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The First Americans #1
Beyond the Sea of Ice
Stunningly visual, extraordinarily detailed, powerfully dramatic, here is the first volume of a remarkable new series . . . The First Americans .
When humans first walked the world, when nature ruled the earth and sky, a proud tribe is threatened by a series of natural disasters. A bold young hunter named Torka, who lost his wife and child to a killer mammoth, leads the survivors over the glacial tundra on a desperate eastward odyssey to the save their clan. Through attacks of savage animals and encounters with strangers not unlike themselves, they must brave the hardships of a foreign landscape and learn to live in an exotic new world of mystery and danger. They must travel toward the land where the sun rises for a new day for their clan—and an awesome future for the American.
When humans first walked the world, when nature ruled the earth and sky, a proud tribe is threatened by a series of natural disasters. A bold young hunter named Torka, who lost his wife and child to a killer mammoth, leads the survivors over the glacial tundra on a desperate eastward odyssey to the save their clan. Through attacks of savage animals and encounters with strangers not unlike themselves, they must brave the hardships of a foreign landscape and learn to live in an exotic new world of mystery and danger. They must travel toward the land where the sun rises for a new day for their clan—and an awesome future for the American.
373 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1987
27 people are currently reading
3835 people want to read
About the author
William Sarabande
22 books116 followersWilliam Sarabande is a pseudonym of Joan Lesley Hamilton Cline.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
March 4, 2025
"Más allá del mar de hielo" es un libro muy entretenido que nos sumerge en la lucha por la supervivencia de Torka, Lonit y Umak, que pierden a su tribu a manos de un gigantesco mamut asesino. Obligados a valerse por sí mismos, su travesía los lleva hacia el Corredor de las Tormentas, la franja de tierra que una vez unió Asia y América. Sin embargo, el camino no será fácil: además de enfrentarse a la hostilidad del entorno y a feroces animales salvajes, también deberán lidiar con miembros de su propia especie cuyas intenciones no siempre son las mejores.
La novela, escrita bajo el seudónimo William Sarabande (nombre utilizado por Joan Leslie Hamilton), busca retratar la vida de los primeros hombres que cruzaron a América durante la Era del Hielo. Su estilo es juvenil y envolvente, aunque la primera mitad de la historia resulta algo lenta debido a su riqueza en detalles y descripciones. Si bien esto permite conectar con los personajes y su entorno, al contrastarla con la segunda parte —donde los acontecimientos se precipitan vertiginosamente—, el ritmo se hace inconsistente. En esta última sección, la autora introduce varios saltos temporales y omite algunas secuencias de acción, narrándolas posteriormente desde una perspectiva futura, lo que resulta un tanto frustrante dado que son partes importantes de la resolución del libro.
A pesar de ello, la trama logra enganchar y, especialmente en los capítulos finales, es difícil dejar de leer. No obstante, no es un libro para todos: al tratarse de una novela ambientada en la prehistoria, está cargada de violencia, violaciones, infanticidios y otras tantas brutalidades propias de una época sin normas ni moralidad tal como la conocemos hoy.
En general, Más allá del mar de hielo es una lectura interesante para quienes disfruten de la ficción prehistórica y las historias de supervivencia extrema. Personalmente, me ha gustado lo suficiente como para considerar continuar con su segunda parte, ya que forma parte de una saga.
La novela, escrita bajo el seudónimo William Sarabande (nombre utilizado por Joan Leslie Hamilton), busca retratar la vida de los primeros hombres que cruzaron a América durante la Era del Hielo. Su estilo es juvenil y envolvente, aunque la primera mitad de la historia resulta algo lenta debido a su riqueza en detalles y descripciones. Si bien esto permite conectar con los personajes y su entorno, al contrastarla con la segunda parte —donde los acontecimientos se precipitan vertiginosamente—, el ritmo se hace inconsistente. En esta última sección, la autora introduce varios saltos temporales y omite algunas secuencias de acción, narrándolas posteriormente desde una perspectiva futura, lo que resulta un tanto frustrante dado que son partes importantes de la resolución del libro.
A pesar de ello, la trama logra enganchar y, especialmente en los capítulos finales, es difícil dejar de leer. No obstante, no es un libro para todos: al tratarse de una novela ambientada en la prehistoria, está cargada de violencia, violaciones, infanticidios y otras tantas brutalidades propias de una época sin normas ni moralidad tal como la conocemos hoy.
