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Crossroads #1
Survival of the Fittest
Five tribes. One leader. A treacherous journey across three continents in search of a new home. Written in the spirit of Jean Auel, Survival of the Fittest is an unforgettable saga of hardship and determination, conflict and passion. Chased by a ruthless enemy, Xhosa leads her People on a grueling journey through unknown and dangerous lands following a path laid out decades before by her father, to be followed only as a last resort. She is joined by other fleeing tribes from Indonesia, China, South Africa, East Africa, and the Levant, all similarly forced by timeless events to find new lives. As they struggle to overcome treachery, lies, tragedy, secrets, and Nature itself, Xhosa is forced to face the reality that her enemy doesn't want to ruin her People. It wants to ruin her. The story is set 850,000 years ago, a time in prehistory when man populated most of Eurasia, where ‘survival of the fittest’ was not a slogan. It was a destiny. Xhosa's People were from a violent species, one fully capable of addressing the many hardships that threatened their lives except for future man, a smarter version of themselves, one destined to obliterate all those who came before.
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 6, 2019
595 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Jacqui Murray
65 books226 followersI'm a teacher, writer, mom and dog-lover. I'm the author of a self-help book for teens called Building a Midshipman, the story of my daughter's journey from high school to the United States Naval Academy as well as the Rowe-Delamagente series, thrillers about terrorists, geeks, and world-ending dangers. As a break from non-stop thrills, I write the Man vs. Nature series which follows early humans as they struggle to survive a world where Nature is King and they are nothing more than prey.
I'm also an adjunct professor in tech ed, editor of a K-18 technology curriculum and over one hundred technology training books for K-12, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, a columnist for TeachHUB, monthly contributor to Today’s Author and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. You can find my books at my publisher’s website, Structured Learning.
Currently, I'm working on the trilogy Crossroads, next in the Man vs. Nature collection, which should be out next Spring.
I'm also an adjunct professor in tech ed, editor of a K-18 technology curriculum and over one hundred technology training books for K-12, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, a columnist for TeachHUB, monthly contributor to Today’s Author and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. You can find my books at my publisher’s website, Structured Learning.
Currently, I'm working on the trilogy Crossroads, next in the Man vs. Nature collection, which should be out next Spring.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
April 9, 2024
‘Survival of the Fittest’ in the Crossroads trilogy is a heart-pounding adventure about life during the pre-historic age. The novel had me hooked from beginning to end and the character Xhosa made a great impression on me. Awe-inspiring and fast paced - Jacqui Murray has managed to create magic with a formidable subject for which I salute her.
It has been a long time since I’ve read a really thrilling adventure novel and I’m glad I picked Jacqui Murray’s Crossroads Trilogy Book 1. I was continuously looking for reasons daily to get back to where I had left off, in spite of a really hectic and choc-o-bloc work and study schedule. The excellent and deft-defining narration of the life of Xhosa’s, Pan-Do’s, Hawk and Zvi’s people/tribe/pack has made me appreciate pre-history more profoundly than I used to. Even though I’ve always prided myself on mainly being a history student, I realized how little I have actually learnt about this crucial period in our early years. I thank par excellence author Jacqui Murray for managing to educate me as well as instil in me a love for pre-history and I really appreciate the bibliography at the end of the book; will be checking those titles out really soon as well!
From all the characters, I found Nightshade to be intriguing and Hawk as well took me greatly by surprise. Pan-do made me smile many times in the text while Spirit reminded me about the great fondness I have for the animal world, especially wolves – since they are now slowly becoming an endangered species. I loved the scenes where Spirit has a great part to play, and I hope to see more of him in the next part of the trilogy. Xhosa the protagonist is awe inspiring and it is difficult not to root for her every time the narrative progresses.
The narration itself is flawless and refreshing. It entices the reader to read on as Xhosa, Nightshade along with Pan-do and Lyta migrates to a new home away from an impending danger. The plot twists are surprisingly realistic and yet makes one hold one’s breath at each turning of the Kindle page. My favourite scene will have to be the one when the Big Heads start throwing spears set alight on fire at their prey. That scene blew me away and made me stay up quite past my bedtime. Another scene that showcased the excellence of Murray was the challenge between Nightshade and Xhosa for leadership. It left me breathless every time and stunned every time a new task was taken by the two competitors and as a reader I was surprised to know the outcome. To know more, read Murray’s well-crafted, precision perfect and electric book about a time before time. Grab your copy of this bestseller in the Murray collection today!
Jacqui Murray has proven herself to be a master-craftswoman with her tight plot and subtle twists. I salute her meticulousness and dare to say – perfection achieved indeed!
Book 1 in the Crossroads Trilogy gets 5 stars from me. Kudos to Murray on a job done brilliantly!
I hope to read more of her literature in the coming days and weeks!
It has been a long time since I’ve read a really thrilling adventure novel and I’m glad I picked Jacqui Murray’s Crossroads Trilogy Book 1. I was continuously looking for reasons daily to get back to where I had left off, in spite of a really hectic and choc-o-bloc work and study schedule. The excellent and deft-defining narration of the life of Xhosa’s, Pan-Do’s, Hawk and Zvi’s people/tribe/pack has made me appreciate pre-history more profoundly than I used to. Even though I’ve always prided myself on mainly being a history student, I realized how little I have actually learnt about this crucial period in our early years. I thank par excellence author Jacqui Murray for managing to educate me as well as instil in me a love for pre-history and I really appreciate the bibliography at the end of the book; will be checking those titles out really soon as well!
From all the characters, I found Nightshade to be intriguing and Hawk as well took me greatly by surprise. Pan-do made me smile many times in the text while Spirit reminded me about the great fondness I have for the animal world, especially wolves – since they are now slowly becoming an endangered species. I loved the scenes where Spirit has a great part to play, and I hope to see more of him in the next part of the trilogy. Xhosa the protagonist is awe inspiring and it is difficult not to root for her every time the narrative progresses.
The narration itself is flawless and refreshing. It entices the reader to read on as Xhosa, Nightshade along with Pan-do and Lyta migrates to a new home away from an impending danger. The plot twists are surprisingly realistic and yet makes one hold one’s breath at each turning of the Kindle page. My favourite scene will have to be the one when the Big Heads start throwing spears set alight on fire at their prey. That scene blew me away and made me stay up quite past my bedtime. Another scene that showcased the excellence of Murray was the challenge between Nightshade and Xhosa for leadership. It left me breathless every time and stunned every time a new task was taken by the two competitors and as a reader I was surprised to know the outcome. To know more, read Murray’s well-crafted, precision perfect and electric book about a time before time. Grab your copy of this bestseller in the Murray collection today!
Jacqui Murray has proven herself to be a master-craftswoman with her tight plot and subtle twists. I salute her meticulousness and dare to say – perfection achieved indeed!
Book 1 in the Crossroads Trilogy gets 5 stars from me. Kudos to Murray on a job done brilliantly!
I hope to read more of her literature in the coming days and weeks!
March 19, 2019
After reading Born in a Treacherous Time, which was my first venture into the genre of prehistoric fiction, I was looking forward to reading Survival of the Fittest (Book 1 of the Crossroads Trilogy). Murray did not disappoint. It’s apparent that a tremendous amount of research went into this book. The lead character, Xhosa is a strong and fierce character and one that you’ll remember long after you read the last page. If you enjoy stories of survival and adventure, this is a must read. I’ll be looking forward to Book 2 of this trilogy.
April 17, 2019
If you wondered what our ancient ancestors had to go through for you to be here today!!
I thoroughly enjoyed Jacqui Murray’s Born in a Treacherous Time which introduced us to one of the earliest humans, Lucy. In her latest book Survival of the Fittest, we fast forward to a mere 850,000 years ago, when the earth continues to be extremely unsettled as it goes through its own growing pains.
The dangers are frighteningly and ever present for humans, who are forced to flee, not just environmental perils, but the brutality of invading tribes who want to usurp rivals for the safest caves, and the lands needed to support life.
We meet a woman who is strong and unusually a leader of men. Xhosa has a massive responsibility on her shoulders to take her tribe to safety, as well as find a way to work side by side with other human species that they encounter. She is supported by a warrior who has to fight his own ingrained resistance to a female leader, and along the way she finds good counsel in Pan-do and his daughter who are also fleeing to safety with their tribe. However, at the end of the day, it is she who must decide which path to follow despite resistance from some of her followers.
