Near-Death Experience: As a baby, he was snatched by a golden eagle. His mother grabbed him and hung on until the eagle let go. Afterwards, the golden eagle is regarded as Willomar's personal totem. Alpha Bitch: Of the Ninth Cave. Jondalar and Thonolan mention she has a reputation for being vindictive and sharp-tongued even before she actually appears. When she's finally introduced, she soon proves to be even worse than they let on, being very petty, self-centred, manipulative and just generally obnoxious to be around. She's even got a Girl Posse of sorts who follow her around, do her bidding and snigger along with her snide remarks and cruel jokes.

The release of Land of Painted Caves was heavily promoted. More than any previous book. In Australia billboards promoted the release. She stopped. "There are lions up ahead just beyond the split in the trail," she said under her breath. 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. Misery Builds Character: Having to take over leadership duties while caring for a baby and her ailing husband, then being widowed young, has made Marthona a refined and resilient woman who can handle just about anything life throws at her.

My Book Notes

For this reason, Clan members are highly adept at reading body language and cannot be deceived by lying; while one can spell an untruth with one's hands, one's posture will give it away. Consequently, the idea of telling an untruth is alien to Clan culture, a fact that Ayla needs time to conceptualize and understand. However, a Clan member can "refrain from mentioning" something she would prefer other people did not know, even though residual clues would probably reveal that something was being concealed. Cultural conventions, Auel suggests, would cause other Clan members to ignore the concealment out of sheer courtesy, though, again, Ayla has trouble grasping this concept. First Love: She was Jondalar's first love and the first woman he ever slept with when he was around twelve. Unfortunately, their romance ended badly, which partly led to Jondalar having relationship issues later in life. Joharran is right. They know we're here. And they know how many they are and how many we are," Ayla said, then added, "They may see us as something like a herd of horses or aurochs and think they may be able to single out a weak one. I think they are new to this region." Stalker with a Crush: To Zolena; he used to follow her around and spy on her and Jondalar together. As a result he overheard that their feelings for each other were more than just physical attraction.

First Girl Wins: To Joconan, who loved both her and her friend Bodoa, who had come to train with the zelandonia. However, it's downplayed as Joconan died only a few years into their marriage; Marthona was also very upset that her 'winning' Joconan ruined her close friendship with Bodoa.The second part is mainly about the caves they visit. In many of the Sacred caves the Ancients, the people before the Zelandonii, left drawings. Ayla meets many other Zelandoni and one of them gives her a pouch of dried herbs smelling faintly of mint. Ayla also discovers that the Clan visit some of the sacred caves as well. More than I thought," Thefona said, trying to seem calm and not let her fear show. "When I first saw them, I thought there were maybe three or four, but they are moving around in the grass, and now I think there may be ten or more. It's a big pride."

Law of Inverse Fertility: While she's not too bothered about still being unmated, it's implied that she wished she could've had children (and is possibly incapable of conceiving children); she mentions that despite having honored the Mother many times she never became pregnant, and Ayla also senses she seems wistful when she talks to other women about having children. To Ayla, because despite being a foreigner, she has higher status than him. He fails to notice it’s possibly because she actually contributes to the cave with her hunting and healing skills. Practically Different Generations: He's indicated to be much older than Thonolan and Folara; he was already considered an adult when his mother mated Willomar and when Folara is having First Rites to become a woman (making her a teenager), Joharran is mated with a young child. It's complicated by the fact people in the setting are often considered adults at a younger age than most modern societies, note Jondalar is considered unusual for still being unmated and having no children at 18 although this still puts at least a decade between Joharran and Thonolan, and more than a decade between Joharran and Folara. They don't know us, that's why they're so confident," Ayla continued. "If they were a resident pride that lived around people and had been chased or hunted a few times, I don't think they would be so unconcerned." Iron Lady: She's tough and authoritative, and isn't afraid to exercise her power if someone gets out of line.Lazy Bum: His sole contribution to his community is making booze... which he then drinks or gives away to his 'friends'. Joharran took a deep breath, then looked at his fair-haired brother. "Your mate is right, and you as well, Jondalar. Perhaps now is the time to let those lions know they are not welcome to settle down so close to our homes."

Auel] does paint a convincing portrait of ancient life. And readers who fell in love with little Ayla will no doubt revel in her prehistoric womanhood.”– People Cheaters Never Prosper: Played with. When the zelandonia learn he faked his Call, they expel him from their ranks. However, it’s possible he’ll travel to a distant cave and pretend to be a zelandoni with no one being any the wiser, but everyone else knows the truth and he’ll have to spend the rest of his life lying.Generation Xerox: Both his parents were the leader of the Ninth Cave; he became leader after Marthona retired. Practically Different Generations: She's ten-years-old in The Shelters of Stone and her youngest sibling Lorala is only a baby. Consequently, Lanoga takes it upon herself to care for her infant sister, as well as her other siblings. However, while she is a decade older she's still a child herself and so struggles to provide Lorala with the care she needs until Ayla steps in.