In a series of books where shocking plot twists are not only accepted but expected, it would be a disservice to future readers of the Outlander Series to not submit the following advisory: Do not read this review until you have read the first book in the series, Outlander. In point of fact, these books should not be called a "series." They are not different stories of different characters with a connection to those in the previous work. It is a continuing saga of amazing depth. The characters grow and evolve with each subsequent installment.

By page six of Dragonfly in Amber, the already enraptured reader is screaming: What is going on here?!?

The story opens in 1968 Inverness, Scotland. Roger Wakefield is the adopted son of the Reverend Wakefield, the historian who found Frank Randall's lineage in Outlander. Roger is currently staying at the late Reverend's home while trying to make sense of all the clutter that the dear man left behind. When he opens the door to a middle-aged Claire, there is a moment of stunning shock. What is she doing in Scotland in 1968? When her young adult daughter Brianna appears behind her, there is an audible gasp. Brianna is the spitting image of Jamie Fraser but it is the late Frank Randall whom she calls father.

Claire and her daughter are visiting Scotland on a trip from their homeland of America. Enlisting Roger's help, Claire tries to discover which Highlanders survived the final devastating battle of the Scottish Jacobites at their defeat by the English. Why she wasn't present for that historical battle, when by all appearances at the conclusion of Outlander she should have been, is just the tip of the intriguing twists of this book.

As Roger carries out his research, strange facts and inconsistencies come to light. When unaccountable information is exposed, Claire is forced to reveal the truth of her past and of her daughter's heritage. Not surprisingly, Brianna has difficulty accepting the truth. In a quick and concise manner, Claire tells Brianna and Roger the first part of her adventure, the story detailed in Outlander. In a somewhat disjointed dialogue, Claire reports what took place when she returned to 1948 England from 1745 Scotland.

The vast breadth of the story, the one that picks up the thread left at the end of Outlander, starts again in all its glory almost right from the point where its predecessor stopped. Claire and Jamie are in France in early 1744. Hoping to thwart Charles Stuart and his rebellion, they become part of the political quagmire of the times, including the perilous microcosm found at the glittering court of Louis' Versailles. To the very end, the question of their success is kept a mystery.

The romance of Claire and Jamie continues to leave us breathless. As husband and wife, theirs is not a perfect relationship but a real one, filled with irritations and imperfections that are as delightful as their courtship. Their struggle to stay together and their overwhelming lust for each other provides as much romance and sexual tension as the first story. Even when faced with the worst situation a husband and wife may have to endure, their love proves strong enough to survive.

Ms. Gabaldon shows the depth of her talent in her ability to keep Claire, regardless of how long she stays in the 18th century, true to her 20th century persona. Claire's demeanor and colloquialisms lend much to the tension and humor of the book. Jamie Fraser is still one of the most appealing leading men to come alive on a page. His overpowering masculinity is accompanied by a sensitivity and emotional accessibility rarely found in the male species.

"Let me tell ye in your sleep how much I love you. For there's no so much I can be saying to ye while ye wake, but the same poor words, again and again. While ye sleep in my arms, I can say things to ye that would be daft and silly waking, and your dreams will know the truth of them."

Dragonfly in Amber is as engrossing and enthralling as Outlander with its own shattering surprises. The 18th century adventure of Claire is as compelling as ever. The intriguing question of what happens to the 20th century Claire keeps us turning the pages at a frantic pace and the last fifty pages are so intense they must be read at one sitting. Ms. Gabaldon has once again created a romantic, historical mosaic masterpiece.

Donna Russo Morin
© June 2005