Children of mixed spirits", as the Cro-Magnons call them, are mis-matched combinations of both Cro-Magnon and Neanderthal phenotypes physiologically as they are genetic hybrids, with some traits (like facial features) appearing blurred or distorted when compared side-by-side. Of the five mixed-race people depicted in the series, only one has had the restricted vocal range of the Clan (Rydag, from The Mammoth Hunters), and all but one has been seen using Clan sign language, the sole exception being the difficult and disconsolate self-loathing Brukeval (who is in clear psychological denial about his ancestry), in The Shelters of Stone. The vocal range of one of the mixed-race persons is as of yet unknown because she was only a baby when we meet her in The Clan of the Cave Bear. Good Stepmother. Gender Flip. He has a loving relationship with his stepsons, though his relationship with Joharran is more one of friendship, due to the fact he was already an adult when Willomar mated Marthona. Full members of the zelandonia are known as zelandoni, going by this title publicly instead of their birth names. The leader of the zelandonia is called Zelandoni Who Is First, the First Among Those Who Serve the Mother, or just the First if that's too much of a mouthful. If they're in the company of other zelandoni, then a zelandoni will also be referred to by the number of their cave to avoid confusion. Romantic Runner-Up: To Ayla, for Jondalar. To the point where even though she succeeds in seducing Jondalar in the sixth book, it's still made blatantly obvious that he'll always prefer Ayla.

Fantastic Racism: The Zelandonii are often very hostile towards so-called flatheads (Neanderthals) and those of ' mixed spirits'. Some people are more indifferent towards them, while others actually become tolerant towards them, but the prejudice towards them is clearly deeply ingrained in their culture. It's theorised that this may be because many generations ago, the Zelandonii and the Clan shared territory and ended up getting into fights over it, causing ongoing distrust and resentment on both sides. Birds of a Feather: With Lanidar. They’re both overlooked or judged for things beyond their control (Lanoga for having crappy parents, Lanidar for his crippled arm).Jondalar turned to look, and noticed movement that he interpreted as lions now that he knew what to look for. He reached for his weapons as well. "You should stay here with Jonayla. I'll go." Massive Numbered Siblings: She has six living children. She neglects all of them, forcing her eldest daughter Lanoga to step in as a parent. She has given birth to seven children in all, but her fifth child died in infancy. Ms. Fanservice: Wears very skimpy clothing, such as a red 'fringe' skirt (which is considered very provocative amongst the Zelandonii) and is well-known for her skill with ' the Mother's Gift of Pleasure'. R]eaders who enjoyed the previous volumes will relish the opportunity to re-enter pre-history one last time.”– Publishers Weekly The One That Got Away: For Bodoa. She was in love with him as a young woman, but he chose to mate Marthona over her and she never mated anyone else, throwing herself into her work instead.

Meaningful Name: Her name has two meanings. In addition to being a combination of both her parents' names, it also highlights Ayla's belief that she is of both her and Jondalar's 'essence'.Iron Lady: She's tough and authoritative, and isn't afraid to exercise her power if someone gets out of line. Jennifer S. Baker (January 1, 2014). The Readers' Advisory Guide to Historical Fiction. American Library Association. ISBN 978-0-8389-1165-5 . Retrieved November 23, 2016. Shared Family Quirks: Ayla notes that when he's worried, his forehead knots in the same way his brother Jondalar's does when he's fretting over something. The series is set in Europe during the Upper Paleolithic era, after the date of the first ceramics discovered, but before the last advance of glaciers. The books focus on the period of co-existence between Cro-Magnons and Neanderthals. Theme Naming: The Zelandonii often have names with an "a" or "o" as the second letter, and/or ending with "a", "ar" or "an".

Well, there's you, and me, and Ayla, of course," Jondalar said, looking at the group. "Rushemar has been practicing a lot and is getting pretty good. Solaban's been busy making some ivory handles for tools for some of us and hasn't been working at it as much, but he's got the basics." A English limited edition version of the book contained an augmented reality model of Ayla. This feature, called " Meet Ayla" was developed in collaboration with Jean Auel. When a smartphone is aimed at the front cover Ayla's model will appear. Ayla will throw a spear and says "I am Ayla of the Ninth Cave of the Zelandonii, and in the name of the Great Mother I greet you." The Germanic editions of the novel had an animation of the painted cave. As a whole, the series is a tale of personal discovery: coming-of-age, invention, cultural complexities, and, beginning with the second book, explicit romantic sex. It tells the story of Ayla, an orphaned Cro-Magnon girl who is adopted and raised by a tribe of Neanderthals and who later embarks on a journey to find the Others (her own kind), meeting along the way her romantic interest and supporting co-protagonist, Jondalar. The release of Land of Painted Caves was heavily promoted. More than any previous book. In Australia billboards promoted the release.

Janida

I've tried a spear-thrower a few times, Joharran. I don't have one of my own, and I'm not very good at it," Thefona said, "but I can throw a spear without one." In Auel's series, two cultures vie for resources, space, and survival: the Clan, which is what Neanderthals call themselves, and the Cro-Magnons (whom Ayla, with her Clan upbringing, generally refers to as "The Others"). The races are fairly different in culture, society and technology, but with some overlap: both depend on flint for their tools; both recognize the importance of fire and use it; both hunt and gather. The Apprentice: In The Shelters of Stone and for most of The Land of Painted Caves, he's training to become a zelandoni.