Outlander Overview 

The Outlander books are an ongoing series, started in 1991 by the author Diana Gabaldon. Now, its on book nine which was released on the 23rd of November 2021. The general premise of the series is an English combat nurse from 1946 is suddenly transported back in time to 1743. Diana got inspiration for the Outlander books from watching The War Games, a classic Doctor Who serial. Her attention was captured by the young Scot, Jamie McCrimmon, living in 1745, who she named her male protagonist after. Diana had intended to write a straight-up historical novel, but when the female protagonist, Claire, began having a more modern flair, Diana decided to make Claire a modern woman living in 1743. 

The Outlander books mix together several different genres, particularly: historical fiction, romance, adventure and fantasy. Outlander rose to popularity and ended up selling 25 million copies worldwide, hence making Outlander one of the best selling book series of all time.

TV Show Based – About Outlander Series

A Starz TV show adaption of the books was made in 2014, with a total of five seasons currently and it has been renewed for two more. Each season is based on its respective book, so season one is based on book one, etc. It stars: Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser, Caitriona Balfe as Claire Beauchamp, Sophie Skeleton as Brianna Randall, Tobias Menzies as Frank Randall/Jonathan Randall, Graham McTavish as Dougal MacKenzie/William MacKenzie, and Richard Rankin as Roger Wakefield. Season one was generally well-received, gaining a 93% on review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes, with one critical consensus saying that: “Outlander is a unique, satisfying adaptation of its source material, brought to life by lush scenery and potent chemistry between its leads”. The rest of the seasons have been consistently well reviewed and viewing figures have also remained stable.

Outlander Books In Order (Reading Order) (WARNING: SERIES SPOILERS AHEAD)

The following is the correct reading order for the Outlander Books, so here are The Outlander Books in chronological order:

Outlander – Book One

It’s the year 1946, just after World War 2. So combat nurse Claire heads to the Scottish Highlands with her husband Frank. The plan is for it to be a second honeymoon, to reignite the love. But suddenly, Claire is no longer in 1946. It’s now 1743. And the first person she meets is a British army officer. Who is also her husband’s six-times great-grandfather.

Whilst trying to escape Black Jack Randall, who is nothing like his descendant, she finds herself captured by a gang of Scottish outlaws. Her only chance of safety lies in Jamie Fraser, a gallant Scot warrior.

Dragonfly In Amber – Book Two

For twenty years, Claire has kept her secrets. Now, she is returning to the Scottish Highlands with her grown daughter. Here, Claire plans to reveal the truth of what happened to her. And the secrets that the mist-shrouded hills hold. The ancient circle of standing stones, a love that transcends the boundary of time, and the gallant Scot.

In the meantime, Claire needs to try to stop the Jacobite rising from happening. Because if it does, she could lose her daughter or the man that she loves.

Voyager – Book Three

Jamie lies on the battlefield in Culloden. Wounded, he faces two options: imprisonment or execution. Either would lead to the same end, his wife would be gone.

In 1746, Claire makes a journey through time to protect their unborn child. Even if it means leaving Jamie to die. In 1968, Claire discovers that Jamie didn’t actually die on the battlefield. But where is Jamie now?

Drums of Autumn – Book Four

Claire travels back in time again to reunite with Jamie. But this time in frontier America. Also Claire has left something behind in her time – their daughter Brianna.

Now Brianna has made a disturbing discovery that sends her to the stone circle and a terrifying leap into the unknown. In search of her mother and the father she has never met, she risks her own future to try to change history – and to save their lives.

The Fiery Cross – Book Five

1771: the Colony of North Carolina stands in an uneasy balance, with the rich, colonial aristocracy on one side and the struggling pioneers of the backcountry on the other.

Between them stands Jamie Fraser, a man of honour, a man of worth. Exiled from his beloved Scotland, he is at last possessed of the land he has longed for. By his side his extraordinary wife, Claire, a woman out of time and out of place, blessed with the uneasy gift of the knowledge of what is to come.

A Breath of Snow and Ashes – Book Six

It’s 1772, the Royal Colony of North Carolina, and the governor calls upon Jamie Fraser to unite the backcountry and preserve the colony for King and Crown.

Although there’s one minor problem: Jamie Fraser’s wife, Claire, is a time-traveller, as are his daughter and son-in-law. And Jamie knows that three years hence, the shot heard round the world will be fired, and the end of it all will be independence – with those loyal to the King either dead or in exile.

An Echo in the Bone – Book Seven

The year is 1777. And the place is North Carolina. As the American rebellion grows in intensity, Highlander Jamie Fraser and his wife Claire need to decide which side their family is going to be on.

So in theory, the choice should be an easy one, given that Claire was born in the twentieth century and has already seen the future – in history books. But things are never simple where the Frasers are concerned, as father and son unwittingly come face to face on the battlefield, and an old adversary reaches forward in time to threaten the next generation.

Written In My Own Heart’s Blood – Book Eight

It is June 1778, and the world seems to be turning upside-down. The British Army is withdrawing from Philadelphia, with George Washington in pursuit, and for the first time, it looks as if the rebels might actually win.

But for Claire Fraser and her family, there are even more tumultuous revolutions that have to be accommodated. Her former husband, Jamie, has returned from the dead. And this time he’s demanding to know why in his absence she married his best friend, Lord John Grey.

Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone – Book Nine

Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall were torn apart by the Jacobite Rising in 1746, and it took them twenty years to find each other again. Now the American Revolution threatens to do the same.

It is 1779 and Claire and Jamie are at last reunited with their daughter, Brianna, her husband, Roger, and their children on Fraser’s Ridge. However, having the family together is a dream the Frasers had thought impossible.

Seven Stones to Stand or Fall: A Collection of Outlander Fiction

A magnificent collection of Outlander short stories —including two never-before-published novellas—featuring Jamie Fraser, Lord John Grey, Master Raymond, and many more, from Diana Gabaldon

“The Custom of the Army,” which begins with Lord John Grey being shocked by an electric eel and ends at the Battle of Quebec. 

“The Space Between,” where it is revealed that the Comte St. Germain is not dead, Master Raymond appears, and a widowed young wine dealer escorts a would-be novice to a convent in Paris.

“A Plague of Zombies,” Lord John unexpectedly becomes military governor of Jamaica when the original governor is gnawed by what probably wasn’t a giant rat.

“A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows” is the moving story of Roger MacKenzie’s parents during World War II.

In “Virgins,” Jamie Fraser, aged nineteen, and Ian Murray, aged twenty, become mercenaries in France, no matter that neither has yet bedded a lass or killed a man. But they’re trying. . . .

“A Fugitive Green” is the story of Lord John’s elder brother, Hal, and a seventeen-year-old rare book dealer with a sideline in theft, forgery, and blackmail. And finally, in “Besieged,” Lord John learns that his mother is in Havana—and that the British Navy is on their way to lay siege to the city.

Filling in mesmerizing chapters in the lives of characters readers have followed over the course of thousands of pages, Gabaldon’s genius is on full display throughout this must-have collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

In what order should you read the Outlander books?

The order which you should read the Outlander books is as follows:

1. Outlander
2. Dragonfly In Amber
3. Voyager
4. Drums Of Autumn
5. The Fiery Cross
6. A Breath of Snow and Ashes
7. An Echo In The Bone
8. Written In My Own Heart’s Blood 
9. Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone

What are the eight books in the Outlander series?

There are nine books in the Outlander series and they are as follows:

1. Outlander
2. Dragonfly In Amber
3. Voyager
4. Drums Of Autumn
5. The Fiery Cross
6. A Breath of Snow and Ashes
7. An Echo In The Bone
8. Written In My Own Heart’s Blood 
9. Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone

Is book 9 of Outlander the last book?

Book 9 of Outlander is the last book that was released but it isn’t the last Outlander book as there will be another, as yet untitled, 10th book.

What is book 7 in the Outlander series?

Book 7 in the Outlander series is An Echo In The Bone.

How many books make up the Outlander series?

There are currently nine books in the Outlander series, they are as follows:

1. Outlander
2. Dragonfly In Amber
3. Voyager
4. Drums Of Autumn
5. The Fiery Cross
6. A Breath of Snow and Ashes
7. An Echo In The Bone
8. Written In My Own Heart’s Blood 
9. Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone

Will there be a book 10 of Outlander?

Yes, there will be a book 10 of Outlander. The 10th book is as yet untitled and there is no release date available yet but a book is definitely in the works.

What is book 9 in the Outlander series?

Book 9 in the Outlander series is Go Tell The Bees That I Am Gone.

Have you read the Outlander Books? Let us know your thoughts!

The post Outlander Books In Order That Inspire The Hit Show appeared first on ReignOfReads.

