Ayla's been cast out of the Clan for good, leading to the simple but dramatic opening line "She was dead.". At least it wasn't "She woke up screaming.", a phrase that Auel repeats throughout the series to an annoying degree. But I digress. Ayla finds herself alone in a time where most living creatures really depended on pack mentality to survive. The instinct and sheer will to live that she so bravely fronts in the first book carries her through this existence. This book marks the turning point of the series into a romance. Pure and simple, if you are looking for historical fiction and social commentary, turn around and RUN. The banter between Jondahlar and Thonolan (who have the most silly names I have ever read, I think) is not the best example of dialogue, but anyone who is caught up by the idea of soul mates will be drowned in this book. That is, if they can make it past the pages-long descriptions of flint knapping.

Passably entertaining for historical fiction enthusiasts, entertaining for those who don't mind the occasional suspension of reality (no, really, it's possibly to tame not only a steppes horse, but a baby lion cub as well, and then to find your one true love...), and positively enthralling for romance fans who fall into the other two categories.

It's entertaining in a mindless sort of way. Ayla delves into some deep philosophical reasoning whilst on her own, but compared to book 1, this one's a little fluffy. I'll admit that I did get suckered by the budding romance.

Pages upon pages of descriptions of the steppe grasses, the process of flint knapping and preparing food, etc. Same moans I have for the rest of Auel's work. Dialogue wasn't great, which was surprising, because in Clan she conveyed nonverbal communication so well, with and without words.

Read the next one. I was hooked by the romance and the promise of new adventures.

I wanted to read the third. Auel has a way of promising big things with the hook of the last chapter.

Likes to show you how much she knows. She's done tons of research and boy does it show.

It's entertainment. You get caught up in Ayla's world, as realistic or unrealistic as it is.

It starts to get kitchy with Ayla and Jondalar's constant inventions (apparently they're the smartest people of their time...super heroes, some have said) and tedious with the descriptions. The erotic scenes are completely unnecessary, but forgivable.

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Created May 23, 2007 at 8:59pm • Submit your own review...