Rating: 
Summary: SHELTERS OF THE STONED
Review: Yawnzzzz. It took me a month to read this book... waiting for something to happen. It never did. Perhaps one should read it when stoned. Perhaps Ayla and company ate too many magic mushrooms and became too lethargic to actually do anything exciting. Like Zillions of other Auel fans, I waited 12 long years with breathless anticipation for this book, having thoroughly enjoyed the previous four. Thank goodness I did not pay the R260 for the hardcover. I eventually borrowed it from the library. Twelve years to write a book? I'm afraid it shows. I fully agree with Reader from Canada (April 2003) and his critique. All the no-nos of writing a good novel. Says it in a nutshell. And like another reader mentioned, it was asif someone else had written the book. I just think Jean Auel got so wrapped up in her own life, and kinda lost interest in Ayla and her clan. It seems it was just re-hashed verbiage dashed off to fill out a book. It really was such a disappointment. What bored me was the continual references, ad nauseum, to the happenings in the other books. Told over and over to whoever asked. Surely Auel must have known that the zillions of fans have read her other books, and any newcomers would then also read the other books to catch up. We didn't have to be told things all over again and again. It was like a tired soap opera. I'm not surprised that even Wolf got bored and ran away a few times..... Boring to have to read all the "introductions" of each person. That must have filled up the book by about ¼ at least. And Ayla's general lack of interest in healing plants etc. I won't even speak about the graphic sex scenes, which seemed to me asif the author thought, "oh ok, it's expected, we'll drop a descriptive sex scene in here..." To me it didn't add to the book, it jarred in fact. If I want to read about sex, I'll buy a suitable book. And sure, Auel's research is phenomenal. She proved it in her last 4 books, but the research was introduced in such a manner that it all flowed, and was therefore readable and interesting. In this book, every time you were told "something new", it was like being hit in the face with a wet fish. The research was obvious. Another no-no of good writing. Your research should not "show", but "flow" and be part of the story. There was no plot, there was no drama. And there was so much potential!! I kept on waiting for and expecting a confrontation with the "flatheads". Lots of potential for drama there, if it were more fully explored. Or with the resident ½ breeds. A lot could have happened. How about Ayla going off in a huff, being driven off by unkind words or actions. Jondolar could have gone after her. There could have been drama between the people and the animals. I expected it, but nothing. Such wonderful acceptance! So boring! One almost wishes for another earthquake..... I am just sorry that this book did not come up to expectations. I still think Auel is a brilliant writer, when she puts her mind to it. There is another book in the pipeline? Oh dear, after this one I'm not sure if I want to read it now. What are the chances that it will be better than this one? I will, however, re-read the first 4 books of the "Earth's Children" series. Brilliant, especially Clan of the Cave Bear. The first 4 in the series are way better than anything else I've read in the same genre. To the readers who actually LIKED this book, well, I suppose, "different strokes for different folks." And to Jean Auel I say, "You can do it again girl, just cut out all the psychobabble and get back to basics!"
Rating: 
Summary: Close to 10 years waiting -- for this??????
Review: I first read Valley of the Horses when I was 11. Then I discovered it was a sequel, and found Clan of the Cave Bear a couple of years later. From that moment on, I was a dedicated adorer of the Earth's Children series. Yes, I admit the Mammoth Hunters was more in the style of Barbara Cartland... and I was sad about that, but the rest of that book was so good, the whole jealousy story faded into the background. Jean Auel redeemed herself in Plains of Passage and with glee, I devoured it. Ten years later, after uncounted queries at booksellers as to when the new book was going to be released, Shelters of Stone appeared on the shelves. You can imagine my joy. I purchased the hardback, and sat down after making many special preparations as if it would be a religious experience... I have never been so disappointed in a book in my life. Shelters of Stone was slow, dry, and provided me no incentive or motivation to keep me reading on except for a vain hope of it getting better (and perhaps my undying loyalty to one of my all time favourite authors). I am so sad to say it! But when the last page was turned, and the trudging storyline came abruptly to an end, I was left feeling like I worked very, very hard for nothing. I could pick up the next book in the series (yet to be released) without ever having read Shelters of Stone, and would have missed nothing. I am sorry to say it, but I feel as if after ten years of chomping at the bit for the next installment of my favourite series of books, I was sorely let down by a story that felt as if it must been a struggle for the author to write. I love you Jean, but I'm sorry... this book was not at all to your standard. I hope the next one will be better... I'm counting on it, and I'll be first in line to buy it.
