Outlander Series discussion
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If you like Outlander...
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Lauren
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Apr 11, 2011 06:53AM
The Outlander series is my "hands down" favorite, but I've recently enjoyed a new novel that is the first in a series, "A Discovery of Witches," by Diana Harkness. It brings "Outlander" to mind in several different ways (romance, magic, time travel, history). Give it a shot!
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I added this one to my TBR after a GR friend gave it 5 stars! It's good to see someone else liked it too, plus my library has a copy - bonus!!!
I just received my copy of A Discovery of Witches from book of the month club. I'll be reading it soon.
I have A Discovery of Witches on my TBR list and will order it with my next Amazon order (which happens often since no library here and only a small book store). Another book that I read because a Goodreads friend told me the romance between Rain and Ellysetta was equal to the romance between Jamie and Claire (could not believe that one) is C.L. Smith's Tairen Soul series. It is nothing like the Outlander story (it is fantasy), and loyal as I am to Jamie and Claire, she was right. There are five books and the series is finished, and when I put the last book down I picked up the first one and read them again. Incredible author.
It is Deborah Harkness that is the author of " A Discovery of Witches" we all have Diana G on the brain I think. Thanks for the TIP I just ordered the book.
Great helpful thread! Thanks to Terry, I'm in love with Tairen Soul series. Sadly, I'll be done with it tonight and
will be perfect timing!Thanks.
My son just finished the Tairen Soul series and I talked to him more in those two weeks than I ever do - he called me almost daily to talk about where he was in the books. Fun to share like that. I re-read them when another friend was reading them for the first time and we did about the same thing.
I'm so afraid of Rain & Ellie withdrawal. I have tons of books around me to pick me up. Wish me luck, lol.
Good luck! I had to just turn around and read them again. And then still had trouble moving on.
I loved Rain and Ellie! When I first heard about the Tairen Soul series I was a little skeptical. The synopsis seemed way out there (even for a fantasy)....large flying cats that breath fire and talk using telepathy. I was quite surprised after reading the first book. I read the others immediately after. Great books with an outstanding fantasy world and beautiful romance!
I'm so loving Tairen Soul, I dragging my feet finishing it. I only have 50 pgs more.
Carolee wrote: "It is Deborah Harkness that is the author of " A Discovery of Witches" we all have Diana G on the brain I think. Thanks for the TIP I just ordered the book."Whoops -- you are correct! Sorry.
What about Into the Wilderness? I hear that's a good read for people who like Outlander. Any feedback on that?
I love it. I'm reading it now when I'm not listening to Outlander. It's different that O but just as good.
How is the romance aspect, Joyce. I love Outlander so much partly because of Jamie and Claire's epic love. Do we get anything like that in 'Wilderness'.
I'll just second all the recommendations for Discovery of Witches. I read it a few weeks ago, and loved it! Romance, supernatural intrigue, plus some interesting historical twists. Very enjoyable!
I looked Discovery of Witches up on Amazon, first of all the Kindle edition is $12.99, and it's only got an average rating of 3-1/2 stars. But it sounds like you guys really liked it!
Jessa ♥Dhanger♥ wrote: "How is the romance aspect, Joyce. I love Outlander so much partly because of Jamie and Claire's epic love. Do we get anything like that in 'Wilderness'."I love the Wilderness series! It is an epic love between Elizabeth & Nathaniel, the 1st book is about them, but then the main focus on the rest of the series is about their children.
My other all time favorite epic romance is the Bronze Horseman series, it's amazing!
BTW... The Bronze Horseman with Bonus Material is currently bargin priced at $1.99 for Kindle.
OH yeah...I've read the Bronze Hormseman series. It's amazing and beautiful. I cried for Tatiana and Alexander so many times throughout the series.
Christine S. wrote: "Jessa ♥Dhanger♥ wrote: "How is the romance aspect, Joyce. I love Outlander so much partly because of Jamie and Claire's epic love. Do we get anything like that in 'Wilderness'."I love the
You will be delighted!
Oh I've already got my kindle version of TBH! :D I was so tempted to start reading it last night but I have to finish the Outlander Series first. I looked into the Tairen Soul books and they're not available for Australian customers either (still can't believe Outlander isn't available on Kindle for Aussies) but it looks very much like a fantasy type of book anyway. I'm not so much into the paranormal/fantasy genre - to me, the time travel aspect in Outlander isn't a huge shift in reality, so I am enjoying it. I'm assuming "Into the Wilderness" isn't part of the paranormal/fantasy genres? I love straight Historical Fiction, preferably modern history (last 200 years or so - I have no interest in reading books such as the Clan of the Cave Bear etc). Any recommendations?
Megan, since you are in Australia, I assume you have read Juliet Marillier's books. She is one of my four favorite authors and I bought and read all of her books in 2010 and will re-read them all. They are historical fiction with just a touch of the supernatural with the fey, but people believed in them in the times she has written of (around 5th century). She is an incredible storyteller.
