Paleolithic

by S.A. Adams

As if man-eating predators, clan rivalry, and harsh climates weren’t enough, now Sira and her family face a merciless tribe of invaders. Welcome to the Paleolithic.

The Gondo-Var tribe is superior in numbers and technology. Sira’s clan is no match, and they are beaten, scattered, and divided. Faced with insurmountable odds, they are forced to seek shelter in the arms of strangers. New enemies, betrayal, and love will push the clan to the brink of destruction. To survive, Sira will seek help from a mythical man of the mountains, who was only thought to exist in legends. But will it be enough to save her people from extinction?

An epic prehistoric adventure about the courage of the human spirit, survival, loyalty, forbidden love, and redemption.

Paleolithic aims to set a high bar for historical accuracy. It is based upon the amazing paleontological discoveries over the past fifteen years, and it hopes to update the old-fashioned stereotype of Neanderthal depicted as a dim-witted brute. The fascination and wonder that must have taken place when H. Sapiens and Neanderthals met for the first time is the basis for this story. Written in the time period of the classic and beloved Clan of the Cave Bear series, with an action-like twist of Game of Thrones.

Genres: Historical Fiction

341 pages, Paperback

Published September 5, 2020

About the author

As a child, S. A. Adams would lie awake at night listening to the coyotes' howl. Their yellow eyes glowed in the dark outside his window in Southern Arizona. He told himself stories to fall asleep. Due to his parent’s careers and family issues, he had a whirlwind childhood, being thrown around to ten different schools in twelve years. He graduated from George Mason University in 2004, but suburban Virginia wasn’t exotic enough to settle down. His love for all things African brought him back to the continent in 2005, and he currently resides in Mozambique. He still hears the coyotes howling in his dreams

Reviews

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prehistoric drama with a feisty heroine and Neanderthals coexisting with modern humans. Has been done before (and better) by Jean Auel, but still worth a read and will continue if there's a sequel.

[Russ J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always been fascinated with books about pre-historical times and as soon as I saw the cover and read the synopsis of this book I was immediately intrigued. I was hooked from the scene which introduces the main character, Sira, who is terrific and several other great characters as they collaborate to hunt a tiger. As the story unfolds, we learn that a tribe called the Red Feathers have been decimating Sira’s small tribe, who presently only number only 30 people. Raam, the tribe leader, who is also Sira’s father, understands that they cannot successfully defend themselves. This is because they are vastly outnumbered and don’t possess the bow and arrow weapons that the Red Feathers use with deadly accuracy. It is decided that the tribe will proceed ahead of the Auroch’s (the migratory animals they hunt) to hide their tracks while a small diversionary group will lead the Red Feathers into the hills. Ultimately, Sira becomes the leader of this group and the story takes off from there with constant unanticipated twists and surprises.
This book reminded me of the classic movies Quest For Fire, The Clan of the Cave Bear, and Apocalypto as well as the first part of James Michener’s book, The Source, in many ways. Paleolithic has all the elements of a fantastic story with really interesting characters that are well developed. The author did a great job in describing interesting details about weapons, tools, tactics, terrain and medicinal treatments used. I also enjoyed how the author described in vivid detail the emotions of the characters and their inner thoughts. This helped me to understand their motivation and brought the story to life in a special way that I do not see in most books. I always looked forward to seeing what would happen next in the story and often thought about the characters throughout the day. In summary, this was an outstanding novel that I would highly recommend. It’s obvious to me that the author put in a great deal of research and thought into crafting this story. I’m looking forward to reading more books from this fantastic author and hoping for a sequel to Paleolithic soon.

[Hayleigh Sol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paleolithic’s opening, with its excitement of a hunt underway, pulls the reader in instantly while establishing significant traits of the main character, Sira, as well as other members of her team. Sira craves acknowledgement for her role in the hunt and her ability to “see tomorrow” while Tonik worries for Sira and Kadam is boastful and cocky. The foreshadowing of someone watching Sira sets us up for a suspenseful story that takes us through the tribe’s flight from another group that hunts humans like animals, to the separation of the tribe and the individual journeys of each splinter group. Tension builds to the ultimate riveting climax that, while creating a potential continuation of the story, leaves the reader with the satisfaction of closure.

