Outlander Review

Outlander is technically a reread for me. However, I read it in my pre-blog days, and I haven’t talked about it. I also apparently forgot a lot about it, so it felt like a fresh read to me. Gotta love a scattered memory. Let’s get into my Outlander review.

Synopsis

Scottish Highlands, 1945. Claire Randall, a former British combat nurse, is just back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an “outlander”—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding clans in the year of Our Lord . . . 1743.

Claire is catapulted into the intrigues of a world that threatens her life, and may shatter her heart. Marooned amid danger, passion, and violence, Claire learns her only chance of safety lies in Jamie Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior. What begins in compulsion becomes urgent need, and Claire finds herself torn between two very different men, in two irreconcilable lives.

My Thoughts on Outlander

The first time I read Outlander, I enjoyed it, but not enough to continue the series. I’m happy to say that I enjoyed it a lot more this time around. It felt familiar but still had enough excitement to keep me intrigued. I love an immersive story and that’s exactly what this is. I would lose myself for hours reading it. I could feel every gust of wind, smell every smell, feel their fear, etc.

That immersive feeling carried me right into the romance between Claire and Jamie. They had chemistry right from the beginning. The angst really kept me intrigued. Unfortunately, though I think it was the angst that I liked most about them though. After they got together my interest in their relationship waned. That could just be a me thing though. I don’t particularly dislike them together, but it all happened so fast. And let’s not forget the fact that Claire is still technically married to Frank.

My disappointment in the romance didn’t really dampen my enjoyment of the book. However, I will say there were a few spots where the pacing felt off. There were a few spots that I think could have been shortened altogether. Overall, though, I had a great time reading it and I will probably give book two a read soon.

My Rating: 3/5