Rating: 
Summary: Mix Review
Review: The book is slow to start, it basically goes over the past books in a retrospective look. The only "big" events were a jilted lover (ex-Promised bride to be) seeking revenge. A marriage that was brushed over quickly. 2 other hateful, vengeful people and the flathead issues, 2 births ~and a soft ending.
Apparently Jean is saving the interesting stuff for the next book. Because, Alya is not fessing up about her son. An the theme of FLATHEADS are repeative, as well as that poem about the beginning of the EARTH CHILDREN.
Jean we got the POINT, we did not need the same thing pounded over and over again.
This book left with a flat feeling. I was hoping for some spice not the bland that was a full half of the book.
There is to be a final book ? I percieve so. But next time, I will wait on purchasing it. I think I will wait, until the library gets it in the HOT new arrivals section before blowing money one a book that did not live up to expectations.
Rating: 
Summary: Too much research, not enough story
Review: It is with a heavy heart that I declare my disappointment with this book. There was so much promise, and instead it is mostly boring, befuddled and bare of plot. It is apparent that Jean M. Auel's interest in the research behind the book overcame any desire to tell a decent story. The majority of the book merely exists to take us on a tour around the Dordogne region, and to look at the major artefacts found. Jondalar and Ayla are simply there as "guides". This is why we don't even get to the important aspects of the story - the matrimonial and birth - until the last quarter, and even then it seems rushed. I think it's fair to say that most readers really only care about "what happens next", and there's precious little of that to be had. And it's been mentioned in other reviews - the book is horrendously edited, with too much repetition and unnecessary characters. It also frustrates with the number of suggested plot lines that simply fade away with no follow up. There's a great small novel lurking amongst these 750 + pages, but unfortunately it is smothered in banality. It's a vast opportunity wasted. So many things could have happened. I waited 12 years, and I'm just so sad that this is the result. I only hope the 6th book is better.
Rating:
Summary: I waited *how* long for THIS??
Review: What a disappointment. As an avid "Earth's Children" series reader, I waited with breathless anticipation for this next book. Basically "The Shelters of Stone" can be summed up as a rehash of previous books, absolutely no plot and no lead-in to the next book. Haven't been this disappointed since "Star Wars: Episode One." Nuff said!
Rating: 
Summary: Shelters of Stone - Jean M. Auel
Review: I have read her other 4 books in this series, and I fell in love with the characters and read with gusto! There is much detail, lots of in-depth explanations of life in that time - and I felt as if I were there with them - thru the exciting times she described! I truely hope she will write many more, using these characters , and others. I feel as if there are many more stories out there to be told about Ayala and Jondalar and their exciting lives with all the innovative things they were capable of devising! I wish the books had gone on and on - I hated for them to be over - and I await the next ones eagerly!
Rating:
Summary: A Lukewarm Read
Review: I waited over 10 years (like everyone else) however, the Shelters of Stone was not as good as I anticipated. I have read and re-read all of Ms. Auel's books numerous times. This story went on and on and on. Hundreds of pages passed and only one or two days passed in the book. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen. It seemed that the last few pages at the end of the book was where things began to happen (birth of Jonayla and the birth of Whinney's foal). In previous books, Ayla lived in some more interesting cultures than with Jondular's Zelandoni people. Sorry Jean Auel, this book was not worth the wait. Maybe your last one will be better.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable but #2 was my favorate
Review: I fell in love with this series when I found out I had a disabling diease. I was weak and felt lost. This series gave me strengh to fight back and make me feel better about myself. I felt like I was Ayla out there all alone. The Valley of the Horses gave me the most strengh and is by far my favorite.
I felt in The Shelters of Stone there was too much repeated discription of the shelters and rock formation. I also go tired of the long introductions with family names. I did enjoy the story and discription of Jondalar's family and friends. I thought the map in the book was very helpful although if you don't have the other book handy it is had to tell where Ayla started from with the Clan. I can hardly wait until the next book!
Rating:
Summary: A lot of rehashing....
Review: This is almost a retelling of 'The Mammoth Hunters' from the POV of Jondalar's tribe. While there are some new twists (the bitchy ex, the town drunk), for the most part I was a little bored by this book. Even 'The Plains of Passage' had more plot than this book! I think that Auel's storytelling has become more mass-market and less individual throughout the course of this series...the first three books were wonderful, the fourth a bit dry and pedantic but with this one she doesn't even seem particularly interested in her subject. Hopefully, her sixth book will be better-if there is one.
Rating: 
Summary: Ayla's story told and retold
Review: The Shelter of Stone seems to have Ayla and Jondalars' characters at a standstill. They really haven't evolved much from the last book. Ayla has some wonderful insights on different cultures and religion, but nothing really stands out. The book just didn't have the same gusto as the first ones did. The storyline basically retold the stories of the first four books and whatever new things happened (like Whinney giving birth, the same arguments about the Clan,) had already happened. There was really no conflict. The characters didn't seem to be very rounded, one could almost guess what was going to happen next. I did like the book, but it just wasn't as capturing as the first books in the series. I always enjoyed reading about Ayla's healing abilities, but here, she only used them two or three times for the same situation; hunting gone wrong. I dove into this book expecting much more than was given. It was enjoyable, but not a book that would keep me up at night reading. Of course everyone will be looking forward to the next book to see what Ayla and Jondalars' adventures have instore for them and their children. I just hope the next book doesn't repeat the last five.
Rating:
Summary: Very good
Review: This book continues the story of Ayla and Jondalar, sending them home to the Lanzadonii after quite a while of wandering about. It's well-written, with fascinating characterizations and dazzling detail. This time around, the sex didn't get in the way as much. As usual, it's a good read and gives insights into a way of life long since gone.
Rating:
Summary: If you have read the other four....
Review: then you will apreciate this book. But it did tend to ramble. For those of us who are used to Auel's style, it was not a huge surprise. At times I felt as though I was re-reading all the books over again. I felt however that it was really satisfying to read overall, and I recomend it to all who have enjoyed the series.
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