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The Dawning: 31,000 BC
The Dawning tells an age-old story of deadly struggle, the heart-rending tale of young love-its aspirations, pain, disappointments and eventual triumph.
Ejil and Lada, son and daughter of a Cro-Magnon tribe (on the verge of adulthood) have begun to explore their maturing feelings when an encounter with a clan of Neanderthal hunters tears their Ice Age world apart. Lada is lost and Ejil finds himself embarked on a desperate odyssey to find the mother tribe.
The Neanderthals, a pale skinned people, occupied Ice Age Europe for three hundred thousand years. Dark-skinned Cro-Magnons, our direct ancestors, appeared forty-five thousand years ago. Five thousand years later, the Neanderthals had disappeared. What happened when our two ancestral peoples came face to face on the ice bound plains of prehistory?
Travel back 33,000 years into our deep past. Set against the backdrop of the fabulous painted caves of Southern France, follow the gripping tale of two young lovers and the sweeping narrative of ancient cultures met in bloody conflict.
Ejil and Lada, son and daughter of a Cro-Magnon tribe (on the verge of adulthood) have begun to explore their maturing feelings when an encounter with a clan of Neanderthal hunters tears their Ice Age world apart. Lada is lost and Ejil finds himself embarked on a desperate odyssey to find the mother tribe.
The Neanderthals, a pale skinned people, occupied Ice Age Europe for three hundred thousand years. Dark-skinned Cro-Magnons, our direct ancestors, appeared forty-five thousand years ago. Five thousand years later, the Neanderthals had disappeared. What happened when our two ancestral peoples came face to face on the ice bound plains of prehistory?
Travel back 33,000 years into our deep past. Set against the backdrop of the fabulous painted caves of Southern France, follow the gripping tale of two young lovers and the sweeping narrative of ancient cultures met in bloody conflict.
320 pages, Paperback
Published October 11, 2022
105 people are currently reading
1612 people want to read
About the author
Richard W. Wise
5 books106 followersRichard Wise is the author of four books. His latest novel, THE DAWNING; 31,000 BC (2022), is set in the Aurginacian Period in Southern France.
His REDLINED, A NOVEL OF BOSTON (2021), is a mystery thriller set in Boston's Jamaica Plain neighborhood. PublishersWeekly raves: "Fans of suspense fiction with a social conscience will be pleased." Midwest Book Review describes REDLINED as "An original and simply riveting novel." REDLINED was nominated for the National Book Award and the Benjamin Franklin Award in fiction. www.richardwbooks.com
His previous books include Secrets Of The Gem Trade, The Connoisseur's Guide To Precious Gemstones. First published in 2003, the book became a critically acclaimed bestseller. The revised and expanded second edition was published in November 2016. www.secretsofthegemtrade.com
The author's second book and first novel, The French Blue (2010), chronicles the adventures of 17th-century gem dealer and adventurer Jean Baptiste Tavernier and tells the back story of the Hope Diamond. The French Blue was an "Award Winning Finalist" at the 2011 International Book Awards. www.thefrenchblue.com
His REDLINED, A NOVEL OF BOSTON (2021), is a mystery thriller set in Boston's Jamaica Plain neighborhood. PublishersWeekly raves: "Fans of suspense fiction with a social conscience will be pleased." Midwest Book Review describes REDLINED as "An original and simply riveting novel." REDLINED was nominated for the National Book Award and the Benjamin Franklin Award in fiction. www.richardwbooks.com
His previous books include Secrets Of The Gem Trade, The Connoisseur's Guide To Precious Gemstones. First published in 2003, the book became a critically acclaimed bestseller. The revised and expanded second edition was published in November 2016. www.secretsofthegemtrade.com
The author's second book and first novel, The French Blue (2010), chronicles the adventures of 17th-century gem dealer and adventurer Jean Baptiste Tavernier and tells the back story of the Hope Diamond. The French Blue was an "Award Winning Finalist" at the 2011 International Book Awards. www.thefrenchblue.com
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 17, 2022
A captivating grasp of the past. Wise brings to life compelling and believable characters in this realistic portrayal of ancestral peoples and their everyday struggles. The vivid descriptions of their daily life, their characteristics, habits, and their attitudes expressed in today’s English language and tone makes this a fun, engrossing read. Make way for some exciting and gruesome fighting scenes as the war between humans is instinctively inevitable. Be sure and check out the author's theories in the Afterword -a slice of intellectual nourishment.