Thanks Terry - no I haven't. Obviously I'll sound like an ignoramus but is she Australian? The only historical fiction Australian Author I've read is Colleen McCullough.
Yes, she is Australian. She has two incredible series, her Sevenwaters series of five books with the first one being Daughter of the Forest and a trilogy The Bridei Chronicles starting with The Dark Mirror and then several stand alone books or a book and sequel. I read them all and now am collecting them in hardback as I have my very favorites displayed on a special shelf. Juliet Marillier
Jessa ♥Dhanger♥ wrote: "What about Into the Wilderness? I hear that's a good read for people who like Outlander. Any feedback on that?""Wilderness" did not live up to my expectations and in my mind does not compare to "Outlander". I may read the rest of the series but it is defiantly not a priority.
Terry, would you consider Juliet Marillier's books suitable for young adult readers?
Carolee, two of her books are listed as YA, Wildwood Dancingand Cybele's Secretwhich is the sequel. The others are definitely not graphic like the Outlander books but there is some explicit sex. When I read Daughter of the Forest I was thinking my granddaughter (16 then) would love it until I came to a rape scene that made me change my mind. The romance and sex in the books is really beautifully done, but more than in most YA books. Many of the characters are really young because of the era they are written in. You would want to read it first, but I am thinking Heart's Blood would be suitable certainly for older teens (unless I am forgetting something) and it is a stand alone book. It is loosely based on the Beauty and the Beast theme - loosely. Many of her books are based on fairy tales or legend although sometimes it isn't obvious.
Christine S. wrote: "Jessa ♥Dhanger♥ wrote: "How is the romance aspect, Joyce. I love Outlander so much partly because of Jamie and Claire's epic love. Do we get anything like that in 'Wilderness'."I love the
I don't wanna step on any toes here but I just started the Bronze Horseman today and so far BORING! She has just met Alexander.....still BORING! Don't know if I will finish it. Its gotta get a whole lot better than the first couple hours I have read. I am disappointed. I have heard so much about this series.
I'm sorry to hear that, Sharon. I don't want to push you into reading but I think you should give it a little while longer. A lot happens in that book...it just takes a while to set it all up. Tatiana and Alexander don't start off as hot and heavy as Jamie and Claire, imo....but they get there. And when they do, whoa!
I will probably keep reading...since yall all say it is so good..but haven't seen it yet!
TBH boring? Are you sure you're reading the right book? haha. OMG it took me about 25 pages to get into it and bam, I was hooked (whereas it took nearly 200 pages with Outlander to be hooked). If you like tragic, real stories, then keep reading. It hits you in the heart, and the ending would have to be the most magnificent ending to a book I've ever read...
And as so far as the steamy romance, well to me, Tatiana and Alexander are much more intense than Jamie and Claire, there's a lot of sexual tension and then well, ahem, the writing is MUCH more explicit than Outlander. ;)
Can't hold a candle to Outlander...the quality of writing isn't as good in my opinion....but DG is a hard act to follow. Besides the Pillars of the Earth...this is so far a disappointment....but I will keep reading! I'm not giving up on it yet....More than I can say for Pillars....I gave up on that one pretty early on in the game.
Well I have to agree with you on the quality of writing - I adore the Bronze Horseman story, it stays with you long before you finish the book, but I think Diana Gabaldon is a far better writer.
I am glad I'm not the only one that thinks that then Megan...I was thinking maybe it was just me but everything I have read so far in BH has been kinda herky jerky and hard to focus on...but DG's books just flow! I have looked forward to BH though because everyone says it is so good...so I am sticking with it to see if it gets better!
I have looked at reviews for The Bronze Horseman several times - people seem to love it or not like it at all. I really don't much like reading about that era nor stories about Russia so still don't have it on my TBR list. I'm kind of into the medieval period or pre 1800's for historical novels and Scotland, Britain, Ireland, America. Maybe some day.
It's on my list and I purchased it, but I've had a hard time bringing myself to reading it. Either I'll love it and it will taint my undying love of Outlander, or I'll spend the whole time reading it comparing it to Outlander and I'll hate it. So I keep putting it off.
I don't think I would compare it to Outlander. I read the Tairen Soul books because someone told me the couple was as good as Jamie and Claire - but did not compare them because I wanted to find something that wonderful - and I did! That is a good thing because finding something to compare or even come close is not easy!
Sharonh wrote: "I am glad I'm not the only one that thinks that then Megan...I was thinking maybe it was just me but everything I have read so far in BH has been kinda herky jerky and hard to focus on...but DG's b..."I just finished the third book in the TBH trilogy and Simons writing is no where near DG's IMO. The editing is non-existent! While I really enjoyed TBH despite the clunky writing, I wasn't as big of a fan of Tatiana and Alexander and The Summer Garden was just a mess.
