Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure (Zan-Gah, #1) by Allan Richard Shickman

Oct 11, 2011 Heather rated it 5 of 5 stars

I received this novel from Earthshaker books to review. I am not being paid to review it and my review is an honest review of the book. That being said, I thought this was a great story! I don't know how realistic it was but it was easy to read broken down into small chapters and the story really was captivating. I'm a lover of history, prehistoric history included and though I'd never really heard of anything in this story except the Mastodon, who's bones Zan-Gah found, it was a very primitive...more I received this novel from Earthshaker books to review. I am not being paid to review it and my review is an honest review of the book. That being said, I thought this was a great story! I don't know how realistic it was but it was easy to read broken down into small chapters and the story really was captivating. I'm a lover of history, prehistoric history included and though I'd never really heard of anything in this story except the Mastodon, who's bones Zan-Gah found, it was a very primitive world.

The story begins with Zan's brother having been missing for a year already and Zan feels guilty because he wandered off when the two had a fight. Before that they had been inseparable. But Zan can't worry about that at this point because the next day, for the first time, the five clans are getting together to hunt down a lioness who killed a child. She has to be taken down before more children are killed. It is an uneasy alliance between the clans who fight usually, but they've called a truce. Out of sheer luck, Zan kills the lioness when she looks for a weak spot in the circle that is closing in around her and sees him, a young boy. She heads for him and he holds his spear steady. She dives right into it and kills herself. He is named Zan-Gah, Gah being the rock where he killed her. This is not a big part of the story.

The majority of the story is his search for his missing brother. They are twins and he has dreams every night that his missing brother, Dael is still alive. He fights with his parents over it but in the end, he goes after him. He discovers many things about the world her lives in and his enemies. He creates a new weapon purely by accident. He is captured by the same people that captured his brother for a time. But his brother isn't with them any longer. He suffers in the desert and almost dies. But he continues his search for his brother because he loves him and believes he is not dead even when he believes he, himself is dying.

The landscape is harsh, the people are harsh. Food is scarce, water is scarcer and you can feel the dryness of the desert, the heat on your back, the ache on your sore bare feet as you walk with Zan-Gah in search of his twin. You can feel the joy when he finds water and food and feel his desolation when he is so thirsty that his mouth is like chalk. You can also see the mind of a great leader forming, planning, and beginning to take over what one day will be his nation.

I totally recommend Zan-Gah to anyone, especially teachers, teaching about the hardships faced in prehistoric times. There is violence in the book, as there would be during that time period. I'd say fourth grade and up. It's definitely an easy read at 148 pages so maybe some reluctant readers would enjoy it. I hesitate to allow my ten year old to read it because it's a signed copy, but if he keeps it at home, maybe. For all you librarians out there, I'd keep this one in mind. Elementary school teachers should also keep this one in mind as well.

There is a follow up novel that I'm reading next call Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country. I'll be reading it next.
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Jan 10, 2011 Amanda (GoodChoiceReading) rated it 4 of 5 stars

To see complete review, visit http://anotherbookjunkie.blogspot.com

Zan-Gah is a powerful story about a boy who goes on a treacherous journey in search of his twin, who has been missing for some time. Along this journey, Zan-Gah is forced to fight for survival on many different occasions. There is action from beginning to end, though for a middle grade novel, I would have liked to see more dialogue. But given his circumstances, it wasn't really a possibility.

When Zan-Gah finally reaches his desti...more

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Oct 08, 2011 Ashley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, review-copy, blog, signed

Originally reviewed on my blog, a href=http://basicallyamazing.blogspot.com/... from Bleh to Basically Amazing.

I enjoy historical fiction. I love reading about a time period before my own because it gives me a little taste of what life was like for someone with very different experiences. And, I'd much rather experience it vicariously than permanently give up electricity and running water.

So, when I was contacted by Earthshaker Books to review a prehistoric adventure series following young Zan-G...more Originally reviewed on my blog, a href=http://basicallyamazing.blogspot.com/... from Bleh to Basically Amazing.

I enjoy historical fiction. I love reading about a time period before my own because it gives me a little taste of what life was like for someone with very different experiences. And, I'd much rather experience it vicariously than permanently give up electricity and running water.

So, when I was contacted by Earthshaker Books to review a prehistoric adventure series following young Zan-Gah, I was thrilled. It sounded like something that would be a fun read, and even if I didn't end up loving them, I have four younger brothers, and between them, one brother was bound to be interested. My initial feelings after finishing these two books? I'm keeping them (sorry bro... Maybe, if you're nice to me, I'll let you borrow it.)

The two books, Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure and Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country by Allan Richard Shickman were a lot of fun to read. When we first meet Zan, he is a young boy trying to determine his place within his tribe. He wants to be a man, with a man's responsibilities, but at such a young age, that's hard. Zan is a great character. Although he is young, he's already well on his way to becoming a remarkable man. He is learning the courage does not mean a lack of fear, but rather accepting those fears and facing them anyway. He goes with the men of his and the neighboring tribes to hunt the lion that has recently killed a child. He's the both the youngest and the smallest person involved, and he's scared. He refuses to let that hold him back and ultimately, he is the one who brings the lion down. Doing this earns him the name Zan-Gah as an honor.

After the celebration over the defeat of the lion, the narrative breaks away to tell us a little of Zan-Gah's past. Zan has a twin, Dael, who has been missing for about a year. Zan-Gah begins to have disturbing dreams that convince him his brother is actually alive. Now that he has become more of a man, Zan-Gah decides it is time to set out to find his brother, save him, and bring him back home. The search for his brother and all that happens to him as he travels is detailed in the first book. Zan-Gah meets many new people, makes friends and enemies, learns, grows, suffers and triumphs.

