Having read all of Jean M Auel's books and, in the case of the last three, waited 3 or 4 years between each installment, I was always going to have to read this one as soon as it was published. My Mum's the same, so, bless her, she advanced ordered two copies - so neither of us had to wait.

So having it picked it up from Mum, i started to read immediately. I read and read and read, at each turn of the page waiting for the descriptions of paintings to stop and the real story of Ayla to start....unfortunately it never seemed to start.

Ayla always was an absorbing, inventive heroine, but no longer. It's a shame. But at least this is the last in the series so i don't go on wondering. My Mum also felt the same