Rating: 
Summary: Way better than her last effort
Review: Having read the whole series.... book 1 ROCKED, book 2 was not bad... book 3 was cheesy.... book 4 was a bore, book 5 however seems to be getting back on track and is on par with book 2. Ms. Auel has this nasty habit of repeating everything so much that you have the feeling its to compensate for lack of inspiration. Lady, if we've gotten to book 5 all we need is a reminder (think flat heads) you don't have to tell us everything all over again, and DEFINITLY not more than once per book. That and between book 2 and this book, the sex scenes were coming on so hard and fast that you had the feeling it was because she couldn't think of anything better to write. Thankfully, while we do get the occational sex scene in this book, we also get the "jondaler made love to ayla for all the rest of that night." rather than 15 pages of blow by grunt detail. Instead, in this book, Ms auel is at least ATTEMPTING to integrate detail reviews into the story line rather than simply dumping paragraphs from previous books on us yet again, and has begun developing some new characters... although the repetitive nature of some of those with previous characters is a little annoying. Clearly, while a much better effort than her last two, this book is NOT on par with Clan of Cave Bear, although fans of Alya will be placated.
Rating: 
Summary: Loved it
Review: Better than the 4th. As good as the first three. Worth the wait. Thoroughly enjoyable. Wish some of these other reviews didn't contain spoilers. And one of them seems to be about Plains of Passage! Travel journal? Sex scene every chapter? That's not Shelters of Stone!
Rating:
Summary: Tedious, repetitive, and disappointing
Review: I really enjoyed reading all of the preceeding books in the Earth's Children series. So when I saw this book at my public library, I checked it out immediately. Unfortunately, this book is not the same as the quality of the series I remember. Throughout the book there are many details about prehistoric lifestyle and environment. I appreciate the amount of research that went into creating an accurate depiction of the time. However, it slows the pace of the book down to a crawl. Long narratives that are unimportant to the plot occur every 5 to 10 pages. Some explanations are described over and over again. The book is filled with repetitive text on medicines, hunting technology, and lengthy formal introductions of the umpteen unimportant characters in the story. I dislike having my "hand held" while reading a story, and too much is explained and not enough is left to the reader's imagination and intelligence. Only a few new major characters are introduced in this book, and not enough time is spent fleshing them out and exploring their relationships with each other. Only a few minor events occur in the lives of Ayla and Jondalar, the main characters in the book. The character of Ayla does not seem as believeable as she once was. She is tall, blonde, beautiful, has super-human hearing and sight and she is stronger than most men. She knows more than the tribal elders, and has invented fire, animal taming, and new medicines. Jondalar is tall, blond, handsome, and strong. He's smart and caring, he's invented the spear thrower and has a big ---- to boot. Come on! Stop pulling our legs! Their trials and tribulations now are nothing compared to the physical and mental abuse they had to endure when they were young. Ayla was very believeable and evoked much sympathy when she was first introduced in Clan of the Cave Bear. Now, she is like the Queen of the Senior Prom and she must put up with some teasing from her less popular classmates. If you liked the previous books in the series for their prolific and superfluous erotic scenes, you will also be disappointed. Perhaps it is because I have aged 10+ years since I last read the books, but these scenes seemed to be only roughly sketched out and hastily tacked on to oblige the readers who appreciate these scenes. My advice is to read only the first 3 books and stop. Get the Cliff's Notes for the other two books. You won't miss much.
Rating:
Summary: I was a teenager when the previous books
Review: I was a teenager when the previous books were published and enjoyed reading them in secrecy (my parents didn't really approve such hot stemming sex scenes for their already full of hormones teenager....
