Outlander Book Series - Question if you read the whole series

[Allons-y!]

I love the series, although I have yet to be able to get through the most recent book. Every other one I flew through, but I just can't get into Heart's Blood. The others I've read multiple times, and I know I've got to finish it before book 9 comes out. I may try it on audio and listen as I drive to and from work.

I only watched the first episode of the STARZ series, but I am having a hard time understanding how it could have been interpreted as sci-fi. Yes, there is the little bit of time travel, but I can't imagine how that could have played a big role in the TV series to mislead someone into thinking that the books are anything but historical fiction. I think I'm glad I didn't continue watching!

 

[Christine]

I love the series, although I have yet to be able to get through the most recent book. Every other one I flew through, but I just can't get into Heart's Blood. The others I've read multiple times, and I know I've got to finish it before book 9 comes out. I may try it on audio and listen as I drive to and from work.

As I said upthread, the most recent book is my least favorite. I felt like chapter upon chapter was spent on one week of time. It just went on and on and on and on...I got really bored with much of it. But I will not give up the series. I will read till the end!

 

[ronandannette]

Only 20 minutes a night? I hope you are a speed reader !

No way, I would've ever had that much self control

Not self-controlled, just tired. By the time I get to bed, which is where I generally do my reading, I'm lucky to last long enough to get 2 chapters in.

ronandannette - have you ever read David Eddings books? EXCELLENT! back to lurking

No I haven't - I admit some of the cover art has put me off a little. But I'm always looking for something new, especially an epic so I will certainly entertain your suggestion. Thanks.

 

[Turn the Page]

I love the series, although I have yet to be able to get through the most recent book. Every other one I flew through, but I just can't get into Heart's Blood. The others I've read multiple times, and I know I've got to finish it before book 9 comes out. I may try it on audio and listen as I drive to and from work.

I only watched the first episode of the STARZ series, but I am having a hard time understanding how it could have been interpreted as sci-fi. Yes, there is the little bit of time travel, but I can't imagine how that could have played a big role in the TV series to mislead someone into thinking that the books are anything but historical fiction. I think I'm glad I didn't continue watching!

I watched all but the last two episodes of season 1 and I am really not sure where anyone would get the impression that it is sci-fi. I really enjoyed the series and if you gave it another shot I doubt you would be disappointed.

 

[Allons-y!]

I watched all but the last two episodes of season 1 and I am really not sure where anyone would get the impression that it is sci-fi. I really enjoyed the series and if you gave it another shot I doubt you would be disappointed.

Okay, I thought that post sounded strange. I couldn't imagine how anyone could think that the books were sci-fi based on the shows. But, that wasn't the reason I didn't keep up with the TV series. This is truly one of my favorite book series of all time, and I have such strong ideas of how everyone looks, acts, etc., that I didn't really enjoy the first episode.

 

[Turn the Page]

Okay, I thought that post sounded strange. I couldn't imagine how anyone could think that the books were sci-fi based on the shows. But, that wasn't the reason I didn't keep up with the TV series. This is truly one of my favorite book series of all time, and I have such strong ideas of how everyone looks, acts, etc., that I didn't really enjoy the first episode.

Ah yes, I understand. I had trouble with Jamie at first but there was one scene where he jumped off his horse brandishing his sword or something like that and I got it. I like him now. I do still have a bit of a problem with Claire. We will see if that changes in the next season.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I remember I was VERY reluctant to read these books. It was probably 10-12 years ago. There was a LOT of talk on book sites about this book and it was classified in the romance genre. I avoided the books for so long because I just thought I was "better" than that! No way was I reading a romance novel (plus, admittedly I avoid books that seem to be the "rage" such as the 50 Shades stuff)..

I a good, juicy, historical smut romance novel. I have no shame.

 

[MomofKatie]

OP- don't give up! The second book can get a bit slow at times, but once you get through to the end, the third book really gets amazing. Book 3 is actually my very favorite, I think. Book 2 really is the last time the whole "trying to change historic events" and the Scottish uprising/Bonnie Prince Charlie thing is at all discussed or has any real importance. I won't spoil the rest of the books for you, but I will say that the 1740s Culloden time period is not really revisited in any if the other books (except in flashbacks briefly in the third book, and it covers mainly the 10 years after the battle and how the surviving Scots fared).

