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Nahia
A sweeping romantic epic set in the wild and dangerous world of prehistoric Europe!
Spain, 8,000 years ago. As Headwoman’s daughter, eighteen-year-old Nahia was born to lead. But when she speaks aloud a forbidden truth—that her people are facing a growing threat of invasion—her expectations are shattered when she’s punished with exile and apprenticed to the enigmatic shaman Eneko instead.
With her sister Izara made the new heir and her world upended, Nahia is sent away with a young man she barely knows. Deep in the wilds, however, she uncovers a shocking talent for divining messages from the spirits and channelling their turbulent powers. But these visions come to show her that her people are in terrible danger. . . and they need her. Nahia will have to use every advantage she has to save her beloved people—and her sister.
In this powerful upper YA with crossover appeal, archaeologist Emily Jones transports us to a rugged world of pine forests, frothy beaches, and wild magic, and masterfully depicts passionate first love, conquest, green sorcery, the unbreakable bond between sisters, and untamed, unashamed female power. Utterly unique and shockingly good, this is a knockout debut, perfect for fans of Jean M. Auel, Adrienne Young, Chloe Gong, Claire M. Andrews, and Rachel Griffin.
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!
"BREATHTAKINGLY, BRILLIANTLY NEW... I couldn't put this one down!"—Claire M. Andrews, Daughter of Sparta
"ENTHRALLING."—Publishers Weekly
"TREMENDOUS... Masterful storytelling."—Dr. William Taylor, Curator of Archaeology and author of Hoof Beats
Spain, 8,000 years ago. As Headwoman’s daughter, eighteen-year-old Nahia was born to lead. But when she speaks aloud a forbidden truth—that her people are facing a growing threat of invasion—her expectations are shattered when she’s punished with exile and apprenticed to the enigmatic shaman Eneko instead.
With her sister Izara made the new heir and her world upended, Nahia is sent away with a young man she barely knows. Deep in the wilds, however, she uncovers a shocking talent for divining messages from the spirits and channelling their turbulent powers. But these visions come to show her that her people are in terrible danger. . . and they need her. Nahia will have to use every advantage she has to save her beloved people—and her sister.
In this powerful upper YA with crossover appeal, archaeologist Emily Jones transports us to a rugged world of pine forests, frothy beaches, and wild magic, and masterfully depicts passionate first love, conquest, green sorcery, the unbreakable bond between sisters, and untamed, unashamed female power. Utterly unique and shockingly good, this is a knockout debut, perfect for fans of Jean M. Auel, Adrienne Young, Chloe Gong, Claire M. Andrews, and Rachel Griffin.
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!
"BREATHTAKINGLY, BRILLIANTLY NEW... I couldn't put this one down!"—Claire M. Andrews, Daughter of Sparta
"ENTHRALLING."—Publishers Weekly
"TREMENDOUS... Masterful storytelling."—Dr. William Taylor, Curator of Archaeology and author of Hoof Beats
320 pages, Hardcover
First published April 15, 2025
7 people are currently reading
3507 people want to read
About the author
Emily Jones
1 book16 followersEmily Lena Jones is a writer, photographer, and professor of anthropology and faculty associate of the Latin American and Iberian Institute and Center for Stable Isotopes at the University of New Mexico. She studies past human-environment interactions through the lens of archaeological animal remains, with a particular interest in the connections between humans, non-human animals, and environmental change.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
April 13, 2025
“I am not responsible for any choices but my own. And that means I am free to do what I know is right.
Nahia is the first daughter of a Mesolithic tribe. All is well until unknown people advance down the coast, raising forests and unusual dwellings, defeating and absorbing the neighboring tribes.
Told in Nahia’s voice, we experience her hero’s journey. She has many dangers and trials to overcome, such as finding one’s voice and internal strength, standing up to protect others over oneself, persevering when forward does not seem to be an option, when to love and when to let go.
Emily Jones has created a unique and admirable portrayal of the possible experiences one may have encountered during the Mesolithic- Neolithic Transition. She has a way of expressing humanity, shared over millennia. I loved her detailed portrayal of nature and the shamanic bonds with nature. The post-script describing the actual time from an anthropological lens was ever-so fascinating.
