false 1201711 0385660960 9780385660969 12 7 http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1201711.Lord_John_and_the_Brotherhood_of_the_Blade 3617 Diana Gabaldon 89179 8889 2 1 false Sat Dec 01 00:00:00 -0800 2007 Tue Aug 28 19:44:05 -0700 2007 Sun Dec 02 11:52:33 -0800 2007
That being said, I just don't find myself loving her "Lord John" mysteries the way I enjoy her "Outlander" books. Lord John is great as part of the ensemble, but when the story's told from his perspective, as in this one, I find myself wondering where the erudite, witty character I know is - and who is this berserker guy running around with the sword? There are too many characters here, and too much going on to keep track of. (Granted, the "Outlander" novels are chocked full of plot twists too - but they're generally much longer.) It's also hard to picture Lord John as a romantic hero. Knowing what we know about his feelings for Jamie Fraser, we can sense Grey's love affairs are always going to end up tragic and/or ephemeral.

Some of the "Outlander" series backstory is explored here. As a fan, it's kind of interesting to see events from "Voyager" unfold through Lord John's eyes - but that's not the main focus of the story. Good thing, for I found Jamie sullen and almost unrecognizable too - although, considering what he's lost at that point in the story, the characterization is understandable.

Bottom Line: I wish Gabaldon would focus more on writing "An Echo in the Bone", which is the recently-announced title of Outlander Book #7, than these "Lord John" books, which I could take or leave.]]>