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Outlander #0.5
Virgins
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.
Note: Originally published as part of the Dangerous Women anthology.
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.
Note: Originally published as part of the Dangerous Women anthology.
3 pages, Audible Audio
First published December 3, 2013
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About the author
Diana Gabaldon
237 books181k followersDiana Jean Gabaldon Watkins grew up in Flagstaff, Arizona and is of Hispanic and English descent (with a dash of Native American and Sephardic Jew). She has earned three degrees: a B.S. in Zoology, a M.S. in Marine Biology, and a Ph.D in Ecology, plus an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Glasgow, for services to Scottish Literature.
She currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona .
She currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,426 reviews
December 11, 2022
2 "a wee bit charming, a middling amount of cringing and eye-rolling and a whole lot of CHEEZ" stars !!
Second Most Fun Review Written in 2018 Award
For a good number of years I had considered reading Outlander. A romance, an adventure and men in kilts ! Nice ! Yes I was warned by my gal pals who love this series to stay away !
So I perused and I found this little prequel and at 86 pages I could get a little taste and see if I wanted to take this much loved series further. Welll.....
I think I will stop here as I still have my wits and humor about me. I think these huge books written in this way would shorten my life.
I really liked the friendship between Jamie and Ian, two 18th Century Scottish mercenaries. Loyal and fun and full of concern...a bromance ! They are both virgins here and are constantly horned up but will not sleep with women of ill repute which include poetesses...lol !!
What I struggled much with is the writing and the excessive use of lowbrow slapstick humor.
So very wee, so very twee, so very ick !!
Here is an example that was particularly cringe worthy....
" Rebekah looked like a wee dolly, but she was surprisingly solid, as he found when she put her foot in his hands and he tossed her up into the saddle. She didn't manage to swing her leg over and instead lay across the saddle like a dead deer, waving her arms and legs in agitation. Wrestling her into an upright position and getting himself set behind her left him red-faced and sweating, far more than dealing with the horses had.
Jamie gave him a raised eyebrow,as much jealousy as amusement in it, and he gave Jamie a squinted eye in return and put his arm around Rebekah's waist to settle her against him, hoping that he didn't stink too badly."
....a wee dolly...WTF ?
....a dead deer or dear would not be waving legs and arms in agitation
....a raised eyebrow and squinty eyes...ummm right bro !
....didn't stink too badly
well it stunk enough that I will not be moving further into the Outlander series. Ms. Gabaldon has millions of fans so I'm sure she won't mind !!
If I read more of this stuff it will feel like hell but in a cutesy kind of way :D
Second Most Fun Review Written in 2018 Award
For a good number of years I had considered reading Outlander. A romance, an adventure and men in kilts ! Nice ! Yes I was warned by my gal pals who love this series to stay away !
So I perused and I found this little prequel and at 86 pages I could get a little taste and see if I wanted to take this much loved series further. Welll.....
I think I will stop here as I still have my wits and humor about me. I think these huge books written in this way would shorten my life.
I really liked the friendship between Jamie and Ian, two 18th Century Scottish mercenaries. Loyal and fun and full of concern...a bromance ! They are both virgins here and are constantly horned up but will not sleep with women of ill repute which include poetesses...lol !!
What I struggled much with is the writing and the excessive use of lowbrow slapstick humor.
So very wee, so very twee, so very ick !!
Here is an example that was particularly cringe worthy....
" Rebekah looked like a wee dolly, but she was surprisingly solid, as he found when she put her foot in his hands and he tossed her up into the saddle. She didn't manage to swing her leg over and instead lay across the saddle like a dead deer, waving her arms and legs in agitation. Wrestling her into an upright position and getting himself set behind her left him red-faced and sweating, far more than dealing with the horses had.
Jamie gave him a raised eyebrow,as much jealousy as amusement in it, and he gave Jamie a squinted eye in return and put his arm around Rebekah's waist to settle her against him, hoping that he didn't stink too badly."
....a wee dolly...WTF ?
....a dead deer or dear would not be waving legs and arms in agitation
....a raised eyebrow and squinty eyes...ummm right bro !
....didn't stink too badly
well it stunk enough that I will not be moving further into the Outlander series. Ms. Gabaldon has millions of fans so I'm sure she won't mind !!
If I read more of this stuff it will feel like hell but in a cutesy kind of way :D
July 30, 2023
Time for round 2 in the Outlander world 💚
October 21, 2016
3★
A quick and fun novella to get Outlander fans through extreme periods of droughtlander.
Without prior book/character experience I don't think it would hold much interest for newbies.
Also, Jamie apart from Claire is not as compelling as their adventures together.
Pour yourself some scotch or “claret” and enjoy in one sitting, but beware of Claire-hangover.
A quick and fun novella to get Outlander fans through extreme periods of droughtlander.
Without prior book/character experience I don't think it would hold much interest for newbies.
Also, Jamie apart from Claire is not as compelling as their adventures together.
Pour yourself some scotch or “claret” and enjoy in one sitting, but beware of Claire-hangover.