- Sara W.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Nahia is the first daughter of a Mesolithic tribe. All is well until unknown people advance down the coast, raising forests and unusual dwellings, defeating and absorbing the neighboring tribes.
Told in Nahia’s voice, we experience her hero’s journey. She has many dangers and trials to overcome, such as finding one’s voice and internal strength, standing up to protect others over oneself, persevering when forward does not seem to be an option, when to love and when to let go.
Emily Jones has created a unique and admirable portrayal of the possible experiences one may have encountered during the Mesolithic- Neolithic Transition. She has a way of expressing humanity, shared over millennia. I loved her detailed portrayal of nature and the shamanic bonds with nature. The post-script describing the actual time from an anthropological lens was ever-so fascinating.
- Sara W.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 10, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and Holiday House for ARC of this book!
The first thing to catch my interest when looking at Nahia was the interesting cover, but what really made me what to read it was the Author's archaeological background. What kind of fiction book would an archaeologist write? Would their background lend a hand to the story in an interesting way? Would I be able to pick it out if it is there?
I'm happy to say that it was exactly what I was hoping for. I'm a huge fan of "sneaking in" learning while reading something for fun -- because, for 1, I don't always pick up non-fiction books for pleasure, and 2, I like to learn casually. Also, being a middle school librarian, I know how important it is to sneak in learning under the guise of fun because... well... middle schoolers.
The beginning of Nahia really highlights what life could have been like from day-to-day in the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition. I found myself nodding when reading about the hunter and gatherer tasks, what the band ate, their summer and winter camps, and lots of other things that I remember learning in my anthropology courses in college. Emily Jones did a great job setting up the story and teaching about the realities of these people's lives at the same time. Even though the extent of my learning was focused the Americas, I felt that a lot of Nahia could've been somewhat interchangeable despite it clearly being European, which I enjoyed a lot since it reminded me of what I already knew.
I felt that the spiritual journeys were interesting, if a little confusing, but that is the nature of drug induced hallucinations. I believe that Jones does a good job of describing the spiritual journeys in a way that feels magical to Nahia (based on what she knows about her world), to help us readers in the modern world see why her trips would feel so powerful, as we in modern times know what's going on and she does not.
I enjoyed that the ending was
Lastly, after the story ends, Jones includes more information about her decision making for Nahia and extra information about the time period -- which is always a huge plus for me! Yay, learning! I haven't read many fiction books about Mesolithic/Neolithic peoples, so including further background information about them and other sources for nerds like me who love anthropology was extra sweet.
This is a book that I would love to have on our shelves for the 8th graders to teach them more about a time period that is only touched on so briefly in their history classes. It really puts you in the shoes of a naturalist whose entire life is the world around her, watching as the wave of change comes crashing down. But, the attempted SA makes me think this book is more geared towards high school, though, so I'll only be singing its praises to the high school librarians! And buying a copy for my shelf at home. :]
The first thing to catch my interest when looking at Nahia was the interesting cover, but what really made me what to read it was the Author's archaeological background. What kind of fiction book would an archaeologist write? Would their background lend a hand to the story in an interesting way? Would I be able to pick it out if it is there?
I'm happy to say that it was exactly what I was hoping for. I'm a huge fan of "sneaking in" learning while reading something for fun -- because, for 1, I don't always pick up non-fiction books for pleasure, and 2, I like to learn casually. Also, being a middle school librarian, I know how important it is to sneak in learning under the guise of fun because... well... middle schoolers.
The beginning of Nahia really highlights what life could have been like from day-to-day in the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition. I found myself nodding when reading about the hunter and gatherer tasks, what the band ate, their summer and winter camps, and lots of other things that I remember learning in my anthropology courses in college. Emily Jones did a great job setting up the story and teaching about the realities of these people's lives at the same time. Even though the extent of my learning was focused the Americas, I felt that a lot of Nahia could've been somewhat interchangeable despite it clearly being European, which I enjoyed a lot since it reminded me of what I already knew.
I felt that the spiritual journeys were interesting, if a little confusing, but that is the nature of drug induced hallucinations. I believe that Jones does a good job of describing the spiritual journeys in a way that feels magical to Nahia (based on what she knows about her world), to help us readers in the modern world see why her trips would feel so powerful, as we in modern times know what's going on and she does not.