Whether it’s the main cast, or supporting cast, or you just want to see what new faces you can expect in Season 7, read ahead!

About the Outlander Series

An English combat nurse from 1945 travels back in time to 1743. We follow the story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743. The series follows the storyline of the Outlander novels.

The novels were adapted for TV by Starz with a focus on the network’s development toward “audiences that were being underserved” to “drive a real fervent fan base that then becomes the kind of advocacy group for the shows themselves”.

About the Outlander Books

The Outlander books are an ongoing series, started in 1991 by the author Diana Gabaldon. Now, its on book nine which was released on the 23rd of November 2021. The general premise of the series is an English combat nurse from 1946 is suddenly transported back in time to 1743. Diana got inspiration for the Outlander books from watching The War Games, a classic Doctor Who serial. Her attention was captured by the young Scot, Jamie McCrimmon, living in 1745, who she named her male protagonist after. Diana had intended to write a straight-up historical novel, but when the female protagonist, Claire, began having a more modern flair, Diana decided to make Claire a modern woman living in 1743. 

The Outlander books mix together several different genres, particularly: historical fiction, romance, adventure and fantasy. Outlander rose to popularity and ended up selling 25 million copies worldwide, hence making Outlander one of the best selling book series of all time

Check out more about the series here!

Main Outlander Cast

Sam Heughan

Jamie Fraser

Sam is a Scottish actor, producer and entrepreneur. In this role he has won the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Cable Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actor and the Saturn Award for Best Actor on Television. He also served as the first Global Brand Ambassador for English clothing label Barbour.

Caitriona Balfe

Claire Fraser

This Irish actress has received a British Academy Scotland Award, an Irish Film and Television Award, two People’s Choice Awards and three Saturn Awards. Following her degree in drama from Dublin Institute of Technology, she was a fashion model in Paris for ten years.

Richard Rankin

Roger Wakefield

This Glasgow-born star initially attended Glasgow Caledonian University to study IT, but after a chance encounter at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in LA, a local producer inspired him to move to acting.

Sophie Skelton

Brianna Randall Fraser

Sophie began dancing at the age of 3 and trained at the Royal Academy before moving onto theater and stage productions. Prior to Outlander she had many appearances on classic shows such as The Dumping Ground, Waterloo Road, Doctors, and Casualty.

Tobias Menzies

Jonathan Randall

This star has some ambitious roles under his belt. He played Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh in season 3 & 4 of Netflix’s The Crown, as well as Edmure Tully in Game of Thrones.

Outlander Supporting Cast

Nell Hudson

Laoghaire Fraser

This star has a degree from the Oxford School of Drama. In addition to Outlander she has also starred in Holby City, Call the Midwife, and Informer (2018). Her debut novel, Just For Today, was released in early 2022.

Romann Berrux

Fergus

This French actor originally starred on the French television show Détectives. He studied acting at the Bilingual Acting Workshop’s BAW Teen Film Acting Workshop in Paris. Outlander was his first English-speaking role.

David Berry

Lord John Grey

Originally from Canada, he moved to Australia at aged 7. He attended school on a scholarship for his singing ability and balanced school and professional performances that included work at Opera Australia. He then went on to study at the Australian National Institute of Dramatic Art.

Lauren Lyle

Marsali MacKimmie

This Glasgow-born talent was accepted into the National Youth Theatre’s rep program in 2015 following performances at Edingburgh Fringe and stages in London. In early 2020, Lyle began hosting the podcast She’s a Rec’. In each episode, she interviews a female guest about the “albums, films, books and female heroes” that have had the most influence in their lives.

Duncan Lacroix

Murtagh Fraser

Duncan Lacroix was born on December 28, 1969 in England, UK. He is an actor, known for Outlaw King (2018), The Sisters Brothers (2018) and Vikings (2018)

Graham McTavish

Dougal MacKenzie

Graham probably has one of the prolific acting profiles within the cast. He is known for his roles in various video game franchises such as Uncharted as well as his roles in The Hobbit, Castlevania, Preacher, Red Dwarf, Heartbeat and many more.

John Bell

Young Ian

Like costar Dougal MacKenzie, John Bell also had a role in The Hobbit film series. He also starred in Battleship, Wrath of the Titans, and headlined the Obie winning The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me.

César Domboy

Fergus

This French actor plays adult Fergus. Unlike most of his other castmates, he received no formal acting education, but rather received private lessons. Ever since starring in his first professional role at 14 in 2004, Domboy has been consistent in his rise to fame.

Jessica Reynolds

Malva Christie

Reynolds is fairly new on the acting scene, with only 4 roles under her belt to date. This Irish actress has been seen in The Ballad of Audrey Earnshaw, My Left Nut, and the hit Irish comedy Derry Girls.

Mark Lewis Jones

Tom Christie

Mark Lewis Jones is a Welsh actor who has been active since 1985. He has starred in productions such as Gangs of London, The Crown, Chernobyl, Sinbad, Baker Boys as well as providing the voice for Letho of Gulet in The Witcher games 2 & 3.

Maria Doyle Kennedy

Jocasta Cameron

Maria Doyle Kennedy is an Irish actress, singer and songwriter. Before joining the Outlander cast she was best known for her roles as Queen Catherine of Aragon in the Showtime television series The Tudors and as Siobhan Sadler in the series Orphan Black.

Caitlin O’Ryan

Lizzie Wemyss

Caitlin O’Ryan finds most of her experience on stage, most of which are produced by The Oxford School of Drama.

Chris Larkin

Richard Brown

Son of Dame Maggie Smith, it’s no surprise that Chris Larkin moved into acting. He found himself a series regular in Yes, Prime Minister, Next of Kin, and Doctors (2011 – 2021).

Paul Gorman

Beardsley Twins

This self proclaimed 00’s punk enthusiast boasts Outlander as his first serious acting role! We look forward to seeing how this young talent is going to shine.

Paul Donnelly

Ronnie Sinclair

Having a decent number of acting roles, including the 2006 boxing movie Bronson, Paul Donnelly has a history of stunt and fight coordination! That definitely must come in handy in Outlander!

Outlander Cast – New in Season 7

Charles Vandervaart

William Ransom

Charles has had roles on stage and screen including Our Town and A Month in the Country with the Soulpepper Theatre Company in Toronto. On top of his performing arts interests, Charles is also an accomplished athlete participating in hockey, rock climbing, basketball, soccer, football, swimming, kayaking, sailing, cross country running, triathlons and combat training. He also makes time for piano and guitar.

Joey Phillips

Dr Denzell Hunter

Joey shares on his Twitter some behind the scenes shots of Casualty, as well as sharing with us some of his stage productions!

Izzy Meikle-Small

Rachel Hunter

Prior to joining the Outlander cast, Meikle-Small was best known for her portrayal of young Kathy H in the 2010 film Never Let Me Down.

Chris Fulton

Rob Cameron

Many fans of Outlander and similar shows might recommend Fulton. H appeared in the Netflix series The Witcher for 4 episodes as well as Bridgerton for 2. He shares some… flattering posts with Florence Pugh on his Instagram.

Gloria Obianyo

Mercy Woodcock

Obianyo is a theatre actress by trade, but that didn’t stop her in starring in the Sci-Fi hit Dune. As the first place winner of the Ian Charleson Prize, Obianyo is greatly welcomed as a new part of the Outlander cast.

Rod Hallett

Benedict Arnold

Rod Hallet is no stranger to the big screen. He has starred in several Marvel movies as well as The Hitman’s Bodyguard (2017) and had 5 episodic appearances in The Last Kingdom.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Outlander Irish or Scottish?

Outlander is Scottish, despite being written by an American novelist.

Will Outlander have a season 7?

Yes, we are getting a 7th season of Outlander. In March 2021 Starz officially shared the good news. We also saw a photo from April 2022 from Outlander’s official social media accounts of some cast members on set in Scotland.

What does Jamie Fraser call Claire?

Sassenach means “stranger” or “outlander,” and is a nickname that Jamie uses for Claire.

How old are Jamie Fraser and Claire in real life?

Caitriona Balfe is 43 and Sam Roland Heughan is 42.

What is the age difference between Jamie and Claire?

Claire is roughly 4 years older than Jamie

Where is Outlander filmed?

Most of Outlander is filmed in Scotland. Some notable filming locations include:

• Kinloch Rannoch and Rannoch Moor (Craig na Dun)
• Doune Castle (Castle Leoch)
• Midhope Castle (Lallybroch)
• Falkland (1940’s Inverness)

How excited are you for Outlander Season 7?

The post Outlander Cast: Who is Set to Return in Outlander Season 7? appeared first on ReignOfReads.

Warning: There will be season 6 spoilers ahead so proceed with caution if you haven’t caught up with the series yet!

