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The First Americans #3
Forbidden Land
The spellbinding epic adventure of a time when mankind took its first steps and the icy wilds claimed the earth. Breathtaking, vivid, unforgettable—here is the third volume of the panoramic new series The First Americans which began with Beyond The Sea Of Ice and continued with Corridor Of Storms .
In this untamed prehistoric time, the great hunter Torka has led a group of survivors across a frozen sea. Now he is their proud headman, a leader who defies the old ways. For this, the will of the tribe turns against him—and he must act quickly to save his children from those who would see them killed. Together with his family and a small band of faithful followers, Torka and his wife Lonit strike out a dangerous journey to an unknown land feared by all men . . . the forbidden land. With supreme courage they will struggle against its savagery, its strange creatures and ancient mystical beliefs to build a future worthy of a noble people . . . worthy of Americans.
In this untamed prehistoric time, the great hunter Torka has led a group of survivors across a frozen sea. Now he is their proud headman, a leader who defies the old ways. For this, the will of the tribe turns against him—and he must act quickly to save his children from those who would see them killed. Together with his family and a small band of faithful followers, Torka and his wife Lonit strike out a dangerous journey to an unknown land feared by all men . . . the forbidden land. With supreme courage they will struggle against its savagery, its strange creatures and ancient mystical beliefs to build a future worthy of a noble people . . . worthy of Americans.
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
11 people are currently reading
549 people want to read
About the author
William Sarabande
22 books116 followersWilliam Sarabande is a pseudonym of Joan Lesley Hamilton Cline.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 23, 2013
Forbidden Land is the third book in the First Americans series. That means, if you haven't read the other two, you should turn back now. These are books that have to be read in order.
Having gone into the Corridor of Storms, Torka is now the headman of a small band. Because his ways are so different though, when his woman, Lonit, births twins and refuses to set them aside, the band turns against them. One child is taken out and left in the wilderness, where it is scooped up by the Wanawut (I still haven't figured out if this is a Bigfoot or Neanderthal), who the band considers a wind spirit. The other one they manage to hold on to, but are drove from the band with only a few other followers. Headed further East, they must trust in Life Giver, Torka's totem and a real life mammoth, to show them the way to better land.
Ok, first off, it took over a hundred pages before we figured out what happened to Zinkh, from the first book (actually I'm still not sure what happened to him, but that's when he's finally mentioned again). There were just new random names and no familiar ones, except for Torka's immediate band, and it was kind of disorienting. Torka is still proud, strong, and not always the best decision maker. Although he does do better in this book. Lonit kind of takes a back seat for most of this book. It seems she is resigned to raising children and not to independent thought, which is slightly disappointing. Cheanah, was a deplorable stupid man, and like most of Sarabande's bad guys, easy to dislike. And then there was Karana, he just had numerous problems this go around, and for being the wiseman, he wasn't very wise.
The plot was actually ok in this one. It covered several years and didn't rehash the events or borrow the same plotline from the first two books. There was still violence, rape, and a multitude of other sad things, but it wasn't as gleeful as in the first two books either. This time it was more focused on hunting and staying alive, although Cheanah had a particularly odious little son, and he created a lot of problems and violence. The usual description of everything else was there though and it made for nice steady reading. It's the kind of book you can dig into and then want more.
Which is why I'll be headed to the next book soon. I'm eager to find out what happens to Torka and his band.
Forbidden Land
Copyright 1989
431 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2013
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
Having gone into the Corridor of Storms, Torka is now the headman of a small band. Because his ways are so different though, when his woman, Lonit, births twins and refuses to set them aside, the band turns against them. One child is taken out and left in the wilderness, where it is scooped up by the Wanawut (I still haven't figured out if this is a Bigfoot or Neanderthal), who the band considers a wind spirit. The other one they manage to hold on to, but are drove from the band with only a few other followers. Headed further East, they must trust in Life Giver, Torka's totem and a real life mammoth, to show them the way to better land.
Ok, first off, it took over a hundred pages before we figured out what happened to Zinkh, from the first book (actually I'm still not sure what happened to him, but that's when he's finally mentioned again). There were just new random names and no familiar ones, except for Torka's immediate band, and it was kind of disorienting. Torka is still proud, strong, and not always the best decision maker. Although he does do better in this book. Lonit kind of takes a back seat for most of this book. It seems she is resigned to raising children and not to independent thought, which is slightly disappointing. Cheanah, was a deplorable stupid man, and like most of Sarabande's bad guys, easy to dislike. And then there was Karana, he just had numerous problems this go around, and for being the wiseman, he wasn't very wise.
The plot was actually ok in this one. It covered several years and didn't rehash the events or borrow the same plotline from the first two books. There was still violence, rape, and a multitude of other sad things, but it wasn't as gleeful as in the first two books either. This time it was more focused on hunting and staying alive, although Cheanah had a particularly odious little son, and he created a lot of problems and violence. The usual description of everything else was there though and it made for nice steady reading. It's the kind of book you can dig into and then want more.
Which is why I'll be headed to the next book soon. I'm eager to find out what happens to Torka and his band.