En general, Más allá del mar de hielo es una lectura interesante para quienes disfruten de la ficción prehistórica y las historias de supervivencia extrema. Personalmente, me ha gustado lo suficiente como para considerar continuar con su segunda parte, ya que forma parte de una saga.
July 22, 2014
If you haven't read Jane Auel's Earth Children series then the First Americans will probably be a good read. However, if you have read the Clan of the Cave Bear books, then you will be disappointed by these. They just don't measure up to Auel's story, detail, research, etc.
February 21, 2013
Beyond the Sea of Ice is the first book in a prehistoric series by William Sarabande. As the first book, it is of course where you should start reading, as it introduces all of the characters.
Lonit, Torka, and Torka's old father (Umak, who is 45 and considered old by the prehistoric standards) are the only survivors of a tribe who encountered an enraged mammoth. Together, they have to survive and seek out a new place to live if they wish to get back on their feet again. But they have a hard road ahead with dangerous people and animals everywhere. Not to mention Torka is grieving his wife and children and looks at Lonit with revulsion now. But Lonit is used to that, because of her strange eyes she's always been considered ugly, she just hopes to be useful so she can continue to travel with the two, as it is her only hope for survival.
I like Lonit. She's a bit moony over Torka and he can be a jerk sometimes, but her heart's in the right place and she's a hard worker. It's hard to realize that in this book she is only in her early teens as she seems so much older. Especially in the second half. And she goes through quite a bit that no young child should have to go through. Torka is a strong, steady, mostly decent man who has a few flaws. But he's loyal to a fault and that speaks in his favor. And Umak, well he's got a bit of an ego and can be superficial, but deep down he too has a good heart. Karana, a little boy they meet in their travels, is probably the most interesting character though because of his backstory and abilities with nature.
This book kind of puts a spin on the prehistoric genre because it deals with a lot of death of tribes instead of having them advancing and discovering things. Sure there are a few inventions thrown into the mix to make life better, but largely, this book is just about survival. And because of the topic of survival, there is a lot of death and violence in this book. And also rape, sex, and other things that tend to bother people when they're reading. So if you can't handle that stuff, stay clear of this book. Really, my only complaint about the book would be the romance between Lonit and Torka. They start out at very opposing odds and then out of nowhere it changes. I kept going back to see if I accidentally missed a few pages (I didn't) but I just couldn't see the chemistry there.
A good series and I'm eager to get a start on the next book. This is definitely one that fans of the Gears or Jean Auel would probably enjoy.
Beyond the Sea of Ice
Copyright 1987
370 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2013
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
Lonit, Torka, and Torka's old father (Umak, who is 45 and considered old by the prehistoric standards) are the only survivors of a tribe who encountered an enraged mammoth. Together, they have to survive and seek out a new place to live if they wish to get back on their feet again. But they have a hard road ahead with dangerous people and animals everywhere. Not to mention Torka is grieving his wife and children and looks at Lonit with revulsion now. But Lonit is used to that, because of her strange eyes she's always been considered ugly, she just hopes to be useful so she can continue to travel with the two, as it is her only hope for survival.
I like Lonit. She's a bit moony over Torka and he can be a jerk sometimes, but her heart's in the right place and she's a hard worker. It's hard to realize that in this book she is only in her early teens as she seems so much older. Especially in the second half. And she goes through quite a bit that no young child should have to go through. Torka is a strong, steady, mostly decent man who has a few flaws. But he's loyal to a fault and that speaks in his favor. And Umak, well he's got a bit of an ego and can be superficial, but deep down he too has a good heart. Karana, a little boy they meet in their travels, is probably the most interesting character though because of his backstory and abilities with nature.
This book kind of puts a spin on the prehistoric genre because it deals with a lot of death of tribes instead of having them advancing and discovering things. Sure there are a few inventions thrown into the mix to make life better, but largely, this book is just about survival. And because of the topic of survival, there is a lot of death and violence in this book. And also rape, sex, and other things that tend to bother people when they're reading. So if you can't handle that stuff, stay clear of this book. Really, my only complaint about the book would be the romance between Lonit and Torka. They start out at very opposing odds and then out of nowhere it changes. I kept going back to see if I accidentally missed a few pages (I didn't) but I just couldn't see the chemistry there.
A good series and I'm eager to get a start on the next book. This is definitely one that fans of the Gears or Jean Auel would probably enjoy.
