FictionFreek reviewed a book.
The Land of Painted Caves
“** SPOILER ALERT ** SPOILER ALERT **
I am so disappointed by the conclusion to this series, and, frankly, surprised too that it was even published as bad as it is. As many other reviewers have pointed out, this book is full of repetitious filler, description after description of cave...”
“** SPOILER ALERT ** SPOILER ALERT **
I am so disappointed by the conclusion to this series, and, frankly, surprised too that it was even published as bad as it is. As many other reviewers have pointed out, this book is full of repetitious filler, description after description of cave paintings and verses of the "Mothers Song." It is, imo, basically The Mammoth Hunters' plot flipped, (instead of Ayla bedding someone else, this time it's Jondalar).
Still, this could've worked. At this point Ayla and Jon have been together roughly a decade, they have 6yr old daughter, Jonayla, and have been through so much that there's a lot of love, trust, and faith in this relationship now. So, why not use this to show how their years together has only strengthened and matured their bond? Why not have them actually talk to each other? As I read this all I could think was how much better it would've been had she let them talk through Ayla's feelings of hurt and betrayal and of Jon's shame. But, nope, instead of being written as if they'd actually grown from the previous experience, the situation is portrayed EXACTLY as it was in the third book. Even down to Ayla's drinking the dangerous datura concoction, which AGAIN leads to her collapsing into a near death state from which only Jondalor's fervent pleas of love and need can save her.
If you haven't read this yet, do yourself a favor and skip it. If you're new to the series stick to only the 1st three because after them, it's all downhill from there, folks.
”
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