There is adventure in abundance, since this is not a gentle environment, and one can only admire the strength, courage and intelligence required to navigate all the obstacles that stand between Xhosa, her people, and sanctuary.
The language is straightforward, descriptive and direct, which is appropriate, since at the time communication would have been reliant on body language, sign language and I would imagine a lot of guesswork. Especially as each tribe had different identifiers for the same animals, landscape or danger. But Murray has created a language and a world that we can become immersed and invested in, leaving us with a desire to find out what happens next to these people that have so many of the traits and flaws we understand and see in ourselves.
The environment has been established and the various groups are poised for the next stage in their development, which 850,000 years into the future led to the humans we are today.
This is what adds an extra element of fascination to the story. These are our ancestors and as we see their struggles, invasions of land, and the thousands fleeing anywhere to call home, it is difficult not to draw parallels with our world today. I am looking forward to reading book II to find out what my ancestors faced next in this trilogy.
I thoroughly enjoyed Jacqui Murray’s Born in a Treacherous Time which introduced us to one of the earliest humans, Lucy. In her latest book Survival of the Fittest, we fast forward to a mere 850,000 years ago, when the earth continues to be extremely unsettled as it goes through its own growing pains.
The dangers are frighteningly and ever present for humans, who are forced to flee, not just environmental perils, but the brutality of invading tribes who want to usurp rivals for the safest caves, and the lands needed to support life.
We meet a woman who is strong and unusually a leader of men. Xhosa has a massive responsibility on her shoulders to take her tribe to safety, as well as find a way to work side by side with other human species that they encounter. She is supported by a warrior who has to fight his own ingrained resistance to a female leader, and along the way she finds good counsel in Pan-do and his daughter who are also fleeing to safety with their tribe. However, at the end of the day, it is she who must decide which path to follow despite resistance from some of her followers.
There is adventure in abundance, since this is not a gentle environment, and one can only admire the strength, courage and intelligence required to navigate all the obstacles that stand between Xhosa, her people, and sanctuary.
The language is straightforward, descriptive and direct, which is appropriate, since at the time communication would have been reliant on body language, sign language and I would imagine a lot of guesswork. Especially as each tribe had different identifiers for the same animals, landscape or danger. But Murray has created a language and a world that we can become immersed and invested in, leaving us with a desire to find out what happens next to these people that have so many of the traits and flaws we understand and see in ourselves.
The environment has been established and the various groups are poised for the next stage in their development, which 850,000 years into the future led to the humans we are today.
This is what adds an extra element of fascination to the story. These are our ancestors and as we see their struggles, invasions of land, and the thousands fleeing anywhere to call home, it is difficult not to draw parallels with our world today. I am looking forward to reading book II to find out what my ancestors faced next in this trilogy.
April 13, 2020
After Xhosa’s father dies, she must prove her value as leader of The People. Chased from their homeland, they must undertake a perilous journey through treacherous lands and savage tribes.
“Does anyone challenge this warrior?”
Her hands were neutral, giving nothing away about her feelings. When Xhosa rose, like mist from wet hot-season grass, everyone snickered except the Primary Female. A wisp of a smile touched her lips.
“I too am prepared. Nightshade, I challenge you.”
MURRAY, JACQUI. SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST (THE CROSSROADS TRILOGY BOOK 1)
Along the way, they befriend Others making the same journey, each with unique talents that benefit the tribe and more than once saves them from certain death.
This book was so well-written I was sorry to turn the last page (cliffhanger alert!) and had to buy the next story in the series, The Quest for Home, to find out what happens to Xhosa, Nightshade, Pan-do, Zvi and all the rest of the characters I’ve become invested in- well done!
“Does anyone challenge this warrior?”
Her hands were neutral, giving nothing away about her feelings. When Xhosa rose, like mist from wet hot-season grass, everyone snickered except the Primary Female. A wisp of a smile touched her lips.
“I too am prepared. Nightshade, I challenge you.”
MURRAY, JACQUI. SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST (THE CROSSROADS TRILOGY BOOK 1)
Along the way, they befriend Others making the same journey, each with unique talents that benefit the tribe and more than once saves them from certain death.
This book was so well-written I was sorry to turn the last page (cliffhanger alert!) and had to buy the next story in the series, The Quest for Home, to find out what happens to Xhosa, Nightshade, Pan-do, Zvi and all the rest of the characters I’ve become invested in- well done!
April 14, 2019
If you want to get a glimpse into what it was like to live in prehistoric times, Murray delivers beautifully. Through Xhosa, we experience the brutal conditions and intense hardships these early ancestors endured. She makes for a powerful protagonist, and it's fascinating to consider that many of the tribal interactions and characteristics still ring true for our societies today. As always, Murray's prose is crisp and sharp, making the journey a smooth ride, one we--unlike Xhosa--get to enjoy from the comfort and safety of our own couch!
April 20, 2024
Xhosa is a Homo Erectus woman who becomes the leader of her people as well as other tribes who join them on their trip through north Africa and into the Middle East. She is a powerful, resourceful, and ruthless warrior and hunter but at the same time she is kindhearted, intelligent, and open minded. Other important characters in the book are Nightshade, Rainbow, Zvi, Seeker, Pan-Do, Lyta and the Hawk People. These tribes are pre-historic refugees if you will. This is the first book in a series of three about her and her tribe(s).
When I was young, I read the novels written by Jean M. Auel, and I was fascinated by the suspenseful stories and the topic of prehistoric man. I’ve read so many science fiction novels set in the future as well as novels set in the past but during historic times. However, there is not much out there that takes place during pre-historic times, perhaps because we don’t know much about it. Jean M. Auel changed literature history with her novels taking place during prehistoric times.
More recently Jacqui Murray changed literature history once again by continuing this path and by writing suspenseful epic sagas taking place at different time periods. This book and the next two in the series take place 850,000 years ago. Now we know a lot more about prehistoric man and Jacqui Murray has certainly done her research. I can add that the three first books I read by Jacqui Murray was about a homo habilis woman who lived 1.8 million years ago. Her name was Lucy and there are some references to Lucy in this book through Xhosa’s dreams.
It seems like Jacqui loves to incorporate dogs or friendly wolves in her books. There was Lucy with her big dog Ump in the Dawn of Humanity series (Homo Habilis) and in this book we have a tame blue-eyed wolf, Pup later called Spirit and his rescuer and handler Zvi. I love this aspect of these books. The front cover of the paperback (what I read) shows a prehistoric woman and a wolf. The wolf is obviously Spirit, but I am not sure if the woman is Zvi or Xhosa.
I think the book also make you think and brings up the question, what does survival of the fittest mean? The most fit are not necessarily the strongest or the fastest but the ones who are the most adaptable to change. The survival of prehistoric man was helped by so many aspects of skills, health, intelligence, making tools, the ability to cooperate and the willingness to change, as well as empathy. In this book we follow a few tribes of Homo Erectus who are forced to relocate due to the encroachment and attacks of the so called “Big Heads”.
The adventures recounted in this book are intense and gritty and feature a lot of violence, suffering, and cruelty but that was the reality back then. There are cannibals, crocodiles eating people, various beasts attacking people, and attacks by other tribes. Prehistoric times were cruel and violent. You had to learn how to survive. This book is filled with action-packed adventures and interesting subplots. You never know what is going to happen next and you just must find out. It is a real page turner. Without giving anything else away I can say that the book ends on a happy note after a long arduous and dangerous journey. In summary, I loved this book. It is enjoyable, fun, and action packed. The stories are creative and fascinating, and the book is very well written. I highly recommend this book.
When I was young, I read the novels written by Jean M. Auel, and I was fascinated by the suspenseful stories and the topic of prehistoric man. I’ve read so many science fiction novels set in the future as well as novels set in the past but during historic times. However, there is not much out there that takes place during pre-historic times, perhaps because we don’t know much about it. Jean M. Auel changed literature history with her novels taking place during prehistoric times.
More recently Jacqui Murray changed literature history once again by continuing this path and by writing suspenseful epic sagas taking place at different time periods. This book and the next two in the series take place 850,000 years ago. Now we know a lot more about prehistoric man and Jacqui Murray has certainly done her research. I can add that the three first books I read by Jacqui Murray was about a homo habilis woman who lived 1.8 million years ago. Her name was Lucy and there are some references to Lucy in this book through Xhosa’s dreams.
