Reviews

The Shelters of Stone: Earth's Children, Book Five by Jean M. Auel

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alicia_reads_'s review

reflective slow-paced

3.25

My goodness gracious this was boring. Which isn't to say I didn't enjoy it--these books are weirdly compelling, like watching The Joy of Painting on PBS. No conflict, barely any story, just pleasant people wandering around talking to other pleasant people. For 30 hours of audiobook. And yet...eh, not bad. I'll listen to the next one, just not any time soon.

ristan72's review

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3.0

The series is beginning to get a bit tired and worn for me. The thrill that the earlier books gave isn't there anymore. Still good to see what Ayla and Jondalar are up to.

wayfaring_witch's review

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3.0

The 3 star rating is entirely because it was a comfort book. The plot barely progressed and this book was repetitive, but this world is familiar and a relaxing read. I have a descriptive vision in my head of this huge universe that Auel has created filled with different groups. Surprisingly this book took 20 years to write. Yes there were a lot of new characters, but mostly it was just them ooohing and awwing over Aylas stories that we all read in the last four books.

I was disappointed that her entrance to the Zelandoni wasn't more controversial. A large problem in book 3 is Jondalar didn't think his people would accept that she was raised by the Clan, and Ayla walks in an is treated like royalty. Only a few characters raised issues with her, but Jondalar's ex-lover (now convienetly obese) is the top mystical woman of all the caves, and she likes Ayla.

Curious where the next book goes, but sounds like it was a bit of a flop as well (Goodreads rating of 2.99 for a popular series...) but its a comfort thing so it will be finished!

svdp1412's review against another edition

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adventurous relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

darbyart's review

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4.0

I am giving this 4 stars because I did enjoy the story but out of the whole series this was my least favorite book.

The negatives...

I felt like it was a repetition of many things already happened in past books. I mean we can swap out the Zelandoni for Matmutoi or really any tribe/group they encountered and it could be very similar tales. The feelings of the people - how they are scared of the animals and then come to see Ayla as spiritual leader that can talk to animals, call fire, find good hunting spots and heal.

I feel there was lot of repetition of the same details and stories. Such as talking about her past with the Clan - she goes over it with each person she encounters. That just doesn't seem to be good editing.

The first days and months at the Cave with the Zelandoni went on and on and then the getting married and having the baby were short. And that those were the 2 reasons I was looking forward to this book - to find out what happens when they marry and have a baby. Seeing her and Jondalar live as couple and family with their baby.

The positives for me....
I love the history. I love details of history that Auel studies and researches obviously very thoroughly. It does get long in some areas and repetative but I am still very thankful for the history the books provide - wrapped in a good story.

I enjoyed seeing Ayla struggles and coming into the gifts she has received from the Mother of all Children. If there is a new book I do hope to see where it takes Ayla on her spiritual journey.

hannah_hethmon's review

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4.0

If I didn't love the first three books so much, I would not have enjoyed the next 3 nearly as much. A bit of a slog, but still interesting and worth the read.