the previous installments that Claire, a nurse from the 1940's has traveled back in time to 18th century Scotland. There she falls in love with dashing Jamie Fraser and is forced to leave him when a great battle dawns on the horizon. When she learns of his fate 20 years later in his own time, she has to decide between him a More...
Jan 25, 2011
Katie rated it: 4 of 5 stars
There are parts of these books I think are silly and overdone (there seems to be more of these occurrences the farther we get into the series with the wild Indians and pirates and treasures and reblooming of characters throughout), but underneath the outrageous action adventures the author weaves a beautiful, complex story of human emotion. She has a lovely way of showing that characters' pasts shape them and pop up in uncomfortable and inopportune moments. I appreciate that Claire still has f More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)