Rating: 
Summary: I waited for this?
Review: I was so excited when I heard about eminent release of Shelters of Stone that I re-read the entire series then went out and bought the book the same day if was released. I am extremely sorry to say that the book was not worth the wait.Unlike the other books in the series which had interesting plots,well developed characters, and all sorts of conflicts that we could relate to, this book really had no plot. We all knew from the beginning that Ayla was going to marry Jondalar and have a baby and that's exactly how things went. There were no surprises, no serious conflicts waiting to be resolved. Ayla just meets tons and tons of Zelandoni people who are surprised about everything she does. Unfortunately, most of these characters are introduced but not developed or further integrated into the story. Then there's the problem of repetition. There was so much repetition in this story, that I don't think anyone who hasn't read the previous books in the series is going to feel the need to do so. Even though I was disappointed in the book, I am still an Auel fan and have begun the wait for the next book. I hope she returns to the tradition set in the first four books of intriging conflicts and well plotted stories.
Rating: 
Summary: Book Five, Ayla's a wife (or mate if you prefer)
Review: In a way it was almost inevitable that Book Five would not please everyone, because there was so much anticipation building up to it (for 12 years, no less). Perhaps there was also too much expectation that this book be like the other books. The way I see it, each one of the books has its own "theme" or flavour. Book 1, was of DISCOVERY - we were finding out and learning a lot along with Ayla. Book 2 was of INDEPENDENCE where Ayla learnt to rely on herself, and was very innovative and discovered things that were later to become her greatest achievements (eg befriending animals, fire stones, not to mention Pleasures *lol*). Book 3 was about SOCIALISING - Ayla learns about the Others, represented by the lovable Mamutoi, and there's the fun along with confusions and misunderstandings. Book 4 was about JOURNEYING - Ayla goes from place to place, and learns heaps about how others do things. However, Book 5 is about SETTLING IN - Ayla has reached "home" and is just trying to settle in, she meets her in-laws (as Auel herself puts it!), gets mated and has another baby. If you compare this theme, it is definately not as high-powered or interesting as the other books' themes, but is a valid theme in itself. Sure, I agree there was more repetition than was totally palatable (the endless introductions, the fire-making three times, the Mother song in great detail twice) but in a way it really sets the pace for "home" - home is not a place for massive bouts of discovery or difficulties; some petty in-fighting yes, and Ayla's motherly side is evinced in greater detail, but nothing really earth-shattering. Another reviewer said in a earlier review that this book was not so "tense" to read, and I think that is certainly true, there is an almost relaxing homely quality to reading it. That's one thing I had noticed about Auel's books, they set what I see as the themes off very well. For example, when I read Book 4 about journeying, I felt really tired by the end of it! In fact that's the one book in the series I would not casually pick up to read just like that; like Jondalar, it's going to be sometime before I want to make another long Journey again! Likewise, Book 1 had me feeling very curious and enjoying discovery; Book 2 was highly sexed; and Book Three was full of complex human relations - and it all brought me into the themes on a viceral level. Therefore, I wasn't too put off that Book Five was kinda a Comfortable read! The other reason why Book 5 might be not as satisfactory is that unlike the other 4 books, it is not self contained - there are a lot of loose ends to be tied up in Book 6. In Book 1 there was closure as Ayla left the Clan; in Book 2 there was closure when Ayla's solitude ended; in Book 3 there was closure when she left the Mamutoi; in Book 4 there was closure when she ended her Journey. In Book 5 though, nothing's been resolved with her enemies, and Ayla has just struggled to accept that she is going to be One who Serves, but she hasn't embarked on anything yet. Therefore, IMHO Book 5 and Book 6 in a way will form "one book". There will be closure of the issues brought up in Book 5 in Book 6, the theme of which I tentatively predict will be SPIRITUALITY. Afterall, Auel herself drafted Book 6 at the same time as Book 5. So cheer up everyone, I'm sure we will all enjoy Book 6 tremendously - it's when Ayla will fulfil ther great potential. In a way, she is almost like an incarnation of the Mother herself, with her Lumi-like Jondalar by her side!
Rating:
Summary: Competition for the begats in the Bible
Review: Following Ayla and Jondalar through the Earth's Children saga has been a fascinating experience in imagine and fact. However, Shelters of Stone is a major disappointment in the series--it is repetitious, ponderous and at times downright boring. Ms. Auel repeated stories and experiences so often from the other books, that one does not need to read them now. Her introductions rivaled the begats in the Bible. Do we honestly need complete introductions each time for each character? There was very little accomplished in this book aside from rehashing the other four books. Yes, a couple of events occurred, but there were no surprises generated emotionally or in the plot line. Ayla and Jondalar are set up as the inventor of many important creations from how to make fire to sewing to using animals for human need. In the next book will she invent farming and the wheel? I don't mind a slow read if there is new information and a plot that has some advancement. This book could have been enhanced with better editing (like taking out about 200-300 pages), a tighter plot and new information rather than rehashing old. How many times did we need to know that Broud forced Ayla and it wasn't pleasures? We got that information in Books 1-4. I was thankful tho that this book did not dwell on the sexual (pleasures) aspect as much as Valley and Mammoth did--since it seemed way overdone in those volumes. However, I would have liked to have seen a deeping of the characters emotional psyches. And, if Ms. Auel couldn't do this, it would have been nice to have explored some of the peripherial characters and their personalities or more information about the history and the artifacts of the era.