All About Outlander

An English combat nurse from 1945 travels back in time to 1743. We follow the story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743. The series follows the storyline of the Outlander novels with season 6 following A Breath of Snow and Ashes.

The novels were adapted for TV by Starz with a focus on the network’s development toward “audiences that were being underserved” to “drive a real fervent fan base that then becomes the kind of advocacy group for the shows themselves”.

Outlander Season 7 Cast

Much of the season 1-7 cast returned to our screens for season 7. Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan reprise their roles as the main protagonists Clare and Jamie Fraser with many familiar faces also returning. Check out the full cast list below!

Main Cast Members

Catriona Balfe as Clare Fraser – Clare is our leading lady. Taking on the pseudonym Dr. Rawlings, she brings medical information from the future to 18th century North Carolina.
Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser – This Scottish warrior spent season 5 torn between fulfilling his obligation to Governor Tryon and protecting his life-long friend.
Sophie Skelton as Brianna Randall Fraser Mackenzie– After her mother returns to the past to live with Jamie, Bree follows her and is attacked.
Richard Rankin as Roger Wakefield Mackenzie – Roger is biologically an heir of the Mackenzie clan, a distant descendant born of an affair. He is the husband of Brianna.
John Bell as Young Ian, Young Ian is Jamie’s nephew who also comes to America.
Mark Lewis Jones, Alexander Vlahos as The Christie Family, a family who settle on Fraser’s Ridge.
David Berry as Lord John Grey, an English soldier and diplomat
Caitlin O’Ryan as Lizzie, a young woman who found herself pregnant and unwed in season 6
Paul Gorman as Josiah and Kezzie Beardsley, twins who both are in love with Lizzie.

Returning Cast Members

The beauty of Outlander is its huge list of characters, many of whose appearances come and go throughout the epic series. Lucky for us, we are seeing some familiar faces this season!

Steven Cree as Ian Murray
Graham McTavish as Dougal MacKenzie
Lotte Verbeek as Geillis Duncan
Nell Hudson as Laoghaire MacKenzie MacKimmie Fraser
Layla Burns as Joan MacKimmie
Andrew Whipp as Brian Fraser

New Cast Members

It wouldn’t be an Outlander season without a bunch of new, dangerous and exciting characters. Those who have read the books which Outlander season 7 will follow probably have been looking forward to seeing which actors are representing their favorite characters!

Charles Vandervaart as William Ransom, Jamie’s secret son who Lord John Grey is raising.
Joey Phillips as Dr Denzell Hunter, Rachel’s surgeon brother.
Izzy Meikle-Small as Rachel Hunter, who attracts the attention of some of our beloved characters.
Diarmaid Murtagh as Buck MacKenzie, Dougal and Geillis’ son and Roger’s ancestor.
Also starring…
Chris Fulton as Rob Cameron
Gloria Obianyo as Mercy Woodcock
Rod Hallett as Benedict Arnold
Kristin Atherton as Jenny Murray.

Why don’t we meet some of the new characters?

Outlander Season 6 Recap

Although little is known about Outlander Season 7 just yet, let’s take a look at what happened in Outlander Season 6 so that we’re all up to speed!

WARNING – season 6 spoilers ahead!

Outlander season 6 premiered on Sunday 6th March 2022 on Starz in the US and StarzPlay in the UK. The news was well received by fans, who had experienced a long wait due to lockdown restrictions.

Episode 1 – Echoes

Jamie’s authority is tested when an old rival from Ardsmuir shows up to settle on the Ridge. Claire finds a new way to cope with the trauma of her assault by Lionel Brown.

Episode 2 – Allegiance

Jamie struggles with his first request as Indian Agent. Roger presides over an unusual funeral. Marsali gives birth. However, the joy is short lived when a discovery is made.

Episode 3 – Temperance

Fergus worries about his new son’s quality of life when the baby is bullied by superstitious Protestants. Claire performs surgery on Tom’s hand.

Episode 4 – Hour of the Wolf

While visiting the Cherokee, Ian encounters a man from his past who dredges up painful memories of his time with the Mohawk. Jamie meets an Indian Agent who challenges his convictions, causing him to re-evaluate.

Episode 5 – Give Me Liberty

Claire and Jamie experience the rising tensions in the colonies first-hand when they attend a Loyalist event in Wilmington in honor of the Scottish heroine, Flora MacDonald.

Episode 6 – The World Turned Upside Down

A dysentery epidemic spreads on the Ridge, and Claire falls deathly ill. She is almost recovered when the Christies arrive and drop a bombshell. As nefarious rumors spread like wildfire on the Ridge, tragedy strikes.

Episode 7 – Sticks and Stones

Claire struggles with her demons as a nefarious rumor begins to spread on the Ridge. Tensions rise as the residents fear there is a dangerous person in their midst.

Episode 8 – I Am Not Alone

Richard Brown and his Committee of Safety arrive to arrest Claire for murder. However, due to the rising political tensions in the colonies, Brown’s plan to find a judge for a trial does not go as expected.

Outlander Season 7

Fans may remember the long wait between seasons 5 and 6 mostly due to pandemic-related restrictions. Fans may also noticed that season 6 was fairly short at only 8 episodes long.

Good news! Our favourite lead Caitríona Balfe confirmed that Outlander season 7 is going to make up for the previous season’s shortcomings!

“What we did was we took the four episodes that we would have filmed and we are now having them at the beginning of season seven, so season seven is going to be a 16 episode season.

Caitríona Balfe for Digital Spy

Although that may be good news, Balfe also revealed that filming will take place over 13 months, which will take us up to around May of 2023. Giving the time for the post-production crew to work their magic, Outlander season 7 may not be in our reach until the start of 2024.

So, what’s going to happen in Outlander season 7?

Those who are fans of the Outlander novel series will probably be interested to know what book is Outlander season 7 based on? Outlander season 7 will we largely based on and follow the events featured in Diana Gabaldon’s A Breath of Snow and Ashes, overlapping with the seventh book, An Echo in the Bone.

Feel free the check out the links above for an in-depth overview of what to expect in those novels! Otherwise, keep reading.

We left season 6 with Claire being wrongfully accused of Malva’s murder, which leaves us with a very important question to be answered: Who actually killed Malva?

Not to mention we left off with significant growing civil unrest as the Revolutionary War looms on the horizon. For a little history lesson, the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. The war continued on until 1783 – the seventh book takes place between 1776 and 1778.

We can surely expect Jamie to find himself wrapped in the war, as well as some conflicts between Jamie and his loyalties. These were already a theme in the previous season.

On more positive news, Brianna announced she was pregnant – meaning we can expect a beautiful new addition to the family soon. Of course, this will bring up a difficult decision for the couple. Will they raise their child in Scotland, North Carolina, or even more: in the 21st or 18th century?

Outlander Season 7 Trailer

Unfortunately, with filming still ongoing, Starz has not yet released a trailer! But, we do have some behind the scenes of the cast filming season 7.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I watch season 7 of Outlander?

Due to the length of Outlander season 7, it’s unlikely we’ll be able to watch the newest season until the start of 2024.

Is there a season 7 of Outlander?

Yes, we are getting a 7th season of Outlander. In March 2021 Starz officially shared the good news. We also saw a photo from April 2022 from Outlander’s official social media accounts of some cast members on set in Scotland.  

Where can I watch Outlander season 7?

Although it is not released yet, Starz will air season 7!

Why does Claire marry John Grey?

She was going to be arrested for espionage, and Lord John Grey had to protect her knowing that she wouldn’t be a spy. He married her to offer her his protection.

What is season 7 of Outlander based on?

Outlander season 7 will we largely based on and follow the events featured in Diana Gabaldon’s A Breath of Snow and Ashes, overlapping with the seventh book, An Echo in the Bone.

Have you watched the latest season of Outlander yet? Let us know!

The post When Will Outlander Season 7 Be Released? appeared first on ReignOfReads.

Warning: There will be season 6 spoilers ahead so proceed with caution if you haven’t caught up with season 5 yet!

All About Outlander

An English combat nurse from 1945 travels back in time to 1743. We follow the story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743. The series follows the storyline of the Outlander novels with season 6 following A Breath of Snow and Ashes.

The novels were adapted for TV by Starz with a focus on the network’s development toward “audiences that were being underserved” to “drive a real fervent fan base that then becomes the kind of advocacy group for the shows themselves”.

Outlander Season 6 Cast

Much of the season 1-5 cast returned to our screens for season 6. Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan reprise their roles as the main protagonists Clare and Jamie Fraser with many familiar faces also returning. Check out the full cast list below!

Main Cast Members

Catriona Balfe as Clare Fraser – Clare is our leading lady. Taking on the pseudonym Dr. Rawlings, she brings medical information from the future to 18th century North Carolina.
Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser – This Scottish warrior spent season 5 torn between fulfilling his obligation to Governor Tryon and protecting his life-long friend.
Sophie Skelton as Brianna Randall Fraser Mackenzie– After her mother returns to the past to live with Jamie, Bree follows her and is attacked.
Richard Rankin as Roger Wakefield Mackenzie – Roger is biologically an heir of the Mackenzie clan, a distant descendant born of an affair. He is the husband of Brianna.

Recurring Cast Members

Lauren Lyle as Marsall, wife of Fergus and the daughter of Laoghaire MacKenzie.
César Domboy As Fergus, Fergus accompanied Clare and Jamie to America.
John Bell as Ian, Young Ian is Jamie’s nephew who also comes to America.
Mark Lewis Jones, Alexander Vlahos, Jessica Reynolds As The Christie Family, a family who settle on Fraser’s Ridge.

Outlander Season 5 Recap

So that we are all up to speed and ready for the overview of season 6 let’s just recap exactly what went on in season 5.

WARNING – season 5 spoilers ahead!

In the wake of the celebration of Brianna and Roger’s wedding, the couple, along with son Jeremy, unsuccessfully attempt to travel back to the future.

Meanwile, Jamie Fraser is in a difficult moral dilemma. His loyalties to Governor Tryon and his loyalties to his godfather Murtagh Fraser – the leader of the regulator movement. He is asked to raise a milita to quell the rising regulator threat.

Tragically, Murtagh dies in Episode 7, The Ballad of Roger Mac, saving Jamie’s life and therin dying in his arms.

Throughout the season, Clare tries to use modern medicine to help people without raising suspicions. Under the pseudonym Dr. Rawling, she provides medical advice for the families in the Ridge. Her medical advice succeeds in getting her kidnapped and assaulted. Jamie, Roger, and Ian eventually rescue Clare and kill her kidnappers.

The main perpetrator, Lionel, has his body returned to his brother who thereby vows vengeance.

While the drama and difficult season draws to a close, the American Revolution looms in the background.

Season 6 Overview

Outlander season 6 premiered on Sunday 6th March 2022 on Starz in the US and StarzPlay in the UK. The news was well received by fans, who had been forced to experience a long wait due to lockdown restrictions.

Executive producer Matthew B Roberts insisted that he wouldn’t change the intimate nature of Outlander.

I don’t know how to write ‘COVID-friendly scenes,’ certainly not an Outlander scene, because we are going to have people next to each other, being emotional—you talk close to people, and that’s where it transfers COVID. We had to figure out, how do we keep Outlander, Outlander?”

Matthew B Roberts, Executive Producer

It’s safe to say after watching Outlander Season 6, that Roberts stayed true to his word! This season is just as intimate and sensual as the others. It’s reassuring to know that despite the regulations and restrictions put in place, the behind-the-scenes team made the tone of Outlander a priority alongside the safety of the cast and crew.

Episode 1 – Echoes

Jamie’s authority is tested when an old rival from Ardsmuir shows up to settle on the Ridge. Claire finds a new way to cope with the trauma of her assault by Lionel Brown.

North Carolina, 1773. Jamie gets a letter from Major MacDonald to ask him to become an ‘Indian Agent’, someone to convince the Native Americans to fight for the King.
The Christie family arrive on Fraser’s Ridge and are welcomed by the family.
Young Ian and Allan have a close encounter with some gunshots when they are apparently mistaken as Indians.
After a fight led by Richard Brown on the Ridge, Jamie accepts the offer of Indian Agent so that it will not be passed to Brown.

Episode 2 – Allegiance

Jamie struggles with his first request as Indian Agent. Roger presides over an unusual funeral. Marsali gives birth. However, the joy is short lived when a discovery is made.

Clare is once again accused of witchcraft, this time by Tom Christie. Claire, noticing his daughter Malva’s interest in medicine, asks her to accompany her with the labour of Marsali. During labour we learn that Marsali is violent to her husband for drinking and leaving for days at a time and he defends himself by grabbing her wrists to the point of bruising.
Jamie returns home and explains to Young Ian that the rebels are going to win the war and there will be new, kingless nations.
Marsali and Fergus are together and supportive during her birth, but when the baby is born with dwarfism, Fergus bolts.
Jamie learns that Young Ian has a Mohawk wife, which spurs him to change his mind and fight alongside the Native Americans as they are family.

Episode 3 – Temperance

Fergus worries about his new son’s quality of life when the baby is bullied by superstitious Protestants. Claire performs surgery on Tom’s hand.

The reason behind Fergus bolting was not one of judgement, but one of concern. He knows his son will be treated unfairly and is greatly worried.
Finally, Tom agrees to let Clare perform hand surgery on him. Malva watches through the window. Young Ian notices her standing there and offers to walk her home, to which she reveals that her mother was hanged as a witch.
Fergus and Marsali have a domestic argument where she criticises him for being a drunk. He then gets kicked out.
We learn that Malva is not Tom’s biological daughter.
Fergus begs for death from Jamie so that Marsali can marry someone who can protect her. Jamie takes matters into his own hand and tells Fergus of his importance with honesty and confidence.
In the ending scene, the redcoats come riding to Fraser’s Ridge. The Boston Tea Party has ignited the war.

Episode 4 – Hour of the Wolf

While visiting the Cherokee, Ian encounters a man from his past who dredges up painful memories of his time with the Mohawk. Jamie meets an Indian Agent who challenges his convictions, causing him to re-evaluate.

We learn that Ian had fallen in love with a Cherokee girl. His new friend, Kaheroton, is one of those who had come to trade. Ian had fallen for this girl but after two failed pregnancies, Ian blames himself for not fighting for his love harder.
Emily has given Kaheroton a son, to which Ian tries to fight his former friends. A scuffle ensues resulting in Kaheroton being kicked to the ground.
Sparing Ian the difficult choice of deciding who is to live and die, the other man cheats but his life is spared. Ian allows his love to be with her new husband.

Episode 5 – Give Me Liberty

Claire and Jamie experience the rising tensions in the colonies first-hand when they attend a Loyalist event in Wilmington in honor of the Scottish heroine, Flora MacDonald.

We find Jamie and Clare in Wilmington, North Carolina anticipating an event celebrating Flora MacDonald.
Jamie meets Cornelius Harnett for a drink. He assures Cornelius’ concerns about Jamie’s friendships with the government by telling him he follows his heart, not politics.
Jamie is unamused that Fergus and Marsali are moving off the Ridge.
Flora’s speech is a rounding success. However, a mob gathers at a print shop ready to accost him for releasing a pamphlet that honors the Scottish heroine Flora. Jamie accuses his aunt for goading Fergus into printing propaganda.
We learn that Brianna is pregnant once again.

Episode 6 – The World Turned Upside Down

A dysentery epidemic spreads on the Ridge, and Claire falls deathly ill. She is almost recovered when the Christies arrive and drop a bombshell. As nefarious rumors spread like wildfire on the Ridge, tragedy strikes.

Things are not good on the Ridge. Many of the McNeills have died of dysentery due to contaminated water. Clare falls ill but is nursed by Malva.
Tom shows up to the Fraser’s with news that his daughter is pregnant with Jamie’s child. However, Clare finds logic to assure herself that Malva is lying.

Episode 7 – Sticks and Stones

Claire struggles with her demons as a nefarious rumor begins to spread on the Ridge. Tensions rise as the residents fear there is a dangerous person in their midst.

Malva is dead. The people of the ridge are convinced that Clare is a witch who killed Malva.
At the same time, Lizzie is pregnant and has no idea if it’s twin Kezzie or Josiah’s baby.
Roger expresses his wishes to be ordained as a minister.
After drawing straws, Lizzie and Kezzie are wed.
Despite Clare piecing her sleepful memories together enough to acquit herself of the murder, the group of angry men of the Safety Brigade have a warrant for Clare’s arrest.

Epsidoe 8 – I Am Not Alone

Richard Brown and his Committee of Safety arrive to arrest Claire for murder. However, due to the rising political tensions in the colonies, Brown’s plan to find a judge for a trial does not go as expected.

With the Committee of Safety at their door, Claire and Jamie hold their own against the mob with the arsenal of weapons at their disposal.
Despite the handful of Scots that show up to travel with the pair, Jamie and Claire give themselves up. They are granted one last night in their home.
Thanks to a birthmark on Jemmy’s skull, Roger is assured that he is his son.
Clare and Jamie must head to Wilmington for their trial. Brown is slowly losing control of his men.
Clare and Jamie are separated. Out of the blue, the men guarding Jamie are struck down by Young Ian and the Cherokee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Outlander season 6 only 8 episodes?

