The Mamutoi had a more interest cast of supporting characters, but Jondalar was less annoying in this book. The story is very similar to the story in book three, The Mammoth Hunters, where Ayla and Jondalar spent the bulk of the book with the Mamutoi people. Still, I’m giving the book four stars because there is a charm that Auel brings to her story and the characters are still a delight to spend time with. I wish I could say that this book takes a radically different turn and enters all new territory, but really it’s more of the same on a longer scale here. Along the way she shares stories about her adoption of a baby lion, being raised by the Clan, and living alone in a valley by herself for years. At first their skeptical of the way she talks, then as the natives become aware of her “control” over animals, her ability to heal, and her inventions (the fire stone and spear thrower) she wins over the community and is loved by all.

Five books into this series, there’s gotten to be a routine whenever Ayla meets new people. Ayla has to call on all her skills, intelligence, knowledge, and instincts to find her way in this complicated society, to prepare for the birth of her child, and to decide whether she will accept new challenges and play a significant role in the destiny of the Zelandonii.Book five of the Earth’s Children series has Ayla and Jondalar finally reaching their destination of Jondalar’s people the Zelandonii. Some even oppose her mating with Jondalar, and make their displeasure known. Some fear Ayla’s unfamiliar ways and abhor her relationship with those they call flatheads and she calls Clan.

And in the woman Zelandoni, the spiritual leader of the Ninth Cave (and the one who initiated Jondalar into the Gift of Pleasure), she meets a fellow healer with whom to share her knowledge and skills.īut as Ayla and Jondalar prepare for the formal mating at the Summer Meeting, there are difficulties. Their clothes, customs, artifacts, even their homes-formed in great cliffs of vertical limestone-are a source of wonder to her. The people of the Ninth Cave of the Zelandonii fascinate Ayla. Ayla and Jondalar, along with their animal friends, Wolf, Whinney, and Racer, complete their epic journey across Europe and are greeted by Jondalar’s people: the Zelandonii.

The shelters of stone