Rating: 
Summary: a long wait for disappointment
Review: after re reading how fire is made ,what seemed like a 1000 times I decided this was the most boring book ive read in a long time.
Rating:
Summary: Please, read and prove me wrong.
Review: When I was twelve, I discovered the interesting covers of The Clan of the Cave Bears in my mothers stack of books, I picked it up and started reading it. I zipped through the series and was devastated that I would have to wait for the next book! I love how Auel writes, I enjoy how her words flow, I'm interested in the history, culture, survival and life experiences that Ayla shares. The day The Shelters of Stone was available, I grabbed my copy, I sat in Borders, not able to survive the fifteen minute trip home before exploring the opening pages of the book. Maybe I can blame my age when I began reading the Earths Children series... I want to re-read the series to see if I really could have thoroughly enjoyed and been inspired in my own writing by Auel. Shelters of Stone was simply awful. I forced myself to read 250 pages and beyond that, I put the book on the side of my bed and just forgot about it until I was cleaning my room to pick what goes with me to college. The Shelters of Stone, from what I read, was nothing new, it was all review, it seemed the characters had gone 'flat' and uninteresting. I got tired of the same descriptions and really, I can't even remember what happened in Shelters of Stone other than Ayla met Jondalar's people. I realize it must not be easy to write thousands of pages and it's difficult to think up new events and idea's to happen with the various people, however, I just wasn't satisfied or entertained - at all. I won't bother purchasing the last novel and I'd like my money back. I read one persons review, she seems to think WE have betrayed Auel as loyal readers with our opinions but at least we bought Auels book, it seems to me that might be the only reason Auel continued writing--for the money, because there was no heart in this book. If you insist on reading this book, wait for a used paperback.
Rating:
Summary: The long road to no where
Review: Like so many other fans of the Earth's Children series, I was disappointed in this installment. In my opinion, the book was about 500 pages too long. Too many words!! Get to the point Jean Auell. Where was the character development? Where was the story of the people? The dialog was totally unbelievable. In short it was an effort to finish the book, I only did so because I am an optimist, I kept hoping it would get better. Will I read the next book? If it takes another 10 yrs. to get out I probably won't.
Rating:
Summary: I want to read a novel, not chants and song lyrics
Review: I mean honestly, who here actually read word per word the numerous pages filled with chants/prayers and song lyrics? I'd turn the page to skip ahead and lo and behold - - more lyrics! eeks! I'd turn the page again and goodgollymissmolly! More lyrics! Over six pages of funeral song lyrics. Gee, how captivating. And what's with that long poem at the end of the book? What? Is Miss Auel trying to be hip? Hoping to score an MTV spot? Is she going to change her name to MC Auel? I've followed the entire series all these years. The endless sea of boring and needless details from this book has now confirmed this is the last book I'll read by Auel and whoever else attempted to help her write this snore of a story.
Rating:
Summary: Where was the plot?
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed Auel's prior writings and had eagerly looked forward to this novel. I was very disappointed because it was so boring and repetitive. Where was the plot? I kept thinking that Ayla was going to decide to search for her son, Durc or that there would be an encounter with the "flatheads" and Ayla would have to act as an interpreter. I wish I could understand why Ms. Auel would tempt her readers with signs that either of these plots would develope but never followed through. I would have given this a two star rating if I hadn't had such high expectations.
Rating: 
Summary: The Best One Yet
Review: I read Auel's other books years ago, and was surprised when I was told a new one was available. I truly enjoyed this one more then the others, as it ties together the past with the present, and overall is an excellent story. (However, I also recommend reading the stories in order, for this draws on the knowledge of the past books in the series.) I really enjoyed the other books in the "Clan of the Cave Bear" Series, as I love the main characters, Ayla and Jondalar. In Auel's past books, though I enjoyed the story, I found myself at times felt bogged down by too much description of scenery, and in a few books, too much time spent on intimate moments--over and over. But I kept reading because the main character is captivating and I desired to know what happened. I felt this book was the best yet! The author did not bore me once with too long descriptions and the story was interesting all the way through. There was less repetition and more exciting and wonderful new experiences for the characters. This book was an awesome conclusion to the past books as well as a real new beginning for Ayla. With many challenges to be seen ahead. Her life is never easy, but the way she faces life's challenges in this story are incredible. It was extremely hard to put down. I am really looking forward to another book about these characters, as I feel their lives have really just begun! I am hoping the author will finish another book very quickly, and keep the quality as high as in this one. If you like or can relate to the main character, Ayla, in this series, I am certain you will appreciate her choices and the direction her life is taking. I don't want to ruin the story for anyone, so I am not going into details, But this is definitely the best one yet!
