Scan barcode
soph_mills's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
lollybee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
After surviving in the wilderness for days, she is discovered by another Clan who take her in.
As Ayla grows up she struggles to conform to expectations of the Clan: the prejudices, superstitions, distrust and hatred of her because she doesn't look or behave like one of them.
This was an interesting story but overlong on description and explanation in places.
Moderate: Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Cannibalism, and Pregnancy
kendraerin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Overall, it was a very good and very strange book. Auel clearly did a lot of research for it, there's facts and extremely thorough descriptions throughout to paint a picture of what life could have been like in prehistory for the Neanderthals and early Homo Sapiens. Ayla is a wonderful character with a lot of passion, intelligence, and empathy that makes it easy to root for her (even if I was consistently horrified by her age— we meet her when she's five and finish the book when she's a preteen!) The other characters feel as fleshed out as the world building. This book does not shy away from adult content (shout-out to my mom for age-restricting this one), but it doesn't delight in it either. If parts of this and other aspects of the clan and ending didn't feel a little plot-contrived, I'd give the book five stars (or at least a 4.5).
The ending was a little frustrating, with Ayla being declared "dead" for the second time by her clan and Isa and Creb, the only other characters I was really rooting for, both dying. It was definitely necessary for Ayla's journey and leaving, coming full circle with another cave of hers succumbing to an earthquake and losing her family at about the same time, but I'm already missing life with the clan. Very excited to see what comes next, would recommend this book to anyone interested in prehistory/anthropology and is okay with a little adult content.
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Rape, and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug use, Xenophobia, and Sexual harassment
tipsysmudgeheidi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Cannibalism, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
readrabbitwrite's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.0
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
alyssasaurus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child death, Death, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Classism
smnthstrrlwd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Animal death and Death
sba's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Violence, and Blood
bbymac's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Death, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, and Pedophilia
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, and Gaslighting
It isn't mentioned until later in the series, but the main character Ayla is very young. Between the ages of 12-14 during the climax of the story.short_circuit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Xenophobia, and Death of parent