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The Shelters Of Stone - The Earth's Children Series, Book 5
I'm glad that Auel continued the series, but this is my least favorite of the five. It is a huge book! But some of the magic that made the others so interesting is missing from this one. And the sex scenes are too overdone; like poorly written romance novels.
The Shelters Of Stone - The Earth's Children Series, Book 5
So I have read the Earth Children series a few times and I thought that this was a decent addition, but it has nothing on the first two books. I agree with the review that talk about how great it would be if Ayla and Jondalar had mediocre sex for once and if Ayla could become less of a godess. I kept waiting for the people in the book to proclaim Ayla The doni in person and build her a throne of gold. I did enjoy the Summer Meeting and seeing Ayla and Jondalar finally mate. A lot of people go on and on about how wonderful the historial descriptions are but personally I skip over them. I can't spend 20 pages reading about the color of a lake!!! All and all pretty good but not the best. I am looking foward to the 6th book and I hope we finally get to find out about what happens to Durc and the Clan.
The Shelters Of Stone - The Earth's Children Series, Book 5
Just not up to snuff compared with her previous books is what I found.I imagine it was hard for her to get back into the rhythm of writing after such a hiatus. While I enjoyed this 5th novel, I much preferred the first 4 as they seemed to flow one into the other.
The Shelters Of Stone - The Earth's Children Series, Book 5
I am typically more understanding and sympathetic towards authors and new books; however, I must say that this book was a disappointment. I felt as if I was reading the same chapter over and over. I even checked once to make sure I was on the right page, but Auel was just describing the Mother's Song once again. There are many very interesting, well-written, and well-researched parts of the book, but it is mostly a review of the past books and LONG descriptions of the same thing. Everyone knows how to cut and paste paragraphs, including Auel.
The Shelters Of Stone - The Earth's Children Series, Book 5
Like most devoted readers of this series I was waiting for this one--Ayala finally meets Jondular's family and the people of the Zelandonnii. I expected more drama & more subplots, especially with Marona, Jondular's jilted lover whom he left to go on his journey, with his brother Thonalan.On his retun, only a few words of greeting between Jondular and Marona. A high school prank played on Ayala turns out ok and Marona is hardly mentioned again, except for her thoughts towards both Jondular and Ayala at the Summer meeting.Also, Ayala is warmly accepted by his family within 3 days of meeting her. Out of 200 people-Marona and Laramar are the only 2 who dislike her????? UnrealI also found it tedious repeating everything--yes I can appreciate recounting Ayala's early life with the clan, her relationship with wolf and the horses, her acceptance to the Lion Camp, however once the reader is told this initally is it neccessary to recount it every few chapters?The fourth book, "the Plains of passage', i felt was a most boring read due to the lack of people, dialogue and conflict. Even Jondualr being captured by the Amazon was quick, and onward back to their trek across prehistoric Europe.This 5th one, should have had some strife--espaecially with Jondular's family being leaders of the Zelandonii, shouldn't have readily accepted Ayala after only knowing of her for 3 days, mainly based their recounting their journey, Ayala telling of her upbringing, making fire with firestones and sewing with the threadpuller. Though they are shown all of this and find their stories amazing, interesting, 'hard-to-imagine," I felt as leaders of this people, they should have kept their ready acceptance of Ayala contained for the family only-- They are aware of the prejudice towards the Flatheads. Even when being told of Ayala's upbringing with the clan, as leaders of this people, they should have given everyone in the ninth cave a chance to know Ayala without the use of theirinfluence of status.I felt, like with the Clan and the Lion Camp, everyone would have the opportunity to voice their opinions when it became time. Then everyone, including Jondular's family in their position of leadership,could vote for Ayala to be accepted as a member of the Zelandonii or if any objections,then Ayala could show whatever skill, be it with fire, her soothing tea, her sling to them, for approval. If not, she would be at the Summer Meeting after she is mated to Jondular.Because the story has Jondular's family and the Zelandonni people accepting of Ayala so readily and easily, I felt a new reader may also feel rushed into acceptance of Ayala-- Everything she does is wonderful! Ayala is right! Ayala is so skilled! The reader was innundated with the author's passion for the heroine without any sense of objectivity.
The Shelters Of Stone - The Earth's Children Series, Book 5
I didn't mind the repetition, it's years since I read the previous books. But from what I remember of those books, this was hugely disappointing.While on the positive side it was a substantial read, and doubtless as well researched as the previous novels, there were several irritants. Endless herbal tea. The ludicrous idea of a cro-magnon hippy craft cooperative. Jondalar's Elvis-in-Vegas white leather wedding suit (even Barbie's Ken would have baulked at that). It was also disappointing that we did not get news of Durc, though perhaps that will be in a future novel.Above all, given Ayla's wonderwoman-progress in earlier chapters, I was astonished that she had not invented electric lightbulbs, the internal combustion engine, and nuclear fission by the final page.