ALA Booklist

"Tell me about the most startling and marvelous day of your life," commands Mya, as she lies in a cave, bleeding, next to Kol. The teens are from neighboring ice age clans that have not always been friendly, but a third clan offshoot of Mya's bent on revenge and threatening the peace. Kol and Mya must decide whom to trust and how to help, if they are going to survive and keep their communities intact. First-time author Eshbaugh creates a spare yet memorable account of the interpersonal and interclan politics of people living during a much earlier time. Unfortunately, there is no documentation or author's note to indicate if this is based in history or is a purely fictional setting. There are allusions to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice in terms of character attributes and plotlines, but they are so understated it is difficult to know if they are intentional. The simplicity of the language belies the impact of the love story; there is much to value here.

Horn Book

Kol and his brothers are coming of age in a male-only hunter-gatherer tribe. But when two unmarried girls from the south appear, misunderstandings and a history of intertribal violence threaten their alliance. With allusions to Pride and Prejudice, Eshbaugh's gender-swapped prehistoric adaptation cleverly reimagines the characters' desperate marital situation and the slowly developing relationship between earnest Kol and mysterious Mya.

Kirkus Reviews

A gender-flipped revisiting of Pride and Prejudice translates surprisingly well into the Ice Age—until it doesn't. Kol, oldest son of a hunter-gatherer clan, is worrisomely lacking prospective wives, so he rejoices along with his parents and brothers at a visit from a family rich in unmarried girls. Though he admires the clever and capable Mya, she dismisses him with disdainful contempt; the immediate attraction between his brother and Mya's sister is later repudiated even more rudely. When Lo, the charming daughter of yet another clan, showers Kol with flattering attention, he dismisses hints of her bitter past with Mya's people…until dark secrets erupt into shattering treachery. Debut author Eshbaugh portrays Neolithic culture with grace and authenticity, although the easy acceptance of same-sex relationships and absence of gender roles is anthropologically improbable. In particular, the life-and-death emphasis on civility in a subsistence economy allows for a convincing adaptation of Austen's novel of manners. But the similarities are subtle, and readers unfamiliar with the original would not feel lost, especially since the plot diverges sharply in the latter half, descending into a tragedy of madness, vengeance, and violence. Unfortunately, the awkward choice to cast the story as recounted by Kol to "you" (Mya) robs even the most dramatic events of suspense. Narrative artifice aside, this is an involving story solidly told, doing credit to its inspiration and sources. (Historical fiction. 12-18)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Eshbaugh debuts with an exciting and unusual adventure with an emphasis on the power of storytelling, set in a prehistoric past. Seventeen-year-old Kol is next in line to become the High Elder of his clan, but without any girls of marrying age, the clan may die out. When Mya-s clan arrives, Kol is immediately drawn to her, but she proves elusive, even aloof, perhaps owing to past friction between their clans. Kol-s father encourages the clans to mingle, but the appearance of a girl named Lo sets off a harrowing chain of events, throwing the clans into upheaval and Kol-s heart into turmoil. Eshbaugh tells the story through Kol-s voice, and it-s immediately revealed that he-s recounting it to a wounded Mya, who asks him to tell her about the -most startling and marvelous day- of his life. Building Kol and Mya-s beautiful, dangerous world takes some time, but once Eshbaugh-s story finds its footing, it provides a fascinating setting for the love triangle between Kol, Lo, and Mya, as simmering tension between the clans builds to a terrifying and poignant climax. Ages 14-up. Agent: Josh Adams, Adams Literary. (June)

School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up-Seventeen-year-old Kol is the oldest son of the High Elder of his clan, and while he and his brother are of marrying age, there are no marriageable women in their clan. The rhythm of Kol's hunter/gatherer life changes, however, when a group from the clan to the south visit to build an alliancewith two eligible unmarried women in their party. Mya, also 17, is beautiful and severe, and she and Kol begin a rocky acquaintance when she saves him from a charging saber-tooth while on a mammoth hunt. Despite his acts of gratitude, Kol cannot read or anticipate Mya's feelings, which makes his confusion about his own feelings even more complex. When Lo, a woman from the clan to the north, arrives in Kol's village with a dark intent, the plot becomes all the more complicated. Eshbaugh packs her debut with a classic love triangle, feuding clans, a well-drawn prehistoric setting, and a handful of fan fiction elements that will appeal to teens.

Voice of Youth Advocates

Kol is seventeen years old, living with his family during prehistoric times. He and his brothers are seeking mates for both companionship and a more secure future for their family. A clan arrives from the south, bringing opportunities for conflict and intriguing courtship possibilities. Kol quickly grows interested in young Mya, but he finds that she brings with her a history of loss that is sadly intertwined with his own clan. Kol seeks to overcome the distrust and hatred generated by the murder that his clan performed years earlier on Mya's, causing a huge rift. There is also conflict between Mya and a girl from another clan named Lo, which quickly leads to deadly violence.This debut novel was to be the starter of a duology but has expanded to a trilogy, according to recent statements from the author. Experienced readers will note parallels to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, with a gender twist. However, those readers who have not read Austen's classic can absolutely enjoy this book on its own, as those allusions are not vital to the plot. The Ice Age setting is richly described, and the sometimes desperate struggle for food and survival is palpable. When Lo is introduced, readers have almost been trained to expect a love triangle, so it is refreshing to instead have a conflict between Mya and Lo without the requisite romantic entanglements. This book is highly recommended for collections of all sizes; readers will be anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.Sherrie Williams.