Forbidden Land
Copyright 1989
431 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2013
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
August 20, 2022
I really like the description and adventures from the way of living in the Ice Age, and the slow discovery of a new country and way of living. What I don't like, and where there is definitely too much of, is the description of rape and violence, just because some tribes apparently like that...
March 24, 2025
This is a fascinating story that takes place in an ancient time as people were beginning to travel over the Bering Land Bridge to populate the northern regions of the western hemisphere. The story follows a united tribe that had been formed from the remnants of other small tribes. Each brought their own cultures and beliefs which eventually brought about a conflict that causes one group to split away and travel to the Forbidden Land. The story follows three groups, the group that split off, the group that remained, and an unusual group that included a Sasquatch female, her daughter and a human boy that she raised from an infant when she found him abandoned in the wilderness. The connections between the three groups lead the reader to speculate how they might one day be reunited. My only fault with the book is the amount of time that is spent on the primal urges of the men which manifested itself in rape, incest and ceremonial coming-of-age rituals. If you can get by that you might find this to be an interesting speculation about the first humans to inhabit the Arctic regions of the New World.
October 19, 2021
Missed a little bit the details in this book, and a deepening of the characters like in the first 2 books. Also I am wondering a bit if so much rape is necessary. This question is haunting me a bit since book 2. It seems like the books can't do without and made me thinking: "oh no not again another rape or rapist..." The prehistoric theme I do like very much, so I will continue this series for now, but with every book I finish, I appreciate Jean M. Aul more. Sorry!
September 20, 2017
Third in the series. Follows same formula as the previous two: hero Torka must contend with rivals to his power, but he leaves rather than fights. Karana, the magic man, contends with real and imagined demons of his dead father. New character, Manaravak - Torka's son raised by a Bigfoot mother. Soap opera cave man romance. Characters are well developed.
June 25, 2018
What a disappointing mess.These books continue with graphic violence and rape scenes.Many of these seem gratuitous. She has totally assassin a wonderful character and thinks nothing of killing off many characters.Her inclusion of this ridiculous "Yeti" type character nobles the mind.
I am done with this series!
I am done with this series!
November 30, 2023
Joy and suffering.
I won't wax poetic here as frankly, nobody is going to read this that isn't already invested in this series.
That said, if you read the first two and enjoyed yourself, this book sets a whole new bar for the series.
Nothing is certain and everything is powerful in the Forbidden Land.
I won't wax poetic here as frankly, nobody is going to read this that isn't already invested in this series.
That said, if you read the first two and enjoyed yourself, this book sets a whole new bar for the series.
Nothing is certain and everything is powerful in the Forbidden Land.
January 6, 2022
Okay. This one sort of broke me.
Full of sadness and death...misunderstandings and love that just never breaks through. Lost babies.
In spite of it all, I really enjoyed this book. Karana's sacrifice, Mahnie waiting until her end for Karana to come back to her....
Full of sadness and death...misunderstandings and love that just never breaks through. Lost babies.
In spite of it all, I really enjoyed this book. Karana's sacrifice, Mahnie waiting until her end for Karana to come back to her....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2019
Great series
February 17, 2019
Okay but not as good as the first two.
January 5, 2020
Excellent third book of an excellent series.
October 24, 2020
I really enjoy this series. You have to both love and hate the characters.
May 10, 2021
Third in the series, I hope the bloodshed lessens in future instalments.
December 8, 2021
En esta tercera entrega se le va un poco la pinza con el espiritismo
January 4, 2022
Seemed a little rushed and disconnected, at the end, but still a FINE, fine continuation of this story. LOVING the entire series.
January 26, 2012
I just finished reading Forbidden Land: A Novel of the First Americans by William Sarabande. It was a good book. The ending was unexpected, but good. I'm going to take a break before reading the next book in the series. I'll probably read a couple of other books first. The book was a bit dark for my tastes... but I press onward with them. Hopefully the next one won't be so dark. Not too bad... my 4th book in 3 weeks time... I'm doing good towards my goal this year. Now on to figure out what to read next. I have so many books piled over here... I should really make a dent in them. :)
November 23, 2012
I enjoyed this book. Anyone fans of the Gear and Auel genre will find this book satisfys the same expectations. I love reading about prehistoric times and a well written story with full bodied characters makes it a page turner. There are 11 books in the First American series and I hope to be able to eventually read them all.
December 25, 2025
So far the best book of the series, lots of good character writing/development/relationships and a strong story and world-building to boot. I could've done with the amount of misogyny and such though.
Full review at: https://skybookcorner.blogspot.com/20...
Full review at: https://skybookcorner.blogspot.com/20...
January 23, 2009
This is the third installment of the (first americans saga) torka and lonit story. Like all things, live goes on. Now adventures began.
April 21, 2013
This was the best book in the series so far!!! The end of the book really picks in excitement and there is a very unexpected twist. I can't wait to start the next book.
September 4, 2013
I liked it.
December 2, 2015
The whole series is a great read. Hard to put down. Want to read it again.
Read
July 25, 2015Very good book...very descriptive!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews