Allison D. (alleigh) reviewed on 9/7/2008 + 15 more book reviews

The Valley of Horses is the second book Jean Auels Earths Children series and follows the main character of the series, Ayla, after she is banished from the Clan and begins her search for the Others, which are really her people. The writing style in The Valley of Horses is as engaging as the first book of the series, The Clan of the Cave Bear, but the plot and the characters are not as strong.

In this second book, Auel continues to rely on her vivid descriptions of the landscape, as Ayla travels Northwest from The Clan cave to the Valley. In these travels, Auel repeatedly describes not only the landscapes, but also Aylas struggle with new hunting and survival techniques, her various encounters with animals, etc., but these descriptions are reminiscent of descriptions that the reader already experiences in The Clan of the Cave Bear, just with difference scenery. Even more frustrating is when Auel uses a page or two to repeat conversations or events from The Clan of the Cave Bear. These flashbacks are identical to the first book, making the Valley of Horses feel very repetitive at times.

Overall, if you enjoyed The Clan of the Cave Bear, Valley of Horses is a good follow-up. However, be prepared to occasionally feel pulled out of the fantasy world Auel creates with passages that are boring and slightly repetitiveall qualities that were not present in the first book.

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