Rating: 
Summary: One of my favorites this year!
Review: In this epic novel set in late 18th century New York, Sara Donati has given Diana Gabaldon fans a reason to go back to the bookstore before Outlander #5 is released. This huge novel has it all: romance, history, adventure and more. I can't imagine that any fan of historical fiction, romance or westerns would have a hard time finishing this fabulous book.Elizabeth Bennett and her brother Julian have just arrived in the U.S. and are on their way to Paradise, New York, where their father, the Judge, reigns over the frontier town. The Judge owns quite a bit of land in and around Paradise, including land previously owned by the Mohawk Indian Tribe. Because of a war debt, the Judge graciously shares part of the land with Hawkeye Bonner's family. Although all seems merry, there are tense storms brewing between the white settlers and the Native American residents. And when Elizabeth falls in love with Hawkeye's son, Nathaniel, quite a ruckus ensues. A huge success and a fantastic read!
Rating:
Summary: An enticing and passionate story of survival and love
Review: I picked the book up on a whim at the local library, initially intrigued by the title and the map of the "wilderness". I was hooked almost immediately and actually am dreading the end of the novel (I've got about 100 pages to read.) Although the story focuses on two characters who fall in love, the romance occurs quickly and the author has the time, therefore, to develop the real relationship that must occur between these two very different people. Sara Donati is able to do that. Her descriptions of setting are vivid-- you do feel like you are there, but she is also able to share Elizabeth's and Nathaniel's thoughts as they attempt to fit together as a couple. It was refreshing to watch the passion that simmers underneathe, that pulls both of them into something which is not initially anticipated or wanted. I have not been compelled by a story like this since the Thornbirds of so many years ago. I am convinced that the really good stories must be about real people and how they deal with life. I, too, can't wait for the sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: I read this book years ago when I use to work at a library. I'm not into romance, but the cover looked interesting when I was shelving it. I guess I can say I fell in love with author before she was even known as being a great one. After reading the little known book, I immediately began recommending it to patrons. The characters are lovable and real, can't be missed book for romance, as well as, historical, and adventure readers!
Rating:
Summary: great historical fiction
Review: I read this book last summer and now I'm reading it for the second time! I am a huge fan of historical fiction, and this is probably my favorite. I am from upstate New York, and spent a couple of years in Albany, near the area where this novel takes place. It was so interesting to hear of the places I know in a modern context, described like it was over 200 years ago, when it was first settled. Sara Donati paints a very vivid picture, and I had no trouble converting the modern pictures in my head to the historical ones, which were very different. Many times, I have driven along the river that they had to go on, by canoe, and it is interesting how far we have come. The landscape is absolutely breathtaking, and even when I'm not reading the book , I like to envision the town of Paradise, and the other areas that the book took me to.
One of the things that I loved about this novel, as opposed to a lot of historical fiction was its believability. Many of the novels I've read seem to leave out main parts of the story and you don't know how the relationships evolve, other than jumping in bed together. Although there is some graphic detail, the development of the relationship is real and romantic, and it all makes sense.
The adventure makes it a page-turner. The main character Elizabeth transforms from a proper Englishwoman to a backwoodswoman who has gone through many terrifying ordeals, all in the name of love.
I didn't realize, until I read the reviews that this is a sequel to Last of the Mohicans, which I have never read. I am anxious to read about the adventures of Nathaniel's father, as well as the sequels to this book, to see what else happens in the lives of Elizabeth, Nathaniel and their families. I was sad to have the book end, so I'm happy to know that there is more to their story. I am also curious to read Gabaldon's books, which this is compared to.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in love, adventure, and/or history!!
Rating:
Summary: for readers of Gabaldon
Review: I don't understand the comparisons. These books are historical adventures (Gabaldon writes rather jolly but unbelievable time travel), written in the third person (not the first), about a woman with little experience of the world (not a battle-weary WWII army nurse romping through the highlands) and a backwoodsman (not a kilted red-haired laddie who at 21 is supposed to be a virgin and instead of saying 'ain't' is always grunting and gurgling his Scotch disapproval). It does have a strong female character, but so does every other romance worth its salt (including Outlander and Far From the Madding Crowd and Dunnet's books); it deals with human frailities and problems, death and pregnancy and doubt and joy. Most of all its a womping good story, solidly plotted (if a little slow to pick up pace in the first 50 pages). It's also beautifully written for the most part -- the author won the Hemingway award for another novel, something they don't hand out to everybody. Not even to Gabaldon. Read it if you like big, complicated stories with interesting characters. If you're looking for a Gabaldon clone, maybe you should try something else.
Rating:
Summary: I love this book!