Oooh, thats not sounding good Kimberly! I'm not buying any others in the series until I see if I even end up liking BH.
Sharonh wrote: "Oooh, thats not sounding good Kimberly! I'm not buying any others in the series until I see if I even end up liking BH."I think that's a good idea. I have friends on here who really enjoyed the whole series though, so I could be in the minority. I just had such a hard time with the lack of editing, redundant passages and information, etc. throughout the series and it got worse for me with the 2nd and 3rd books. There are A LOT of flashbacks in the 2nd book and the 3rd book just made me sad that Simons didn't find a way to make TBH a stand-alone book. That's just my two-cents though :)
I felt like there was too much yammering back and forth in the first few pages. Good grief! It didn't flow...but it settled down for a few pages. I may read some more tonight...unless I find something better. :)
I think TBH is definitely worth the read. It's just not up to par with Outlander :)Btw, has anyone read A Game of Thrones and the rest of the series?
I'd like to here about A Game of Thrones, too. I've tried to read a few articles that review the series coming soon to HBO while comparing it to the books and they are so darn confusing, basically a laundry list of characters but not a mention to what the books are actually about.
Kimberly wrote: "I think TBH is definitely worth the read. It's just not up to par with Outlander :)Btw, has anyone read A Game of Thrones and the rest of the series?"
Yes, and I can't recommend the series enough! Terrific characters, plot twists. High adventure, great depth, though not much romance (which I like). It's probably the least predictable series I've read so far, and the wait for the 5th installment has been torture.
Miss Kate wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "I think TBH is definitely worth the read. It's just not up to par with Outlander :)Btw, has anyone read A Game of Thrones and the rest of the series?"
Yes, and I ..."
Thanks! Like you I like a bit more romance/love story, but if the rest of the book is really good it'll make up for it.
I don't necessarily think that Outlander and TBH are the same. Just that so many Outlander fans either love or hate TBH, so because I hear about it so much in comparison I don't think I'd be able to stop myself.I'm reading A Game of Thrones now, and I'm already loving it. I love Fantasy though. I was a huge Wizard's First Rule fan and an even bigger Wheel of Time fan. But what's nice about this series is that it's more unique then other Fantasy books I've read. Wizard's First Rule and Wheel of Time had very similar aspects to them.
Wendy F wrote: "I don't necessarily think that Outlander and TBH are the same. Just that so many Outlander fans either love or hate TBH, so because I hear about it so much in comparison I don't think I'd be able ..."Have you read the whole Terry Goodkind series? I've only read the first two books and I'm wondering if the rest are still as good.
I also read TBH because of all the Outlander fans that suggested it. I agree that it's hard to compare. Different time periods, different writing styles, different theme, etc. The only similarities in my mind are the attention to detail both writers use and the epic love of two beautiful couples.
Kimberly wrote: "Wendy F wrote: "I don't necessarily think that Outlander and TBH are the same. Just that so many Outlander fans either love or hate TBH, so because I hear about it so much in comparison I don't th..."I read the first 8. The first 5-6 were really great, but then I feel like the author got a bit preachy. The books started to feel more like an outlet for his political views. (My favorite part was the Wizard rules. I'd love to have them on a plaque.)
I liked Wheel of Time more.
Wendy F wrote: "I don't necessarily think that Outlander and TBH are the same. Just that so many Outlander fans either love or hate TBH, so because I hear about it so much in comparison I don't think I'd be able ..."Well, I followed Jordan's Wheel of Time until the 7th book or so and bought each book when it was released in my country, but after that I decided to take a break, reread the series from the beginning and then decide whether or not to keep buying the books. I will read the entire series, but I'll wait until all of the books have been released, so I don't wait a year or more for each book(I kept forgetting relevant events and mixing up what happened in which book which might be the reason for my waning interest).
As for TBH, it is very different from The Outlander(I try not to compare the books), and set in the time period I don't particularly like to read about(WWII stories are not my favorite), but I loved it. The style of writing is strange at times and the quality of both writing and editing isn't close to DG books, but the story is arresting and I couldn't stop reading once I started. Also it is the kind of book that really...moved me. Made me laugh, and cry, and never wish it to end. I haven't yet read The Summer Garden(I'm waiting for June's Kindle release), so I can't comment on it, and can only hope I don't end up disappointed. I would recommend everyone to try reading TBH, because there is a chance you will love it, and isn't that worth the time it takes to try? Just imagine, missing out on Outlander b/c someone said they didn't like it. I almost did b/c a friend of mine(who has similar reading tastes) told me she found it boring. Thankfully I decided to try anyway and, as you can guess I did NOT find it boring. No book can be liked by everyone, and even though we read relatively similar books that applies here as well. For example I tried reading books recommended here and while I liked most of them, there were some I didn't, like The Wilderness series.
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