It seems like Jacqui loves to incorporate dogs or friendly wolves in her books. There was Lucy with her big dog Ump in the Dawn of Humanity series (Homo Habilis) and in this book we have a tame blue-eyed wolf, Pup later called Spirit and his rescuer and handler Zvi. I love this aspect of these books. The front cover of the paperback (what I read) shows a prehistoric woman and a wolf. The wolf is obviously Spirit, but I am not sure if the woman is Zvi or Xhosa.
I think the book also make you think and brings up the question, what does survival of the fittest mean? The most fit are not necessarily the strongest or the fastest but the ones who are the most adaptable to change. The survival of prehistoric man was helped by so many aspects of skills, health, intelligence, making tools, the ability to cooperate and the willingness to change, as well as empathy. In this book we follow a few tribes of Homo Erectus who are forced to relocate due to the encroachment and attacks of the so called “Big Heads”.
The adventures recounted in this book are intense and gritty and feature a lot of violence, suffering, and cruelty but that was the reality back then. There are cannibals, crocodiles eating people, various beasts attacking people, and attacks by other tribes. Prehistoric times were cruel and violent. You had to learn how to survive. This book is filled with action-packed adventures and interesting subplots. You never know what is going to happen next and you just must find out. It is a real page turner. Without giving anything else away I can say that the book ends on a happy note after a long arduous and dangerous journey. In summary, I loved this book. It is enjoyable, fun, and action packed. The stories are creative and fascinating, and the book is very well written. I highly recommend this book.
March 17, 2019
Xhosa is a female, a would-be budding leader of her people. Seeing her ambition, her father, the tribe’s leader, encouraged her to track and hunt the prey beasts, as well as to defend herself from the bands of other prehistoric humans and other predators. When her father is slain by a rival tribe, the elders of her own band are surprised when she declares her readiness to compete in the trials for leadership.
The contest is bittersweet to Xhosa, for the other challenger is Nightshade, a warrior she sees as a possible pairmate. It’s a brutal challenge, testing any human’s strength, cunning, and agility. In the end, she and Nightshade save each other, but Nightshade cedes the leadership to Xhosa.
However, she becomes leader at a troubled time. A different form of prehistoric man is moving in, one that vocalizes more than they should and seems to have no desire to share the land. They want nothing more than to drive Xhosa and her people away, or failing that, to kill them.
A book such as this stands or falls on its descriptive powers, and the descriptions in this book are sharp and vivid. For example: “Broad-winged white-bellied birds screeched as they swooped in search of food, and a cacophany of insects chirruped their displeasure at her intrusion. A stone’s throw away, a hippo played, heaving its great bulk out of the water, mouth gaping, snorting and grunting, before sinking beneath the surface.”
The contest is bittersweet to Xhosa, for the other challenger is Nightshade, a warrior she sees as a possible pairmate. It’s a brutal challenge, testing any human’s strength, cunning, and agility. In the end, she and Nightshade save each other, but Nightshade cedes the leadership to Xhosa.
However, she becomes leader at a troubled time. A different form of prehistoric man is moving in, one that vocalizes more than they should and seems to have no desire to share the land. They want nothing more than to drive Xhosa and her people away, or failing that, to kill them.
A book such as this stands or falls on its descriptive powers, and the descriptions in this book are sharp and vivid. For example: “Broad-winged white-bellied birds screeched as they swooped in search of food, and a cacophany of insects chirruped their displeasure at her intrusion. A stone’s throw away, a hippo played, heaving its great bulk out of the water, mouth gaping, snorting and grunting, before sinking beneath the surface.”
May 31, 2019
When the People must find a new home, they're confronted by all kind of grueling obstacles--erupting volcanoes, hostile tribes and cannibals to name a few. Their leader is charged with the task of keeping them together and seeing that they reach a place they can once again thrive. The surprise is that the leader of this tribe is a woman named Xhosa. We at once see that while her head warrior is a fierce and violent type, Xhosa tempers her brute strength with compassion and more considered strategies. Along their journey they meet and join others also in search of a more hospitable environment. These new People bring other talents and many surprises that Xhosa must process.
Set in a prehistoric world that we can only imagine, Murry manages to make the environment and the people struggling to survive in it come to life. You become invested in Xhosa's success, whether or not her head warrior, Nightshade, is trustworthy, and how the unusual Lyta or Spirit will aid or hinder the journey to their new home.
I read book one, Born in a Treacherous Time, and had to read book 2. I'm looking forward to book 3.
Set in a prehistoric world that we can only imagine, Murry manages to make the environment and the people struggling to survive in it come to life. You become invested in Xhosa's success, whether or not her head warrior, Nightshade, is trustworthy, and how the unusual Lyta or Spirit will aid or hinder the journey to their new home.
I read book one, Born in a Treacherous Time, and had to read book 2. I'm looking forward to book 3.
April 30, 2019
I seem to have developed a taste for prehistoric fiction. After reading Murray’s Born in a Treacherous Time, I was looking forward to her next foray into the dawn of man. This book takes place 850,000 years after Born in a Treacherous Time and is the first book in a trilogy. It’s not a stand-alone novel so be prepared to move on to Book 2 when it comes out.
The plot of the story is something of a quest as three separate groups of early man abandon their home-bases in search of safer ones. A changing climate, dwindling resources, and danger from a growing number of aggressive tribes drive them onward.
To some extent, the first half of the book is three separate stories, one for each group. They join into one larger group about mid-way through the read, and the rest of the book deals with the choices made to procure peace and ensure their survival. Subplots and characters add flavor to the story, all in the well-researched context of prehistoric life where, naturally, the norms are different than they are today.
One group dominates more of the book than the other two. The main character is a female leader, Xhosa. Her responsibility is to protect her people from a variety of dangers, particularly from other humans, while they search for a new home. She’s a complex character, thoughtful and ingenious, and callous as needed in a world where the weak jeopardize the entire group.
Secondary characters have distinct personalities, strengths, weaknesses, and quirks which add complexity to the “human” tale. There are power struggles, deceptions, kindnesses, and wisdom. The world building is a fascinating foray into prehistoric landscapes. Though fiction, Murray deftly brought to life a time we have little record of. Highly recommended.
The plot of the story is something of a quest as three separate groups of early man abandon their home-bases in search of safer ones. A changing climate, dwindling resources, and danger from a growing number of aggressive tribes drive them onward.
To some extent, the first half of the book is three separate stories, one for each group. They join into one larger group about mid-way through the read, and the rest of the book deals with the choices made to procure peace and ensure their survival. Subplots and characters add flavor to the story, all in the well-researched context of prehistoric life where, naturally, the norms are different than they are today.
One group dominates more of the book than the other two. The main character is a female leader, Xhosa. Her responsibility is to protect her people from a variety of dangers, particularly from other humans, while they search for a new home. She’s a complex character, thoughtful and ingenious, and callous as needed in a world where the weak jeopardize the entire group.
Secondary characters have distinct personalities, strengths, weaknesses, and quirks which add complexity to the “human” tale. There are power struggles, deceptions, kindnesses, and wisdom. The world building is a fascinating foray into prehistoric landscapes. Though fiction, Murray deftly brought to life a time we have little record of. Highly recommended.
July 18, 2023
A story of courage and survival set in a pre-historic world that masterfully brings to life an era we know so little of.
In "Survival of the Fittest" we are led, readers and characters, by Xhosa, an amazing and powerful female and Chief of her own people. She has to lead them to the promised, the safe ground, away from the forces of the nature and the threat of other tribes. Has she a choice? She certainly rises to the occasion.
I enjoyed Xhosa as a main character, I admired her strengths, yet I liked Nightshade even if I had a love-hate relationship with this character. I was impressed to tears by Lyta's sensitivity and her closeness to nature, such a gentle soul in such a harsh world.
This book depicts a physical, as well as an emotional journey I was more than happy to take!
Highly recommended.
In "Survival of the Fittest" we are led, readers and characters, by Xhosa, an amazing and powerful female and Chief of her own people. She has to lead them to the promised, the safe ground, away from the forces of the nature and the threat of other tribes. Has she a choice? She certainly rises to the occasion.
I enjoyed Xhosa as a main character, I admired her strengths, yet I liked Nightshade even if I had a love-hate relationship with this character. I was impressed to tears by Lyta's sensitivity and her closeness to nature, such a gentle soul in such a harsh world.
This book depicts a physical, as well as an emotional journey I was more than happy to take!
Highly recommended.
July 21, 2019
Xhosa is a heroine of her times as she leads her people and attempts to understand the world around her. Through meticulous research, author Jacqui Murray illuminates the gritty details of the lives and world of Homo Erectus as the People trek through Africa and beyond to search for more hospitable surroundings. With wisdom, courage and the ability to learn new ideas, Xhosa is a fierce and memorable character capable of leading the People to their new home. I am eagerly awaiting the second book of this three-book series!
November 20, 2021
This book, the first in the Crossroads trilogy, takes place 850,000 years ago. I read it because it’s in my genre (sort of), and we indie authors writing about super-ancient times gotta stick together.
In Survival of the Fittest, Xhosa and her tribe travel from somewhere in the interior of Africa, north, crossing the Great Rift Valley and then (I think?) the Red Sea, or whatever that used to be 850,000 years ago. Once in the Levant (the Arabian Peninsula? Or did such exist back then?), they meet up with another tribe that is already successfully living there, plus a pair of young misfits, accompanied by their pet wolf, who have come all the way from what is now China.
The book moves fast, covering a lot of territory, both literally and metaphorically. It never really took off for me. There were lots of different episodes, each of which could easily have been its own book. The narrative moved back and forth between different groups quite a bit. With Big Idea novels like this one (and like my own books), the reader has to be at least intrigued by the theory of history that the author is exploring, so perhaps my problem was that this element was missing for me.
Another thing that harmed the verisimilitude for me was what appeared to be inconsistencies in the language. On the one hand, the characters don’t have enough abstract thought to count other than saying, “One, another, another …” On the other hand, they can describe to one another things that the hearer has never seen, such as the sea. They call the Cro-Magnon people Big Heads (which seems fair enough), but occasionally they will talk about things using modern terms, like Lucy (yes, the Lucy) or “tsunami,” which seems like an anachronism to this linguist. To be fair, any time we are writing about people in an ancient time, we are writing in translation, so the modern writer has to decide when to use a “free translation” (using words that modern readers will recognize) and when to use more literal glosses on the characters’ vocabulary, which gives a more atmospheric feel but is also harder for the reader to understand.
However, the author does lay some land mines that I presume will be stepped on in the next book, notably the obvious danger posed by Xhosa’s ambitious head warrior, Nightshade. If you believe that people evolved about a million years ago, started out not wearing clothes or counting past one, and you’re fascinated by what life might have been like during that time, then this series is for you.
There are lot of notes about terminology and the different humanoid groups at the beginning, which were helpful, but one thing I really, really wanted was a map. I tried to picture the characters’ routes, and I was checking modern maps of Africa, but realizing that the land has probably changed a lot since the time this book is set. I wanted to know exactly where they crossed the Great Rift Valley (which is pretty large, after all); what body of water they were crossing; and exactly where in the Levant they ended up. If there had been a map at the beginning of the book, I would have been flipping back and forth to that puppy every few pages, and perhaps would have been more engrossed in the story.
In Survival of the Fittest, Xhosa and her tribe travel from somewhere in the interior of Africa, north, crossing the Great Rift Valley and then (I think?) the Red Sea, or whatever that used to be 850,000 years ago. Once in the Levant (the Arabian Peninsula? Or did such exist back then?), they meet up with another tribe that is already successfully living there, plus a pair of young misfits, accompanied by their pet wolf, who have come all the way from what is now China.
The book moves fast, covering a lot of territory, both literally and metaphorically. It never really took off for me. There were lots of different episodes, each of which could easily have been its own book. The narrative moved back and forth between different groups quite a bit. With Big Idea novels like this one (and like my own books), the reader has to be at least intrigued by the theory of history that the author is exploring, so perhaps my problem was that this element was missing for me.
Another thing that harmed the verisimilitude for me was what appeared to be inconsistencies in the language. On the one hand, the characters don’t have enough abstract thought to count other than saying, “One, another, another …” On the other hand, they can describe to one another things that the hearer has never seen, such as the sea. They call the Cro-Magnon people Big Heads (which seems fair enough), but occasionally they will talk about things using modern terms, like Lucy (yes, the Lucy) or “tsunami,” which seems like an anachronism to this linguist. To be fair, any time we are writing about people in an ancient time, we are writing in translation, so the modern writer has to decide when to use a “free translation” (using words that modern readers will recognize) and when to use more literal glosses on the characters’ vocabulary, which gives a more atmospheric feel but is also harder for the reader to understand.
However, the author does lay some land mines that I presume will be stepped on in the next book, notably the obvious danger posed by Xhosa’s ambitious head warrior, Nightshade. If you believe that people evolved about a million years ago, started out not wearing clothes or counting past one, and you’re fascinated by what life might have been like during that time, then this series is for you.
There are lot of notes about terminology and the different humanoid groups at the beginning, which were helpful, but one thing I really, really wanted was a map. I tried to picture the characters’ routes, and I was checking modern maps of Africa, but realizing that the land has probably changed a lot since the time this book is set. I wanted to know exactly where they crossed the Great Rift Valley (which is pretty large, after all); what body of water they were crossing; and exactly where in the Levant they ended up. If there had been a map at the beginning of the book, I would have been flipping back and forth to that puppy every few pages, and perhaps would have been more engrossed in the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2019
Survival of the Fittest by Jacqui Murray records the imaginative history of tribes of those times, (850,000 years ago) about which there is no conclusive evidence. So the arena is open for writers to explore and Jacqui has made a brilliant effort. While Born in Treacherous Times by her was my introduction to pre-historic times, this story is more intense, as it brings out the conflict between tribes trying to establish their supremacy.
Xhosa and her people seem no different than human beings of today. They were competitive, observant, strong and ferocious. They were eager to learn from each other, from friendly tribes, even from the strategies of an opponent. It is interesting to note that basic emotions of responsibility, co-operation, loyalty and jealousy stand out amongst all tribes. Though Jacqui has given them words but I wonder what was their language and how much of it they knew!
Murray’s characters are crafted so well that a reader could predict their behavior. Xhosa and Pan-do shine while Nightshade possesses some streaks of wickedness and jealousy. Lyta is sensitive, appreciated the sounds of nature, walking in rhythm with sounds soothed her and seems to possess a divine power, as she had the ability to smell evil and dishonesty, a subtle hint that human instincts were well-developed even in early man. Do they find a homeland? When did they find peace, which remains elusive even to modern man.
If you are fond of challenging adventures, this is the book for you.
Xhosa and her people seem no different than human beings of today. They were competitive, observant, strong and ferocious. They were eager to learn from each other, from friendly tribes, even from the strategies of an opponent. It is interesting to note that basic emotions of responsibility, co-operation, loyalty and jealousy stand out amongst all tribes. Though Jacqui has given them words but I wonder what was their language and how much of it they knew!
Murray’s characters are crafted so well that a reader could predict their behavior. Xhosa and Pan-do shine while Nightshade possesses some streaks of wickedness and jealousy. Lyta is sensitive, appreciated the sounds of nature, walking in rhythm with sounds soothed her and seems to possess a divine power, as she had the ability to smell evil and dishonesty, a subtle hint that human instincts were well-developed even in early man. Do they find a homeland? When did they find peace, which remains elusive even to modern man.
If you are fond of challenging adventures, this is the book for you.
August 3, 2020
Prehistorical Fiction at its believable best!
Survival of the Fittest is a novel based on what has been discovered through the scientific research of early humans. The novel follows Xhosa, the daughter of the leader of a large tribe called the People. Xhosa learns to use weapons and hunt with the male warriors of the group and has a strong relationship with Nightshade, her father's lead warrior. As the story begins, a hunting group including Xhosa's father, Xhosa and Nightshade are attacked by warriors of a different tribe called the Others, culminating in a battle in which Xhosa's father is killed. The tribe needs a new leader and Xhosa and Nightshade complete for the role. These are trying times and the survival of the People and of humanity as a whole hang in the balance. Excitement builds as leaders and tribes search for and claim resources as their own. As the first book in Jacqui Murray’s Crossroad trilogy, this believable story of the existential struggle of early humans for survival has me hooked! Highly recommended. ~ Bette A. Stevens, author of award-winning children's picture book AMAZING MATILDA and other books for children and adults.