I was really rooting for Zan-Gah to find his brother and bring him safely home. Reading this, you really want Zan-Gah to succeed. Which, to a degree, he does. Zan finds his brother and brings him back to the family. It took Zan-Gah over a year to find and free his brother from captivity which means Dael has now been a prisoner for over two years. And his captors did not treat him well. Dael does go home, but he returns to his people broken and withdrawn.

The second book begins with what little humanity Dael regained after being set free fleeing, leaving him angry, bitter, broken and uncaring. He is so full of anger and hate, all he can think about is exacting his revenge on those who he believes wronged him. And that includes Zan-Gah. Zan-Gah cares deeply about his brother and it hurts him that Dael is in so much pain but masks it with these darker emotions and refuses to let anyone close. Although Dael's character angered me in the second novel, I respect that Shickman didn't sugarcoat anything here. Being tortured in captivity for two years damages a person. It is impossible to be the same after surviving something like that, and as much as he angered me, I can't really bring myself to blame Dael. He didn't ask to be broken.

I very much enjoyed the story told within these two novels. For the most part, the story was told very well and I thought the characters were wonderful and real. None of the characters felt like overused cardboard stock characters. Each character has their own personality and unique way of looking at life. I was impressed at how much life Shickman was able to give his characters. The differences between the various tribes we meet within the course of the story are also amazing. He gave them each distinct characteristics that definitively set them apart from each other.

There were times however, when the flow of the novel seemed slightly disjointed or abrupt. There were a few times when the story would be moving along at a good pace, and then I felt like Shickman backtracked to give us important information that would become relevant in a few pages, even though it had little, if anything, to do with the current action. But, it needed to be said before it was too late so he just kind of stuck it in. The transitions weren't always smooth.

While reading this, there were also times that I felt like I was reading a very well written history text. I actually enjoyed that aspect of the writing, and thought that it was exactly what this book needed. I think I would have found most other narrative forms awkward or overdone. However, I don't know how much a young reader would enjoy that and the book is marketed at children ages 11 and up. There are many scenes that involve the harsher aspects of life during the prehistoric era which might also be harder for a young child to understand and cope with. While I wouldn't keep this book away from the children (and do plan on asking my 11 year old brother if he'd like to read them) I think these are books that parents would do well to read along with their child (especially if they are a young 11 or so) or at the very least, be aware of the potential questions and concerns that might be raised by the reading of these books, and be available for questions.

Overall, I was very pleased to have read these, and am interested to see what Allan Shickman does next.(less)

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Apr 19, 2010 Mevurah rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

As many of you know, there are many trends within the YA genre. The main one of those trends (and i hope it does die down) are Vampires. What with the whole "Twilight Saga" being such a big success within the genre itself... i'm getting sick and sick of it! Well off to the main point, Zan-Gah defies the trends within YA Genre and stands out. Allan Richard Shickman has written an original fast paced adventure, taking place within a whole fresh enviornment. The setting- The Preshistoric World.

The...more As many of you know, there are many trends within the YA genre. The main one of those trends (and i hope it does die down) are Vampires. What with the whole "Twilight Saga" being such a big success within the genre itself... i'm getting sick and sick of it! Well off to the main point, Zan-Gah defies the trends within YA Genre and stands out. Allan Richard Shickman has written an original fast paced adventure, taking place within a whole fresh enviornment. The setting- The Preshistoric World.

The story begins with Zan, preparing to go with the men of his tribe, to hunt down a lioness which killed a child. As punishment, the lioness must be killed and Zan takes this opportunity to prove himself to the people of his tribe. Zan is successful in killing the lion and everyone in his tribe has great respect for this young boy.

It is then that Zan sets off on a quest in search of his long lost twin brother, Dael. Many dangers lay ahead of his journey, such as wild animals and strangers. The book started off a bit slow in my opinion. There was a bit too much narrating but it wasn't all bad. I found this story to be very refreshing and raw. I believe that Zan makes a good character, because he is brave, a fighter, and can fend for himself.

The cover of this book can be very misleading, i know that one shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but not all of us are perfect enough to never do this, right? I am letting you all know now that you should ignore the cover and let the content of the book be your guide. I recommend this to young teens and to middle grade kids! Boys would enjoy this story very much and i know that girls can as well!

I would like to thank Allan Richard Shickman for writing a story not caught up within today's YA trends! We need more books like this within the YA market! We need more originality and refreshed storylines :) I also want to thank Bonnie from Earthshaker books for contacting me about this book and its sequel! Which i plan on posting a review of soon!

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Feb 12, 2012 Bridgette Redman rated it 4 of 5 stars

Growing up isn't easy. This axiom is true no matter what time period of history one lives in.

Allan Richard Shickman's debut novel, Zan Gah, is a coming-of-age novel for a young boy in prehistoric times. The novel begins with him going on a hunt for a lion, the youngest of his tribe and the only remaining child of his parents. His twin brother had disappeared months before.

When the first signs of manhood is conferred upon him, Zan sets out to search for his missing twin Dael. During his journey...more Growing up isn't easy. This axiom is true no matter what time period of history one lives in.

Allan Richard Shickman's debut novel, Zan Gah, is a coming-of-age novel for a young boy in prehistoric times. The novel begins with him going on a hunt for a lion, the youngest of his tribe and the only remaining child of his parents. His twin brother had disappeared months before.