I enjoyed that the ending was
Lastly, after the story ends, Jones includes more information about her decision making for Nahia and extra information about the time period -- which is always a huge plus for me! Yay, learning! I haven't read many fiction books about Mesolithic/Neolithic peoples, so including further background information about them and other sources for nerds like me who love anthropology was extra sweet.
This is a book that I would love to have on our shelves for the 8th graders to teach them more about a time period that is only touched on so briefly in their history classes. It really puts you in the shoes of a naturalist whose entire life is the world around her, watching as the wave of change comes crashing down. But, the attempted SA makes me think this book is more geared towards high school, though, so I'll only be singing its praises to the high school librarians! And buying a copy for my shelf at home. :]
April 24, 2025
I know this book doesn’t need a sequel…but I need a sequel. Hell, I’ll take a novella
April 18, 2025
Such a unique concept to present us Stone Age Cave People YA novel.
I was joking that YA went through trends of eras like Ancient Greece, Medieval, Regency, Victorian, Gilded Age, Prohibition... and what if we went the opposite direction and wrote a book about the Stone Age? Well, this book is the answer to my question. While there were explorations of that era like The Clan of the Cave Bear or Wolf Brother, they are very few in comparison to how many Ancient Greek, Medieval and 19th century YA we've seen across the years.
I'm glad we've gotten a YA novel showcasing that time period, written by an archaeologist and supported by lots of research. I feel it has a lot of educational value while still remaining an engaging read. The plot is more slice of life and there are very small fantastical / religious elements relating to Shamanism and their powers and "visions", but we can classify it as historical reflecting the beliefs of the people. It's very light on any supernatural elements.
The story follows Nahia, the daughter of the leader of a hunter-gatherer tribe, but she's never seeing eye to eye with her mother the headwoman, so instead she's assigned as an apprentice to a shaman. She has mixed feelings about it - is it an exile or a sign of appreciation of her unique perspective? The plot is more about her journey, physical and emotional, showcasing the social life, flora and fauna, food, clothing and equipment and even art and religious beliefs. It also introduces a conflict between hunters-gatherers and a new group of people who are leading a stationary life of agriculture and animal husbandry.
The flora, fauna and terrain is supposed to reflect the area in Northern Spain iirc. Some are very local to it, some are common European animals and plants. It gave me a bit of a nostalgic vibe overall.
My only criticism is that the book is very on-the-nose in reminding us "men are rapists". While there are a few "good ones" who follow some code of honour, there are multiple scenes or recalled stories reminding how men are a danger to women. Maybe it is realism and historical accuracy, but there were many other unpleasant "realistic" issues like tribal wars, disease, starvation, death of infected wounds and so forth that aren't put in such spotlight as "girls, beware of men".
Since it's YA, nothing graphic happens on page and in one case when mc is assaulted it gets stopped before it fully happens, but she still feels anxiety and the after-effects of trauma of attempted SA. There is a resolution and the assaulters meet an unpleasant fate later, but I'm still left wondering: is that the most important lesson we want the reader to remember about Stone Age people? That men are drunkards and rapists? Oh yeah, there are a couple of scenes portraying men drinking alcohol ("fermented honey" and later "fermented barley") and in one they're actively dodging work while women toil. I just found this emphasis from the author odd.
One element I enjoyed is that there was a side character, a boy who wanted to leave the hunters and join the gatherers and he was allowed to do so without being treated as doing something unthinkable or going against the society rules. However, I wish we got more exploration of the subject what about queer people or people who didn't conform to their expected gender role. It's not really mentioned much.
By the way, the cover is absolutely delightful with its attention to detail reflecting elements from the book like the necklace, the tattoo or the horned owl. Big props to the artist.
Thank you Netgalley and Holiday House for the ARC!
I was joking that YA went through trends of eras like Ancient Greece, Medieval, Regency, Victorian, Gilded Age, Prohibition... and what if we went the opposite direction and wrote a book about the Stone Age? Well, this book is the answer to my question. While there were explorations of that era like The Clan of the Cave Bear or Wolf Brother, they are very few in comparison to how many Ancient Greek, Medieval and 19th century YA we've seen across the years.
