Over the next few weeks I will be sharing my reviews for books I posted between July and December 2021.
Good books deserve to be showcased on a regular basis and I hope that it might entice you to either move the books up your groaning TBR’s or add the books to its burden!
With much anticipated book 3 in the Dawn of Humanity series, Natural Selection due out on October 20th, I thought it was a good time to share my review for Laws of Nature (Dawn of Humanity Book 2) by Jacqui Murray – you can read my review for Dawn of Humanity Book 1 – Born in a Treacherous Time: Here
About the book
A boy blinded by fire. A woman raised by wolves. An avowed enemy offers help. But can they save Lucy’s tribe?***In this second in the Dawn of Humanity trilogy, the first trilogy in the Man vs. Nature saga, Lucy and her eclectic group escape the treacherous tribe that has been hunting them and find a safe haven in the famous Wonderwerk caves in South Africa, the oldest known occupation of caves by humans. They don’t have clothing, fire, or weapons, but the caves keep them warm and food is plentiful. Circumstances make it clear that they can’t stay, not with the rest of her tribe enslaved by the treacherous enemy.
To free them requires not only the prodigious skills of Lucy’s unique group–which includes a proto-wolf and a female raised by the pack–but others who have no reason to assist her and instinct tells Lucy she shouldn’t trust. Set 1.8 million years ago in Africa, Lucy and her band of early humans struggle against the harsh reality of a world ruled by nature, where predators stalk them and a violent new species of man threatens to destroy their world. Only by changing can they prevail. If you ever wondered how earliest man survived but couldn’t get through the academic discussions, this book is for you. Prepare to see this violent and beautiful world in a way you never imagined.
My review for the book August 2021
I read the first book in this trilogy in 2018 and eagerly awaited book two. The author does set the scene for this second book, but I do recommend that you read Born in Treacherous Time first.
Difficult to extol the virtues of this book without giving away spoilers, but I can tell you it is an extraordinary story of survival under the most extreme conditions the earth was experiencing 1.8 million years ago. Unpredictable is putting it mildly, with earth shifts, bitter cold, droughts, floods with violent storms with lightening splintering the ground and causing rampant fires. Shelter is a rarity from the elements and when it is discovered it holds even more dangers within.
This is not a fantasy story, as it is about the real and dangerous evolutionary journey of not just man, but many of the world’s beast that we are more familiar with today. It is a time where there are a number of versions of humans, some who are more advanced than others, but even they marvel when they come into contact with those they consider more primitive. Despite this early stage in man’s evolution, natural and instinctive skills have already been lost, and it is the respect for these abilities that spark the fascination of ‘Man who Preys’ a long term enemy.
Lucy and her group have members gathered along the harsh journey who have found themselves outcast or abandoned during shifts in the earth or extreme climate conditions. They are a mismatched mix of species who learn from each other and adapt to form an unbreakable bond.There are whispers of how the individuals will evolve into modern day counterparts such big cats and primates but also sadly those that have become extinct.
The author writes flawlessly and takes you on a journey into our past with detailed accounts of this harsh environment and its inhabitants. It is an adventure with heartbreak and also moments when you can only applaud the ingenuity and the will to survive of these primitive ancestors of ours. It certainly leaves you will a greater appreciation of all we have in this modern world.
I hope you will read both book one and two of this trilogy and I am looking forward to following Lucy and her group as they continue their journey in book 3.
Head over to buy the book : Amazon US – And:Amazon UK
A selection of books by Jacqui Murray
Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Follow Jacqui: goodreads – Blog: Worddreams – Twitter: @WordDreams
About Jacqui Murray
Jacqui Murray is the webmaster for Worddreams, her blog about all things writing. She is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy, the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers, and the upcoming prehistoric fiction, Born in a Treacherous Time. She is also the author/editor of over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, adjunct professor of technology in education, webmaster for Ask a Tech Teacher an Amazon Vine Voice a columnist for TeachHUB, monthly contributor to Today’s Author, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics.
Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you are leaving with some books.. thanks Sally.
