One word runs rampant in my mind upon finishing the second in this most delectable of series - vibrant. There is a vibrancy and realism in each of the characters that makes the entire series a true joy to read. Jamie Fraser is the ultimate male - tough, rough, physical, shrewd - and yet, he is not afraid to show weakness. Claire Fraser is the ultimate modern female - tough, intelligent, and ensured of her equality among men. Together, they are a force that practically leaps off the page with such intimacy and clarity that one would be not at all surprised to see either character standing before him/her. Dragonfly in Amber starts out in a completely unexpected fashion. My love for all things romantic actually had me upset to find that Claire does indeed go back to her own time. Yet, this did keep me reading because I HAD to find out what would have prompted her to leave her soulmate. It was an interesting conundrum to be both upset with Claire (and Ms. Gabaldon) for doing so, yet wanting to keep reading to find out what occurred to force this dreadful situation. Once Jamie enters the scene again, the story immediately improved, and I kept reading because I wanted to spend as much time as possible with Jamie and Claire. They truly are two of the most remarkable characters I have ever read. So alive and so devoted, they restore my faith in romance.Ms. Gabaldon definitely has a way with words. Like my reaction to Outlander, I found it so easy to slip into the Scottish lilt that I had to mentally shake myself whenever someone in real life failed to speak with one. The hardships of the Scottish highlands and the political intrigue of the French court as well as the Jacobite rebellion are so realistic as to give my nightmares for the duration of the time I was reading. She also is a master of suspense. Throughout the novel, the reader is besieged by suspense and turmoil because of the pending battle and because the reader knows how the book is going to end. Yet, this tension only enhances the story itself, making it rather easy for one to devour this tome as quickly as possible.I finished reading Dragonfly in Amber only to immediately go upstairs and grab the third book in the series just to find out what happens. Finishing a 900-page book only to pick up yet another book of the same length is a testament to her writing. If you have not yet picked up either Outlander or Dragonfly in Amber, I highly encourage you to do so. They are stunning works of historical fiction that are worthy of attention.
