July 31, 2017
Earth's Children 6: The Land of Painted Caves
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Really, this book is way too long. Much longer than it needs to be. There are summaries of pretty much every key event and group Ayla and Jondalar met on their Journey through all of the previous books. Many ceremonies, roots, or ways of doing things in general are expanded on to a scientific level, often including modern uses and knowledge that the characters would not be aware of. It adds a significant amount of unnecessary length to the book that sometimes make it feel as if you're slowly wading through it instead of enjoying a story.
The last half of the book especially feels like a revisit of The Mammoth Hunters. It revisits a lot of the betrayal, jealousy, avoidance, and self-punishment from the third book. Apparently nothing was learned after all. Despite all of these events and Ayla getting her "calling," there are other loose ends remaining. We get a revisit from the Mamutoi, which could account for some of the overlap with their book, but not to the level of parallels evident at the Summer Meeting. That doesn't factor in Madroman and Brukeval still being loose ends that appear to be in a key position to cause trouble in the region. Supposedly, things with Laramar are settled after that meeting, but we see none of how that ultimately plans out with knowing how both Laramar and Tremida take advantage of things and end up being generally unwanted by everyone. Their children have ultimately been in Ayla and the Cave's care for the most part since the beginning though, so it doesn't feel as if that would have as much impact as their parent's demands and dispositions.
Overall, it felt like a lot of repeat and not much advancement or a real end. I am glad that it appears this is meant to be the end of the series however, as even after all these years, I'm not sure I would want to pick it back up for another addition.
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July 26, 2017
Earth's Children 5: The Shelters of Stone
My rating: 1 of 5 stars
I know I read this book when it first came out, but despite usually having a good memory for things I've read, my memory of this book is unusually vague. Of course everyone ends up being awed and inspired by Ayla, accepting her "strange" ideas and making unheard of accommodations for her and her suggestions. Some genuinely do make sense as just being a good person, but others are so far outside their established customs that it's odd how easily they are accepted and changed. Not everything is perfect as there are a handful of people Ayla makes "enemies," but they are largely glossed over and ignored, only making minor appearances to try and cause problems during meetings.
Overall, things go very smoothly for Ayla once they reach the Zelandonii. Once again, she appears to be forced into a position as both healer/spiritual guide, which is not surprising given the pattern of these books and her raising with Creb and Iza.
There is never any concern over forgetting events of the previous books. While some details of interactions with specific individuals is lost, the overall story is recapped several times over throughout the book.
As with other books in the series, there are often references to modern knowledge and science beyond what is known or needed by the characters in the actual story. Rather annoying in all actuality and completely unnecessary. Yes, the author did her research. Bravo. Beyond what the character actual knows however, any other "facts" aren't needed and just serve to bog down the story.
I'm determined to finish this series all the way through as I recall never having actually picked up the last book when it was released years later. Unlikely to want to come back to it after that. It just lacks the overall draw that my favorite series have where they really get you invested in the characters and what happens to them.
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July 23, 2017
Marvel Cinematic Universe 15: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
I guess Guardians of the Galaxy just doesn't do it for me as much when it comes to the Avengers lineup. There are some interesting bits of history, especially for Peter and Rocket, but it just didn't have me wanting the next scene so much. Seemed a little redundant for Peter to finally learn about his heritage and power just to lose it and discover maybe his real family maybe isn't as valuable as his adopted family after all.
July 22, 2017
Marvel Cinematic Universe 16: Spider-Man 1 [Homecoming]
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My husband and I agreed that this is probably the best of all the more recent Spider-Man reboots. Refreshing that they didn't start with the original story all over again, though that would have made little sense since we already saw the web crawler in Civil War. Several of the side character take dramatic changes, like Aunt May not being the little old lady previously known and MJ is not the sassy redhead we're used to. Iron Man made just enough appearances to be the distant mentor without overtaking the show. Overall, there is a lot of humor in this film, reminiscent of the original comics, along with plenty of action and high tech. If the next installment lives up to this one, it won't be one to miss.
Marvel Cinematic Universe 14: Doctor Strange
MCU 14: Doctor Strange (2016)
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
While there are a few small references to the MCU, namely mentioning the Avenger's protecting the physical world and a later meeting with Thor, there is very little that appears to tie this movie directly in with the universe it is building on. This is very much just Doctor Strange's story. Previously a bit of an arrogant, if gifted, surgeon, an accident leaves his hands damaged and unable to continue his work. Seeking some type of healing or purpose, he ends up with a group of magicians. Strange especially appears to struggle with the concept of why things are done "to him" that are bad or not fair. This does not appear to stop him from grasping that there are things he is now able to do to help protect others, though he steps far more into the limelight than his co-practitioners would like. The bonus scene at the end of the credits leaves some confusion as to his continued role in the MCU, but with the donning of his signature cape and references to Aasgard with Thor, as well as stopping Loki, there's little doubt that he will end up playing some role in the future Avengers films.
