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With a master storytellers skill and a historians precision, Sara Donati has delighted readers and critics alike with her bestselling novels of the nineteenth-century New York frontier. Now she brings us The Endless Forest, set in the remote village of Paradise, where the Bonner family that readers first met in Into the Wilderness make their home.The spring of 1824 is a With a master storyteller’s skill and a historian’s precision, Sara Donati has delighted readers and critics alike with her bestselling novels of the nineteenth-century New York frontier. Now she brings us The Endless Forest, set in the remote village of Paradise, where the Bonner family that readers first met in Into the Wilderness make their home.The spring of 1824 is a challenging one for the inhabitants of Paradise N.Y. When a flood devastates the village. But for Nathaniel and Elizabeth Bonner, it’s also a time of reunion as their children return from far-off places: Lily and her husband from Italy, and Martha Kirby, the Bonners’ ward, from Manhattan. Although Lily is nursing her own grief, it is Martha, fleeing a crushing humiliation, who brings with her trouble that will reverberate in all their lives.In the sudden peace that follows the storm, as families struggle to rebuild, childhood friends Martha and Daniel, Lily’s twin brother, suddenly begin to see each other in a new light. But their growing bond is threatened when Martha’s mother arrives back in Paradise a decade after abandoning her daughter.
Jemima Southern is a dangerous schemer who has destroyed more than one family, and her anger touches everyone, as do her secrets. Has Jemima come to claim her daughter–or does she have something else in mind? Whatever happens, Martha and Daniel and all the Bonners must stand united against the threats to both heart and home.Painful secrets and hidden sorrows, joy, heartbreak, and passion follow the Bonners through a season of change and renewal.
A rich, passionate, multilayered portrayal of family strength and endurance in a fascinating place and time, The Endless Forest will be remembered long after the last page is turned. I agree with Rochelle! It's a very intertwined series with lots of characters. My library did not have any copies in print either - I read them all I agree with Rochelle!
It's a very intertwined series with lots of characters. My library did not have any copies in print either - I read them all for free on my Overdrive app, which is connected through my local library and is how they provide e-books. You might check for e-book options, many libraries are really getting up to speed on that option now! It's a great historical series and definitely worth reading all the books. I loved this series. I read it because I was a huge Diana Gabaldon fan, and I saw her recommendation on the cover of the first book in this series. However, I became a fan of this series based on it's own merits and the talent of the author, Sara Donati (Rosina Lippi).
I won't waste anyone's time giving my own synopsis of the story, that is better done by the author. I do want to say that I appreciate the world and the characters created by Ms. Lippi, and that it was a pleasure to spend some I loved this series. I read it because I was a huge Diana Gabaldon fan, and I saw her recommendation on the cover of the first book in this series. However, I became a fan of this series based on it's own merits and the talent of the author, Sara Donati (Rosina Lippi). I won't waste anyone's time giving my own synopsis of the story, that is better done by the author. I do want to say that I appreciate the world and the characters created by Ms.
Lippi, and that it was a pleasure to spend some time in their world. I came to love these fine people. Their joys were mine, and their heartbreaks inspired my tears. Technically speaking, I think the author has a great talent for pacing, for fine detail without being burdensome to the story, and for creating anticipation in her love stories. This serious was a joy to read, and it is one I'm sure that I will read again and again.On my second read-through: Heaven's, I wish I could bottle Curiosity and Birdie and warp them into my world! These two characters are so fun to read.If I have a criticism, it's that the story wraps rather abruptly.
I would have liked another chapter or two to ease into the idea that the story is concluded. I would have loved to watch Lily, Simon, Nathaniel, Elizabeth, Curiosity, Daniel, etc. Show their joy over the new baby. I would have liked to have a definitive answer as to what information Jemima was threatening Ethan with.
