The Land Beyond

Silk and Song Trilogy #3

by Dana Stabenow

Sixteen-year-old Johanna flees Cambaluc in 1322, following the murder of her father and the murderous intentions of her step-mother, accompanied by her foster sister and wise woman Shasha, and by Jaufre, an orphan of the Road who has been raised to be her companion—and who hopes to become more. Together they take to the Road, that storied collection of routes that link the silks of Cathay, the spices of the Indies and the jewels of the Indus to the markets of the western world. Their destination? Venice, that fabled port of the Middle Sea, and the home of Johanna's her grandfather, the legendary Marco Polo. But first they must survive treachery, betrayal, a war of conquest waged by an ambitious Mongol general, a long separation, and a Road beset by thieves and robbers emboldened by the steady deterioration of the Mongol Empire. They meet a chugi monk, a goliard, a Knight Templar, and two refugees from the harem of Sheik Mohammed of Talikan, but in spite of these new friends it is still a long and difficult journey, at the end of which they arrive in Venice only to discover Marco Polo on his deathbed. The Land Beyond, the third and final book in the Silk and Song trilogy, opens in Venice in 1324, where Johanna and company must find a new patron, a new way to earn their living, and above all a new home—all of which is complicated by a cunning kidnapping, a daring rescue, a tragic death, and a brush with royalty that puts Johanna and Jaufre and all their friends in the most danger they've seen yet.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Adventure

358 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 31, 2015

About the author

Dana Stabenow was born in Anchorage and raised on 75-foot fish tender in the Gulf of Alaska. She knew there was a warmer, drier job out there somewhere.

Reviews

[Katharine Ott · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Land Beyond" - written by Dana Stabenow and published in 2015 by Gere Donovan Press. "The route was well signed, the roads were dry, the weather was delightful, the inns were plentiful and welcoming, and, refreshingly, no one they met was trying to kill them." Although this isn't the usual situation for Johanna, Jaufre and their unusual band of compatriots, this completion of the series finds them settling down. More or less. Traveling north in Europe they eventually land in England where they pursue the wool trade, taking time out to rescue a king. I so enjoyed this trilogy and although the excitement and adventure tapered out as quests were met, it was still very satisfying. I'm intrigued to try some of Stabenow's mystery series, especially the Kate Shugak series which was started in 1992.

[Dorothy Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the final volume of Dana Stabenow's SILK AND SONG trilogy. Having read all three of the books, I suspect that for many readers it is a satisfying experience. As an older reader, I had trouble keeping track after so many months between publication of the various parts. This volume dragged for me for a long time, although there were highlights--the rescue of Felicien and the rescue of King Edward II--and a generally satisfying ending as the travelers come, for the most part, to the end of their "road" odyssey. The SILK AND SONG trilogy is a departure for Dana Stabenow from her numerous and highly successful Kate Shugak detective thrillers set in Alaska. Personally, I miss Kate, because she has been one of my most favorite heroines and hope that Dana will write more about her. There is something, for me, more distant and remote in the world of 1300 than in modern-day Alaska. This is a well-written book, but this series just doesn't grab me personally.

[Phil B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A first-rate historical novel

This novel picks up with XXX in medieval Venice, striving to make contact with her dying great-grandfather, the famous explorer Marco Polo. With her ragtag set of companions, they eke out a living, redefining their skills as traders, troubadours, and general handymen. When there is no longer a reason to stay, they head north and west crossing Italy, France, and England, hoping to set up a trading company, shipping first rate wool to Venice, after avoiding—of course—the duties usually collected by medieval cities.
Miss Stabenow’s writing is terrific, full of wonderful details of medieval life. Her description of their approach to Chartres was particularly powerful. Reading it, I was captivated by my wife and I’s sense of wonder as the cathedral appeared before their eyes. Thank you Dana Stabenow!!!

[Marilyn Saul · Rating 2 out of 5]

One could tell immediately by the format of this book that Stabenow had run out of plot: lots of white space; space between paragraphs, even one sentence paragraphs; wide margins - yet same publisher as Books #1 and #2. If you read the first two books of this trilogy, do yourself a favor and stop there. Book #3 is mostly canoodling between Johanna and Jaufre. The only interesting section was the rescue, but it wasn't interesting enough to rescue the book itself.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

See review for book 1 in the series, Everything Under the Heavens. (By now, the plot and characters were less appealing to me.)

[Art Enyedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Land Beyond is the final book in the Silk and Song Trilogy. Johanna and Jaufre and company return for the final installment of their adventures. Unfortunately, this tale is not as compelling as the first two books. Once they reach Venice and Johanna gets to meet her grandfather, the aged Marco Polo, there really isn't anything else for them to do. Stabenow concocts some reasons for them to wander through Europe and up to England as a trading company, but Stabenow's heart doesn't seem to want to tell a story built around wool trading.

The middle third of this book tells the story of Félicien's rescue. Johanna's Wu company had grown so large that I honestly had no recollection of Félicien at all, but apparently the bard joined the group somewhere near the end of book 2. Stabenow has added so many characters to the storyline that most of them have nothing to do. Sasha, Firas, Hayat, Alma and Hari basically just tag along with an occasional remark to remind the reader that they still exist. Stabenow even adds another member to Johanna's troop - Tiphaine, the streetwise Venitian teenager who also doesn't have much to do once she joins the troupe. I felt all these pointless characters diluted the main story of Johanna and Jaufre.

It seemed remarkably easy to avoid the taxes and guilds in England and collect the wool fleeces for trading. Perhaps a more realistic plot would have shown the struggles of Wu Company to become established traders. Awfully convenient to have a smuggler's cove just waiting to be exploited, and an old smuggler currently looking for some younger partners.

