A Trail of Fire: Four Outlander Tales

Diana Gabaldon's Outlander world is so big and the characters so numerous that, since time isn't really an obstacle either, there are pockets of untold stories all over the place. She could write in this world for a very long time.

I had already read 3 of the 4 novellas in other collections. Both of the Lord John novellas were quite good, as well as A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows (although that title always makes me think of the movie Serenity-oh, Wash).

The Space Between was my least favorite. It was worth reading for a couple of the secrets it revealed, but I didn't really care much about the relationships, and the characterization wasn't up to her usual high standards.

Still, on the strength of the other 3 novellas, I highly show more recommend this to Outlander fans to tide them over until the next giant block of a book comes out. show less

This is a collection of four short stories, the first three of which I had read before. The rating is for the fourth, The Space Between. I found this story difficult to follow and the plot implausible...and I'm fan of the Outlander series. Frankly, all the little side stories are becoming tiresome. It's too difficult to keep track of where they fall in the chronology, who everyone is, and the significance of their connections. The prose is still quite good, but I can't say I really enjoyed this one.

I impulsively picked this book up when I was at the library last week. I don't normally read short stories, in fact, I can't remember the last time I did read one. I thought seeing as I really liked the first 4 books in the Outlander series I might like these. I also thought that reading them might inspire me to tackle the next book in the series that I am up to, which is [The Fiery Cross], a huge 1400 pages! Well, I was right. I really enjoyed these stories and I am now more open to reading short story collections in the future. Not only that, I have picked up [The Fiery Cross] from my bookshelf and got out a bookmark ready to start it today.

The first story in the collection is about Roger MacKenzie's parents. I would have to say that show more this is my favourite in the book. The next two are Lord John stories. The final story involves characters from [An Echo in the Bone] (which I haven't read yet).

Overall I found the stories quite good. I don't know if people who haven't read any of the main books in the series would enjoy them as much. I also liked the author's introduction to each story, saying where and how the stories fit into the series. Another thing I really liked was a little bit at the end where the author talks about her books and stories, how they work in together, and the sequential order to read them. show less

Loved these short pieces, but at least for the last one ("The Space Between") it helps if you've at least read "An Echo in the Bone" beforehand.

This is a great read for fans of The Outlander series.
The book is basically 4 short stories about things mentioned in the Outlander book and The Lord John stories, but expanded a bit to give more of an insight into the person or event mentioned.
Bulges are what Diana Gabaldon herself calls them!! And a very good description it is too!!
A leaf on the wind of All Hallows, tells the story of Rogers parents during WWII, which we don't hear too much of in the main book.
The space Between, tells of the Comte St Germain, a tricky customer to say the least, we thought him dead, but was he?
The Custom of the Army, is a Lord John story. Following on the heels of an electric Eel party in London, Lord John is forced to flee.
And the final story is set show more in Jamaica where Lord John is sent to try and quell a revolt of escaped slaves, but certainly nothing is as it seems!
Bulges of a very interesting variety!! show less

Turns out I read the first and last stories in this book in other forms. I really couldn't get into Lord John's two stories. Only got half way through the first one. Wasn't reading at all. So gave it back to the library. Just going to count it as done.

An engaging array of stories from the Outlander universe.