August 23, 2023
A great read
Many years ago Jean Auel authered "The clan of the cave bear". It was the first of I think four or five wonderful reads. The Dawning brings back memories of her writing and hopefully Richard Wise continues with his own saga.
A real page turner!
Many years ago Jean Auel authered "The clan of the cave bear". It was the first of I think four or five wonderful reads. The Dawning brings back memories of her writing and hopefully Richard Wise continues with his own saga.
A real page turner!
October 5, 2023
Ich mag ja gerne historische Romane, und hier wird es sehr historisch: wir sind 31.000 Jahre vor unserer Zeitrechnung, in der Gegend des heutigen Südfrankreich, in der letzten grossen Eiszeit. Der junge Ejil und die etwa gleichaltrige Lada gehören zu einem Cro-Magnon Stamm und entdecken erste zaghafte Gefühle füreinander. Diese angehende Romanze wird jäh unterbrochen, als einige Neanderthal-Krieger Lada und ihre Freundin Tule kidnappen und verschleppen. Auf der Suche nach den beiden Mädels kommt es zu einem Gemetzel: die Neanderthaler vernichten die Männer des Stammes und versklaven alle verbleibenden Frauen.
Einzig Ejil, sein Bruder Baal und der junge Jäger Breda überleben – und haben von nun an eine Mission: sie wollen ihren Mutterstamm wieder finden und irgendwann ihre Frauen befreien….Für Ejil und seine Freunde beginnt eine Odyssee durch die prähistorische europäische Taiga, durch feindliche Natur und immer auf der Hut vor gefährlichen Tieren. Und auch als sie ihre Leute finden, ist nicht alles wie gedacht…..
Soviel ganz grob zum Inhalt und der Ausgangslage des Romans. Das Buch besticht natürlich durch das spektakuläre Setting und die historische Authentizität – hier spürt man die intensive Recherche. Man bekommt beim Lesen nebenbei eine Nachhilfestunde in prähistorischer Geschichte. Für eine Zeitlang lebten die Neanderthaler und die Cro-Magnon-Menschen nebeneinander her, bis irgendwann die Neanderthaler von der Bildfläche verschwanden, und der moderne Mensch sich aus den Cro-Magnons weiter entwickelte. Hier treffen wir beide, und tauchen in die Kulturen dieser so gegensätzlichen Spezien ein. Superspannend gemacht.
Die Protagonisten sind uns so ähnlich, sie sind uns ganz nah, vor allem auch, weil der Autor sie in normalem, zeitgenössichem Englisch reden lässt. Mittlerweile wissen wir auch von den Neanderthalern, dass sie nicht nur grunzten und über eine simple Zeichensprache verfügten, sondern ebenfalls sprechen konnten, und so lässt der Autor auch die Neanderthal-Protas kommunizieren, in einer Mixtur aus normaler Sprache und Gebärden. Das erzeugt auch wieder eine Nähe, und das macht den Roman flüssig zu lesen, Auf diese Weise ist hier eine Abenteuerwelt entstanden, die richtig fesselnd war, mit Charakteren, die genauso lebten, liebten und litten wie wir heutzutage.
Ich fand es richtig gut, das war grosses Kino in einer atemberaubenden Kulisse; mit viel Drama, Action, Liebe, Exotik und allzeit hohem Spannungslevel.
Noch ein Wort kurz zur (Fremd)-Sprache: ich habe das Buch im englischen Original gelesen, und es war einerseits wie schon gesagt sehr flüssig und mitreissend zu lesen, andererseits habe ich seit langem mal wieder mein Wörterbuch nutzen müssen. Das Vokabular zur Prähistorik ist mir schlicht nicht wirklich geläufig (die ganzen Handkeile, Werkzeuge, Ur-Tiere – ich hab echt einiges nebenbei nachgeschlagen). Als Nichtmuttersprachler sind einem die Vokabeln, die man so braucht, um gekonnt einen Auerochsen zu zerlegen, irgendwie nicht so geläufig….also wer nicht wirklich fit ist im Englischen sollte hier auf eine deutsche Übersetzung warten 😉!
Abgesehen davon: grosse Leseempfehlung!
Vielen Dank an den Verlag und Netgalley für das Rezensionsexemplar!
