A Breath of Snow and Ashes

Written by Diana Gabaldon

Narrated by Geraldine James and Davina Porter

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: May 6, 2011
• ISBN: 9781461826095

Diana Gabaldon

DIANA GABALDON is the author of the award-winning, #1 New York Times best-selling Outlander novels, described by Salon magazine as “the smartest historical sci-fi adventure-romance story ever written by a science Ph.D.” She serves as co-producer and advisor for the Starz network Outlander series based on her novels.

Reviews for A Breath of Snow and Ashes

[sublunarie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This might be my favorite in the series thus far (save the first)! Absolutely packed to the gills with domesticity, emotion, and medical content (which are the things I love about these books) and very light on the politics and battles, despite it happening during the American Civial War. I was honestly shocked at the turn of events near the end. I likely should have expected it, but I was so cozy on Fraser's Ridge with everyone it hadn't crossed my mind.The only thing that holds this back from a perfect score is the unfortunate amount of r*pe and SA that occur. Sadly not new themes in Outlander books, but truly the instances here added nothing to the story, and made no significant changes to character or plot.

[andy_dimartino · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Yep, after 6 books it's still a good story. Can't always say that about these long tales. And that was a long one!!! Still, only took 11 days to knock it out and it was 1158 pages so 100 pages a day meant I was sucked in good!!!

[bintarab-1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I received a copy of this book through the Goodreads giveaway program.This is book 6 of the Outlander series, more of the same old problems and vices, none of the thrill of newness of the first books of the series. The author piles on chapter after chapter as if she is being paid by the page, with no overarching story or character development or purpose to any of it. Characters from old books are recycled. The main characters are thrown into historical events without much logical reason for them to be there. This book was a disappointment. I stopped reading 200 pages before the end and couldn't bring myself to finish it off for weeks. I finally forced myself to pick up the books and finish it because I felt I really ought to finish it before writing a review in exchange for this giveaway. I used to think of the first book as having set up a frame story for the subsequent books, but that stopped working as an excuse for the fragmented writing and weak-to-non-existent storyline by book 3.Not recommended.~bint

[untitled841 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I cannot get enough of this series. This book did not disappoint with the discovery and adventure at almost every turn.

[librarycin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 starsEveryone is settled on Fraser’s Ridge in North Carolina. And more settlers are moving there. They are coming close to the date that Roger and Bree had seen as the date Claire and Jamie died in a fire. They are also coming close to the Revolutionary War/the War of Independence in the colonies. To me, this one felt a bit like “filler” to get somewhere, but at the same time, it (mostly) kept my interest. A few big things happened as time went on, but much of it was day-to-day. Those big things picked the action up for a while as each one happened. Claire had an apprentice to help her out/someone to teach, which I liked. There was something missing (in my opinion) that I would have liked to have “seen” just before the epilogue. I thought maybe that would be part of the next books, but I guess not.

[bookconcierge · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Book on CD narrated by Davina Porter 3*** Book six in a time-travel series I swore I’d never read, but have become strangely addicted to. This one is heavy on the history of the years leading up to the American colonies declaring independence from Britain. Jamie and Claire find themselves smack dab in the middle of the uprising and having to carefully manage to avoid completely alienating either of the opposing factions. They have some hard decisions to make and find themselves in multiple dangerous situations.Gabaldon hardly lets the reader rest and enjoy the love between these two central characters. There are beatings, rapes, arrests, near lynchings, fires, blizzards, and mayhem a plenty. Steven Bonnet, that nasty but charming pirate, can’t seem to keep away. Claire continues her medical experiments – inventing ether and perfecting her penicillin injections (love that she uses rattlesnake fangs as her needles!). The younger generation have a lot to contend with. Ian is grieving the loss of his Mohawk wife. Fergus needs to find a way to provide for his growing family. And the many new settlers on Fraser’s Ridge need help organizing their new lives in this wild and unpredictable country. Breanna and Roger play a significant role in this episode and I found Bree just a tiny bit less irritating. Though for the life of me I can’t understand how that woman hasn’t gotten herself into more trouble given her inability to hold her tongue and her penchant for talking about things that don’t exist yet (and won’t for a couple of centuries), and trying to invent “modern” conveniences (Indoor plumbing? Repeating rifles?) Roger is almost as bad, carving cars for the children to play with! I marvel at the detail that Gabaldon manages to include in these books, and am interested to learn more of 18th century life. That being said, how many times does she have to tells us how everyone smells “of sweat and of horse”? I’ve gotten way ahead of the TV series, so I think I’m going to give the series a rest for at least a year … if I can stay away …Davina Porter is nothing short of perfection in her performance of the audiobook. I love the way she voices the various characters. She brings out both Bonnet’s charm and oily nastiness; makes Claire both vulnerable and iron-strong; and helps the listener fell the pain of Ian’s loss. 5***** for her performance.