I would have liked to have seen a little more between Ethan and Callie, just enough to know definitively if they would always bee just friends, or if there was hope that their relationship could grow into more. I felt that there were hints to both scenarios. I would have liked to know if Daniel did find some relief from the pain in his shoulder. I would have liked more from the Lake in the Cloud couples.Still, with that said, isn't that the mark of a great series? The dissatisfaction in having to finally say goodbye to characters we have grown to love. I enjoyed this series even more the second time!
Wow, where do I even begin? For the past two and a half months I have been on an epic journey with the Bonner family. I first started this series largely because it was recommended by Diana Gabaldon, and many reviewers have compared it to her Outlander series. It is similar, in that it is very well written romantic historical fiction, with very strong, well developed characters. It even makes reference to a couple of the characters in the Outlander books in the first book of the series. I soon Wow, where do I even begin?
For the past two and a half months I have been on an epic journey with the Bonner family. I first started this series largely because it was recommended by Diana Gabaldon, and many reviewers have compared it to her Outlander series. It is similar, in that it is very well written romantic historical fiction, with very strong, well developed characters.
It even makes reference to a couple of the characters in the Outlander books in the first book of the series. I soon set aside my comparisons to Outlander, however, and just enjoyed the journey for what it was. Spanning over thirty years in the life of this family, it covers several generations and a great deal of US history, and is a true epic.This final book in the series brings all the Bonner children back to their family home in up-state New York. Several years have passed since the last book, and there is much catching up to do, which is helped by a very cleverly done prologue. We get to know the younger Bonners, while at the same time catching up with some of the well loved older characters who have been largely absent from the last couple of books.
One of the great things about a long series is that we have a very large cast of very well developed characters by the end. Without going into any detail, I will just say that most of the loose ends are tied up, and we are left with a happily ever after feeling, although the epilogue lets us know that all is not perfect. There is a romance or two, and I have to say that Sara Donati has gotten better and better at writing romance as this series has gone on.
With this final novel she has finally mastered the sex scene. I felt her sex scenes were a little awkward in the first couple of books, but she definitely has the right idea now.perhaps she got some advice from her friend Diana Gabaldon.I have to say that I am going to really miss the Bonners and their extended family and friends. Sara Donati has created some really great characters. I love that there are so many strong women in this series, as well as several men that I could easily fall in love with. Don't tell my husband, but I think I am in love with Daniel Bonner.
And I would so love to sit down for tea with Elizabeth and Curiosity, and enjoy a visit with Jennet and Hannah. Since it does appear that Sara Donati really intends this series to be over as she really hasn't left any room for a sequel, I can only hope that she starts another series and brings us more great characters in the future.Now, I guess I will have to go back to reading other books by other authors, which shouldn't make me sad, but right now it kinda does.
This is the 6th and final book in the Wilderness series by Sara Donati. Since it was the last one, I wasn't expecting any great adventure and I was right. It was a 'sum it all up' type book.
I didn't like the epilogue at all. I didn't like the sudden need for profanity in this when there was hardly any in the previous books.
I didn't feel Martha's and Daniel's sex life needed to be drug out multiple times.there was just so much repetition in that. I didn't like how all the men share the same This is the 6th and final book in the Wilderness series by Sara Donati. Since it was the last one, I wasn't expecting any great adventure and I was right. It was a 'sum it all up' type book.
I didn't like the epilogue at all. I didn't like the sudden need for profanity in this when there was hardly any in the previous books. I didn't feel Martha's and Daniel's sex life needed to be drug out multiple times.there was just so much repetition in that. I didn't like how all the men share the same bedroom voice and how all the women shared the same one as well (except Jennet). I didn't like the 10 year gap from where the last one left off.So why 4 stars.well, I can't help it.
I enjoyed this series. Is it the best series.NO. But it was highly entertaining and I loved the characters and the time period. I also liked the 'sum it all up' nature of this one because I don't like loose threads.
I just didn't care for the epilogue. That was a little disappointing. But still.4 stars. What a finish!!!