Adams expertly shifts points of view and had me nail-biting and page-turning in worry for what was to happen to Tonik, Sira, Kadam, Sira’s parents and the Others. I’ve never read (or even seen) a piece of historical fiction set in this era and was impressed with how engaging and relatable the story and characters were while including clearly well-researched references to tools and behaviors from that time. While the book could use a bit more editing, the errors (punctuation, mostly) were not significant enough to detract from the story. If you enjoy not only historical fiction, but an exciting tale of survival, human tendencies and machinations, as experienced by an ensemble cast of characters, Paleolithic is an excellent choice.

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sira and her paleolithic tribe's way of life is under siege from the predatory and violent Red Feathers. This powerful enemy wants to enslave local tribes for the simple purpose of conquering others. While Sira and her tribes may be stronger, they don't possess the advanced technology in weapons and offense that their enemy does. When they are attacked, many die. Those that manage to escape end up in different places, many forced to join other tribes just to survive but no matter where Sira's tribe members end up, they wish for a way to return life to what it was.

How Sira goes about trying to save her tribe--by creating alliances, biding her time, strategizing--makes for a fascinating story filled with authentic atmosphere, culture, and beliefs of these ancient times. It's clear that even in this time, man understood the power of their brain in solving problems:

"There were a great many things to be afraid of in this world, but none were more powerful than the fear of the unknown.

"No creature in the world was a match for people when they worked together..."

"...the Eagle tribe had discovered the efficiency of creating a specialized workforce. While in his tribe, everyone pretty much had to be adept at all survival skills, the Eagle people became specialized in one task, perfecting and becoming efficient at it."

"He had come up with slightly curved wooden atlatl shaft instead of a straight one."

Recommended for those who love prehistoric fiction or a fast-moving action-packed tale. 

Sequel please.

[Gordon Bickerstaff · Rating 4 out of 5]

If this develops into a series, I’ll read more

This is a first for me. Never read a fiction book set in Paleolithc (early stone age) times. It was a bit surreal for me at the beginning because language is modern day with more recent animal labels like hyena, sabre-tooth and mammoth, but I soon got into the story. The characters are well-drawn, credible, and fit into their situations as the tribes engage in brutal battles for basic subsistence and ascendency. I like world building, but for me, there was a little too much, which slowed the pace. Otherwise, it is good story with action and tension, which kept me reading. If this develops into a series, I’ll read more.

[Andrea Barringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique story with thrilling plot

Wow! I’ve never read a story like this one before and wasn’t sure if I was going to like it. Boy was I wrong. I absolutely loved it! The story is told in a 3rd person omniscient point of view. There are saber tooth tigers in this story, along with plenty of battles and harrowing tales of survival. The author does a fantastic job of placing the reader in the thick of the action and you easily come to care for each of the protagonists. I read this book in 2 days, I truly could not put it down. I highly recommend this book!

[Cody Marie Phoenix · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice to see a female lead in a Stone Age novel. I know its been done before, but its been a long time. Sira is a strong capable female facing the dangers of Sabers and Mammoths, while just trying to survive from one day to the next. Civilization has come a long way since the Paleolithic Era, but the fundamentals are the same today, take care of your environment, along with family and allies, and do what you have to in order to survive.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angel Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great Stone Age novel!

I'm a historical fiction freak but I've yet to read a good book set in the stone age. While the book is epic in scope, one could tell that the author did his research. Since not much is known about the stone age, there were plenty of opportunities for the author to use his imagination. I sure hope there is a book 2 to this book because I want to read more!

[J.D. Kloosterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

A tale of the early world, of tribal warfare in the early world, as the Red Feathers sweep across the land, fighting the sea-loving Guardians and the mysterious Others. The story follows a few survivors of a destroyed tribe as they seek to survive this harsh worl.d

This novel of the early world has an intriguing setting, especially with the context given by the author's foreword about the Neanderthals and their strange disappearance from the fossil record. The writing can be a bit dry at points, with technical descriptions more focused on worldbuilding than anything, but the setting makes that easily forgivable.

