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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
While I love Ayla meeting other people and I truly adore all of the side characters here, more than half of the book has me screaming 'JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER, IDIOTS'. While it was obvious that Ayla would get off with Jondalar in the end, I hate that she had to leave the Mamutoi behind because they are amazing people and I have no clue why she should do wat Jondalar wants once again. Meh. Now it gets interesting though because I don't remember book 4,5,6 at all. On I go!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
informative
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
2.5 stars
I've been rereading the series (in French) and I was once again reminded that things go pretty much downhill after the first book. it took me ages to finish this even when I started skimming parts. Sure, you could chalk up some of my lack of enthusiams to the fact that I'd already read it twice before, but I finished the first two relatively quickly and enjoyed them despite the familiarity. Really good books have 'rereadability'.
I love the setting and the more general plot of the series. I don't even mind that much that Ayla seems to be perfect in every single way (with the exception of difficulties with some cultural differences) or even overly long detailed descriptions of things, like making a specific tool (I'm used to skimming those). But I was once again reminded of the fact that Auel doesn't do romance well. I'm not even talking about the multitude of cringy, plot-irrelevant and super repetitive sex scenes (as you can guess, I usually skim those too) but about the love stories. Which explains why I like the first and a large part of the second book, where the romance isn't really an item yet.
As I'll be talking about the general development of the love storie and about the end, the rest is marked as spoiler.
Honestly, I don't mind Jondalar being somewhat flawed and prejudiced because Auel tries to show some character development (though the way in which this happens is unsatisfactory) but I can't help but think that Ayla would have been happier staying with the Mamutoi. If he really loved her (as does everyone who meets her, apparently) he would have stayed with her and her adoptive people (I know he offers and she declines but still). The Mamutoi are the only reason I give this book any stars at all. It's intersting to see how their society works (compared to the Clan) and there are interesting characters and conflicts. I just can't stand the romance.
Warning: some mild spoilers of the general direction the series takes.
I've been rereading the series (in French) and I was once again reminded that things go pretty much downhill after the first book. it took me ages to finish this even when I started skimming parts. Sure, you could chalk up some of my lack of enthusiams to the fact that I'd already read it twice before, but I finished the first two relatively quickly and enjoyed them despite the familiarity. Really good books have 'rereadability'.
I love the setting and the more general plot of the series. I don't even mind that much that Ayla seems to be perfect in every single way (with the exception of difficulties with some cultural differences) or even overly long detailed descriptions of things, like making a specific tool (I'm used to skimming those). But I was once again reminded of the fact that Auel doesn't do romance well. I'm not even talking about the multitude of cringy, plot-irrelevant and super repetitive sex scenes (as you can guess, I usually skim those too) but about the love stories. Which explains why I like the first and a large part of the second book, where the romance isn't really an item yet.
As I'll be talking about the general development of the love storie and about the end, the rest is marked as spoiler.
Spoiler
As other reviewers have pointed out, the conflict between the lovers hinges on that awful trope of the "Big Misunderstanding" and the fact that they cannot communicate. Everyone around them can see what is going on but nobody thinks of trying to help. Some of the miscommunication can be attributed to Ayla being raised differently and not understanding other people's customs but all in all it is frustrating, without any progress, and a resolution taking place without them really talking about the misunderstanding - both come to realisations about what has been obvious from the beginning and there is no real processing of what has been going on.Honestly, I don't mind Jondalar being somewhat flawed and prejudiced because Auel tries to show some character development (though the way in which this happens is unsatisfactory) but I can't help but think that Ayla would have been happier staying with the Mamutoi. If he really loved her (as does everyone who meets her, apparently) he would have stayed with her and her adoptive people (I know he offers and she declines but still). The Mamutoi are the only reason I give this book any stars at all. It's intersting to see how their society works (compared to the Clan) and there are interesting characters and conflicts. I just can't stand the romance.
Warning: some mild spoilers of the general direction the series takes.
Spoiler
While I like the sequel (mostly because we meet new peoples and customs and conflicts), I dislike the last two books that take place among the Zelandonii, mostly because it's even more boring and repetitive, the romance is still bad and Ayla is made to follow her "calling", which, to this point in the series (don't remember exactly how she feels about it later), she has been very reluctant about. I get that Auel wanted to move the story to other prehistoric caves but I feel like this could have been handled much better. As could have the love story.
adventurous
slow-paced
more like 3.5 after hours and hours spent listening to the two main characters act so stupid over each other
A series that continues to hold my attention. Learning the intricacies, culture, customs, flora and fuana of the life of 'early wo/man' in narrative form is intriguing.
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
READ IN DUTCH
I'd once started this book back in 2007, but at a point I was just so annoyed with it, I quit. Now, it was time to give it another try.
And it was not as bad as I remembered, some parts were nice to read (even though the amount of sex in it makes that you almost think you're reading 50 shades or something similar), and I was planning to give this book an extra star after reading it completely, but then the End happened. It was so bad, I couldn't stop myself from facepalming even though there was no one around to notice it. It almost made me vomit, it was terrible.
It goes like this:
*We're on the very day of Ayla's marriage, so you hope this is going to end the stupid love triangle (or it might even be a love pyramid); Anyway, her other love interest has left*
*She notices he has left, and goes looking for him*
*Finds him*
'Why don't you love me any more?'
'But you don't love me any more...'
*Some confusion as they find out that they in fact do love each other*
'Then why did you never ask me to marry you?'
'Marry me!'
'YES!'
'How about the guy you're supposed to marry this very evening?'
'Oh, well, I'll just ditch him, he won't mind'
* Some make up sex *
Afterwards they go and tell the other guy, and he is OK with it!
Seriously, this really is one of the worst endings I've ever read.
(And someone got me the fourth book in the Earth Children's series as a present, so I'll have to read that one as well)
I am apparently unable to stop reading a series, even if it is mediocre. These books are a classic case and point. It is obvious that the quality of these books drops off quickly after the Clan of the Cave Bear, but I am still reading. I enjoy the atmospherics and settings of these novels and the unique environment, as well as many of the characters. At the same time, could do without the cliched love triangle with its obvious resolution in this one. I fear to think what the fifth book will look like, but yet I am still reading them.