A journey most worthy. (Voyager - Diana Gabaldon)

Member Name: MandyMinx

Product:	Voyager - Diana Gabaldon
Date:	19/10/03 (213 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A great read., Historical romance

Disadvantages: Comes in the middle of a set

How far would you travel for the one you love?
I know I have often told my husband that I would go anywhere and do anything for him but would I be able to give up everything I hold dear, including my children, to be with him?

This is the agonising decision that Claire Randell found herself having to face.
Claire left her true love Jamie, back in 1746 when she was forced to flee through the magic stones that had transported her from 1940s Scotland to a time of civil unrest and turbulent fighting. It had been her husbands last wish that she go back, to the future, to protect their unborn child, knowing that fate would lead him to one of the bloodiest slaughters in the history of Scotland, Claire had little choice but to throw herself back through the stones and back to the present.

20 years later, Claire journeys back to Scotland, her daughter Brianna the image of her father and a constant reminder of the man whole still holds her heart.
While searching through some of the Scottish archives it comes as a shock to Claire to discover that Jamie did not die in battle as she had believed. With the help of local legend and a friendly historian they begin to piece together Jamie's movements, after the war. It soon becomes obvious that Claire has the opportunity to go back and finish the life she started with Jamie and although it means leaving Brianna she feels she has to be with him.

Finding Jamie was it seems the easy part. A lot has happened in twenty years, for both of them. Life has moved on, things have changed. Now a printer by day and smuggler by night, Jamie Frazer is still getting himself into trouble on an all too regular occasion. Life still holds many more opportunities for the Frazer's and many dangers too. What on earth has Claire let herself in for and is their love strong enough to get them through it?
You'll just have to read the book. I can tell you no more.




Let me start by e

xplaining that this is the third in a line of books that charts the story of Claire Randell and her family, both past and present.

I read the previous book 'Dragonfly in Amber' and I found the time travel idea really difficult to relate to. I have to say that it was less of an issue when I came to read this book as I understood more about it and to be honest it really wasn't the part of the book that had me gripped.
I am a real lover of historical novels and you get a real sense of history in this book, not the romantic, fluffy history that you come across in some romantic literature, you know the type where you know full well that food was scarce at the time and yet there are tables loaded with food of unrealistic proportions. I found in this book and it's predecessor, that the picture it painted was extremely realistic. Life was hard back then. Life for Jamie and Claire is hard and the author makes sure we know that this is no walk in the park. Descriptions were dark and moody and helped the reader realise the danger that was within reach.

It was nice to see both Claire and Jamie's character take to new heights. In the previous book I had found Jamie a little vague, I found him a little difficult to relate to. In 'Voyager' we learn a lot more about Jamie and are treated to more of his thoughts and vulnerabilities. I warmed much more to him in this book.
I found I had a lot more admiration of Claire as a character too. Where in the previous book I found it difficult to see past her acceptance of events, in this book I found her strength and determination most endearing.
It was nice to see some new characters as well as some of the ones that I loved from the previous book. It was lovely to watch young Fergus blossom to manhood and the introduction of the Ian, Jamie's nephew was very welcome as the fact that trouble followed so close to his coat tails opened so many possibilities for our mottled gro
up to
become ensnared in.



I have to admit I still had the odd problem with the time travel aspect of the story. Claire gives Jamie a bunch of photographs that she has brought with her of Brianna. It annoyed me that Jamie didn't question the technology needs to produce such pictures. I'm convinced he would have asked. I think if I am honest this must be the unluckiest group of people I have ever met, trouble sits around every corner waiting to rear its head and although I found myself questioning if anyone could be that unlucky I thoroughly enjoyed the adventures of our heroes.


The end of this book opens a new chapter in the life of the Frazer's and I felt that this book left it's heroes in the middle of nowhere. There were few conclusions and I definitely felt that I had to read the next book to continue the story. As I already have the next book, Drums of Autumn, I am able to assure you that this book picks up where the last one left off. In fact it was more like turning a page than starting a new book.

I did enjoy the way that Diana Gabaldon writes. I loved the way she paints a very realistic picture of both her characters and the events surrounding them. I was familiar with her writing style after reading Dragonfly and I have to say I really felt that Voyager was stronger, she obviously knew where her characters were going at this point in the saga. I would actually say that this book was better than the previous one.

I found this book a really good and compelling read. With over 1000 pages this is an epic story that should be savoured. I would however suggest you start with Cross Stitch, the first of the books as I really think picking this book up and starting at this stage in the story would leave you with too many questions, that might mask the delight of the story.


I bought my book from Amazon for just under six pounds. The good thing was that they had all the other books
in stock t
oo so I was able to ensure I wouldn't be left hanging with a ton of questions that could only be answered by the next episode.

If you like a story that takes you an a journey, if you like historical, with a hint of romance, then this is the book for you.


Thanks for reading

Summary: