A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon

Title: A Breath of Snow and Ashes
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Release Date: September 27th, 2005
Publisher: Delacorte
Pages: 1456
Format: Paperback
Acquired: Bought
Interest: Series
Other Titles in the Series: Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, and The Fiery Cross
Age Group: Adult
Rating: 5 Stars

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.

What can be said that hasn't already been said before? It's hard to review awesome series like these because everything you love about the series has been said in the past books and when you come to the sixth book it's like everything that's been needed to say is said. Which is hard because there are two more books after this one, so I can't be completely speechless just yet.

Diana Gabaldon is a genius. She brings back all the familiar characters, Jamie and Claire, the married couple that seems to just walk into one war, walk out, and into another again. Roger and Brianna, who really do make a sweet couple, and the rest of the characters. They continue with their lively spirits and their sense of humor as they return, but into a dark time for the colonies, as they prepare for a Revolution.

So many twists and turns in this tale, Gabaldon is sure not to disappoint in this installment as the war draws near tension rises on all sides and something big happens to poor Claire, well actually, a lot of big things happen to that woman, and Jamie. I almost forgot about them because I just didn't want to relive the goosebumps they gave me.

At the ending I cried, I swear it's like Gabaldon's mission to make her reader's cry or something. It was sweet and it had to be done but that did not make the waterworks from stopping. Honestly, I am just falling more and more in love with this series. Gabaldon is this master mind that gives us these books with character's that are beautifully written and a world where almost anyone can dive in and experience the fantasy full force.

She is a whirlwind of adventure and romance, with the love of family and friends brought together as the force of war tightens their bonds, but sadly in some cases it loosens it too.

You will not be disappointed by Gabaldon. If you make it to this book, there is no reason to stop now. There is still AN ECHO IN THE BONE and, there is book eight, who's title WITH MY HEART'S OWN BLOOD has finally been released. The title not the book.

Gabaldon is a true mastermind in the art of storytelling. If you haven't started her yet, you should consider soon enough.