Einzig Ejil, sein Bruder Baal und der junge Jäger Breda überleben – und haben von nun an eine Mission: sie wollen ihren Mutterstamm wieder finden und irgendwann ihre Frauen befreien….Für Ejil und seine Freunde beginnt eine Odyssee durch die prähistorische europäische Taiga, durch feindliche Natur und immer auf der Hut vor gefährlichen Tieren. Und auch als sie ihre Leute finden, ist nicht alles wie gedacht…..
Soviel ganz grob zum Inhalt und der Ausgangslage des Romans. Das Buch besticht natürlich durch das spektakuläre Setting und die historische Authentizität – hier spürt man die intensive Recherche. Man bekommt beim Lesen nebenbei eine Nachhilfestunde in prähistorischer Geschichte. Für eine Zeitlang lebten die Neanderthaler und die Cro-Magnon-Menschen nebeneinander her, bis irgendwann die Neanderthaler von der Bildfläche verschwanden, und der moderne Mensch sich aus den Cro-Magnons weiter entwickelte. Hier treffen wir beide, und tauchen in die Kulturen dieser so gegensätzlichen Spezien ein. Superspannend gemacht.
Die Protagonisten sind uns so ähnlich, sie sind uns ganz nah, vor allem auch, weil der Autor sie in normalem, zeitgenössichem Englisch reden lässt. Mittlerweile wissen wir auch von den Neanderthalern, dass sie nicht nur grunzten und über eine simple Zeichensprache verfügten, sondern ebenfalls sprechen konnten, und so lässt der Autor auch die Neanderthal-Protas kommunizieren, in einer Mixtur aus normaler Sprache und Gebärden. Das erzeugt auch wieder eine Nähe, und das macht den Roman flüssig zu lesen, Auf diese Weise ist hier eine Abenteuerwelt entstanden, die richtig fesselnd war, mit Charakteren, die genauso lebten, liebten und litten wie wir heutzutage.
Ich fand es richtig gut, das war grosses Kino in einer atemberaubenden Kulisse; mit viel Drama, Action, Liebe, Exotik und allzeit hohem Spannungslevel.
Noch ein Wort kurz zur (Fremd)-Sprache: ich habe das Buch im englischen Original gelesen, und es war einerseits wie schon gesagt sehr flüssig und mitreissend zu lesen, andererseits habe ich seit langem mal wieder mein Wörterbuch nutzen müssen. Das Vokabular zur Prähistorik ist mir schlicht nicht wirklich geläufig (die ganzen Handkeile, Werkzeuge, Ur-Tiere – ich hab echt einiges nebenbei nachgeschlagen). Als Nichtmuttersprachler sind einem die Vokabeln, die man so braucht, um gekonnt einen Auerochsen zu zerlegen, irgendwie nicht so geläufig….also wer nicht wirklich fit ist im Englischen sollte hier auf eine deutsche Übersetzung warten 😉!
Abgesehen davon: grosse Leseempfehlung!
Vielen Dank an den Verlag und Netgalley für das Rezensionsexemplar!
September 27, 2022
Author Richard Wise’s take on prehistory is unique. The depth of research is obvious. And, yes, he faithfully produces the sights and sounds and even the smells of an Ice Age world. No magical/fantasy world. His protagonists speak idiomatic English. They do not seem alien because their hopes and desires are recognizable though many of the challenges they meet and overcome are not. As the author states in the Afterword, the people seem familiar to us because they were just like us.
This is a novel of adventure and romance. Wise’s youthful protagonists and antagonists are well developed. The plot is full of twists and turns. The Dawning grabs hold of you like a clap of thunder and refuses to let go until you reach the final page. Highly recommended.
This is a novel of adventure and romance. Wise’s youthful protagonists and antagonists are well developed. The plot is full of twists and turns. The Dawning grabs hold of you like a clap of thunder and refuses to let go until you reach the final page. Highly recommended.
October 1, 2022
The Dawning takes you to prehistoric times in southern France where both dark skinned Cro-Magnan and light skinned Neanderthals roamed. Through the two main characters Lada and Ejil, young Cro-Magnans, we learn of the customs and culture of these pre-historic peoples. The book is not only informative, but very exciting as we follow the adventures of Lada and Ejil. It is an excellent story , a real page turner. I would highly recommend it. Jean Ryan
Read
December 13, 2022The Dawning tells an age-old story of deadly struggle, the heart-rending tale of young love-its aspirations, pain, disappointments and eventual triumph.