I'm glad we've gotten a YA novel showcasing that time period, written by an archaeologist and supported by lots of research. I feel it has a lot of educational value while still remaining an engaging read. The plot is more slice of life and there are very small fantastical / religious elements relating to Shamanism and their powers and "visions", but we can classify it as historical reflecting the beliefs of the people. It's very light on any supernatural elements.
The story follows Nahia, the daughter of the leader of a hunter-gatherer tribe, but she's never seeing eye to eye with her mother the headwoman, so instead she's assigned as an apprentice to a shaman. She has mixed feelings about it - is it an exile or a sign of appreciation of her unique perspective? The plot is more about her journey, physical and emotional, showcasing the social life, flora and fauna, food, clothing and equipment and even art and religious beliefs. It also introduces a conflict between hunters-gatherers and a new group of people who are leading a stationary life of agriculture and animal husbandry.
The flora, fauna and terrain is supposed to reflect the area in Northern Spain iirc. Some are very local to it, some are common European animals and plants. It gave me a bit of a nostalgic vibe overall.
My only criticism is that the book is very on-the-nose in reminding us "men are rapists". While there are a few "good ones" who follow some code of honour, there are multiple scenes or recalled stories reminding how men are a danger to women. Maybe it is realism and historical accuracy, but there were many other unpleasant "realistic" issues like tribal wars, disease, starvation, death of infected wounds and so forth that aren't put in such spotlight as "girls, beware of men".
Since it's YA, nothing graphic happens on page and in one case when mc is assaulted it gets stopped before it fully happens, but she still feels anxiety and the after-effects of trauma of attempted SA. There is a resolution and the assaulters meet an unpleasant fate later, but I'm still left wondering: is that the most important lesson we want the reader to remember about Stone Age people? That men are drunkards and rapists? Oh yeah, there are a couple of scenes portraying men drinking alcohol ("fermented honey" and later "fermented barley") and in one they're actively dodging work while women toil. I just found this emphasis from the author odd.
One element I enjoyed is that there was a side character, a boy who wanted to leave the hunters and join the gatherers and he was allowed to do so without being treated as doing something unthinkable or going against the society rules. However, I wish we got more exploration of the subject what about queer people or people who didn't conform to their expected gender role. It's not really mentioned much.
By the way, the cover is absolutely delightful with its attention to detail reflecting elements from the book like the necklace, the tattoo or the horned owl. Big props to the artist.
Thank you Netgalley and Holiday House for the ARC!
April 21, 2025
Thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC.
A story of a young woman learning who she is and stepping into her power, set in a time before historical record. As soon as I read the premise I was all in and the book delivered. I really enjoyed this one from start to finish (do NOT skip the author’s notes at the end) and would love to see more from this author.
A story of a young woman learning who she is and stepping into her power, set in a time before historical record. As soon as I read the premise I was all in and the book delivered. I really enjoyed this one from start to finish (do NOT skip the author’s notes at the end) and would love to see more from this author.
March 31, 2025
I think this book personally just wasn't for me. I think it could have benefited more from being 3rd person pov, as the 1st person just kind of made it feel too modern? And some of the conversations as well. A book described as prehistoric and someone saying "See you later" just felt so weird to me. It really just kept taking me out of the story.
I really didn't care for any of the characters and I really didn't like the sister, who seemed to be 90% of Nahia's focus. Which, I understand, but it was too much. She felt far too inconsistent.
I also would have liked more of the shamanism. I would have loved to have gotten more of her actually learning because it felt like we didn't get enough of that. It was a lot of her saying her visions were just dreams and not visions, so it never felt as though she really embraced it like I wanted.
Overall, the synopsis really sounded like something I'd be interested in, but it really wasn't for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC.
I really didn't care for any of the characters and I really didn't like the sister, who seemed to be 90% of Nahia's focus. Which, I understand, but it was too much. She felt far too inconsistent.
I also would have liked more of the shamanism. I would have loved to have gotten more of her actually learning because it felt like we didn't get enough of that. It was a lot of her saying her visions were just dreams and not visions, so it never felt as though she really embraced it like I wanted.
Overall, the synopsis really sounded like something I'd be interested in, but it really wasn't for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC.