April 14, 2023
3.75 ⭐️s
July 21, 2025
Virgins (Outlander, #5) by Diana Gabaldon
5/5 stars
Virgins is a short novella by Diana Gabaldon in the Outlander series. It takes place before Outlander and gives me a little insight into Jamie and Ian's friendship.
It starts right after Jamie's father Brian died. Jamie just got whipped and his father died watching him get whipped. Fear consumed him thinking his son would surely die. Jamie's pain was so palpable. My heart broke for the two of them.
Then it picks up a while later when Jamie and Ian are moving rugs to a Jewish moneylender in Bordeaux. I loved their banter. They are still teenage boys driven by hormones and I loved how they dealt with that.
When Ian says he will help kill Frank Randall. My heart burst with joy. That might sound a little weird. But I love how they have each other's backs and it shows how deep and unconditional their friendship and love for each other is.
Things change when they get ambushed and they get a new mission of getting Rebekah safely to Paris to marry her fiance. Nothing is as it seems and they get ambushed again. Making things even more complicated.
I really liked this novella and I think it's a perfect addition to the main series. In part you can see that Jamie is the same Jamie as in the main series. But there are two events that place that had my mouth hanging open. Two times where I couldn't believe that Jamie did what he did. There is a scene where he did nothing and just watched something horrendous happening. And what happened at the end... I was like is that Jamie? I couldn't believe that he did what he did.
Though now that I have been thinking about it. He was still a teenage boy, young, still developing his brain and his mental maturity. And I can place the events a little bit better. And I think both events helped shape the man he is with Claire in the main series. But it was still hard to read and swallow.
This story truly cements the unconditional love and friendship between Jamie and Ian and I am glad that Diana wrote it. It adds so much to the main story and I recommend everyone who loves the Outlander series to give this book a shot and read it.
5 big stars from me for Virgins!
5/5 stars
Virgins is a short novella by Diana Gabaldon in the Outlander series. It takes place before Outlander and gives me a little insight into Jamie and Ian's friendship.
It starts right after Jamie's father Brian died. Jamie just got whipped and his father died watching him get whipped. Fear consumed him thinking his son would surely die. Jamie's pain was so palpable. My heart broke for the two of them.
Then it picks up a while later when Jamie and Ian are moving rugs to a Jewish moneylender in Bordeaux. I loved their banter. They are still teenage boys driven by hormones and I loved how they dealt with that.
When Ian says he will help kill Frank Randall. My heart burst with joy. That might sound a little weird. But I love how they have each other's backs and it shows how deep and unconditional their friendship and love for each other is.
Things change when they get ambushed and they get a new mission of getting Rebekah safely to Paris to marry her fiance. Nothing is as it seems and they get ambushed again. Making things even more complicated.
I really liked this novella and I think it's a perfect addition to the main series. In part you can see that Jamie is the same Jamie as in the main series. But there are two events that place that had my mouth hanging open. Two times where I couldn't believe that Jamie did what he did. There is a scene where he did nothing and just watched something horrendous happening. And what happened at the end... I was like is that Jamie? I couldn't believe that he did what he did.
Though now that I have been thinking about it. He was still a teenage boy, young, still developing his brain and his mental maturity. And I can place the events a little bit better. And I think both events helped shape the man he is with Claire in the main series. But it was still hard to read and swallow.
This story truly cements the unconditional love and friendship between Jamie and Ian and I am glad that Diana wrote it. It adds so much to the main story and I recommend everyone who loves the Outlander series to give this book a shot and read it.
5 big stars from me for Virgins!
August 5, 2025
2.5⭐️
I finally wanted to start the series because I am restarting the TV show and I wanted to have the full experience. From what I can tell this is where you are supposed to start off. This is a novella that gives a little background into who Jamie was before he met Claire. I thought it was kind of interesting getting to see him going through certain trials. This is shortly after the whipping that occurs in season one. Jamie briefly touches on what caused that punishment to happen and what ensued afterwards. We also got to see Ian, which is a side character in the TV show series that gets introduced midway into season one. I really enjoyed their friendship and getting to see them and their dynamic together. One of the main reasons I didn’t really enjoy this was the storyline just didn’t make that much sense. The somewhat quest they go on seems sort of out of pocket. And one of the things that started to get extremely annoying was how the author kept saying/describing a person’s faith/nationality. The author kept describing circumcision, both from the male perspective like if the procedure hurt and the female perspective on whether they circumcision to be attractive. The author brought that up so much throughout this novella that I was over it. I am interested in seeing how this series carries on in the future and can’t wait to continue reading it!