Rating: 
Summary: Ayla's Nodule Rides Again!
Review: Oh Goddess, deliver me from the interminable sex scenes that were about as repetitious (not to mention stiltedly, embarrassingly worded) as those with my comatose, alcoholic ex. Ughh. I actually cringed in some parts...! Aside from the "tumescent manhood" references, what else can I say about this book that has not already been said by legions of pissed-off reviewers? Yeah, I'm an Auel freak, yeah, I've waited forever for this book, yeah, I paid full price for it at the buttcrack of dawn the first day it went on sale (which I never do, being too cheap to buy hardcovers ever, but this was the long-awaited AYLA book!). The repetitive, pages-long introductions, the collective amazement as Ayla reinvents everything from fire to sewing needles to possibly deodorant pantyshields with wings, gets old in a hurry. The new information in this book could have been boiled down and extracted to maybe 200 pages. It's been a long time, but I'm not quite suffering from Alzheimer's yet, and it was rather insulting to be handed, verbatim, chunks of the other volumes and endless explanations. There *was* a part where I was moved to tears, but for the life of me I can't remember when... I gave this two stars instead of one (and had there been a no-star rating I would have given it one) due to the fact that--despite Ayla turning into the Martha Stewart/Barbie/Britney Cavegirl Conglomeration from ..., it was nice to wander back into her world again. Like coming home. Way too many characters with forgettable, silly names (did she really have to name the baby Jonayla?!). A few well-developed, multidimensional characters--as in the first book or __The Mammoth Hunters__--would have done more for the story. I spent way too much time flipping to the back to keep everyone straight, and for folk who were mentioned once or twice, unimportant to the story, and then forgotten. Jondalar turned into a slavish, dumb lug, which was disappointing (I kept picturing him looking like a slackjawed Fabio clone). His undying adoration wore thin after a few pages. And Ayla--I used to love her, but lordy, has she morphed! The only interesting character in this story was Zelandonii. I did so want to say something positive about this book. I even reread it. Ayla's world, even the Paleolithically perfect one she now dwells in, is preferable to mine, and it does provide escapism. But I think next time I'll settle down with one of the first three, and hope that Book Six is better! In the meantime, I'm putting my copy up on [local store] for the bargain price of [price] or so, if anyone wants it. There sure are alot of copies up there...
Rating: 
Summary: A Poet She's Not
Review: OK, first off, I enjoyed Shelters of Stone. I waited 12 years for it and was not disappointed. While it was NOT one of her best works, Ms. Auel wrote a very entertaining book that answered many questions and tied up a few loose ends left by her previous novels. I understand the need to repeat much of the content from the previous novels - as she has a new audience, some of whom had never read any of the prtevious books - so this one had to be able to stand alone while at the same time be able to entertain those of us who had been left for 12 years without answers to what would happen to Ayla when she came to her new "family". On the negative side - the Mother's Song - while the poem loosly fit iambic pentameter in meter and style, it was so poorly composed that I found that it distracted from the actual meaning of the poem itself. Additionally, it could have easily been reduced to 4 stanzas and still have just as meaningful. Additionally, to repeat the poem in its entirity 3 times throughout the novel was extremely irksome. Beyond that she felt the need to explain the meaning of the minute details of the poem to the point that I felt insulted. The poem was in English. I speak and understand English. The relevence of the poem was totally clear to me the first time I read it. Auel did not have to explain it to me. I am most definitely looking forward to the next book in the series in which Ayla "comes into her own". Hopefulls , Ms. Auel won't bore or insult us again with her poor excuse for poetry.
Rating: 
Summary: A good read
Review: I just finished the book. I was happy that I didn't go back and read the previous books. To me there were parts of the books where it did drag a little, but in all honestly I've never found any of these books that didn't drag a little to me. I did get a little bored about reading how Ayala aquired the horses. Overall in my opinion this books was the best yet. I just really hope we don't have to wait another 12 years for book #6, and I for one will probably be sad to see the series end.
Rating:
Summary: How Disappointing
Review: I waited twelve years for this book, and I would have been less disappointed if it had not been written at all. It is entirely too lengthy and uses too many words to say too little. The description of how the "spear thrower" works is one example. What took half an hour to read could have been summed up in one page. The use of contemporary English does not fit the characters at all. I think I'll pass on the next book in the series where Ayla visits the Pacific. What a disappointment.
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