Outlander is a series of historical fantasy novels by American author Diana Gabaldon. Gabaldon began the first volume of the series, Outlander, in the late 1980s, and it was published in 1991. She has published nine out of a planned ten volumes. The ninth novel in the series, Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, was released on November 23, 2021.
The Outlander series focuses on 20th-century British nurse Claire Randall, who time travels to 18th-century Scotland and finds adventure and romance with the dashing Highland warrior Jamie Fraser. The books have sold over 50 million copies worldwide as of 2021.
Among the many derived works are two short stories, three novellas, a novel series featuring the recurring secondary character Lord John Grey, a graphic novel, a musical, and a television series.
Outlander books in order
1. Outlander (1991) (published in the UK, New Zealand and Australia as Cross Stitch)
Outlander (published in the United Kingdom as Cross Stitch) is a historical fantasy novel by Diana Gabaldon first published in 1991. Initially set around the time of the Second World War, it focuses on nurse Claire Beauchamp, who travels through time to 18th-century Scotland, where she finds adventure and romance with the dashing Jamie Fraser. It is the first novel in the Outlander series, with ten books planned. The television adaptation of the series premiered on Starz in the US on August 9, 2014.
A mix of several genres, the series has elements of historical fiction, romance, adventure and traditional fantasy. It has sold over 25 million copies. The first book won a Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award in 1992.
2. Dragonfly in Amber (1992)
Dragonfly in Amber is the second book in the Outlander series of novels by Diana Gabaldon. Centered on time travelling 20th century nurse Claire Randall and her 18th century Scottish Highlander warrior husband Jamie Fraser, the books contain elements of historical fiction, romance, adventure and fantasy. This installment chronicles Claire and Jamie’s efforts to prevent the Jacobite rising that Claire knows will end disastrously for the Scots.
A television adaptation of the series, called Outlander, premiered on Starz in August 2014. The show’s second season—which aired May through July 2016—was based on the events of Dragonfly in Amber.
3. Voyager (1993)
Voyager (published 1993) is the third book in the Outlander series of novels by Diana Gabaldon. Centered on time travelling 20th century doctor Claire Randall and her 18th century Scottish Highlander warrior husband Jamie Fraser, the books contain elements of historical fiction, romance, adventure and fantasy.
The heroine of the bestselling Outlander (1991), Claire, returns in Voyager as a mother to Brianna Randall and living in Boston in the year 1968. The preceding novel, Dragonfly in Amber (1992), ended with Claire and Brianna coming to grips with the truth of the identity of Brianna’s real father, Jamie Fraser, and Claire’s travel through time. In Voyager, Claire and Brianna trace Jamie’s life since the battle of Culloden during the Jacobite rising of 1745. Discovering Jamie survived the massacre that heralded the destruction of many clans in Scotland sends Claire back to the stone circle that twenty years earlier hurtled her through time.
4. Drums of Autumn (1996)
Drums of Autumn is the fourth book in the Outlander series of novels by Diana Gabaldon. Centered on time travelling 20th century doctor Claire Randall and her 18th century Scottish Highlander warrior husband Jamie Fraser, the books contain elements of historical fiction, romance, adventure, and fantasy.
The fourth season of Outlander, the TV series adaptation of Gabaldon’s novels, is based on Drums of Autumn.
5. The Fiery Cross (2001)
The Fiery Cross is the fifth book in the Outlander series of novels by Diana Gabaldon. Centered on time-travelling 20th-century doctor Claire Randall and her 18th-century Scottish Highlander warrior husband Jamie Fraser, the books contain elements of historical fiction, romance, adventure and fantasy.
6. A Breath of Snow and Ashes (2005)
A Breath of Snow and Ashes is the sixth book in the Outlander series of novels by Diana Gabaldon. Centered on time travelling 20th century doctor Claire Fraser and her 18th century Scottish Highlander warrior husband Jamie Fraser, the books contain elements of historical fiction, romance, adventure and fantasy.
