Into the Wilderness: The Long Hunters

Rating:
Summary: A very poor, uninteresting historical fiction.
Review: "Into the Wilderness: The Long Hunters" could have been an interesting historical fiction, as it takes place during The French & Indian War, a war that isn't written about often, but it seemed to focus more on how men reacted to war, than history. At times, I was confused with the English side and French side, but a historical note would have cleared things up, but there was none. The romance wasn't all that great, and at times interfered with the story. The relationship between Noah and Jessica happened quickly and didn't have that "courtship" romance. It seemed Noah "loved" Jessica because there was a resemblance to his late wife and Jessica "loved" Noah because she was a young, naive girl who needed to be taken care of, and was flattered that an "experienced" man had taken an interest in her. Both stories, The French & Indian War and the romance, didn't mix well and because of it, I really had no interest in finishing the story. There also should have been an epilogue explaining how the war ended and how Noah and Jessica's life turned out together. I do not recommend.

Rating:
Summary: A very poor, uninteresting historical fiction.
Review: "Into the Wilderness: The Long Hunters" could have been an interesting historical fiction, as it takes place during The French & Indian War, a war that isn't written about often, but it seemed to focus more on how men reacted to war, than history. At times, I was confused with the English side and French side, but a historical note would have cleared things up, but there was none. The romance wasn't all that great, and at times interfered with the story. The relationship between Noah and Jessica happened quickly and didn't have that "courtship" romance. It seemed Noah "loved" Jessica because there was a resemblance to his late wife and Jessica "loved" Noah because she was a young, naive girl who needed to be taken care of, and was flattered that an "experienced" man had taken an interest in her. Both stories, The French & Indian War and the romance, didn't mix well and because of it, I really had no interest in finishing the story. There also should have been an epilogue explaining how the war ended and how Noah and Jessica's life turned out together. I do not recommend.

Rating:
Summary: insightful historical fiction
Review: As the French and Indian War breaks out in North America, hunter and English spy Noah Barnes happens upon a small group of Iroquois trying to abduct teenage Jessica Matthews near her parents cabin in the Pennsylvania Allegheny Mountains. Though the fight is fierce and Jessica's savior is outnumbered Noah wins the battle but is wounded. Perhaps its hero worship or puppy love, but not long afterward Jess decides she wants to marry Noah.

A widower, Noah falls in love with Jess, but he has a mission to complete before they can wed. While he is on his adventures, Indians kill Jess parents and capture her and her sibling. When he learns what happened to his beloved, Jess leaves George Washington on his own personal quest.

In terms of Colonial romance, INTO THE WILDERNESS is similar to most works in the genre. However, what makes this tale superior is that it is more of a historical fiction novel providing the audience a deep account of 1750s America. The story line is loaded with interesting tidbits that cleverly blends and enhances the action especially since the two lead protagonists spend much of the time in separate, but vividly described subplots. Romance readers will enjoy Roseanne Bittner's latest novel while historical fiction fans will welcome a new find.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Great Story, Not so Great Narration
Review: I found this book in the book store, and , being a huge fan of historical fiction, I snatched it right up. This book is very well researched, and the character development is really good. The problem is that the authors narration just wasn't up to par with such a big story. The diolog was all right, but overall, the whole story felt rushed, and a little stilted. The thing is that the actual premise of this book is very good, so good that I will most likely read the other two books in this series just to see what happens. So, if you want a read with a great background, than this is for you, just know that sometimes the storytelling isn't that great.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I purchased this book with anticipation, ready to sacrifice sleep to devour it in one reading as I have with many other books by this author. I was sorely disappointed. The effort was great, the historical detail thoroughly researched as far as I could tell. What bothered me most is the lack of character in both Noah and Jess. Normally Bittner will bring you so in touch with her characters, it feels as though you are breathing for them at times. Neither Noah or Jess did that for me. I feel their "love" was rushed and even the fact that they spent a good part of the story apart from one another wouldn't have been so bad IF they had developed a true relationship at the beginning. And speaking of rushed, I feel the story itself was entirely too short. I understand that there are two other books following this one but another hundred pages or so could have filled the lacking characterization of hero and heroine.

I am giving a rating of 3 stars as I feel the book isn't completely horrible just lacking the usual depth of emotion and character that Bittner normally delivers.