May 6, 2025
This book is a unique mix of historical fiction and spiritual coming-of-age story. The story follows Nahia, the strong-willed daughter of a tribal leader, who’s exiled after clashing with her mother. As she trains under a wise shaman, she begins to uncover her inner power and purpose. Jones, an archaeologist, brings the ancient world to life with rich detail. While the pace can be slow at times, the emotional depth and Nahia’s personal growth makes up for it. If you enjoy stories about self-discovery, ancient traditions, and strong female leads, you will like this one! Thank you Holiday House and Emily Jones for sharing this book with me!
March 4, 2025
Nahia is a hard book to rate. It written by an actual archaeologist about a fictional pre-historic woman who becomes a powerful shaman. It's a coming of age tale reminiscent of The Clan of the Cave Bear in style and writing. I think it will appeal to the audience that did read Clan of the Cave Bear and liked it. I didn't like COTCB, and liked this better, but I had similar issues with this story that I did with that one. It was hard to feel emotionally connected to Nahia, there is a lot of telling versus finding on your own. While the shamanism is so interesting, to me it just didn't ever feel very impactful, which is wild because it's a HUGE component of this book. The cover is absolutely beautiful, I just wish I felt more invested in the story.
The secondary characters didn’t stand out for me either, Nahia’s mother and sister never felt consistent.
I loved the authors notes about the time period at end about the peoples Nahia was based off it. That was fantastic.
Bottom line, if you liked Clan of the Cave Bear, give this a try.
Thanks NetGalley and Holiday House/peachtree for the ARC!
December 16, 2024
I want to say thank to Natgallery for this Arc copy.
The first thing that caught my eye was the cover. The title was simple but effective due to only having one word it made me want to know who Nahia is and what her story is all about.
I would of gave it a 5 stars however at times i felt a little bit confused with regards to her spiritual journey throughout the book. However i guess that it make sense that it is confusing at some points. i feel like i would of appreciate this book a lot more when i was in high schools and going through certain aspects of my life.
Emily Jones did an amazing job
The first thing that caught my eye was the cover. The title was simple but effective due to only having one word it made me want to know who Nahia is and what her story is all about.
I would of gave it a 5 stars however at times i felt a little bit confused with regards to her spiritual journey throughout the book. However i guess that it make sense that it is confusing at some points. i feel like i would of appreciate this book a lot more when i was in high schools and going through certain aspects of my life.
Emily Jones did an amazing job
April 10, 2025
Nahia is such an interesting story about colonization and the disappearance of tribes, and I love that the author has a whole section on her inspirations and what happened in real life. Of course, knowing history, we know how everything went down - but this felt like a deep dive into the other side of things.
This story is very character oriented, in which the premise focuses on Nahia and who she is, more than anything else. She's born as the first daughter to the leader of her tribe, but then speaks out and gets "demoted" to a shaman's apprentice. Nahia spends a good portion of the book feeling conflicted on who she is and who she is supposed to be, and it made her a really interesting character. She learns a lot throughout this story, and her chance to leave the tribe really opened up her world view.
I loved when Nahia was questioning the efficacy of the colonizers. She was wondering why they would chop down forests and force non-native plants to grow there, when the tribes lived just fine taking from the land and nurturing it along the way. Of course, there were lean years and struggles in the tribes, but at least they took care of the land and were paid in return. This meant they also moved to different parts of the territory depending on the year, where the colonizers just built a village where it suited them, and forced the land to work for them in kind.
The pacing is slower, since this is character oriented, but I still found it enjoyable. There is a little bit of romance and a surprise pregnancy in this, but there is also magic and a variety of people that Nahia meets along the way. She really does live many different lives, and picks the one that best suits her.
Overall, I found this to be an interesting story, and I am glad it crossed my path. This is not a story about a girl who saves everyone from the mean colonizers, and the book ends in a satisfying way without being a "traditional" happy ending. It is more of an open ending, which could potentially lead to a sequel (but more likely a "she'll probably be okay" type thinking). The cover is beautiful, the content is interesting, and I hope others enjoy this one too.
Thank you Holiday House for an advance copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Content Warnings: rape, surprise pregnancy, sexual assault, kidnapping, animal death, violence, injury/injury detail, gaslighting, sexual content (mild)
This story is very character oriented, in which the premise focuses on Nahia and who she is, more than anything else. She's born as the first daughter to the leader of her tribe, but then speaks out and gets "demoted" to a shaman's apprentice. Nahia spends a good portion of the book feeling conflicted on who she is and who she is supposed to be, and it made her a really interesting character. She learns a lot throughout this story, and her chance to leave the tribe really opened up her world view.
