Reviewed by: Rachel A Hyde, MyShelf.Com
Buy a US || UK Copy

At last - the fifth installment of the groundbreaking Earth's Children series is with us. Ayla and Jondalar have at last finished their epic journey and are back with his people, the Zelandonii. Ayla is nervous as to whether they will accept her with her Neanderthal upbringing, strange ways and animals in tow, and not without reason. Jondalar is the son of the leading family of the largest settlement and her new life will bring her many friends, some enemies and a whole new lot of challenges and choices.

This is surely the ultimate feel-good book, especially for women for it offers us a glimpse into a lost golden age when men and women were equal and lived a simple, free life with an honest, earthy attitude that we can only dream about. Whether this is true or not is speculation backed by a generous amount of solid research and fieldwork, but it certainly makes for a book to get lost in. Personally, I would have liked a little more conflict, and although there are hunting accidents and people giving birth, it would have been a good idea to show a more "warts-and-all" picture of Ice Age life with a closer look at the actual length of people's lives and the depredations of disease. This is alluded to but only in passing. Somehow it seems petty though to nitpick such a mammoth (excuse the pun) treat as this, and it comes highly recommended as a true joy of a book. I hope we don't have to wait too long for the next book…