Ejil and Lada, son and daughter of a Cro-Magnon tribe (on the verge of adulthood) have begun to explore their maturing feelings when an encounter with a clan of Neanderthal hunters tears their Ice Age world apart. Lada is lost and Ejil finds himself embarked on a desperate odyssey to find the mother tribe.
The Neanderthals, a pale skinned people, occupied Ice Age Europe for three hundred thousand years. Dark-skinned Cro-Magnons, our direct ancestors, appeared forty-five thousand years ago. Five thousand years later, the Neanderthals had disappeared. What happened when our two ancestral peoples came face to face on the ice bound plains of prehistory?
Travel back 33,000 years into our deep past. Set against the backdrop of the fabulous painted caves of Southern France, follow the gripping tale of two young lovers and the sweeping narrative of ancient cultures met in bloody conflict.
Ejil and Lada, son and daughter of a Cro-Magnon tribe (on the verge of adulthood) have begun to explore their maturing feelings when an encounter with a clan of Neanderthal hunters tears their Ice Age world apart. Lada is lost and Ejil finds himself embarked on a desperate odyssey to find the mother tribe.
The Neanderthals, a pale skinned people, occupied Ice Age Europe for three hundred thousand years. Dark-skinned Cro-Magnons, our direct ancestors, appeared forty-five thousand years ago. Five thousand years later, the Neanderthals had disappeared. What happened when our two ancestral peoples came face to face on the ice bound plains of prehistory?
Travel back 33,000 years into our deep past. Set against the backdrop of the fabulous painted caves of Southern France, follow the gripping tale of two young lovers and the sweeping narrative of ancient cultures met in bloody conflict.
December 19, 2022
The Dawning: 31,000 BC by Richard W. Wise is set in prehistoric times, going back 33,000 years. The story is inspired by the age when the Neanderthals clashed with Homo Sapiens on earth in a battle for domination. The battle for supremacy however, in this fiction is between members of the Cro-Magnon tribe and a clan of pale-skinned Neanderthals. When Lada and Tule are unexpectedly kidnapped by unknown tribesmen and the Cro-Magnon tribe is ransacked, Ejil, the son of the Cro-Magnon tribe must, together with unlikely allies, save his people. Different kinships and families are broken and forged amid the war. The story also features a tale of young-love blooming in a bloody conflict.
Author Richard Wise provides readers with a fascinating take on the past in this prehistoric historical romance novel. He draws inspiration from tales of ancestral people who once roamed the earth and whose extinction is still a subject of different academic debate. The author displays an obvious flair for history gathered through research. His knowledge about the concept can be gleaned from his insight and vivid descriptions of the habits, mannerisms and techniques of ancestral people before the development of the world.
The barbarism of cavemen in premodern times is evident and the characters use a lot of derogatory and demeaning terms towards women. The Dawning: 31,000 BC was engaging and I reveled in the author's descriptions of the settings. The emphasis on character development certainly makes the story quite fun and immersive to read. Although, a different era, the experience and customs of these ancestral people are not unfamiliar. I've read many historical romance novels, but none that go this far back in time. This is a fantastic story that will appeal to fans looking for an accurate depiction of prehistoric times and the strife those people faced, or for any reader looking for a thoughtful love story story in the midst of it all.
Author Richard Wise provides readers with a fascinating take on the past in this prehistoric historical romance novel. He draws inspiration from tales of ancestral people who once roamed the earth and whose extinction is still a subject of different academic debate. The author displays an obvious flair for history gathered through research. His knowledge about the concept can be gleaned from his insight and vivid descriptions of the habits, mannerisms and techniques of ancestral people before the development of the world.
The barbarism of cavemen in premodern times is evident and the characters use a lot of derogatory and demeaning terms towards women. The Dawning: 31,000 BC was engaging and I reveled in the author's descriptions of the settings. The emphasis on character development certainly makes the story quite fun and immersive to read. Although, a different era, the experience and customs of these ancestral people are not unfamiliar. I've read many historical romance novels, but none that go this far back in time. This is a fantastic story that will appeal to fans looking for an accurate depiction of prehistoric times and the strife those people faced, or for any reader looking for a thoughtful love story story in the midst of it all.
April 16, 2025
A Solid Dawning!