English isn't my mother's tongue so I guess it took me a little longer to read it....I actually canceled a shift at work cuz I just could't stop reading. As roman romantic as it is I just love those characters so much. I suppose we would all like to have a little more ayla or jondalar in us. The beauty, the strength, the freedom and off course the passionate love are making me think off stories and writers who create kind of parallel worlds created so smartly and with so much knowledge.
Rating:
Summary: Hugely disappointing!
Review: One star is half a star too many. We waited over ten years for this book and paid full price for the hardcover as soon as it came out. What is up with that looong boring song being printed over and over in it? The book could have been half as long without that. And as far as the story, the previous books hint that Ayla's child is going to be a boy and that there will be some sort of confrontation between her two sons. No chance of that happening judging by the ending...
Rating: 
Summary: Good book (but wait for the paperback !!!!)
Review: "The Shelters of Stone" is the 5th book in the "Earth's Children Series". In this book, the story of Ayla and Jondalar continues. Ayla is a young Cro-Magnon cavewoman raised by Neanderthals, who are despised by the Cro-Magnon. Her story begins for us in "The Clan of the Cave Bear", where Auel tells us about Ayla's life with the Neanderthals. Personally,I didn't like that book (Ayla was very unhappy, and she wasn't treated well by the people who raised her when her parents died, except maybe for Iza and Creb), but I know that it might be good to read it before the others, as it provides a good setting for the story. In "The Valley of Horses" (2nd book in the series) Ayla lives alone after being expelled from her Clan (she was cursed and pronounced dead!!!). There she meets Jondalar, a handsome Cro- Magnon she saves from death (read it, and then tell me what you think about the idea of having a lion called "Baby" as a pet !!! :) ). In the third book of the series, "The Mammoth Hunters", Ayla and Jondalar meet more people like them (something completely normal to Jondalar, but very strange to Ayla, who had thought she was an anomaly). Ayla's powers as a healer are tested (as it is her relationship with Jondalar), and she also earns respect because of her shamanistic and hunting abilities. She overcomes the prejudices aroused because she was reared by the "flathead" (Neanderthals), and end up with the affection of her new friends. Despite liking the mamutoi, Ayla and Jondalar eventually start again they journey to Jondalar's home. Their adventures are told to us in the 4th book of these series, "The Plains of passage". Finally, we have this book, "The shelters of stone", where Ayla and Jondalar arrive to Jondalar's home. We are told many things, for example what does Ayla have to cope with in a new environment. However, on the whole the zelandoniis gave her a good welcome (except some that are not really important, as
Marona, Jondalar's jilted fiancée, who he didn't love enough to marry). Ayla has to deal again with prejudice against the clan, but she is able to do so (in some degree due to Jondalar's love for her, in some degree due to her guts and the respect she commands for her peculiar abilities as a healer and regarding animals). I really like all these books (except for the first). Even though some reviewers hate the fact that Auel gives (and repeats) too many details regarding the period (she is an anthropologist), I don't particularly mind that. I believe that gives these books and aura of authenticity they wouldn't have otherwise. In my opinion, the "Earth's Children Series" is highly original, and gives everybody an opportunity to "visit" the Ice age (I'm quite eager to read the 6th book!!!). On the other hand, the price for this book (the 5th) is just too high, so my recommendation would be: read it, but try to wait for the paperback :)
Rating:
Summary: Not the best in the series
Review: I did not enjoy this book as much as I liked the others in the series. It seemed to be a bit choppy, and did not have a definitive ending point, like the others did. There were loose threads and unresolved conflicts that needed answers, obviously leading into the next book, but it seems a cheap ploy to entice readers to continue the series. The other books all ended in ways that made you want to find out more, but were still satisfactory endings, not unresolved situations. I agree with one reviewer who said something about Jondalar's worries about the acceptance of Ayla by his people because of her clan past was unfounded. It seemed not to be that big of a deal to anyone, and wasn't there someone who was supposed to be part Clan who was J's cousin or distant relation or something? (Can't remember the name, it has been awhile since I read it.) He was obviously around before J. left on his long journey, so what was the big deal with Ayla? Did J's people change that much in the 5 years he was gone? Not a bad read, overall, but a bit choppy, probably overly long and drawn out as one reviewer mentioned, and as one of my friends who read it said, it's a bit like prehistoric soap opera.