I’ve been dragging all day–tired after a long trip–and then see this wonderful post. You have made my day, Sally. Sharing…
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My pleasure Jacqui and hope you enjoyed your trip.. hugsxx
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Fantastic review for the second in the series, Sally. What a brilliant concept. Toni x
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Thank you Toni.. delighted you enjoyed. ♥
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Perfect timing, with the final book of the trilogy coming out. Sally’s amazing.
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♥
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I really need to get to this one. I have great respect for Jacqui’s work.
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Definitely a winner in my book Pete.. wonderful series.. have a lovely weekend..hugsx
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Mutual Pete. I’m waiting for your first children’s book.
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What a fantastic review for Jacqui’s book and series Sal. Congrats to Jacqui! ❤
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Thanks very much Debby..♥♥
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❤
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Thank you, Debby! And thanks for sharing it to your FB group!
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Pleasure Jacqui 🙂
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You’ve just reminded me that I need to pick up on this remarkable series! The author’s talent in creating this believable world is awesome.
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Wonderful Noelle.. it is an amazing series.. ♥
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Terrific review, Sally. Congratulations to Jacqui.
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Thanks very much John..hugsx
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Thanks, John. I am awed by how well Sally see exactly what books are about in her reviews.
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Yes she is an excellent reviewer
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Thanks John..hugs
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I have one of Jacqui’s books up next on my list.
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Fantastic Robbie and happy reading hugsx
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Yay!
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This is one I really enjoyed! Xo
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Thanks for adding your boost for the book Denise..hugsx
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Thank you, Denise! I love hearing that.
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It’s a great series, with her stories Jacquie really had excited me for prehistoric history. I have to admit, after some horrible teachers at school, i stood far away from any historical interest. Thanks for sharing, Sally! hugsx Michael
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I know Michael my history lessons were taught in a monotone and it was only when I started reading historical novels that I really began to become fascinated with it…Jacqui brings it to life. Hugs..x
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The reasons why we survived so many times when we shouldn’t have–that is better than the best thriller.
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thanks very much Michael..hugsx
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Thank you for sharing, Michael!
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To recreate the world as it was 1.8 million years ago is an incredible feat! I have a hard time even trying to conceptualize nearly two million years as a measurement of time.
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Jacqui has done a masterful job in creating that world and I have loved all the books set in that time and enjoy the latest out soon. It is comforting to know that we are descended from such extraordinary beings. xxx
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Gives hope for the continuation of the human race?
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I certainly hope so.. there do seem to be a few who have not evolved quite as far as the rest of us despite having positions of power.. xx
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Ahem . . .
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Funny you’d bring that up (continuation of the human race). The next trilogy deals with a time in prehistory when we almost disappeared. I know it happened but haven’t yet figured out why.
Stay tuned!
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Oh, that does sound interesting!!
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It’s great to see Jacqui and her work showcased here. I’m hoping to read her series very soon! I know it will be terrific!
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Thanks Kymber.. it is brilliant have a lovely weekend..hugsx
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You, too, Sally.. 🙂
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It is so different from what you write, but like yours, a lot of the action is character driven. I think you’ll enjoy that.
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Excellent review, Sally, and great timing to dig it from the archives. I got a sneak look at Jacqui’s next release, Natural Selection, and it’s going to be another hit. I love her worldbuilding, and her research shines. Congrats to Jacqui!
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I agree with you and couldn’t put it down… as you say brilliant worldbuilding and characters..♥
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Coming from you, “love her worldbuilding” means a lot. I do love Lucy’s world. Except the spiders. Maybe the scorpions, too.
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I don’t think I would have survived it for long.
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I have the first book on my Kindle and am hoping to read it very soon! xx
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Wonderful Alex and I am sure you will enjoy. Have a great weekend..♥
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And you, Sally – the sun is shining here! xx
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Here too.. some garden time with a book later..♥
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Sounds perfect. xx
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I hope you love it, Alex. Thanks for reading!
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Lovely to see Jacqui and her books showcased here today. Thanks for sharing, Sally. Have a wonderful weekend 💕🙂
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Thanks Harmony… enjoying Jacqui’s next book in this series at the moment and reviewing soon.. ♥
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I’m so late, but thank you, Harmony. I wish I’d read this while I was traveling, but couldn’t get my electronics to work right. Sigh.
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I hope you had a good time away, Jacqui 💖
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