Rating:
Summary: romance during the (pre-) French and Indian War
Review: Rosanne Bittner has written a historical romance that is memorable, enjoyable, and historically accurate.
The story begins in June 1752 as we meet Noah Wilde; a British spy surrounded by Indians from the Ottawa, Huron and Miami nations,as well as French soldiers. The French are determined to seal their hold on all land west of the Ohio River, and are attacking the English trading post of Pickawillany in the Ohio Territory. Noah Wilde hates to be part of this horror, and wishes he could have warned of the attack. However, circumstances have caught Noah between his debt to an Indian Chief and his loyalty to the English; all this while he is in the middle of the Miami Indians warring against their own people. Noah's spying is also fueled by a personal desire for revenge against the French for the murder of his wife, killed by the Indians and the French in an attack on Albany seven years before.
Ten months after the brutal attack at Pickawillany the reader meets sixteen year old Jessica Matthews as she is gathering kindling. Her chore ends abuptly when Indians try to attack her, and her escape is only made possible by the appearance of a stranger in buckskins. It is Noah Wilde, and his act of bravery has caused him to be seriously injured. Jessica and Noah, from different worlds, are now bonded to each other as a result of this harrowing experience. It seems only natural that these two will fall in love. However, their journey to be together is not to be easy. It is challenging, heroic, and, in the end, inspiring.
In her writing Rosanne Bittner includes real historical characters. We meet Virginia's Governor Dinwiddie, a young George Washington, William Fairfax, and Chiefs Pontiac and Unemakemi. In these profiles Ms. Bittner shows how these men influenced history, for better or for worse.
Chapters in Into the Wilderness are divided by date, helping the reader to understand the historical context of the story. Ms. Bittner also writes in clear, uncluttered sentences.
It is refreshing that Ms. Bittner's writing shows Jessica to be a strong young woman in her own right. Jessica deals with incredible emotional grief, terror, and loneliness. Bravely she confronts her predicament, refuses to show weakness, endures her ordeal and ultimately survives.
Rosanne Bittner warns that she has incorporated the stark realities of war in her book. While the warning should be heeded, all of her descriptions are vital to the story. She also hopes that upon reading this book, one will develop a new respect for the dominance and fierceness of the eastern Native Americans, and the bravery and determination of the early settlers. She has been highly successful on all counts. Into the Wilderness is a wonderful story, and the reader is ready for the sequel.

Rating:
Summary: Memorable, enjoyable, and historically accurate.
Review: Rosanne Bittner has written a historical romance that is memorable, enjoyable, and historically accurate.
The story begins in June 1752 as we meet Noah Wilde; a British spy surrounded by Indians from the Ottawa, Huron and Miami nations,as well as French soldiers. The French are determined to seal their hold on all land west of the Ohio River, and are attacking the English trading post of Pickawillany in the Ohio Territory. Noah Wilde hates to be part of this horror, and wishes he could have warned of the attack. However, circumstances have caught Noah between his debt to an Indian Chief and his loyalty to the English; all this while he is in the middle of the Miami Indians warring against their own people. Noah's spying is also fueled by a personal desire for revenge against the French for the murder of his wife, killed by the Indians and the French in an attack on Albany seven years before.
Ten months after the brutal attack at Pickawillany the reader meets sixteen year old Jessica Matthews as she is gathering kindling. Her chore ends abuptly when Indians try to attack her, and her escape is only made possible by the appearance of a stranger in buckskins. It is Noah Wilde, and his act of bravery has caused him to be seriously injured. Jessica and Noah, from different worlds, are now bonded to each other as a result of this harrowing experience. It seems only natural that these two will fall in love. However, their journey to be together is not to be easy. It is challenging, heroic, and, in the end, inspiring.
In her writing Rosanne Bittner includes real historical characters. We meet Virginia's Governor Dinwiddie, a young George Washington, William Fairfax, and Chiefs Pontiac and Unemakemi. In these profiles Ms. Bittner shows how these men influenced history, for better or for worse.
Chapters in Into the Wilderness are divided by date, helping the reader to understand the historical context of the story. Ms. Bittner also writes in clear, uncluttered sentences.
It is refreshing that Ms. Bittner's writing shows Jessica to be a strong young woman in her own right. Jessica deals with incredible emotional grief, terror, and loneliness. Bravely she confronts her predicament, refuses to show weakness, endures her ordeal and ultimately survives.
Rosanne Bittner warns that she has incorporated the stark realities of war in her book. While the warning should be heeded, all of her descriptions are vital to the story. She also hopes that upon reading this book, one will develop a new respect for the dominance and fierceness of the eastern Native Americans, and the bravery and determination of the early settlers. She has been highly successful on all counts. Into the Wilderness is a wonderful story, and the reader is ready for the sequel.

