Claire Randall, a widowed time-traveling doctor, returns to Scotland twenty years later with her daughter Brianna in tow. Her search for her long thought dead husband, Jamie Fraser, leads her to question just how strong the bond of love is—can it withstand time, injustice and even death?
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This book begins in a way I was not expecting and maybe even disliked a bit until I saw where it was going. We’re back in Claire’s present, which is not 18th century Scotland. I was a little disheartened by this, but knowing Gabaldon is not one to disappoint, I kept reading with that in mind. And as expected, she definitely doesn’t fail with “Dragonfly in Amber.” We meet new characters, are reintroduced to a few old characters and of course, are entranced by the continuing love story of Jamie and Claire.
Claire and Jamie get into the most trouble two people can in the space of these 700 pages, but that’s the best part. You’re never bored and the suspense is enough to keep you glued to your seat, and the pages moving under your fingers. Not only did I become so ensconced in this book, I could vividly see the cobblestone streets, starry skies and voluminous gowns of the ladies at court, and I didn’t want to leave there when I put the book down. You will be swept away to Paris and will feel the streets come alive around you. That’s evidence of Gabaldon’s excellence as an author. It doesn’t take much to see the picture she draws for us with her words.
In 1968, Claire returns to Inverness and visits Roger Wakefield to help her find out what happened to Jamie and his men on Culloden field. Their attempt to squelch the Jacobite rising of ’45 did not go as planned and Claire braves the cleft stone once again in order to return to her own time to keep herself and her child safe. Not knowing why she separates from Jamie in the beginning, I found myself upset with Claire throughout most of the book. Remember I said it begins in an unexpected way? Well that’s only the beginning of it. Her separation from Jamie is heartbreaking and just as a warning, you will need tissues. Most of this book—as much as “Outlander”—is spent in the 18th century, but once you’re thrust back into present time, it’s a bit of an adjustment. You want to remain in the past, you want to keep following Jamie and Claire on their journey, but you also want to know how Claire, Roger and Brianna are getting on in the present. The POV’s switch between past and present, first person to narrative, but you don’t get lost.
While “Outlander” will probably continue to be my favorite book of the series, “Dragonfly in Amber” is not one to be pushed to the side so easily. It’s very entertaining and just as addictive. What I love most about this book is the theme of hope. There’s always hope, even when you think all hope is lost. I realize I’ve come into the series at a late time, but if I had to wait until next year for “Voyager” I don’t think I could. As it is, I’m already re-reading “Outlander” for the third time and I’ve started “Voyager.” There is a reason Gabaldon is a bestselling author. This series alone sets her apart from most and if I can’t impress upon you how much of an escape these books have brought to my life in the few weeks I’ve spent reading them, then I’m doing her a great disservice. You will not be disappointed. I’m hooked and happily admit to being an addict.
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