The Shelters of Stone

This was a really great story. Definitely at the top of my favorites in this series only second to The Mammoth Hunters.

So far this book is easily my favorite of the series. I enjoyed all the new characters and the new situations they brought to the story. The book is very fast paced and leaves you on your toes till the very end!

I have an hour commute to and from wook everyday. I discovered Books on CD and now I'm content to drive the speed limit and feel a lot less stressed when I get to work. I have to admit I was a bit overwhelmed when I got this book on CD--28 CD's is a little over a month's worth of listening and I was afraid I would become bored with it, but it didn't happen. The narrator is very good and easy to listen to. I've been following the life of Ayla ever since I read "The Clan of the Cave Bear" so I was delighted to see that "The Shelter's of Stone" was available on audio! I've thoroughly enjoyed all of Jean Auel's Earth Children series, but this is the first I had on CD and read to me rather than reading it myself. It sparked my imagination just the same as if I was reading it myself and it made me wanting to hear more about Ayla, Jondular, Jonayla, Wolf, Winnie, Racer, and Gray. I hope the next book will be coming out soon! Warning: There are some graphic descriptions of hunting parties and the "sharing of pleasures". I wouldn't recommed his book or series to anyone well over 18 years old because of that, but the book is brilliantly done just like Ms Auel's previous Eath's Children books. I hope to you enjoy it as much as I did. Cheers y'all!

Diferente el ritmo y tensión de los anteriores, aunque igual mantiene la lógica de la historia, esta vez tiene menos ingredientes.Este libro es más descriptivo de los objetos de los personajes que de los sentimientos de los mismos.Quizás la primer crítica sea que no parece creíble y justificado que luego de un año de tortura entre el amor de Ayla y los prejuicios familiares que sufrió Jondalar(tema central casi del tercer libro),la recepción de Ayla entre los zelandonii sea tan natural y fácil por parte de los que realmente importan en la historia.Por otro lado, me quedé con las ganas de ver como Ayla mostraba las piedras de fuego en la ceremonia matrimonial(hecho que se anuncia y no sucede)no se si es una omisión adrede de la autora o es una falla de traducción. El relato de los sucesos que debieron de ser el climax como el casamiento o el nacimiento de Jondayla no tienen la profundidad sicológica con que la autora nos deleitó en los otros libros.Es quizás un buen prólogo para el sexto libro.Debemos esperar el postre.

I gave it five stars because I liked it. I considered giving it four stars because I don't think this book will hold much for a person who hasn't read the previous books in the series. It ties up loose ends and sets up an interest for upcoming adventures, but it doesn't carry a lot of excitement of its own. Obstacles are too easily overcome. This book works well as a step in a larger series, but I don't think it could stand on its own.

I think a lot of people are giving this book a bad rap for no reasons. I read the first four about ten years ago, and have been eagerly awaiting the next installment. It turned out to be just as good as I expected. I did expect there to be a great deal of telling about the place that Ayla and Jondalar spent so long getting to. It was necessary for Jean to very clearly describe to us the people, customs and setting that we had finally gotten to. Ayla's first months were full of almost constant movement that lasted most of the book and then accelerated towards the end. Personally, I could have had more story and less backstory and description, but I fully understand the reasoning for it and the book stands alone as a result of it. Truly a marvelous work, I would recommend it to anyone and can hardly wait for the next book!

Very long book, but worth the read. If you liked the others in the series, you must read this to find out what happens with Jondalar and Ayla and the baby. I love the information about pre-man in this series. Educational as well as interesting. For readers of every interest. Give them a try. I did by accident and loved them.