After reading quite a few independent authors in this genre, this one was one of the better ones. Wise's prose is easy to get into, and he seems to have a solid grasp of this era.
I love this genre, but find many to be overburdened with day-to-day living minutiae to sometimes slow the narrative down. This author cut to the chase and showed the reader camp life and the struggles of survival without boring me.
Richard Wise, overall, is a very good author, showcasing both the human aspects of this era, as well as numerous animal species that lived in that time. I find too few authors who do this well...or at all.
The ending 1/3 of the book, however, seemed rather unsatisfying in some ways. The humans beat the Neanderthals way too easy, and almost without a scratch, for such a build-up of a final battle. And the problem with the new human victors dealing with their captive women with half-bred children was left unresolved. The author wrote - The End - but left the two brother's conflict unresolved. If this was a first book in a series, I can understand that. But there is no indication of this. ???
Even though the final battle wasn't what I'd hoped it to be, and all the threads were tied together too quickly and easily for my tastes, this book was still enjoyable, and a step up in storytelling quality than most I've read in this particular genre.
After reading quite a few independent authors in this genre, this one was one of the better ones. Wise's prose is easy to get into, and he seems to have a solid grasp of this era.
I love this genre, but find many to be overburdened with day-to-day living minutiae to sometimes slow the narrative down. This author cut to the chase and showed the reader camp life and the struggles of survival without boring me.
Richard Wise, overall, is a very good author, showcasing both the human aspects of this era, as well as numerous animal species that lived in that time. I find too few authors who do this well...or at all.
The ending 1/3 of the book, however, seemed rather unsatisfying in some ways. The humans beat the Neanderthals way too easy, and almost without a scratch, for such a build-up of a final battle. And the problem with the new human victors dealing with their captive women with half-bred children was left unresolved. The author wrote - The End - but left the two brother's conflict unresolved. If this was a first book in a series, I can understand that. But there is no indication of this. ???
Even though the final battle wasn't what I'd hoped it to be, and all the threads were tied together too quickly and easily for my tastes, this book was still enjoyable, and a step up in storytelling quality than most I've read in this particular genre.
April 29, 2023
"No matter how far we travel, in any direction, there is as much ahead of us as there is behind."
The Dawning was an absolutely epic story, a fascinating look into how life might have looked so many years ago. When Lada and her friend are stolen from their camp, her tribe sends out scouts to the enemy camp to see what they are up against. Angered by a failed escape attempt by one of the hostage girls, the enemy tribe retaliates and destroys their village, taking the women for themselves. Lada's childhood love, Ejil, manages to escape the destruction of their clan, and begins a monumental journey towards rescuing her and the remaining women from his tribe.
The author's keen attention to detail and nuanced exploration of characters elevate this book to a truly memorable read. Each page is imbued with vividly descriptive scenery that transports the reader to another world. But this book is more than just a tale of a long-ago world; it's a story of bravery and loss, where characters face unimaginable challenges and must make difficult sacrifices. Through it all, the message of survival and determination shines through, making this a must-read for anyone looking for a deeply moving and immersive experience.
“... life is like a thin rope made of thin strands of twisted reed, and our story was twisted together long before we were born."
The Dawning was an absolutely epic story, a fascinating look into how life might have looked so many years ago. When Lada and her friend are stolen from their camp, her tribe sends out scouts to the enemy camp to see what they are up against. Angered by a failed escape attempt by one of the hostage girls, the enemy tribe retaliates and destroys their village, taking the women for themselves. Lada's childhood love, Ejil, manages to escape the destruction of their clan, and begins a monumental journey towards rescuing her and the remaining women from his tribe.
The author's keen attention to detail and nuanced exploration of characters elevate this book to a truly memorable read. Each page is imbued with vividly descriptive scenery that transports the reader to another world. But this book is more than just a tale of a long-ago world; it's a story of bravery and loss, where characters face unimaginable challenges and must make difficult sacrifices. Through it all, the message of survival and determination shines through, making this a must-read for anyone looking for a deeply moving and immersive experience.
“... life is like a thin rope made of thin strands of twisted reed, and our story was twisted together long before we were born."
