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rebelbelle13's review against another edition
2.0
Perhaps my expectations going into this novel were a little too high. After all, I absolutely LOVED Donati's first in this series, Into The Wilderness. I found this novel to be boring and lacking. It took them 400 pages to get to the titular "distant shore". Very little happened in the lead up to Elizabeth and Nathaniel's arrival in Scotland- we were introduced to some new characters, Nathaniel and his father got tossed in jail. They escaped, Elizabeth and her entourage (Curiosity, Hannah, and her two new babies) follow them to Canada. They all get on boats bound for Scotland. They play musical boats. And they eventually arrive after a ridiculously long, drawn out voyage. Things finally pick up after they arrive in Scotland, and I was interested for the last 250 pages.
This novel feels like a side-story. In the scheme of things, it really changes nothing of Nathaniel and Elizabeth's narrative. They don't gain anything, they don't lose anything. None of the characters do any real growing. The whole thing just feels superfluous, and absolutely depends on the reader having read Into The Wilderness. There is very little romance here, and when I did come across a passage or two, I found that it only meant something because I found myself referring to the characters and their development in the first novel.
It was written well, just like the first in the series, but there just wasn't much here. It felt like a lot of padding- and the Scottish made it all the more difficult to understand. I will be reading the third in this series, Lake in the Clouds, because I've heard good things- and now that I've slogged through this one, I think I deserve it.
This novel feels like a side-story. In the scheme of things, it really changes nothing of Nathaniel and Elizabeth's narrative. They don't gain anything, they don't lose anything. None of the characters do any real growing. The whole thing just feels superfluous, and absolutely depends on the reader having read Into The Wilderness. There is very little romance here, and when I did come across a passage or two, I found that it only meant something because I found myself referring to the characters and their development in the first novel.
It was written well, just like the first in the series, but there just wasn't much here. It felt like a lot of padding- and the Scottish made it all the more difficult to understand. I will be reading the third in this series, Lake in the Clouds, because I've heard good things- and now that I've slogged through this one, I think I deserve it.
teuliano's review against another edition
4.0
I've enjoyed both books in this series. I like the characters, particularly the two main ones, and their relationship. they are well-drawn and strong.
barmatron's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
4.25
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 STARS
"In the winter of 1794, on the edge of the New York wilderness, Elizabeth and Nathaniel Bonner have settled into the comforts of domestic bliss. Typically, however, adventure seeks these two out. Alone but for her stepdaughter Hannah, Elizabeth gives birth to twins, while Nathaniel and his father Hawkeye are imprisoned in Montreal. Determined to help her men, Elizabeth packs up the children and sets off to free them. Liberty does not bring relief to the Bonner clan, however, as sinister forces conspire to pirate them to Scotland and embroil them in a complex family feud." (From Amazon)
A great follow-up to the first novel. The Bonners are off to a rescue mission in Canada and Scotland. I enjoyed the way Donati sets up the time and place. I am glad we get more of the Bonner men's roots and past.
"In the winter of 1794, on the edge of the New York wilderness, Elizabeth and Nathaniel Bonner have settled into the comforts of domestic bliss. Typically, however, adventure seeks these two out. Alone but for her stepdaughter Hannah, Elizabeth gives birth to twins, while Nathaniel and his father Hawkeye are imprisoned in Montreal. Determined to help her men, Elizabeth packs up the children and sets off to free them. Liberty does not bring relief to the Bonner clan, however, as sinister forces conspire to pirate them to Scotland and embroil them in a complex family feud." (From Amazon)
A great follow-up to the first novel. The Bonners are off to a rescue mission in Canada and Scotland. I enjoyed the way Donati sets up the time and place. I am glad we get more of the Bonner men's roots and past.
hiltzmoore's review against another edition
4.0
Donati definitely knows how to spin a captivating tale. I was interested in this story from start to finish, especially after the departure to Scotland. I think there were some storylines that were able to be tied up a little too conveniently, and the characters continue to be more modern than I think they should be, but I plan on continuing the series for now.
crazyherblady's review against another edition
5.0
Great read!
I think this sequel was better than the first book! The characters are so well developed and I was finished with the book before I even realized it. Interesting twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. Not predictable at all. I recommend!
I think this sequel was better than the first book! The characters are so well developed and I was finished with the book before I even realized it. Interesting twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. Not predictable at all. I recommend!
laurengrubbsshaney's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
paperschemes's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
emac021's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5