When the first signs of manhood is conferred upon him, Zan sets out to search for his missing twin Dael. During his journey, he'll face tribal enemies, wary allies, hazardous terrain, slavery, starvation, and predators. He's also faced with choices about how to survive and how to do what is honorable in the face of great risk.

The story is written as a historical narrative, using the literary device of fact, though all the elements are fictional. Zan is given credit as the inventor of the sling and Shickman provides the oral history that he claims survived through the centuries to sing of his deed.

While a pre-historic setting may tempt some to think of the story as simple, Shickman instead manages to introduce a great deal of complexity into the choices that Zan must make. The story is quick-moving in the tradition of adventure stories, but there are difficult moral situations that Zan finds himself in. He's also forced to question some of the conventions that he was raised with and to challenge those of his tribe and the neighboring tribes.

There were some things that might have been anachronistic. Certainly it made me want to go look things up. For example, when did people start recording time in years? If this takes place pre-history, then are there such things as years yet? Or was that simply a shorthand for the sake of the reader's understanding?

It also might have been helpful to have had an appendix with some of the historical context of the novel. The story itself is very good about providing only the information which the characters themselves would have. However, as a reader, I wanted a context beyond what was available to the characters.

Shickman, a former teacher and professor, is to be praised for his willingness to include a rich vocabulary in the text. He shuns the grade-level vocabulary lists and instead uses those words that are important to the text of the story. He uses words that are challenging and provides a context for the readers to figure them out.

Shickman's Website says he came up with the idea for this story while sharing a cave deep underground with hundreds of bats. It certainly might explain why he was able to so authentically and powerfully describe the settings found within the book. With any luck, he'll do some more spelunking and give us more of these adventuresome novels rich in language and history.

Review originally posted at Epinions.com http://www.epinions.com/content_42420...(less)

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Jan 06, 2012 Shweta rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-historical-fiction

This is my first book on pre historic life and let me tell you I was very very glad I read it.Pre historic period is some thing which hasn't been explored a lot. Everyday we read books about dystopian future , about contemporary problems, major historical events but how often do we read about our beginnings. Or more importantly how often do kids (tweens and teens ) read about this? Zan- Gah opened my eyes to a much neglected period . My Verdict for the book - Engaging

Zan -Gah is a beautifully w...more This is my first book on pre historic life and let me tell you I was very very glad I read it.Pre historic period is some thing which hasn't been explored a lot. Everyday we read books about dystopian future , about contemporary problems, major historical events but how often do we read about our beginnings. Or more importantly how often do kids (tweens and teens ) read about this? Zan- Gah opened my eyes to a much neglected period . My Verdict for the book - Engaging

Zan -Gah is a beautifully written story set in the pre historic time period when humans stayed in caves , hunted for living , made weapons out stones. The pace of the book is somewhat slow in the beginning as we are introduced to Zan and his family, their everyday life, rituals, their hunting techniques .The story gets a push, once Zan decides to go on a quest to find someone he feels guilty of losing. Zan's journey is filled with surprises and dangers.It is this journey which actually gives us a clear view of Zan's world.

The second half has a lot of adventure and takes place so fast that you will be on the edge of your seat to see what happens next. Zan , according to me was an intelligent and resourceful boy, one who will make a good impression on the minds of the young readers. Family values , friendship , tribal loyalties are few of the themes which have been dealt very well in this book.

I finished this book few days back but I waited to write the review because I wanted inputs of a tween before I gave my opinion on the book. I let my little cousin read it. She did need my help at some places but she was very much taken by the book.It has sparked an interest for pre historic period in her and she has got me searching reference books on this time period suitable for her age. She has just begun reading the sequel to this book ,along with me and I am sure we will be doing a joint review for it very soon.

If a book can make a kid curious about the theme and also eager enough to read more about it, I would say it is a great pick. I would recommend it to all tween and teen readers who love books with adventurous themes.
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Oct 24, 2011 Kailia rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really liked the first book in this series and I was eager to read the second book! Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country was even better than the first book. The writing, the characters, heck, the world was just so amazing!

This book follows Zan-Gah and Dael, his twin brother. They are moving to the Beautiful Country (which I thought was interesting since they escaped from it) and get closer and closer as brothers. Zan-Gah is an even better character in this book and I loved once again, getting to...more

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Apr 23, 2011 V.S. Grenier rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sfc-review

Review by Irene Roth

Synopsis: This is a prehistoric adventure story of a tribal boy, Zan, and his twin brother, Zan-Han. The book spans more than a year in which time Zan goes on a journey to find his lost twin brother who has been captured by a dangerous clan.

While the story is interesting and Zan's story is fascinating to watch, much was packed into these two little books. Thus, there was little time to really properly develop the plot, characters, or allowing the story to naturally unfold.

I...more

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Feb 17, 2011 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars

This story was full of excitement and adventure! Not my usual read, I was hesitant to sit down with it. However, my son and I read it together and we both really enjoyed it. I liked that the writing was basic and easy to understand so my son could enjoy it without constantly interrupting to ask what certain words meant.

The story was about Zan and his missing twin, Dael. After fighting against a lion with the tribes and being the one to actually kill her, Zan becomes known as Zan-Gah. Zan dreams...more

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Jan 26, 2011 Hafsah Faizal rated it 4 of 5 stars

Review written by my 12 year old brother

Pressed by love for his brother and a bad conscience, the hero undertakes a quest which leads to captivity, conflict, love, and triumph. In three years Zan-Gah passes from an uncertain boyhood to a tried and proven manhood, and takes the role of leadership amongst his people.

