The Endless Forest

Wilderness #6

by Sara Donati

A rich, passionate, multilayered portrayal of family strength and endurance from bestselling author Sara Donati In the spring of 1824, in the remote village of Paradise on the New York frontier, Nathaniel and Elizabeth Bonner celebrate a glorious reunion as their children return from far-off Lily and her husband from Italy, and Martha Kirby, the Bonners’ ward, from Manhattan. In the peace that follows a devastating flood, childhood friends Martha and Daniel, Lily’s twin brother, suddenly begin to see each other in a new light. But their growing bond is threatened when Martha’s estranged mother arrives back in Paradise. Jemima Southern is a dangerous schemer who has destroyed more than one family, and her anger touches everyone, as do her secrets. Has Jemima come to claim her daughter—or does she have other, darker motives? Whatever transpires, Martha, Daniel, and all the Bonners must stand united against the threats to both heart and home.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Historical, Historical Romance, Audiobook, Wilderness

626 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 15, 2009

About the author

Working on the next novel in the Waverly Place series. Looking for more information? Visit the wilderness universe wiki. Register to comment and participate in giveaways.

Sara Donati is the pen name of Rosina Lippi, also here on Goodreads because she writes too. All book reviews you'll find under Rosina's name.

Reviews

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series. I read it because I was a huge Diana Gabaldon fan, and I saw her recommendation on the cover of the first book in this series. However, I became a fan of this series based on it's own merits and the talent of the author, Sara Donati (Rosina Lippi). I won't waste anyone's time giving my own synopsis of the story, that is better done by the author. I do want to say that I appreciate the world and the characters created by Ms. Lippi, and that it was a pleasure to spend some time in their world. I came to love these fine people. Their joys were mine, and their heartbreaks inspired my tears. Technically speaking, I think the author has a great talent for pacing, for fine detail without being burdensome to the story, and for creating anticipation in her love stories. This serious was a joy to read, and it is one I'm sure that I will read again and again.

On my second read-through: Heaven's, I wish I could bottle Curiosity and Birdie and warp them into my world! These two characters are so fun to read.

If I have a criticism, it's that the story wraps rather abruptly. I would have liked another chapter or two to ease into the idea that the story is concluded. I would have loved to watch Lily, Simon, Nathaniel, Elizabeth, Curiosity, Daniel, etc. show their joy over the new baby. I would have liked to have a definitive answer as to what information Jemima was threatening Ethan with. I would have liked to have seen a little more between Ethan and Callie, just enough to know definitively if they would always bee just friends, or if there was hope that their relationship could grow into more. I felt that there were hints to both scenarios. I would have liked to know if Daniel did find some relief from the pain in his shoulder. I would have liked more from the Lake in the Cloud couples.

Still, with that said, isn't that the mark of a great series? The dissatisfaction in having to finally say goodbye to characters we have grown to love. I enjoyed this series even more the second time!

[Gail Amendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, where do I even begin? For the past two and a half months I have been on an epic journey with the Bonner family. I first started this series largely because it was recommended by Diana Gabaldon, and many reviewers have compared it to her Outlander series. It is similar, in that it is very well written romantic historical fiction, with very strong, well developed characters. It even makes reference to a couple of the characters in the Outlander books in the first book of the series. I soon set aside my comparisons to Outlander, however, and just enjoyed the journey for what it was. Spanning over thirty years in the life of this family, it covers several generations and a great deal of US history, and is a true epic.

This final book in the series brings all the Bonner children back to their family home in up-state New York. Several years have passed since the last book, and there is much catching up to do, which is helped by a very cleverly done prologue. We get to know the younger Bonners, while at the same time catching up with some of the well loved older characters who have been largely absent from the last couple of books. One of the great things about a long series is that we have a very large cast of very well developed characters by the end. Without going into any detail, I will just say that most of the loose ends are tied up, and we are left with a happily ever after feeling, although the epilogue lets us know that all is not perfect. There is a romance or two, and I have to say that Sara Donati has gotten better and better at writing romance as this series has gone on. With this final novel she has finally mastered the sex scene. I felt her sex scenes were a little awkward in the first couple of books, but she definitely has the right idea now....perhaps she got some advice from her friend Diana Gabaldon.

