Publish Date: June 10, 2014
Website: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3617.Diana_Gabaldon
ISBN: 9780385344432
List Price: $11.59 (Amazon)
My Rating:
Jacket Synopsis:
WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD is the eighth novel in the world-famous OUTLANDER series. In June of 1778, the world turns upside-down. The British army withdraws from Philadelphia, George Washington prepares to move from Valley Forge in pursuit, and Jamie Fraser comes back from the dead to discover that his best friend has married Jamie’s wife. The ninth Earl of Ellesmere discovers to his horror that he is in fact the illegitimate son of the newly-resurrected Jamie Fraser (a rebel _and_ a Scottish criminal!) and Jamie’s nephew Ian Murray discovers that his new-found cousin has an eye for Ian’s Quaker betrothed.
Meanwhile, Claire Fraser deals with an asthmatic duke, Benedict Arnold, and the fear that one of her husbands may have murdered the other. And in the 20th century, Jamie and Claire’s daughter Brianna is thinking that things are probably easier in the 18th century: her son has been kidnapped, her husband has disappeared into the past, and she’s facing a vicious criminal with nothing but a stapler in her hand. Fortunately, her daughter has a miniature cricket bat and her mother’s pragmatism.
The best of historical fiction with a Moebius twist, WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD weaves the fibers of a family’s life through the tapestry of historical drama.
My Comments: (Spoilers included)
This latest addition to the series did not disappoint. It was great to see Claire and Jamie get back on track after the book 7 which was a real whirlwind. In this book, book 8, it was another amazing read that you just could not put down. Diana does an amazing job with the time travel aspect of the book. We move from the 18th century to the 20th century easily following both story lines separately until they converge again later in the book. It's a mystery how the 20th century associates of Brianna and Roger find about the time travel abilities and I hope that is revealed in the next book, but they have to escape for their own safety. (Spoiler) - They return to the 18th century to escape those who want to take advantage of their time travel knowledge & abilities.
I will add a comment regarding William Grey and that his character is much more developed and interesting now instead of the whiny and boring character he was in book 7. He actually has somewhat of a commanding voice in this book and might actually show us that he really is the son of Jamie Fraser and man-up to the character he should be. William may look like his father, but he hasn't shown the presence or personality of his father very much until now. We never had this issue with Brianna. We knew from the start that she was Jamie Fraser's daughter by looks and her presence. She is a commanding young women and there is no mistake about who her father is.
I love this series. I get completely lost in another world when I read Diana's book. It's as if I am time traveling with these characters. The writing is unbelievably vivid and takes your imagination on a roller coaster ride. I love all the characters even the not so likable ones.
I don't know how I will be able to wait for the next installment to the series. I guess I will have to occupy my time with other books -- maybe another series in the meantime!
