Book Review #632 - Virgins by Diana Gabaldon (Outlander #0.5)

My Rating: 2.5/5


Source: Library


Goodreads











A young Jamie Fraser learns what it really means to become a man in this Outlander prequel novella. Featuring all the trademark suspense, adventure, and history of Diana Gabaldon’s #1 bestselling novels and the Starz original series, Virgins is now available for the first time as a standalone ebook.

Mourning the death of his father and gravely injured at the hands of the English, Jamie Fraser finds himself running with a band of mercenaries in the French countryside, where he reconnects with his old friend Ian Murray. Both are nursing wounds; both have good reason to stay out of Scotland; and both are still virgins, despite several opportunities to remedy that deplorable situation with ladies of easy virtue. But Jamie’s love life becomes infinitely more complicated—and dangerous—when fate brings the young men into the service of Dr. Hasdi, a Jewish gentleman who hires them to escort two priceless treasures to Paris. One is an old Torah; the other is the doctor’s beautiful daughter, Rebekah, destined for an arranged marriage. Both Jamie and Ian are instantly drawn to the bride-to-be—but they might be more cautious if they had any idea who they’re truly dealing with.

I read this story in a book I borrowed from my local library called Dangerous Women. It was edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois.

I borrowed the book with the complete intention of reading all the stories but time got away from me and so I only read the only one I initially even borrowed the book for and that was this one.

This story is set before Outlander and begins just as Jamie escapes from Blackjack Randall after being severely lashed.

I loved the friendship between Jamie and Ian and this was probably my favourite aspect to the story.

The plot was interesting and even though I am not usually fond of religion in books, I rather enjoyed the inclusion of Judaism.

Even though this book was written by a woman, I didn't like the poor portrayal of women at times during this book.

For example, a woman gets brutally raped in front of a crowd of people and yet nobody does anything. Also, around 99% of the female characters in this story were prostitutes and the main plot of the story was Jamie and Ian transporting a young girl to a wedding against her wishes.

Overall, I loved being back in the Outlander world but without Claire, there was a huge void that nothing could fill.