July 21, 2017
DC Extended Universe 4: Wonder Woman
DCEU 4: Wonder Woman (2017)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Diana/Wonder Woman has been one of the long standing icons of the JLA for as long as I can remember. She is also often overlooked when it comes to live action movies. This was a fun and action packed film that covers her life with the Amazons, training, and initial integration into human society. A little naive, there is a lot to learn about this world outside the Amazon's hidden island. While there is an overall good feel to the end of the movie, it can't be said that Diana gets a "happily ever after" like many films focus on. Rather, she seems to use sadness and loss to help temper her power and learn about herself. Admirable in the end, though any DC Universe fan knows she ends up the hero, not the villain.
Earth's Children 4: The Plains of Passage
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Another re-read from my high school days. There is a lot packed into this books as Jondalar and Ayla leave the Mamutoi behind and travel to his homeland. They meet with several groups of people, relearn just how strange they appear while traveling on horseback, nearly get separated several times for various reasons, and still have to cross the glacier at a very dangerous time in the year. Several close calls and angry outbursts later, Ayla now has to hope that his people will warm up to her just as others along their Journey did. This book felt way too long and likely could have been shortened considerably just by taking out the long winded explanations of everything. It's like the author has to prove that she did her research, which is completely unnecessary to telling the story from these character's points of view.
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July 17, 2017
Earth's Children 3: The Mammoth Hunters
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Ayla and Jondalar go to visit the Mammoth Hunters, leading to Ayla learning even more about the "Others" and too many misunderstandings to count. This lack of communication and trust ultimately causes a lot of unnecessary pain for these two and nearly splits them permanently. Ranec annoys me more than a little with his blatant perusal despite the evidence from the very beginning that these two were together. The long scientific explanations are also more frequent in this book when stopping with the the simple explanation of how Ayla uses something would be sufficient without the science background. We don't need modern proof of her intelligence or the author's. So far these books end on very ambiguous notes where there is a large good mixed with bad in the end. Makes it difficult to tell how you should feel at the end when it's so obvious the characters are still torn themselves.
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July 15, 2017
Earth's Children 2: The Valley of Horses
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was originally the first book if the series that I picked up to read in high school, largely because of the title (horses have always been a big draw for me). While there are horses in the story, the book is not theirs. The first part of the book is slow as Ayla learns to survive with the help of her animal friends. The point of view is split as we meet the brothers Jondalar and Thonolan, following them on their journey simultaneously. Things pick up a bit, and get more graphic, as Ayla and Jondalar learn together.
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July 13, 2017
Earth's Children 1: The Clan of the Cave Bear
My rating: 1 of 5 stars
I first read this book in high school after picking up The Valley of Horses and discovering this was the prequel. Even back then, I did not like this book. It's only true value to me was in setting the stage for Ayla and understanding more of her references. Ayla is one of the Others (homo sapiens) raised by Clan (neanderthals) after an earthquake kills her family and drives both her and the Clan from their homes.
A large part of my problem with this book is Broud. He is hateful, proud, derogatory and abusive beyond measure. The other is this mindset that males must always be right and women must obey and please them at all costs.
There are sometimes large passages of descriptions bordering on scientific about why Clan is the way they are and how they survive with these long memories but are incapable of much, if any, change. While they help set the stage, they detract from the overall story and often feel like bogged down the overall reading experience.
I'm not sure why I had the urge to re-read this series after so many years, but thought it best to start from the beginning. Sadly, can't say that I enjoyed this book any more than I did the first time. I almost skipped it and sometimes wondered why I wasn't doing so. Guess my memory wasn't so faulty this time.
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July 6, 2017
Broken Destiny 2: The Sweetest Burn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Still not entirely impressed with these characters. The story itself moved faster and was at least interesting enough that it was a quick read. Managed to finish it in a day (a holiday at that when I was mostly out and about visiting family or doing things with the kids). With another hallowed item to find, I'm not surprised there is another book in the series. Not sure how I think it will end.
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July 4, 2017
Cars 3
Cars 3 (2017)
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is essentially Cars 1 in a new light. Doc is apparently gone, though no one says exactly why, it's implied that he's died or rundown to the point he is no longer in the picture. Johnny Storm is essentially the new Lightning McQueen, taking over the track as a rookie and even beating Lightning, results in Lightning crashing much like Doc did back in his glory days. Cruz essentially ends up being the "good" Lightning replacement when she finally gets her chance on the track and Lightning himself takes on Doc's role as crew chief when it becomes apparent he knows exactly what Cruz needs and Smokey (Doc's old chief who came back to help Lightning) isn't going to play relay for the team. There are some fun new characters and a handful of familiar ones from the other movies (largely the crew from Radiator Springs). Sterling and Storm especially did not impress me, and you cannot help but feel a little bad for McQueen. Of course, being a Disney movie, everything works out in the end.
The Glittering Court 2: Midnight Jewel
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This was the exact same story as the first book, only told from Mira's point of view. That meant that we did finally get to learn what she was doing sneaking out all the time, but there was no added progression to the story. If the third book follows this pattern, it will likely be Tamsin's story with no added progression past the end. I suppose they are technically free of the Glittering Court by the end of the book, so that might be a factor in why the trilogy is just repeating events from different perspectives. It is clear that each of these three main girls does have a story of their own. It would have been nice if it had more summarized events of the first book with highlights for Mira's purpose and moved on further. Overall, it was enjoyable but a bit of a letdown.
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