Children of the Ice

by Charlotte Prentiss

It is 15,000 years ago, at the end of the last Ice Age, when young Laena and her sister survive a tragedy that marks their lives forever. In a world where mammoths roam, where nature's most fearful forces rage, and where fellow humans can pose a deadly threat, Laena relies on her incredible courage, strength, and intelligence to endure. This is Laena's story...the story of her seer-like visions of a world beyond that shapes her into a tribal leader in a society of arrogant men...the story of Laena's triumph as the Chosen One, only to be cast out into the wilderness with her husband and child. This epic saga of adventure, passion, and suspense follows the extraordinary Laena and her family on a great journey that take them from the vast Siberian tundra and the freezing darkness of the prehistoric past to the fiery dawn of breathtaking discovery – a new world, a new age, and a new dream.

Genres: Prehistoric, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Prehistory

486 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 1993

About the author

Charlotte Prentiss is a pseudonym of Charles Platt

Reviews

[Natalie]

This is the best book I've read in a really long time. It read very quickly and smoothly. The characters were endearing and real, and I thoroughly enjoy reading about the simple lives of the people who lived long before us. Prentiss has clearly done her research, and all of her information seems to be accurate- as none of the things that were said or occurred seemed out of place. These types of books all seem to have a common thread- a strong female lead. Laena reminded me of the main characters from Clan of the Cave Bear and Mother Earth, Father Sky. However, this didn't detract from the book in any way for me. I do, however, have a few gripes- the first being that the back cover pretty much gives away the whole story. Now, I am not one who gets upset over spoilers- I love them. However, if you're going to tell someone on the back cover that the main character loses their sister, normally people would assume that happens right away, as not to spoil any of the plot. No, Laena loses her sister a good 300 pages into the novel. The other issue I found is that this book really should have been split in half and the journey written about more. Laena's journey at the end felt very rushed, and I would have liked to have read more about it. On the whole, this was a fantastic book and I will absolutely be passing it on.

[Ren]

If I could give it negative stars I would. I felt there was no real motivation for the way any of the characters acted. It felt like the author read Jean Auel and did a poor job recreating Clan of the Cave Bear.

[Nik]

I first picked this story up in my teens in a bag of old books at a yard sale. I've always been an avid reader and I figured "bag of books for a couple bucks...bank!" I had no idea how grateful I would be for making that purchase. I read this book cover to cover in a day and a half, absolutely devoured it. Over the years I found myself coming back to this novel anytime I had a lag in reading materials. Something about this character spoke to me. I found myself wondering if I had been in the story with her would I have made it to that utopia. Did I possess the same kind of strength as Laena? I lost my original copy in a move a year ago and I've just repurchased it on Amazon last month along with 3 or 4 other books by CP. This will remain one of my favorites.

[Jessie]

Looved this book! I put off reading it because of the name "CHILDREN of the ice" so I thought it was for young teens but that wasn't the case at all! The story starts of a girl about to reach woman hood. And so on don't wanna give to much away. But I couldn't put this book down and I read it in 4 sittings. Compelling
A little sad that the ending was so abrupt but that's mostly how stories end. Would definitely recommend this book to all

[Kate Szafranski]

This book held my attention and was pretty darn good!

While the story line of this book was good; although at times it was very similar to Jean Auel’s Earth Children Series (Clan of the Cave Bear).

I see very much a similarity between Laena and Ayla and their relationships and the need to travel and see what’s out there in the world. Along with that, there is a huge similarity with their need to hunt and to not follow that which is “normal” for their people and to push for it even if it made others upset.

As much as I find it similar I very much so would recommend this book to others! Especially since there are not many books written on this time period and if they are, they’re not very accurate as this one is.

[Michelle Irwin]

Absolutely a great story!

The story of laena beginning from her preteens to adulthood was a wonderful journey of her strength and perseverance. The challenges she met and conquered were amazing! Always the caregiver and leader weather it was her sister or a whole group of people depending on her and the dream she envisioned. I felt like I was one of her people through the story, and would follow her till we reached the destination. Can't wait to read the next book!

[Marlene S Scherb]

spellbinding!

Layena’s journey was so well written, I could hardly put the book down each night. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. If you’re interested pre-historic history, you’ll love this coming of age adventure.

[Stephanie Hanson]

engaging

I really enjoyed the story and characters. I was drawn in from the beginning. There were several grammatical and spelling errors in the book though. Errors sometimes pull me from the escape of the book thus resulting in 4 starts isn’t of 5.

[Stephen]

Nice book, and Author's enjoy claiming firsts for their character in this type of book, but divorce? That part was a bit cringy. The wanderer objected, "It will lead to chaos!" But he was shut up. Other than that, the book was okay.

[Lynnedecker]

Interesting story

Although it was an interesting story, I wasn't impressed with the characters. It was hard for me to like the interaction between them. I would have liked for her sister to go with her. Also the Fisher tribe was left without a healer and that didn't work for me.

[Joan Burnham]

Good Read

A bit slow in places but overall a good read. Frustrating in the predictive nature of men ruling which is later redeemed but a female ruler. Unrealistic in the repopulation of the small number of people to populate North America.

[Melanie White]

All time favorite book!!

[Megan]

DNS 7/16/2021

[Pablo De]

Incredible read

I read this book many years ago, it was a pleasure reading it again. I still keep the original books.

[Wendy Crockett]

4/5

I would have given it 5 stars but there were just too many typos. It said it was re-edited. Needs to be done again.

[Sharon Romine]

loved it

Being a long time Jane URL fan I was drawn to this book on site. I really enjoyed it, minus typos.

[Deb]

Great read

If you like prehistoric books, and strong women characters, I think you will enjoy this read. It's very close to being as good as clan of the cave bear.

[Marie]

Tale of endurance

I enjoyed the flow of the story and the strengh of the characters in the book. I believed in Laena.

[Phil LeBlanc]

Absolutely engrossing

Each page made this book one that I did not want to pause or stop reading. The climax reading was exceptional.

[Victoria]

I am not a huge fan of anything prehistoric or historically based. I will admit I struggled with the frost few pages as it seemed like it was just going to be a teenager complaining about t how horrible her life was. Yet by the end it morphed into something beautiful and surprisingly comforting. I am looking forward to the next book.

[Raven D. Hardin]

Good story

Although there are many typographical errors throughout the chapters, the story is good. I enjoyed the well developed characters, realistic adventures, and flowing storyline. Time well spent. Thank you to the author.

[Carol]

This was a fun book to read about survival and endurance.

[Jobiska (Cindy)]

I don't remember this strongly, so it obviously didn't make as much of an impression as others of its genre (specifically William Sarabande's series). I think I'll pass it along.

[Megan]

This was similar to Clan of the Cave Bear, only without Neanderthals and with a slightly less engaging main character.

[Robin]

Loved it! Well-written with an easy to follow plotline.