I have to say that I am going to really miss the Bonners and their extended family and friends. Sara Donati has created some really great characters. I love that there are so many strong women in this series, as well as several men that I could easily fall in love with. Don't tell my husband, but I think I am in love with Daniel Bonner. And I would so love to sit down for tea with Elizabeth and Curiosity, and enjoy a visit with Jennet and Hannah. Since it does appear that Sara Donati really intends this series to be over as she really hasn't left any room for a sequel, I can only hope that she starts another series and brings us more great characters in the future.

Now, I guess I will have to go back to reading other books by other authors, which shouldn't make me sad, but right now it kinda does.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 6th and final book in the Wilderness series by Sara Donati. Since it was the last one, I wasn't expecting any great adventure and I was right. It was a 'sum it all up' type book. I didn't like the epilogue at all. I didn't like the sudden need for profanity in this when there was hardly any in the previous books. I didn't feel Martha's and Daniel's sex life needed to be drug out multiple times...there was just so much repetition in that. I didn't like how all the men share the same bedroom voice and how all the women shared the same one as well (except Jennet). I didn't like the 10 year gap from where the last one left off.

So why 4 stars....well, I can't help it. I enjoyed this series. Is it the best series...NO. But it was highly entertaining and I loved the characters and the time period. I also liked the 'sum it all up' nature of this one because I don't like loose threads. I just didn't care for the epilogue. That was a little disappointing. But still....4 stars.

[BrandyD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an AMAZING series! I just loved it, and the characters were simply fantastic. I confess, however, I didn’t read the epilogue because I don’t want to know the fate of these lovely people. (I’ve seen reviews that state the epilogue explains when characters died, etc.)
I don’t often do rereads but this series is worthy. I’ll probably read again in ten years or so.

[Kd · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a finish!!! At least I am assuming this is the last in the series. All the loose ends were tied up in the last few pages and in such a unique way. When our library acquired Queen of Swords and paperbacks of all the previous books in the series, I knew it was time to reread the whole set, especially since I had been waiting to read the 'Fire' one. Two weeks and many late nights later,I was finished with all that had been published so far and waiting for 'Forest'. This week it came to the library and what a time I had! Reading all the previous books had kept the details, politics and characters straight in my head and the action never slowed.

In a perfect world, I could read on and on and on. Perhaps a diet of Donati, Dunnett, and Gabaldon over and over with some chick lit and young adult filler, and a Parker, Child, Coban or Hamilton thrown in for good measure. Oh and Robin Hobbs SF for frosting.It's a cliche but so true "So many books, so little time"

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the following, posted by the author, on Amazon.com:

I am Rosina Lippi, aka Sara Donati, author of the Wilderness series. If you've come here because you are wondering about a book in the series called "Journey's End" please note: there is no such book. The sixth book in the series is called "The Endless Forest" and that is available here on Amazon for preorder. Journey's End was a working title that somehow (mistakenly) found itself way onto Amazon, but I don't seem to be able to get them to take it down. In summary: there is no book in the series called "Journey's End" -- there never was, so it can't be out of print.

The next (sixth) book in the series is "The Endless Forest"

If you have other questions, please visit my weblog at http://rosinalippi.com/weblog

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for the third time. May 20117
*******************************************

I don't think that I've ever read a series of books that I fell in love with so many of the characters in the series. The strong women and the even stronger men who love them makes me happy. Nathaniel. Simon. Luke. Daniel. Lily. Hannah. Elizabeth. Courisity. Even young Birdie is fast becoming one of my fav's.
____________________________________________________________

This is the last book of the Bonner Family by Sara Donati and I can tell you my heart is sad that the family story of the Bonner family is over.

The story picks back in Paradise, New York and the whole Bonner Family is reunited after many years of separation and Nathaniel and Elizabeth are thrilled to have everybody back.

Lily and Simon are home from touring Europe. They have been trying to have children but with no success.

Luke and Jennet are home with all their children and Jennet is expecting again.

Hannah and Ben haven't left Paradise and are raising their family. Hannah is now the doctor in this small town.

Daniel is trying to recover from his experience during the war and is living alone in Strawberry Fields.

Gabriel has married his childhood friend and sweetheart Annie.

and the youngest Bonnier "Birdie" is only 10 and trying to follow all their lives the best she can.

A horrible flood hits Paradise just as the family is reunited and they must all pull together to continue their lives. When the Bonners come back from getting Simon and Lily they bring back Nathaniel's ward Martha Kirby. Her horrible mother Jemima has come back and ruined her pending marriage and she has come home to try and piece her life back together again. Her life takes a turn yet again, when she meets Daniel after all these years and the two of them find a connection that neither was expecting but both of them need.