Allan Shickman writes a fantastic tale in which Zan battles his conflicts while in search of his beloved lost brother. The book has won three awards and has had many positive review...more

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Jan 06, 2011 Mary rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have to admit, I wasn’t sure what I was getting into when I accepted the publisher’s offer to review these two novels but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. The prehistoric world is an unusual setting, and this story immersed the reader in the harsh world.

Zan-Gah, who earned the “Gah” addition to his name when he killed a lion, decides, now that he’s a man, he needs to set out and search for his twin brother, who disappeared several years ago. Zan-Gah is certain...more

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Dec 11, 2010 Marcie rated it 4 of 5 stars

After I read this book for review, I did something I don't normally do. I read it to my children. This book was written for children and I thought what would be better than not only getting an adult perspective but also that of a child. I've learned that just because I like it, doesn't mean my kids will like it. So I enlisted the help of my two kids to help me review this book.
My opinion: I like Zan-Gah. This book was packed full of adventure. The main character Zan-Gah is a courageous boy. He...more After I read this book for review, I did something I don't normally do. I read it to my children. This book was written for children and I thought what would be better than not only getting an adult perspective but also that of a child. I've learned that just because I like it, doesn't mean my kids will like it. So I enlisted the help of my two kids to help me review this book.
My opinion: I like Zan-Gah. This book was packed full of adventure. The main character Zan-Gah is a courageous boy. He leaves on a journey to find his twin, who has been missing for years. He encounters all sorts of obstacles along the way. I loved seeing Zan-Gah mature throughout the story. His character growth was the most interesting part of the story to me. Zan-Gah's survival skills are throughly tested throughout this book. He has ongoing faith and a will to survive that is inspiring. I also loved the setting. It was harsh and beautiful at the same time. Allan Shickman did a fantastic job describing the scenes. The supporting characters were also very well written. I can't think of one thing that I didn't like about this book.

Kids opinion: Both kids liked this book. My son's favorite part was the action. It kept him interested throughout the book. His favorite character is Zan-Gah. He thought Zan-Gah was very brave. My daughter's favorite part was when Zan-Gah killed the lion. She was thrilled by that part of the story. Her favorite character is Lissa-Na. She thought Lissa-Na was not only smart but brave as well.

I was thrilled to share this book with my children. Sometimes I have trouble finding books that I think my son will like. I knew that in the past he's been interested in reading about prehistoric times, so I thought this book would be perfect. I was right. I was even more thrilled that my daughter liked it as well. I definitely recommend this book. There is some violence in this book. However I didn't think it was out of place, after all Zan-Gah lived in harsh times. I used this as an opportunity to talk to my kids and explain about what was going on in the book. We will definitely read the next book Zan-Gah and the Beautiful County(less)

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Dec 01, 2010 Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010-100-book-challenge, books-i-own, signed-books-arcs, mundie-kids-reviews

This is a great pre-historic adventure, following Zan-Gah. At a young age he becomes a fierce and respected warrior, as he killed a lioness with just his spear. Zan-Gah, is a journey and a great pre-historic read, one of which I've never read before. The book follows Zan-Gah as he goes in search of his missing twin brother, who's been gone for a couple years, but has started calling out to Zan in his dreams.

The search nearly kills Zan-Gah and isn't without difficulty, as he travels for over a y...more

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Nov 26, 2010 M.A.CHASE rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book is a signed copy sent to me by EarthShaker Books to read and review. It's about a boy anxious to be a man. He's ready to grow up and be part of the men in his tribe, so he goes on a Lion hunt. His world changes the minute him and the lioness meet eyes. The Lioness pounces Zan and in a second he killed the lion. He got scars on his arms. The head of the north tribes Aniah gave him the name Zan-Gah as honor. From then on he thinks himself as a man and so do the rest of his people. He the...more

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Nov 24, 2010 Brenda Casto rated it 5 of 5 stars

Zan-Gah was a boy anxious to become a man, so when the need arises to hunt down a lion that had killed a child, he insists to his father and mother that he is going, sharpening his spear, he is ready for the hunt. With bravery, skill, and luck he kills the lioness, becoming a respected person among all of the clans.
He starts having dreams about his twin brother, Dael, who had been missing for over a year and presumed dead, and because of a quarrel the brothers had Zan-Gah blamed himself. After...more

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Oct 29, 2010 Leslie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-reviews

In the land of his people Zan, meant hunter. He is a young man in his early teens, preparing for a hunt that could bring more death to his people. It will be his first hunt, not one for hunger, but to keep their tribe
safe and for revenge of the death of a youngster. Once a lion has tasted of human they would not be safe while it still roamed. He would help to hunt it with his father, his uncle and the rest of the men of his tribe.

The hunt required them to create a large circle around the animal...more In the land of his people Zan, meant hunter. He is a young man in his early teens, preparing for a hunt that could bring more death to his people. It will be his first hunt, not one for hunger, but to keep their tribe
safe and for revenge of the death of a youngster. Once a lion has tasted of human they would not be safe while it still roamed. He would help to hunt it with his father, his uncle and the rest of the men of his tribe.

The hunt required them to create a large circle around the animal and make is smaller and smaller, thereby trapping the animal in such a way that he was attacked on all sides, more targets to confuse and annoy it. This lion immediately saw a weakness in the line, a line of tall straight unmovable objects but one. There was one weakness in that impenetrable wall. The lion leaped directly at Zan. With no recourse, Zen stood firm holding his
spear steadied by the ground. The lion was impaled, but Zan was marked by his claws. The cry immediately went up…..Zan-Gah, Zan-Gah. He had now just become a man, Zan the rock, immovable as a rock, solid in the face of danger.

