Ivory and Bone audiobook

So what is Ivory and Bone? An incomparable masterpiece. A bold work of art in a genre saturated with voices of similitude. An antediluvian dystopian love story riding an obsidian knife-edge between life and death. Shall I elaborate?Imagine, for a moment, a world with no internet. No cell phones, no wi-fi, no Starbucks, no television, no cars, no Coldplay, no bookstores, no single-serve slices of red velvet cake and the individually wrapped plastic fork to go with it.And yes, sadly, no Goodreads.Imagine a world so breathtakingly beautiful and dangerous, so hard and cold and brutal, yet bristling with colors that will never be brighter and enormous landscapes unmarked by the will of humankind.In this world, every step could be your last, and every breath is spent in the fight for survival. So, as creatures forever striving with their environment, humanity itself faces extinction.And in this world, what would be the greatest of all life and death dramas? What would be the hardest and most important of all choices?That’s right, teenage romance.Unforgettably gripping, author Julie Eshbaugh marvelously weaves the tale of Kol through first/second person narrative, harkening back to the oral tradition in which such a story would’ve been passed down from generation to generation. Kol’s account zips with the furious excitement of the hunt and the buzz of seeing the young and beautiful woman of his destiny but breathes with a musical sense of peace and stillness through tender moments and reflections of pain, with Eshbaugh’s subliminal grip of our senses as a reader as deft as it is sensitive.Not to be missed, Ivory and Bone is a one of a kind work that resonates with a sense of personality and intimacy uncommon to the trendy flash and fancy of modern YA, and I am so deeply grateful to Julie and HarperTeen for an ARC of this perfect tale.And while there is an allusion to Pride and Prejudice, I do think it would be unfair to call this a retelling. Ivory and Bone is such a unique and beautiful story, it deserves to stand on its own like a mountain against the sky.Recommended for all ages.

I've been excitedly following Ivory and Bone updates ever since I first heard about its sale in 2014, and it's only grown over time as I discovered the cover, the synopsis, and the spectacular author of this book. Opening to the first page of this book felt like an exciting start to a long journey, a blast to the past.Kol, the eldest son of the clan leader, knows change is coming to him and his clan. As the clan struggles to determine if they should move because of the dwindling food supply, Kol also has another pressure to find a suitable wife. He meets the stubborn and guarded Mya from another clan and although it's pretty clear those two are being set up, they both create a dislike for one another. As another rival clan comes into the story, tensions rise and calls of war sound. There aren't many young adult books on the Ice Age time period, and Ivory and Bone already stands out for this reason. There is proof of extensive and fascinating research on the era, and the details Julie feeds the readers catapults us into that time. She weaves in so much interesting culture and traditions that give this book a sense of wonder. I could see the mammoths, I swayed to the clan's music, I paddled as fast as I could through the water along with Kol.I must praise Julie on her inimitable style and writing techniques that really make this book shine. There's one aspect in particular I'm referring to that I won't give away, it's a nice surprise that you'll discover on your own. It's a bold move that I believe really works to this book's advantage. Julie wrote this book in such a unique and powerful way that really strengthens the storyline and our connection to the characters. I wish I could say more, but I'll leave it at this. The way Julie tells the story feels more personal, and it allows Kol to draw more conclusions, think more clearly on past events and how he felt at the time and what he was thinking etc... In Ivory and Bone the two central characters are essentially being groomed as the next leaders of their respective clans. Seeing them make the hard choices, determine the type of leaders they'd want to be in the future, and how they'd want to lead was amazing. There is no love triangle in this book to clarify as many have been asking. The slow-burn romance is both infuriating and lovely at once. It's one of those stories where you ache for them and just want to scream "KISS ALREADY" and potentially mash their faces together... A big part of this story is about change. There is so much change happening in this story and little do they know that more is coming! I mean it is the Ice Age.Ivory and Bone is an electrifying start to a unique and addictive duology that I can't wait to finish!