Jemima makes a return to Paradise and everybody's life is turned upside down by her arrival.

I can't tell you how much I love the characters. Every single one of them grow in your heart. I'm sad the story is ending because I could have continued to follow this family for ever. The men are the way men are suppose to be and the women are strong and know what they want and how to love.

I ended up reading the last few pages of the book (which is something I NEVER do) but I had to find out what was happening in the story. So when I read the end of the book in it's completion, I started to cry all over again. My heart broke on how some the characters stories ended but overall I think Sara finished the series off in great fashion.

I'll miss all the Bonner Family. This is one of the best series I've ever read.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this series in 2016 and have no regrets about dragging it out as long as I possibly could. Six books, 4,421 pages and I have enjoyed every page with the Bonner Family and the friends that surround them. Do not let the page count scare you or distract you. I promise you will get so swept away by the story you will have to set limits in evening, or find self weary eyed every morning, as I did.

The series begins in 1792 when Elizabeth Middleton arrives to teach school in the mountains of upstate New York, and book 6 finishes in 1844. A true family saga that begins and ends with the love story of Elizabeth Middleton and Nathanial Bonner.

I have said it before, I will say it again: If you like the Outlander Series, you will like this one as well. If you don't trust me, trust Gabaldon-she recommends it herself.

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Endless Forest” is the sixth and final book in Sara Donati’s Wilderness series of historical fiction. The story takes place some years after the events depicted in the previous book, “The Queen of Swords”. We are back in Paradise again and Lily and Simon return home accompanied by Elizabeth, Nathaniel and Luke, Jennet and their children. They also bring with them Martha Kirby, Jemima’s daughter who has been living in Manhattan all this time and who returns somewhat indifferently to the land of her childhood. Martha has been jilted by her fiancé and as she returns to Paradise, she carries with her the dread of her mother’s inevitable return. The travellers arrive home to a Paradise that has been devastated by a late winter flood. As the town rebuilds, the Bonner family reconnect with each other and old wounds bleed open as Jemima also returns.
“The Endless Forest” is a largely gentle read. Much of the high drama that fills the other books in the series is gone, replaced by the careful drawing together of the narrative threads of the series. It is a fitting ending to a rich and heavily textured story. The characters are written with such tenderness and love and although it is almost a relief to be back to the familiarity of Paradise and the well known characters such as Elizabeth, Nathaniel and Curiosity, this book is really about the younger Bonners. In particular, Daniel, who comes out of his self-reclusion and back into the fold of his family and Martha, who has to rediscover who she is if she wants to be more than her mother’s daughter. Ms Donati’s skill as a story teller is largely in her ability to create characters whose layered complexities reflect the essence of lived experiences. While most of the series has had as its themes, the clash of cultures, the struggle of women for independence from their traditional roles and living beyond what society expects of oneself, this novel shifts slightly away from this and has at its heart, the question of family, what it means, and how we are bound by family.
It is not often that the final book in a series lives up to the promise of the first book but this one does. From its start, where Curiosity leads you into the story to its final pages as we travel through years to see what happens to Paradise and the Bonners in years to come, this book is very much like coming home, sinking deep into an old familiar chair, lifting your feet up and nestling them under you, cocooned from the rain outside. Readers will miss the Bonners but will hopefully be rewarded with more by Sara Donati in the future.

[AJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright so call me naive but I like stories that are all wrapped up happily ever after. I floated through this book on a cloud of happiness, loving the stories of the Bonner clan all together at last, everything coming together nicely for the characters we have followed for six books and then WHAM - the Epilogue! I know that people die, but after loving these characters for so long, I really didn't want to know about it. Thankfully there were some happy hightlights in there as well but I must confess it did dull the shine on the whole story for me.



With that complaint out of the way though, I do love this series. Donati really knows how to create a leading man! Through these books I have fallen in love, in turns, with Nathaniel, Luke, Simon, Ben and now Daniel. I love their conversations and the teasing relationships they have with their respective love interests. I especially love the scene in this book where, sensing trouble, Nathaniel comes striding up the hill with all the boys behind him - I can just picture it! Why can't real men be like that?



I recommend these books to fans of Diana Gabaldon or anybody interested in romantic historic fiction. Thanks Sara Donati!

[Merryn Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect end to a perfect series. Gosh I’ll miss these characters and this setting, they’ve consumed my thoughts for months. Can’t wait to devour everything Sara Donati has written.

