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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
The Adventures of Ayla and Jondalar continues as they leave the comforts of the valley that had become their home and begin the long journey back to Jondalar's Zelandoni homeland.
At the end of The Valley of Horses they make contact with a tribe known as Mamutoi (Mammoth Hunters) and the pair are invited to stay at their hearth. This creates an interesting start: this is the first actual tribe of anatomically modern humans that Ayla encounters. She is reticent, mostly because of the horror stories she had heard from the Clan, but the Mamutoi are welcoming and curious of the strange girl and the incredible range of skills she has.
After a while, and with Ayla choosing to be (mostly) upfront about her past with the Clan, she encounters mixed feelings. Anti "flathead" feeling runs deep but Ayla is largely accepted.
The most interesting relationship that Ayla has is with Mamut, the holy man with whom Ayla draws obvious comparisons with Creb (the Clan holy man of whom she was very fond). He has had experience with the "flatheads" when one nursed him back to health as a young boy. Their journey of discovery and Mamut's attempts to discover Ayla's powers and figure out what the The Great Earth Mother has in store for Ayla and Jondalar makes for an intriguing plot thread.
Unfortunately that is not the primary plot thread because that is a very soap opera-ish love triangle with an adopted Mamutoi named Ranec. So again we delve back into Bella and Edward: The Flintstones Years (yawn) as Ayla engages in sexual aerobics with both men. I wouldn't mind so much, but this love triangle detracts from the journey of discovery and the otherwise superbly researched narrative and rich detail of Mamutoi society. I also wouldn't mind so much if I didn't find Ranec genuinely creepy. Ranec's infatuation with Ayla crosses the line into stalker territory, what the hell she sees in him (aside from his darker skin and tales of strange places) I could not fathom. Jondalar's jealousy at their all night sex sessions is wearisome; there is no tension of the will-they-won't-they plot for me, just irritation that a good plot and superb research is being wasted on lazy teen angst storylines.
The inventions have been toned down, Ayla hasn't quite kickstarted the Bronze Age 25,000 years ahead of schedule you'll be pleased to know, but she does carry on the Doctor Dolittle act in domesticating a wolf, oh I can see it already that Ayla has single-handedly domesticated the dog. The ending has an incredibly well-written mammoth hunt and the love triangle comes limping to an end I felt hard to care about. I'm looking forward to the next one, but with slightly less enthusiasm.
See more book reviews at my blog
At the end of The Valley of Horses they make contact with a tribe known as Mamutoi (Mammoth Hunters) and the pair are invited to stay at their hearth. This creates an interesting start: this is the first actual tribe of anatomically modern humans that Ayla encounters. She is reticent, mostly because of the horror stories she had heard from the Clan, but the Mamutoi are welcoming and curious of the strange girl and the incredible range of skills she has.
After a while, and with Ayla choosing to be (mostly) upfront about her past with the Clan, she encounters mixed feelings. Anti "flathead" feeling runs deep but Ayla is largely accepted.
The most interesting relationship that Ayla has is with Mamut, the holy man with whom Ayla draws obvious comparisons with Creb (the Clan holy man of whom she was very fond). He has had experience with the "flatheads" when one nursed him back to health as a young boy. Their journey of discovery and Mamut's attempts to discover Ayla's powers and figure out what the The Great Earth Mother has in store for Ayla and Jondalar makes for an intriguing plot thread.
Unfortunately that is not the primary plot thread because that is a very soap opera-ish love triangle with an adopted Mamutoi named Ranec. So again we delve back into Bella and Edward: The Flintstones Years (yawn) as Ayla engages in sexual aerobics with both men. I wouldn't mind so much, but this love triangle detracts from the journey of discovery and the otherwise superbly researched narrative and rich detail of Mamutoi society. I also wouldn't mind so much if I didn't find Ranec genuinely creepy. Ranec's infatuation with Ayla crosses the line into stalker territory, what the hell she sees in him (aside from his darker skin and tales of strange places) I could not fathom. Jondalar's jealousy at their all night sex sessions is wearisome; there is no tension of the will-they-won't-they plot for me, just irritation that a good plot and superb research is being wasted on lazy teen angst storylines.
The inventions have been toned down, Ayla hasn't quite kickstarted the Bronze Age 25,000 years ahead of schedule you'll be pleased to know, but she does carry on the Doctor Dolittle act in domesticating a wolf, oh I can see it already that Ayla has single-handedly domesticated the dog. The ending has an incredibly well-written mammoth hunt and the love triangle comes limping to an end I felt hard to care about. I'm looking forward to the next one, but with slightly less enthusiasm.
See more book reviews at my blog
Had to return it to the library (no extensions) going to move to the audiobook version
Very difficult book to read. First, I'll start with the good stuff. It was well written and it ends the way it should. That is about it.
Apparently, Days of our Lives started way before television.
I enjoyed all the pain that Ayla brought on herself. She deserved it. This is a woman as the lead character that was considered visionary smart. But she was too dumb to see what she was doing to the man she loves, Jondalar. Jondalar himself was pretty clumsy in how he handled the jealously she caused, but it was understandable.
I will warn you, this book is hard to read. Especially, the first half. I actually considered putting it down. I only continued after reading the Wikipedia article on it to ensure it ended the way I wanted. Heck, I'm a man and I couldn't even enjoy the sex scenes because I was so upset. I even started speed reading. Sometimes I do that when I really don't enjoy what I'm reading. Still, my speed reading comprehension is very good and I didn't miss much. The first two books in this series were incredible and I wanted to "get through this book" to continue the series.
The next book in the series is rated well, so I am hoping that this book wasn't a wast of my time.
Apparently, Days of our Lives started way before television.
I enjoyed all the pain that Ayla brought on herself. She deserved it. This is a woman as the lead character that was considered visionary smart. But she was too dumb to see what she was doing to the man she loves, Jondalar. Jondalar himself was pretty clumsy in how he handled the jealously she caused, but it was understandable.
I will warn you, this book is hard to read. Especially, the first half. I actually considered putting it down. I only continued after reading the Wikipedia article on it to ensure it ended the way I wanted. Heck, I'm a man and I couldn't even enjoy the sex scenes because I was so upset. I even started speed reading. Sometimes I do that when I really don't enjoy what I'm reading. Still, my speed reading comprehension is very good and I didn't miss much. The first two books in this series were incredible and I wanted to "get through this book" to continue the series.
The next book in the series is rated well, so I am hoping that this book wasn't a wast of my time.
I don't understand why I like this book, but I do. Ayla is too perfect of a main character she does everything well, everyone loves to love her, even the gods of this world favor her. Its so unrealistic. But there is something about how well researched this book is that makes Ayla's perfection bearable. The world building is amazing. I find myself more interested in just discovering the customs of the different groups than the actual plot.
Overall, I liked it. I will continue reading this series. Just have to accept that Ayla will always be perfect.
Overall, I liked it. I will continue reading this series. Just have to accept that Ayla will always be perfect.
adventurous
medium-paced
Just finsihed this one and I am disappointed. There is a huge thread of love sick triangle which gets in the way of a genuinely great story. Don't know if I will bother with the remaining books.
If you like love triangles and miscommunication this book is for you!
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Pregnancy, Abandonment