The only criticism is that the characters tend to blend into each other. It can be hard to keep track of who is who and get a sense for who they are as people, which in some cases makes the stakes a little more difficult to appreciate. But the plot allows each different occasions to show themselves more clearly.

[Polly Krize · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A well-researched, action packed prehistoric story set in the the Stone Age. I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of saber-tooth cats, mammoths, and the lifestyle of the nomadic tribesmen. Well worth the read!

[Lisa Danielle Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid Story

Really interesting story, I found myself being drawn into it and read for three or four hours at a time.

[pattie corbet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volcanos

Most books on this era have the unchangeable force of nature but it kept the story flowing. Is there a sequel I hope

[Margaret Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally enjoyed this story

What a journey it was , the discovery of different people, different tribes. Power, manipulation and love, how it all came together: a wonderful historical story.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sira is the female heir apparent to a nomadic tribe, way before the dawn of history, during the period known as prehistory. This is the age of sabre-tooth tigers, of woolly mammoths and giant eagles. Being on the move is the norm, building villages and staying in one place a seemingly alien way of life. Amidst this wild and dangerous world, Sira’s tribe is under threat. They’re being hunted by a powerful tribe known as the Eagle Feathers whose mantra is to capture every human and absorb them into their group. Dissenters are not tolerated. While attempting to throw the Eagle Feathers off the scent, Sira and a small group are attacked. She’s injured and thought dead by her tribe, but in truth she is saved by an Other – a Neanderthal known as Harq. Who is this mysterious rescuer and will she be able to return to her tribe in time and save them from the Eagle Feathers?

Paleolithic is an okay read, but it’s not something that’s going to stay in your mind once you’ve put the book on the sidetable and switched off the lamp. In fact, there are lots of moments where there was a choice between the book and something else, and I chose something else. It’s not particularly gripping, suffice it to say. But that doesn’t make it a bad book either. I still went back to it, I still read it, I was still pleasantly distracted by the story. But it has its problems.

For one thing, the narrative is oddly jarring. There are references to ‘prehistoric forest’ (presumably it’s not ‘prehistoric’ to the prehistoric people?), ‘rushes of oxygen’ and ‘the Milky Way’. I suppose the narrator could be all-knowing, but it’s just plain weird to read a book about a prehistoric tribe and hear modern terminology for elements and galaxies. Not to mention the use of the term ‘knackered’, but maybe I’m being unjust and Sira’s tribe travelled through Eurasia with a pitstop in 20th century Britain. I don’t know, maybe I’m nitpicking, but it did interfere with the whole 'suspending disbelief' thing.

That’s not the biggest problem though. I’ve already established that the book didn’t grip me and I’m trying to put a finger on why. And it’s got to be the characters. They’re just not interesting enough to warrant any kind of emotional investment. Sira is the moral centre of the book, her views seemingly alien in a world where survival-of-the-fittest seems to be the dominant ideology. She’s also pretty and powerful and next-in-line-for-leadership. Maybe I could have got behind her, but she’s simply not in the book long enough to make that happen. For much of it, she’s nursing her wounds, whether that’s directly or while other people are having their moments to shine. Harq is more or less a closed book, not helped by the language barrier that exists between him and Sira. The only character that seemingly had some sort of progression and defined goal is Kadam, a warrior of Sira’s tribe, who is captured early on by the Eagle Feathers and forced to adopt their way of life. His storyline is probably the most exciting, which doesn’t seem right given that he is – to all intents and purposes – a side character.

The storyline itself is enjoyable even if it takes a little while to get going. There are twists and turns, there are reckonings and scenes of horror – it has a lot going on. A lot of it would have been gut-punching if the characterisation was there, as such you feel sort of detached from it all, which is a crying shame.

The world is well-realised though. The wildlife, the migrations, the competing cultures – you can tell that a lot of effort has gone into painting this world and making it seem real. There’s also a good amount of action, from skirmishes with rival tribes and wildlife to ritualistic ceremonies where one mistake can get you killed. It can forget that it’s a story sometimes though, and often it feels like less of a story and more of a documentary. I can almost hear the David Attenborough narration. It’s always evocative however, even if what we see is cheapened somewhat by the lack of decent characterisation.

