Customer Reviews

5 star:		(60)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

If you are new to this series, read this review - then go buy INTO THE WILDERNESS and read it first. Some series stories can be read out of sequence, but this is not one of them. DAWN ON A DISTANT SHORE assumes the reader already has some background knowledge about the main characters, and wastes little time bringing newcomers up to speed on their history. Instead, the tale plunges headfirst into the action and intrigue, and you'll miss out on some enjoyment if you have to play guess and catch-up with the events that precede it.

The Bonners of New York State, in early post-revolutionary America, trade the wildness of the New World for the jaded Old, as they are forced into a trans-Atlantic chase to Scotland orchestrated by Nathaniel's distant older cousin, the Earl of Carryck. The Earl, a shadow figure about whom we learn only from others' perceptions for almost two-thirds of the book, is desperate to induce one of the male Bonners to stand as his heir, and thus help him avoid forfeiture of his ancestral lands. Although it is Hawkeye, the eldest in the Bonner line, whom he originally covets (yes, new readers, this is the same LAST OF THE MOHICANS Hawkeye), any male Bonner will do - which, of course, means that Nathaniel and his baby son, Daniel, are also at risk. In WILDERNESS, fresh characters populated a virgin land, with all its beauty, sharp edges, and savage nature. In DAWN, almost a third of the story is spent at sea, and the dangers are more human than natural.

Sara Donati's sequel to INTO THE WILDERNESS is a different sort of book, and it is hard to avoid comparisons. However, DAWN stands on its own as a complex story about family and political relationships. I admire the inventive mind of the author, whom I forgive (just kidding) for making me wait six months longer than I'd hoped, to read this book. What a devious plot! The various characters are unfolding their personalities layer by layer; this time, Nathaniel's and Elizabeth's relationship is somewhat taken for granted and less in the forefront, while Hannah, Curiosity, and Hawkeye receive more attention. Several new characters, including one nice surprise, make their appearances (to be fleshed out later, I hope). Too many times to count, I found myself rereading certain passages in order to make sure I had all the relationships straight. In that respect, the story parallels WILDERNESS, where the reader has to thread a path through the intricacies of kinships that blend English, Mohawk, and American blood.

To me, this book felt like a transitional work - a necessary middle story to elaborate on background, context, and personalities, and to introduce new faces while pruning away others whose time had come. Readers of WILDERNESS will notice that Dr. Todd, a very central character in the foundation story, is absent from this one, as is most of the Mohawk portion of the Bonner family. I missed these characters, and I also missed the excitement, newness, and panorama of the New World and the fledgling nation setting that WILDERNESS gave us. DAWN is still a five-star book, for me, but like many of the other readers, and the Bonners themselves, I now want to go back to Paradise and Lake in the Clouds. Ms. Donati, I hope you'll take us back there next time!

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!)

I read Into the Wilderness and had to immediately pick up Dawn on a Distant Shore to continue reading the detailed way in which Sara Donati writes to take me back into a different time. I have to say that now that I have finished both books and compared the two,they are written a little differently. I enjoyed both books immensly. Dawn on a Different Shore is packed full of adventure and detail however there isn't the slow pace detail in the story to savor like Into the Wilderness had. I too look forward to another book from Sara Donati that will let us enjoy Hidden Wolf and the wonderful characters and setting she has created for us there.

In 1794 at the edge of the wilderness in Upstate New York, Elizabeth and Nathaniel Bonner live in marital bliss. Their idyllic life turns even more blissful when Elizabeth gives birth to twins. However, Nathaniel soon learns that the British government in Canada has arrested his father, Hawkeye.

Nathaniel travels to Canada to help his father, but instead finds himself incarcerated as an American spy. When Elizabeth discovers that her spouse could be hung for espionage, she takes her two children and Nathaniel's pre-teenage daughter from another marriage in order to intercede on his behalf. Her efforts go astray when someone kidnaps the twins. Elizabeth and Nathaniel follow the trail to his ancestral home in Scotland where they hope to once again become the loving family they were before Hawkeye was imprisoned.

The sequel to the exciting INTO THE WILDERNESS, DAWN ON A DISTANT SHORE continues the post Revolutionary War adventures of the Bonner family. The lead couple is an invigorating duo who will charm readers even though at times their discussions seem so emoted that they feel comical. The support cast provides humor and depth as they help bring the late eighteenth century to life. The story line is impressive as the plot fully entertains the audience. Sara Donati creates an Americana epic that will receive much acclaim from fans and critics.

Harriet Klausner

Sara Donati is a master of her genre. Her work is exceptionally well researched and her characters are sincere and very endearing. In Dawn of a Distant Shore, the relationships and characters that were introduced in Into the Wilderness grow and surprise us. (Just take the touching relationship between Nathaniel and his exceptionally perceptive daughter Hannah.) If you loved Curiousity in the first book, get ready for a wonderful dose of her and her wisdom in the second. Get the book, settle down in your most comfortable chair, and buckle up! You're in for a wonderful ride!

Sara has done it again. I waited over a year for her second book and she did not let me down. The book had a lot of different turns and surprises and I truly enjoyed it. Elizabeth and Nathaniel prove, once again that their love can survive anything. Sara writes so beautifully, her words are so realistic that if you stop and close your eyes you are living the life of Elizabeth and her adventures. This book was well worth waiting for but now leaves me anxiously awaiting her third book "Hidden Wolf". For all of you who have read Into the Wilderness and Dawn on a Distant Shore know hours and hours of pure entertainment. I look forward to seeing if anyone out there in Hollywood has the brains to make a movie out of these wonderful books. PLUS I do not understand why she is not on the best seller list for both books. If you haven't read Into the Wilderness first I would highly advise you to before you read Dawn on a Distant Shore. Believe me you will thank me for introducing you to a very gifted and wonderful writer. Oh to have this kind of talent! Sara is truly blessed!

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.

I loved this book! I really enjoyed "Into the Wilderness", so I was eager to start "Dawn on a Distant Shore", and I was not disappointed. Once again, I found the characters engaging, and the story interesting. There were some wonderful plot twists, and I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. I especially appreciated the realistic portrayal of Elizabeth's feelings and anxieties concerning her children, as well as the interspersing of actual historical figures into the story. It was a wonderful read, and I was sorry to finish it!

I loved this follow up to Into The Wilderness! It lived up to my expectations and was well worth the wait. For those of you who have not read Sara Donati yet. I strongly suggest reading Into The Wilderness first as there are several references to people and events from that novel. It will enhance your enjoyment of this book and keep you "in the know". I know I always hate it when people chit-chat about a previous party that I was not invited to! Don't let this happen to you. Read the first book first! Then you will not want to wait to read this one. As others have said, these books will take you to another time and another place. You will be so enveloped in the story that your friends and family will have to keep repeating your name to get your attention!

This sequel to Into the Wilderness was fast paced and adventurous, but somewhow found time for us readers to see a bit more of the characters. (A deeper view) I kept turning the pages wanting more, and was rewarded. When all is said and done with this series, this book in paticular will have a special place with me. It's a delight!