Spice: .15 ( talks about virginity, getting a hand job, and circumcised and not circumcised dicks)
I finally wanted to start the series because I am restarting the TV show and I wanted to have the full experience. From what I can tell this is where you are supposed to start off. This is a novella that gives a little background into who Jamie was before he met Claire. I thought it was kind of interesting getting to see him going through certain trials. This is shortly after the whipping that occurs in season one. Jamie briefly touches on what caused that punishment to happen and what ensued afterwards. We also got to see Ian, which is a side character in the TV show series that gets introduced midway into season one. I really enjoyed their friendship and getting to see them and their dynamic together. One of the main reasons I didn’t really enjoy this was the storyline just didn’t make that much sense. The somewhat quest they go on seems sort of out of pocket. And one of the things that started to get extremely annoying was how the author kept saying/describing a person’s faith/nationality. The author kept describing circumcision, both from the male perspective like if the procedure hurt and the female perspective on whether they circumcision to be attractive. The author brought that up so much throughout this novella that I was over it. I am interested in seeing how this series carries on in the future and can’t wait to continue reading it!
Spice: .15 ( talks about virginity, getting a hand job, and circumcised and not circumcised dicks)
February 26, 2026
Really this is Jamie and Iain learning about circumcision!! It was a really quick read but I don’t think I would’ve cared for it if I weren’t already invested in these particular characters.
May 12, 2022
I kinda want to give this 4.5 stars only because it’s so dang short, but because it’s Jamie & Ian I’ll give it 5 because they deserve all the stars.
“On your right, man!”
I love that this story immediately took place after Jamie’s brutal horrific flogging by that demon Black Jack Randall. It broke my heart to see Jamie cry with his head on Ian as he talked about his father’s tragic death and how he blamed himself.
One thing I know is that these two, “Juan & Diego” are a trip. Thank God Jenny & Claire set them straight because clearly they needed a good woman’s touch and help to say the least.😂. Caught up with a group of mercenaries to “take care of some business”, these two get into a bit of trouble. Both virgins, the conversations between them had me laughing out loud on some parts. The things they get “caught up” in that could’ve compromised them because “Anybody kens fornication’s a mortal sin, ye numpty.” Thank goodness they have each other to watch their backs. I loved this prequel so much. I loved seeing a 19 year old Jamie Fraser and Ian Murray. BFF’s for life!
“It’ll bide,” Ian said, with a shrug. “If ye’re goin’ to hell, I might as well go, too. God knows, ye’ll never manage alone.”
“On your right, man!”
I love that this story immediately took place after Jamie’s brutal horrific flogging by that demon Black Jack Randall. It broke my heart to see Jamie cry with his head on Ian as he talked about his father’s tragic death and how he blamed himself.
One thing I know is that these two, “Juan & Diego” are a trip. Thank God Jenny & Claire set them straight because clearly they needed a good woman’s touch and help to say the least.😂. Caught up with a group of mercenaries to “take care of some business”, these two get into a bit of trouble. Both virgins, the conversations between them had me laughing out loud on some parts. The things they get “caught up” in that could’ve compromised them because “Anybody kens fornication’s a mortal sin, ye numpty.” Thank goodness they have each other to watch their backs. I loved this prequel so much. I loved seeing a 19 year old Jamie Fraser and Ian Murray. BFF’s for life!
“It’ll bide,” Ian said, with a shrug. “If ye’re goin’ to hell, I might as well go, too. God knows, ye’ll never manage alone.”
September 24, 2019
I'd read this novella when it was first released as part of the Dangerous Women anthology, but now it's available as a stand-alone ebook and audiobook. I listened to the audio this time around, and it was wonderful. Narrator Allan Scott-Douglas does an amazing job with the narration and the voices, and it was a pleasure to listen to.
In terms of plot, this is a terrific tale of young Jamie Fraser and his best friend Ian Murray during their time as mercenaries in France, a few years before the events of Outlander. For fans of the series, it's well worth checking out.
In terms of plot, this is a terrific tale of young Jamie Fraser and his best friend Ian Murray during their time as mercenaries in France, a few years before the events of Outlander. For fans of the series, it's well worth checking out.
November 4, 2016
Short little story featuring Jamie and Ian. It gave a little bit of perspective on events that happened before Outlander.
December 22, 2019
[in chronological order of events according to the author's website]
*.) Virgins ★★★.5
1.) Outlander ★★★★★
2.) Dragonfly in Amber ★★★★.5
*.) A Fugitive Green [ON TBR]
3.) Voyager ★★★★
*.) Lord John and the Hellfire Club [ON TBR]
*.) Lord John and the Private Matter [ON TBR]
*.) Lord John and the Succubus [ON TBR]
*.) Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade [ON TBR]
*.) Lord John and the Haunted Soldier [ON TBR]
*.) The Custom of the Army [ON TBR]
*.) The Scottish Prisoner [ON TBR]
*.) A Plague of Zombies [ON TBR]
*.) Beseiged [ON TBR]
4.) Drums of Autumn ★★★.5
5.) The Fiery Cross [ON TBR]
6.) A Breath of Snow and Ashes [ON TBR]
7.) An Echo in the Bone [ON TBR]
8.) Written in my own Heart's Blood [ON TBR]
*.) A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows [ON TBR]
*.) The Space Between [ON TBR]
9.) Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone [NOT YET PUBLISHED]
-----------------------------------------------
“If ye’re goin’ to hell, I might as well go, too. God knows, ye’ll never manage alone."
representation: questionable Jewish rep.