All in all, Paleolithic is a decent enough bit of escapism that you can read, enjoy and quickly forget. Those with an interest in the prehistoric world will certainly get something out of it. But would I stick around for the sequel (the ending begs it)? Not likely.

[D. Bui · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the moment I laid eyes on the captivating cover and delved into the synopsis, my fascination for books set in pre-historical times was immediately piqued. This novel had me utterly enthralled from the very first scene, introducing the exceptional main character, Sira, alongside a cast of equally memorable individuals, as they embark on a collaborative tiger hunt. As the story unfolds, we witness the relentless onslaught of the Red Feathers tribe upon Sira's dwindling community, which now consists of a mere thirty individuals. Sira's father, Raam, the tribe's leader, recognizes that their survival is at stake, as they are vastly outnumbered and lack the formidable bow and arrow weapons that their adversaries wield with deadly precision. A plan is devised: the tribe will forge ahead of the migrating Aurochs, masking their tracks, while a small diversionary group leads the Red Feathers into the treacherous hills. In an unexpected turn of events, Sira assumes leadership of this group, propelling the tale to new heights with constant twists and surprises.

The author has masterfully crafted this tale, presenting a cast of well-developed characters, vivid descriptions, and a gripping plot. Remarkably, the author's attention to detail shines through in the depiction of weaponry, tools, tactics, terrain, and medicinal practices of the time. Furthermore, the innermost thoughts and emotions of the characters are meticulously portrayed, affording readers a deeper understanding of their motivations and breathing life into the narrative.

Although some issues in the writing could have been resolved with more rigorous editing, and the pacing occasionally plods along at a glacial pace, it remains an engrossing novel that fans of pre-historical times and thrilling adventures will undoubtedly relish. While it may have benefited from judicious trimming, overall, its merits are undeniable, and readers will find themselves immersed in a rich tapestry of fantasy and historical adventure.

[The Book Dragon's Hoard by A.V. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I respect S.A. Adams for wanting to create a book that updates The Clan of the Cave Bear series to include the scientific breakthroughs of the past thirty years. It is a noble ambition to use literature to upgrade the layman’s understanding of where we come from and what science can tell us about life in prehistoric times.

However, this book leaves much to be desired. The author’s style relies heavily on passive voice, which makes long sections of this book difficult to read. Paleolithic is good enough that I kept reading, despite this major drawback and I’d like to encourage the author to keep polishing because this book has great potential.

Another area that simply did nothing for me was the romance. This is supposed to be a story about earth-shattering, difference-obliterating love. I got nothing Romeo-and-Juliet-like in the relationship to overcome social, cultural and physical differences. If we think about barrier-breaking relationships and how they move us, the love between Sira and Harq needs a lot of work to be convincing and inspiring, and to give us the power of the message: no matter where love takes you, you will be home and safe in love’s embrace, and lost and alone without it.

As it is, Paleolithic is the ore. It contains a diamond, but I fear few will be able to see past the rock surrounding the gem.

[Alejandro Gamen · Rating 3 out of 5]

An original story setting


Paleolithic by S.A. Adams is an adventure story that takes readers on a journey back in time to 40,000 years ago. The book follows the protagonist, Sira, and her tribe as they face numerous challenges in their struggle for survival against the Red Feathers, a rival tribe that has been decimating their numbers.

Adams has done an exceptional job crafting this story with well-developed characters, vivid details, and a gripping plot. The author's descriptions of weapons, tools, tactics, terrain, and medicinal treatments used in this era are impressive. Additionally, the author's attention to detail in describing the emotions and inner thoughts of the characters helps readers understand their motivation and brings the story to life in a special way.

It has some issues in the writing that could have done with more thorough editing, a sometimes glacial pace, and formulaic stuff. It maybe should have been shorter, but overall, it is a good novel that fans of pre-historical times and fantasy adventure stories will enjoy.