7. An Echo in the Bone (2009)
An Echo in the Bone is the seventh book in the Outlander series of novels by Diana Gabaldon. Centered on time travelling 20th century doctor Claire Fraser and her 18th century Scottish Highlander warrior husband Jamie Fraser, the books contain elements of historical fiction, romance, adventure and fantasy.
First published and released in the United States on September 22, 2009, the novel continues the adventures of Claire and Jamie in the 18th century, as well as their daughter, Brianna MacKenzie and her husband, Roger MacKenzie, who returned to the 20th century at the end of the previous book, A Breath of Snow and Ashes.
8. Written in My Own Heart’s Blood (2014)
Written in My Own Heart’s Blood is the eighth book in the Outlander series of novels by Diana Gabaldon. Centered on time travelling 20th century doctor Claire Randall and her 18th century Scottish Highlander warrior husband Jamie Fraser, the books contain elements of historical fiction, romance, adventure and fantasy.
Published on June 10, 2014, Written in My Own Heart’s Blood continues the love story of Claire and Jamie as well as the story arcs of multiple characters from the previous novel, An Echo in the Bone. Gabaldon announced the novel’s title in September 2011.
9. Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone (2021)
The past may seem the safest place to be . . . but it is the most dangerous time to be alive. . . .
Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall were torn apart by the Jacobite Rising in 1746, and it took them twenty years to find each other again. Now the American Revolution threatens to do the same.
It is 1779 and Claire and Jamie are at last reunited with their daughter, Brianna, her husband, Roger, and their children on Fraser’s Ridge. Having the family together is a dream the Frasers had thought impossible.
Yet even in the North Carolina backcountry, the effects of war are being felt. Tensions in the Colonies are great and local feelings run hot enough to boil Hell’s teakettle. Jamie knows loyalties among his tenants are split and it won’t be long until the war is on his doorstep.
Brianna and Roger have their own worry: that the dangers that provoked their escape from the twentieth century might catch up to them. Sometimes they question whether risking the perils of the 1700s—among them disease, starvation, and an impending war—was indeed the safer choice for their family.
Not so far away, young William Ransom is still coming to terms with the discovery of his true father’s identity—and thus his own—and Lord John Grey has reconciliations to make, and dangers to meet . . . on his son’s behalf, and his own.
Meanwhile, the Revolutionary War creeps ever closer to Fraser’s Ridge. And with the family finally together, Jamie and Claire have more at stake than ever before.
How many outlander books are there?
There are currently 9 main Outlander books written by Diana Gabaldon, plus a number of related novellas and short stories. Here are the titles of the main books in order:
- Outlander
- Dragonfly in Amber
- Voyager
- Drums of Autumn
- The Fiery Cross
- A Breath of Snow and Ashes
- An Echo in the Bone
- Written in My Own Heart’s Blood
- Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone (released November 23, 2021)
The novellas and short stories include “The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel,” “A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows,” “The Space Between,” and “Virgins.”
Outlander books in order of release date
1. Outlander (1991)
2. Dragonfly in Amber (1992)
3. Voyager (1993)
4. Drums of Autumn (1996)
5. The Fiery Cross (2001)
6. A Breath of Snow and Ashes (2005)
7. An Echo in the Bone (2009)
8. Written in My Own Heart’s Blood (2014)
9. Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone (2021)
In conclusion, the Outlander book series, written by Diana Gabaldon, is an epic tale that spans across centuries and continents, filled with adventure, romance, and historical intrigue. The series follows the life of Claire Randall, a time-traveling nurse from the 1940s who finds herself transported back to 18th-century Scotland, where she meets and falls in love with the ruggedly handsome Jamie Fraser. As the series progresses, Claire and Jamie face numerous challenges and dangers, from the brutalities of war to the treacherous plots of their enemies. The series currently consists of eight books, each one a thrilling and captivating journey that leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installment. Overall, the Outlander series is a must-read for anyone who enjoys immersive storytelling, richly drawn characters, and epic historical fiction.
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