At least I am assuming this is the last in the series. All the loose ends were tied up in the last few pages and in such a unique way. When our library acquired Queen of Swords and paperbacks of all the previous books in the series, I knew it was time to reread the whole set, especially since I had been waiting to read the 'Fire' one. Two weeks and many late nights later,I was finished with all that had been published so far and waiting for 'Forest'. This week it came to the What a finish!!! At least I am assuming this is the last in the series. All the loose ends were tied up in the last few pages and in such a unique way.
When our library acquired Queen of Swords and paperbacks of all the previous books in the series, I knew it was time to reread the whole set, especially since I had been waiting to read the 'Fire' one. Two weeks and many late nights later,I was finished with all that had been published so far and waiting for 'Forest'. This week it came to the library and what a time I had! Reading all the previous books had kept the details, politics and characters straight in my head and the action never slowed.In a perfect world, I could read on and on and on.
Perhaps a diet of Donati, Dunnett, and Gabaldon over and over with some chick lit and young adult filler, and a Parker, Child, Coban or Hamilton thrown in for good measure. Oh and Robin Hobbs SF for frosting.It's a cliche but so true 'So many books, so little time'. I found the following, posted by the author, on Amazon.com:I am Rosina Lippi, aka Sara Donati, author of the Wilderness series. If you've come here because you are wondering about a book in the series called 'Journey's End' please note: there is no such book. The sixth book in the series is called 'The Endless Forest' and that is available here on Amazon for preorder. Journey's End was a working title that somehow (mistakenly) found itself way onto Amazon, but I don't seem to be able to get them I found the following, posted by the author, on Amazon.com:I am Rosina Lippi, aka Sara Donati, author of the Wilderness series.
If you've come here because you are wondering about a book in the series called 'Journey's End' please note: there is no such book. The sixth book in the series is called 'The Endless Forest' and that is available here on Amazon for preorder. Journey's End was a working title that somehow (mistakenly) found itself way onto Amazon, but I don't seem to be able to get them to take it down.
In summary: there is no book in the series called 'Journey's End' - there never was, so it can't be out of print.The next (sixth) book in the series is 'The Endless Forest'If you have other questions, please visit my weblog at. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,Read for the third time. May 20117.I don't think that I've ever read a series of books that I fell in love with so many of the characters in the series. The strong women and the even stronger men who love them makes me happy.
Even young Birdie is fast becoming one of my fav's.This is the last book of the Bonner Family by Sara Read for the third time. May 20117.I don't think that I've ever read a series of books that I fell in love with so many of the characters in the series. The strong women and the even stronger men who love them makes me happy.
Even young Birdie is fast becoming one of my fav's.This is the last book of the Bonner Family by Sara Donati and I can tell you my heart is sad that the family story of the Bonner family is over.The story picks back in Paradise, New York and the whole Bonner Family is reunited after many years of separation and Nathaniel and Elizabeth are thrilled to have everybody back.Lily and Simon are home from touring Europe. They have been trying to have children but with no success.Luke and Jennet are home with all their children and Jennet is expecting again.Hannah and Ben haven't left Paradise and are raising their family. Hannah is now the doctor in this small town.Daniel is trying to recover from his experience during the war and is living alone in Strawberry Fields.Gabriel has married his childhood friend and sweetheart Annie.and the youngest Bonnier 'Birdie' is only 10 and trying to follow all their lives the best she can.A horrible flood hits Paradise just as the family is reunited and they must all pull together to continue their lives. When the Bonners come back from getting Simon and Lily they bring back Nathaniel's ward Martha Kirby. Her horrible mother Jemima has come back and ruined her pending marriage and she has come home to try and piece her life back together again.
Her life takes a turn yet again, when she meets Daniel after all these years and the two of them find a connection that neither was expecting but both of them need.Jemima makes a return to Paradise and everybody's life is turned upside down by her arrival.I can't tell you how much I love the characters. Every single one of them grow in your heart.
I'm sad the story is ending because I could have continued to follow this family for ever. The men are the way men are suppose to be and the women are strong and know what they want and how to love.I ended up reading the last few pages of the book (which is something I NEVER do) but I had to find out what was happening in the story. So when I read the end of the book in it's completion, I started to cry all over again. My heart broke on how some the characters stories ended but overall I think Sara finished the series off in great fashion.I'll miss all the Bonner Family.