Beyond the Sea of Ice
Copyright 1987
370 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2013
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
July 12, 2010
I picked up this book because I read somewhere that it was along the same lines of the Clan of the Cave Bear books and I can see why someone would say that but there is no way they can be compared as far of their readability! Both series are written about people living thousands of years ago and struggling to survive but "Beyond the Sea of Ice" just didn't capture my imagination the way the "Clan of the Cave Bear" did so I doubt I'll read any more in the series - maybe if I could get them at the library I would but I won't be paying to read more of them! I was shocked by the cruelness in the book and I am sure life was cruel during this time but still it was hard to read about the elders being pushed out into the cold to die and babies being eaten so people had food all winter long - that is just not something that appeals to me.
January 19, 2013
This book is in my top 10 of my all time favorite books I have read in my life. It is #1 in a series. I couldn't put the book down and went on to read the rest of the series right after I finished "Beyond the Sea of Ice". My family was happy when I finished the whole series because I got NOTHING done while I was reading these books. I HIGHLY recommend this book and the others that follow in the series.
December 8, 2019
Been on a bit of a prehistory kick recently and it's interesting to compare the "First Americans"
series with the novel Shaman by Kim Stanley Robinson as well as similar works by Sue Harrison, Jean Auel, Kathleen O'Neal and Linda Lay Shuler. There are numerous parallels in all these stories that deal with characters facing similar hardships in a cold environment.
Beyond the Sea of Ice has a fascinating premise (the story of the first humans to cross the Bering Strait) but this book is plagued by one-dimensional cardboard characters without zero motivation for their actions. It feels like the external bones of a story that sits within a vacuum, lacking the sort of dramatic conflict that arises from believable characters with fiercely opposing goals.
This narrative was in some ways the converse of Sue Harrison's Storyteller Trilogy (Song of the River, Cry of the Wind, Call Down the Stars), a meandering saga without any high concept premise, but draws you in through a rich tapestry of families and tribes in conflict, emotional punches to the gut when these characters we identify with suffer tremendous adversity.
In contrast, it was difficult to identify with any of the characters in Beyond the Sea of Ice. Umak the Spirit Master and the boy Karana had at least some interesting qualities, but the rest were largely forgettable one-dimensional heroes, martyrs or villains. The character of the dog Aar was somewhat more believable than the humans, but it was simply too much to ask of the reader to imagine the same man who first crossed the Bering Strait not only invented the spear thrower single-handledly, but was also the very first to domesticate dogs.
Interesting concept that could have made for a great story, but the author needed to spend more time fleshing out these characters into more believable people with interior lives, the desires and contradictions humans have known throughout the aeons. It seems the author compensates for cursory characterization with scenes of tremendous external danger (extreme sexual violence, torture, mutilation etc), but without the emotional grounding in believable characters these brutal scenes simply ring false.
series with the novel Shaman by Kim Stanley Robinson as well as similar works by Sue Harrison, Jean Auel, Kathleen O'Neal and Linda Lay Shuler. There are numerous parallels in all these stories that deal with characters facing similar hardships in a cold environment.
Beyond the Sea of Ice has a fascinating premise (the story of the first humans to cross the Bering Strait) but this book is plagued by one-dimensional cardboard characters without zero motivation for their actions. It feels like the external bones of a story that sits within a vacuum, lacking the sort of dramatic conflict that arises from believable characters with fiercely opposing goals.
This narrative was in some ways the converse of Sue Harrison's Storyteller Trilogy (Song of the River, Cry of the Wind, Call Down the Stars), a meandering saga without any high concept premise, but draws you in through a rich tapestry of families and tribes in conflict, emotional punches to the gut when these characters we identify with suffer tremendous adversity.
In contrast, it was difficult to identify with any of the characters in Beyond the Sea of Ice. Umak the Spirit Master and the boy Karana had at least some interesting qualities, but the rest were largely forgettable one-dimensional heroes, martyrs or villains. The character of the dog Aar was somewhat more believable than the humans, but it was simply too much to ask of the reader to imagine the same man who first crossed the Bering Strait not only invented the spear thrower single-handledly, but was also the very first to domesticate dogs.
Interesting concept that could have made for a great story, but the author needed to spend more time fleshing out these characters into more believable people with interior lives, the desires and contradictions humans have known throughout the aeons. It seems the author compensates for cursory characterization with scenes of tremendous external danger (extreme sexual violence, torture, mutilation etc), but without the emotional grounding in believable characters these brutal scenes simply ring false.