As the celebration died down, Zan has made a life changing decision. He, who had been born one of a twin, had lost his brother the prior year. He did not feel that loss in his soul. Because this was so, he knows that his brother is not dead. Originally his family had thought that he too had been killed by one of the great cats, but with no success at finding his body, Zan was now sure he was lost, or taken by one of the many other tribes as a slave. With his newly found manhood, Zan has decided that his task has been set. He will follow the trail of his brother and not return home without him. A time of growth in a young mans life, of making a mark on the world. Will he reach his objective?

This is the story of Zan and his adventures in the prehistoric land of earth, living off the land, learning the customs of the others and searching for his lost twin.

In Zan-Gah, Allan Richard Shickman has given us a glimpse into the earth of long ago. He has described a time and place, rich with imagination, and believable in context. The country is described in detail and the descriptions bring the time to life. We meet different groups of cavemen and learn much of a culture that could have been how life really was on prehistoric earth. The weapons, and skins, as well as the face paintings are described in vivid detail. It is easy to visualize the meeting and fear of the most vicious of the groups.

Zan is a strong young man with a goal that he has set for himself. He will not let anything deter him. He has seen the ways of the world since he was a child and understands the dangers that he will face. He willingly accepts the challenge. He is extremely brave, and well tutored in the intricacies of dealing with others. Because there have been wars between the tribes for as long as could be remembered, there is knowledge of their ways as well.

The story is well told and the descriptions make it easy to visualize the time and place. This is a great book for the young adult reader, but also a fun story for anyone that would be interested in a story of bravery and courage. A story rich in life and adventure.

This book was recieved as a free copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own based of my reading and understanding of the material(less)

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Aug 02, 2010 Bookworm rated it 4 of 5 stars

In this first book, Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure, Zan, who is in his early teens, lives in prehistoric times. He lives with his parents in a tightknit clan. There has been a hunt called, for a lioness who has killed a child. The males of each clan are coming together for the hunt. By a stroke of luck, Zan kills the lioness. Zan was given the name Zan-Gah, meaning Zan of the Rock, because he was immovable in the face of great danger.

Zan-Gah decides to set off in search of his twin brother, D...more

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Jul 19, 2010 Rhiannon Ryder rated it 4 of 5 stars

Sent to me by the kind people over at Earthshaker books, Zan-Gah is the story of one boys exploits, growing up in prehistoric times. After killing the man eater lioness plaguing their home, Zan sets out to find his lost twin Dael. To find him, Zan must commune with the other tribes despite their historical animosity, he must trek through unforgiving, unknown lands, and most importantly he must grow into the man that killing the lioness has made him.

Despite the less than promising covers, Zan-Gah...more

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Jul 13, 2010 Fiction State Of Mind (Kai Charles) rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 Good Reads

Zan-Gah is a very enjoyable Young Adult novel set during prehistoric times. We are introduced to Young Zan as he and his tribe are...more

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Jul 01, 2010 Cynthia (A Blog about Nothing) rated it 3 of 5 stars

After Zan kills the lion that he was hunting with his clan he is honored by them and the neighboring clans and is given his new name Zan-Gah which means Zan of the Rock. But Zan is not completely happy, he misses his twin brother that disappeared a year before after they got into an argument. Zan makes up his mind after having dreams about his twin Dael, and convinces his family that he is going in search of his brother.

At first it took me a while to really get into the book, it is totally diffe...more After Zan kills the lion that he was hunting with his clan he is honored by them and the neighboring clans and is given his new name Zan-Gah which means Zan of the Rock. But Zan is not completely happy, he misses his twin brother that disappeared a year before after they got into an argument. Zan makes up his mind after having dreams about his twin Dael, and convinces his family that he is going in search of his brother.

At first it took me a while to really get into the book, it is totally different from anything else that I read and that's why I decided to give it a try, it was definitely different. There's not a lot of dialogue in the story which kind of bothered me at the beginning but after Zan-Gah leaves his family to go in search of his brother I started getting into it more. The book is mainly told from a narrator's pov with really detailed descriptions that helped me picture everything a little bit better. Zan is a great main character, brave and very intelligent. He's willing to risk his life to find his brother or at least find out what happened to him. He goes into an adventure filled journey where he meets the other clans, goes through captivity, finds himself in a lot of dangerous situations, and befriends some interesting characters.

When Zan finds his brother he realizes that he is not the same boy he used to know. Dael is deeply disturbed, depressed, and he seems violent at times. Neither Zan nor the reader know what really happened to Dael but one can only imagine that he had suffered a lot after being imprisoned in a small cage for a long time and taken from one clan to another. It was definitely a great story of strong family love and courage, there's a lot of details on the different cultures and beliefs of the clans which I found very interesting and fun to read. Even though I liked this book I think in my opinion is more of a MG than a YA which is what the book says it is. I would definitely recommend this one to middle grade boys as I think they would enjoy it a lot more. (less)

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May 03, 2010 Heather rated it 3 of 5 stars

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 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 d...more

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May 02, 2010 Audrey (holes In My brain) rated it 3 of 5 stars

So going into this book, I really expected nothing. It was my first go at a prehistoric novel, and I was glad it started off with a bang or else my attention would have wavered. The lion hunt really set up the whole premise, with really cool details and introducing an unique setting. I like the way the hunt was described, with the tribes and the traps.