Survival of the Fittest is a novel based on what has been discovered through the scientific research of early humans. The novel follows Xhosa, the daughter of the leader of a large tribe called the People. Xhosa learns to use weapons and hunt with the male warriors of the group and has a strong relationship with Nightshade, her father's lead warrior. As the story begins, a hunting group including Xhosa's father, Xhosa and Nightshade are attacked by warriors of a different tribe called the Others, culminating in a battle in which Xhosa's father is killed. The tribe needs a new leader and Xhosa and Nightshade complete for the role. These are trying times and the survival of the People and of humanity as a whole hang in the balance. Excitement builds as leaders and tribes search for and claim resources as their own. As the first book in Jacqui Murray’s Crossroad trilogy, this believable story of the existential struggle of early humans for survival has me hooked! Highly recommended. ~ Bette A. Stevens, author of award-winning children's picture book AMAZING MATILDA and other books for children and adults.
March 9, 2019
Brilliant, absolutely brilliant.
I decided to read outside of my usual genres – again – this year and got the chance to read this book that plays off in a time before time, okay 850,000 years ago. (I’ve enjoyed dinosaur stories and “The Flintstones” growing up and more recently “The Croods” – this story sort-of falls into that category, but more serious and factual with a great lead character.)
Xhosa (my favourite!) is an unusual character, but she is fierce, powerful, intelligent and follows her instincts.
It took a while to get used to the strange way these characters communicated and thought, but after a while, I just zipped through the story without any effort. I enjoyed the battles, the struggles and Xhosa’s inner demons hunting her as much as she hunted them.
My favourite scene is where Xhosa climbs the cliff… It resonated with me, being something more than just climbing that cliff.
A must-read if you like adventure, survival and strong female characters.
*I volunteered to read an ARC of this book and this is my honest opinion.
I decided to read outside of my usual genres – again – this year and got the chance to read this book that plays off in a time before time, okay 850,000 years ago. (I’ve enjoyed dinosaur stories and “The Flintstones” growing up and more recently “The Croods” – this story sort-of falls into that category, but more serious and factual with a great lead character.)
Xhosa (my favourite!) is an unusual character, but she is fierce, powerful, intelligent and follows her instincts.
It took a while to get used to the strange way these characters communicated and thought, but after a while, I just zipped through the story without any effort. I enjoyed the battles, the struggles and Xhosa’s inner demons hunting her as much as she hunted them.
My favourite scene is where Xhosa climbs the cliff… It resonated with me, being something more than just climbing that cliff.
A must-read if you like adventure, survival and strong female characters.
*I volunteered to read an ARC of this book and this is my honest opinion.
January 12, 2021
Not many authors write fiction that takes place 850,000 years ago, but Jacqui Murray does, and she does so incredibly well. As the title suggests, this story is about survival in a world where enemies are plentiful. A crucial part of survival is to migrate when threats become overwhelming or food supplies dry up. So, it makes sense that the story is written in four parts focusing on people from East Africa, South Africa, China and Java, and the Middle East.
As one might expect, there’s ample conflict and it was interesting to see how the migrating groups interacted with one another when words were not yet used. The dialogue presented on the page is actually expressed through a variety of sounds, expressions, and body language. The characters display such a wide range of ability, behavior, and emotions, however, that it was easy to distinguish one from the other, and to become attached to outcasts and heroes. Survival of the Fittest is the first in the Crossroads Trilogy and the satisfactory ending also paves the way for the next installment. An excellent read!
As one might expect, there’s ample conflict and it was interesting to see how the migrating groups interacted with one another when words were not yet used. The dialogue presented on the page is actually expressed through a variety of sounds, expressions, and body language. The characters display such a wide range of ability, behavior, and emotions, however, that it was easy to distinguish one from the other, and to become attached to outcasts and heroes. Survival of the Fittest is the first in the Crossroads Trilogy and the satisfactory ending also paves the way for the next installment. An excellent read!
July 6, 2019
I’ve never read a novel set 850,000 years ago. The details and obvious research were amazing, as was the story. Xhosa is a strong female in times when males rule the tribes. I loved her character and how she looked at the world through her senses, instinct, and duty. It repulsed me when they ate their kill without cooking it, but I had to remember they didn’t have control of fire yet. Ms. Murray takes the reader deep into that period, where I could easily imagine how it might have been living then. I was rooting for Xhosa and her tribe as they tried to survive other tribe’s attacks and nature. I loved the relationships that developed as they met up with others fleeing the same situation. I’m completely hooked on this moment in history and storyline. I will definitely read the rest of this series and highly recommend it.
December 28, 2020
Awful, difficult read
I was looking forward to this book because the description said it is similar to the Jean Auel books. I’m honestly shocked this was published at all as it reads like a rough draft. It’s very confusing to read, almost as though you are just reading someone’s flow of consciousness. The flow of the storyline jumps around, character development is poor...I found myself having to read sections multiple times for clarity. I would not recommend unless you’re a glutton for punishment. If you love Jean Auel, don’t waste your time. These don’t come close to JA’s beautiful series.
I was looking forward to this book because the description said it is similar to the Jean Auel books. I’m honestly shocked this was published at all as it reads like a rough draft. It’s very confusing to read, almost as though you are just reading someone’s flow of consciousness. The flow of the storyline jumps around, character development is poor...I found myself having to read sections multiple times for clarity. I would not recommend unless you’re a glutton for punishment. If you love Jean Auel, don’t waste your time. These don’t come close to JA’s beautiful series.
January 7, 2020
50/50
I am torn with this series. Parts of this first one I really enjoyed. At other times though, I thought "Really? This is too far farfetched!"
But then, how am I to know?
I will most likely go on to the 2nd book out of curiosity. I am hoping my rating goes up!
I am torn with this series. Parts of this first one I really enjoyed. At other times though, I thought "Really? This is too far farfetched!"
But then, how am I to know?
I will most likely go on to the 2nd book out of curiosity. I am hoping my rating goes up!
August 26, 2019
The migration and determination is inspiring.
At first I was a bit confused at how it seemed to jump around but she brought it all back together!
At first I was a bit confused at how it seemed to jump around but she brought it all back together!
January 26, 2020
Survival of the Fittest is the second of Jacqui Murray's prehistoric man books that I have read. The first, Born in a Treacherous time, is the story of a prehistoric woman, Lucy, and her struggle for survival in the harsh conditions of a continuously changing landscape and set of increasing adverse circumstances. Lucy journeys to find a safer home for her loved ones.
Survival of the Fittest is set at a slightly later date and features Xhosa, the unusually adaptable and innovative daughter of the leader of a large group called "the People". Xhosa has been allowed to learn to use weapons and hunt with the warriors of the group and has a strong relationship with Nightshade, a giant of young warrior, who is her father's Lead Warrior at the commencement of the story. Early in the story, a hunting group including Xhosa's father, Xhosa herself and Nightshade are attacked by a savage group of a different people called "the Others" and Xhosa's father is killed during the resulting skirmish. These leads to a battle for leadership between Xhosa and Nightshade which results in a lot of unresolved issues and conflicts between the pair.
The Others are more advanced that the People and have sharp stone tipped spears which fly much further than the People's heavier and less innovative weapons. It soon becomes apparent that the People are in grave danger from the threat posed by the Others who covet their land, which is rich and desirable. Xhosa wants to leave and search for a new home for the People, following the cairns left by her father when he made a journey years before. Nightshare wants to stay and fight. Before a decision is made, the dynamics of the People change due to the arrival of another group, led by Pan-do and his young and unusual daughter, Lyta.
This book is well researched and every sentence demonstrates the author's excellent knowledge of her subject and this time period. The story is similar in some respects to the Earth Children series but I find it more realistic and I don't have to suspend my belief nearly as much while reading this book.
The characters in this new story are engaging and interesting. Xhosa is an unusual woman of high intellect and great physical strength. Her father has encouraged her to follow a different path from the other women of the tribe and learn to fight and lead like a man. Xhosa is driven by her need to do the best she can for her people and ensure the survival of the tribe. She realises that this goal means she has to be prepared to uproot the group from their current home and strike out in search of a new home. She also knows that the journey will not be easy and that many will be sacrificed along the way. Xhosa is a good leader and is prepared to take the necessary steps to do this.
Nightshade is a conflicted personality. He comes across as loyal, in many ways, to Xhosa but also jealous of her position within the tribe and irritated by her leadership methods and decisions. I never felt comfortable that Nightshade was truly behind Xhosa and felt she should be wary of him which, of course, she isn't.
Pan-do was my favourite character in the book. He is the perfect leader, binding the group together and providing for distraction and light relief when needed to prevent the group from becoming overwhelmed and despairing. He is also cunning and clever and saves Xhosa, Nightshade and the People from certain death on more than one occasion. Pan-do is open minded and is devoted to his daughter who is a bit of a psychic and has visions. This quality of Pan-do's extends to other people within the tribe who have unusual insight.