This is worth reading if you enjoy thinking about how we developed and invented items (like fire, sewing, herbal concoctions) that changed our lives and set us, as humans, on a path of greater development than Clan members. It is also worth reading if you have missed her other books. However, if you have read her previous four books and are looking for new information, a definitive plot, and additional character development, then this book is sadly lacking and will be a major disappointment.
Rating: 
Summary: the shelters of stone
Review: Jean Auel has again transported the reader back in time to be with Ayla and her human and animal friends. Auel's descrpitions brings the scenes vividly to the mind's eye. It is very difficult to put this book down once you start reading.
Rating:
Summary: MUCH TOO MUCH
Review: This book was interesting in parts, but very boring in others. There was much too much background information, and I found myself skimming much of the book. The love scene dialog was boring and repetative. I would have liked more information about the characters, and much less information about the geography and the living spaces. Not up to the other titles in this series.
Rating:
Summary: Godd, but could have been better
Review: It took me 3 days to read it, as much as I liked the first 4 books I to was disapointed. All those name repetition. Jean could have just be that they all introduce themselve without thos names. and all those pages of describing the area. I to scipped pages. the ending left me hangging and wanting more. I would have like more action between characters. It left me wondering about Lanoga and lanidar. What about Marona, Laranar and Brukeval? And what is the deal with the Zelandonia? Do they end up trading with the Clan? I mean, there ae too many loose ends. She could have don better. It seems another book may be on the way but I just hope is better. I gave it a 3 beause Im a big fan. Jean if you are reading this "PLEASE STOP THE REPETITION AND ALL THOSE DESCRIPTIONS PLEASE"
Rating:
Summary: Prefer More Engaging Plot and Characters
Review: The Shelters of Stone could have been so much better. I looked forward with great anticipation to this book and getting reacquainted with the characters, but have to admit I was disappointed. I found myself skipping entire sections to get to the action, and learned little new about Ayla and Jondalar. Perhaps I made the mistake of reading this after devouring a book that has been highly recommended by other readers here: Shade of the Maple by Kirk Martin. Unlike Auel, Martin keeps the story focused squarely on the characters and their unfolding drama, which results in a page-turning plot that moves quickly toward a powerful, memorable ending. Incredible. Rather than resort to steamy sex scenes, Martin uses subtle interactions between well-developed characters to heighten the "connection" on a deep level, and you never leave this story. I hope that Auel will use a similar style in the next novel to draw me back into her drama.
Rating:
Summary: We waited twelve years for THIS?
Review: I'll be honest--I wasn't expecting great things from Jean Auel's long-anticipated fifth novel in the Earth's Children series, because ... well, it was long anticipated. Anything hyped to this degree was bound to be a letdown. But even I was surprised at how hard it hit bottom. "The Shelters of Stone" reads almost like a mirror image of "The Mammoth Hunters," down to an actual hunt. Auel spends tens of pages describing prehistoric fauna that I would swear to Zelandoni she described the same way in her previous books. Ayla is still Blond Cro-Magnon Supergirl, and Jondalar, pretty as he is, still tends to be whiny. We have the by-now-requisite woman lusting after Jondalar, the man who doesn't like Ayla, the deep priestess, and of course much exclaiming over Whinney, Racer and Wolf, not to mention wonder at Ayla's "inventions." And don't forget the "flatheads are people too" sentiments. Yeah, Ayla and Jondalar finally get "mated" in this book, and Ayla pops out the baby, who is given the annoyingly cutesy name of Jonayla. That's it for new stuff. Auel has never mastered the art of giving newcomers enough information to figure out what's gone before while not boring the tears out of fans. Everything is explained at length repeatedly, making the reader feel like Auel thinks everyone is an idiot with no memory. Even the sex scenes are the same, albeit adapted a little to accommodate Ayla's pregnancy. There's supposedly one more book left in the series. Let's hope Jean goes out with a bang with that one.
Rating:
Summary: Drawn out. Okay. Needs more action and personality.
Review: I like page turners...Story was good. Just that I expected more from such a best seller.
Rating:
Summary: Shelters of Stone
Review: Don't believe the hype. The massive amount of research which clearly went into this book does not make it a good story. There's no plot; no tension; no suspense. Much of it is actually a clip show, with Ayla and Jondalar endlessly rehashing their past adventures and inventions. Nothing of note happens. A & J return to the Zelandonii, mate, and have a kid. There are hints of conflict with the Clan but nothing happens. The characters are plastic, too-perfect people and the writing is slow, static and rife with both authorial intrusion and needless info-dumps. Pages of truly bad rhyming religious doggerel -- which are, along with much else in the book, repeated several times -- add a touch of ludicrous awfulness. It's boring. Skip it.
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