March 1, 2011
This is a true test for Joyce Saricks. I distinctly remember reading a series of books about early Native Americans when I was in fifth grade. Distinctly, because they were pretty scandalous for a 10 year old and I think that's where I first learned the mechanics of sex. And 15(ish) years later, I couldn't for the life of me figure out what those books were. Obviously, I want to re-read them and see if they were actually scandalous, or if I was as prudish as I recall being. According to Ms. Saricks' Readers' Advisory Guide to Historical Fiction, this is a contender. We shall see... (fingers crossed that it's dirty!)
***
Whoa. Um, yes, Joyce Saricks was correct. This was the book. And... wow. There were some images in here that would scar me now- I can't believe this made it into an elementary school library. Interesting parts about making clothes out of caribou and whatnot... disturbing parts about sterilizing captive women with sloth claws after suffocating their newborns with snow. Shudder.
***
Whoa. Um, yes, Joyce Saricks was correct. This was the book. And... wow. There were some images in here that would scar me now- I can't believe this made it into an elementary school library. Interesting parts about making clothes out of caribou and whatnot... disturbing parts about sterilizing captive women with sloth claws after suffocating their newborns with snow. Shudder.
May 15, 2019
Dopo aver stilato una nuova lista di romanzi ambientati in epoca preistorica per il mio blog ho deciso di dedicarmi alla lettura di alcuni di essi, come potete vedere dal mio scaffale di goodreads. Questo è l'ultimo che ho letto, e che leggerò per un bel po' perchè sento il bisogno di passare ad altro sinceramente. Mi ero scordata quando questo genere di romanzi fossero prolissi e ripetitivi come trame, ma ora l'ho ricordato.
Detto questo, devo dire che tra quelli che ho trovato e letto questo è probabilmente il migliore. E' quello scritto meglio? No. E' quello con i migliori personaggi? No. Con la migliore trama? No. Però è quello che ha sia una trama che dei personaggi che una scrittura decenti e sopra la media.
Gli altri che ho letto se avevano bei personaggi avevano trame banalissime. Se avevano trame forti avevano personaggi illeggibili. Di questo invece salvo tutto: trama, personaggi e scrittura. Nulla eccelle, ma nulla è orribile e questo ha reso la lettura molto più piacevole. Lo rileggerei? no, ma non mi pento di averlo letto. E' meglio della serie Ayla di Jean Marie Auel? No, ma anche questo è una serie, e forse alcuni libri di questa serie posso essere meglio di alcuni libri della serie di Ayla, poichè il livello varia molto da libro a libro, ma in tutta sincerità credo che la serie di Ayla sia molto meglio specie riguardo ai personaggi. E Specie la versione in italiano, poichè i traduttori hanno fatto un gran lavoro e hanno migliorato immensamente i dialoghi, credetemi hanno creato sintassi dove non esisteva.
Detto questo, devo dire che tra quelli che ho trovato e letto questo è probabilmente il migliore. E' quello scritto meglio? No. E' quello con i migliori personaggi? No. Con la migliore trama? No. Però è quello che ha sia una trama che dei personaggi che una scrittura decenti e sopra la media.
Gli altri che ho letto se avevano bei personaggi avevano trame banalissime. Se avevano trame forti avevano personaggi illeggibili. Di questo invece salvo tutto: trama, personaggi e scrittura. Nulla eccelle, ma nulla è orribile e questo ha reso la lettura molto più piacevole. Lo rileggerei? no, ma non mi pento di averlo letto. E' meglio della serie Ayla di Jean Marie Auel? No, ma anche questo è una serie, e forse alcuni libri di questa serie posso essere meglio di alcuni libri della serie di Ayla, poichè il livello varia molto da libro a libro, ma in tutta sincerità credo che la serie di Ayla sia molto meglio specie riguardo ai personaggi. E Specie la versione in italiano, poichè i traduttori hanno fatto un gran lavoro e hanno migliorato immensamente i dialoghi, credetemi hanno creato sintassi dove non esisteva.
December 30, 2021
I found a book of this series in a thrift shop for 25 cents. Reading the summary (yet somehow missing the fact it was not a stand alone novel), I knew instantly that I would like the book. Upon getting it home and adding it to my Goodreads library, I found out it was the fifth in this saga. I immediately ordered all the books (as one does).