This is one of the best series I've ever read. Alright so call me naive but I like stories that are all wrapped up happily ever after. I floated through this book on a cloud of happiness, loving the stories of the Bonner clan all together at last, everything coming together nicely for the characters we have followed for six books and then WHAM - the Epilogue! I know that people die, but after loving these characters for so long, I really didn't want to know about it. Thankfully there were some happy hightlights in there as well but I must Alright so call me naive but I like stories that are all wrapped up happily ever after. I floated through this book on a cloud of happiness, loving the stories of the Bonner clan all together at last, everything coming together nicely for the characters we have followed for six books and then WHAM - the Epilogue! I know that people die, but after loving these characters for so long, I really didn't want to know about it.
Thankfully there were some happy hightlights in there as well but I must confess it did dull the shine on the whole story for me.With that complaint out of the way though, I do love this series. Donati really knows how to create a leading man! Through these books I have fallen in love, in turns, with Nathaniel, Luke, Simon, Ben and now Daniel. I love their conversations and the teasing relationships they have with their respective love interests. I especially love the scene in this book where, sensing trouble, Nathaniel comes striding up the hill with all the boys behind him - I can just picture it!
Why can't real men be like that?I recommend these books to fans of Diana Gabaldon or anybody interested in romantic historic fiction. Thanks Sara Donati! I was very disappointed in this book. Queen of swords was excellent in this series so I was excited to have the next adventure. This book was long, boring, full of sex and ridiculous filler. The book is 600+ pages and Id say the epilogue was the best part.
She could have skipped this book completely tagged the epilogue to Queen of swords and moved right onto The Gilded Hour. Not worth the time I spent reading this one. Glad it is finally over. I was very disappointed in this book. Queen of swords was excellent in this series so I was excited to have the next adventure. This book was long, boring, full of sex and ridiculous filler.
The book is 600+ pages and I’d say the epilogue was the best part. She could have skipped this book completely tagged the epilogue to Queen of swords and moved right onto The Gilded Hour.
Not worth the time I spent reading this one. Glad it is finally over. This is the sixth and final book in the series that started with Into the Wilderness. At the outset this is meta-fiction/ historical fiction the son of Hawkeye from The Last of the Mohicans and Elizabeth Middleton, a Jane Austen character, meet and fall in love.Now its thirty years later and this novel is mostly concerned with their grown children and grandchildren. Martha, who is the villain Jemimas daughter, falls in love and marries Daniel (Elizabeth & Nathaniels son) who lost the use of This is the sixth and final book in the series that started with Into the Wilderness.
At the outset this is meta-fiction/ historical fiction the son of Hawkeye from The Last of the Mohicans and Elizabeth Middleton, a Jane Austen character, meet and fall in love.Now it’s thirty years later and this novel is mostly concerned with their grown children and grandchildren. Martha, who is the villain Jemima’s daughter, falls in love and marries Daniel (Elizabeth & Nathaniel’s son) who lost the use of his arm in book #4 during the War of 1812. Lily, Daniel’s twin has come back from ten years in Europe to have her first baby. Evil Jemima returns with a sweet-tempered slightly developmentally delayed son.
And then she leaves him in Paradise. Birdie, Elizabeth & Nathaniel’s youngest daughter, accompanies her sister Hannah, the doctor, on her rounds, and sees her town and large extended family for what it is: a too long, too complicated Romance novel that I am glad to be done with.
Re-Read 10/15. The Epilogue still made me cry the second time around.sniffle.' 5 Stars!!' I have loved the stars too well to fear the night.Elizabeth Middleton BonnerWOWZA!!!
What a great story!!!! I am super bummed it's over:( These books are a must read for anyone that loves a good book action, adventure, history and romance all rolled into one.
Amazing characters and the settings are written so well I almost felt as if I was there. I really enjoyed this last installment as it was a Re-Read 10/15. The Epilogue still made me cry the second time around.sniffle.'