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH, OH MY GOSH.I don't even know how to write a review for this book. I don't know what else to say other than I loved it. I honestly loved everything about this book. I was a little weirded out by the writing style at first but after I got used to it, I really enjoyed it. I thought it was different and fit the story really well. I really liked the characters. They weren't over the top or crazy original but they weren't bland. They were normal but interesting. I was very unsure about the love triangle (you know how much I loathe love triangles) but holy crap. I didn't hate this one. I actually kind of liked it. I know, it's shocking. But it actually adds to the story. But the thing that I loved most about this book, the thing that makes this book one of my all time favorite books, is the concept. This is blurbed as a "A prehistoric fantasy—with allusions to Pride and Prejudice". And let me tell you, that's a perfect blurb. It's confusing, I know, but trust me. It's amazing. There's mammoth hunts and saber tooth cats and it's amazing. Overall, I can't express how much I loved this book. It's so beautifully imagined and original. I loved everything about it.

An ARC has been provided in exchange for an honest review.Once in a while a book comes along that sounds like it's been written exactly for you. You cross all your fingers and toes, hoping and praying it lives up to all of your dreams and then some. When I first read the description for IVORY AND BONE, I knew I needed to read it immediately. This book spoke to me. Mammoths. The great ice. Clans of strong, resilient people on the brink of violence mixed with Mother Nature’s own harshness. It brought me back to my childhood, when I'd spend hours wandering the halls of the Museum of Natural History in NYC. I loved staring at the large Mammoth skeleton, imagining what life would have been like then, admiring and respecting those who came before us. Julie Eshbaugh has brought all of my dreams to life and elevated them in this masterful debut. I could close my eyes and hear the rush of wind through the grasslands, smell the earth turning in the seasons, and feel the bite in the air as the breeze blew off the Great Ice. My heart pounded with prehistoric danger lurking just out of sight, tracking and hunting the brave hunters. I don’t want to give away anything, so I’ll just say this: if you’re in the market for a novel that’s breathtaking in its descriptions, full of heart-thrashing action, and intrigue that unwinds and untangles in the most beautiful way, then this is your book. I will gladly be setting up camp with Ms. Eshbaugh and naming her High Elder of my fandom clan. I am so excited for what comes next. IVORY AND BONE is a special read, and should shoot to the top of your MUST READ list. I know I’ll be re-reading it again and again, getting lost in the prehistoric world that feels so utterly real today.

I was lucky enough to read an ARC of Julie Eshbaugh's masterful debut. This is a book I've wanted to read since I first heard about it--a YA novel set in pre-historic era is unlike anything else I can think of in the market right now. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect going in, but that didn't seem to matter--Eshbaugh drew me in almost at once with her sharp prose and interesting characters (and she manages to pull off a second-person narration, which can be extremely hard to do). Ivory and Bone follows Kol and his family, a pre-historic clan living on the fringes of the great ice, where they hunt mammoth and other animals for meat and furs. The world Eshbaugh describes is one of incredible beauty and incredible danger, and that tension undergirds Kol's story, as his family--already worried about the future of a clan in which there are no young women for Kol and his brothers to marry--celebrates the arrival of Mya, her sister and her brother, members of a thriving clan to the south. This arrival promises welcome alliances and friendship between the clans, but almost at once, Kol and Mya find themselves wary of one another--a hesitation that's only complicated by the arrival of still a third clan and the slow unveiling of deep-held secrets that might destroy them all. Eshbaugh does a wonderful job of fleshing out an unusual world. Though my life is nothing like Kol's, I could understand and relate to his worries--his fears for the future and his more immediate fears of being stalked by a saber-tooth tiger--and the pleasure he takes in hunting for honey. The relationships she draws were moving and believable, and I loved the slow unfolding of Kol's friendship with Mya. As the action climaxed, I couldn't put the book down. Definitely one to read in 2016!

