Obsidian and Stars

Gr 8 Up—This follow-up to Ivory and Bone begins with Mya's visit to Kol's clan to establish her betrothal to him. Upon arriving at the clan's camp, Mya is disappointed that Kol is out hunting. After spending the day waiting, everyone realizes that something is wrong and that Kol and his family are in trouble. Mya and her family head out and find Kol and the others trapped by mammoths in a cavern. After a tense stand-off, almost everyone in Kol's hunting group survives. Sadly, Kol's father is killed, which now makes Kol head of his clan. The night before Kol's father is buried, Kol and Mya's betrothal is established, and Chiv, Mya's brother and the High Elder of her clan, announces that Mya's youngest sister, Lees, will be betrothed to his friend, Morsk, rather than to the boy she loves. Mya and Lees decide to send a strong message to Chiv by running away. This sets off a series of events that will change the lives of both clans. The previous volume was told from Kol's perspective, and this installment switches to Mya's point of view. While the plot often stretches the limits of possibility for prehistoric times, the characters are compellingly formed and the setting is beautifully detailed. Mya embodies all the best traits of a leader, and Kol is not threatened by her abilities. Readers will want to see how Mya and Kol forge a new beginning in the next novel.