Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander, Book 2) by Diana Gabaldon (2001)

Still not understanding the popularity of this series, except that it's not difficult to read and partakes a bit of the sensibility of an old movie serial or a modern tv show; the plot does have an arc, but the novel itself is a series of intertwined stories. This readable romance is obviously (sometimes a bit too obviously) well-researched and grounded in the history that forms its backdrop.  Yet there's only a single science fictional element, and the fantasy is all about the romance, not any magic of any kind. 

 

The romance between Claire and Jamie continues to be so over the top that it's not always believable, and while they endure hardship and setbacks separately and alone, happy endings seem inevitable as sunrise.

 

This volume picks up 20 years after the events in Outlander. Claire has raised Jamie's daughter and become a physician. Told in long flashbacks, the narrative alternates between 1740's Scotland and 1968 Scotland. Honestly, much more than that includes massive spoilers; suffice to say that the ever-too-busy Claire is on the hunt for a woman - a witch - who might have the means to return her to Jamie.

The Exile and Voyager, by Diana Gabaldon

The Maestro says it's Mozart
but it sounds like bubble gum
~ Leonard Cohen, Waiting for the Miracle 

Third verse, same as the first,
Rinse and repeat. 

The Exile is a graphic novel purporting to set out the events in Outlander from Jamie's point of view. 
The art is pretty, the characters are pretty - even the ugly Murtaugh is stylised into very interesting - but muddy at times.  Hmph.  NOT impressed.  And the book only covers *most* of Outlander, leaving aside the last portion.  Having Jamie's pov for that most interesting section would have been very helpful to understanding the entire plot.

Voyager
Claire manages a return to her Highland lover Jamie (this isn't a spoiler per se; it's on the back cover of the book).  Fleeing the turmoil and politics of Scotland two decades after the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie at Culloden, Claire and Jamie end up in the West Indies, where Claire faces an old frenemy.  The voyage and destination give Ms. Gabaldon the excuse to insert pirates, vodoo, and a virtuous chance for Claire and Jamie to free black slaves.
Again, not a terrible book.  Fast, bouncy, readable romance.  

But given the treasures available for my reading, I think I've spent as much time on this series as I'm interested in spending.  

Servant of the Underworld: Obsidian & Blood, Book 1 by Aliette de Bodard (2010)

Engrossing mystery set in the Aztec/Mexica empire circa 1480, where the magic of the gods is real; blood – freely given or sacrificed – invokes the divine; and where the politics would put Byzantine to shame. 

Acatl, High Priest of the God of the Dead, is called in to investigate an apparent locked-room murder. His estranged warrior brother Neutemoc is the only suspect. But the use of magic in the murder that Neutemoc doesn’t know and can’t use leads Acatl to a series of suspects and gods.

Acatl suffers from what we’d call imposter syndrome, elevated to an office he never wanted by the recommendation of a mentor/frenemy. He doesn’t handle the position well, preferring to immerse himself in details.   Priests being celibate and of a lower social strata than warriors, he was a disappointment to his now-deceased parents. The evolution of his family and professional relationships are integral elements of the plot.

One must read slowly and pay attention – otherwise names – especially the multi-syllabic names of the gods - tend to devolve into word salad.   And you’ll need to know who the author is talking about at any given time, in a complicated story with plenty of red herrings, loops, back tracking and magical interference.

 

The author, a French woman writing in English (can you say ‘overachiever’?, WoW asks jealously) has full command of a fluid, quickly moving style. There are occasional odd turns of phrase and word choices – “”played on” for colloquial USAian “played” and “a dark lean shape whispering its seducing song” instead of ‘seductive song’, which caught my attention, but nothing to throw you completely out of the story. I’ve acquired the sequel and am really looking forward to it.