Unbelievable........ This book was beyond my expectations. I thought I knew what I was in for. But my GOD, this was Unbelievable........and NOT what I was expecting at all.Julie Eshbaugh’s writing is elegant, detailed and fascinating. From the beginning of this story I was engaged. One of my favorite elements from Ivory And Bone by Julie Eshbaugh was how it felt as if this story was written for me. It felt like, I come across an old letter. It was really fascinating. It’s something, I NEVER have seen or even heard of and I really LOVED IT!!! My experience with this novel wasn't one that I was immediately engaged. Not that, that’s bad at all. It was more of a slow-burning simmering kind of story. You really have to be into it and be devoted and "NOT" give up. I know a lot of you will probably say it’s too slow or where’s the action or even the romance? Trust ME…. Ivory and Bone is well worth your time. Everything will happen in time, just not as you expect. This is not a fast pace get into action novel. Take the time and read Julie Eshbaugh’s debut novel. I promise you, you will love it. The world built in Ivory and Bone is fascinating. Julie Eshbaugh writing, will make you feel as if you’re the one running in the grass fields. The one haunting for your next meal and perhaps even falling in love.*wink* To me this book was “EVERYTHING” I love this time period and the wildlife, so this novel, was just what I needed. Especial since winter has come to an end and I’m dying to explore more of Adirondacks Mountains in NY during the summer days.If you love strong, independent and intelligent characters, look no further because Ivory and Bone has all that and more. This novel was very unique and I am sure that I will be recommending Ivory and Bone by Julie Eshbaugh to anyone that loves fiction, period.

Ivory and Bone is set in the mammoth hunting era of prehistory, and the constant cultural infusion was easily my favorite part of the book. It was doubtless a lot more fanciful than life in that era would’ve been, but I didn’t mind because it kept the plot light-hearted and fun, and allowed story focus on the relationships. The book is supposed to be a creative retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Interestingly enough, it was only after finishing the it that I was clued into this fact (sometimes it really helps to read the overview). As I’m not one for classic literature, I didn’t put two and two together, but in hindsight it was kind of obvious. During the read, I had a few issues with logistics – there was a lot of traveling back and forth between clans which felt a little forced and unnecessary. Discovering that Eshbaugh was trying to stay true to a pre-existing plotline made me a little more forgiving. As the next book goes beyond that initial framework, I am especially excited to see what the author can weave without these constraints.The writing style and format were also major selling points of the novel. A boy tells his side of things to a girl about their journey together thus far. It’s a mix of first-person and second-person narration that I found to be quite beautifully woven together. As an aspiring writer, I’m inspired by the creativity and usage of different techniques in this novel – it was very well done. I’ll admit that I’ve been having difficulty enjoying Young Adult books lately, so it really speaks to how unique Ivory and Bone was that completely devoured it in a day.Overall, if you’re in the mood for a cool setting, interesting writing style, and classic love story Ivory & Bone is the book for you. I’m thrilled to continue on with Obsidian and Stars, out June 13, 2017.Other books you might like:Soundless - Richelle MeadCinder - Marissa MeyerCourt of Fives - Kate ElliottWalk on Earth a Stranger - Rae CarsonThe Glittering Court - Richelle MeadVia The Obsessive Bookseller at www.nikihawkes.com