From the very first page, I was ENTRANCED by this story. I love everything about early humans and survival (anthropology student here), and Jean Auel's Clan of the Cave Bear has always been my favorite story/series.
But this. THIS may be the start of a new love affair. Immensely readable, without the "perfectness" of Ayla in CotCB (read any reviews of the series, and you'll find so many people complaining about how Ayla is TOO perfect and accomplishes TOO much), the story of Torka and his band is at times, gory and immeasurably sad, but also triumphant and believable in ways that Auel's story never resonated (in my opinion as an obsessive lover of Auel's world for almost 2 decades - it hurts to write) within me.
This is similar to Auel, but also bears some resemblance to other great authors who write stories like this, such as, James Alexander Thom, and Sue Harrison (Mother Earth Father Sky is still way up there for favorites).
I couldn't put this story down, and consumed nearly 400 pages in two days.
I look forward to the rest of the series SO much.
From the very first page, I was ENTRANCED by this story. I love everything about early humans and survival (anthropology student here), and Jean Auel's Clan of the Cave Bear has always been my favorite story/series.
But this. THIS may be the start of a new love affair. Immensely readable, without the "perfectness" of Ayla in CotCB (read any reviews of the series, and you'll find so many people complaining about how Ayla is TOO perfect and accomplishes TOO much), the story of Torka and his band is at times, gory and immeasurably sad, but also triumphant and believable in ways that Auel's story never resonated (in my opinion as an obsessive lover of Auel's world for almost 2 decades - it hurts to write) within me.
This is similar to Auel, but also bears some resemblance to other great authors who write stories like this, such as, James Alexander Thom, and Sue Harrison (Mother Earth Father Sky is still way up there for favorites).
I couldn't put this story down, and consumed nearly 400 pages in two days.
I look forward to the rest of the series SO much.
July 2, 2025
Este libro ha sido mi primer contacto con la novela prehistórica, período que no me llamaba tanto la atención... pero wow, ¡menuda sorpresa!
Destaco de esta obra su rica ambientación y la habilidad del autor (¡que en realidad es autora con pseudónimo!) para capturar la esencia de una época lejana, mezclando aventura, emoción y un profundo respeto por las culturas ancestrales.
Destaco de esta obra su rica ambientación y la habilidad del autor (¡que en realidad es autora con pseudónimo!) para capturar la esencia de una época lejana, mezclando aventura, emoción y un profundo respeto por las culturas ancestrales.
November 15, 2025
Jean M. Auel did it better. This was good, but I liked her series more.
January 18, 2008
Excellent book. Even though its a fictional novel it's so interesting to read how thing could have been.
This is a very well written story. The characters seem so real and you can't put the book down! I've read it at least a few dozen times (in the past 15 years) and will probably read it quite a few times more. The sequels are just as good, but they get increasingly more tragic. Its a long, sad, dramatic story of Torka and Lonit and their family. Even though their story is tragic, you really can't help but hope for the best for them. They are honest hardworking and believe in doing what they must to continue to build life. As they think, until meeting other people, that they are the only ones left on earth.
This is a very well written story. The characters seem so real and you can't put the book down! I've read it at least a few dozen times (in the past 15 years) and will probably read it quite a few times more. The sequels are just as good, but they get increasingly more tragic. Its a long, sad, dramatic story of Torka and Lonit and their family. Even though their story is tragic, you really can't help but hope for the best for them. They are honest hardworking and believe in doing what they must to continue to build life. As they think, until meeting other people, that they are the only ones left on earth.
February 19, 2012
I read this entire series when I was about 10 years old (well, up to about book 7 or so - the later ones hadn't been published yet) and I absolutely adored them! I think I might have even read them twice. However, when I went to re-read them again as a teenager, I found they were too simple and boring for me. But I do still have those fond memories of when I originally read them... So yes, I would recommend this series to pre-teens who are interested in archaeology (although I suppose there is some sex/violence stuff, but I turned out okay, right?...=)
June 26, 2012
Why must dudes in these kind of stories have enormous genitalia anyway?
I read this book ages ago when I was in Jr. High school, but I am just not sure sex WORKS that way. Ah well. More later.
I read this book ages ago when I was in Jr. High school, but I am just not sure sex WORKS that way. Ah well. More later.
January 4, 2015
I loved the book. I love historical novels, especially when there is some research done into the fine details.
December 2, 2015
The whole series is a great read. Hard to put down. Want to read it again.
May 17, 2016
If you liked Jean Auel's Clan of the Bear Cave, you will enjoy this also.