[trigger warnings are listed at the bottom of this review and may contain spoilers]
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 3.5 s t a r s *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
Seeing Jamie as a wee, innocent lad has me all kinds of emotional.
trigger warnings: loss of loved ones, severe whipping/lashing, war themes, death, murder, violence, violence against women, rape (both on page and off page), racism and slurs.
*.) Virgins ★★★.5
1.) Outlander ★★★★★
2.) Dragonfly in Amber ★★★★.5
*.) A Fugitive Green [ON TBR]
3.) Voyager ★★★★
*.) Lord John and the Hellfire Club [ON TBR]
*.) Lord John and the Private Matter [ON TBR]
*.) Lord John and the Succubus [ON TBR]
*.) Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade [ON TBR]
*.) Lord John and the Haunted Soldier [ON TBR]
*.) The Custom of the Army [ON TBR]
*.) The Scottish Prisoner [ON TBR]
*.) A Plague of Zombies [ON TBR]
*.) Beseiged [ON TBR]
4.) Drums of Autumn ★★★.5
5.) The Fiery Cross [ON TBR]
6.) A Breath of Snow and Ashes [ON TBR]
7.) An Echo in the Bone [ON TBR]
8.) Written in my own Heart's Blood [ON TBR]
*.) A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows [ON TBR]
*.) The Space Between [ON TBR]
9.) Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone [NOT YET PUBLISHED]
-----------------------------------------------
“If ye’re goin’ to hell, I might as well go, too. God knows, ye’ll never manage alone."
representation: questionable Jewish rep.
[trigger warnings are listed at the bottom of this review and may contain spoilers]
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 3.5 s t a r s *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
Seeing Jamie as a wee, innocent lad has me all kinds of emotional.
trigger warnings: loss of loved ones, severe whipping/lashing, war themes, death, murder, violence, violence against women, rape (both on page and off page), racism and slurs.
July 12, 2016
Virgins is a prequel novella in the popular Outlander series by American author, Diana Gabaldon. It is October, 1740, and as a wanted man in Scotland, young Jamie Fraser goes to France to join a band of mercenaries that includes his good friend, Ian Murray. Jamie’s knowledge of Hebrew has them included in an assignment to take a young Jewish woman from her home in Bordeaux to her prospective husband in Paris. But the trip does not go according to plan, and Jamie sees the young, innocent-looking Rebekah for what she really is: a dangerous woman. This is an enjoyable novella that gives a bit of background to Jamie’s time in France, some years before he meets Claire Beauchamp Randall. There is some interesting information on the status Jews in France at that time, as well as of plenty of fighting, and some amusing banter between the two young men, virgins still. Originally published in the anthology, Dangerous Women, it is also available as a Kindle stand-alone and a rather expensive hardback.
April 12, 2016
Pre-Claire Jamie isn't nearly as colorful as post-Claire Jamie
This novella picked up after Jamie's stay at Wentworth prison and the death of his father. He is recovering from the floggings by Black Jack Randall, and cannot return to his home, so he joins his pal Ian for an adventure. This novella was filled with historical information about
Jewish practices and history during the 18th century, but the journey itself was drab and very gray to me. Pre-Claire Jamie is not nearly as interesting and colorful as post-Claire Jamie.
This novella picked up after Jamie's stay at Wentworth prison and the death of his father. He is recovering from the floggings by Black Jack Randall, and cannot return to his home, so he joins his pal Ian for an adventure. This novella was filled with historical information about
Jewish practices and history during the 18th century, but the journey itself was drab and very gray to me. Pre-Claire Jamie is not nearly as interesting and colorful as post-Claire Jamie.
April 23, 2025
Навіть така коротенька історія мені сподобалась на п'ятірочку. Це було цікаво, дотепно та з перчинкою) Тепер можна переходити до другої книжки.
February 9, 2017
~*Full review and details on The Bent Bookworm!*~
"The Virgins" felt short-story in length to me, though I think it’s actually classified as a novella. I read it in less than an hour though, so…maybe I just read fast? The hardcover addition available from The Book Depository is 256 pages…which I don’t understand since my e-book version was only 86 pages! HUGE difference there and I feel slightly cheated, but it doesn’t seem that there’s actually a difference in content. HOW.
Feels :
I was so happy to be back with Jamie and Ian! Seeing them before Claire came to Scotland, and seeing Jamie so soon after all the horrific events that we only see in flashback in the the full length novels, was both heartrending and exciting. I also really enjoyed that this story was just straight-up historical fiction, no woo-woo added. Not that I haven’t enjoyed those aspects of the novels, but this was just the down and dirty, the nitty-gritty. Even for such a short story, I was totally invested back into the characters and their world.
Characters :
Jamie and Ian are SO YOUNG! They distinctly remind me of my own 17-year-old brother in the way they react to some things. This is Jamie before he became the confident, skilled warrior we meet in Outlander. This is Ian before Jenny. This is both of them as complete virgins in every sense of the word, and they are gregarious, lovable, and heartbreaking. Also cringe-worthy at a few points. I swear I can almost smell the teen-boy sweat coming off of them.