No spoilers in this review of Ivory and Bone by Julie Eshbaugh! I give it 3.75 stars. I thought the plot was simple overall, yet there were some small twists and turns that kept me guessing as the tale unfolded. The prehistoric setting was the most attractive thing about the whole book to me.The story centers on Kol, a young man growing up in a clan with no girls close to his age. For the small tribe to continue, Kol and his three younger brothers need to find mates from other clans. It’s a big concern for Kol’s parents because they want to ensure not only the well-being of the clan but also the longevity of their family’s leadership. They come into contact with two other tribes, each with eligible young ladies, over the course of the book. But past conflicts interfere with some of the potential relationships. It is of utmost importance for Kol, the oldest son and thus the future High Elder of their clan, to find a wife and start a family. Yet it seems it is hardest of all for him to find a potential mate.Ivory and Bone takes place during a time in history when there were no luxuries. Life was spent in survival mode, hoping for adequate food, warm clothing, and decent shelter on a day to day basis. While we’re not told the exact whereabouts of the characters, they live somewhere in the brutal north. I could almost feel the cold Esbaugh described in certain parts of the book and sense the desperation of the people as they searched for adequate food and shelter.Kol definitely grew on me over the course of the book. I was skeptical about one of his potential matches, Mya. She seemed like she might ultimately be the one for him, yet I wasn’t sure I liked her and didn’t understand her attitude. Yet overall, Eshbaugh did a good job of slowly unraveling the small mysteries surrounding these three clans and explaining the intentions of several of the secretive characters.I recommend Ivory and Bone if you’re in the mood for a book mostly driven by love stories. There is some action and adventure, but the need to find matches for Kol and his brothers is always at the core of the story. It is a book I consider to be true YA, and it sets itself apart with its unique setting and goals for its main characters. While I got a slow start on this book, I read the last half of it quite rapidly as the intensity ramped up a bit. I am excited for book two, Obsidian and Stars, to see what’s next but am surprised to see its description here on Goodreads. It’s going a direction I didn’t expect, yet I am excited to see what’s next for Kol and company!Read all of our reviews at: http://www.bookseriesrecaps.com/Read our full book recaps at: http://www.bookseriesrecaps.com/book-...

This was a quick but entertaining book. I have had it on my bookshelf since shortly after it had came out but didn't get around to reading it. I finally read it when the second book came out so I could read the series. I actually was really into the plot and enjoyed the characters. It is a prehistoric setting, which always turns me back into the four year old version of myself just waiting on the dinosaurs to show up. LOL no dinosaurs but still a really good read!

I was lucky to read an advanced copy of Ivory and Bone. I love historical fiction, and I was so excited to read this book, set during prehistoric times. The main character is Kol--seventeen, compassionate, and strong. I liked him from the very first page. The world-building in Ivory and Bone is amazing--with lovely sensory details and descriptions. A prehistoric setting is something new for me, and reading this story was a lot of fun. In addition to this, I found the message of the story to be particularly meaningful--about the risks of living a life of vengeance. I'm looking forward to more of Julie Eshbaugh's work!

Ivory and Bone started slowly but ended with a bang. It took me two months to read the first 100 pages and I finished the rest in two days. Prehistoric fantasy written in the second person - this is a book unlike any I've read before. I enjoyed it.

Full Review on The Candid CoverIvory and Bone is one of the most unique books I’ve read this year. This prehistoric book teaches the reader a lot about life during the ice age and contains a male main character who is very brave. The theme of family made me appreciate the book even more, and I would definitely recommend it.Ivory and Bone is probably the only YA prehistoric novel I have ever read. Admittedly, it takes a bit of getting used to, but once you get into it, it is really incredible. I loved reading about the way the characters lived and how they had to hunt for their food and their clothes. I can’t imagine having to kill for my own survival, let alone in the freezing cold. I definitely admired the characters in the book for their strength.Kol is such an amazing main character in Ivory and Bone! What I found really intriguing is the fact that Kol is a boy. Honestly, this isn’t too common in YA and it was really refreshing. Kol is strong and intelligent and actually makes his own honey, another characteristic that I really enjoyed. Main characters for me are the most important parts of the story, and I was very glad to be introduced to Kol.One of my favourite aspects of Ivory and Bone is the theme of family. Kol and his family are a clan and they stick together and protect one another. I loved the fact that Kol’s siblings and parents actually have a role in the book, unlike many other novels out there. But not only is Kol’s entire family present, but Mya’s as well. I always prefer stories about family rather than romance, so I definitely enjoyed this one.Ivory and Bone is an epic prehistoric novel with a strong, male main character. I really enjoyed the theme of family over romance. I would consider Ivory and Bone to be a must-read, as it is so unlike anything I’ve ever read before.