I loved when Nahia was questioning the efficacy of the colonizers. She was wondering why they would chop down forests and force non-native plants to grow there, when the tribes lived just fine taking from the land and nurturing it along the way. Of course, there were lean years and struggles in the tribes, but at least they took care of the land and were paid in return. This meant they also moved to different parts of the territory depending on the year, where the colonizers just built a village where it suited them, and forced the land to work for them in kind.
The pacing is slower, since this is character oriented, but I still found it enjoyable. There is a little bit of romance and a surprise pregnancy in this, but there is also magic and a variety of people that Nahia meets along the way. She really does live many different lives, and picks the one that best suits her.
Overall, I found this to be an interesting story, and I am glad it crossed my path. This is not a story about a girl who saves everyone from the mean colonizers, and the book ends in a satisfying way without being a "traditional" happy ending. It is more of an open ending, which could potentially lead to a sequel (but more likely a "she'll probably be okay" type thinking). The cover is beautiful, the content is interesting, and I hope others enjoy this one too.
Thank you Holiday House for an advance copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Content Warnings: rape, surprise pregnancy, sexual assault, kidnapping, animal death, violence, injury/injury detail, gaslighting, sexual content (mild)
April 29, 2025
Review to come! 🌿
(FINAL REVIEW:)
This was a fascinating take on Mesolithic Northern Spain and how the meeting of hunter-gatherers to those who practiced agriculture might have gone. I really loved that the author is a practicing anthropologist and archeologist herself and you could see how her expertise was used to write this coming of age novel. 🦴
This review will contain some minor spoilers so be warned if you don't like this kind of stuff but want to read the book in the future. ‼️
The story follows Nahia, a young woman who finds herself suddenly ostracized by her mother and forced to take up shamanism as punishment. I liked the portrayal of those who find themselves more in tune with nature than people who were seen as beings of great potential in shamanism rather than outcasts. Nahia is reserved, but will speak her mind if she finds that she needs to. I liked the slow building of first a friendship and then a romance with Eneko and Nahia; I thought it felt rather natural instead of rushed like some romantic relationships are made out to be nowadays in the YA genre. 🙄
While the historian in me was so happy to gobble this up, I did find myself struggling with the pacing of the novel here and there and the lack of character development that Abene and Izara have as secondary characters. I also wish that we, as the reader, could have had at least one little epilogue of Nahia and Eneko reuniting instead of getting a rather open ending, but again, this is more of a personal preference than anything. 😅
But really though, I had such a great time with this and am very excited to see if there will be any future works from the author. I also loved that elements of the Basque language were used, and if you don't know anything about this group of people or the language itself, I would really recommend going and taking a look at it because it really is such an interesting part of the world. 🌊
Thank you goes out to Peachtree Teen and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest (and very late) review, and to the author, Jones, for writing such a fascinating YA historical fantasy/fiction in a never used era of history. ❤️
Publication date: April 15, so go take a look at it!
Overall: 4.25/5 ⭐️
(FINAL REVIEW:)
This was a fascinating take on Mesolithic Northern Spain and how the meeting of hunter-gatherers to those who practiced agriculture might have gone. I really loved that the author is a practicing anthropologist and archeologist herself and you could see how her expertise was used to write this coming of age novel. 🦴
This review will contain some minor spoilers so be warned if you don't like this kind of stuff but want to read the book in the future. ‼️
The story follows Nahia, a young woman who finds herself suddenly ostracized by her mother and forced to take up shamanism as punishment. I liked the portrayal of those who find themselves more in tune with nature than people who were seen as beings of great potential in shamanism rather than outcasts. Nahia is reserved, but will speak her mind if she finds that she needs to. I liked the slow building of first a friendship and then a romance with Eneko and Nahia; I thought it felt rather natural instead of rushed like some romantic relationships are made out to be nowadays in the YA genre. 🙄
While the historian in me was so happy to gobble this up, I did find myself struggling with the pacing of the novel here and there and the lack of character development that Abene and Izara have as secondary characters. I also wish that we, as the reader, could have had at least one little epilogue of Nahia and Eneko reuniting instead of getting a rather open ending, but again, this is more of a personal preference than anything. 😅
But really though, I had such a great time with this and am very excited to see if there will be any future works from the author. I also loved that elements of the Basque language were used, and if you don't know anything about this group of people or the language itself, I would really recommend going and taking a look at it because it really is such an interesting part of the world. 🌊
Thank you goes out to Peachtree Teen and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest (and very late) review, and to the author, Jones, for writing such a fascinating YA historical fantasy/fiction in a never used era of history. ❤️
Publication date: April 15, so go take a look at it!
