As always, Gabaldon delivers. I held off just a bit in starting this one because, honestly, I really am not a fan of American history. The "New World" stuff was a bit overdone for me in elementary school. However, the lure of more Jamie and Claire eventually got to me and I'm glad I gave in. The second quarter of the book, which sets up Bree's jump back in time and Roger's "betrayal" as well as follows the original settling of J and C in the backwoods of NC dragged just a little. But the second we find out that Bree is in the past, and Roger sets to follow, I literally couldn't put the book down. Plus, the involvement of Stephen Bonnet was particularly interesting to an adopted Carolina girl. The twists and turns and the way the author manages to keep all the parts of the story together in the present (even though parts like Black Jack Randall are so distant now...and could so easily be left in faded memory) is amazing. And though I was loathe to share J and C with anyone else, I am enjoyed B and R's story as well. And as always, I love young Ian. I'm ready for #5!