The Endless Forest: A Novel (Wilderness Book 6)
In the spring of 1824, in the remote village of Paradise on the New York frontier, Nathaniel and Elizabeth Bonner celebrate a glorious reunion as their children return from far-off places: Lily and her husband from Italy, and Martha Kirby, the Bonners’ ward, from Manhattan. In the peace that follows a devastating flood, 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 estranged mother arrives back in Paradise. 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 other, darker motives? Whatever transpires, Martha, Daniel, and all the Bonners must stand united against the threats to both heart and home.
Reviews (170)
The Wilderness series
This series is excellent, I have just finished the final book. My only complaint is that it was the last book. Instead of the editorials which summarized the lives of the characters I would have preferred more novels of their lives. This is really a compliment of the author's skill as a story teller. Her character development is in depth. It draws a reader into the story and makes one want more. The time period which this series covers is that of our countries great development,expansion and change. So many major issues are covered in this books. There are written honestly and show the good and the bad of society and individuals. I recommend you read, enjoy and learn !
..nature ain't got no interest in playing fair. (Curiosity Freeman)
Oh! I love how this final installment begins. Sitting by the fire with Curiosity talking to us as big as you please. I just LOVE it! Obviously this was a book of closure. Discovering where everyone has been, and all the Bonner family (and various "wards") whom have been away etc. coming home to Paradise to heal and mend or just to renew. New marriages...more births...and of course inevitable deaths. The continuing drama with Jemima Southern, natural disasters, secrets and murder mysteries. This final story sums up the Saga nicely although I still had unanswered questions about Ethan Middleton. (how did Jemima come to her information?) It was so hard to let Nathaniel, the Bonner men and these strong women go. I became so emotionally invested with this Saga..(but of course!) and I love them all... I wanted to start the whole series over again as soon as I finished. But Mr. James A. Michener sums up my feelings perfectly when he wrote: - - "When I approach the closing pages of a great novel, a feeling of profound regret comes over me, for I realize I am about to sever a relationship with characters I have grown to love. And to abandon a corner of the world in which I have spent rewarding weeks, months and even years, for I read slowly and carefully. I feel, when the pages dwindle, as if something good were being stolen from me, something precious that would not be replaced. You may laugh at what I say next, but when I realize how few pages are left I ration myself, only so many each day, and when the final one looms, and I close the book, I stare at the back map for many minutes, aware that something precious has touched my life." - - James Michener Thank you Ms. Donati for a fabulous, heart warming Saga!
Quite a Let Down for the Last Book in this Series - Suggestion: Skip the Epilogue
I purchased the first two books in this series about two years ago. I read "Into the Wilderness" and enjoyed it but didn't read "Dawn on a Distant Shore" until last week and then decided I must re-read the first book before I tackled the complete series. So, during the past week, I have completed the series and must say that some of the primary characters in these novels are great and you just want to keep reading because the people have become so real to you. Throughout the series, some questions are never completely answered - at least not to my satisfaction. There are often scenes that are simply looked back upon with very little detail about the happenings. This book does answer a few of the questions, yet it was still quite a let-down. So much time was spent on Jemima Wilde and the concerns of the Bonner Family related to her evil nature that it came close to ruining the book for me. Couldn't the author have had Nathaniel push her over a cliff or something? I would have preferred learning a little bit about what made Ethan tick - the series never explored his character in depth, except for his penchant for building. Or, how about some details about Gabriel and his romance with Annie? Or even, some romantic interludes between Hannah and sexy Ben. Basically zilch, zero, nada! Even letting Lily up off her couch might have helped this book along. Yes, some loose ends were tied up and it was great to have the joy of Daniel's and Martha's relationship detailed. Additionally, Birdie was a great little character and so much fun, she deserves a series all her own. I agree with some other reviewers who thought the epilogue as it was written was a wrong move. I would have been happier thinking about all the Bonners (or, if you prefer - "Bonner's" as they were so often referred to when used in the plural sense - wrong! Someone needed additional assistance in editing through much of this series) as they were at the end of the book, without an epilogue that shows when and where many of the characters died. Suggestion: if you read the book, skip the epilogue.