5 Stars!!' “I have loved the stars too well to fear the night.Elizabeth Middleton Bonner”WOWZA!!!
What a great story!!!! I am super bummed it's over:( These books are a must read for anyone that loves a good book action, adventure, history and romance all rolled into one. Amazing characters and the settings are written so well I almost felt as if I was there. I really enjoyed this last installment as it was a WHOLE book that took place in Paradise in the Endless Forest with the Bonner Clan. The epilogue slayed me though. I will say you need a box of kleenex for that so be warned!Sara if you should happen to read this and want to write some about the Bonners I would be happy to buy it!:). ENDLESS FOREST ends the saga of the Bonner family and the series that started with INTO THE WIlDERNESS.
The series opens in the 1790's and runs to a conclusion (in the ENDLESS FOREST)in the 1840's. The story takes place in colonial New York north of Albany at the edge of the endless forest. Through all the trials and tribulations of the Bonner family and friends you will travel a number of places, including Scotland, Canada, 'the west', Florida, New Orleans and more. When they go off to war, as ENDLESS FOREST ends the saga of the Bonner family and the series that started with INTO THE WIlDERNESS.
The series opens in the 1790's and runs to a conclusion (in the ENDLESS FOREST)in the 1840's. The story takes place in colonial New York north of Albany at the edge of the endless forest. Through all the trials and tribulations of the Bonner family and friends you will travel a number of places, including Scotland, Canada, 'the west', Florida, New Orleans and more.
When they go off to war, as some of them must, you will go along with them too, and return back home with them battered and bruised and sometimes worse to nurse your wounds in the comfort of their family, the Bonners and the villagers of Paradise.The Endless Forest opens with a natural disaster that throws the village of Parasdise into turmoil, and that begins the story. Often through Birdies (the youngest of Elizabeth and Nathaniel Bonner) eye you learn of the goings on with Daniel, Martha, Callie, Ethan and others. Jemima returns to wreak her havoc; Curisoity so wise and strong is still there to lend a hand when necessary; and the Little People are there to give us a glimpse of the generations to come and put a smile on our face. Through it all Elizabeth and Nathaniel remain the backbone of the family.
Marriages, rebuilding, the orchard, a court hearing, births and deaths.all part of this wonderful conclusion to one of the best books series on the market. The author, Ms.
Donati, finished this wonderful book and outstanding series with one of the best epilogues I've had the privledge of reading. If you are a fan of her books, you will be sad to see it come to an end but oh so thrilled to have been a part of it.
This is a great series, and much more than a 'knockoff' (or fan fiction) of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. I admit I was put off by the mention of Red Jamie and the White Witch in the first one (Into the Wilderness) and wondered if I would enjoy this series, despite it's relatable characters and strong story. After six books (a couple in the middle were a tad less interesting, I admit), I really loved the last two in the series, including this one. She writes well, with loving historical This is a great series, and much more than a 'knockoff' (or fan fiction) of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.
I admit I was put off by the mention of Red Jamie and the White Witch in the first one (Into the Wilderness) and wondered if I would enjoy this series, despite it's relatable characters and strong story. After six books (a couple in the middle were a tad less interesting, I admit), I really loved the last two in the series, including this one. She writes well, with loving historical detail and creates emotional depths in which the reader becomes immersed. Highly recommended! This book review, as well as many more, can also be found on my blog, The Baking Bookworm.My Thoughts: I loved this book. Although it didn't have as much adventure as previous books, Donati was still able to keep up the momentum and keep the reader interested. I have to give Donati credit.
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She knows how balance the overall storyline in her 6 book series from one generation to the other. Other major series, like Outlander, tend to focus too much on one This book review, as well as many more, can also be found on my blog, The Baking Bookworm.My Thoughts: I loved this book. Although it didn't have as much adventure as previous books, Donati was still able to keep up the momentum and keep the reader interested. I have to give Donati credit. She knows how balance the overall storyline in her 6 book series from one generation to the other.
