Mom’s Monday Zan-Gah Review

03 May, 2010 by in book giveaway, book review, middle reader, YA prehistoric fiction, zan gah 14 comments

published July 15th 2007
by Earthshaker Books
details Paperback, 160 pages
isbn 0979035708
3 stars
Product Description from Amazon.com
The hero, Zan-Gah seeks his lost twin in a savage prehistoric world, encountering suffering, captivity, conflict, love, and triumph. In three years, Zan-Gah passes from an uncertain boyhood to a tried and proven manhood and a position of leadership among his people. Themes: survival, cultures, gender roles, psychological trauma, nature’s wonders and terrors.
I received a signed copy of this book in the mail from the publisher for review on our blog. I must say I had never heard of preshistoric fiction so it was a completely new genre for me. The first couple of chapters which describe Zan’s encounter with a lioness and becoming a man in his tribe were a little slow. As he grows into a man and travels in search of his twin brother, things pick up. The landscapes and people he encounter are fascinating and vivid. I found myself wishing there were more detail about red haired, green eyes Lissa-Nah the priestess, her culture and background. I also was disturbed by the graphic detail in chapter 10 as Dael starts to reveal his psychological scars and kills a man. I really think the gory details could have been left out to make it more applicable and suitable for a younger reader age 11.
What caught me were the wasp people and the interesting conditions of life that Zan-Gah comes across. The portraits nature will stick with you after you put down the book. I give it three stars and congratulate author Allan Shickman for going out on a limb to incorporate the themes of anthropology, psychology and coming of age.

14 Responses to “Mom’s Monday Zan-Gah Review”

  1. Ella Press

    I’m reading this next, and I’ve got to say it really intrigues me. Let’s see if I make it through the slow chapters.

    Reply
  2. buddyt

    I can’t think of any YA books on pre-history but as far as adult books go the series by Jean M. Auel, Clan of the Cave Bear were very interesting.

    Please enter me in the giveaway.

    Thank you.

    Carol T

    buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

    Reply
  3. Joyson

    Wow! I would like to win this! 🙂

    Joyson,
    bugs(dot)bittle23{AT}gmail(dot)com

    Reply

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