Beyond the Sea of Ice: The First Americans, Book 1 (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: ghost band, tundral plain, stalking cloaks, Big Spirit, Corridor of Storms, Ghost House (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This audiobook, the first in a novel-based series called "The First Americans," gives a fictional scenario of the migration of humans from Asia to the New World 30,000-40,000 years ago. Torka, a hunter, loses his band to a rampaging giant mammoth during a hard winter. His grandfather and a young girl are the only survivors. Together they travel east to find a new home. Along the way they break old taboos, tame a wild dog, produce children, invent the atlatl, and more. The story is trite and syrupy. Paul Ukena reads well but, curiously, makes all the bad guys sound Japanese. The musical interludes are irritating in their frequency. Purchase only where the book is popular.
Joanna M. Burkhardt, Univ. of Rhode Island Coll. of Continuing Education Lib., Providence
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

A vividly told, historically detailed story of the human origins of our land, this first book of a planned multi-book series follows Torka, a particularly brave and intelligent hunter, as he leads his tribe to safety from fierce animals, harsh cold and the enemies who would enslave them. Original.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Domain (November 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553268899
• ISBN-13: 978-0553268898
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #133,198 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Somewhat disappointing, July 17, 2000

By	Courtney L. Lewis "Sassy Librarian" (Kingston, PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I had anticipated from the other customer reviews that this book would be similar to the Auel "Earth's Children" series. While both take place in humankind's prehistory, I'm afraid I found little else in common. Particularly disturbing was the widespread misogyny and violence against women portrayed as part of the culture of the humans at the time. I also found the author's often excessive descriptive sytle distracting at times - a little more simplicity would have been appreciated. The main character, Torka, was difficult for me to connect with and I felt his character development to be abrupt and without explanation. I'm afraid I'll stick to Auel's perhaps more utopian, but certainly better written, view of this time period.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great first book., February 17, 2003

By	cherrylee14 "cherryleefourteen" (Manhattan) - See all my reviews

This was a great book. Interesting characters, good plot, nice storyline. I really enjoyed Torka and Lonit's struggles to survive in this harsh land. Well I didn't really ENJOY it, but you get the picture. The first series by the author is decent, I had no problem reading all four books. The FIRST book in the next series is good. After that don't even buy them used, you'll still hate yourself. Just bask in the glow from the first series and pick a new author.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling; Gory but good, March 22, 1999

By A Customer

I hate gory or disturbing tales, and this book was packed with them, but I found it to be amazing anyway. It was very believable (mostly). I can't say why I liked it so much; I just couldn't put it down. It's a fast read. I intend to order the next book. I've read all four Earth's Children books and was looking for something to read while waiting for the next book. This book was better than EC in some ways, but overall it lacked some of the warmth of Jean Auel's books. Don't let that stop you though. This is an excellent, freaky, chilling, suspenseful adventure.