Other major series, like Outlander, tend to focus too much on one generation (ie Claire and Jamie) and don't develop other characters to take over the storyline in future books. Donati has been able to keep Elizabeth and Nathaniel as key characters while introducing their children as main characters with their own interesting storylines. I loved being able to see Elizabeth and Nathaniel's children grow up throughout the books and take over the storylines.Donati was able to make small town Paradise and it's inhabitants very realistic. The inhabitants had their own issues, storylines etc that intertwined with the main characters. This book ties up some of the loose ends in storylines concerning Paradise citizens left in previous books.This final book was a great way to end a wonderful series of books. I loved the final chapter which were excerpts from the newspaper in Paradise.
Each installment told what happened to individual members of the Bonner family. Donati kept her book based in reality when dealing with the normal mortality in 1800's North America.
Even so, I was literally shocked and saddened at the end when one of the main characters obituary is read. Like I thought that the character would never die?!? LolI will definitely sad to let this series end but I'm glad that Donati could do it on such a high note. Donati didn't get bogged down by over describing scenes and was able to help the reader picture the scene in few words. She keeps her storyline moving and the reader interested (which, sadly, cannot be said for the Outlander series as many of us trudged through 'The Fiery Cross').I definitely recommend this book as well as the whole series.
This is one of the series that I will be adding to my own personal library and the characters will stay with me a very long time.My Rating: 4.5/5. Ah, the final book.
The challenge for anyone who ever writes a series - how to wrap things up so that you tell the story you intended to tell, while satisfying readers with the story they want to hear. It's a tough line to walk, and Donati does it quite well.I loved the return to Paradise and the extended Bonner family. The prologue with Curiosity catching us up on what's happened was wonderful. Curiosity is one of my favorite characters and I loved her in this book.
I also really enjoyed the Ah, the final book. The challenge for anyone who ever writes a series - how to wrap things up so that you tell the story you intended to tell, while satisfying readers with the story they want to hear. It's a tough line to walk, and Donati does it quite well.I loved the return to Paradise and the extended Bonner family. The prologue with Curiosity catching us up on what's happened was wonderful.
Curiosity is one of my favorite characters and I loved her in this book. I also really enjoyed the echoes of earlier books - Daniel and Martha teasing, Jennet's comment that 'sooner or later all Bonner women fall', the walks up to Lake in the Clouds - all fit for a large family that has deep roots. I also loved the moments when older characters shone through: Gabriel's resemblance to Hawkeye, Birdie remembering Many Doves, or Daniel thinking about what he learned from his mother.For the story I wanted to hear, Donati could have skipped the storyline with Callie/Martha/Jemima. It wasn't necessary for me to get resolution on that story, and I didn't think the drama was required. I would have preferred to hear more about Elizabeth as an author, or how Gabriel grew up, or more between Lily, Hannah and Jennet.
But again, that's the story I wanted, not the story Donati wanted to tell. It's also worth noting that this ended up being much more of a romance than a historical fiction novel. That's not news to those who ended up reading the whole series, but fair warning to those who don't enjoy sex scenes - there are plenty in this book.As for the epilogue, it was a satisfying end to the series, and I loved the nod to Louisa May Alcott.
I would have been happier with more resolution to the book before the resolution to the series, but it still was a good ending. I don't think this book is as re-readable as the earlier ones in the series, but it's definitely worth keeping on the shelf for a time in the future when I want to return to Paradise. Recommended for those who love the series. This is the last book in the Wilderness series, and so while it was very good, I'm a little sad that it is over.
The pacing and plot were very good, although about half way through I felt like things began to happen not to advance the plot but to wrap up the series. Which is probably typical. The wrap-up was good, although I still have some unanswered questions about Ethan 's marriage and Harper's death. I was also a little disappointed about the lack of time that we spent with Hannah,This is the last book in the Wilderness series, and so while it was very good, I'm a little sad that it is over. The pacing and plot were very good, although about half way through I felt like things began to happen not to advance the plot but to wrap up the series. Which is probably typical.