[cbloky · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

loved this on in the series, a lot more twist and turns in the plot. will be picking up the next book in the series real soon

[debbiemccauley-2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sixth book in the Outlander series about time travelling 20th century doctor Claire Randall and her 18th century Scottish Highlander warrior husband Jamie Fraser. Covering the from 1773 to 1776, the plot involves a series of kidnappings, the mystery of a murdered pregnant woman and plans to try and avoid the fire reported in a newspaper article from the future that tells of Claire and Jamie's deaths in a house fire. Previously Jamie pledged loyalty to the British crown, but Claire has told him what is coming and he walks a fine line between the two factions that will shortly fight the American Revolution (1765-1783). A decision must be made however, and with their grandchild suffering a condition that only 20th century medicine can cure, difficult choices must be made.

[mhanover10 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another great addition to the Outlander series as the lives of these wonderful characters continues. A lot happens with the group as they struggle with war, enemies, births, kidnappings, fires and a lot more. And always, the narrator of the audio book is amazing!

[pennma05-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Whoa! This book was so intense. Many heartbreaking moments. I can't wait to read what happens next.

[dorie.craig · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wow, it's been a long time since I've read one of Gabaldon's books. I've forgotten just how detailed and long they could be. I'm glad I finally got a chance to read this one, though. I look forward to finding out what happens next. My only real complaint in this book is all the bed-hopping. Given the time and place, it just wasn't realistic. But I did enjoy spending time with Jamie, Claire, Roger, Bree, and Ian again.

[carolesrandomlife · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I almost feel like Claire and Jamie are family. We have been through a lot together over the years and it seems like things never really get any easier do they? This was my first time through this book and I went ahead and did the audio instead of reading the paper version. This was a really long audio. Too long if I am being honest. I love Jamie, Claire, Brianna, Roger, and the whole gang but I was really ready to move on to something else by the time I finished this audio. Don't get me wrong this story is really good and I am glad that I listened to it but it almost exhausted me at a point.These books are a little different than what you would normally read. I always tell people that most books deal with a certain problem and have a definite story arc. Books in the Outlander series are very character driven and they don't focus on any particular plot point. It is really just all of the things that happen during this period in Jamie, Claire, Brianna, and Roger's lives. You do need to read this series in order because things from previous books do tend to pop up from time to time.So much happens in this book. Like I said, Jamie and Claire feel almost like family so when bad things happen to them, I really tend to feel it. Bad things do happen in this book. Things that made me want to cry, things that made me laugh, and things that made me mad. I do really like how Jamie and Claire's love for each other never wavers and even now that they are older, they still have a very healthy sex life. Davina Porter does a fabulous job in narrating this book. The voices and accents that she uses for all of the main characters have remained very consistent over the course of the series. I find it amazing how well she handles the male voices. Her Jamie is just perfection. I like how much emotion really shows in her voice as she reads this story. I am able to listen to her voice for hours at a time without ever tiring of it.I would highly recommend this series to others. This is a series that I plan to revisit from time to time because the characters are so wonderful and the writing is so well done. I will be continuing with this series in the near future.

[tonifgmamtc · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Tremendous ups & downs in this story. The overwhelming point being love. So beautiful I feel the pain of tightness in my chest & the sting in my eyes.

[lhaines56 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Wow, this book took FOREVER to read. It is not cohesive at all and tends to go on a lot. Reads more like articles at times. Rather tedious a lot. Feels like she lost interest in the serious and should have quit. Should have been maybe 300 pgs not 900+ pages. Small torture to read. Punishment to read it. Severe disappointment including the disjointed nature of her daughter and their family going back to the present suddenly and just jumping off to that. Jerks along a lot.