A Fitting Ending
With The Endless Forest, Sara Donati’s sweeping saga of the Bonner family comes to a close, and what a magnificent ending it is! The story that began in Paradise, New York with Into the Wilderness comes full circle as Nathaniel and Elizabeth’s children return to their mountain home in 1824 to raise their families and face the past and the future. This final book in the series settles old scores and ties up loose threads while giving us fevered action and romance in the bargain. Opening with a springtime flood that manages to devastate Paradise both physically and spiritually, The Endless Forest brings daughter Lily home in hopes of beginning her own family. Her twin Daniel, still affected by his disabling accident years earlier, keeps to himself until the arrival of young Martha Kirby sparks a reawakening. When town nemesis (and Martha’s mother) Jemima Kuick returns, old wounds resurface that force the hand of not just Daniel and Martha, but also other Bonners and townspeople. Jemima’s still out for blood, and the family must draw together in order to keep what’s rightfully theirs. All the characters we’ve grown to know and love are present: Nathaniel and Elizabeth, now grandparents, are still lovingly guiding their families; Hannah, Luke, and Gabriel are raising children along with their spouses; and Curiosity is still dispensing advice. Most delightful is the presence of Birdie, youngest child of Nathaniel and Elizabeth, who manages to insert herself in the thick of things and always has an opinion to share. Donati supplies us with an epilogue that lets us know what happens next in the lives of the Bonner clan. I will miss these stories, and yet I find that Donati has given this saga a most gratifying finale. Highly recommended. Thank you to the Historical Novel Society for providing a copy of this novel for review.
Outstanding Series
Up until now, Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series has been my favorite. However I feel that Sara Donati has at least equaled, if not surpassed Ms. Gabaldon with this Wilderness series. Ms. Donati has the ability to make us care about the characters in her stories, a most important trait in a truly great writer. We followed Nathaniel and Elizabeth through a time in American history that doesn't always get the hype it deserves. We saw in them the ability of the human spirit to survive even under seemingly impossible conditions. In Hannah we saw the plight of an intelligent woman caught between two worlds. In Curiosity we found the wisdom of the ages and the loyalty of a true friend, who's support withstood everything. Each character was real. Some pulled on my heart strings, while others made me want to commit murder! At the end of the sixth book, knowing it was the last in the series, I actually felt a sense of loss. In most ways I do appreciate that Ms. Donati wrote a very unique epilogue and let us know what happened to the people we had come to know so intimately. On the other hand, because she did "wrap it up" I know that she has ended the series, and I can't find comfort in hoping that she will write more.
Loved the book, HATED the epilogue
Now this is more like it! After giving a less than stellar review on the previous installment "Queen Of Swords" I was thrilled to see that Donati was back on track with this final novel in the series. "The Endless Forest" was evocative of the first novel in the series "Into the Wilderness" which is still the best novel in the series by far. What did I love about "The Endless Forest"? I loved that we were back in the woods of upstate New York and that we were back amongst all the characters we have come to care about. I loved that there was a lot more of Elizabeth and Nathaniel than we've had recently and found that I actually liked Hannah, Daniel, and Lily more than I did in previous novels--though I had come to like Hannah in the last novel. It was nice seeing all the families settle and grow. I enjoyed the story of Daniel and Martha which was in many ways similar to that of Nathaniel and Elizabeth in the first book. It was wonderful to have the warmth and emotion back after the sterile previous novel. I felt like this was Donati again and that I was back in the series I had come to love. It was nice to see Elizabeth and Nathaniel surrounded by their children and their grandchildren, to see the fruition of their amazing love story. No, there was not a lot of the adventure and mayhem of the previous novels but I didn't feel that was a negative because we got a lot of the familial relationships that have been missing. The reason I gave this book a 4 star instead of a 5 star was the awful, awful epilogue. HATED the epilogue and wish, wish, wish I had not read it! I thought I would read an enjoyable epilogue of what happened to the characters over the next few years. Instead I got death after death, tragedy after tragedy. Why? What was the point? There was no reason to just kill these people off one after the other. To anyone who loves these characters I would recommend not bothering with the epilogue. I sure wish I hadn't.
Back to where it began
The last book in the Wilderness series in on par with the others, and a welcome return to Paradise after a jaunt in New Orleans in the previous book. It was nice to be back with familiar characters; just like catching up with old friends. Most of the "big action" actually happens toward the beginning of the book, while the rest of the book explores a sweet romance for Daniel Bonner. The ending isn't exactly climactic a la a battle or a kidnapping like the previous books, but you are left with a contented feeling for the Bonners and their extended family. Minor Spoilers: * * * The Epilogue features newspaper clippings that reveal the fates of several of the characters, which is actually quite a cold and heartbreaking way to learn--but that's life, and it goes on and on with generational loves and struggles passing by.
