Spoilers ho! Be forewarned (spoiler for both Book 1 and Book 2).

The first chapters of this book totally surprised me. What the heck is Claire doing in the 20th Century? Why is her daughter 20 years old? Last I left, you helped Jamie recover (most) of his sanity after his torture and rape by the evil Jack Randall and you had just discovered you were pregnant. So, again what are you doing in the 20th century, and where the hell is Jamie?

So, when Claire finally started telling her tale to her daughter and Richard, I knew the ending would be hard. The middle, when Claire and Jamie tried to stop the Jacobite rebellion was intriguing, especially when they worried about how much they could actually alter the future. Turns out not too much, as the tragic battle of Culloden still came to pass despite everything Claire and Jamie tried. I was like come on, get out of dodge! Damn honor. I hope further novels in this series will continue to explore how past actions can alter future events.

I don't often cry when I read, but man the ending of this one punched me in the heart. Saying goodbye is the worst, especially when you know damned well your loved one is going to their doom. After the slow burning build up, the final few chapters were absolutely shocking

Spoiler

Claire works with JACK FUCKING RANDALL?! Jamie murders Dougal?! Jamie is forced to send Claire back to the stones to save her and their unborn child, and since he can't live without her he's going to fight at Culloden, damn the odds?!

Gah.

AND THEN, you find out through the help of new historian (and very cute and potential love interest for Brianna) Richard that

Spoiler

Jamie is probably alive. And that it is 1968 and Geillis is about to travel back in time!!!

And then it ends. Jesus.

So glad I don't have to wait years to find out what happens next.