The secondary characters here are interesting and colorful, but I didn’t get attached to any of them. I was rather hoping someone would drive a dagger through a certain female person’s heart, but alas. Despite my non-attachment, I was devastated after a particular scene near the end. Not so much because of who died, but because of how it affected Jamie.
Plot :
The main line of the plot doesn’t become apparent right away. First, we’re thrown into Jamie and Ian’s meeting almost immediately after Jamie’s escape from Black Jack Randall. This, I think, is where it becomes apparent that this story is not to introduce a reader to Outlander. This story is for the fans. I loved it, naturally. However, the actual plot starts off a bit slow. Does it work? Yes. But I think it was secondary to showing us a young Jamie and Ian and just how they actually thought of each other.
Setting/Description :
As usual, Diana’s writing appears to be impeccably researched. I’m not a historian, but the amount of detail and care is obvious.
Rating/Notes :
Overall, I’m giving 4 stars. I do think part of my rating is due to HOW MUCH I love these characters. The writing itself doesn’t seem quite as polished as in the books, but it’s difficult to lay a finger on what gave me that impression. Especially in the beginning, some things felt just a little bit forced. Once everything got started it moved along smoothly, and as usual Gabaldon is a fabulous storyteller. I would recommend reading immediately after the original Outlander, but it would be perfect for Outlander fans at any point in the series!
"The Virgins" felt short-story in length to me, though I think it’s actually classified as a novella. I read it in less than an hour though, so…maybe I just read fast? The hardcover addition available from The Book Depository is 256 pages…which I don’t understand since my e-book version was only 86 pages! HUGE difference there and I feel slightly cheated, but it doesn’t seem that there’s actually a difference in content. HOW.
Feels :
I was so happy to be back with Jamie and Ian! Seeing them before Claire came to Scotland, and seeing Jamie so soon after all the horrific events that we only see in flashback in the the full length novels, was both heartrending and exciting. I also really enjoyed that this story was just straight-up historical fiction, no woo-woo added. Not that I haven’t enjoyed those aspects of the novels, but this was just the down and dirty, the nitty-gritty. Even for such a short story, I was totally invested back into the characters and their world.
Characters :
Jamie and Ian are SO YOUNG! They distinctly remind me of my own 17-year-old brother in the way they react to some things. This is Jamie before he became the confident, skilled warrior we meet in Outlander. This is Ian before Jenny. This is both of them as complete virgins in every sense of the word, and they are gregarious, lovable, and heartbreaking. Also cringe-worthy at a few points. I swear I can almost smell the teen-boy sweat coming off of them.
The secondary characters here are interesting and colorful, but I didn’t get attached to any of them. I was rather hoping someone would drive a dagger through a certain female person’s heart, but alas. Despite my non-attachment, I was devastated after a particular scene near the end. Not so much because of who died, but because of how it affected Jamie.
Plot :
The main line of the plot doesn’t become apparent right away. First, we’re thrown into Jamie and Ian’s meeting almost immediately after Jamie’s escape from Black Jack Randall. This, I think, is where it becomes apparent that this story is not to introduce a reader to Outlander. This story is for the fans. I loved it, naturally. However, the actual plot starts off a bit slow. Does it work? Yes. But I think it was secondary to showing us a young Jamie and Ian and just how they actually thought of each other.
“Did ye not mean to go to Confession yourself?” Jamie asked, stopping near the church’s main door. There was a priest in the confessional; two or three people stood a discreet distance away from the carved wooden stall, out of earshot, waiting.
“It’ll bide,” Ian said, with a shrug. “If ye’re goin’ to hell, I might as well go, too. God knows, ye’ll never manage alone.”
Setting/Description :
As usual, Diana’s writing appears to be impeccably researched. I’m not a historian, but the amount of detail and care is obvious.
Rating/Notes :
Overall, I’m giving 4 stars. I do think part of my rating is due to HOW MUCH I love these characters. The writing itself doesn’t seem quite as polished as in the books, but it’s difficult to lay a finger on what gave me that impression. Especially in the beginning, some things felt just a little bit forced. Once everything got started it moved along smoothly, and as usual Gabaldon is a fabulous storyteller. I would recommend reading immediately after the original Outlander, but it would be perfect for Outlander fans at any point in the series!
March 5, 2021
Originally read as part of Seven Stones to Stand or Fall anthology. Now rereading with audio of same anthology.
A couple of blokes fresh off the farm, wondering when they'll get their first kill - or first lay. There's a plot with some Jewish characters, and a lot of anti-Semetism, and some other uncomfortable stuff. Jamie learns that doing the right thing doesn't always end well.
This comes before Outlander, but probably wouldn't mean much to anyone who isn't already familiar with the characters, so it'll be best to read this after Outlander.
Allan Scott-Douglass is the narrator and he does a very good job, though he has a very interesting voice for a young Jamie, lol.
A couple of blokes fresh off the farm, wondering when they'll get their first kill - or first lay. There's a plot with some Jewish characters, and a lot of anti-Semetism, and some other uncomfortable stuff. Jamie learns that doing the right thing doesn't always end well.
