content: No one is a bigger fan of "The Clan of the Cave Bear" than I am - I've read it cover-to-cover at least 10 times since 1996. And the same goes for the others in the series (especially "The Mammoth Hunters") which were all really great. I will not be rereading "Shelters," I'm sorry to say. I got the impression that the whole story, inflated to over 700 pages, could have easily fit in the first 100 pages of the next book. All the conflict built up to in the last few books - especially the very big question of the Zelandonii's acceptance of Ayla and her Clan background and son - were dismissed entirely. Oops, I guess Jondalar didn't have reason to be worried after all. Kind of makes you wonder why he almost left her behind out of fear of his people's reaction. There's no story here - just constant introduction and repetition. Read it only if you plan to read the 6th, so you won't be lost in a maze of characters.