 

[Turn the Page]

OP- don't give up! The second book can get a bit slow at times, but once you get through to the end, the third book really gets amazing. Book 3 is actually my very favorite, I think. Book 2 really is the last time the whole "trying to change historic events" and the Scottish uprising/Bonnie Prince Charlie thing is at all discussed or has any real importance. I won't spoil the rest of the books for you, but I will say that the 1740s Culloden time period is not really revisited in any if the other books (except in flashbacks briefly in the third book, and it covers mainly the 10 years after the battle and how the surviving Scots fared).

The third one is really good but I like them all in their own way.

 

[AndieKay]

Ah yep...he's apparently a total whack-job. Robert Jordan (Wheel of Time) died and still managed to write a book faster than George...

That reminds me... I never did see that one through. I gave up on Jordan... but if I'm willing to wait out GRRM, then I should go back to WoT and see where I left off. Did someone end up completing it after he died? Sorry, lost track of that thread when I gave up on the WoT stuff... I should know better!

 

[RedHatDisney]

ronandannette ahahahahahaha! (sorry, I'm a dunce about quotes) I have all of David Eddings, in hardback and paperback.. ENTIRE SERIES! (and it's a great one) He's my favorite in genre, and his wife also writes every now and then. Give it a go. Or pm me and we can arrange my sending you the books. I'm downsizing my books and would love for my faves to be in good hands. No charge (don't know if this is allowed).

 

[ronandannette]

That reminds me... I never did see that one through. I gave up on Jordan... but if I'm willing to wait out GRRM, then I should go back to WoT and see where I left off. Did someone end up completing it after he died? Sorry, lost track of that thread when I gave up on the WoT stuff... I should know better!

Yes. Apparently the outlines for the series' completion were already done. I'm not sure if his demise had been expected or not or if the sequence of events had been planned, but his widow then hired Brandon Sanderson (a fairly successful sci-fan author in his own right) to finish the last book. I was really trepidatious about reading it because I sooooo loved the WoT and was afraid it would be ruined. It actually finished up really wonderfully - it took me almost a year to read the last volume because I just couldn't bear to have it end. (I'd "known" some of those characters for longer than I've know DH - LOL)

ronandannette ahahahahahaha! (sorry, I'm a dunce about quotes) I have all of David Eddings, in hardback and paperback.. ENTIRE SERIES! (and it's a great one) He's my favorite in genre, and his wife also writes every now and then. Give it a go. Or pm me and we can arrange my sending you the books. I'm downsizing my books and would love for my faves to be in good hands. No charge (don't know if this is allowed).

Wow - that is such a sweet offer; you are a very nice person. Alas, due to some pesky vision issues I do almost all of my leisure reading on my iPad now so I can adjust the font and back-lighting. I'm definitely going to pursue your recommendation though. I'd really like your opinion on which series to start with and if possible, if you could list the volumes in order. Thanks in advance.

 

[RedHatDisney]

I can relate with the vision issues, love my kindle! David Eddings, start with The Belgariad, series of 4 books Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, Magician's Gambit, Castle of Wizardry, and Enchanter's End Game. Then is the Belgarion Saga (they're all connected). Let me know when you're ready for that. I'm not aware of current cover art, the original covers were gorgeous! ENJOY! Another series I enjoyed was Julian May's Pliocene Exile, and then all THOSE connected books. Sigh. I really loved both sets of books. Might be time to reread them. I don't know if Julian May's series is available in ebooks. I hate buying all the books AGAIN for the ebook format, but one does what one must! ;-)

 

[ronandannette]

I can relate with the vision issues, love my kindle! David Eddings, start with The Belgariad, series of 4 books Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, Magician's Gambit, Castle of Wizardry, and Enchanter's End Game. Then is the Belgarion Saga (they're all connected). Let me know when you're ready for that. I'm not aware of current cover art, the original covers were gorgeous! ENJOY! Another series I enjoyed was Julian May's Pliocene Exile, and then all THOSE connected books. Sigh. I really loved both sets of books. Might be time to reread them. I don't know if Julian May's series is available in ebooks. I hate buying all the books AGAIN for the ebook format, but one does what one must! ;-)

Here's a recommendation for you, if you aren't already familiar with it: Karen Miller's Godspeaker Trilogy. I really enjoyed that one, although I haven't been as fond of some of her other series. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godspeaker
P.S. I download most of my iPad content free from my local library using an app called Overdrive. Maybe there's something similar available to you?

 

[RedHatDisney]

Wow! Thanks for the info on Overdrive......gotta check it out. Thanks, again.