The plot itself was well done, I enjoyed reading about Zan’s adventure and “quest” to find his twin brother. I thought the obstacles he had to get...more So going into this book, I really expected nothing. It was my first go at a prehistoric novel, and I was glad it started off with a bang or else my attention would have wavered. The lion hunt really set up the whole premise, with really cool details and introducing an unique setting. I like the way the hunt was described, with the tribes and the traps.

The plot itself was well done, I enjoyed reading about Zan’s adventure and “quest” to find his twin brother. I thought the obstacles he had to get through in order to find Dael were well written and unique. At the beginning, I was worried I would get all the names mixed up (like I do for fantasy novels) but the author made it easy to remember them.

I’m not sure how I felt about the ending, it was a bit too nicely wrapped up, but I was happy with what happened. My favourite parts of the book would be the dramatic action scenes which I thought the author wrote wonderfully.

However, somewhere along the novel, I felt the pacing began to waver. One of the things that bothered me was that after such a big build-up to significant events, it was like “One year passed..” which left me kind of disoriented if you can say that. I thought that while some scenes were described in vivid detail, other ones were just pushed aside.

The characters themselves could probably have been developed better, but I don’t really have anything bad to say about them. I did feel the interactions between characters felt forced. The relationships between the characters I couldn’t really identify with (probably because it was prehistoric…) especially between Zan and Lissa-Na. I thought his feelings were bipolar at times. Zan himself is strong and determined, and generally a likeable character. You can’t help but cheer for him as you read about his struggles and triumphs. I do wish Dael was a bit more fleshed out though.

Lastly, I thought the writing was decent. It provided an amazing insight to prehistoric times, and the novel was rich in details—sometimes a bit too rich. Things felt a bit over-described at times, but some other times it was just perfect. It was a bit of a hit-and-miss for me, some times I felt engaged, and sometimes I didn’t.

2.5/5- because I thought it had a good action and plot but characters weren't developed very well. I wish the writing was a bit more engaging. It felt like a lot of telling, not enough showing. The general plotline will keep you (hopefully) hooked because it is usually fast paced and filled with very unique events.

I would recommend this to people looking for a fun, fast read in a very unique genre! And it is probably more appealing to tween and teen boys, but warning: there are some violent scenes/bloodshed if you’re feeling queasy.(less)

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Apr 26, 2010 Donna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Reading this book was like trying a new food: your tongue doesn't really know how to react to it. It's neither good nor bad. It's definitely not bad but your tongue hasn't decided if it actually likes it yet. It might need a few more tastes to adjust.

This book is by far unique to anything I've ever read, in YA or not. How many books out there tell a story from the point of view of a kid living 10,000 years ago? It's a world we know very little about and all of his experiences are entirely new wh...more Reading this book was like trying a new food: your tongue doesn't really know how to react to it. It's neither good nor bad. It's definitely not bad but your tongue hasn't decided if it actually likes it yet. It might need a few more tastes to adjust.

This book is by far unique to anything I've ever read, in YA or not. How many books out there tell a story from the point of view of a kid living 10,000 years ago? It's a world we know very little about and all of his experiences are entirely new while his emotions are ones that transcend time. Wanting to find a missing brother, playing the opossum when you know you should, stepping up to the plate when it's your time to hit. All of those raw emotions are there without being supplemented by cars, iPods or lockers. It makes it interesting, like a new spice you're not used to yet.

I'd say the only deterrent for me was the voice of the book. It was a little stilted but at the same time, just what is the voice of a 15 year old that could tell you what a Sabretooth tiger tasted like? He's not going to sound like us, he's not going to relay information the same way. Hell, he doesn't even wear shoes! So there is a distance there but at the same time it doesn't make Zan-Gah unattainable. I was able to connect with him on his entire journey.

It was very interesting to read but I still don't know if I like it. It hasn't swished around in my mouth long enough, I guess. It's weird. I read through it pretty quickly. I was compelled to keep reading by the story. I guess because it's so different that it's kind of hard to digest. That doesn't make it a bad thing. It's just . . . interesting.

As I said, the only real turn-off for me was the voice. Other than that, it told a good story filled with suspense, action, hope and love. You get to look into the lives of people that no longer exist, in a time long past, and you get to see just how raw it all was. It's like reading the Natural History Museum in book form but with personality and life. In order to read this, though, you'd have to be really willing for something different. Like getting up the nerve to try sushi for the first time. Or frogs legs. It's an acquired taste. Not that it tastes bad when you first try it but the flavor doesn't really develop until you sit and think about it. This isn't your standard historical fiction, that's for sure.

But I am looking forward to reading the sequel. It's all about Gael, Zan-Gah's twin brother, who was kidnapped by these crazy people and then sold into slavery. He's got some real PTSD issues to deal with and it's just interesting looking as psychology 10,000 years ago. The notion of a broken soul that they use is just amazing.(less)

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Mar 29, 2010 Dwayne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010-reads, for-review

Reviewed @ Girls Without a Bookshelf

With the saturation of the YA market with futuristic and dystopian adventure novel, reading Zan Gah was a fresh distraction. When Earthshaker books asked me whether I wanted to review the book I could never have said no even if I wanted to. I'm an aspiring archaeologist, and the fact that Zan Gah features adventure with my archaeological weakness ... you get the point.

Zan Gah is a fast-paced, vivid and riveting read that excited my adventurous, archaeology-cra...more Reviewed @ Girls Without a Bookshelf

With the saturation of the YA market with futuristic and dystopian adventure novel, reading Zan Gah was a fresh distraction. When Earthshaker books asked me whether I wanted to review the book I could never have said no even if I wanted to. I'm an aspiring archaeologist, and the fact that Zan Gah features adventure with my archaeological weakness ... you get the point.

