La historia de Ayla me conmovio desde el primer libro, no solo por el hecho de conocerla sino tambien, por conocer su mundo, su entorno, ese periodo de la historia que marcó el inicio de la vida como la conocemos. Yendo a otro lado, el desarrollo de la historia puede parecer pesado para algunos lectores. Efectivamente, debido a la gran cantidad de datos que la autora nos brinda ya sea de costumbres o de elementos materiales, uno puede perder el hilo de la historia. Sin embargo, son estos datos los que nos permiten ubicarnos. Son estos los que ayudan al lector a ver el mundo como Ayla lo ve, como Jondalar lo ve. Exceptuando, si se desea, estos datos tanto historicos como cientificos encontramos una historia llena de aventura, drama, alegria y misterio. Personajes que se vuelven inolvidables y que asi como marcaron a Ayla, te marcan a ti y una vez cumplido su rol, te dejan un vacío que el lector poco a poco supera. Una gran historia para aquellos que gustan de animales prehistoricos, clanes y tribus de hombres y mujeres, y una tierra que en algún momento fue de todos ellos.

I am pretty sure the author was drunk through the entire writing of this book. Along with her editor.

Today I finished the last book of The Eearth's Children, and I am not completely sure what my opinion is. The first books were absolutely amazing, and I enjoyed them a lot! But the last two books were a real struggle and somewhat boring. Although I hate to put a book aside, I found myself doubting to finish the book. Auel is an amazing writer and artist. The research she has put in the storyline is really great and shows dedication. After three or four books however, new information is scarce and a lot of repetition occurs. Also, this book contains a lot of description about the caves and paintings, more description than in the other books occurs. For me, the information and descriptions overshadowed the storyline and it is not as innovatory as the other books.
For everyone who wants to read them: go ahead, enjoy them, because the're awesome, but brace yourself for the last books ;)

It was PAINFUL to read. After waiting so many years for a continuation of the story of Ayla and Jondular, this is what she wrote!!! What a let down. Don't waste your money on this book

It had a slow beginning (or rather a slow first 3/4) but the last 1/4 made up for it. Overall I loved this whole series.

Well, that's done.

Skim skim skim. This book was weird. The writing in the last third was what a remembered from the first four books: characters feeling things, conflict, personality (even if it was the same conflict as multiple previous books). The first two parts seemed added later as filler, or something. Nothing happens. Huh.

1. The Clan of the Cave Bear ★★★★★
2. The Valley of Horses ★★★★★
3. The Mammoth Hunters ★★★★
4. The Plains of Passage ★★★★★
5. The Shelters of Stone ★★★★★
6. The Land of Painted Caves ★★★★

I still love Ayla and Jondalar of course, and this whole world. But this was one of my least favourite in the series. I was so upset that Ayla was so encouraged to become Zelandonii (one who serves the mother). I almost felt like they were trying to contain her wild spirit because they were afraid of her. I really wish she had not agreed and had stayed wild and free forever. Also Ayla and Jondalar drove me crazy with their jealousy in this like they did in [b:The Mammoth Hunters|49824|The Mammoth Hunters (Earth's Children, #3)|Jean M. Auel|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388257676s/49824.jpg|927520]. I thought they would have learned their lesson last time. They made a lot of the same mistakes again. But at least it was only the last 3 hours of the audio and not the whole book. This really wasnt the best way to end the series.

Wish I hadn't bothered... again more long winded travelling chapters that don't really add much to the story. Some of the painted caves stuff was interesting but too repetitive and then we end with some out of character behaviour just to reach a crises for the story to resolve.

Should have stopped reading after the Mammoth Hunters.