Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Some similarities, some differences, 10 Jun 2005
This volume of the story has a different tone than the other books do. There isn't the same tension and conflict as in the other books, since they have completed their Journey safely, and they are now committed to each other romantically, etc, and this gives the story a different, more relaxed tempo. There's still a mass of repetition, where the happy couple get to rehash all the things they've learned for the folks back home, and even though there are no Clan in this one, they are much talked about, and that means explanations of their memories--again, again. Ayla makes some enemies among her new people, but don't worry, she's still perfect, and the important people love her to death.
That said, I actually enjoyed this book, and more when I read it again recently after a few years. It's nice to have a slightly more in depth acquaintance with this group of people, like with the Mamutoi in the Mammoth Hunters, and it's nice to "meet" Jondalar's family, who have been hinted about since book nr. 2, and nice to know that these characters will continue to feature in the story, unlike all the other characters we've met up until now.
Ayla's wacky dreams and supernatural powers, which haven't said that much to me personally up to this point, begin to take a more central role in the story. Strangely enough, this is one area of Ayla's life that the author *hasn't* re-hashed and explained to death, and has chosen to let remain slightly mysterious, which makes it more effective now. As far as I know there is supposed to be a sixth book, and (SPOILER?) things seem to be pointing in the direction that number 6 will be concerned with our heroine's spiritual/shamanic development, and maybe some kind of reconciliation with the Clan? So despite the change of pace, I'm looking forward to the next installment.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Ok, but lacks the interest of the first few books.., 29 Jun 2003
By A Customer
I loved Cave of the Clan Bear when I first read it. I was amazed by the detail and research that had gone into creating Ayla's world. This book however seems to lack this, and although it's not bad, it isn't excellent. Auel treads familiar ground once gain and this becomes monotonous but this is somewhat counteracted by the vision of Jolondar's home. When Ayla and Jondalar return to the Zelandonni they find that many see Ayla sceptically. But her intelligence and beauty seem to win many around.
Although this book contains some really good parts i.e when Ayla is convinced that the boy's underwear she is wearing is suitable for the gathering and when they go hunting, the book is somewhat slower in pace. Also I would have expected Jondalor's personality to be explored more as all the books apart from The Mammoth Hunter's haven't tackled it. If however you are a fan of the first four, this book was well worth the wait as it is exactly what you would expect from these books.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
half of you are WRONG, 1 Jul 2007
I must admit that i didnt start reading this series until after the shelters of stone was released but i dont see that that would make any difference other than to make me annoyed at the repetition in this book since i had just read the others previously. However, while the CotCB will always remain my favourite, the shelters of stone comes in a close second. while i found the 2nd and 4th book quite slowly paced and ponderous at times, i did not find it so with this book. granted, there wasnt as much contention, fights and worry as perhaps there was in the previous 4 books - Ayla wasnt "on her own" and she wasnt facing backstabbing ppl - but this book is about her trying to fit in with a community for the long haul, about her developing spiritual powers (something that left me thirsting for another book), and about her trying to resolve her clan roots. there's no way on this earth that this is the last in the series. firstly it doesnt read as such and secondly, iv read numerous times that there will be a sequel, and even that a seventh is the one that is expected to end the series. I highly highly recommend this book in every respect - it has strong and interesting characters and a good plotline. While Ayla has finally found herself (taking away from the tension of previous books), her growing inner strength is awesome!!!! read it i tell ya!
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