Rating:
Summary: good try, but not very good
Review: The French and Indian War, doesn't get a lot of space in our history books, but it is one of pivotal events of US history. Ms. Bittner writes in the acknowledgements of this book that it would not have been possible without Alan Eckerts "Wilderness Empire" but she fails to capture any of the tone of that book. The single biggest problem, I feel, is that the characters seem to be mere sketches. I never cared about them, it never really mattered to me what really happened.I never not involved with them, and neither did I get any sense of the desperation and the grimness of the war on the frontier. She also uses the Iroqouis as 'The Big Bad Wolf' of the piece, (although there is no clear cut villian in the book...) but in truth, the Iroqouis League (six different tribes) were either allies of the British or at least neutral during the conflict. Bittner does make an effort to avoid protraying the Indians as savages with no respect for human life, but even this rings a bit hollow...(perhaps this was her point since most of obseravtions take place through the eyes of 16 year old white captive, but it doesn't seem to come across)The French are all evil, with very little redeeming qualities and you read of a lot of the colonists thinking "one day we will throw England out too, and govern this land on our own" which was most defintely NOT a sentiment that was common in the 1750's...The book is rapidly paced and easy reading, but I honestly can't recommend it. Perhaps as a romance novel, it's ok,but as a historical novel, forget it. For GOOD F&I War novels, try the aforementioned Eckert, Kenneth Robert's classic "Northwest Passage, or Don Wright's diffcult to find "The Woodsman"...all are flawed in their own way, but come much closer than this one

Rating:
Summary: good try, but not very good
Review: The French and Indian War, doesn't get a lot of space in our history books, but it is one of pivotal events of US history. Ms. Bittner writes in the acknowledgements of this book that it would not have been possible without Alan Eckerts "Wilderness Empire" but she fails to capture any of the tone of that book. The single biggest problem, I feel, is that the characters seem to be mere sketches. I never cared about them, it never really mattered to me what really happened.I never not involved with them, and neither did I get any sense of the desperation and the grimness of the war on the frontier. She also uses the Iroqouis as 'The Big Bad Wolf' of the piece, (although there is no clear cut villian in the book...) but in truth, the Iroqouis League (six different tribes) were either allies of the British or at least neutral during the conflict. Bittner does make an effort to avoid protraying the Indians as savages with no respect for human life, but even this rings a bit hollow...(perhaps this was her point since most of obseravtions take place through the eyes of 16 year old white captive, but it doesn't seem to come across)The French are all evil, with very little redeeming qualities and you read of a lot of the colonists thinking "one day we will throw England out too, and govern this land on our own" which was most defintely NOT a sentiment that was common in the 1750's...The book is rapidly paced and easy reading, but I honestly can't recommend it. Perhaps as a romance novel, it's ok,but as a historical novel, forget it. For GOOD F&I War novels, try the aforementioned Eckert, Kenneth Robert's classic "Northwest Passage, or Don Wright's diffcult to find "The Woodsman"...all are flawed in their own way, but come much closer than this one

Rating:
Summary: romance during the (pre-) French and Indian War
Review: This book is okay as romance, but not so good at depicting colonial life in the 13 colonies around the time of the French and Indian War. I rate it only "okay" as a romance because I find it a little hard to believe that the 2 main characters could fall in love so quickly and so easily without really knowing eachother. In the case of Jess, I think that hero worship or puppy love or even a crush would better describe her feelings for Noah. The only hint we readers get about Noah's feelings for the teenage Jess (there is a 13 year age gap between them) are based on her appearance--she resembles his (murdered) wife to a certain degree. I also find it a little hard to believe that Noah's bloodlust and quest for revenge for the death of his wife could so easily be sated by Jess. As I was reading this novel, I could not help but think that it resembles the 1992 movie "The last of the Mohicans" in many ways. (I thought that the movie was better.)
Although the author tried to make the romance feel more historical by including actual people from the era such as George Washington, Governor Dinwiddie, Chief Pontiac, DuQuesne, et al., it still lacks enough background to understand why the French and their Indian allies and the English and their Indian allies were so intent upon killing eachother, destroying the settlements, taking captives, etc. I also found it a little hard to believe that any character would be thinking about independence from Great Britain at this time. People in the English colonies still thought of themselves as English, subjects of King George III, and the incidents that led some of the colonists to rebel 20 years after the French and Indian War had not yet occurred (namely, the colonists were taxed on sugar, tea, and stamps in order to pay for the high cost of the French and Indian War, which began in 1755. The British sent troops, advisors, supplies, weapons, etc., all of which cost a great deal of money and which the government in London expected the colonists to contribute to covering the cost of defending them against the French. Many of the captives were ransomed, that is, the governments (usually the colonial governments) paid the French in Canada to release the captive English. The French also paid the English for the release of their own captives. Sometimes captives were exchanged--English for French. Given that her timeline is a bit off, I find it a little hard to believe the story here. I am not suggesting an academic treatise on the subject. There are many excellent books on the French and Indian War. But without a little more information, all I am left with are descriptions of massacres. I also think that more character development would help the story and would help the reader care a little more about the characters. I realize that the author cannot do too much with 16-year-old Jess because she is just a teenager, but she could have more fully developed Noah's character. I suppose to make it more interesting she could have made the female protagonist older--maybe in her mid twenties, too. Her idea was a good one, and she selected an interesting period in colonial history. It is too bad that the story fell short.