The wrap-up was good, although I still have some unanswered questions about Ethan 's marriage and Harper's death. I was also a little disappointed about the lack of time that we spent with Hannah, considering she was such a main character for the last 3 books. And Jennet as well.
I guess Donati felt like their story lines were wrapped up after the previous book, though, and I did like learning more about Lily, Daniel, and Martha. Telling more of the story through Birdie was an interesting technique but annoying at times.I still not sure how I feel about the epilogue. It provided some closure (and solidified that this is the last book) but also dealt very hurriedly with a lot of developments (some of them sad) and so part of me wishes I hadn't read it. I want to end the series believing that all the characters are still healthy and happy in Paradise and continuing on with their lived so when I read this book again I will probably skip the epilogue.All in all, this has become one of my favorite series.
I know I will re-read it many times. The previous book in this series (Queen of Swords) came out like in 2006/7 - I can't remember which. Since I've read about a gazillion books since then and since I have reading retention problems anyway, I was having a few problems remembering some of the character's back stories.
I was a little bit disappointed that the author assumed that people would remember. I know these characters have been her life for the past umpteen years but they aren't necessarily foremost in the minds of everyone. I The previous book in this series (Queen of Swords) came out like in 2006/7 - I can't remember which. Since I've read about a gazillion books since then and since I have reading retention problems anyway, I was having a few problems remembering some of the character's back stories. I was a little bit disappointed that the author assumed that people would remember. I know these characters have been her life for the past umpteen years but they aren't necessarily foremost in the minds of everyone.
I can't exactly say why but I felt a little cheated with this book (maybe something to do with the fact that the entire story hinged on one character, Jemima). It seems like it must have been a struggle for the author to even write it. (Sorry if I am sounding mean - I don't mean to - I just didn't feel like I was part of the story like I had in the previous books in the series. I can't explain it. I just didn't feel as connected to the Bonners.
Odd.) Also, I know it's a bit unrealistic of me, but I wish the author would have just left everyone to walk off into the sunset. I didn't like the epilogue wherein she chose to wrap up everyone's life/death. I would have prefered to imagine everyone living happily ever after in Paradise!! (Like I said, not very realisitc!)I'm actually sad that I didn't love this book - being that it's the end of the series and all. The Endless Forest is a wonderful way to finish this series. I can't believe I left these books to sit on my bookshelf for so long without reading them. It was quite the haul to read all of the six books, especially as I had returned to work and didn't have as much reading time as I would have liked.
I did feel like I still have a couple of unanswered questions, in particularly about Strikes the Sky and Nicholas Wilde but maybe in my haste to get to the end, I've missed some details. This is The Endless Forest is a wonderful way to finish this series. I can't believe I left these books to sit on my bookshelf for so long without reading them. It was quite the haul to read all of the six books, especially as I had returned to work and didn't have as much reading time as I would have liked. I did feel like I still have a couple of unanswered questions, in particularly about Strikes the Sky and Nicholas Wilde but maybe in my haste to get to the end, I've missed some details.
This is certainly a series I will re-visit in the future, and I don't do that often.I will leave you with a passage I had highlighted on my Kindle. Nathaniel and Elizabeth are talking about how life could have been different for her if she had grown up in Paradise, it kind of sums up how I feel about the two of them and their life together.' If she had brought you back here right then, we would have grown up together.' 'That's an odd idea,' Elizabeth said.
'I wonder what would have become of us.' They were quiet for a long minute and then Elizabeth realised that Nathaniel had drifted off to sleep. As if to say, where else could we possibly be, but together in this bed, with children and grandchildren sleeping soundly nearby. Because neither of them could imagine a life without the other in it.'