A wonderful conclusion to a wonderful series
I was afraid I wouldn't like this book so I put it off for a long time. I'm a little disappointed I waited so long because this book was fantastic. The stories seemed so real and you really started to feel like you were part of the Bonner clan. I have been a fan of this series since the beginning. Originally, I wanted to read the first book simply because Donati paid homage to Diana Gabaldon by mentioning Claire Fraser and young Ian Murray, from the Outlander series, in passing. As a huge Outlander fan, it was quite the thrill to see their names in another author's story. Diana Gabaldon also recommended this book. So I read Into the Wilderness. I became hooked. In the first book, you meet Elizabeth Middleton who believes she is to remain a spinster. Because of this she decides to move from England to Paradise, New York where her father still lives. Upon arrival she meet's Nathaniel Bonner, a backwoodsmen. The attraction between them is undeniable despite Elizabeth's continuing efforts to do so. Everything comes to a head when her father decides to gift her with the land the Bonner's rent, and believe to be rightfully theirs, to Elizabeth for her marriage to another man she has no intention of marrying. So Nathaniel and Elizabeth elope and their love story begins. There are six books in total that span their lives and their children's lives. My favorites are Jennet and Luke, Simon and Lily, and now Martha and Daniel. This book was wonderful; one of the best books I've read in a while. I really equate this series with the Outlander series because both are excellent. Now, I know some of you might be thinking or don't even know that this series is basically a follow up to the movie The Last of the Mochians which is nothing like the book. Some people won't even consider it because of that but I'll tell you; because it starts from Cora and Hawkeye's child's adulthood and continues you can forgive it and love the series for what it is, a wonderfully written story about a family in 18th and 19th century rural New York. This book was particularly wonderful. I love the first book and the one where Simon and Lily fall in love, though for the life of me I can't remember which one contained that story and now this one is very much in a tie with the first book. Daniel and Martha's story mimics Daniel's parents, Elizabeth and Nathaniel. Martha and Daniel's love story grows quickly and yet it feels so real and plausible. The characters are fun and enjoyable and we meet the youngest Bonner Birdie who takes full responsibility for the matchmaking of Daniel and Martha. All of Donati's characters really come to life and leave you wanting just a little more time in Paradise. Donati did a fantastic job and I loved every minute though I must say if you read this book, have tissues handy for the epilogue.
Bonners Continue to be Beautiful - Love Them All!
Thank you Sara - this is a 6 STAR!!!! So many "last books" are "forced". Not The Endless Forest - I loved this book. I absolutely loved this book - I loved Daniel and Martha - Sara takes us into the core of their relationship, as she does with others - But Daniel and Martha had shades of Nathaniel and Elizabeth and I loved them almost as much (I say "almost" - Nathaniel and Elizabeth are amazing). Jemima comes back with full force and wreaks her havoc....I wish, wish there really were men willing to expose their emotions enough and love as much as the Bonners do. They are (just like Outlander's Jamie & Claire and Roger and Brianna and Ian) people I would love and be honored to know. - I thought the entire book was excellent - marvelous conclusion to an exceptional saga. All these little dramas and conclusions for the entire family, interwoven beautifully. Would have liked to have gotten to know Gabriel and Annie a bit more - and we never get enough Luke either...but overall beautifully done. I've read this series three times. And listened to it as well (Audible - so worth it!). The narrator may seem wrong to begin with but you love her after you give her a chance - she grows into the part(s) very, very well. While lighter reading than the Outlander Saga (which I love and treasure as much by the way) and often ill-compared to it, I find Into The Wilderness Saga very beautiful and worthy in it's own right. It moves a bit faster and has characters that resonate as strongly as Jamie and Claire, just in different ways. Donati and Gabaldon make history come alive for me - some say "oh, the love story and the intimacy are not needed" or "I could do without the sex". I beg to differ! It is never gratuitous with either of these authors, it is real and vital to these characters - people made history, people are intricately woven into every step of the process and to pretend that they don't have lives and families and drama that affected that history is crazy! It is all intermingled. Love and Intimacy is just as real as violence and intrigue - I believe some people choose to exist in a vacuum, I certainly don't. Intimacy is part of life and made you and me - and the way Donati and Gabaldon weave intimacy and great love into their story is a great gift from God in my estimation - it always sustains my hope that people will take down their barriers and their pride and allow their feelings and that great Love to come into their lives. It is a powerful, beautiful and marvelous gift. My only critique of The Endless Forest is we still don't get enough Elizabeth and Nathaniel which I never tire of. But, Daniel and Martha make up for it. Love her conclusions (and yet remain greedy for more) Thank you Sara for this wonderful, wonderful saga! (PS If you choose to write another story/Epilogue of the Bonners - you will have readers!!!! I promise you!)
Great Series
This was the perfect ending to the Wilderness series. Well written, tied up all plots. I dreaded and welcomed the finale. I have been part of the Bonner family from the beginning and felt like they should always be in my life. I certainly binge read these books. Never did that before. Anyone that likes adventure and history and strong women and men should love these books.
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