Review: "Into the Wilderness" is great escapist reading. Though the beginning could be described as somewhat sedate, that is certainly not the word for the latter part of the novel. I found myself tightly gripping the book during more than one exciting scene, wide-eyed and breathless as the action unfolded. Great characters people the book, the writing is terrific, the (...) scenes are tastefully done, and the adventure is a grand one. I love this book and look forward to reading the subsequent novels in the series. Highly recommended escapist fare.
Rating:
Summary: A SWEEPING SAGA OF LATE 18TH CENTURY UPSTATE NEW YORK...
Review: This novel is the first in a series of three such novels published to date. It is a riveting, page-turning work of well-written historical fiction. It is a story woven from the gossamer threads of history and infused with the creativity of this author, so as to produce an utterly spellbinding and ambitious, sweeping epic novel. This is a novel that will appeal to those who love rousing historical fiction that carries with it a sense of teeming and timeless adventure. Those readers who have enjoyed the enormously popular "Outlander" series of novels by author Diana Gabaldon will especially enjoy this book. It should be noted that Diana Gabaldon herself has warmly endorsed this book. Moreover, that its author is herself a fan of Ms. Gabaldon, there can be little doubt, as the two main characters in Ms. Gabaldon's best selling "Outlander" series make a brief appearance nearly midway through this book. Moreover, the author also incorporates James Fennimore Cooper's character "Hawkeye" from his book, "The Last of the Mohicans", adding to the intriguing pastiche of characters, historical, literary, and imaginative, who pepper this book. The book is simple in its premise. An independent and outspoken, intelligent Englishwoman in her twenties, Elizabeth Middleton, leaves England with her brother Julian, to join their father, Judge Alfred Middleton, in the mountains of upstate New York, northwest of Albany. There, she meets Hawkeye's son, handsome backwoods man Nathaniel Bonner, a man who straddles two worlds, that of the white man and that of the native American, and finds herself falling head-over-heels in love with him. Despite her father's attempts to marry her off to a wealthy landowner and the village doctor, Richard Todd, she gravitates towards Nathaniel in defiance of her father, who has his own reasons for wanting to marry her off to Dr. Todd. The good doctor also has his own secret agenda in this matter, a secret that he keeps well hidden until thwarted of his desire. To further complicate matters, Elizabeth sets herself up as a school teacher for all the children of the village in which she lives, black, white, and native American, but finds herself locked in conflict with those who believe that education is only for a select group. What happens to Elizabeth and Nathaniel, as well as to their respective families, is positively gripping, given the adventures into which they are thrust. The author gives the reader a tantalizing glimpse into what life may have been like in upstate New York during that time period, with all its hardships, deprivations, and political and social turmoil, as well as the constantly shifting conflicts and alliances between the white settlers and the Mohawk nation. Descriptively rich and densely plotted, filled with historical personages of the time and well-known historical events, this ambitious and compelling novel will have the reader compulsively turning the pages until the very end. It is simply a wonderfully told and enthralling tale that any discerning lover of historical fiction will enjoy. Bravo!
Rating:
Summary: Better than Outlander!
Review: Into the Wilderness is escapist reading at its best, set against a thoroughly-researched historical background. I couldn't put it down! It seems that a comparison between Into the Wilderness and the Outlander series is inevitable, which is surprising to me. In my opinion, Into the Wilderness is significantly better. Although both stories are of a similar genre, the characters in Into the Wilderness are more consistent and believable, and in many ways more admirable. In Outlander, main-man Jamie goes from being a completely inexperienced and tenous lover to an enjoyer of sado-masochism in about three days. And he doesn't seem to mind beating his wife Claire, who takes it in stride?!? Whereas Into the Wilderness's Nathanial is consistently respectful of women, and completely irresistable. Sure, there is a certain abount of predictability in any historical romance. But Donati succeeds wonderfully in creating a terrific page-turner nonetheless. And she does it without the sexual violence that Outlandler's author resorts to.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable, fast-paced-historical-adventure-romance
Review: I must say that the 3 books of this series ressemble the Outlander series but unlike what some other reviewers say, that is not a bad thing! I enjoyed that series immensely and was looking for another series that would entertain me in the same way with a different culture (fast-paced story, action & adventure, passion and historical fiction and heroes that always end up back on their feet in the end). It is inspired by the Last of the Mohicans story. I have never read it but I have seen the movie (with Daniel Day Lewis). I strongly recommend you watch it before starting this series. Oh, and make sure you have time to dedicate to reading this because you won't be able to put it down.
Rating: 
Summary: Gabaldon wannabe,
Review: I think Sara Donati is a Gabaldon wanna be. At least Into the Wilderness suggest she is. In my opinion, Sara Donati should have picked andother writer to copy. I didn't like this story and if it makes her feel any better, I didn't like Gabaldon story either. I thought both stories were flat and yes even boring! Sorry! Next time you want to copy after someone Sara at least pick an author that is exciting, check out Laura Leone books, or perhaps Linda Howard's.
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