Review of 'The Mammoth Hunters'

The Mammoth Hunters by Jean M. Auel
3rd book in the 'Earth's Children' series

This novel begins where “The Valley of the Horses” left off with Ayla and Jondalar being accepted into a camp of the Mamutoi – The Mammoth Hunters – The Lion Camp. The camp begins to accept the strange woman who shares with them her unusual background and her seemingly mystical powers. The novel focuses on her estrangement from the love of her life - Jondalar - as she is made a member of the tribe and is betrothed to Ranec, master carver. This part of the story drags on to the final few pages but the outcome is never seriously in doubt. The sex scenes seem to be getting to be far more explicit as the series goes on which will no doubt appeal to some but tends to get rather repetitive. Auel has once again done her homework and show it off by portraying a vivid tale of the times. The scenes in the camp are particularly interesting with Ayla learning of the value of craftsmanship and liesure – something she never had time before alone in her valley. An interesting installment in the series.

Rating: “It is OK but I have some issues”

Genre: General Fiction

• The Clan of the Cave Bear (Book 1)
• The Valley of Horses (Book 2)
• The Plains of Passage (Book 4)

• The Clan of the Cave Bear (Book 1 of Earth's Children)
• The Plains of Passage (Book 4 of Earth's Children)
• The Valley of Horses (Book 2 of Earth's Children)