Helpful Score: 6
An enjoyable and absorbing historical fiction series. If you're a fan of Diana Gabaldon's work, you'll probably enjoy Donati's characters and settings, too. Nice overlap with the later books in Gabaldon's series, in fact.
Helpful Score: 5
A beautiful tale of both romance and survival set in the 1700's in the Adirondack region of NYS. Here is the beauty as well as the savagery of the wildnerness and, at the core of it all, the compelling story of the love of a man and woman, both for the utamed land and for one another.
Helpful Score: 5
Loved this book! Very good historical fiction. If you like Gabaldon, you will love this book too.
Helpful Score: 4
This is a great book for those who appreciate Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" series; in fact Claire Fraser and Ian Murray are actually mentioned in passing. Set in the wilds of western NY after the Revolutionary War, Donati is a capable heir to Gabaldon's fans. Her style is different, but her historical sense, even extending to seemingly trivial things, is not. And her books are THICK, too!
Sherri H. (mamadoodle) -
Helpful Score: 3
EXCELLENT read. The author makes you feel as if you are "in the wilderness" with the characters. Emotionally intense but very satisfying.
Helpful Score: 2
Awesome book. Strong characters, believable storyline.
I'm a huge fan of the Outlander series, but in the long wait for the next book I wanted to find something else of the same nature. This book is a great option. While it doesn't include time travel, it does have a strong female main character, a wonderful love story and a similar historical setting. In fact, Ian, Clare and Jamie get a mention in this book! I definitely enjoyed reading Into the Wilderness and have now moved on to the second book in the series.
Helpful Score: 2
Such a fascinating book. I hated to put it down. I read the third book of this series and was hooked. I searched high and low for this book and the copy I got was well read but still good reading. Now I am looking for the 2nd book of the series. I have another favorite author now in Sara Donati.
Helpful Score: 2
I found this book when it was recommended to me by my taste preferences in Diana Gabaldon's work. I purchased the book, and then I let it sit on my shelf for a good while. Well, after reading it, I wish I would have picked it up a whole lot sooner!
This book is absolutely amazing. It is a wonderful retelling of part of James Fenimore Cooper's Leatherstocking Tales, mixed with the author's amazing wit, and writing talent. She incorporates a brief glimpse as well of some of Diana Gabaldon's characters from her Outlander series. Lovers of Diana Gabaldon should NOT pass this series up!
Into the Wilderness is book one in the Wilderness series. In it, we meet Elizabeth Middleton, a recent immigrant to America's frontier from England. She and her brother have come to make a home here with their father, and neither of them are overly pleased by it.
I loved the character of Elizabeth. She is 29, and claims herself a spinster teacher. She is strong-willed, sharp tongued, and with a fiery wit. Watching her fall in love with Nathaniel Bonner was an amazing transformation.
Nathaniel Bonner is a play on JFC's Hawkeye, but at the same time not. It's hard to explain without reading the book, but let's just say that Nathaniel makes the perfect other half to Elizabeth. Where she is prim and proper, he is wild, and free, and everything that deep down, Elizabeth wants to be.
The story is not just them falling in love, but them fighting against the prejudice of the local townsfolk towards the Mohawk that is Nathaniel's family, and fighting also against a local to keep land that Elizabeth was given by her father. The story is action packed, romance filled, and historically written. It is everything that is right in a book.
This is a very long story, the paperback copy I had was 876 pages, but it was definitely a book that I had a hard time setting down. I have book two on order, and book three already on my shelf, and I can't wait to dive in!
This book is absolutely amazing. It is a wonderful retelling of part of James Fenimore Cooper's Leatherstocking Tales, mixed with the author's amazing wit, and writing talent. She incorporates a brief glimpse as well of some of Diana Gabaldon's characters from her Outlander series. Lovers of Diana Gabaldon should NOT pass this series up!
Into the Wilderness is book one in the Wilderness series. In it, we meet Elizabeth Middleton, a recent immigrant to America's frontier from England. She and her brother have come to make a home here with their father, and neither of them are overly pleased by it.
I loved the character of Elizabeth. She is 29, and claims herself a spinster teacher. She is strong-willed, sharp tongued, and with a fiery wit. Watching her fall in love with Nathaniel Bonner was an amazing transformation.
Nathaniel Bonner is a play on JFC's Hawkeye, but at the same time not. It's hard to explain without reading the book, but let's just say that Nathaniel makes the perfect other half to Elizabeth. Where she is prim and proper, he is wild, and free, and everything that deep down, Elizabeth wants to be.