Zan Gah is a fast-paced, vivid and riveting read that excited my adventurous, archaeology-crazy self. The prehistoric landscape at which the adventures of Zan Gah was set was richly depicted and impressively pictured. Never was the description overpowering - it was just a delicate balance of the right words, which supported well the prehistoric setting. At certain scenes, I could almost see it as vividly as if I myself were part of Zan Gah's adventures and misfortunes; there were times I felt as if my ears have been filled with war cries and drum beats and my heart racing even though I was quite at peace reading on the lounge. Such is Allan Richard Shickman's talent in story-telling that I, a reader from the faraway future, almost tangibly experienced the adventure and appreciated, not to mention completely envied, the beauty of the unrestrained nature of Zan Gah's time.

Each of the characters in the book were well drawn and were given sufficient attention, so each of them grows to be relatable, admirable, individual and most of all alive. Personally it is this fact - that I found the characters so wholly described and personified that they take on life - that made the adventures in the book so engaging. I also vastly enjoyed each of the clans and the respective culture that is introduced to the reader as Zan Gah interacts with them. Best of all, I value the brotherhood that drives the hero - the bond he shares with his twin, Dael, but also with his family, friends, Rydl and Chul, and neighouring comrades.

Although the book starts off slow and have few and ignorable inconsistencies with its pacing, I found that the tension was set well and Shickman's ability to pull the strings together and let go of the tension at the most crucial point in the plot proves well to its readers. The writing style reminds me of Philip Pullman, the master story teller whose works I can only praise. Indeed, Shickman's Zan Gah is well suited suited for both the young and the old, and everyone else in between.

Having said that however, I must also mention that the cover completely deprives the book justice. One look at it and I would never have inched closer to it on a bookstore shelf. Such beautiful, award-winning book deserves more than the less-than-flattering cover. Although an important aspect of the plot, I think the lioness is not the definitive part of the novel, so I keep wondering why it is featured so prominently on the cover. More so, the cover makes the book look as if it is a children's picture book, which is completely misleading as it is very well capable of catering to the older generation.

Nonetheless, do not let the cover deter you! Zan Gah is an exciting adventurous read sure to entertain both the young and the old.(less)

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Jul 03, 2011 Rachelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

I had no idea what to expect from this book except for it being set in a prehistoric era. When I picked it up to start reading, I wondered if I really wanted to begin it when I had so many other books to read. However, once I actually made my way through the book I became fascinated with this boy-to-man story.

Zan starts off as that kid who is trying so hard to be a man. His journey to manhood had me gasping, laughing and ready to turn the next page so I could see what happened next! Zan is the t...more

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Jan 30, 2011 Faye rated it 4 of 5 stars

Allan R. Shickman wrote a beautiful tale about a young boy named Zan-later to be known as Zan-Gah. It really is a marvelous story and I really enjoyed it. I recommend it to everyone, if you like YA, which I'm assuming you do and that's why your my blog follower. 'Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure' is told as a story about Zan-Gah who lived a long, long, long time ago. Mr. Shickman does an incredible job of describing what life was like back then and how wild not only the animals, but the people r...more Allan R. Shickman wrote a beautiful tale about a young boy named Zan-later to be known as Zan-Gah. It really is a marvelous story and I really enjoyed it. I recommend it to everyone, if you like YA, which I'm assuming you do and that's why your my blog follower. 'Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure' is told as a story about Zan-Gah who lived a long, long, long time ago. Mr. Shickman does an incredible job of describing what life was like back then and how wild not only the animals, but the people really were. It gives you an in-depth look into life as it was back then, in prehistoric times.

Zan and his kindred lived in that dim period when there was no safety but that supplied by strength and cunning, when there were no laws but those imposed by nature and by humankind's own fierce desire to survive. People faced a constant danger, and not many lived to be old.

Shickman really gets the point across about how dangerous life was back then and just the intense realism of it all. The story starts out with Zan, and the rest of his tribe, prepping to hunt a lion that has been tormenting them. Zan is very young and would not have normally been allowed to go on a hunt but his father agreed against his mothers wishes. The whole lion hunt scenario has an underlying meaning, at least to me. All of these opposing clans/tribes worked together and pulled all their strength to try and defeat a common enemy. That being the lioness that is killing their people. Despite the fact that they are enemies, they work together. So the message being exactly that, if you put your differences aside and work together, you can achieve anything.

Shickman wrote with so much description and passion that it was easy to envision everything as you read along. You can literally see what Zan sees and sometimes, it can be very gruesome. Which leads me into how amazing Zan-Gah is as a character. He is so brave! It's astounding. During the lion hunt scene, my heart was racing and I was anticipating the worst. But Zan-Gah never let his fear show and never even thought about defending himself. It was like second nature to him and he just knew what he had to do to survive, even though it was his first hunt. Oh, I should mention that in the beginning of the book Zan-Gah starts out as just Zan but through his bravery and amazing conquest he earns the name Zan-Gah. It explains it all in the book, read it and you'll find out!

I really liked reading about everything with the tribes/clans. It was interesting to see their perspectives on different things in their day to day lives. And I'm sure, that even though this is a fictional story, it's accurate. Like one thing that stuck out to me was to hear how scars were like sacred markings. They even go as far to use a special healing substance that has ink in it (almost like a tattoo right?) that preserves the scars and makes them stand out.

