Virgins: An Outlander Novella (Kindle Single) Kindle Edition

I was a late-comer to the Outlander series having not read the first novel, 'Outlander,' until mid-2014. Once started however, I read the existing books in the series in rapid succession and then waited breathlessly for 'Written in My Own Heart's Blood.' I wish I could say that each successive book was as perfect as 'Outlander,' but that is not the case. I still enjoyed each reading experience, but not as much as my 'first time.' Which brings me now to 'Virgins,' a novella of Jamie and Ian as mercenaries.'Virgins' reminds me of why I fell in love with Jamie and the whole Outlander universe. From the opening scene to the last word, the reader is treated to Jamie's courage, strength and heart, all firmly in place and well developed pre-Claire. Diana Gabaldon lets us inside Jamie's deep mourning and wracking guilt over the death of his father as well as his on-going worry over his sister, Jenny, in the wake of Black Jack Randall's mayhem. We see Ian as a whole, strong man as well as the dynamic of his relationship to Jamie in a way we've never seen it before. What 'Virgins' does is that it gives us another dimension to both characters that makes them, if possible, even more compelling.Bottom line: it's a solid read. Don't be put off, if you've read the main series, by thinking that this short story can't add anything to an already richly tapestried world. What you'll read is the glorious mix of heart breaking pathos, laugh-out-loud humor, and action that is vintage Diana Gabaldon. Read it. You won't be sorry.

Diana Gabaldon consistently delivers for her fans. This novella, Virgins, is yet another mini installment in the "behind the story" story that she presents to us in an attempt to give us a glimpse into events that were spoken of but never really explored fully in her book series. Everyone that loves Outlander and her other books LOVES Jamie Fraser and can't get enough of these mini stories to keep us going between books. This is definitely NOT a stand alone story and you wouldn't have a clue as to what was going on if you didn't read the Outlander series, or at the very least, the first book itself.Ian and Jamie are young in this story, Jamie just having escaped from confinement in an English prison. He has just encountered his nemesis, Black Jack, for the first time and is lucky to be alive. Ian is traveling with a band of mercenaries and Jamie hopes to join them in the hopes of staying clear of Scotland and staying close to the one man he trusts like a brother. What I liked about this is that Jamie is very young here and we have had little exposure to him at that age. He is a naïve boy who has just suffered extreme punishment and lost his father and homeland quite suddenly. He's trying to fit in among these seasoned men in France and he is just learning the ropes. I almost feel like a fly on the wall! That is where our story begins, and I doubt you will be disappointed. Hold on to your kilt!It took me about 3 hours this morning to finish, in between a few phone calls and laundry. It's a great prelude to the second season of Outlander beginning on STARZ tomorrow! Now I REALLY can't wait!

Outlander is a series of novels that follow the lives of Claire, a WWII combat nurse who travels back in time to the 1740s, and her second husband, James Fraser, a Scottish laird. These books can't really be classified by genre, since they include history, drama, adventure, romance, mystery, sci-fi/fantasy . . . a little of everything, really.For those who are desperate for a Jamie and Claire fix, this should help ease the withdrawal pangs until the next (ninth) book comes out. Like some of the other short stories Diana Gabaldon has written, it fills in one of the gaps in the main characters' lives, exploring a period that we knew little about. It's longer than your typical short story, but nowhere near novel-length---especially a Diana Gabaldon novel! It's called a novella, which is either a very short novel or a very long short story. Either way, it doesn't take long to read.The story takes place shortly after Jamie escapes from Fort William, after being flogged (twice) by Black Jack Randall. Forced to flee Scotland because of the price on his head, Jamie goes to France, where he joins his best friend Ian as a mercenary-for-hire. After proving their worth as braw fighters, they're asked to escort a young Jewish bride and her priceless dowry to her husband-to-be in another part of the country, but as always, where James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser goes, trouble always follows.For those familiar with the Outlander series, you probably won't be surprised to learn that there is a rather graphic rape scene in this story. Every one of the books contains at least one sexual assault, and this short story is no exception. Interestingly, the scene in question is one that's mentioned in "Outlander" by Jamie on his wedding night to Claire. It's a throwaway line, something he says in passing, but the author clearly remembered and decided to expand upon it. It helps tie this story to the main series. Not that I couldn't have lived without the rape scene, but if it has to be there, at least it's connected. And it has an impact on the characters, so t's not gratuitous; it has a purpose, which makes it easier to bear.The only real flaw in this story is that Claire is missing. But since it takes place long before Jamie meets her, it's forgivable. Four stars and recommended to anyone who loves the Outlander series.

Virgins is advertised as " a standalone book" in the product description, and yet on the same page we are toldthat it is a short story featuring Jamie Fraser before he met Claire Randall. A sort of prequel to the Outlanderseries of novels, set in the 1740's the decade of the Jacobite Rebellion.As a book I found it a complete disappointment. As a short story it simply gives a glimpse into the lives of JamieFraser and Ian Murray's youth as stripling warriors in France. What is actually being sold here is a 126 page shortstory, plus the first 124 pages of the initial Outlander novel that we have already read, tagged on at the end to bulkit out thus creating a 250 page book. This is not fair play and is simply cheating the buyer.If we go by the product description then prospective buyers will firmly believe that the whole book is about thelife of Jamie right up until the time that the main Outlander series commences. It is not. To that extent it is a ripoff, possibly instigated by the publishers until Ms Gabaldon finishes her ninth Outlander novel.This reader was left feeling short changed.Published by Century 2016250 pages.

I have all of the Outlander series (so far) and have re-read them on many occasions and will continue to do so in years to come, but this book was a great disappointment,not least because only half of this slim book was actually a story about Jamie in his teens. Sadly I would not recommend it to my friends.

The story itself was ok, but very disappointed that the story only fills the first half of the book and the second half is the first 100 odd pages of Outlander/Cross Stitch. Seems a bit of a con really.

This novella fills in a few missing pieces in Jamie and Ian's friendship. It also helps the book followers to understand a bit more about Ian and Jenny. I throughly enjoyed the discussions on Judiasm and circumcision. The illicit love affair between Rebekah and her betrothed give us insight into Jamie's view on romantic love. Their Jewish wedding was described with such beauty and tenderness. A lovely addition to the Outlander series!

Very disappointed with this book. Not up to the usual Diana standard. Not just me, I have lent it to my sisters and they feel the same. Also a bit of a cop out enlarging the book with the beginning of Outlander. All ready got that and read it 3 times.