[Andrea Spinosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first fiction novel set in prehistoric times, and it was a quite enjoyable experience. It has a very interesting setting, and what interested me the most was that in the book, we also explore other tribes and species of humans (now extinct), not just the classical homo sapiens. The story follows the events surrounding Sira and her clan, who face many dangers and tribulations, including a rival tribe.

The book excels in describing the tactics, tools, and rituals used by these prehistoric people, even though I don’t know much about the topic, so I can't say how accurate they are compared to what was used in the real world. Additionally, the thoughts and thought processes of the characters are well-described and intriguing.

The only thing that didn't satisfy me was the ending. It felt unfinished, as if it were prepared for a sequel, but I still didn't find it convincing enough. It's like it was interrupted mid-story and left me with an 'unfinished story' feeling. Apart from that, I strongly recommend this book.

[readit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of the Clan of the Cave Bear series of books, and also of S. A. Adams. So when they had written Paleolithic, and I read the summary for it, I was excited to pick this up.

This is a pre-historic romance among primitive peoples. The story was easy to follow but I felt it lacked something in the details. I feel like the editing could have been done better. Some sections where this was lacking were a bit of a distraction.

The characters were well-written but it felt like the author ran out of steam toward the end. I do like how the Homo Sapiens and Neanderthals were pitted against each other. The conflicts between them felt real. I also liked the humour that sprinkled the story. This author never fails to make me smile.

As always with this author’s books, I look forward to the next, in this case, a sequel.

[Brangela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prehistoric Times

Comparisons are inevitable with the Clan of The Cave Bear series. The former is a Masterpiece! This tale is very good but also different than the Clan. Whereas the Clan focused on the lives of prehistoric humans, this book dealt with various types of Humans (some now extinct) and their interactions with one another. The Author does not write one group to be all good or all bad. All groups have a variety of people that run the gamut and diversity of humanity. I liked that about this book, no stereotyping. Also this was an interesting, faced paced story. I will read the inevitable sequel.

[Angela Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story

This is a very entertaining story. I especially enjoyed the well defined characters, they each have their own distinct personalities. It was easy to get immersed in their world. I finished it in one sitting. My only complaint is the terrible editing. Many words were misused. Head instead of hand, could instead of cloud, him for her, etc., and many repeated words and phrases. It was so bad that it did interfere with the enjoyment of a quite interesting tale.

[Katherine Entwisle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page-turner Totally Engrossing

This book is riveting. I couldn’t put it down. It’s contents takes advantage of recent scientific DNA studies. If you liked the
Clan of the Cave Bear, you will enjoy this wild ride of a read. My only disappointment is that there wasn’t a sequel already written. I would have started reading it immediately.

[DeWayne Landwehr]

Good story. Poor editing.

I love medieval and ancient history, so the storyline of Paleolithic struggles for survival was interesting. The often floor grammar, and worse editing really detracted from it for me though. I'll probably read another one, but hope the editing improves.

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but missing something.

While I enjoyed the he story it lacked certain details and did not really feel completely thought out.
Hard to put my finger on, but seems like a teenage drama set in the Stone Age.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

It was pretty good better than I thought it would be at least. The only other prehistoric novels I've ever enjoyed were The Jean Auel But this book was just a good, And yes we need a sequel

[Rebecca Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good summary of the known and unknown

I read this in a few days and loved the story. The characters were well developed as any novel. Survival, war, love, loss, and a blend of clan cultures made for a good read.

[amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting story , fast-paced, keeps your attention.

Grabs your attention and keeps you reading. Characters are believable, and the action and riveting story keeps you turning the page to find out what happens next.

[Alex Waterville · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a great love

Wasn't really too believable and had a good few typo's. Mainly I just struggled with the number of events, I think taking the time to build it up and maybe spread people's and generations across a few, deeper stories/books would have been much more engaging

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

wonderful surprise

An easy read from a “new” author. I love Prehistory novels and this one is perfectly satisfying. I’m waiting for the sequel.

[Pam Costello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good character development.

Maybe not 100% historically correct but a well planned story. The setup for a sequel is very good. Read & enjoy.