3 stars - because I'm feeling generous.

I wept when I finished this book - and not because it was sentimental or especially nostalgic - but because I was so relieved to have finally crossed the finish line.

If you've read through six of these things then it will be no spoiler to note that I absolutely can not handle another sniveling, defenseless female being raped (or gang raped) by a group of bawdy men absolutely unable to control themselves at the sight of a woman alone. A few times was enough to make me fast forward - but that every single time a woman ends up alone in this series and is not only unable to defend herself but always in danger of being raped - makes me seriously speculate that Gabaldon must entertain a wide variety of rape-fantasies. Ffs - please keep them in your head from here on out.

To top it off - the entire first 3/4 of this book was a very beautifully and thoroughly-written description of 18th-century subsistence/homestead living. Absolutely nothing aside from kidnapping and rape occurred at all - unless you count detailed medical descriptions of Claire's healing efforts on the Ridge or abundant childbirth and violent death.

The last quarter of the book felt more like the Voyager I fell head over heels for.

I think a very long break is in order before I decide it it will be worth it to brave book 7.

But I think you could probably skip the last two books and not have missed much. ( )

Just as with all of the books in the Outlander series, this one is long and chunky. I enjoy reading this series in small doses over several months, in between other books. Always rooting for Claire and Jamie and Brianna and Roger! And Young Ian and Fergus and...and... Lots of good people but there's also despicable characters. Onwards to the next one! ( )

Enjoyable as always... A good standby. ( )

Set this one down at about 1/2 way for months... wasn’t into the history part and it had gotten too slow, history name dropping etc. picked it up again and fell back in love with the people and series! ( )

This might be my favorite in the series thus far (save the first)! Absolutely packed to the gills with domesticity, emotion, and medical content (which are the things I love about these books) and very light on the politics and battles, despite it happening during the American Civial War.

I was honestly shocked at the turn of events near the end. I likely should have expected it, but I was so cozy on Fraser's Ridge with everyone it hadn't crossed my mind.

The only thing that holds this back from a perfect score is the unfortunate amount of r*pe and SA that occur. Sadly not new themes in Outlander books, but truly the instances here added nothing to the story, and made no significant changes to character or plot. ( )