Go tell the bees that I’m gone- Outlander 9

[TeaSoakedDisasterMagnet]

Anyone else reading or just read the new Outlander book? Any thoughts welcome. I’m a bit fed up and underwhelmed at the same time.

I enjoyed it, but then it just.... stopped!

Have been pacing myself but now on page 700 and don't want it to end. Am enjoying it more than I thought I might as I was a bit nervous whelmed by the last one.

I finished it last week, it wasn't as good as I hoped it would be. I think it felt like it had be written especially for the TV and lacked some depth.
I've read them all a good few times so maybe it will be better on a reread.

I'm still reading it. I'm really not interested in all the Lord John and Hal stuff. It felt like there were lots of references to events that happened in the separate Lord John books she's written. I haven't read them, so I'm not sure if I'm right but I just... can't be arsed with it. I wish she'd keep the focus on Jamie and Claire (and Brianna, Fergus, et al.) instead of all the endless detail about John.

Agree that I have no interest in John, Hal or even really the William stuff. I think I skipped on through all of those bits, it holds no interest for me.

@blibblibs I felt a bit like some of it was fan service for the fans of the tv show.

It just felt so slow to me until the last 20-25% when it suddenly raced along at a million miles an hour. I think that’s what’s left me feeling underwhelmed really!

I have just finished it. It sure what to think. I was ready for this to be the last book. I’m not sure I can wait 7 years for the next one!

She wanders off on so many tangents it’s ridiculous. It seems like she forgets some of the story strands and then has to weave them back in somehow.

I feel a bit deflated really.

Aargh. Just lost my post.

I’ve just finished it and am feeling deflated. Was ready to have this as the last book. I’m not sure I can wait 7 years for the next one!

She seems to go off in so many different tangents and then has to try to weave the strands back in somehow.

So I didn’t lose my post after all. [hmmm]

I just finished reading it. I absolutely loved it, especially the life at the ridge. I love Lord John and liked his bits better in this book. I loved that the battle scenes were not so prolonged. I love Young Ian, Rachel and the other families on the ridge even William is growing on me, he wasn't as annoying in this book, except for the parts with Amaranthus(hope he gets over his obsession with her cos she's awful). Now for another 7 year wait !

@Peridot1 yes she does wander off on tangents! I don’t understand why we got so much faffing about rehashing the first 8 books, and then got all of the action in the last 20%. The last battle for instance, where she’s with Jamie, felt so rushed and deserved so much more detail than just sitting in the rain for two pages and then being back at the ridge.

I've just finished this one. Bit disappointed tbh. I was hoping that Brianna's issue came to a head (rather than another baby) and I really don't like the William bits (or Amaranthus). Felt like a "hobbits are on a journey" book.

I am still reading it. I started it when it was released.
It hasnt gripped my attention like the others did and I too find the Lord John bits boring
I am also finding that a lot of it is not actually moving the plot along but stagnating it somewhat.
I am only about a third in. I am trying to read a bit every night instead of wasted time scrolling through my phone.

@RoseMartha the last 20% moves along very quickly. I skipped most of the LJG and William stuff. I’m still a bit annoyed about this book!

@TeaSoakedDisasterMagnet
Good because atm it is a snails pace.
Like you I am not particularly interested in the William arc either.

Are Fergus and Marsali in the book as in actual storyline?

I thought the previous book was far more captivating.

Fergus and Marsali appear a bit in the middle but it’s in passing tbh.

I definitely found the previous ones much better. It feels like there’s a lot of tv fan service in this one. It’s actually frustrating how fast the last 20% moves compared to the rest of the book.

I'm actually taking a break from it at present. It's just not grabbed me at all & I'm starting to find it a chore. It's disappointing

@TeaSoakedDisasterMagnet ok ty

I will post again when I finish it see if it improves

@Redglitter
It certainly is not captivating at all
Normally I sit and read them every spare moment I get. Now I have to remind myself to read it

It definitely felt like a slog! Good luck!

I quite enjoyed it. I'm not that interested in John, Hal, William et al. but at least William wasn't quite as whiny and annoying this time.
I like all the domestic stuff and the wee details but this one was very slow. It references a lot of stuff that has happened in earlier books. I don't think we needed that much rehashing. And the weird magic healing was a bit mental. I still enjoyed it, though.

I also feel that she's setting up new story lines so that she can keep going beyond book 10 even though that's supposed to be the last one. Typical author, finds a money spinner and spins it right out as long as possible.