[deltaqueen50 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A Breath of Snow and Ashes is the sixth book in the Outlander series and continues the saga of the Fraser family. I felt that this book really moved the series along as the American Revolution finally got started and many changes occurred within the family unit. Brianna was finally settling into life in the 17th century, while Roger had decided on becoming a minister but all their plans were put on hold with the birth of another child and some major decisions that had to be made about their future. Steven Bonnet made a return and that story-line was finished off. Claire and Jamie had their own troubles as a young woman, who was training as Claire’s apprentice, claimed that Jamie was the father of her unborn child. Of course there were many more adventures and occurrences that took place over the course of this 1400 plus page book that is packed with characters.This is a story of love and romance, the history, although well researched and accurate is really second to the story of Claire and Jamie. Their love and adventures are what steer these books. I love reading about them, they are the perfect fantasy couple. They are not young anymore, Claire is into her fifties now with Jamie not all that far behind but they are still spouting lines like “Ye’ve no idea how lovely ye look, stark naked ...” Yes, a little over-the-top but definitely sigh worthy.I have been listening to the audio version of these books and I believe the performance of the reader, Davina Porter raises them to another level. Her inflections for each character are spot on and she brings the books to life for me and allows me to get totally lost in the story. I am already looking forward to book number seven but will probably wait a couple of months or so before I dive back into the Outlander world.

[boundtogetherforgood · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the sixth book of Gabaldon's Outlander series and I loved it.

[nikkinmichaels · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Not my favorite of the OUTLANDER series, but still thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying if you're invested in the world. This one took me longer to read than the previous five combined, though.

[tjsjohanna_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

One of the most interesting historical parts of this latest in the series is the look at the run up to the revolutionary war in a southern state. There is plenty of personal drama in the family as well.

[scoutmomskf · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The saga continues, with war on the horizon, Jamie and Claire trying to find a way to weather the storm safely. The book is full of the details of day to day life, broken up by events that are traumatic, life changing, funny, heartbreaking, and overall satisfying.As is usual in these books, various characters are really put through the wringer. In this one, it seems to be Claire's turn for the worst of it. The Browns make a reappearance, this time determined to enact vengeance. Claire is kidnapped and raped. I thought she did a great job of keeping it together, and loved her certainty that Jamie would find her. It was fun to see her playing with the minds of her kidnappers. Absolutely loved the rescue scene, with the use of the drum and ye olde Highland yell. They definitely got what was coming to them. There was an interesting twist with the appearance of another traveler and the sharing of his experiences.The Loyalist Scots are pulling out all the stops in their attempts to bolster support of the Crown, including what is basically a fundraising tour by Flora MacDonald, the woman who saved Prince Charlie after Culloden. Jamie knows the truth of what will happen, but tries to remain neutral for as long as possible.Claire continues her work as a healer, while trying to find a way to bring in some modern medicine. Her experiments with ether have some pretty amusing moments, and also some lasting consequences. Jamie's conflict is real as he tries to reconcile his knowledge of the future with his honor and the oaths he has made. Throughout it all, the love that he and Claire share give them each the strength they need to weather the storms.Roger and Brianna continue with their adjustments to this time period, some being more successful than others. Brianna brings her engineering expertise to the Ridge with her attempts at indoor plumbing, a better kiln, and the "invention" of matches. Roger has finally found his place, calling upon his background with the Reverend Wakefield, and becomes a preacher. There are some pretty funny moments as he settles into the job, including the presence of a snake at his first sermon.Various secondary characters play parts that add some interesting complications. Lizzie's engagement to Manfred ends for an unexpected reason. As a single young woman she draws the interest of multiple young men, but who she ends up with and why is quite a surprise. Young Malva Christie has become a devoted apprentice of Claire's, but I have to say that there has always been something about her that didn't set right. This proves true later in the book, as she takes an action that divides residents of the Ridge. It only gets worse when Claire and Jamie are accused of murder, bringing them into further peril. The final resolution of that storyline was sad and creepy.Stephen Bonnet is still making his presence known. The Frasers and MacKenzies continue their attempts to find him and bring him to justice, but he proves as slippery as ever. With assistance from someone with a grudge against Jamie, Bonnet once again gets his hands on Brianna. I quite enjoyed Brianna's strength of will as she does her best to protect herself. Bonnet continues in his amoral actions, but also reveals an unexpected vulnerability. This proves to be important at the end of the book.Lord John's presence is there throughout the book, as he and Jamie continue their friendship through their letters. This allows Jamie some chance of keeping up with William's life. With Jamie's choice of sides in the coming conflict, he wishes to protect John from association with a known traitor and breaks off communication. But the fates aren't done with them, and bring John and brand new lieutenant Lord Ellesmere to North Carolina, along with troops meant to quell rebellion. Brianna gets quite a shock when she goes to see John to ask for help and encounters William.A health problem with Brianna and Roger's new daughter Amanda creates the need for an important decision on their part. What are the risks versus the benefits, and is it even possible? I loved Jamie's comment to Jem about a mouse named Michael. The epilogue with Roger and Brianna gives a hint of their plans and reveals a surprising gift.At the end, the story of the newspaper clipping is revealed, with an interesting reason why. What really happens to the big house is the result of the reappearance of that other traveler. It is intense and nervewracking, and in the end satisfying. There's an amusing bit with the white sow, which seems to drive Jamie's decision on what to do next.Now on to An Echo in the Bone!