Due to pandemic-related scheduling issues and Caitriona Balfe’s pregnancy, the crew decided to condense the season down.

Is there a season 7 of Outlander?

Yes, we are getting a 7th season of Outlander. In March 2021 Starz officially shared the good news. We also saw a photo from April 2022 from Outlander’s official social media accounts of some cast members on set in Scotland.  

Where can I watch Outlander season 6?

Watch Outlander Season 6 here!

What happens in season 6 finale of Outlander?

Clare refuses to give herself up following accusations of her being a witch and killing Malva. This resulted in a shootout between the Committee of Safety and Clare and Jamie. Eventually the couple decided to give themselves up and allow Clare the chance for a fair trial.

Have you watched the latest season of Outlander yet? Let us know!

The post Everything You Need to Know About Outlander Season 6! appeared first on ReignOfReads.

About the Series

If you’re out of the loop, Outlander is a series of historical fantasy novels by bestselling author Diana Gabaldon. The series focuses on 20th century British nurse (Claire) who time travels to 18th century Scotland and falls into an epic romance with warrior Jamie Fraser. With well over 25 million of these books being sold, it’s safe to say that Outlander has become somewhat of a household name.

The book has been such a big deal, in fact, on April 2022 author Gabaldon received the Great Scot award. This award is honored by the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA for the promotion and influence of Scottish travel and tourism. (She seemed thrilled about it!)

The book series has been so popular that in 2014, streaming service Starz adapted it for TV. Eight years later, the show is still going strong with a total of 75 episodes to date. This allowed a huge new demographic to enjoy the storyline of Claire and Jamie and gave the fandom of the book series a huge rejuvenation.

The Outlander series has went on to win many awards, such as the People’s Choice Awards, BAFTA Scotland awards, Scottish Gaelic Awards and many Saturn Awards. Outlander has been nominated once again in the Saturn Awards for Best Action-Thriller Television Series; Best Actor; Best Actress; And Best Supporting Actress (all within a Network or Cable Television Series).

Where We Left Off

Warning! This will contain spoilers for Go Tell The Bees That I am Gone!!

We left off with Young William Ransom still coming to terms with the discovery of his true father’s identity. Lord John Grey also has his own reconciliations to make and plenty of dangers to meet on his son’s behalf – and his own.

The danger that Brianna and Roger fleed in the twentieth century might catch up to them. Sometimes they question whether risking the perils of the 1700s was the safer choice for their family, considering the disease, starvation, and the impending war.

All the while the Revolutionary War creeps ever closer to Fraser’s Ridge. Now that the family is back together again, Jamie and Claire have more to worry about and more at stake now than ever.

What Can We Expect from Outlander Book 10

Gabaldon has revealed that the Outlander story will come to its conclusion in 1800.

“I think the Outlander books will end in 1800. If this tells you anything, more power to you, And yes, the last book will have a happy ending, though I confidently expect it to leave the readers in floods of tears, anyway.”

Diana Gabaldon, FAQ

Well, that’s reassuring… ?

Many people have alluded that the series finale may take some inspiration from an old Irish folklore story, Deirdre of the Sorrows, in which the story of lust and love and bloodshed came to its conclusion in the region of Ulster, Ireland, where Deirdre was so overwhelmed with grief at the sight of her lover’s dead body that she died instantly of a broken heart.

It’s too easy to picture Claire and Jamie drifting off together on a grassy knoll, together in death as they had been in life. Not a sad ending, per say, but definitely one which will make us bawl our eyes out – which is exactly what Gabaldon is hinting at!

Many fans also fawned at the thought of Brianna and Roger travelling back to the future to raise their kids together. The readers may feel a stronger connection to the novel if this were the case, as though their kids may be running around on the playground amongst us. But Gabaldon has made the rebuttal very clear.

Also, for those who have been ruminating on the burning question ‘Whose ghost did Claire see on her honeymoon?’

Gabaldon has confirmed that it was, in fact, Jamie! As for the logistics behind that, the author reassured the fans that our questions will have their rightful answers in the last book.

What to Read While Waiting for Outlander Book 10

We’re assuming that if you’re here, you’ve torn through all of the Outlander books. (If you haven’t, then go do it! Immediately!)

Many fans haven’t yet read the Outlander short story collection, Seven Stones to Stand or Fall.

Seven Stones to Stand or Fall

Among the seven spellbinding pieces there is “The Custom of the Army,” which begins with Lord John Grey being shocked by an electric eel and ends at the Battle of Quebec. 

Then comes “The Space Between,” where it is revealed that the Comte St. Germain is not dead, Master Raymond appears, and a widowed young wine dealer escorts a would-be novice to a convent in Paris.

In “A Plague of Zombies,” Lord John unexpectedly becomes military governor of Jamaica when the original governor is gnawed by what probably wasn’t a giant rat.

“A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows” is the moving story of Roger MacKenzie’s parents during World War II.

In “Virgins,” Jamie Fraser, aged nineteen, and Ian Murray, aged twenty, become mercenaries in France, no matter that neither has yet bedded a lass or killed a man. But they’re trying. . . .

“A Fugitive Green” is the story of Lord John’s elder brother, Hal, and a seventeen-year-old rare book dealer with a sideline in theft, forgery, and blackmail.

And finally, in “Besieged,” Lord John learns that his mother is in Havana—and that the British Navy is on their way to lay siege to the city.

Filling in mesmerizing chapters in the lives of characters readers have followed over the course of thousands of pages, Gabaldon’s genius is on full display throughout this must-have collection.

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Otherwise, check out some of these atmospheric Scottish novels!

The Winter Sea – Susanna Kearsley

This is a dual timeline story about the invading Jacobites in 1708 that takes place at Slains Castle. A writer from the present decides to write a story about her ancestor from this time frame and begins to live the experience herself.

The Vanished Days – Susanna Kearsley

The Vanished Days is set between 2 timelines, 1707 and 1684. Lily makes a claim of marriage to a deceased soldier looking for her pay, but without proof of her marriage, Adam needs to investigate if he claim could be real.

Wild Wood – Posie Graeme-Evans

After getting knocked in the head Jesse, normally right handed, is able to draw with her left hand a place she’s never been to in her life.

Her neurologist has been to the sweeping keep, he lived there for years, and so he decides to bring her home with him on holiday to investigate.

Meanwhile, in the dual timeline of 14th century Scotland, Bayard is investigating a mystery of his own. 

The Devil and the Heiress – Harper St. George

Violet Crenshaw, looking to escape and arranged marriage to an odious man, looks to the Earl of Leigh to help her escape to Scotland. But the Earl has a different plan with the bubbly lady he wishes to call his own.

The Cafe by the Sea – Jenny Colgan

Years ago, Flora fled the quiet Scottish island where she grew up — and she hasn’t looked back. What would she have done on Mure? It’s a place where everyone has known her all her life, where no one will let her forget the past. In bright, bustling London, she can be anonymous, ambitious… and hopelessly in love with her boss.

Outlander Book 10 Release Date

This may come to a great disappointment to many, but don’t expect Outlander Book 10 to suddenly appear on shelves anytime soon. Most of the previous books had a gap of 5 years between them. Moreover, it took a damaging 7 years for Go Tell The Bees That I Am Gone to make its way into our hands. This, according to the author, was due to a lot of press and promotion for the series.

Considering how popular Outlander has become (in part thanks to the Starz series), Gabaldon is very busy. She only has around an hour a day to herself, which she spends brainstorming and writing for the Outlander series.

One small morsel of good news: this means we’ll likely have at least two more seasons of the TV series while we wait!

We know that she has a prequel novel focusing on Jamie’s parents Brian and Ellen and potentially a Master Raymond book in the works. It may be the case we’ll get some smaller novels or novellas before the epic finale to this lifetime of a series!

We can be optimistic and say to anticipate a 2027 release. However, don’t be too surprised if we creep closer to the turn of the decade!

Frequently Asked Questions

Will there be an Outlander Book 10?

There will! Enjoy a little excerpt shared from Gabaldon herself.

Will there be an 11th Outlander book?

It’s very unlikely. Author Gabaldon has stated several times that Outlander Book 10 will be the final. That doesn’t mean we may not get other books set in the Outlander books. As we’ve mentioned above, we may expect some spin-offs!

Is book 10 the last Outlander book?

Yes, as said above, it will likely be the last book of the main series.

Outlander books in order

There are (currently) nine books in the Outlander series and they are as follows:

1. Outlander
2. Dragonfly In Amber
3. Voyager
4. Drums Of Autumn
5. The Fiery Cross
6. A Breath of Snow and Ashes
7. An Echo In The Bone
8. Written In My Own Heart’s Blood 
9. Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone

How are you going to cope with the wait? Let us know!