The story is not just them falling in love, but them fighting against the prejudice of the local townsfolk towards the Mohawk that is Nathaniel's family, and fighting also against a local to keep land that Elizabeth was given by her father. The story is action packed, romance filled, and historically written. It is everything that is right in a book.
This is a very long story, the paperback copy I had was 876 pages, but it was definitely a book that I had a hard time setting down. I have book two on order, and book three already on my shelf, and I can't wait to dive in!
Helpful Score: 1
This is a wonderful, well written historical. Even better, every novel in this remarkable series is as good as the first.
Helpful Score: 1
Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and this is an excellent novel. It had a bit too much romance in for me, but all told, it was not a bad thing when coupled with a great story
Helpful Score: 1
I keep telling friends about this series. IT'S GOOD! No BETTER THAN GOOD... it's AWESOME! I'm usually a time travel/magic junkie but the strong heroine in this Adventure is AWESOME! And just to make things a little interesting a little romance! It's hard to be satisfied with books after you read hers! They just aren't Par compared to hers!
Helpful Score: 1
A great saga of the the transformation of an English lady into the wife of a wilderness man. I don't ordinarily read romance, but since this was set in the 18th century, I truly enjoyed the book.
Helpful Score: 1
a fantastic begining to an epic in historical fiction. You must read the whole series to fully appreciate ms donati's skill at weaving a truley remarkable tale that takes you away for a while
Helpful Score: 1
Horrendous! I can't understand how this book has so many positive reviews. The writing is horrible... the characters are shallow and underdeveloped. There is no plot....the book just rambles on in a series of boring and highly unbelievable events. And worst of all . . . . the historical details are inaccurate!
Its not that this isn't my type of book---believe me it is! I love this genre, but this is just a prime of example of BAD WRITING! This book is popular because of catch phrase...."If your a fan a Diana Gabaldon you'll love Sara Donati.." Trust me do not invest any of your time and energy on this book. Go straight for Gabaldon's work.
Its not that this isn't my type of book---believe me it is! I love this genre, but this is just a prime of example of BAD WRITING! This book is popular because of catch phrase...."If your a fan a Diana Gabaldon you'll love Sara Donati.." Trust me do not invest any of your time and energy on this book. Go straight for Gabaldon's work.
Helpful Score: 1
Wonderfully engrossing tale, dragged a bit in places, but overall a good story.
Helpful Score: 1
I found this book when it was recommended to me by my taste preferences in Diana Gabaldon's work. I purchased the book, and then I let it sit on my shelf for a good while. Well, after reading it, I wish I would have picked it up a whole lot sooner!
This book is absolutely amazing. It is a wonderful retelling of part of James Fenimore Cooper's Leatherstocking Tales, mixed with the author's amazing wit, and writing talent. She incorporates a brief glimpse as well of some of Diana Gabaldon's characters from her Outlander series. Lovers of Diana Gabaldon should NOT pass this series up!
Into the Wilderness is book one in the Wilderness series. In it, we meet Elizabeth Middleton, a recent immigrant to America's frontier from England. She and her brother have come to make a home here with their father, and neither of them are overly pleased by it.
I loved the character of Elizabeth. She is 29, and claims herself a spinster teacher. She is strong-willed, sharp tongued, and with a fiery wit. Watching her fall in love with Nathaniel Bonner was an amazing transformation.
Nathaniel Bonner is a play on JFC's Hawkeye, but at the same time not. It's hard to explain without reading the book, but let's just say that Nathaniel makes the perfect other half to Elizabeth. Where she is prim and proper, he is wild, and free, and everything that deep down, Elizabeth wants to be.
The story is not just them falling in love, but them fighting against the prejudice of the local townsfolk towards the Mohawk that is Nathaniel's family, and fighting also against a local to keep land that Elizabeth was given by her father. The story is action packed, romance filled, and historically written. It is everything that is right in a book.
This is a very long story, the paperback copy I had was 876 pages, but it was definitely a book that I had a hard time setting down. I have book two on order, and book three already on my shelf, and I can't wait to dive in!
This book is absolutely amazing. It is a wonderful retelling of part of James Fenimore Cooper's Leatherstocking Tales, mixed with the author's amazing wit, and writing talent. She incorporates a brief glimpse as well of some of Diana Gabaldon's characters from her Outlander series. Lovers of Diana Gabaldon should NOT pass this series up!
