Reviews

The Shelters of Stone by Jean M. Auel

flagstaff's review against another edition

5.0

This was the first book of the Earth Children series that I read. Then watched the movie of the first book and read the whole series, Then waited 7 years to read the final book. That was disappointing! This is the book the series should have ended on. The meat of the story is in books 1,2, and 5 These hold up.

emmabjones's review

adventurous emotional informative lighthearted 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

5.0

I love this series so much. Auel is a pro at characters and setting building. This book is a great addition to an already awesome story. 

hmgelo02's review against another edition

5.0

This is the fifth - and the last published - novel by [a:Jean M Auel|861|Jean M. Auel|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1206470150p2/861.jpg] in her Earth's Children series. I had waited about ten years between having finished the 4th book in the series, [b:The Plains of Passage|74389|The Plains of Passage|Jean M. Auel|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170852386s/74389.jpg|1377315] and when this novel was published to read what I'd hoped would be the next exciting chapter in the life of Ayla, the series' heroine.

What I got, however, was a book that seemed like more of a repetition of her previous four books than something that was entirely new. It is repetitive at times, enough that even on my first reading I found myself skimming through to scenes that held my interest more. However, as repetitive as this book was, I liked it far better than the one immediately preceding it. I wish that Auel had chosen to devote equal amounts of time to the timeline, which spanned about a year; rather, she chose to spend the first several hundred pages on the first 48 hours, and the next hundred on the first month. The remainder of the year is given the remaining 200 pages; it's not even, and had I not been so very curious as to how Auel would end this novel, I may not have plowed through so enthusiastically.

I've been trying to find out when her next installation will be published; if history tells us anything, it will be several more years before I'm able to find out what happens next in Ayla's life. I read rumors that what she had originally planned to be a six-book series may end up being a seven-book series. I can only hope that her next two novels finish the series on as high a note as she began it.

Note: although I began reading this series at what now seems to be a very young age, this book, as well as those that came before it, contains very graphic details of sexual acts. I would recommend this to any adult who wants to learn more about the emerging world of humans in the ice age, and who wants to read a really well-written story.

A further note: although each of these novels can be read on their own, the experience is far greater when reading them sequentially. Each novel builds upon the details on its predecessors; in this case, the sum is far greater than its parts.

cpriley401's review against another edition

adventurous informative slow-paced

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

4.0

lcoverosey's review against another edition

2.0

I agree with another reviewer,,, very repetitive from previous books in series.

athene_sionnach's review against another edition

3.0

3.5

afarre01's review against another edition

4.0

Good book - a lot like the others. This series is very repetitive, but I like all the characters.

twstdtink's review against another edition

3.0

I want to hack this book to pieces with a red pen. The meat of this story would have filled a book less than half the size. Why do you repeat the same thing over and over again, Auel? Is it because it takes you 10 years to write each book and you forget what you said? Yes, Ayla talks funny. Her animals are incredible. She believes babies are born because of pleasure. Move on! I loved the parts about the summer meeting and Ayla's pregnancy. The new characters were interesting. The story is a far cry from what it started out as though.

jennilynft's review against another edition

3.0

As is the same for the last 2 books, I love the story but have the narration... Needlessly repetitive and drawn out.

bmg20's review against another edition

3.0

Ayla and Jondalar have finally made it back to his homeland in order to settle down and start their lives together. Ayla is pregnant and worried about whether she will be accepted by his people. Ayla shocks and amazes Jondalar's people/family with her talents as a healer, animal tamer, and her ability to create fire and she is accepted almost immediately.

As with all Jean M. Auel books, 'The Shelters of Stone' is heavy on the detail and history of the land and people inhabiting it. The story doesn't build up to much in the end and I was a bit disappointed, especially since the ending was a tad expected. I waited almost a decade to read this because the size definitely frightened me and unfortunately her books can be a bit boring at times. I will probably be waiting at least another decade before deciding to delve into the last and final chapter in the Earth's Children series.