[mrsdanaalbasha · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Claire is the wife of Jamie Fraser, her 18th century husband, and facing the politics and turmoil of the forthcoming American Revolution. The preceding novel, The Fiery Cross, concluded with political unrest in the colonies beginning to boil over and the Frasers trying to peacefully live on their isolated homestead. Jamie is suddenly faced with walking between the fires of loyalty to the oath he swore to the British crown and following his hope for freedom in the new world.

[arielfl · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I can't believe I finally finished this book! At long last I can finally stop hauling this ten pound tome around with me. So much happened that I can barely remember what. Rapes, near rapes, kidnappings, treasure, lost people, found people, murder mystery, incest, traveling through the stones, a fire, and inching closer to the American Revolution. I think that about covers it. I have faithfully read every book thus far in the series. It was probably around book four that I started losing interest. The new Starz series reinvigorated me and led me to pick up this book. That and I happened to own it anyway. I love the TV series. I went and back and picked through the first book and there wasn't any part that wasn't exciting. Somewhere along the line the books just got so bloated. It's Gabaldon's series as she like to remind everyone, and not always in a nice way, so she writes what she wants. At this point I have to skim read in order to get through a lot of it. Intresting things did happen but other plot points just fell away like the stuff related to the other time travelers. Much of the book just went on and on and on. George Martin may be in trouble with Game of Thrones running out of books to film but I doubt Diana will ever have that problem. There is probably ten seasons of plot in this book alone. It will be intresting to see how the TV team winnows down the material.

[booklovers2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Book #6 of Outlander Series - Jamie & Claire Fraser Saga continues. Brianna & Roger have 2 little ones, Jerimiah & baby Amanda. There is conflict on Fraser's Ridge, homes are being burned, blamed on the Indians, Steven Bonnet, the pirate, makes his presence again. Brianna has to make a tough decision, Roger finds his calling, after an outbreak of disease breaks out on the Ridge, Claire is near death Jamie gets accused of fathering a child by a local's daughter. Never a dull moment on Fraser's Ridge! Amazing how these character's grip your heart and the suspense never ends. Wonderful series, Very long and so worth it! Listen on Audible - Davina Portrer is perfect as always and Diana Gabaldon is the absolute best storyteller ever!

[junipersun · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This 980 page tome took me forever to read. A couple years ago I gave up after a few pages, thought it was going to have a lot of political maneuvering in it, which I hate. I was wrong about that, tho there is some juggling Jamie goes thru as he shifts from Tory to Whig. It's got sections that definitely read like a hot romance novel, but that's not all. There are parts that deal with creating modern inventions using low tech approaches (i.e. kitchen matches, ether, plumbing) and the work involved in a pioneer survival lifestyle. And intermingled with some of the intense hate crimes are home-y chapters where the family sees the ridiculousness of what's just gone on.All in all, I really enjoyed reading it, but I don't think I ever want to lug so many pages around again.P.S. This is the first book in this saga I've read.

[hoosgracie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I think this was my favorite in the series so far. The American Revolution is starting and Jamie, Claire, Brianna, Roger, and the rest and preparing for it. There is also quite a bit of strife on Fraser's Ridge, which made for a quite entertaining read.

[v_allery · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A Breath of Snow and Ashes disappointed me in one thing and one thing only - I liked all the Frasers at one and the same point in history, thank you. My heart is a little broken (not as broken as after Outlander, obviously) and I am still hooked (please write at least 18 more books, D. Gabaldon).The impending deaths of Claire and Jamie Fraser, the vengeance on Stephen Bonnet, and the missing French gold story-lines wrapped, I cannot wait what the new plot arcs will bring.

[carl_alves_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Set in 1772 on the eve of the Revolutionary War, events have been set in motion that will lead to the War. In this backdrop are Jamie Fraser and his time travelling wife Clare and their family. Jamie is still staying loyal to the Crown, even though he knows from his wife what the results of the war will be. To complicate matters, they had come across a clipping from the Wilmington Gazette which states that Jaimie and his family had died.A Breath of Snow and Ashes is a well written and compelling novel. Gabaldon has done a good job of creating a story world. On the downside the novel feels slow and lumbering at times. The storyline is also a little disjointed in spots. This novel is not quite at the same level as some of the other novels in the series, but it is still enjoyable if you have read others in the series.Carl Alves – author of Blood Street

[hobbitprincess · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I thoroughly enjoyed this 6th book in the series. I think I enjoyed it more the third time I read it. Perhaps it has to do with reading the whole series again. I'm ready to start the next one, also a reread.