This comes before Outlander, but probably wouldn't mean much to anyone who isn't already familiar with the characters, so it'll be best to read this after Outlander.
Allan Scott-Douglass is the narrator and he does a very good job, though he has a very interesting voice for a young Jamie, lol.
August 17, 2016
A prequel novella to Outlander, the story opens in 1740 with Jamie joining a band of mercenaries in France with his friend Ian Murray. He survived the vicious flogging by Black Jack Randall and the death of his father. Warned to stay away from his homeland he is ripe for an adventure.
Trouble finds young Jamie without effort. And as usual it comes in the form of a beautiful young woman. Both virgins, Ian and Jamie speculate and dip their toes in the pool of sexuality. And not surprising, events do not go at all as planned.
I enjoyed this bit of background on my favorite Scot.
Trouble finds young Jamie without effort. And as usual it comes in the form of a beautiful young woman. Both virgins, Ian and Jamie speculate and dip their toes in the pool of sexuality. And not surprising, events do not go at all as planned.
I enjoyed this bit of background on my favorite Scot.
February 16, 2026
4 Stars for Virgins: Outlander, Book 0.5 (audiobook) by Diana Gabaldon read by Allan Scott-Douglas.
It was fun to get some of Jamie Fraser’s backstory. He’s a young man running around France getting in scuffles. Jamie catches the eye of a gentleman who needs his priceless cargo protected, which includes his daughter. Jamie takes the job and it quickly becomes more complicated. It’s great to see some of his life before Claire.
It was fun to get some of Jamie Fraser’s backstory. He’s a young man running around France getting in scuffles. Jamie catches the eye of a gentleman who needs his priceless cargo protected, which includes his daughter. Jamie takes the job and it quickly becomes more complicated. It’s great to see some of his life before Claire.
February 24, 2018
I have been perfectly happy with the fantasy element in the Outlander books I've read so far. Even the little sketch of Claire meeting Nessie did not made me raise my brows in the least. I just found it amusing.
Voyager was peppered with highly improbable events too readily explained as coincidence that still did not bothered me too much, and I managed rather easily to put my misgivings away to the point that they certainly did not interfere with my enjoyment of the book as a whole too much, so I have no idea why it is that I am drawing the line of what I am prepared to "believe" (or not!) in the Outlander universe here.
BECAUSE I'M DRAWING THE LINE.
I do not believe this.
Because, wait for it, Jamie speaks semi-fluent Hebrew!!!!!!!!
Ha!
And not only him, but we are asked to believe that Ian Murray speaks Hebrew too (Why? How? When? Not that this is a commonly spoken language among gentiles, anyway).
For some reason this bothered me tremendously and rather interfered with my enjoyment of this brief novella.
I am quite prepared to believe that this 18th century Scottish lad, who lives in the rather remote Highlands, is, besides his many other assets, well educated. After all, we are told (numerous times in this novella alone) that he has been to University in Paris (for how long, we've never known, but it could not have been more than a year or two, after all he tends to be quite busy being flogged by Jack Randall).
So the fact that he is well educated is even a huge part of his enormous charm. So he is fierce and very, very manly, but he is also tender, and always protective and caring, and hey, bonus, he can recite classic poems in your ear if the occasion calls for it.
So I can even believe that his French is flawless to the point that he can pass as a native. I can also be persuaded that he also speaks some German, reasonable Spanish, and that he learnt Latin and even Greek at University. That would be quite a feat in itself. But whatever. Fine. Ok. Possibly.
But in this novella he is 19. So I'm sorry. But NO.
I do not buy it that he also speaks Hebrew. This is taking credibility just a tad too far.
There. Tantrum over. But I deducted one star because of that alone, as it left my suspension of disbelief so taut, it almost broke. Yes, I am being mean. I don't care. My downgraded rating is a very small revenge against the total Outlander obsession I've developed that is consuming my waking hours.
In any case, it is Jamie!!!!!
Swoon.
So, totally worthy.
As a brief summary of what happens, and with no more spoilers than appear on the blurb, a young Jamie Fraser, even more the hothead than he ever was, has a crush on a beautiful Jewish wealthy girl he is commissioned to protect during an early stint as a mercenary. There is a lot of fighting, a lot of blood, rape and pillage all around them of course, lots of drinking in taverns and cellars, and lots of obscure words that I only survived because of the in-built kindle dictionary.
Ah, and he has just fled the vile Jack Randal in Fort Williams, so he spends the whole story with a sore and still unhealed back, poor darling. He also contemplates whether he should go to a brothel or not, but eventually decides he's got higher standards than that after all. Hooray for Jamie Fraser!!!! The book was quite good, really.
Bye. I'm off to start with Lord John Grey's stories now.
Voyager was peppered with highly improbable events too readily explained as coincidence that still did not bothered me too much, and I managed rather easily to put my misgivings away to the point that they certainly did not interfere with my enjoyment of the book as a whole too much, so I have no idea why it is that I am drawing the line of what I am prepared to "believe" (or not!) in the Outlander universe here.