Oh.and the Epilogue.have tissues handy! OK-three and a half stars. I read it quickly, to find out what happens to all of the characters.It's one of the better books in the series (although I liked 'Queen of Swords' a lot, being full of colorful detail about New Orleans in 1814: real characters, events and place). The epilogue is very satisfying and feels almost real.But there's something kind of flavorless about the writing. When an author accrues such a large cast of characters, she's got to give them something to do, a way to tell OK-three and a half stars. I read it quickly, to find out what happens to all of the characters.It's one of the better books in the series (although I liked 'Queen of Swords' a lot, being full of colorful detail about New Orleans in 1814: real characters, events and place). The epilogue is very satisfying and feels almost real.But there's something kind of flavorless about the writing.
When an author accrues such a large cast of characters, she's got to give them something to do, a way to tell their stories. Several wonderful characters get short shrift simply because they don't get much time on stage and Donati seems hellbent on following a chronology of she-did-this and he-did that.And then there's the thing that always bothers me in Donati's books: the overlaps with Diana Gabaldon's stories and research. Daniel Bonner has an arm that won't heal? Let's use acupuncture! Details that Gabaldon handles with finesse (the smell of a sickroom, for example) end up feeling merely gross in Donati's words. I can't remember when or why I ever started reading this series, except that it was long ago and probably had to do with my fondness for pioneer stories. The whole series turned out to be more romance-y than I might prefer but I managed to get sucked in anyway.
Now the series is done and, as always, I am sad to say goodbye to people with whom I just spent 600 pages, but I'm glad that everything got wrapped up in the end. I was a bit worried that I'd be lost, given that I read the previous five I can't remember when or why I ever started reading this series, except that it was long ago and probably had to do with my fondness for pioneer stories. The whole series turned out to be more romance-y than I might prefer but I managed to get sucked in anyway. Now the series is done and, as always, I am sad to say goodbye to people with whom I just spent 600 pages, but I'm glad that everything got wrapped up in the end. I was a bit worried that I'd be lost, given that I read the previous five books in the series right in a row and there'd been a good couple year gap between there and here, but the story mostly stood up on its own (although it helped greatly that details of past novels started floating up through the mists).Overall, if you like pioneer stories or wilderness stories and you also like romance novels, give this series a try, but definitely start with the first book and if you can't start with the first book, definitely do not start with this book. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,Ah.
So sad to see this series end. I've loved these books much more than the Diana Gabaldon Outlander series, and I know some of my reading friends will disagree with me.I actually finished it three nights ago and have been thinking about the ending. Although I appreciate knowing what happened to all the characters I grew to love, I'm also a bit sorry to have so much detail. Maybe I prefer to imagine them all still alive somewhere in their fictional world? I'm not sure.If I had anything Ah.
So sad to see this series end. I've loved these books much more than the Diana Gabaldon Outlander series, and I know some of my reading friends will disagree with me.I actually finished it three nights ago and have been thinking about the ending.
Although I appreciate knowing what happened to all the characters I grew to love, I'm also a bit sorry to have so much detail. Maybe I prefer to imagine them all still alive somewhere in their fictional world? I'm not sure.If I had anything critical to say, it would be too much love between Martha and Daniel, and not enough page time with some of my favorite characters.
Of course, I could have read six books just about Elizabeth and Nathaniel. I missed non-pregnant Jennet and Hannah in this book. The whole series gave us so many rich characters. I hope Sara Donati will consider writing a spin-off series to follow some of the other generations. What a wonderful series this has been. To me, it has the same effect on me as the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. All these wonderful characters, developing over the time of the series.
The stories of each blending in with the ones gone before. The Bonner clan come together in this final book of the series.I cant recommend this series enough, but please start at the beginning as Sara Donati gives little detail of the stories that have gone before and you really dont want to miss any of it.
I What a wonderful series this has been. To me, it has the same effect on me as the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. All these wonderful characters, developing over the time of the series. The stories of each blending in with the ones gone before.
The Bonner clan come together in this final book of the series.I cant recommend this series enough, but please start at the beginning as Sara Donati gives little detail of the stories that have gone before and you really dont want to miss any of it. I believe ths love story of Elizbeth and Nathaniel must go alongside that of Claire and Jamie.
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