A Breath of Snow and Ashes

Outlander, Book 6

By: Diana Gabaldon

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Length: 57 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

A worldwide sensation with more than 12 million copies in print, Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series has produced #1 best-selling novels and earned a fiercely devoted fan base. Another spellbinding entry in the series, A Breath of Snow and Ashes continues the saga of 18th-century Scotsman Jamie Fraser and his 20th-century, time-traveling wife, Claire. The year is 1772, and the rift between Britain and its American colonies has put a frightening word into the minds of all concerned: revolution. In the backwoods of North Carolina, violence has already reared its ugly head, as cabins have been burned to the ground. To preserve the colony for King George III, the governor pleads with Jamie to bring the people together and restore peace. But Jamie has the privilege, although some might call it a burden, of knowing that war cannot be avoided. Claire has told him that the colonies will unite and rebel, and the result will be independence, with all British loyalists either dead or exiled. And there is an additional problem. Claire has discovered a newspaper clipping from 1776 that tells of Jamie’s death. With its epic scope, historical details, and sweeping romance, A Breath of Snow and Ashes is everything Gabaldon’s fans love and more.

©2005 Diana Gabaldon (P)2005 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"[A]n enthralling experience." ( Booklist)

Excellent just like the rest of the series

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I will and I have

What other book might you compare A Breath of Snow and Ashes to and why?

The Imortal Intruments series

Have you listened to any of Davina Porter’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

All books made me laugh, a couple got a tear or two out of me

Any additional comments?

Patiently waiting for the series on tv to come back on and look for any other books of this series I might have missed. Not sure if I want to listen to the lord john series yet.

Not the strongest one in series

Narrator lovely as always. Felt like I was watching to clock getting to the ending.

Perfect Escape

If you could sum up A Breath of Snow and Ashes in three words, what would they be?

Three words to describe this book: epic, amazing, outstanding.

As an avid reader and a lover of audio books as well, the Diana Gabaldon Outlander series is the best I have read and listened to by far.

For example, I have read the first book, Outlander, three times, and listened to it a fourth time as well. I read Dragonfly in Amber and Voyager twice, then listened to it a third time as well. I found Drums of Autumn, Fiery Snow and A Breath of Snow in Ashes a bit boring to read, but I loved listening to them. I never tried to read An Echo in Bone, but avidly listened to the book. I cannot wait for the next book to come out in early 2013!!!

Davina Porter, as the narrator, is an incredible actress who brings Ms. Gabaldon's written word to life. I think that Ms. Porter is able to make me feel that I actually know and care about these characters.

Throughout this series, I was often lost in my book while driving, doing housework and exercising. I went out of my way to do all of the tedious chores, just so I could listen to this series!

My only regret is that once I finished listening to the series, I feel sad to not have the company of Jaimie, Claire and their family and friends. These audiobooks are worth every penny, or credit! There is no series that will compare.

Gabaldon at her best

Would you listen to A Breath of Snow and Ashes again? Why?

Yes, I love the story. The narrator is the best I have ever heard in an audio book. I will listen to books just to hear Davina Porter

What did you like best about this story?

Gabaldon captures my interest in history as well a creating an intriguing story

Which character – as performed by Davina Porter – was your favorite?

Of course, Claire Fraser.

Who was the most memorable character of A Breath of Snow and Ashes and why?

Jamie and Claire Fraser

Any additional comments?

I have listened to the entire series. I can't imagine reading the book would be as exciting. The narrator, Davina Porter is superb!

Highly entertaining

Each book just keeps getting better and better! I just love the Outlander series!

I worry about these people!

These characters have become so vivid to me! Well actually I knew them quite well from the first book but now I feel like I know them intimately.

Porter's Reading of the characters, their voices, dialects and attitudes is so amazingly pure and captivating.

As a male reader/listener I find myself struck by how much I enjoyed this romance novel. It's much more than a bodice ripper though!

And I find, well surely I delude myself, in thinking that I might gain some insight into the female psyche.

Great stuff!

Wonderful, as expected!

I listen to my audio books on the way to and from work, also at my lunch hour. I looked forward to this one every day!

Breath

The Outlander Series consists of 8 novels in addition to a few novellas, shorts. This review addresses the full-length novels only. Ranging in audiobook length from 32 to 57 hours in length, all books are beautifully narrated by Davina Porter. Published by Recorded Books from 2006 to 2014. Although you can jump into the series at any point, you will regret not starting at the beginning, with Outlander.

Plot. While on a walk to retrieve flowers, a 1940s nurse, the beautiful, young Claire Randall, is transported to the 18th century. She is rescued by and falls in love with a handsome Scottish highlander, Jamie Frazier. The two lead characters traverse the pages of the entire series through the Highland wars of the 1750s to the American Revolutionary War. In a timeframe of approximately 30 years start to finish, historical characters briefly appear, although Gabaldon does not change history. The stories are about how events affect the lives of the characters, their love for each other and their families. Claire’s medical background and knowledge of flowers/herbs are significant to her character building. Jamie is extraordinarily alpha male, a you-need-my-protection guy. Great appeal to the damsel in distress reader. Nails-on-a-blackboard to the MeToo crowd.

Liked. Length - the books are very long - you’re in for about 400 hours of listening. Personal preference, I suppose. But the longer, the better. Historical novels. Before listening to this series, I had very little knowledge of the Scottish highlands and the wars of that era/place. The impact of the American Revolutionary War was also educational. The use of herbs and their medicinal use, the brutality of piracy, the hardship aboard tall-ships - many historical tidbits of well-researched detail transports you to the time and place. Nicely done.

The narration is awesome. Frankly, one of the main reason that had me working through the entire series. If you have never listened to Davina Porter, do yourself a favor and give her a go - just terrific.

Not so hot. Lots of no-fade-to-black sex. Homosexuality, i.e., me-Tarzan-you-Tarzan. There is quite a bit of me-Tarzan-you-Jane dominance. Not my cup ‘o tea, and quite often, I wanted to kick Jamie in the ….. well, you get the idea - way too much alpha male in his character. Claire is too girlish and submissive. He picks her up like she’s a feather. She sits on his lap a lot.🙄 Reality: my hubby would break his back, and between the two of us we’d break a chair. Many readers will enjoy the explicit romance-novel stuff, including rape and oral sex. Used fast-forward more than usual to get back to the meat of the story, nice audiobook feature.

Recommended for lovers of history and lovers of romance novels. Not recommended if you are offended by explicit sex scenes.

love hate

I had so much trouble with this book, emotionally. I was just devistated by the events left and right. on top of being completly confused about my feelings toward Stephen bonnet. why do I love him!?!? the revelations at the end and the merciful parting made it all worth it. please tell me Diana is going to write bonnet's story some day !!!

Still facinated!!

Im hooked on this series! Love the narrator. I cant wait to start the next book.