November 25, 2022
I’ve just finished The Dawning: 31,000 BC, by Richard Wise, but feel like I am still back in the long-gone era when Neanderthals clashed with Homo Sapiens in a battle for supremacy. This is a story of a kidnapping and an epic pursuit through a frozen ice age landscape; it’s a love story at its core, which drives the characters past anything the novel’s readers could possibly imagine enduring. The Dawning: 31,000 BC really immersed me in the world it recreated, and it’s a story about what could very likely have happened at that pivotal moment in human development. Wise’s writing is clean and clear, and the characters, dialog, and narrative are engaging and believable. I found myself reading on the edge of my proverbial seat and regretted finishing. I highly recommend Richard Wise’s The Dawning: 31,000 BC.
Matt Bloom
Matt Bloom
December 24, 2023
I enjoyed this immensely. The author takes advantage of recent discoveries putting Neanderthals, as a distinct people, on earth more recently than the traditional dates, surviving until about 28,000 years ago.
This is an imagining of early modern humans interacting with Neanderthals, meeting, warring, and mating. The characters are well-drawn and, though there are a lot of them, the reader doesn’t really confuse them.
As I have done as a pre-history fiction writer, the author follows the finding of researchers and anthropologists where he can, and world-builds when it suits the story. The tribes come to life, as does the landscape in a satisfying way.
You’ll enjoy living, for the length of this book, with these ancient, bygone people and being charmed by many of them.
(Full disclosure: I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review.)
This is an imagining of early modern humans interacting with Neanderthals, meeting, warring, and mating. The characters are well-drawn and, though there are a lot of them, the reader doesn’t really confuse them.
As I have done as a pre-history fiction writer, the author follows the finding of researchers and anthropologists where he can, and world-builds when it suits the story. The tribes come to life, as does the landscape in a satisfying way.
You’ll enjoy living, for the length of this book, with these ancient, bygone people and being charmed by many of them.
(Full disclosure: I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review.)
October 1, 2022
If I said The Dawning was scholarly, you might think it was boring. If I said it was a love story, you might think it was sappy. If I said it had battle scenes, you might think it was militaristic. So I will say it is all of that (without being boring, sappy or militaristic) and more. With strong character development, an engaging story and careful scene setting (without the immersive, tiring-to-me details of a Michener), The Dawning is hard to put down. Oh, I don’t want to forget the strong female characters. Plus it is a great way to step back from our present troubled world into our perhaps equally troubled origin world. I lost hours of sleep because I did not want to disengage from the world Wise created.
December 19, 2022
The Dawning was a beautiful story about young love, deeper emotions and bring us to travel back 33.000 years past into Southern France.
Well, I read this book without expectations and it is turn out beyond my imagination. The nararation kinda too modern for the time era but still works for describes all the imaginative stories. The plot was interesting and actually rich with informations about this Ice Age era without overwhelming readers. The characters seem flesh out and have depth. I can feel their emotions struggles and engaging enough into their adventure until the end. Such a unique book for reader who enjoy scholarly fantasy theme.
Thank you Netgalley and Brunswick House Press for provided my copy. I am enjoyed my reading time and my opinions always be my own.
Well, I read this book without expectations and it is turn out beyond my imagination. The nararation kinda too modern for the time era but still works for describes all the imaginative stories. The plot was interesting and actually rich with informations about this Ice Age era without overwhelming readers. The characters seem flesh out and have depth. I can feel their emotions struggles and engaging enough into their adventure until the end. Such a unique book for reader who enjoy scholarly fantasy theme.
Thank you Netgalley and Brunswick House Press for provided my copy. I am enjoyed my reading time and my opinions always be my own.
March 16, 2023
4.5 rounded up.
I've never thought about what life was like for our ancestors but this novel made me consider it. "The Dawning" is written in such a believable way that it makes you question how much was researched and how much was made up. The writing style is comfortable for almost any age but with advanced enough vocabulary to not make an adult feel left out of the adventure. Some people have complained about the pacing, but I actually like the pacing. It engages the reader by only prolonging the parts that make you ponder the tribes lives. Without giving much away, I can say that I would recommend this read for all ages who want to sit back and think about the past and what it may have been.
Thank you to Mr. Wise for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
I've never thought about what life was like for our ancestors but this novel made me consider it. "The Dawning" is written in such a believable way that it makes you question how much was researched and how much was made up. The writing style is comfortable for almost any age but with advanced enough vocabulary to not make an adult feel left out of the adventure. Some people have complained about the pacing, but I actually like the pacing. It engages the reader by only prolonging the parts that make you ponder the tribes lives. Without giving much away, I can say that I would recommend this read for all ages who want to sit back and think about the past and what it may have been.