The post Outlander Book 10 Release Date & All We Know! appeared first on ReignOfReads.

Seven Stones to Stand or Fall

Among the seven spellbinding pieces there is “The Custom of the Army,” which begins with Lord John Grey being shocked by an electric eel and ends at the Battle of Quebec. Then comes “The Space Between,” where it is revealed that the Comte St. Germain is not dead, Master Raymond appears, and a widowed young wine dealer escorts a would-be novice to a convent in Paris. In “A Plague of Zombies,” Lord John unexpectedly becomes military governor of Jamaica when the original governor is gnawed by what probably wasn’t a giant rat. “A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows” is the moving story of Roger MacKenzie’s parents during World War II. In “Virgins,” Jamie Fraser, aged nineteen, and Ian Murray, aged twenty, become mercenaries in France, no matter that neither has yet bedded a lass or killed a man. But they’re trying. . . . “A Fugitive Green” is the story of Lord John’s elder brother, Hal, and a seventeen-year-old rare book dealer with a sideline in theft, forgery, and blackmail. And finally, in “Besieged,” Lord John learns that his mother is in Havana—and that the British Navy is on their way to lay siege to the city.

Filling in mesmerizing chapters in the lives of characters readers have followed over the course of thousands of pages, Gabaldon’s genius is on full display throughout this must-have collection.

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“The duty of a survivor. Not everyone lives to be old, but if you do, I think you owe it to those who didn’t. To tell the stories of those who shared your journey…for as long as they could.”

Diana Gabaldon, Seven Stones to Stand or Fall

What is in the Seven Stones to Stand or Fall collection?

Seven Stones to Stand or Fall is a collection of short stories by Diana Gabaldon. Five of the stories have previously been published as part of anthologies or individually, while two stories are previously unpublished and exclusive to the collection. In the collection is the following:

A Plague of Zombies

Lord John Grey is posted to Jamaica to assist the governor as he faces a most unusual kind of uprising among the colony’s slave population.

The Space Between

Jamie Fraser’s step-daughter, Joan, is on her way to an abbey in Paris to become a nun – but when she meets the Comte St Germain, a wealthy French aristocrat rumored to deal in the occult – she discovers her destiny lies on quite a different path

The Custom of the Army

Lord John Grey is summoned as a witness in a court martial in the wilds of Acadia, only to find himself playing a crucial role in the Battle of Quebec.

A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows

A WW2 Spitfire pilot called Jerry MacKenzie crashes near a stone circle and wakes up in the eighteenth century. Can the strange man he meets – who impossibly seems to know him – help him return to his wife and baby son before a terrible fate overtakes them? 

Virgins

Jamie joins his best friend Ian Murray in France, where the two serve as young mercenaries.

A Fugitive Green

Hal Grey grieves for his dead wife and Mina Rennie works as a spy for her bookselling father.

Besieged

Lord John Grey intends to rescue his mother during the Siege of Havana.

Our Review

The thing that stands out most about this collection is without a doubt the excerpts from Gabaldon herself. She provides the premise for these novellas. Many of these may be familiar to die-hard fans as many have hit the shelves as individual pieces already. Thoughtfully she includes a timeline so the reader can immediately follow the chronological order of the writings.

This book is well worth its investment. It gives an important and unique insight into the characters which would have been slightly out of place in the main novels. Diana brings a fresh view on the characters – especially those which we may not have met in depth a great deal. Definitely worth it for fans though probably not a good place to start for new readers.

Our rating: ★★★★☆

Frequently Asked Questions

What order do I read Diana Gabaldon books?

Here are all the books in the Outlander series in order:

1. Outlander (Cross Stitch in UK, NZ, and AUS)
2. Dragonfly in Amber
3. Voyager
4. Drums of Autumn
5. The Fiery Cross
6. A Breath of Snow and Ashes
7. An Echo in the Bone
8. Written in My Own Heart’s Blood
9. Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone
10. [UNTITLED]

As you can see, the last book is still underway with no working title.

What stories are included in Seven Stones to Stand or Fall?

1. A Plague of Zombies
2. The Space Between
3. The Custom of the Army
4. A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows
5. Virgins
6. A Fugitive Green
7. Besieged

Should I read Virgins before Outlander?

We would say it’s best to read the main Outlander series first! Although, chronologically, Virgins is the first book in the series.

What is your favorite story in this collection? Let us know!

The post Seven Stones to Stand or Fall: Outlander Short Story Collection appeared first on ReignOfReads.

The author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Outlander series returns with the newest novel in the epic tale, and lucky for you we’re giving you everything that you may need to know about this unmissable novel!

Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone

War leaves nobody alone. Neither the past, the present, nor the future offers true safety, and the only refuge is what you can protect: your family, your friends, your home.

Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall were torn apart by the Jacobite Rising in 1746, and it took them twenty years of loss and heartbreak to find each other again. Now it’s 1779, and Claire and Jamie are finally reunited with their daughter, Brianna, her husband, Roger, and their children, and are rebuilding their home on Fraser’s Ridge—a fortress that may shelter them against the winds of war as well as weather.

But tensions in the Colonies are great: Battles rage from New York to Georgia and, even in the mountains of the backcountry, feelings run hot enough to boil Hell’s teakettle. Jamie knows that loyalties among his tenants are split and it won’t be long before the war is on his doorstep.

Brianna and Roger have their own worry: that the dangers that provoked their escape from the twentieth century might catch up to them. Sometimes they question whether risking the perils of the 1700s—among them disease, starvation, and an impending war—was indeed the safer choice for their family.

Not so far away, young William Ransom is coming to terms with the mysteries of his identity, his future, and the family he’s never known. His erstwhile father, Lord John Grey, has reconciliations to make and dangers to meet on his son’s behalf and on his own, and far to the north, Young Ian Murray fights his own battle between past and future, and the two women he’s loved.

Meanwhile, the Revolutionary War creeps ever closer to Fraser’s Ridge. Jamie sharpens his sword, while Claire whets her surgeon’s blade: It is a time for steel.

Claire’s grown daughter Brianna, and her husband, Roger, watch the unfolding of Brianna’s parents’ history — a past that may be sneaking up behind their own family.

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“My body is out from my control,” he said softly. “She was the half of my body—the very half of my soul.”

Diana Gabaldon, Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone

Our Overview

Claire and Jamie were torn apart following the Jacobite Rising in 1743, and it took them twenty years to find each other again. Now the American Revolution seems to be following a similar vein.

Back in 1779, Claire and Jamie are reunited with their daughter Brianna, her husband Roger, and their children on Fraser’s Ridge. At long last, after it seemed impossible, the family is back together.

The carefree scene of familial life won’t last long. Even in the depths of the North Carolina country, the effects of war are being felt. Tensions in the colonies are at an all-time high and local feelings run hot. Jamie knows loyalties among his tenants are worrisome and it shan’t be too long until the war finds itself to the Frasers.

Brianna and Roger have worries of their own. The danger that they fleed in the twentieth century might catch up to them. Sometimes they question whether risking the perils of the 1700s was the safer choice for their family, considering the disease, starvation, and the impending war.

Young William Ransom is still coming to terms with the discovery of his true father’s identity. Lord John Grey also has his own reconciliations to make and plenty of dangers to meet on his son’s behalf – and his own.

All the while the Revolutionary War creeps ever closer to Fraser’s Ridge. Now that the family is back together again, Jamie and Claire have more to worry about and more at stake now than ever.

Our Review

Another doorstop of a book, Gabaldon proves her capabilities in research. It’s obvious to anyone who reads this novel that this series truly is a labour of love. It’s clear Gabaldon has extensively researched colonial life in America, and the realism is what sets this series apart.

We love hearing not only the dramas and horrors unfolding, but also the mundane day-to-day activities that really connect us with the characters. Bee keeping, hunting, collecting berries, politics; it’s all perfect.

For those who love exposition, this novel is the one for you. It’s a little more slow-paced and focused on the day-to-day than the other series, which makes sense considering the finale is just around the corner. We can only assume that the final novel will take us by surprise. To be honest, our excitement is riddled with nerves too! We can’t wait to see what happens to the Fraser family. Gabaldon rarely holds back her punches, so it isn’t against the realms of possibility that the finale might just break our hearts!

Our rating: ★★★★☆

Frequently Asked Questions

What is after Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone?

Here are all the books in the Outlander series in order:

1. Outlander (Cross Stitch in UK, NZ, and AUS)
2. Dragonfly in Amber
3. Voyager
4. Drums of Autumn
5. The Fiery Cross
6. A Breath of Snow and Ashes
7. An Echo in the Bone
8. Written in My Own Heart’s Blood
9. Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone
10. [UNTITLED]

As you can see, the last book is still underway with no working title.

