Written in My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Well that was disappointing. Considering I’ve given each of the other books in the Outlander series five stars out of five, I expected much more out of this one.
If I were to give this novel a subtitle, it would be “The Novel in which Truly Nothing Happens.” After the climax of An Echo in the Bone I went into this book hoping for a spectacular continuation. What I got was a long, drawn out story that lasted the entirety of the novel and ended exactly as I knew it would. There were so many chapters between the tales of Bri and Roger, and Clair and Jamie, that around the middle of the book I forgot one of the story lines existed. Completely lacking a plot, the only notable thing in this poor excuse for a novel is that Jamie, at one point, acts completely out of character.
I’m afraid Miss Gabaldon should have ended the series with book seven. If I wanted a history lesson, which is basically what Written in My Own Heart’s Blood amounts to, I’d have read a textbook.
Will I read the next book? Probably. I may borrow it from the library or wait for the paperback to come out instead of rushing to pre-order the hardcover. But if the next one doesn’t impress me, I’m out.
lindaghill.com 
March 31, 2015 at 5:05 pm
Thanks for the review! I’ve read the first three books in the series, downloaded the fourth, and just haven’t been able to force myself to read it, for like three years. LOL! I want to love this series and I did love the first book, but the writing is so verbose that it makes me crazy. I’ve been trying to decide if I want to invest the time into the rest of the series, but I’m just not sure I can get there. 🙂
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April 1, 2015 at 2:22 pm
I’ve read the first seven books two times each, but you’re right – they get more verbose as they go on and as they get thicker into the history. If only there were condensed versions. 😛
You’re welcome for the review Wanda. Thanks for your comment. 🙂
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March 31, 2015 at 11:16 am
I too have read all of Diana’s books (except this latest). i really enjoy her writing – but I have to tell you I have found each successive novel less interesting than the previous one. She is still worth reading but is no where as griping as the first couple of books. thanks for the book review Linda – i’m not really surprised at your low rating.
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April 1, 2015 at 1:33 pm
Thanks for your comment, Paul. I’ve read all of them twice – won’t be re-reading this one though. 😛
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March 31, 2015 at 9:28 am
I got that way with Fiery Cross. I still had every intention of going back to read it, but now I can’t remember anything and it’s too much work to reread it all. Lol.
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March 31, 2015 at 9:32 am
The Fiery Cross had a bit of a slow start, but it got better. With this one I was waiting… it never happened. 😛
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March 31, 2015 at 9:43 am
I’m sorry it was such a let down, but I’m honestly not surprised. Thanks for the review. 🙂
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March 31, 2015 at 9:46 am
You’re welcome. I’m mostly upset because I spent the money on the hardcover for the first time in the series. AND I have the ebook too.
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March 31, 2015 at 9:48 am
Yeah, that’s even worse!
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March 31, 2015 at 9:14 am
LOL, you know a book review is going to be good when it begins, “well that was disappointing…”
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March 31, 2015 at 9:23 am
Right? 😛
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