Thank you to Mr. Wise for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 14, 2024
A story of early humans and Neanderthals
Hopefully the first in a series about the world of early humans and how they lived uneasily besides Neanderthals. It is also the story of two brothers and how loosing their family in a massacre affected them one Baal became a warrior and vows vengeance the Ejil becomes a shaman and buts heads with Baal.
I’ll give no further details but I thoroughly enjoyed the story and hope the story which ends ripe for a further book at the very least can be a series like The Clan of the Cavebear which in someways it resem bles.
Hopefully the first in a series about the world of early humans and how they lived uneasily besides Neanderthals. It is also the story of two brothers and how loosing their family in a massacre affected them one Baal became a warrior and vows vengeance the Ejil becomes a shaman and buts heads with Baal.
I’ll give no further details but I thoroughly enjoyed the story and hope the story which ends ripe for a further book at the very least can be a series like The Clan of the Cavebear which in someways it resem bles.
October 25, 2022
A gripping historic adventure with danger, love, and a healthy dose of primal speculation. Richard Wise really delves deep into the prehistoric psyche with this tale of Ejil and his love interest, Lada. When the latter is captured, Ejil must embark on a harrowing rescue with fellow Cro-Magnons. Replete with Wise's own rigorously researched Ice Age references, this is a story for any lover of adventure, history, or the human condition.
May 2, 2025
I enjoyed reading this book about prehistoric times and the interactions between the Neanderthals and our ancestors. Most of us have some Neanderthal DNA, which implies some interbreeding. Richard Wise tells us how it may have happened while describing how people lived during those times. I found it all fascinating reading. The novels by Jean M. Auel, the Earth's Children novels, had a similar theme. I read those many years ago and liked those, so it's not surprising that I enjoyed this one.
November 8, 2022
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The portrayal of Cro-Magnon and the Neanderthal people is well developed and seems to have been researched well. Their struggles with everyday life and eventual war bring the two people into conflict, forcing both to try to protect their way of life. Worth the read.
The portrayal of Cro-Magnon and the Neanderthal people is well developed and seems to have been researched well. Their struggles with everyday life and eventual war bring the two people into conflict, forcing both to try to protect their way of life. Worth the read.
September 25, 2022
The history is admirable, and thought-provoking, but I just could not force myself to follow the story line. An action scene might take one sentence, and a trek through a wooded area would take a chapter. I really wanted to like it.
December 30, 2024
The Dawning
I liked this novel very much. The story moved along nicely, and the characters were well developed. And , in its own way, the story provided some insight as to how civilization may have evolved.
I liked this novel very much. The story moved along nicely, and the characters were well developed. And , in its own way, the story provided some insight as to how civilization may have evolved.
September 21, 2025
really good read
I like how he let you into each character with their feelings and thoughts. He gave a glimpse into what our ancestors went through to survive. How 2 different groups survived. Really good book.
I like how he let you into each character with their feelings and thoughts. He gave a glimpse into what our ancestors went through to survive. How 2 different groups survived. Really good book.
December 27, 2025
bigotry. ever ends
The details in conversation with added feelings and fears was interesting. The details of hardship’s left an impression of really being there and suffering with the people.
The details in conversation with added feelings and fears was interesting. The details of hardship’s left an impression of really being there and suffering with the people.
April 10, 2024
Excellent.
Description potentielle de ce qui se passait chez nos ancêtres. Bonne introduction des conflits et agencement des peuples, je recommande ce livre.
Description potentielle de ce qui se passait chez nos ancêtres. Bonne introduction des conflits et agencement des peuples, je recommande ce livre.
December 30, 2024
I always enjoy various looks into our ancient ancestors’ way of life.
August 12, 2025
This was a DNF for me. Seemed like a “Clan of the Cave Bear” wannabe. Disappointing bc I’ve been looking for a good prehistoric novel.
August 20, 2025
Good story
Good storyline as to the development of the sling and the atlatl spear thrower. Enjoyed the depicted path of the young Shaman. Neanderthal Cromagnon assimilation.
Good storyline as to the development of the sling and the atlatl spear thrower. Enjoyed the depicted path of the young Shaman. Neanderthal Cromagnon assimilation.
August 5, 2025
Rating 2.5/5
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