BECAUSE I'M DRAWING THE LINE.
I do not believe this.
Because, wait for it, Jamie speaks semi-fluent Hebrew!!!!!!!!
Ha!
And not only him, but we are asked to believe that Ian Murray speaks Hebrew too (Why? How? When? Not that this is a commonly spoken language among gentiles, anyway).
For some reason this bothered me tremendously and rather interfered with my enjoyment of this brief novella.
I am quite prepared to believe that this 18th century Scottish lad, who lives in the rather remote Highlands, is, besides his many other assets, well educated. After all, we are told (numerous times in this novella alone) that he has been to University in Paris (for how long, we've never known, but it could not have been more than a year or two, after all he tends to be quite busy being flogged by Jack Randall).
So the fact that he is well educated is even a huge part of his enormous charm. So he is fierce and very, very manly, but he is also tender, and always protective and caring, and hey, bonus, he can recite classic poems in your ear if the occasion calls for it.
So I can even believe that his French is flawless to the point that he can pass as a native. I can also be persuaded that he also speaks some German, reasonable Spanish, and that he learnt Latin and even Greek at University. That would be quite a feat in itself. But whatever. Fine. Ok. Possibly.
But in this novella he is 19. So I'm sorry. But NO.
I do not buy it that he also speaks Hebrew. This is taking credibility just a tad too far.
There. Tantrum over. But I deducted one star because of that alone, as it left my suspension of disbelief so taut, it almost broke. Yes, I am being mean. I don't care. My downgraded rating is a very small revenge against the total Outlander obsession I've developed that is consuming my waking hours.
In any case, it is Jamie!!!!!
Swoon.
So, totally worthy.
As a brief summary of what happens, and with no more spoilers than appear on the blurb, a young Jamie Fraser, even more the hothead than he ever was, has a crush on a beautiful Jewish wealthy girl he is commissioned to protect during an early stint as a mercenary. There is a lot of fighting, a lot of blood, rape and pillage all around them of course, lots of drinking in taverns and cellars, and lots of obscure words that I only survived because of the in-built kindle dictionary.
Ah, and he has just fled the vile Jack Randal in Fort Williams, so he spends the whole story with a sore and still unhealed back, poor darling. He also contemplates whether he should go to a brothel or not, but eventually decides he's got higher standards than that after all. Hooray for Jamie Fraser!!!! The book was quite good, really.
Bye. I'm off to start with Lord John Grey's stories now.
May 2, 2016
This is a pleasant enough novella about Jamie and Ian before the events of Outlander. Jamie has recently been flogged and shipped off to France by Murtagh and told not to return to Scotland and Ian still has his leg. Jamie is one of my favourite fictional characters EVER so I had to pick this up, and I love Ian too. Jamie didn't quite have the same magic he does in the big books but it wasn't completely gone and I did enjoy the little insights to their beliefs and their relationships and them just being teenage boys.
There were parts that I could have sworn I'd read before, I'm not sure if I've seen excepts before or if part of the story was included in one of the main books. That part at the end with the gun?
"By your right, man!" - This line gives me so many feelings.
And of course, it wouldn't be a review without a little complaint about the stupid bloody timeline. October 1740. Really? Things must get moving pretty quickly after this if Young Jamie is going to appear in August 1741. Ian still has to lose his leg, be nursed back to health by Jenny and get working on making that kid. I'm just going to go ahead and believe that it's set in March 1740 which is when Jamie was flogged according to the official timeline. I know I complain about this timeline screw ups a lot (I can mostly ignore them in the big books because they're huge) but it's something that REALLY BUGS ME.
There were parts that I could have sworn I'd read before, I'm not sure if I've seen excepts before or if part of the story was included in one of the main books. That part at the end with the gun?
"By your right, man!" - This line gives me so many feelings.
And of course, it wouldn't be a review without a little complaint about the stupid bloody timeline. October 1740. Really? Things must get moving pretty quickly after this if Young Jamie is going to appear in August 1741. Ian still has to lose his leg, be nursed back to health by Jenny and get working on making that kid. I'm just going to go ahead and believe that it's set in March 1740 which is when Jamie was flogged according to the official timeline. I know I complain about this timeline screw ups a lot (I can mostly ignore them in the big books because they're huge) but it's something that REALLY BUGS ME.
January 13, 2022
Finally, I started OUTLANDER books, cheated with listening to only 3 hours story instead of 33 hours of book 1!
A short tale of two best friends Jamie Fraser and Ian Murray before Outlander. They work as protectors and deliver goods and people.
"If you are going to hell I might as well go too. God knows you will never manage alone."
A short tale of two best friends Jamie Fraser and Ian Murray before Outlander. They work as protectors and deliver goods and people.
"If you are going to hell I might as well go too. God knows you will never manage alone."
June 19, 2018
Just boring.
October 27, 2021
Las aventuras de Diego(Jaime) y Juan(Ian). No puedo negar que me he reído un rato y eso que no es comedia, pero Jaime sigue siendo Jaime.
