Rating: 
Summary: Not worth the wait
Review: Like many readers of the Earth's Children Series, I waited long years for this book to be released. I even took the time to reread the four previous books. I should have stopped after reading Mammoth Hunters. The plot lines ran the same course in Shelters. I was not pleased with Plains of Passage due to the transitory nature of the book and was hoping this would "pep" back up the series. If this is what we can expect from Ayla and friends in the future, I would aviod subsequent works. The one bright spot was the hint that the next book might provide something new. How many years will we wait and see this time? I should have been reading my copy of Hansen and Kwaler's "Stellar Interiors" for class. It would have been more enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: Only for serious fans of the series
Review: After putting her fans on hold for several years, Jean Auel's The Shelters of Stone delivered a relatively disappointing product. Again, Auel clearly demonstrates that she has researched the daily lives of early man in stunning detail. However, this latest book does not deliver anything new or interesting to the reader. Ayla, her proto-feminist(?) protagonist, does exactly what she has done in previous novels: be kind to children and old people, heal furry critters, question religious, cultural, & scientific norms, and make passionate love with her man. I can only assume the book is a bridge into the final chapter of the life of Ayla which will in all likelihood bring together her people with those of the Clan. Save your dollars and get this one from the library.
Rating:
Summary: Very Disappointing
Review: I waited 6 years for this next book in the series and would have rather waiiting longer for a book with some depth. The book was repetitive and thoughts were not complete. Many opportunities to build the story were just put aside for the next series. Reading the entire book waiting for Ayla to have her baby and then very little is mentioned of the baby once it is born. Her first books were fabulous this was a disappointment!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing!
Review: I have trouble believing Jean Auel wrote this. Its missing all the story telling qualities of the first 4 books. Its almost a kindergarten version. Ayla was built up as a character with depth in the earlier books and becomes a shallow, power seeking brat. I love re-reading the other books, but this one is on its way to the Goodwill. Can't believe I waited this long for this drivel. yuck.
Rating: 
Summary: Not sure what everyone's problem is...
Review: I went back and read the rest of the books in the series a few months before Shelters of Stone came out. In fact, I didn't get it right away based on the terrible Amazon reviews! Honestly, I do not see what everyone's problem is. Yes, Jean is in need of an editor--that's been obvious from the beginning. I'm an editor myself and yes, she repeats herself from time to time. She does that in all of the books. This isn't fine literature here, folks--it's entertainment. :) Now, about this book. It's not terrible, but not the best book from the series either. No, there's not a lot of adventure because it focuses mainly on character development and Ayla's relationship with the Zelandonii. It also talks about her pregnancy with Jondalar and her relationship with the Zelandoni (first among those who serve the mother, who was Jondalar's red-foot that he fell so hard for). It's a really fascinating dynamic. The one thing that got annoying is the very long poem that gets repeated time and time again, and I just skimmed over it after the first time through. I really don't understand how people can complain about the length of the book and the lengthy descriptions of life back then. That's in all of the books. I wonder how many of the negative reviews are written based on their rosy memories of the past books, which they may not have read recently. So basically, don't believe all of the reviews. Check it out from the library and see for yourself (that's what I did). I for one was not disappointed and intend to buy the book. :)
Rating: 
Summary: Lively and involving, as are the protagonists
Review: Familiarity with prior novels in Auel's prehistoric 'Earth's Children' series will contribute to both background and an appreciation for Shelters Of Stone, the continuing story of Ayla and her love Jondalar. The prehistoric couple complete their cross-Europe journey to great Jondalar's people and find welcome and a few who view their union with suspicion. Can Ayla fit in and prove her worth? The details of prehistoric setting and concerns are lively and involving, as are the protagonists.
Rating:
Summary: Predicatable
Review: At least the sex scenes aren't as numerous as in The Mammoth Hunters or Plains of Passage! This is a predicatable sequel with no real eye-openers. It all works out the way you figure it will. There were extremely repetitive parts (if I have to read one more time about how amazing everyone is by Ayla and her animals, I will scream) and some parts were just too easy-not enough conflict. That said, it was a light, interesting read. Wait till it's in paperback Nothing will every beat Clan of the Cave Bear.
Rating:
Summary: A Big Let-Down; Hugely Disappointed.
Review: Disappointed is just the tip of the glacier; I also felt betrayed by Jean Auel. If she could not be more imaginative, she shouldn't have written another book. There is absolutely no tenuous story line. There is no intrigue and tension. Come on, do you think having to wear boy's underwear in public is high stakes? Even the birth of Ayla's child is an anticlimax, and the baby's name is atrocious. Every possibility of danger alluded to is dropped by the wayside. Nothing pans out. After reading adnauseam about the strange rock formation, and previous books' reference to them, nothing huge is revealed. Much repetition and nothing new, other than being a lengthy author's forward to her next sequel.
My daughter bought me this book for Mother's Day, and I had looked forward to reading it for 10 years. I absolutely love all of the other books in the series and still continue to re-read them yearly. It pains me to have to give such a negative review for Shelters of Stone. I'll definitely read the next installment; however, I'll borrow it from the library first before I decide to purchase.
Rating:
Summary: Jean is in desperate need of a good editor
Review: I have read the previous books and thought they were great (though earlier works were better than some of the later ones). This one was horrible. No plot but lots of repetition. Did she just discover the copy and paste function on her word procesor? This book did nothing more than rehash the story line of every previous book. The lack of a good plot was frustrating. Jean started out several good twists but did nothing with them. Characters that could have caused some interesting friction just melted away into nothing. I like a happy ending as much as anybody but it would be nice if there were some twists and turns to the story line and the possiblity that all may not turn out rosy. In the end I felt that this book was something Jean just pushed out to leverage off of the popularity of previous books - a way to get some fast cash. I won't waste another dime on this author. If she can't spare the time and dedication to her readers to release a polished work of fiction then I can't spare my time or money for it either.
Rating:
Summary: Totat waste of time
Review: I should of started at chapter 31. Chapters 1-30 was so boring. I skipped over a lot of the info. How many times can you describe a moutain, a cave, and how to make tea and fire. The only thing Ayla needs now is a red cape and we can start calling her SUPER AYLA..........
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