This is the second book about Ayla, a fictional character who could very well have existed a long time ago when human beings were taking root in this world. The author, as in the first book--The Clan of the Cave Bear-- extraordinarily shows us life as it was in those long-gone times.

Share/Like this Review?

Set in the time of early man -- great book and one of a series.

Share/Like this Review?

Super book - great sequel to Clan of the Cave Bear!

Share/Like this Review?

"Shiningly intense...Sheere storytelling skill holds the reader in a powerful spell." --Publishers Weekly

"Cruelly cast out by the ancient Clan that adopted her as a child, Ayla now travels alone in a land of glacial cold and terrifying beasts. She is searching for the Others, a race as tall, blond, and blue eyed as she. But Ayla finds only a hidden valley, where a herd of hardy steppe horses roams. Here, she is granted a unique kinship with animals, enabling her to learn the secrets of fire and raw survival--but still, her need for human companionship and love remains unfulfilled. Then fate brings her a stranger, handsome Jondalar, and Ayla is torn between fear and hope--and carried to an awakening of desire that would shape the future of mankind.

Share/Like this Review?

A peek into the past! I really enjoy this whole series of books.

Share/Like this Review?

Nice research! A good read!

Share/Like this Review?

This is the second book in the saga of The Children of the Earth, I was warned that I would end up reading them all when I started Clan of the Cave Bear one of my 2011 reading challenge books.

The Valley of Horses, it the continuing story of Ayla, the Cro Magnon child raise then cast out by the Neanderthals after her protectors have died. Leaving behind her child she takes all the skills she has learned and sets out on a trek to find "the others" who her Neanderthal foster Mother told her where to the north. She has the skills to survive and to thrive, but how do you survive loneliness?

In Valley Of Horses the character of Jondalar is introduced, he and his younger brother have set out on a journey to see what lies at the end of the Mother river. Jondalar is the Cro Magnon equivalent of Brad Pitt, and on his trek east leaves many a satisfied woman in his wake.

The book moves back and forth between the two until they are finally brought together by tragedy. Jondalar is near death when Alya finds and saves him. Has he finally found the woman that he can love? Is Jondalar Ayla's mate? She certainly hopes so though she has had her mare Whinney and her cave lion Baby for company she is so lonely! Ya think? After 3 years living alone she fears he will leave her. Ayla's insecurities plague her, almost to much, but it is a testament to Auel's writing that you can get over some of the silliness. Auel's research and commitment to learning all that she could about our early ancestors is truly astounding. I really cared about these characters, and have the third book the Mammoth Hunters ready to read. 4 out of 5 stars.

Share/Like this Review?

Incredible character development.

Share/Like this Review?

Ayla's story continues in the Valley of Horses.
Forced to leave the Clan of the Cave Bear, she must survive on her own with only a horse foal and an orphaned lion cub for company until one day when she meets a man of the Others...

Share/Like this Review?

Excellent, I really enjoyed this series.

Share/Like this Review?

This is one of my favorite books, I reread the whole series about every three years or so. When I first read book #1 there was no series, I have read the series every time a new book was published. They are so vivid and real that they are like a wonderful movie in my mind.

Share/Like this Review?

I loved this book. I think it is the best of all of Jean Auel books. I could read this one over again very easily. I cannot say that of some of the later books.

Share/Like this Review?

This series goes downhill after the appearance of Jondalar. Auel seems more intent on writing romance novels with a bit of plot once Ayla finds a mate, rather than keeping up with the good historical story she began with Clan of the Cave Bear. But since Jondalar doesn't appear in this book unil more than halfway through, this book is still a somewhat satisfying conclusion to Alya's fate as it was handed down in the first book. If you're fond of romances, this series ought to be a real gem. If not, stop after the second one.

Share/Like this Review?