Overall: 4.25/5 ⭐️
April 21, 2025
I am always fascinated by the concept of prehistoric people. Like- obviously I know they existed, but... how did they exist? It must have been so wildly different, too hard to even fully wrap our twenty-first century heads around, right? That is all to say, I love when an author makes that attempt! First and foremost, it is clear that the author did her homework (she is, in fact, an archeologist and she knows her stuff!) so it certainly feels as accurate as one can expect. Obviously, this is a fictionalization, and we can't fully ever know-know, but I think the authenticity of the era makes it certainly feel more likely.
Nahia is a great main character, and she definitely exhibits growth throughout the story, which I loved. I didn't fully get into the shaman storyline, but that is probably a "me" thing. I enjoyed learning about the world, and the very clear " major moment in history" Nahia was living through. I think I wish we'd gotten a little more insight into Nahia's mother's thought process too, because her motivations seemed really shaky to me, but again, minor gripe. The story was about Nahia after all, and it definitely did her justice.
Bottom Line: Very cool historical fiction about a time period we rarely get a glimpse into with a strong main character!
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
Nahia is a great main character, and she definitely exhibits growth throughout the story, which I loved. I didn't fully get into the shaman storyline, but that is probably a "me" thing. I enjoyed learning about the world, and the very clear " major moment in history" Nahia was living through. I think I wish we'd gotten a little more insight into Nahia's mother's thought process too, because her motivations seemed really shaky to me, but again, minor gripe. The story was about Nahia after all, and it definitely did her justice.
Bottom Line: Very cool historical fiction about a time period we rarely get a glimpse into with a strong main character!
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
May 19, 2025
I adored this book!!!
The narrator for the audiobook did a wonderful job with each voice for different characters and the flow was superb.
I have always been intrigued with the stories and the people who were there during the turn of one era to another, and this story hit the nail on the head. Even though I am not usually a fan of historical fiction, I was entranced with Nahia and her way of life. The writing made me feel like I was there along for the ride with Nahia and her journey.
The authors note at the end was such a good add on and it truly helps the story set in. And with this being a YA novel, I felt the author added enough interesting details to help Young Adults learn without even knowing they are.
I truly want more books like this one. It was so enjoyable and also a breath of fresh air.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an audiobook ARC. All opinions are my own.
The narrator for the audiobook did a wonderful job with each voice for different characters and the flow was superb.
I have always been intrigued with the stories and the people who were there during the turn of one era to another, and this story hit the nail on the head. Even though I am not usually a fan of historical fiction, I was entranced with Nahia and her way of life. The writing made me feel like I was there along for the ride with Nahia and her journey.
The authors note at the end was such a good add on and it truly helps the story set in. And with this being a YA novel, I felt the author added enough interesting details to help Young Adults learn without even knowing they are.
I truly want more books like this one. It was so enjoyable and also a breath of fresh air.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an audiobook ARC. All opinions are my own.
May 21, 2025
When the earth signals, one must listen!
Belonging to the clan of the sea, Nahia and her ancestors have always dwelled at the shore. But things are changing now—the land and the sea no longer provide enough for them, and the threat of strangers arriving, wiping the clans one by one, also looms. Amidst this chaos and struggle, she did not expect a new path of shamanism to open up for her. As she embraces this change, a new life awaits.
The best part of this book was the way the ambience was described. The pine forests, the twigs, the seashores—it all felt serene! The story, in a way, reminded me of the expansion of human civilization into tribal lands (Adivasi territories) and the disruptive impact it had on their way of life. The undertones in which the author hints at a hidden message were executed well (or maybe I’m just reading too much into it).
