Virgins

Summary (from the publisher): 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.

Review: This is a brief novella (less than a hundred pages) from the Outlander series, set before the first book of the series and focusing on a young Jamie Fraser, just recently released from a cruel punishment at the hands of the English. Jamie finds himself in France with his old friend Ian Murray. The two are commissioned to escort a Jewish woman and a priceless copy of the Torah to Paris. Along the road, Jamie and Ian encounter intrigue and difficulties they had not imagined and both contemplate physical love, which neither of them have yet experienced. 

Although any Jamie Fraser is better than none, this story was lacking without Claire's narrative voice and the tension and chemistry that she shares with Jamie. On the other hand, this novella helped build the early relationship and bond between Jamie and Ian, which has only been referred to in later novels, as well as giving insight into Jamie's movements and background as a young man before he met Claire. In typical Outlander style, the novella is filled with life threatening hijinks, manly displays from Jamie, and plenty of comedy and triumph from the main characters. 

Stars: 3

Related Titles: 

• The Space Between by Diana Gabaldon 
• Written in My Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon 
• An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon 
• A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon 
• The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon 
• Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon 
• Voyager by Diana Gabaldon 
• Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon 
• Outlander by Diana Gabaldon