[nbmars · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Note: A Breath of Snow And Ashes is the sixth novel in the "Outlander Series."  There will necessarily be spoilers for the first five books in the series. This series tells the ongoing saga of English nurse Claire who travels back in time and takes up with hot Highland hunk Jamie. They have moved to America, it is now 1773, and war is afoot.In A Breath of Snow And Ashes, Gabaldon finally lets all the vile evil nature of human beings unfettered by law come darkly forth, usually with fire in its wake. In this very long book, we have no less than three abductions (i.e., one approximately every 350 pages). And in addition to kidnap, gang rape, slave trading, and lynching, we now have a lesbian to go with the usual panoply of gay males. (It’s probably not necessarily that there is such a high percentage of gay individuals in the early American world, but rather a reflection of the fact that no one can resist either Jamie or Claire…..)And of course, Jamie and Claire are still devoted to one another. Jamie, as sexy and heroic as ever, even confesses he likes Claire better when she gains weight than when she loses it! (It is clear why no one can resist this man!) More tenderly, he tells Claire, “If ye were no longer there - or somewhere … then the sun would no longer come up or go down.”In other news in this family saga, mysteries get solved about both Jocasta and Ian; Fergus and Marsali are forced to make a big change; Roger finds his calling; Roger and Bree discover who the real father is of Jemmy; and Bree experiences a couple of big surprises that force her to make some life-altering decisions as the book concludes in 1776.Discussion: This book is much darker than the previous ones, and yet, for that very reason, more realistic. We still get details of almost every meal, every instance of sweating, belching, constipation, lusting, praying, sleepless nights, chores - you name it - and yet for the most part Gabaldon carries it off without being boring.I’m also impressed that the series retains so many younger readers, even though there are complaints aplenty in blog reviews about the grossness of “geriatric sex.” Come on! I thought 50 or 60 was the new 40! And at any rate, Claire apparently looks like she is much younger, although she worries about the veins standing out in her hands and her breasts sagging and so on. But Jamie even has silver hairs you know where and besides, his devotion to Claire knows no bounds, so not to worry….Evaluation: It’s fun to share the excitement of the characters from the future as the American Revolution approaches, and good to get clarification on a number of the plot mysteries. As with the other books, there is bitter and sweet in this long family tale, but you get caught up in it, and want to know what happens.

[cbilbo-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this series! I stumbled onto Outlander by accident. How I don't recall, but it doesn't matter. I was hooked. You really need to read this in order. Thus is book #6.

In this book you have time travel, war in the 1770's, sex, murder, and most of all Jamie and Claire!

A true love story that grips your heart from book 1. How she struggles with right vs wrong. Where Jamie just does. Their daughter Brianna and her family are struggling as well with life in 1770's. What makes it great is the family bond. Jamie guides Roger through pre-America colonization. Brianna is a knock off the old block of Jamie and Claire. I love little Jem in this book. Nothing but all boy.

I can't say enough about this book. They are absolutely amazing!

[janesteen_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Where I got the book: audiobook from Audible.I have spent the best part of a year listening to the Outlander series and honestly, by this point the books are just blending into one another. Most of the time the story isn't really a story so much as a container that holds a whole load of smaller stories, some resolved quickly, others left for later. If things slow down, one of the women gets kidnapped, raped or threatened with kidnap or rape, or all of the above. Which probably happened quite a bit in pre-revolutionary America.And then Jamie turns up and rescues everyone, and takes Claire to bed. Considering she's about 55 by now she's doing pretty darn well; they don't seem to go much longer than 3 days without a good bonk, Jamie never has eyes for anyone else, and he likes it when she puts on a bit of weight because it goes straight to her lovely round arse. The perfect man indeed.After hundreds of hours of listening, Gabaldon's writing is pretty predictable. She never passes up the chance to use a well-worn phrase, endlessly describes what Jamie's hair looks like, and loves to go off on a tangent about 18th century science or doctoring. Narrator Davina Porter never flags, although I have known her to mix up an accent here and there. And you know what? I'll miss these books when I'm done. They may be rambling and way too long but they're fun to listen to. One day I'll probably go back to the beginning again...