This book will appeal to readers who enjoy a well-researched and believable historical novel with a solid plot and well developed and interesting characters.
Survival of the Fittest is set at a slightly later date and features Xhosa, the unusually adaptable and innovative daughter of the leader of a large group called "the People". Xhosa has been allowed to learn to use weapons and hunt with the warriors of the group and has a strong relationship with Nightshade, a giant of young warrior, who is her father's Lead Warrior at the commencement of the story. Early in the story, a hunting group including Xhosa's father, Xhosa herself and Nightshade are attacked by a savage group of a different people called "the Others" and Xhosa's father is killed during the resulting skirmish. These leads to a battle for leadership between Xhosa and Nightshade which results in a lot of unresolved issues and conflicts between the pair.
The Others are more advanced that the People and have sharp stone tipped spears which fly much further than the People's heavier and less innovative weapons. It soon becomes apparent that the People are in grave danger from the threat posed by the Others who covet their land, which is rich and desirable. Xhosa wants to leave and search for a new home for the People, following the cairns left by her father when he made a journey years before. Nightshare wants to stay and fight. Before a decision is made, the dynamics of the People change due to the arrival of another group, led by Pan-do and his young and unusual daughter, Lyta.
This book is well researched and every sentence demonstrates the author's excellent knowledge of her subject and this time period. The story is similar in some respects to the Earth Children series but I find it more realistic and I don't have to suspend my belief nearly as much while reading this book.
The characters in this new story are engaging and interesting. Xhosa is an unusual woman of high intellect and great physical strength. Her father has encouraged her to follow a different path from the other women of the tribe and learn to fight and lead like a man. Xhosa is driven by her need to do the best she can for her people and ensure the survival of the tribe. She realises that this goal means she has to be prepared to uproot the group from their current home and strike out in search of a new home. She also knows that the journey will not be easy and that many will be sacrificed along the way. Xhosa is a good leader and is prepared to take the necessary steps to do this.
Nightshade is a conflicted personality. He comes across as loyal, in many ways, to Xhosa but also jealous of her position within the tribe and irritated by her leadership methods and decisions. I never felt comfortable that Nightshade was truly behind Xhosa and felt she should be wary of him which, of course, she isn't.
Pan-do was my favourite character in the book. He is the perfect leader, binding the group together and providing for distraction and light relief when needed to prevent the group from becoming overwhelmed and despairing. He is also cunning and clever and saves Xhosa, Nightshade and the People from certain death on more than one occasion. Pan-do is open minded and is devoted to his daughter who is a bit of a psychic and has visions. This quality of Pan-do's extends to other people within the tribe who have unusual insight.
This book will appeal to readers who enjoy a well-researched and believable historical novel with a solid plot and well developed and interesting characters.
July 1, 2024
This book was recommended to me, but I delayed reading it because I wasn’t sure how a novel set in Prehistoric times (850,000 years ago) could hold my attention. I was so, so wrong! This is an incredible read and one that held me enthralled.
Survival of the Fittest tells the story of distinct tribes coming together as the colder weather and loss of habitat leads them to find a new homeland. What is so amazing is the author’s knowledge of the era and her ability to create individuals whose survival matters hugely to us. Everything is grounded in fact. They communicate ‘using grunts, guttural sounds, hand signals, face expressions, hisses and chirps’. This is conveyed in a flowing narrative that swept me along.
The world is a brutal place where it’s a choice of being predator or prey. There are no modern societal niceties, simply a determination to survive, although there are crucial allegiances and bonds formed – some practical, others more emotional.
Each group has different strengths and there are misfits who play a crucial part. One character says, ‘We are different from everything around us and that is our strength.’ Xhosa is the main protagonist and is taller than the others in her tribe. At first, overlooked as a warrior because she is female, her strength, bravery and wisdom make her the leader of her group. Her prospective pairmate, Nightshade, is physically powerful but hot-headed and jealous. Pan-do, leader of the first group they meet up with, is intelligent and seeks peaceful resolutions where possible. His frail young daughter has a gift for sensing things including deceit which turns out to be an invaluable gift. Zvi, a huge lumbering female outcast from her tribe because of her size and stammer, has a strength and gentleness that rescues a young wolf pup and when she teams up with the strange Seeker, the three of them bond into a group that survives against the odds.
The dangers are many. Predators, rival groups, disease, injury and the unknown provide a believable tension that kept me turning the pages. The language is surprisingly evocative – ‘she moved with the silence of sunlight’ – and the human strengths and foibles made this an emotional journey as well.
When I finished reading this first book in the series, I bought the next one immediately. I’ve also spent time researching the era to see the factual journeys and developments for myself.
This is a terrific read and I recommend it. Don’t be put off by the distance in time – the human characteristics in all of us drive us in the same way now as they did then. You will love, fear and despise in the same way.
Survival of the Fittest tells the story of distinct tribes coming together as the colder weather and loss of habitat leads them to find a new homeland. What is so amazing is the author’s knowledge of the era and her ability to create individuals whose survival matters hugely to us. Everything is grounded in fact. They communicate ‘using grunts, guttural sounds, hand signals, face expressions, hisses and chirps’. This is conveyed in a flowing narrative that swept me along.
The world is a brutal place where it’s a choice of being predator or prey. There are no modern societal niceties, simply a determination to survive, although there are crucial allegiances and bonds formed – some practical, others more emotional.
Each group has different strengths and there are misfits who play a crucial part. One character says, ‘We are different from everything around us and that is our strength.’ Xhosa is the main protagonist and is taller than the others in her tribe. At first, overlooked as a warrior because she is female, her strength, bravery and wisdom make her the leader of her group. Her prospective pairmate, Nightshade, is physically powerful but hot-headed and jealous. Pan-do, leader of the first group they meet up with, is intelligent and seeks peaceful resolutions where possible. His frail young daughter has a gift for sensing things including deceit which turns out to be an invaluable gift. Zvi, a huge lumbering female outcast from her tribe because of her size and stammer, has a strength and gentleness that rescues a young wolf pup and when she teams up with the strange Seeker, the three of them bond into a group that survives against the odds.
The dangers are many. Predators, rival groups, disease, injury and the unknown provide a believable tension that kept me turning the pages. The language is surprisingly evocative – ‘she moved with the silence of sunlight’ – and the human strengths and foibles made this an emotional journey as well.
When I finished reading this first book in the series, I bought the next one immediately. I’ve also spent time researching the era to see the factual journeys and developments for myself.
This is a terrific read and I recommend it. Don’t be put off by the distance in time – the human characteristics in all of us drive us in the same way now as they did then. You will love, fear and despise in the same way.
September 19, 2020
I am not normally a fan of prehistoric literature simply because most of it that I have read in the past suffers from a lack of research.
As a result, the stories are what you might call "too modern" in their plots and storylines. They fail to capture, in other words, the brutal truths of life at a time when humans were both predator and prey... and more often prey.
"Survival of the Fittest" does not make that mistake. It is well researched and author Jacqui Murray does an excellent job of capturing the harsh realities of life at a time when homo sapiens were emerging as the dominant human species, much to the detriment of those "other" humans they shared the planet with.
Xhosa, the leader of a tribe of those "other" humans is something of a rarity among her species. Generally, women were relegated to gathering food and caring for children. She, however, is taller than most men in her tribe, fast on her feet, fearless, and strong. She is also smart. When her tribe of homo erectus people are threatened by homo sapiens she realizes early on that it is all but suicidal to stand and fight for their traditional homeland. The newcomers are too numerous and have superior weapons. As a result, she leads her people in search of a new land.
She is joined on her journey by other tribes of homo erectus people who have been forced out by the newcomers, which she refers to as "Big Heads," and together they keep searching for a safe place to live.
Murray has a dramatic writing style. By that I mean she does not shy away from the brutality of that time in human history. She also makes good use of description, putting the reader in the time and place where Xhosa and her tribe live. The narrative remains consistent throughout the novel, by which I mean one event follows another in a logical order. Although there are many characters, Murray does not shortchange any of them. If they are included in this novel, they are all well developed.
This is the first novel in a trilogy and, although I am not normally a fan of this kind of literature, I have become a fan of Xhosa and her companions. As a result, I will read the next two novels in the series.