Partway through, I actually set this book aside for a month or two and read several other more interesting books instead. But it became due at the library (no more renewals permitted) so I finished it to complete the trilogy. But this one is not as good as the first two books.

*** Warning - Spoilers below ***

I really hated the plot to kill Ambroise de L'Arete. Johanna is going to dive screaming beneath the hooves of Ambroise's war horse, and this will incite Night Wind to attack and kill Ambroise? Perhaps a more likely ambush would have someone armed with a crossbow step out of the woods and shoot him from behind? Firas is an Assassin! Why not use his special skills to safely dispatch Ambroise?

Nor could I believe that Félicien was actually a woman, yet none of Wu's company caught onto that fact despite living in close quarters - tents, camps, ship holds, on the road - for months. If Félicien was so famous for her singing voice, then why would she sing at all when traveling through lands near Ambroise's castle?

The rescue of King Edward II seemed bolted on to the end of the story. Mostly on a whim, Jaufre and Alaric decide to rescue the imprisoned King. This is an incredibly risky strategy, and there seems to be only the thinnest of reasons for undertaking such a task.

[annapi · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the end of book 2, Johanna and Jaufre have found their way to Venice, where Johanna hopes to meet her grandfather, Marco Polo. Book 3 details their adventures in the West, first in Venice, then later in England where Jaufre hopes to find out more about his father. They become embroiled in one trouble after another, and become entangled in the conflict between King Edward and his Queen Isabella, who seeks to take the throne.

The series comes to a quite satisfying conclusion after a full book of one interesting adventure after another. It's been a marvelous romp, with characters I've grown very fond of, full of pathos and humor. I've really enjoyed this series, and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A satisfying end to the story

If you've read the first two books of the Silk and Song trilogy, you'll read The Land Beyond regardless of what any review says. If you haven't read the first two books yet you are in for a treat. Each of the three books of this historical tale is a flawless gem. There is adventure, fearless warriors, treacherous villains, strong wise women and a diverse cast of characters. If you delight in reading a book that engulfs you, makes you get a lump in your throat, a tear in your eye, and a smile on your lips, you should read Dana Stanbenow's books.

[Clyde · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book completes Dana Stabenow's trilogy chronicling the adventures of Marco Polo's granddaughter, Johanna, as she crosses the Eurasian continent. And a good, exciting journey it has been with many trials, tribulations, and yes triumphs along the way.
Johanna's journey is now available in a single volume (Silk and Song Trilogy). Good for readers new to the series as it is really all one continuous story.
Solid 4 stars.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story in this series but, thanks to the author's writing quirks, I'm glad it's over. The language was boring and uninspired, and the characters exhibited remarkably little growth. But for historical fiction fans, the historical details make this a series worth trying.

[Shiela · Rating 3 out of 5]

The series ending book contributes nothing more interesting. A bit of a disappointment as I was hoping for this series to be more historical than romance. Nicely read but I would definitely recommend also having a written copy for the map and glossary.

[Jeannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great historical accuracy with a fabulous plot and memorable characters to carry it along. Great reading

[Katina stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally we make it to Venice! I thought it had the right amount of adventure and emotion. Liked the ending as well.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Meghan Schrumpf · Rating 4 out of 5]

The amount of detail in this series was amazing. I like all the author’s other series and wanted to give this series a try. Very different than the others but also enjoyable.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good fun.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the final book of what has been a very good adventure trilogy. I thought Johanna was an excellent heroine and enjoyed most of her travels. I didn’t like the Felicien story and by the end of the book I was really irritated with Jaufre.
Although there were some sections of the book that were a bit boring I was still desperate to follow Johanna’s adventures that I just skipped through these bits and kept going. I think the author was a bit ‘wimpish’ with Alma and Hayat’s story, but at least the whole story came to a decent conclusion.

[Patricia McKinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series. So sad that it is ended. Highly recommend.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the 3 book series full on historical views of Mongols, Venice and a heroine who is full of adventure.

[Laz the Sailor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful conclusion to a delightful series. Although there were several places where the story could have ended (Venice, Lyon, Chartres), the extended story allowed additional exploration of Europe in the Middle Ages (note the author stresses that she messed with the calendar and locations).

A few new characters are introduced, but mostly we travel with the troupe as they get into and out of trouble, all in the name of making a profit, or some such.

The writing is both beautiful and lyrical. As I said in the earlier reviews, this is more of a travelogue than a plot-driven story. The trilogy ends happily.

[Cathyo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Days after finishing this third book in the Silk and Song Trilogy, I find myself wondering what Johanna, Hari and Shasha are up to. Although Dana Stabenow tied the story up with a satisfying ending, I am still thinking about her characters. This is what she does so well. She tells a story that entertains me, teaches me, and leaves me with characters I care about long after I have closed the book. I loved the adventures and the journey I took with her characters through the three books in the trilogy. And truth be told, I am kind of sorry the journey and story has ended.

[Wrbill Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long Historical Adventure Concluded

Charming romantic adventure with several interesting characters and an intriguing historical and geographical setting the time of Marco Polo, or just after. Some readers may find it too long and intricate a series of adventures for the heroine and her friends, or may feel they have to wait too long for the hot sex! But be patient, it's coming.

[Nancye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series. I laughed, cried and sat on the edge of my seat reading to see what would be next. If you like historic fiction and strong female characters, you need to read the Silk & Song trilogy.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it, but Dana Stabenow rarely disappoints me!

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only problem I have with this trilogy is that I'm finished.
Au Revoir, Jaufre and Johanna and the rest of the Wu Company. I will miss you heaps.

[Mechteld Wapenaar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Loved it! Loved it! Loved the characters so much that I was sad when I finished the book.