Rating:
Summary: Is there an editor in the house??
Review: Basic writing courses teach new writers certain rules for creating great stories. Auel breaks many of them. 300 pages in, the book has become hard slogging.
The worst sin is info-dumping: research makes your setting realistic but there is a balance between using enough detail to make it vivid, and simply dumping in all the information you gathered. This entire book is an info-dump: speculating on prehistoric life is interesting, but Auel would be better suited as an archaeology professor than a novelist. The description of the landscape, the orientation of this river bank with that cave with respect to that outcrop, got so involved that I failed to form much of a mental image at all. (In contrast, Tolkien's description of Middle Earth, another complex fictional world, left me with vivid images of the scenery that I can still remember as if they were real, & he didn't weigh the plot down with them.) Auel even goes so far as to explain what "left" & "right" banks mean on a river. The infodumps are awkward: the author lectures, the characters lecture each other, and sometimes the characters even lecture themSELVES: "Ayla knew that this particular plant was used for... 'and this one is good for....' she thought..." It takes 60 pages for an "extra" to [end life] & be buried, so that Auel can explain the culture's funeral rituals. Anything you spend a lot of time on should be important to the plot; this isn't. The action stops again while we go on a tour of cave paintings, probably a thinly disguised report of Auel's own tour. It takes 8 pages to wash a baby. This minutiae of detail turns the book into a literary version of a prehistoric "Big Brother" program: we watch people sit around talking about nothing for hours. Why are there so many discussions about tea? Did Auel put one in every time she stopped for a cuppa?
Viewpoint: she is into the head of every character she introduces (even the wolf!), and they frequently think the same things. Every time a minor character meets Ayla they think about her "exotic accent". Ok, we got that.... The scattering of viewpoint, in the same scene & even in the same paragraph, is a basic writing no-no, & results in a lack of attachment to any character. We don't feel strongly connected to anyone, therefore we don't really care.
Rehash: imagine writing a story about someone who sailed around the world, had lots of exciting adventures, met interesting people, learned about their culture, etc. The story ends as he sails into his home harbour, the end of a great adventure. But THEN, you write a sequel in which he meets all the people who want to hear where he's been & what he's done, & you report all his conversations with these people, verbatim, & of course he tells some of the stories several times to different people, & they tell each other what he told them.... Who would want to read that? But this is what Auel does: the book is a rehash of the previous 4, & rather than stopping with a summary to refresh our memory, she reports things several times each.
Repetition: conversations & events are repeated excessively. Something happens; we see it happen; then we see someone tell someone else what happened, then they tell someone else.... It's like during the years it took her to write it, she kept forgetting what she'd said a few chapters ago.
Scene purpose: another basic rule is that every scene has to have a purpose: to advance the plot, reveal character, or provide needed information. A lot of scenes could be cut without affecting the plot because they serve no purpose to advance it. Case in point are the [partner] scenes which go beyond "purple prose" into vermilion or fuchsia... predictable, ridiculously overwritten, repetitive description which seems to have been stuck into the manuscript on a separate page at random intervals, and which contributes no new information about the characters or their relationship. Reading how perfectly infatuated they are with one another is tedious.
Dialogue: weak. Again, it often serves no purpose in advancing the plot. It's repetitive & often inane: "That's amazing." "Yes, it is, isn't it." Characters tell each other what they're going to do, what they did a minute ago, where they're going now... Writing good snappy dialogue isn't easy, & it involves reporting stuff that moves the story, & cutting the mundane chatter.
I could think of more, but 'nuff said already... It shows how much you can get away with once you have made a name for yourself. Great writing coaches like Jack Bickham would take this book apart, & he could probably have put it back together in 300 pages. I recommend this book for a writing class, to learn what doesn't work.
A fascinating idea, the potential for a terrific adventure in prehistoric culture, spoiled by writing style. Did the publisher get the first draft by mistake? Like the [overweight] Zelandoni/Zolena, it's smothered by its own weight.
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