I can't give a stronger recommendation than that.
As a result, the stories are what you might call "too modern" in their plots and storylines. They fail to capture, in other words, the brutal truths of life at a time when humans were both predator and prey... and more often prey.
"Survival of the Fittest" does not make that mistake. It is well researched and author Jacqui Murray does an excellent job of capturing the harsh realities of life at a time when homo sapiens were emerging as the dominant human species, much to the detriment of those "other" humans they shared the planet with.
Xhosa, the leader of a tribe of those "other" humans is something of a rarity among her species. Generally, women were relegated to gathering food and caring for children. She, however, is taller than most men in her tribe, fast on her feet, fearless, and strong. She is also smart. When her tribe of homo erectus people are threatened by homo sapiens she realizes early on that it is all but suicidal to stand and fight for their traditional homeland. The newcomers are too numerous and have superior weapons. As a result, she leads her people in search of a new land.
She is joined on her journey by other tribes of homo erectus people who have been forced out by the newcomers, which she refers to as "Big Heads," and together they keep searching for a safe place to live.
Murray has a dramatic writing style. By that I mean she does not shy away from the brutality of that time in human history. She also makes good use of description, putting the reader in the time and place where Xhosa and her tribe live. The narrative remains consistent throughout the novel, by which I mean one event follows another in a logical order. Although there are many characters, Murray does not shortchange any of them. If they are included in this novel, they are all well developed.
This is the first novel in a trilogy and, although I am not normally a fan of this kind of literature, I have become a fan of Xhosa and her companions. As a result, I will read the next two novels in the series.
I can't give a stronger recommendation than that.
October 29, 2024
This story by Jacqui Murray is set 850,000 years ago during the time of prehistoric man. It is the first book in the Crossroads Trilogy. Having never read a fiction novel about Homo erectus or their early cousins, I had no idea what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by this action-packed, character driven story that is based on the historic migration of Homo erectus. Although Homo erectus communicated with hand signs, sounds, and grunts, the dialogue Murray uses gives the reader the interpretation of those gestures (as explained in the introduction.) The amount of research and attention to detail is truly impressive. The environment, tribal life and mores, predatory dangers, etc. are described in vivid detail as the story kept my rapt attention. No clothing, fire, agricultural skills (among so many other things,) and only stone and wood for rudimentary tools and weapons, life was a struggle to survive and battle the wrath of nature and predators' day to day. The strong survived and the weak were a hinderance to the tribe’s well-being. These principles of survival played out among the characters were gut-wrenching. This was a violent time in man’s prehistoric history.
Xhosa, a Homo erectus who lived in East Africa, is the female daughter of the leader of her tribe. When the Homo sapiens arrive and kill her father, she proves her skills to become the new leader by besting the lead warrior in line of succession. The Homo sapiens who are invading their peaceful land will stop at nothing to eradicate their species. With no time to plan, they flee for their lives to follow the path Xhosa’s father marked years ago to lead the tribe to a lush and plentiful land. The migration to an unknown place with little direction while they are being pursued by a vicious enemy is fraught with tribal dissonance and unanticipated dangers. Flood, volcanoes, famine, leopards, and fire balls from the sky are only a few of the challenges.
Murray’s unique characters are beautifully drawn and are the heart of this compelling journey. Xhosa, the main protagonist and my favorite, is a strong, intelligent, intuitive, and a compassionate woman thousands of years before her time. There is never a dull moment in this story. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Xhosa, a Homo erectus who lived in East Africa, is the female daughter of the leader of her tribe. When the Homo sapiens arrive and kill her father, she proves her skills to become the new leader by besting the lead warrior in line of succession. The Homo sapiens who are invading their peaceful land will stop at nothing to eradicate their species. With no time to plan, they flee for their lives to follow the path Xhosa’s father marked years ago to lead the tribe to a lush and plentiful land. The migration to an unknown place with little direction while they are being pursued by a vicious enemy is fraught with tribal dissonance and unanticipated dangers. Flood, volcanoes, famine, leopards, and fire balls from the sky are only a few of the challenges.
Murray’s unique characters are beautifully drawn and are the heart of this compelling journey. Xhosa, the main protagonist and my favorite, is a strong, intelligent, intuitive, and a compassionate woman thousands of years before her time. There is never a dull moment in this story. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
July 15, 2020
Survival of the fittest by Jacqui Murray is a Historical Fiction novel that takes you back to a pre-historic period and race of humanoids never before written in such detail or with care, except Jean Auel’s Clan of the Cave Bear series. The early history of migration from Africa to Europe, the Middle-East and Asia has been well-researched; and the landscape, climate and dangers encountered, leap from the pages.
This is Book 1 in the Crossroads Trilogy, where we meet Xhosa, leader of her people, having to leave their home after a new humanoid species invades and threatens their lives.
It is evident from the story the author, Jacqui Murray has spent countless hours, most likely months researching into a period of time where new information on the pre-history of the world is continually discovered. She has created a remarkable story surrounding the plight of a group of people with their intrepid leader, Xhosa, and her ambition to find a new home where they can live without the constant threat of a more vicious human species. The setting of the period is easy to visualise, with detail of the landscape imprinted in one’s memory, you can even smell the earth and heat of the sun.
The story evolves (pun intended) with such vivid descriptions that you feel every part of the journey, the fight to find food and water, warding off illness and treacherous tribal members seeking to usurp Xhosa’s leadership. I love the names of the characters in the story: Nightshade, Xhosa’s lead warrior with some deeper secrets yet to be unveiled; Pan-do, leader of another tribe and his daughter Lyta; Seeker and Zvi, newcomers to the group; Hawk, leader of a new tribe. You will be introduced to a myriad of characters, each with their own story and purpose.
Survival of the fittest is a great story to lose yourself in a time where there is very little written in fiction. For readers who are interested in the pre-history of our world, you will enjoy this book, and for readers of adventure and action, there is plenty in the story to keep you turning the pages.
This is Book 1 in the Crossroads Trilogy, where we meet Xhosa, leader of her people, having to leave their home after a new humanoid species invades and threatens their lives.
It is evident from the story the author, Jacqui Murray has spent countless hours, most likely months researching into a period of time where new information on the pre-history of the world is continually discovered. She has created a remarkable story surrounding the plight of a group of people with their intrepid leader, Xhosa, and her ambition to find a new home where they can live without the constant threat of a more vicious human species. The setting of the period is easy to visualise, with detail of the landscape imprinted in one’s memory, you can even smell the earth and heat of the sun.
The story evolves (pun intended) with such vivid descriptions that you feel every part of the journey, the fight to find food and water, warding off illness and treacherous tribal members seeking to usurp Xhosa’s leadership. I love the names of the characters in the story: Nightshade, Xhosa’s lead warrior with some deeper secrets yet to be unveiled; Pan-do, leader of another tribe and his daughter Lyta; Seeker and Zvi, newcomers to the group; Hawk, leader of a new tribe. You will be introduced to a myriad of characters, each with their own story and purpose.
Survival of the fittest is a great story to lose yourself in a time where there is very little written in fiction. For readers who are interested in the pre-history of our world, you will enjoy this book, and for readers of adventure and action, there is plenty in the story to keep you turning the pages.
September 26, 2020
Tackling a story that takes place 850,000 years ago would challenge any writer, but Jacqui Murray has managed to write a gripping and believable tale. There is no question that Murray has put in the time and research required to undertake this project. Five separate tribes all have to flee their homelands due to the influx of Homo-sapiens into their regions. These prehistoric hunter-gatherers show their brilliance and ability to adapt and problem-solve to survive.
The central character is a strong and determined leader named Xhosa. When her father dies in battle, the people must elect a new leader. Most assume that it will be the lead warrior, Nightshade, but Xhosa issues a challenge. Nightshade and Xhosa take part in three contests to determine who will become the new leader. Since females were not allowed to be warriors, few people give Xhosa a chance. Much to their surprise, Xhosa wins the contest. Xhosa understands she will need Nightshade's expertise and experience and chooses him to be her lead warrior.
Throughout Murray's well thought out plot, the separate tribes of Xhosa (East Africa), Pan-do (South Africa), and Hawk (Northern Israel) have many battles with Big Heads and Others. They learn how to create weapons using the things in their environment, cross waterways by constructing canoes, use bravery and ingenuity in hunting, and even master how to use fire. Eventually, the separate tribes cross paths, and this creates terrific story tension.