If you’re looking for something to read you must give book one a go - I’m so thankful I pulled an old tattered copy out of a little neighbourhood library in Sydney all those years ago.

[Jrobert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very disappointed in this book. Queen of swords was excellent in this series so I was excited to have the next adventure. This book was long, boring, full of sex and ridiculous filler. The book is 600+ pages and I’d say the epilogue was the best part. She could have skipped this book completely tagged the epilogue to Queen of swords and moved right onto The Gilded Hour. Not worth the time I spent reading this one. Glad it is finally over.

[Kaity ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The end of one of my favorite series’ ever!! I savored this series for over two years. I loved it so much. This series had everything I wanted. I’ll miss the Bonners and all of the characters of Paradise. This book did wrap things up nicely; I LOVE Birdie! Martha and Daniel were lovely and I’m happy they both found their happiness. Nathaniel and Elizabeth… One of my most favorite couples of any book I’ve read. I’ve missed them being the main focus from the early books but seeing their legacy made me happy. They built so much together. I just love them all. The ending made me cry, I didn’t want it to end and I wish we could have gotten chapters about some of the events mentioned but it was good anyway. I’m going to miss this series but I’m ao happy to have read it. ❤️

[Delta · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the sixth and final book in the series that started with Into the Wilderness. At the outset this is meta-fiction/ historical fiction the son of Hawkeye from The Last of the Mohicans and Elizabeth Middleton, a Jane Austen character, meet and fall in love.

Now it’s thirty years later and this novel is mostly concerned with their grown children and grandchildren. Martha, who is the villain Jemima’s daughter, falls in love and marries Daniel (Elizabeth & Nathaniel’s son) who lost the use of his arm in book #4 during the War of 1812. Lily, Daniel’s twin has come back from ten years in Europe to have her first baby. Evil Jemima returns with a sweet-tempered slightly developmentally delayed son. And then she leaves him in Paradise. Birdie, Elizabeth & Nathaniel’s youngest daughter, accompanies her sister Hannah, the doctor, on her rounds, and sees her town and large extended family for what it is: a too long, too complicated Romance novel that I am glad to be done with.

[~*~JenJenBoBin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-Read 10/15 ... the Epilogue still made me cry the second time around *sniffle*

"5 Stars!!"

“I have loved the stars too well to fear the night.
~Elizabeth Middleton Bonner”


WOWZA!!! What a great story!!!! I am super bummed it's over :( These books are a must read for anyone that loves a good book action, adventure, history and romance all rolled into one... amazing characters and the settings are written so well I almost felt as if I was there. I really enjoyed this last installment as it was a WHOLE book that took place in Paradise in the Endless Forest with the Bonner Clan. The epilogue slayed me though .... I will say you need a box of kleenex for that so be warned!

Sara if you should happen to read this and want to write some about the Bonners I would be happy to buy it! :)

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the final episode in the Into the Wilderness series, this book didn't disappoint one bit. It had as much of everything in it as the previous five. From 1792 - 1828 The characters who were born and grew up, the adults who have grown older or died over the period since the beginning of the first book. The village of Paradise and the Bonner family of Lake in the Clouds on the Hidden Wolf mountain have survived despite everything, and now the final confrontation that everyone knew was coming arrives in Paradise. The book doesn't come to a conventional end, the epilogue consists of a series of advertisements, announcements and obituaries in the newly founded village newspaper over the course of the next years. I don't often get emotional enough for tears whilst reading, but I dissolved at reading these final bits of "news" until I had used several tissues! I have no doubt I will read this series again eventually, even though I now know what happens. I feel I know these characters and I'm sorry to leave them.

[Julie Hartjes · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to complete a series I loved. This last book was very good. Tied up the loose ends. I will miss this family and the families touched by them. I'm kind of sad...

Some opinions of mine regarding book 6...I wish there had been more of the Gabriel/Annie story. I would have loved to have known more of their story from friendship to marriage. The 2 Elizabeth/Nathaniel daughters, Lily and Birdie, were not my favorite characters. Lily did grow on me, but Birdie was an annoying girl and very much a busy body.

This whole series was amazing!

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a master storyteller and I think Sara Donati has done it. This is the sixth and last book of the Into The Wilderness series. Curiosity was so full of wisdom she was my favourite character, Nathaniel and Elizabeth were the pillars of the community over all these five books. The epilogue in this book was extremely satisfying. If you loved Diana Gabaldon, you would love these books.