How long is Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone?

This installment of the Outlander series is 928 pages long.

What is the meaning of Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone?

Talking to your bees is a very old Celtic custom that made it to the Appalachians. You always tell the bees when someone is born, dies, comes or goes. If you don’t keep them informed, they’ll fly away. No one can ever say that Gabaldon doesn’t do her research!

How old are Jamie and Claire in Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone?

It’s estimated that Jamie just turned 58 and Claire is 62.

What to remember before reading Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone?

With such a long gap between Written in My Own Heart’s Blood and this novel, it’s no surprise some people may be scratching their heads! Lucky for you, we’ve got everything you need to know about Written in My Own Heart’s Blood here!

What do you think will happen in the final instalment of the Outlander book series? Let us know!

The post Go Tell The Bees That I Am Gone: The Penultimate Outlander Book appeared first on ReignOfReads.

With its unpredictable twists-and-turns, endless heartache, and characters we’ve grown to love so much we could cry over them, Written In My Own Heart’s Blood is another showstopping addition to the unbeatable Outlander series. We’ll follow Claire and Jamie once again as they traverse grief, hardship, and war in America. It comes as no surprise that this novel was named one of the best books of the year by Booklist. Want to know more? We’ll take you through everything you need to know.

Written In My Own Heart’s Blood

It is June 1778, and the world seems to be turning upside-down. The British Army is withdrawing from Philadelphia, with George Washington in pursuit, and for the first time, it looks as if the rebels might actually win. But for Claire Fraser and her family, there are even more tumultuous revolutions that have to be accommodated.Her former husband, Jamie, has returned from the dead, demanding to know why in his absence she married his best friend, Lord John Grey. Lord John’s son, the ninth Earl of Ellesmere, is no less shocked to discover that his real father is actually the newly resurrected Jamie Fraser, and Jamie’s nephew Ian Murray discovers that his new-found cousin has an eye for the woman who has just agreed to marry him.

And while Claire is terrified that one of her husbands may be about to murder the other, in the 20th century her descendants face even more desperate turns of events. Her daughter Brianna is trying to protect her son from a vicious criminal with murder on his mind, while her husband Roger has disappeared into the past . . .

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“Thy life’s journey lies along its own path, Ian,” she said, “and I cannot share thy journey—but I can walk beside thee. And I will.”

Diana Gabaldon, Written In My Own Heart’s Blood

Our Overview (Spoilers!)

Written in My Own Heart’s Blood begins with Jamie confronting Lord John for marrying his wife when there was no concrete for his death.

Meanwhile, Lord John’s adopted son William, after discovering that he is Jamie’s biological son, becomes resentful of both of the men for keeping such a huge secret from him. Young Ian finally successfully marries his love, Rachel Hunter, who is the daughter of a well-known Quaker family. They have a joint wedding ceremony with that of Denzell Hunter (Rachel’s brother) and Dorothea (Lord John’s niece). The Hunters are notorious for their alienation from the Quaker community due to their support for the Continental Army.

During a terrible attack on a settlement in New Jersey, Claire is badly wounded. Jamie quickly drops out of the battles to take care of her while she recovers. They reside for a short amount of time in Savannah, Georgia before moving to Fraser’s Ridge.

Tragically, Jamie’s adopted son loses his home and the famous printmaking shop in a fire. To make matters worse, Fergus’ son, Henri-Christian (who Claire helped nurse back to health in the previous novel), dies in the fire.

Meanwhile, in the 20th century, the family are trying to retrieve the kidnapped Jeremiah. Roger then meets Jamie’s father for the first time, further bridging their family across the centuries. Jeremiah is thankfully reunited with his family safely, prompting the entire Randall family to move back to the 18th century as the 20th century is not as safe as once thought. They move back and live harmoniously with Claire and Jamie.

Our Review

We follow Claire, Jamie, Roger, Brianna, Ian, William, and John throughout this novel. That’s not even forgetting the secondary cast! With the last novel ending on so many cliffhangers, we were beside ourselves with excitement to get stuck into this one!

Expect joy, sadness, and an uncountable amount of twists-and-turns!

What we love most about the Gabaldon magic is how she is driven by characters first and foremost, which only makes it more heartbreaking when things go wrong, or more enthralling when things (albeit rarely) take a turn for the better. We’re feeling closer and more wired to Claire than ever – with our connections to Brianna and her family only growing stronger by the book. Written In My Own Heart’s Blood definitely propelled our feelings for the younger generational family!

Our rating: ★★★★☆

Frequently Asked Questions

What is after Written in My Own Heart’s Blood?

Here are all the books in the Outlander series in order:

1. Outlander (Cross Stitch in UK, NZ, and AUS)
2. Dragonfly in Amber
3. Voyager
4. Drums of Autumn
5. The Fiery Cross
6. A Breath of Snow and Ashes
7. An Echo in the Bone
8. Written in My Own Heart’s Blood
9. Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone
10. [UNTITLED]

As you can see, the last book is still underway with no working title.

How long is Written in My Own Heart’s Blood?

The book is 825 pages, or 45 hours if you’re listening to the audiobook!

How old is Claire in Written in My Own Heart’s Blood?

Claire is around 61 years old, and Jamie is around 57.

Who dies in Written in My Own Heart’s Blood?

Henri-Christian dies in the fire of the printshop.

What do you think of Written in My Own Heart’s Blood? Let us know!

The post Written In My Own Heart’s Blood Outlander Book 8 appeared first on ReignOfReads.

An Echo in the Bone takes us through more heartache than ever with the world’s favourite couple Jamie and Claire. We follow new characters and experience their hardships and losses. Once again, Gabaldon makes an unforgettable impact with a strong instalment in one of the genre’s most popular and beloved book series.

An Echo in the Bone

Jamie Fraser, erstwhile Jacobite and reluctant rebel, knows three things about the American rebellion: the Americans will win, unlikely as that seems in 1778; being on the winning side is no guarantee of survival; and he’d rather die than face his illegitimate son — a young lieutenant in the British Army — across the barrel of a gun. Fraser’s time-travelling wife, Claire, also knows a couple of things: that the Americans will win, but that the ultimate price of victory is a mystery. What she does believe is that the price won’t include Jamie’s life or happiness — not if she has anything to say.

Claire’s grown daughter Brianna, and her husband, Roger, watch the unfolding of Brianna’s parents’ history — a past that may be sneaking up behind their own family.

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“But even things that heal leave scars.”

Diana Gabaldon, An Echo in the Bone

Our Overview (Spoilers!)

Brianna, Roger, Jem, and Mandy are living in the 20th century in Lallybroch. They are reading letters from Claire and Jamie from the past, one of which mentions gold. Only Jem knows its location. William Buccleigh, Roger’s Scottish ancestor, has accidentally traveled through the stones and finds himself in the 1980s. One of Brianna’s coworkers kidnaps Jem and it seems he has taken him through the stones, to which Roger and Buck go back to the 18th century to find him. Jem is locked in an underground tunnel beneath Loch Errochty. Brianna’s worst fear is that Jem finds his way to the time portal which she had once sensed under the loch.

Meanwhile, in the 18th century, the Ninth Earl of Ellesmere becomes involved in the American Revolution. Arch and Murdina Bug look for the gold on Fraser’s Ridge to which Ian kills Mrs. Bug. Arch threatens to kill someone Ian loves. Meanwhile, Claire, Jamie and Ian leave their home to go to Scotland to see Jenny, Ian and their children.

En route to Scotland, a series of misadventures force the family back to the warfront in America. Jamie accidentally almost shoots his son, William, which was a conflict he didn’t want to face. William was a young lieutenant in the war – on the British side. Jamie’s cousin is killed and Jamie and Claire mean to return his body to Scotland with Ian.

Ian Murray is the husband of Jamie’s sister. He is dying when they arrive. They are glad their son (known as Young Ian) is home. Jamie apologizes to Laoghaire for his contribution to her unhappiness. Laoghaire’s daughter needs her mother to marry the servant that Laoghaire has fallen in love with so that she can become a nun.

Laoghaire receives a letter from her eldest daughter with news that her grandson, Henri-Christian is gravely ill and needs Claire’s help. Claire agrees to go back to help under the conditions that Laoghaire will marry her lover and allow Joan to pursue nunhood. She departs alongside Young Ian, who wants to go find Rachel so that they can marry.

Claire successfully nurses Henri-Christian to health. Lord John Grey, who helped with the healing, has a niece who has come to America, faking her love for William where her true love lies with Rachel’s brother.