Into the Wilderness is book one in the Wilderness series. In it, we meet Elizabeth Middleton, a recent immigrant to America's frontier from England. She and her brother have come to make a home here with their father, and neither of them are overly pleased by it.
I loved the character of Elizabeth. She is 29, and claims herself a spinster teacher. She is strong-willed, sharp tongued, and with a fiery wit. Watching her fall in love with Nathaniel Bonner was an amazing transformation.
Nathaniel Bonner is a play on JFC's Hawkeye, but at the same time not. It's hard to explain without reading the book, but let's just say that Nathaniel makes the perfect other half to Elizabeth. Where she is prim and proper, he is wild, and free, and everything that deep down, Elizabeth wants to be.
The story is not just them falling in love, but them fighting against the prejudice of the local townsfolk towards the Mohawk that is Nathaniel's family, and fighting also against a local to keep land that Elizabeth was given by her father. The story is action packed, romance filled, and historically written. It is everything that is right in a book.
This is a very long story, the paperback copy I had was 876 pages, but it was definitely a book that I had a hard time setting down. I have book two on order, and book three already on my shelf, and I can't wait to dive in!
Helpful Score: 1
This is book 1 of the Wilderness Saga series by talented author Sara Donati. Enjoyed this story so much, I didn't want it end but am happy there are five more books to come. Never a dull moment with Elizebeth Middleton who arrives in frontier New York from England early winter of 1792. Absolutely loved it!
Karin A. (Jerseygirltoo) -
Helpful Score: 1
I don't think Donati's prose is as polished as Diane Gabaldon, but anybody who likes long sagas, especially in American Colonial times should really enjoy this book. I found it to be compulsive reading, I was up until the wee hours finishing it! The H and h are great characters.
Carol F. (cactusflowerwomen) reviewed Into the Wilderness (Wilderness, Bk 1) on + 628 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Amazing, I LOVED this book of historical fiction in which an English proper lady comes to the Adirondacks to join her brother and father and to teach school, and ends up marrying a frontiersman. There's tons of action, romance, and lots of info regarding Indian life then, their culture, and their people and their interactions with the"osseroni", white people. Like everyone else says, if you loved Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" series, you will also love this. Donati has now moved up to be one of my 3 favorite authors of historical fiction, Galaldon, Donati and James Alexander Thom. Read Thom's "Long Knife". Found t very hard to put down. Can't wait to read the sequel. Tho, of course, her books are always on the wish list.
Helpful Score: 1
This is the first Sara Donati book I've read. I picked it up because of the comparison to Diana Gabaldon's (lovelovelove!) work, and because two of DG's characters are mentioned in this book. While this book isn't quite as engrossing as a DG, it was very entertaining. I plan to check out more of her work.
Helpful Score: 1
I'm with Elizabeth M's review on this one, horrible book. The characters are poorly developed sterotypes. Ugg, NOTHING like Diana Gabaldon's books. I generally enjoy this genre, but this is like so many of the historical romance novels out there that I can't stand. It feels fake with unrealistic characters and situations, the typical bad suitors versus the perfectly beautiful heroinne who finds her perfect soul mate who mostly can read her mind and know better than her what she really wants. Grrrr.
Helpful Score: 1
Really gripping story about a woman who leaves England in 1792 and comes to live in the wilderness of New England. Excellent research into the lives of the slave-holding European settlers and of the people of the Mohawk Nation.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a great series. Good history, exciting storyline, romance without being too graphic. Get all the books at once, so you can go from one to the next!
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this long read (876 pages).
Helpful Score: 1
If you like historical fiction such as Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series you will enjoy "Into the Wilderness". This is the first book in the Bonner family saga which takes place in upstate New York circa 1792. Interesting history and strong women characters.
Heather F. (heathertc) - , reviewed Into the Wilderness (Wilderness, Bk 1) on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Many reviews that I read prior to reading this book compared this series to Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. I found this not to be the case. While I wasn't ready to jump out of my seat and shout "OMG," I can say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Just don't compare it to the previously mentioned series or you will be disappointed.
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent book. Anyone who enjoys Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series will love the first and successive books of this series. If you loved the movie The Last of the Mohicans, you will gobble up this story. It is about the son Hawkeye and Cora.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a really interesting and enjoyable historical romance. It takes place in an area I know well which made it even more engaging. Great characters and exciting finish.
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent Book. This book is the first in the series. I will definately read more in the series. The characters are well written and very interesting. Good historical overview of upstate New York and lack of woman's rights in the late 1700's. Plot is well writen, crisp and moves along quickly. It is a long book but moves quickly. Highly recommend it.
