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2.92 AVERAGE
2.92 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this final book in this series. i have read all of the others so was excited to see this final one.
I'm having a hard time saying anything but "oof" after that ending.
Anyone who's read any of the Earth's Children books is probably aware that none of the other books really measure up to the first, and this one is no exception, but the way it ended really killed it for me. Auel already had established a pattern of not tying up plot threads and letting them become holes, but there's a LOT left unanswered at the end. It really reads like there's supposed to be another book, though there's not much hope of that considering it's been 10 years since this one was published.
My other big beef with this book is that we get a beat for beat repeat of Ayla and Jondalar's relationship problems from The Mammoth Hunters, which is even more frustrating to read a second time, though it's a fairly small part of the book.
I will say that I had fun reading this book, mostly because Ayla can be fun to read about (probably unintentionally, her exploits can come off as a little ridiculous, but I love to see a girlboss winning). Despite that, the whole thing ends up being a disappointment with such a lackluster ending and lots of repetition.
Anyone who's read any of the Earth's Children books is probably aware that none of the other books really measure up to the first, and this one is no exception, but the way it ended really killed it for me. Auel already had established a pattern of not tying up plot threads and letting them become holes, but there's a LOT left unanswered at the end. It really reads like there's supposed to be another book, though there's not much hope of that considering it's been 10 years since this one was published.
My other big beef with this book is that we get a beat for beat repeat of Ayla and Jondalar's relationship problems from The Mammoth Hunters, which is even more frustrating to read a second time, though it's a fairly small part of the book.
I will say that I had fun reading this book, mostly because Ayla can be fun to read about (probably unintentionally, her exploits can come off as a little ridiculous, but I love to see a girlboss winning). Despite that, the whole thing ends up being a disappointment with such a lackluster ending and lots of repetition.
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I truly wanted to give this book a higher rating, but particularly due to the last 200 pages, I can't.
I was ok with the repetitiveness of it all. The traveling, the challenges during traveling, the medicines, the sex, etc. But there was enough new little things to still keep it entertaining. In this book the descriptions of the caves was definitely a new thing, but it felt more like the author visited all these places and wanted to make sure we knew. And yes, a lot of it is invented.
But the end really threw all the love for the characters away. Jondalar and Ayla acted like they would have never done. The mating with other people, the not speaking to each other. It definitely track with the author amount of repetition (this definitely brought me back to the 3rd boo and Ranec). But it all was for nothing, or even worse, to perpetuate the beginning of a much more patriarchal society. The book couldn't even give me some of what I would have enjoy more, like giving a happy ending to the children of Laramar (yes, they sort of get one, but it's deal with in least pages than the shortest description of a cave....It's sad that after all these years, pages and hours reading these books, this ending was so disappointing.
I was ok with the repetitiveness of it all. The traveling, the challenges during traveling, the medicines, the sex, etc. But there was enough new little things to still keep it entertaining. In this book the descriptions of the caves was definitely a new thing, but it felt more like the author visited all these places and wanted to make sure we knew. And yes, a lot of it is invented.
But the end really threw all the love for the characters away. Jondalar and Ayla acted like they would have never done.
So disappointing. I really enjoyed this whole series. Until this book. No story for the first 2/3. Just traveling around looking at caves. In the other novels the repetitiveness didn't bother me because I liked the story. But there was literally nothing happening in the majority of this book, and the repetitiveness grated on my last nerve. Then the jumping ahead several years at a time? That just seemed like laziness on Auel's part. Honestly, to build up Ayla becoming Zelandonii to just skip through it?! And don't even get me started on the character regression of Jondalar. And Ayla for that matter. It ended tidily enough, but a very disappointing end to an otherwise enjoyable series. Wolf gets 5 stars for being a good boy.
I finally got the last book in this series, although it’s been out for a few years now. Three stars is a bit generous for this muddled mess, but I think it’s because I had read other poor reviews of the book prior to reading, so my expectations for it were rather low.
SPOILERS
This book is divided into 3 sections spanning over about 6-7 years of time. A lot of time is spent with the characters touring and describing sacred cave sights. I’m also pretty sure we are told in detail at least twice how to use and eat cattails as well as what every part of the plant looks like (*yawn*). Events occur but then just trail off into a big nothing, like the earthquake in the first section. Jondalar & Ayla remain worshipped and adored by all, except for the 4-5 people who still hate their guts from the previous book. They are practically Mythical Legends in the stories of people all over the land.
In the third section, Ayla and Jondalar both act so completely out of their current character, and make the exact same mistakes they made when they lived with the Mamutoi/Lion Camp, just over a shorter time frame. There is no excuse for this other than the author’s apparent laziness in rehashing the same threats to their relationship. It’s even basically the same event which brings them back together just in time to save Ayla from being lost in the spirit world. Girrrrrl, just stop with the drugs already! Throw out that stupid root and move on.
Is the author getting paid per word? You kind of suspect she is after the umpteenth repetition of that golden oldie, the Mother’s Song, which, surprise, ends up having a final hidden verse. One which Ayla makes up while high on yet another weird drug concoction, and wow, what a bigger surprise, it confirms her belief that it’s a man and a woman who produce children together.
These people need to hurry up and invent AA/NA, because there are sure a lot of drunken, drugged up behaviors going down with the Ninth Cave.
I fully admit that what probably helped this book get 3 stars is that being forewarned about the pointless details and repetitive sections, I did skim over some of the duller parts. I almost didn’t bother to read this based on other reviews, but I couldn’t resist finishing off a series I’ve been reading for over a couple of decades. As long as you don’t expect much out of this poor finish to such a promising series, you won’t be too disappointed. Just be prepared for every single character in the book to comment on Ayla’s special foreign accent, again.
SPOILERS
This book is divided into 3 sections spanning over about 6-7 years of time. A lot of time is spent with the characters touring and describing sacred cave sights. I’m also pretty sure we are told in detail at least twice how to use and eat cattails as well as what every part of the plant looks like (*yawn*). Events occur but then just trail off into a big nothing, like the earthquake in the first section. Jondalar & Ayla remain worshipped and adored by all, except for the 4-5 people who still hate their guts from the previous book. They are practically Mythical Legends in the stories of people all over the land.
In the third section, Ayla and Jondalar both act so completely out of their current character, and make the exact same mistakes they made when they lived with the Mamutoi/Lion Camp, just over a shorter time frame. There is no excuse for this other than the author’s apparent laziness in rehashing the same threats to their relationship. It’s even basically the same event which brings them back together just in time to save Ayla from being lost in the spirit world. Girrrrrl, just stop with the drugs already! Throw out that stupid root and move on.
Is the author getting paid per word? You kind of suspect she is after the umpteenth repetition of that golden oldie, the Mother’s Song, which, surprise, ends up having a final hidden verse. One which Ayla makes up while high on yet another weird drug concoction, and wow, what a bigger surprise, it confirms her belief that it’s a man and a woman who produce children together.
These people need to hurry up and invent AA/NA, because there are sure a lot of drunken, drugged up behaviors going down with the Ninth Cave.
I fully admit that what probably helped this book get 3 stars is that being forewarned about the pointless details and repetitive sections, I did skim over some of the duller parts. I almost didn’t bother to read this based on other reviews, but I couldn’t resist finishing off a series I’ve been reading for over a couple of decades. As long as you don’t expect much out of this poor finish to such a promising series, you won’t be too disappointed. Just be prepared for every single character in the book to comment on Ayla’s special foreign accent, again.
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No