I received an ARC of Ivory and Bone from Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Ivory and Bone was my first prehistoric read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story is unique and the author paints a vivid and fascinating picture of life of early humans and their struggle for survival in the harsh but beautiful landscape, full of roaming mammoths and saber-tooth cats. The story is told by Kol from Manu clan and centers around him and two girls he meets one summer, Mya from clan of Olen and Lo from clan of Bosha. Their meeting puts in motion series of events that will change their lives and lives of their clans forever. The main conflict of the book is between Mya and Lo and it's to do with something that happen in their past. Kol finds himself in the middle of it and does not know who to trust. Kol was likeable character for the most part but he was clueless at times which annoyed me a bit. It was quite obvious which girl was honest and which girl was cunning and plotting but Kol could not distinguish between lies or truth even when it was in front of him like a big woolly mammoth. I hope he wises up a bit in the next book.But the story was so much more than that. I loved the description of day to day life of clans. Their way of life is simple but fraught with dangers, worries about finding food, survival and continuation of the clans. It seems that even among the prehistoric people there were those who tried to adapt to change and those who stubbornly clung to old ways of living and hunting even when the landscape and hunting grounds around them were changing to the point where old way of life became unsustainable. It's hard to believe that Julie Eshbaugh is a debut author, her writing is exquisite, captivating and transporting. I could almost see majestic mammoths and predatory cats, feel the biting wind coming from Great Ice, and experience clan's daily life. After reading Ivory and Bone I am craving more prehistoric stories and definitely want to read the second book in the series to discover what is next for Kol, Mya and their people.

Ivory and Bone is the type of story that you don't need to connect to the characters to enjoy, much like an epic or a fairytale. It takes place in the prehistoric era when clans had to move from place to place in order to find food to eat. The tone of the book is pretty serious, but if you go into it knowing that, then I think that you would really enjoy this book. I think what I really enjoyed in this book, more than anything else, is the setting of the story. It takes place in a time not typically mentioned in books. It's very unique, and I don't know if it's true to what happened back then, but even so, it felt like having a glimpse of those times. This book showed hunting, arranged marriages between clans, the need to produce heirs, and many other things that was really enjoyable to get a glimpse of. Although the story is a bit centered on finding a bride for Kol, the son of the High Elder of their clan, this book doesn't really focus on romance. Instead, it focuses on clan rivalry, and all the complicated things that goes between clans. There's also this teeny, tiny hint of mystery, which makes it all the more interesting. While romance is not the center of this plot though, we can still see bits and pieces of it throughout the story. As I mentioned earlier, I didn't need to feel the connection to the characters for me to enjoy the story. However, I did connect with the story itself. Not because I can relate to it or anything, but I just found myself captivated by the setting, which felt like a whole new world to me because of how different it is from present times. One of the factors of why I wasn't able to connect well with the characters is because of the second person point of view way that the story was written. Throughout the whole novel, Kol was addressing everything to Mya. Not that I think it didn't work out, it's just that I generally don't prefer 2nd person POVs because I feel either like I'm being called another name, or that I'm intruding on something that I sohuldn't be reading. Other than this, though, the story is deeply enjoyable, and I found myself liking the story. Overall, the book is not what I expected it to be, but I was given a glimpse of way of living in the prehistoric era. Although written in second person POV, I still found this story enjoyable and intersting.

2/21/19Reread this so I could read the sequel and actually know what's going on/who's who lol I did the audiobook this time because it's way faster that way...think it's more of a 3.5 this time, but I'm still excited to finish the series...unless it's supposed to be a trilogy, can't remember xD It's an interesting read, but not a favorite10/1/16First of all, I reaalllly loved that this book had some Pride and Prejudice references in it and I liked how the gender-roles were reversed. Although, some people may not even notice the references to P & P, I did see the vibes of it every now and again. Especially when Kol and Pek's mother was being a matchmaker and wanting to marry her children off lol I do understand it is a little different though since the circumstances were not the same lol All in all, this was such a unique read that I really enjoyed and I can not wait to read the sequel when it comes out :)