Estuvo bien, me gusto conocer más de su amistad con Ian y el amor tan profundo que se tienen y que los a unido en las distintas etapas de sus vidas.
Eso sí, no sé cómo le hizo Diana para que una novela de 96 páginas las sintiera como un libro entero, creo que fue por qué estaba de corrido y parecía que no dejaban de pasar cosas.
PD: Recomiendo haber leído al menos los primeros dos libros ya que mencionan a Annalise, su vida en Francia cuando vivió con su primo, y hacen mención de personajes que ya conocemos como Jenny y Jack Randall. No es necesaria esta novela pero nos da una visión de un Jaime de 19 años antes de Claire. :)
Estuvo bien, me gusto conocer más de su amistad con Ian y el amor tan profundo que se tienen y que los a unido en las distintas etapas de sus vidas.
Eso sí, no sé cómo le hizo Diana para que una novela de 96 páginas las sintiera como un libro entero, creo que fue por qué estaba de corrido y parecía que no dejaban de pasar cosas.
PD: Recomiendo haber leído al menos los primeros dos libros ya que mencionan a Annalise, su vida en Francia cuando vivió con su primo, y hacen mención de personajes que ya conocemos como Jenny y Jack Randall. No es necesaria esta novela pero nos da una visión de un Jaime de 19 años antes de Claire. :)
Want to read
March 28, 2016James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser, where have you been this whole time?
October 19, 2016
A quick story to satisfy my Jamie obsession during droughtlander. This short story made me love Jamie and Ian more.
October 15, 2025
aqui a gente vai conhecer uma versão três anos mais nova do Jamie Fraser. minha maior surpreso foi ver esse lado mais "bobão" dele, simplesmente sendo um garoto com seu melhor amigo. obviamente, com todos os problemas de 1740, mas ainda assim um garoto
apesar de se passar antes dos acontecimentos de A viajante do tempo, eu honestamente não recomendaria a leitura dessa história antes da do primeiro livro, pq ela em si não tem sustância. gostei da leitura, achei bastante fofa, mas 1. acho que todo esse sentimento só existiu pq eu já conhecia a história e 2. não tem nada de muito extraordinário que faça ela ser indispensável
eu AMEI conhecer o Jamie e o Ian e eu adorei a amizade deles!!! queria ter amigos tb.................
apesar de se passar antes dos acontecimentos de A viajante do tempo, eu honestamente não recomendaria a leitura dessa história antes da do primeiro livro, pq ela em si não tem sustância. gostei da leitura, achei bastante fofa, mas 1. acho que todo esse sentimento só existiu pq eu já conhecia a história e 2. não tem nada de muito extraordinário que faça ela ser indispensável
eu AMEI conhecer o Jamie e o Ian e eu adorei a amizade deles!!! queria ter amigos tb.................
August 5, 2024
Mid. Not feeling optimistic for the start of the series.
February 6, 2017
2.5 stars Was excited to be getting some back story to Jamie and Ian's lives, but very disappointed when I got halfway through the book and it was finished - the second half of the book was just the first chapters of my much-loved Cross Stitch (Outlander). Not enough character development, not enough story, not happy.
August 25, 2016
Para ser precuela no es muy relevante pero entretiene xD
January 20, 2019
Virgins is only a short novella so I'm going to keep my review pretty short too. Set before Jamie and Claire meet this story sees Jamie travel to France to meet up with his best friend Ian. Jamie is recovering from serious injuries and can't return home for his own safety so he joins the mercenary band that Ian has been working alongside.
I don't really want to say much more than that so you'll just have to read the story for yourself if you're interested. I did really like the friendship between Jamie and Ian so it was nice to see how supportive the two are of each other but I wasn't particularly interested in the story and didn't really think it added much to the series as a whole.
I've only read the first book in the series but I'm already leery of the amount of attempted rapes (& actual rapes!) that have already occurred and friends have warned me it only gets worse as the series continues so I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that there was a rape scene and at least one attempted rape in a story that's less than 100 pages long. I get that rape would have been a huge threat to women back then (it still is now after all!) but I honestly think there is too much of it included in this series and I would enjoy the books so much more if that was dialled back a bit. Oh well, I guess we'll just have to see how I get on with the second full length book, Dragonfly in Amber, which I'm hoping to read sometime soon.
I don't really want to say much more than that so you'll just have to read the story for yourself if you're interested. I did really like the friendship between Jamie and Ian so it was nice to see how supportive the two are of each other but I wasn't particularly interested in the story and didn't really think it added much to the series as a whole.
I've only read the first book in the series but I'm already leery of the amount of attempted rapes (& actual rapes!) that have already occurred and friends have warned me it only gets worse as the series continues so I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that there was a rape scene and at least one attempted rape in a story that's less than 100 pages long. I get that rape would have been a huge threat to women back then (it still is now after all!) but I honestly think there is too much of it included in this series and I would enjoy the books so much more if that was dialled back a bit. Oh well, I guess we'll just have to see how I get on with the second full length book, Dragonfly in Amber, which I'm hoping to read sometime soon.
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