They rubbed Zan's wounds with an inky substance which would aid in the healing, but leave dark marks when the wounds closed.

I liked when Zan-Gah was talking to the great elder, Aniah, from a different clan. As the reader, I learned a lot of valuable information about the world they live in, about the different clans and why all these clans are at war with each other. After Zan-Gah visits with Aniah he continues on his journey. I love the fact that the gift Aniah gave him was completely precious. It was such a crucial part of life for them:

It was a kit for making fire, consisting of a straight, pointed stick, a strap, and two small blocks of wood, plus some very dry grass.

What a treasure!

I found myself becoming more and more intrigued with Zan-Gah the more I read. I loved reading about Zan-Gah's different encounters with not only the clansmen, but the dangerous animals as well. He was always very brave and is so grown up for how young he is. Even in the face of imminent danger or a threatening situation, he remains calm and thinks logically. He outsmarts his attackers by quick thoughts and actions even though he could be killed in an instant.

Besides Zan-Gah, my second favorite character in the book (at least to read about) was Chul, the giant, and his tiny wife, Siraka-Finaka.

Standing on her toes, her nose just reached to his navel! But if she was small in size, she was mighty in spirit.

Each chapter in 'Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure' is like it's own mini adventure. Zan going from place to place and confronting animals or people. There is always something going on in every chapter. There is not one dull chapter in the whole book! There's so much more I want to tell everyone about this book but, then I would spoil the book for you.(less)

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Aug 19, 2011 L. Carroll rated it 4 of 5 stars

4.5 out of 5 stars.

When Bonnie at Earthshaker Books asked if I would read and review the ZAN-GAH books, by Allan Richard Shickman, I was slightly dubious. You see, my genres of choice are epic fantasy and classic literature, but as a home-school mom, I concluded that the books might be good reads for my thirteen-year-old son, and so agreed; I am glad that I did. This is a beautifully written, engaging story, set in prehistoric times, about the coming of age of a boy named Zan.

In the first book...more

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Feb 28, 2011 Adam rated it 2 of 5 stars

Zan-Gah by Allan Richard Shickman
Final Verdict: 2.25 out of 4.0

YTD: 12

Plot/Story:
2 – Plot/Story could work with further development.

Zan-Gah is a prehistoric adventure tale of young Zan, a tribal boy and twin brother, who earns his name “Zan-Gah” after fearlessly slaying a dangerous lioness and, in the eyes of the local clans, proves himself a hero and future leader. The book spans more than a year (or more, with flashbacks), in which time Zan goes on a journey to find his lost twin brother, who...more

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Jun 10, 2010 Nikki (Wicked Awesome Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: action-adventure, adventure, historical-fiction, ya, read-in-2010, series, for-review

Zan is on the hunt for a lion. The animal attacked and killed a young girl and his clan, along with rival clans, drop their qualms with one another to dispose of the beast. When Zan single-handedly slays the animal, he is honored and revered. In his heart though, he is alone. Zan’s twin brother, Dael, disappeared a year ago and after Zan’s triumph over the lion, he sets off to triumph over the unknown land and bring his brother home. The only problem is that Zan meets many enemies and obstacles...more Zan is on the hunt for a lion. The animal attacked and killed a young girl and his clan, along with rival clans, drop their qualms with one another to dispose of the beast. When Zan single-handedly slays the animal, he is honored and revered. In his heart though, he is alone. Zan’s twin brother, Dael, disappeared a year ago and after Zan’s triumph over the lion, he sets off to triumph over the unknown land and bring his brother home. The only problem is that Zan meets many enemies and obstacles along the way. Can he find Dael and bring him home? More importantly, will Dael even want to come home?

Allan Richard Shickman has done something entirely unique in the YA community with Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure. The story takes place during a time that is impossible to fully imagine, but Shickman brings it to life with such vivid takes this unknown landscape and this unknown world and brings it to life. It is truly a one of a kind book. Shickman’s writing brings about a thrilling, at times fearful tension that builds and builds.
And their voices, combining with the percussion of their rude instruments, wrought a pitch of noise so fearful that it reached into Zan’s very entrails and bewitched the hairs on his head. ~ pg. 12
The primitive nature of Zan’s people is beyond interesting and makes for an fast-paced and exciting novel.

Zan’s story is not only entertaining, but it is absorbing. Zan’s journey to rescue is brother is based around his devotion and love to Dael. The emotion behind Zan’s entire journey never wavers and it will resonate with each and every reader. Shickman’s writing provokes such a beautiful and sometimes barren image that you will feel like you are there with Zan each step of the way.

This is story that readers both young and old will enjoy. There’s plenty of action and adventure to keep you on the edge of your seat, but the emotion in the story is also evident throughout. By the novels end, you will love Zan-Gah, you will respect him, and you will long to join him on other adventures.

Opening line: From a long distance a traveler, or some wild thing, might see within the deep and absolute blackness of night an intense orange light which looked from afar like a glowing coal. ~ pg. 3

Favorite line: It was plain to see that the landscape of Dael’s soul was charred; the wind had blown a fire through and everything living had been burnt to blackness. ~ pg. 109
(less)

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Mar 06, 2010 Freda mans rated it 4 of 5 stars

This story had everything you could want in an adventure. Making you turn the page to find out what happens next, as you follow the life of one very courageous lad. There were times in this book where I really wondered if this is what life would have been like, and I think the author captured that beautifully.
Such a thought provoking and well told tale, one that I did quite enjoy.
My only criticism is the authors' use of larger words. I, as an adult, enjoy learning new words and have no problem l...more

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