June 25, 2016
It was not written by a native, so the story is incomplete....
November 14, 2021
story 4/5
characters 3/5
writing 3/5
audio/paper Paper.
reread? Hmm.. Still don't know if I want to read the next book.
Recommend it? Uhh.. If you like the older style, maybe?
Verhaal: 4/5
Karakters: 3/5
Schrijfstijl: 3/5
Papier/audio? Papier.
Herlezen: Hmm.. Ik weet no niet of ik het volgende boek wil lezen.
Aanrader? Uhh.. Misscien als je van die oude stijl boeken leuk vind?
characters 3/5
writing 3/5
audio/paper Paper.
reread? Hmm.. Still don't know if I want to read the next book.
Recommend it? Uhh.. If you like the older style, maybe?
Verhaal: 4/5
Karakters: 3/5
Schrijfstijl: 3/5
Papier/audio? Papier.
Herlezen: Hmm.. Ik weet no niet of ik het volgende boek wil lezen.
Aanrader? Uhh.. Misscien als je van die oude stijl boeken leuk vind?
April 5, 2019
At this point, I've read several native-American novels set in the ice age, or focused on crossing the Alaska/Russia land bridge. Granted, it's hard to keep a story interesting when all you have to work with for landscape and weather is ice and snow. Beyond the Sea of Ice felt repetitive and stagnant at times, and I found myself having to really push through certain sections. The novel's true saving grace was the characters. I really wanted to see Torka, Lonit and Umak survive and succeed. They felt like real characters with depth who grew and learned with time and circumstances. The third-person omniscient viewpoint let us read what all the characters were feeling and thinking- which, initially, got on my nerves, as Lonit was constantly saying she was worthless, and Torka hated everyone and everything, and Umak was questioning his worth and second-guessing himself. As time went on and they traveled, their characters evolved and they learned to work with and appreciate each other.
It was interesting to see a group of people (Galeena's band) who were not self-sufficient, and made all the wrong choices, who were dirty, and sacrificed their young, and over-hunted. Typically in these types of novels, the characters are described as clean, and not wasteful and efficient, and I appreciated the way Sarabande included these people, because of course, not all native Americans were like Ayla from Clan of the Cave Bear.
I was not prepared for the ending section, which felt way too rushed and definitely pulled on the heartstrings- but it prepared us nicely (and awfully conveniently) for the next installment, Corridor of Storms.
All in all, Sarabande took some chances and did some different things, and I appreciated that. He has solid characters. Otherwise, there was a lot of the same, and sections that were a chore to push through. I am interested to see what happens next, though.
It was interesting to see a group of people (Galeena's band) who were not self-sufficient, and made all the wrong choices, who were dirty, and sacrificed their young, and over-hunted. Typically in these types of novels, the characters are described as clean, and not wasteful and efficient, and I appreciated the way Sarabande included these people, because of course, not all native Americans were like Ayla from Clan of the Cave Bear.
I was not prepared for the ending section, which felt way too rushed and definitely pulled on the heartstrings- but it prepared us nicely (and awfully conveniently) for the next installment, Corridor of Storms.
All in all, Sarabande took some chances and did some different things, and I appreciated that. He has solid characters. Otherwise, there was a lot of the same, and sections that were a chore to push through. I am interested to see what happens next, though.
December 5, 2019
I do not understand why the Clan Of The Cave Bear series by Jane Auel is considered the “go-to” for this genre of prehistoric fiction. The First Americans series by Sarabande is so much better written and “can’t put down” than Auel’s books. Are The First Americans books more graphic? Yes, absolutely, but this is true to the lives they led. The first 1-3 books of the Auel 6 book series were fine. By the 4th book , and definitely the last, they were pure repetition with no plot. I had to force myself to continue to the end. Not do with the First Americans series. I just completed the 5th book , couldn’t put it down and anxious to read the next. Each book has a great plot and good character development. The first 4 books center on the lives of York’s and Lonit and their tribe being the first to cross into the Beringia land mass. I was sad to see their story end with book 4 but the new characters and location, set generations later in what is now southwestern US , is every bit as good. I don’t understand why the author felt she had to use a male pen name, William Sarabande, but I suppose that’s a sign of the time when she wrote the series.
April 29, 2018
The book is a little tough to get into but after the first 100 pages I was fully immersed and really felt as though I was walking the open tundra haha. The character development was surprisingly excellent and I’m trying not to spoil anything but there are some character deaths that I will painfully hold on to and never get over for the rest of my existence.