[Staci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m sad to be finishing this series. I loved how the author tied up so much with the characters at the end of this one. I would recommend this series to any fan if historical fiction. It is absolutely worth the time and effort.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

ENDLESS FOREST ends the saga of the Bonner family and the series that started with INTO THE WIlDERNESS. The series opens in the 1790's and runs to a conclusion (in the ENDLESS FOREST)in the 1840's. The story takes place in colonial New York north of Albany at the edge of the endless forest. Through all the trials and tribulations of the Bonner family and friends you will travel a number of places, including Scotland, Canada, "the west", Florida, New Orleans and more. When they go off to war, as some of them must, you will go along with them too, and return back home with them battered and bruised and sometimes worse to nurse your wounds in the comfort of their family, the Bonners and the villagers of Paradise.

The Endless Forest opens with a natural disaster that throws the village of Parasdise into turmoil, and that begins the story. Often through Birdies (the youngest of Elizabeth and Nathaniel Bonner) eye you learn of the goings on with Daniel, Martha, Callie, Ethan and others. Jemima returns to wreak her havoc; Curisoity so wise and strong is still there to lend a hand when necessary; and the Little People are there to give us a glimpse of the generations to come and put a smile on our face. Through it all Elizabeth and Nathaniel remain the backbone of the family. Marriages, rebuilding, the orchard, a court hearing, births and deaths............all part of this wonderful conclusion to one of the best books series on the market. The author, Ms. Donati, finished this wonderful book and outstanding series with one of the best epilogues I've had the privledge of reading. If you are a fan of her books, you will be sad to see it come to an end but oh so thrilled to have been a part of it.

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful conclusion to the Into the Wilderness series takes place in 1824 Paradise, New York, a small but growing village which, due to the author's descriptive writing, almost becomes a character in and of itself. The Bonners, Donati's multilayered, fictional family come alive in this story, both as individuals and as a family unit. The result is a terrific narrative with a very satisfying resolution of previous storylines. I will miss these books, but see myself going back to revisit.

[Erin McDonnell-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one and the fifth one felt forced in it's writing, as if Donati was trying to wrap up the story too aggressively.

This story was comforting because all of the Bonner's returned to Paradise for the first time in three books. However, I'm still struggling with how she decided to end the series with the epilogue. Would it have been better to let all readers use their imagination to determine the fate of all the Bonner's, or should we have been so invested throughout the series (like I was) to want to know how everyone survived, grew, or passed away?

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I'd give it 4, but I was almost offended about the epilogue. I couldn't finish it.
I know I am missing out on key information, but it was too abrupt!
If a character is going to die I want go through the process and experience the setting and circumstances, not read about it in "the newspaper". Especially all these wonderful characters that I've just spent months with, reading these 5 epic novels.
I'd rather imagine the Bonner Clan living happily ever after at Lake in the Clouds and in Paradise, NY for eternity.

[Jeanne Gehret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author inspires me.

[Jennifer Sakash · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfying conclusion to this series that I enjoyed at least as much as "Outlander". There are many similarities between the two series, but strongest of all is the fierce protectiveness of their own and loyalty to clan - through blood or other ties. A simple and appropriate way to finish the book (and series), finding out what happens to all the characters and coming full circle. I will miss and remember these characters.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the whole series and especially the development of characters. The environment and village itself become characters relevant to the story line. The characters travel to other places but ultimately are rooted and nurtured in Paradise. This is the last in the series and the way it concluded left me pleased and satisfied. Having the conclusion be in the form of newspaper articles was quite clever.

[Jim Graczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series - almost sorry to be finished with it. I like the way it using newspaper entries to take it into the future and in that way put closure to most of the characters. Anyone that likes Outlander should like this. Plenty of depth in the characters, of which there are many. There are lots of strong women characters.

[Sara Giacalone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great series, and much more than a "knockoff" (or fan fiction) of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. I admit I was put off by the mention of Red Jamie and the White Witch in the first one (Into the Wilderness) and wondered if I would enjoy this series, despite it's relatable characters and strong story. After six books (a couple in the middle were a tad less interesting, I admit), I really loved the last two in the series, including this one. She writes well, with loving historical detail and creates emotional depths in which the reader becomes immersed. Highly recommended!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sorry to see the end of this series. 6 books telling us the story of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Bonner and all their offspring and drama along the way. Wonder why no one has ever turned this in to a TV series? It would be a good one.