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Summary: A New Englander's opinion
Review: Dawn on a Distant Shore is a well researched, well written adventure/romance/historical. It takes us to a part of our history that isn't well known and gives us a panoramic look at this fledgling country as well as a bit of our northern neighbor's story. Elizabeth and Nathanial are terrific, their love is profound and palpable. And Ms Donati's secondary characters shine also. Hannah is a wonderful little girl who is going to be fun to watch grow. Curiosity Freeman, the backbone of the little troop, is just plain terrific. I enjoyed the Canadian scenes and felt that the family's mad dash across the Atlantic was especially exciting. This is a worthy sequel to Into the Wilderness and I highly recommend it.
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Summary: Great adventure story, great characters
Review: It's true that this sequel is different in tone than the first book, but I like the fact that the author doesn't repeat herself. Great sailing detail, exciting to the last page.
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Summary: Dawn on a Distant Shore - Sara Donati
Review: This book was a disappointment from the very beginning. One stand out irritation is that the author does not allow these poor characters a moments peace. From the very begininng we are launched into the latest drama - improbable tales, pirates, hangings, illegitamate heirs, castles - this has it all - the author should write for a daytime soap not novels. There is so little time spent on establishing a sense of beginning, middle or even an end before we are launched headlong into yet another overdramatisized journey. The Mills and boons romance is pure syrup . Later in the book one feels that we are meant to be impressed by the authors grasp of the scottish way of speech - it is only interminable. Not only can every character speak 4-5 different languages they are all so is so indestructable . I enjoyed parts of into the wilderness...though critisised the heroines near indestructable qualities...the pace she kept up was inhuman. I just shook my head in disbelief at some of the ghastly passages in this book and debated with myself whether I should finish the drivel. I notice that Diana Galaldon endorsed the first book but has remained silent about this one. I am not in the least suprised. This book has been published on the strength of the last - and did not deserve to be published on it's own merits. The only reason I bought the last was because of Diana's reccomendation. I will not recommend the book to my friends, and will throw it away rather than own up to reading a novel with so little merit. Leave the Scottish tales to Diana Gabaldon or Barbara Erskine. Total rubbish. I love a good trashy read at the best of times - escapism that allows one to learn a little about history as it's bought to life in a skillfully woven tale. This book just does not deliver. Shame on the publishers and author for allowing this book to reach the shelves of the public. I will not be buying any further follow up books and personally abhor this endless stringing along of epic tales. The later books always lack the same passion and interest of the first book and resort to outlandish escapades in order to keep our attention. (This applies to Diana Gabaldon too I'm afraid) Please put these poor characters out of their misery..and us too.
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Summary: What a Sequel!
Review: Sara Donati's long awaited sequel to Into The Wilderness is a real cliff hanger from start to finish. I could hardly bring myself to put this book down once I started it.Ms. Donati has done a masterful job of weaving together a story that has a lot of something for almost everyone. Romance, adventure on the high seas, political intrique, and just plain old delicious villany. The maturing relationship between Elizabeth and Nathaniel is utterly beleivable and some of the scenes between Hannah and her Father were so tender they almost broght tears to my eyes. This is the best book I have read since I finished Into The Wilderness.
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Summary: Wonderful Book
Review: After reading Into The Wilderness, I was anxiously awaiting this sequel, Dawn on a Distant Shore. It is a wonderful journey, one that you hope will never end. Both books are outstanding, and I am looking forward to the third book. Sara Donati --please keep writing about Nathaniel and Elizabeth!
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Summary: Donati delivers thrilling sequel
Review: Sara Donati sure isn't afraid to take risks! Within pages of the beginning of the book she separates Elizabeth and Nathaniel, the heroine and hero she brought to life in INTO THE WILDERNESS. In the middle of winter Elizabeth delivers twins, but when the couple learns that Nathaniel's father, Hawkeye, and their friend Robbie MacLachlan are in prison in Canada, Nathaniel sets off to free them. He ends up being arrested, and this triggers a thrilling chain of events that leads the Bonner family and their friend, Curiosity Freeman, all the way to Scotland where they become the unwilling participants in age old political and religious conflict. Donati continues to explore the evolving relationship between Elizabeth and Nathaniel while bringing Nathaniel's daughter from his first marriage, Hannah, front and center. The end leaves open the possibility of further additions to Donati's saga. This is very good news, indeed, for her many readers who have come to care about this marvelous cast of characters. (And any book which cleverly manages to give Scottish poet Robert Burns a cameo is a winner in this reviewer's estimation!)
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Summary: The Sequel -- At Last
Review: DAWN ON A DISTANT SHORE is an interesting read - I strongly suggest that INTO THE WILDERNESS be read FIRST. It will clarify the many, many characters Ms. Donati as used to tell the story. A big plus is the time and place the novel is set in. I look forward to her next book!
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Summary: A stunning novel that will rock ya'. Take your dramamine!
Review: This is a striking story on so many levels, that I'm afraid I'd exceed my 1000 word limit if I went into all the reasons why. Let me sum up by saying that Sara does not disappoint in telling a fantastic sequel and reacquainting us with Nat and Elizabeth. DDS is full of adventure and shocking plot twists, the dialogue is sincere and superbly done. How one author can manage so many dialects, so many distinct voices is beyond me. There are some wonderful and touching scenes between our favorite characters (you'll revisit passages again and again), and we're introduced to several spicy schemers described with such flavor I found myself laughing out loud (in public places, no less). I loved this story and can't wait for #3!
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Summary: DAWN ON A DISTANT SHORE
Review: This sequel to INTO THE WILDERNESS is certainly a book any historical novel reader will want to read. I strongly suggest reading iNTO THE WILDERNESS first. It will make the reader better acquainted with the Bonner family, and other characters!
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Summary: Exemplary historical fiction
Review: These characters are wonderful. _All_ the characters are wonderful, even the ones that only show up for a paragraph or two. Miss Donati is a little like Dickens in the way she makes every single person stand out. I think the way she weaves historical detail into her fictional plot is wonderful. Most of the time people won't even notice -- I only caught on to some of it because I'm distantly related to the Schuyler family -- but it really adds something. Some reviewers have criticized the dialogue, which amazes me. There is nothing archaic or formulaic about this dialogue and _comical_ is the absolute last word I would use. Some of these reviewers should cut back on the caffine. My favorite character is Elizabeth, but Hannah comes a close second. I'm supposed to say something critical too, so here it is: I didn't follow the stuff about the Tory with notched ears and his mocassins until I read it three times. Then it gave me nightmares.
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