One of the things that I appreciated the most about Murray's tale was her characters. There is possessiveness, bravery, jealousy, lust, and so many other human emotions mixed throughout that keep the reader engaged. You will understand by the end of this novel that each day was a battle to survive.
My favorite character was Xhosa, as her leadership style was to be strong, smart, and able to listen to the advice of those around her with the primary goal of protecting her people.
The central character is a strong and determined leader named Xhosa. When her father dies in battle, the people must elect a new leader. Most assume that it will be the lead warrior, Nightshade, but Xhosa issues a challenge. Nightshade and Xhosa take part in three contests to determine who will become the new leader. Since females were not allowed to be warriors, few people give Xhosa a chance. Much to their surprise, Xhosa wins the contest. Xhosa understands she will need Nightshade's expertise and experience and chooses him to be her lead warrior.
Throughout Murray's well thought out plot, the separate tribes of Xhosa (East Africa), Pan-do (South Africa), and Hawk (Northern Israel) have many battles with Big Heads and Others. They learn how to create weapons using the things in their environment, cross waterways by constructing canoes, use bravery and ingenuity in hunting, and even master how to use fire. Eventually, the separate tribes cross paths, and this creates terrific story tension.
One of the things that I appreciated the most about Murray's tale was her characters. There is possessiveness, bravery, jealousy, lust, and so many other human emotions mixed throughout that keep the reader engaged. You will understand by the end of this novel that each day was a battle to survive.
My favorite character was Xhosa, as her leadership style was to be strong, smart, and able to listen to the advice of those around her with the primary goal of protecting her people.
April 3, 2022
This is an interesting fictionalized look at the evolution of man. In this book, a more evolved version of man is driving out the ones before. In the vein of the novels of Jean Auel, Survival of the Fittest follows Xhosa, who finds herself the leader of her people as they try and escape a vicious new group that has fire, more advanced language, and weapons. They are violent and will not hesitate to kill Xhosa and her people. The author’s note at the beginning of this book is very helpful as she explains the setting of 850,000 years ago and what early humans were like. The author also explains her choice of language for the tribes who used more gestures than sounds, and the reason for that. I had very little knowledge of that period, so I appreciated this information, and it prepared me for the novel. This is Book 1 in The Crossroads Trilogy.
The characters and their battle for survival are fascinating and compelling. The plot is engaging and well-paced. The triangle of Xhosa, Nightshade, and Hawk brings in a romance of sorts, albeit as close as you could get to such a thing at that time. The rich cast of supporting characters goes on and on, Zvi, Seeker, and Lyta might be my favorites, but as the journey goes on and separate groups join together, each individual learns from and teaches the other. I loved the fact that a wolf is part of the group and one of the characters. I felt transported as far back in time as I’ve ever been, and the dynamic of a more evolved and stronger group trying to wipe out everyone else is convincing and strong. Full of prehistoric danger and endless adventure, this book will not let you go until the end, and only with the promise of more in book two.
I downloaded this book on Kindle Unlimited, where subscribers can read it for free.
The characters and their battle for survival are fascinating and compelling. The plot is engaging and well-paced. The triangle of Xhosa, Nightshade, and Hawk brings in a romance of sorts, albeit as close as you could get to such a thing at that time. The rich cast of supporting characters goes on and on, Zvi, Seeker, and Lyta might be my favorites, but as the journey goes on and separate groups join together, each individual learns from and teaches the other. I loved the fact that a wolf is part of the group and one of the characters. I felt transported as far back in time as I’ve ever been, and the dynamic of a more evolved and stronger group trying to wipe out everyone else is convincing and strong. Full of prehistoric danger and endless adventure, this book will not let you go until the end, and only with the promise of more in book two.
I downloaded this book on Kindle Unlimited, where subscribers can read it for free.
September 5, 2019
So few novels have been written about our very ancient ancestors, but Survival of the Fittest, the first part of the Crossroads trilogy, begins to fill that void. The main characters in the story are Homo Erectus. Murray paints an interesting picture of life in an ancient era when, unlike today, there was an abundance of hominids all competing for their place on the planet.
The book is told primarily from the perspective of Xhosa, a Homo Erectus woman who is the leader of her band. She’s a strong character and is very much up to the challenges that face her. Just as leaders always have, she has to deal with natural disasters and the jealousies and infighting of those around her as well as problems with leaders of other bands. But because of the times in which she lives, Xhosa is also challenged by a different group of aggressive hominids, peoples who are somewhat similar but who have developed a deadly tool technology. The story ends with something of a cliff hanger, so I’ll have to read the second book in the series to find out if Xhosa manages to befriend some of her enemies or if her band is decimated by them. As with Murray’s other books that feature the earliest peoples, I enjoy how her imagination gives us cultural aspects of how our early ancestors may have lived and died.
The book is told primarily from the perspective of Xhosa, a Homo Erectus woman who is the leader of her band. She’s a strong character and is very much up to the challenges that face her. Just as leaders always have, she has to deal with natural disasters and the jealousies and infighting of those around her as well as problems with leaders of other bands. But because of the times in which she lives, Xhosa is also challenged by a different group of aggressive hominids, peoples who are somewhat similar but who have developed a deadly tool technology. The story ends with something of a cliff hanger, so I’ll have to read the second book in the series to find out if Xhosa manages to befriend some of her enemies or if her band is decimated by them. As with Murray’s other books that feature the earliest peoples, I enjoy how her imagination gives us cultural aspects of how our early ancestors may have lived and died.
September 9, 2020
I was very pleasantly surprised! This is an extremely difficult time period for fiction. I think the author did well in balancing the fiction with fact. Did I find historical things that I think might be off? Yes. Did it bother me? Not really. This novel takes place in a very mysterious time of human history and I think we should give it wide latitude as long as an honest attempt at accuracy is made and the author doesn't break their own rules.
The writing is very descriptive, setting the scene very effectively. I love that the action keeps flowing. The group dynamics between Xhosa being a strong female vs the male patriarchal tribe I think is handled well and believably. I think anyone who is interesting in prehistory or just plain old classic action-adventure quest type novels will love this!
I only have one gripe, which is the cover. I'm not even sure if it's fair to critique a book's cover but it did bother me. I understand the need to have a great cover to sell, but I just don't see the model on the cover looking tough and rugged enough, she looks way too modern. Also, if the story begins in Africa, well... Not a major issue, I have my own visual image of Xhosa in my mind : ) -S.A. Adams -author of "Paleolithic
The writing is very descriptive, setting the scene very effectively. I love that the action keeps flowing. The group dynamics between Xhosa being a strong female vs the male patriarchal tribe I think is handled well and believably. I think anyone who is interesting in prehistory or just plain old classic action-adventure quest type novels will love this!
I only have one gripe, which is the cover. I'm not even sure if it's fair to critique a book's cover but it did bother me. I understand the need to have a great cover to sell, but I just don't see the model on the cover looking tough and rugged enough, she looks way too modern. Also, if the story begins in Africa, well... Not a major issue, I have my own visual image of Xhosa in my mind : ) -S.A. Adams -author of "Paleolithic
July 6, 2022
Xhosa is the leader of a tribe of “other” humans. In fact, she’s an anomaly among her species, as most women only gathered food and cared for the children. The author describes Xhosa as being taller than most men in her tribe. She’s also fearless and strong, like a man. When a group of homo sapiens threatens her tribe of homo erectus people, she realizes her people cannot just stand and fight for their homeland. In order to survive, she leads her people on a journey to search for a new land. Along the way, other tribes of homo erectus people join her quest. Xhosa calls the other people “Big Heads,” and together they search for a safe place to live.
“Survival of the Fittest” is a well-researched novel. The author, Jacqui Murray, does an outstanding job of capturing what life could have been like when homo sapiens were emerging as the dominant human species. I love stories of the ancients, and this book does not disappoint.
This is the first novel in a trilogy and I’m hooked on the characters. There is a spiritual synchronicity between Xhosa and another character that adds a delightfully pagan touch to the story. I couldn’t help myself. I had to read the next two novels in the series.
“Survival of the Fittest” is a well-researched novel. The author, Jacqui Murray, does an outstanding job of capturing what life could have been like when homo sapiens were emerging as the dominant human species. I love stories of the ancients, and this book does not disappoint.
This is the first novel in a trilogy and I’m hooked on the characters. There is a spiritual synchronicity between Xhosa and another character that adds a delightfully pagan touch to the story. I couldn’t help myself. I had to read the next two novels in the series.
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