Rating: 
Summary: Nice to see old friends, but not the best of the series
Review: My rating is actually 3.75 stars -- it's much better than three, but not quite four.Ms Auel has made no secret that she includes backstory in each of the succeeding novels in this series so that each book is accessible and comprehensible to new readers. It's a fine line between engaging the new reader while not boring the ever-patient Earth's Children junkie. While largely successful at this, Auel unfortunately crosses the line more often than she should. Too many passages, whether only phrases or entire sections, are lifted from the previous titles. There is also more internal repetition of events within "Shelters..." that sometimes makes the long-time reader feel bludgeoned by author's insecurity that we will forget earlier events. Except for the last few chapters, "Shelters..." is very much a revisiting of "The Mammoth Hunters", except without the jealous tension. It's a less stressful book to read (which isn't to say that it doesn't have its suspenseful moments). It's also a set-up book that has established a number of characters and motivations that will not be fully fleshed out or resolved until the next episode is written. A major aspect that finds me returning to this series is the number of emotionally powerful or memorable scenes to be found in each book. This fifth installment, unfortunately, came up a little short. While there are good scenes, this is the first of these books that didn't have any that sent me flipping back to re-read something that was amazing. In many ways it just felt like the author had lost some interest in the work and was just trying to fulfill the demands of her fans and publisher. Overall a fine effort, and I look forward to the last installment of this series (hopefully within my lifetime ). While the wait was long, returning to visit old friends was very satisfying. My only hopes for the next novel are that Ms Auel find a better editor to manage the redundant information and presentation, and is better able to inject the degree of her own passion for the work into the story this is found in the earlier installments.
Rating:
Summary: Finally
Review: I've also been waiting twelve years for this book (please not so long for #6) and found this book to be a very satisfying addition to the series. I'll spare the plot details but it seems the entire book is just setting up for the next as there is almost no major conflict and Ayla is basically happy the entire time. The beginnings of problems for Ayla have begun in the book, but none are resolved.I enjoyed the very detailed descriptions of everything from plant and animal life to Zelandoni politics but at times the desciptions read like a text book and can slow down the plot. The repetition of past events also slows the story down, especially if one has recently read the previous books. The Mother's Song is beautifully written but it was not necessary to repeat it almost three times as it was quite long. Other than those things I enjoyed the story very much and would have given it five stars if not for those few things. Ayla and Jondalar are as likeable as ever as are many of the new characters, though I hope to get to know them better in the next book.
Rating: 
Summary: Its all Auel, but not quite the same
Review: I actually found this book to be a let down. I felt as though Auel was just setting up the scene for her last installment and barely brushing the surface of her characters, their emotions, and conflicts. I still gave it 3 stars because I am, like others, just addicted to this series. Its a good read for those who follow the series, and hopefully we won't have to wait as long for the last book.
Rating:
Summary: A decade in the making
Review: I read the first Clan of the Cave Bear when I was only a child and the next two before I was barely a teen. I have waited patiently for years checking the shelves regularly for the next in the series - hoping to drink in more about Ayla and er incredible life. When I recieved my book on Monday I sat down immedietly to begin what I new would transport me to another world ... I was not dissapointed. Of course Ms. Auel new book does not contain the excitement of her previous 4 as we know much already about the Zelondonni from Jondalar and how people wil react to Ayla, her animals and her affinity to the Clan. What is so striking in this book is we finally really see the womenly side of Ayla and how it pulls with her naturally calling to be something more. We are thrilled with the birth of her daughter and her warm embrace by Jodalars family . I was only slightly dissapointed that the story spent so much time telling about the previous novels (please let people read them on their own next time) and felt it lack a certain direction and seemed that Ayla fit in a little two easy. Of course it is a great set up for the sixth and final book with all the characters floating around Ayla .. will that too take a decade - please say no I don't think I could take having to read it with my grandchildren!
Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant
Review: Auel has outdone herself this time! I have waited a long time for this book and am very glad that it is out now. Ayla and Jondalar are finally home and they find that most of the Zelandonii are accepting if not interested in Ayla's unusual backround. Beautifully written with vivid desciptions of pretty much everything from hunts to the living quarters. The character all 80+ of them add more dimensions to the story I highly reccomend this book to anyone interested in the Ice age or historical fiction
Rating:
Summary: The more things change....
Review: As a writer, I was blown away! Don't let the caveman stuff put you off. This is excellent, awesome reading. Auel is a masterful story-teller, first creating a world then unfolding a story that had me turning each page with wild anticipation. I don't want to spoil anything by giving it away, but trust me, this would be money well spent on some first rate thrilling reading! I suppose I'm biased since Baby is her pet lion and my name is Lions. It's awesome story-telling!
Rating:
Summary: A book for the fans only!
Review: It was a good read but a lot slower to get into than her previous books. Things only seem to really have happened in about the last chapter or two. Jean M. Auel seems to have been more interested in detail about the land andd living conditions which i hate to admit made me skip pages at a time just to get to the characters doing anything. She seems to have written it as if she was writing to a brand new audience as she kept on going on and on about what ayla did and why and how she had discovered stuff and why and if, like me, you have read the previous books a couple of times it can be fairly tedious. But all that said, if you are a fan, lets face it - it was worth fighting through the book to find out about the baby and jondalars family (but what a fight!).
Rating:
Summary: Great transitional book
Review: After 12 years, finally we have the 5th book. I found it not as entertaining as the previous books; however, it was the perfect book for the lead in to the supposed last book in the series. I felt it was a well rounded introduction to life with Jondalar's people and the reconization of the Clan to the Others.
Gail Metzger....the wife
Rating:
Summary: Shelters of Stone
Review: I think that the book was amazingly well written, and it carried us through meeting all of Jondalar's kin. Carried over from the Shelters of Stone, Ayla is pregnant, and she has a baby. Ayla encounters many hardships from people who doubt her medical knowledge because of her upbringing. We are introduced to the Zelondonni, the women Jondalar used to love. Over all, this book stands up to it's 12 year wait.
Rating:
Summary: Great continuation
Review: Very long book, but worth the read. If you liked the others in the series, you must read this to find out what happens with Jondalar and Ayla and the baby. I love the information about pre-man in this series. Educational as well as interesting. For readers of every interest. Give them a try. I did by accident and loved them.
| 