I truly enjoyed this novel. Donat's writing is exceptional, actually takes you into the NewYork wilderness in the 1800s.
Great historical novel.
I totally loved this book! This is a time period in history that really holds my interest and it was a great story. I have already ordered the rest of the books in this series.
I had to get this as soon as I finished the first in the series. I couldn't wait to see what happened next.
Can't rate this series high enough. Wonderful, intriguing, full of information.
Wow! I kept running across reviews of this book, and stubornly kept passing it up. Until I didn't anymore, and found out what all the noise was about. I loved this book, Elizabeth was way ahead of her time, as was Nathaniel. This is one to keep for my own personal bookshelf.
Really enjoyed this....flew right through it! Can not wait to read the rest of the series
This was a good book.I plan on reading the rest in the series.
Marylou S. (TheLadyOnTheHill) -
"One of those rare stories that let you breathe the air of another time, and leave your footprints on the snow of a wild, strange place." --Diana Gabaldon
This remains one of my all-time favorite books. The sweeping saga of the Bonner family and the wonderful love story of Nathaniel and Elizabeth.
I was looking to read a book similar to Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series and when I learned that her characters had cameos in this book, I snatched it up. I really enjoyed it. It has a similar flaver to the Outlander books.
Marcus W. (marcus-williamss) -
This is a wonderful novel. Sara Donati really picks up where James F. Cooper left off. I give this book five stars because you can really relate to the characters in this book and see who they are and what they are like.
If you liked Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, you will love this book. Although it lacks the sci-fi aspect of time travel, there are many similarities in the characters, time period and location of the book. Descriptions of life on the frontier are wonderful, and I had a good understanding of life on the frontier when New York state was the frontier! Characters were interesting, especially a very strong female heroine. All in all, a very satisfying read!
I read this based on a recommendation from Outlander Series fans. I've finished that series and needed something to help me wait for the next book. I had trouble getting into the story in the beginning but along the way I got swept up by the many interesting characters and their interwoven story lines. It was a very enjoyable read. I too would recommend this series to any Outlander fans or fans of historical fiction. I'll be reading the rest of the Wilderness Series as soon as I can.
Kathleen D. (momoffour49783) reviewed Into the Wilderness (Wilderness, Bk 1) on + 43 more book reviews
Wonderful epic love story of historical fiction! :) I must admit to feeling that it was a little drawn out...BUT, with that said, I would highly recommend this book. Excellent writing. It's as if you are really there with these people during this era. I will be reading the next several in this series. In fact, the next book is on the way from a fellow PBS member. Looking forward to meeting up with the characters of this book again...and to meeting new characters...:)
This was an incredible book. The entire series is worth reading.
Leah G.
Leah G.
Love it.
LOVE this series. If you like long novels that build on one another you will love this series, too. Please help me find another author like Donati and Gabaldon while I wait for the next in those series. Any one have an author to suggest? -goochperson
This was slower that Outlander books, and it took me awhile to finish it. It dig pick up at the end and made me want to read the next book, eventually.
A good story with lots of romance and action
In this ambitious and vibrant sequel to The Last of the Mohicans, Elizabeth Middleton, a well-educated spinster of 29, journeys from her home in England to her father's lands in upstate New York in 1792. Her widowed father has promised Elizabeth that she can become the schoolteacher for the local children, but on her arrival at Paradise, her father's property, she learns that he has brought her to America under false pretenses. It is his intention to find her a husband, preferably the well-respected physician, Richard Todd.
IT IS DEC OF 1792. ELIZABETH LEAVES HER COMFORTABLE ENGLISH ESTATE TO JOIN HER FAMILY IN A REMOTE NEW YORK MOUNTAIN VILLAGE. IT IS PLACE LIKE SHE HAS NEVER SEEN.AND SHE MEET A MAN UNLIKE SHE HAS EVER ENCOUNTERED-A WHITE MAN DRESSED LIKE A NATIVE AMERICAN, NATHANIEL, KNOWN AS BETWEEN TWO LIVES. DETERMINED TO PROVIDE SCHOOLING FOR ALL THE CHILDREN OF THE VILLAGE, SHE SOON FINDS HERELF LOCKED IN CONFLICT WITH THE LOCAL SLAVEOWNERS AS WELL AS HER OWN FAMILY. INTERWEAVING THE FATE OF THE MOHAWK NATION WITH THE DESTINY OF TWO LOVERS.