One of the things I find personally fulfilling about the book was the vocabulary of the people and their explanations for things they don’t understand. As a human being of the modern age this book throws you into the minds of people from our not so distant past.
I entered the series on a strictly experimental basis and wasn’t planning on reading any further into the series but after being won over by umak karama and lonit I will for sure purchase the sequel. MUST READ
One of the things I find personally fulfilling about the book was the vocabulary of the people and their explanations for things they don’t understand. As a human being of the modern age this book throws you into the minds of people from our not so distant past.
I entered the series on a strictly experimental basis and wasn’t planning on reading any further into the series but after being won over by umak karama and lonit I will for sure purchase the sequel. MUST READ
May 17, 2023
At times I can be pretty pretentious about what I read, which is strange for someone who reads a ton of graphic novels (especially trade paperbacks) and sports books.
I got this book because I wanted something that would be a little bit lighter, a little fanciful, and a little less challenging.
This book was entertaining! I was impressed by Sarabande's research. How many of us would bother doing any research about a group of people wandering around the Arctic Circle 10,000 years ago? It was cold, they had spears, and a friendly dog... Nope Sarabande gives us much more than this. This is a great story about the way societies are formed and developed and what it means to lead and be part of a family.
I got this book because I wanted something that would be a little bit lighter, a little fanciful, and a little less challenging.
This book was entertaining! I was impressed by Sarabande's research. How many of us would bother doing any research about a group of people wandering around the Arctic Circle 10,000 years ago? It was cold, they had spears, and a friendly dog... Nope Sarabande gives us much more than this. This is a great story about the way societies are formed and developed and what it means to lead and be part of a family.
August 30, 2019
I gave up on this because it was too crude. I should have expected it because the people are from so long ago when times were harsh and cruel. I don't mean crude as in swearing. Some women leave their babies out in the cold to die to appease the gods. If you're not useful in some way then it's thought you don't deserve to live. Some let their babies die and eat them. I just can't deal with that. I don't want to read about something like that. As it is it will leave a bad taste in my mind for the rest of the day.
I recommend this if you want to read about very early humans that hunted mastodons.
I recommend this if you want to read about very early humans that hunted mastodons.
January 23, 2009
I don't endorsed the theory of my people coming over the land bridge. Which this serious exploits. However, I do endorsed the ability of this writer. The loved the plot, describtive writing ability, and the excitement of the story. Any book within the first 5 books of this serious I would definitely recommend. Enjoy!
June 6, 2011
This is the first book in the First Americans series. Just about an entire tribe is killed by an enormous mammoth, and the few who still live must run and survive somehow. They fight against predators, animal and human, before they can leave Asia for the Americas.
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April 26, 2015I was looking forward to reading this book and waited 2 months for it to come in from the library but it turned out I couldn't read much of it. I have read other books about the first men on earth and how they survived and found them fascinating but this one was just to depressing for me.
April 10, 2020
Loved it, I had just finished reading the Ivory Carver trilogy by Sue Harrison and wanted to read something similar. I'm a palaeoanthopologist so I enjoy books like this and would say if you have any interest in ancient cultures and people then you probably will too.
September 7, 2019
I have read many versions of this story...its pretty good...
May 15, 2024
3.5*
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This is a novel I remembered reading when I was a teenager and I recently picked up a used copy, because I was curious to see how I would like it now. I soon remembered that it had some horrible things happen in it, which may make me reluctant to continue the series.
Set in the ice age, we follow a small band of people as they make their way from what is now Russia to the American continent, as it was still connected at the time. It starts out pretty brutal and it continues to be littered with trigger warnings, from rape to animal slaughter and infanticide. Now, all of these things are often mentioned quite casually, so if that is something you are sensitive to, I would not recommend this one.
For me, overall I enjoyed the read, but I did feel I ever really got to know the characters. They are very much led by customs and habits and a need to survive, so maybe it makes sense that that’s what the author concentrates on, but I wish the individuals got a bit more depth. Maybe they do in subsequent books. I don’t quite remember. There are few grey characters. Everyone is either decent or very bad.
Still, it does make me want to pick up some of the other books on my shelf with a similar setting to see whether they work better for me. I am not against continuing this series eventually, but for now I will read the others and then decide which one I would like to continue. I do think I am happy I revisited this novel.
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