Jamie sends Claire a letter telling her that Ian Mor has died and Jenny has decided to leave for America. With Jamie and Jenny on board, Claire receives tragic news that their boat had sunk with no survivors. All the while Claire is arrested for being a spy; Lord John offers to marry her for her protection. The pair sleep together for comfort of their lost lovers.

Arch Bug tries to kill Rachel, but Ian fights him. William shoots and kills Arch. Jamie suddenly arrives at Lord John’s house with redcoats on his tail. After Jamie and Claire reunite, he pretends to take Lord John hostage and flees. William sees him and realises that Jamie is his biological father. William flies into a huge rage and storms out of the house.

Our Review

An Echo in the Bone is another flawless addition to The Outlander series, an amazing continuation from the previous book.

Whilst we adore Jamie and Claire, it’s always refreshing to get a different perspective for chunks of such hefty novels. We get a lot of POV from Lord John and 19 year-old William. Worry not! The perspective flits back to our beloved Jamie and Claire eventually, but we love the additional care and focus Gabaldon gives to ensuring that the readers have a lot of perspective and can experience so many wonderful characters.

We love how Gabaldon makes it clear that home isn’t where you were born, but rather where your loyalties lie. We see a great example of the complexities of life, death, love and home when Simon Fraser wishes to be buried where he died but his comrades went against his wishes and sent him back to Scotland. It saddens us to know that Simon may not find peace in his death.

The last hundred pages? Phew! You’re in for a ride! Shocking and addictive; we couldn’t turn away for even a moment. This book ends with multiple fairly dramatic cliffhangers and we can’t wait to get our claws into the next book in the series!

Our rating: ★★★★☆

Frequently Asked Questions

What is after An Echo in the Bone?

Here are all the books in the Outlander series in order:

1. Outlander (Cross Stitch in UK, NZ, and AUS)
2. Dragonfly in Amber
3. Voyager
4. Drums of Autumn
5. The Fiery Cross
6. A Breath of Snow and Ashes
7. An Echo in the Bone
8. Written in My Own Heart’s Blood
9. Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone
10. [UNTITLED]

As you can see, the last book is still underway with no working title.

How long is An Echo in the Bone?

On the shorter side for an Outlander book, An Echo in the Bone is 820 pages.

What season is An Echo in the Bone?

An Echo in the Bone will be the basis for season 7 of the Outlander TV show. The official release date is still unknown, but rumours are gravitating towards the end of 2023 – be sure to check back with us for updates!

What do you think of An Echo in the Bone? Let us know!

The post An Echo in the Bone Outlander Book 7 appeared first on ReignOfReads.

A Breath of Snow and Ashes

The year is 1772, and on the eve of the American Revolution, the long fuse of rebellion has already been lit. Men lie dead in the streets of Boston, and in the backwoods of North Carolina, isolated cabins burn in the forest.

With chaos brewing, the governor calls upon Jamie Fraser to unite the backcountry and safeguard the colony for King and Crown. But from his wife Jamie knows that three years hence the shot heard round the world will be fired, and the result will be independence—with those loyal to the King either dead or in exile. And there is also the matter of a tiny clipping from The Wilmington Gazette, dated 1776, which reports Jamie’s death, along with his kin. For once, he hopes, his time-traveling family may be wrong about the future.

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“All I want, is for you to love me. Not because of what I can do or what I look like, or because I love you – just because I am.”

Diana Gabaldon, A Breath of Snow and Ashes

Our Overview (Spoilers!)

Still in North Carolina, Jamie gets assigned the position of ‘Indian Agent’, a person hired by the British Crown to negotiate with Native American tribes. This assignment takes Jamie away from their home for substantial chunks of time, travelling far and wide to communicate with the Cherokee tribes. While Jamie is gone, Claire busies herself in continuing to treat the ill and poorly members of the community.

During one of Jamie’s trips, a group of men kidnap Claire from Fraser’s Ridge. Notably, one of the kidnappers by the name Wendigo Donner happens to be a time-traveller. Coming from 1968, the man is from the same group as Robert Springer. During the three-day capture, Claire is brutalized by the group of assailants. Jamie eventually finds Claire and rescues her. Jamie and the men of the Ridge kill almost all of her kidnappers.

Unable to catch a break, Claire falls severely ill with dysentery. Mrs. Bug and Malva Christie tend to her and manage to eventually nurse her back to health, but not before taking extreme measures to try and lower her fever. Claire wakes up shocked when she realises that her nurses had shaved her hair in the attempt to nurse her.

Lizzie Wemyss reveals that she is pregnant. They are unsure if the father of the baby is Josiah or Keziah Beardsley, so naturally Lizzie marries both twins and the throuple raise the child as their own.

Malva Christie moved to Fraser’s Ridge with her brother, Allan, and father, Tom in the previous novel. She grows close to the Frasers. After falling pregnant, she accuses Jamie as being the father, much to everyone’s shock. Poor Malva is then found dead in Claire’s backyard and despite her best efforts, both mother and child die. Claire is accused of the murder for reasons of jealousy. Despite Malva’s father admitting to the murder, it is found that he too is innocent. Nonetheless, Tom takes the fall. It is revealed that Malva and her half-brother, Allan, had been sexually intimate for years and after falling pregnant, Malva was planning on telling the truth about their relationship. Allan silences her by killing her. Young Ian then shoots Tom in the back with an arrow.

Roger finds a new lease of life in religion and becomes ordained in the Presbyterian Church. Masali, Jamie’s step-daughter, gives birth to a boy named Henri. Henri is born with dwarfism which prompts a lot of rumours about Fraser’s Ridge, which Roger rejects. Roger then baptizes the boy.

Bonnet kidnaps Brianna and takes her aboard his pirate ship, the Anemone. He intends to sell her to slavery. In the second act of heroism, Jamie and his men manage to save Brianna and capture Bonnet. They grant Brianna with the choice to choose Bonnet’s fate – to which she chooses to shoot him.

Brianna and Roger welcome their second child, Amanda Claire Hope MacKenzie. The girl is born with a heart murmer, which is not treatable given the medicine available in the 1700s. The MacKenzies make the difficult decision to travel forward in time to make sure that their daughter can have proper treatment for her illness.

The Fraser’s house is then destroyed in a rad led by Wendigo Donner, who is looking for gemstones to aid his return to the future. With Fraser’s Ridge completely destroyed, Claire and Jamie have no choice but to return to Scotland.

Our Review

A Breath of Snow and Ashes is another excellent addition to The Outlander series.

Gabaldon’s writing never fails to leave us hooked on every word. Her attention to detail is unparalleled and in every scene, we are able to fully immerse ourselves in the characters and the setting.

This novel certainly is jam-packed with peril and angst, so readers should prepare themselves before picking up A Breath of Snow and Ashes. The action and rescuing sequence remind us a lot of the first few books. This book certainly has a nostalgic feel to it, especially with what Brianna went through seems to be setting her up for a similar timeline as her mother! Not to mention with the American revolution looming, we’re on edge to see how the British army are going to utilise Jamie.

The highlight of this book, for us, was the other characters of Fraser’s Ridge. The throuple storyline had us rolling – oh, how we wish Gabaldon would release a side-story following those characters! Despite the pain and the endless strife the characters are put through, this book still has a lot of heartwarming moments and even a decent dose of humour!

Author Diana Gabaldon is incapable of not writing an amazing novel, isn’t she?

Our rating: ★★★★☆

Frequently Asked Questions

What is after A Breath of Snow and Ashes?

Here are all the books in the Outlander series in order:

1. Outlander (Cross Stitch in UK, NZ, and AUS)
2. Dragonfly in Amber
3. Voyager
4. Drums of Autumn
5. The Fiery Cross
6. A Breath of Snow and Ashes
7. An Echo in the Bone
8. Written in My Own Heart’s Blood
9. Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone
10. [UNTITLED]

As you can see, the last book is still underway with no working title.

How long is A Breath of Snow and Ashes?

True to Outlander fashion, this novel is a long one, at 1157 pages. It’s no surprise that this series has taken over twenty, no – thirty – years to write!

What season is A Breath of Snow and Ashes?

The series took a bit of liberty with its on-screen adaption – which is great! A show which follows the novels exactly wouldn’t be as exciting to watch. Season 5 of the Outlander series is mostly based on the 5th book, with some storylines from A Breath of Snow and Ashes making their appearance for some major storylines. Season 6 continues to follow the story of A Breath of Snow and Ashes. If you’re missing Lord John Grey in this novel, we hopefully will still see him across season 5 and 6 because of how the showrunners have split up the plots!

What do you think of A Breath of Snow and Ashes? Let us know!

The post A Breath of Snow and Ashes Outlander Book 6 – Our Review appeared first on ReignOfReads.