I do want to put a disclaimer out there: the book contains a few portions of sexual abuse. I understand it’s part of the bigger picture the author was trying to paint, but that still doesn’t make me any more comfortable reading—or, in this case, listening—to those scenes. The audiobook was good but could be improved further with background sounds and more distinguishable voices.
Belonging to the clan of the sea, Nahia and her ancestors have always dwelled at the shore. But things are changing now—the land and the sea no longer provide enough for them, and the threat of strangers arriving, wiping the clans one by one, also looms. Amidst this chaos and struggle, she did not expect a new path of shamanism to open up for her. As she embraces this change, a new life awaits.
The best part of this book was the way the ambience was described. The pine forests, the twigs, the seashores—it all felt serene! The story, in a way, reminded me of the expansion of human civilization into tribal lands (Adivasi territories) and the disruptive impact it had on their way of life. The undertones in which the author hints at a hidden message were executed well (or maybe I’m just reading too much into it).
I do want to put a disclaimer out there: the book contains a few portions of sexual abuse. I understand it’s part of the bigger picture the author was trying to paint, but that still doesn’t make me any more comfortable reading—or, in this case, listening—to those scenes. The audiobook was good but could be improved further with background sounds and more distinguishable voices.
April 28, 2025
I’d like thank NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me a audio and ECopy of this book. Forever thankful.
So, as you can see I gave this book a 2 star review based on what I read before dnfing. If this book interests you, please go read it. You could have a different opinion than me.
I just think this book wasn’t for me. It was pretty flat in terms of character development and story. I try not to waste time on books that don’t have me interested by the 10% mark but I gave this book a little grace.
Not a book for me but could be a book for you.
So, as you can see I gave this book a 2 star review based on what I read before dnfing. If this book interests you, please go read it. You could have a different opinion than me.
I just think this book wasn’t for me. It was pretty flat in terms of character development and story. I try not to waste time on books that don’t have me interested by the 10% mark but I gave this book a little grace.
Not a book for me but could be a book for you.
May 2, 2025
3.5 ⭐ rounded up
Thank you to Netgalley for the arc
The prehistoric age is such a refreshing setting among today's ya books. Jones has built a well-researched world that really felt like a glimpse into life during the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition. I loved the take of Shamanism and fantastical/spiritual elements during the time period. Nahia's apprehension toward this new group of agriculture-driven people really hit home as someone who is seeing the natural world constantly being torn down for homes or storefronts.
Thank you to Netgalley for the arc
The prehistoric age is such a refreshing setting among today's ya books. Jones has built a well-researched world that really felt like a glimpse into life during the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition. I loved the take of Shamanism and fantastical/spiritual elements during the time period. Nahia's apprehension toward this new group of agriculture-driven people really hit home as someone who is seeing the natural world constantly being torn down for homes or storefronts.
April 1, 2025
I received an ARC of this book.
4.5 Stars! I was very pleasantly surprised by this book! I went in a bit nervous, afraid it would be a cheesy, over-the-top, cartoonish, YA version of historical fiction. But I was wrong! This book hits all the right notes: it is informative, historically accurate, it avoids anachronism, and makes the VERY distant past feel real and tangible, all while including relatable characters who move through a story that is poignant, factual, and meaningful (not only to our characters, but the the history of civilization).
It is quite an accomplishment to make characters, actions, events, and "society" from prehistory accessible to readers in a meaningful way. Too often we think that people who lived so long ago were not like us, but this book manages to create characters with whom the reader can identify, even if the reader doesn't always agree with their actions.
Anther great thing the book does is describe the huge transition from hunter/gatherer society to agricultural society. In the present-day, we just assume this was a great innovation, and that everyone should have been amazed and excited about this change. But the author shows how deeply and profoundly a world-shifting change like this could have been to the people living at the time. The conflict, fear, and struggle are all portrayed in a way that shows how what they might have gone through then is very similar to things we are going through now in modern times. The author's ability to make such an ancient clash of belief systems feel completely relatable is extremely admirable. I never felt like I was reading a book about prehistoric "cave men" with feeble intellects and silly superstitions. These were all characters who were just like us.
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history or even YA. I enjoyed reading it and truly felt like I was sent back into the past.
4.5 Stars! I was very pleasantly surprised by this book! I went in a bit nervous, afraid it would be a cheesy, over-the-top, cartoonish, YA version of historical fiction. But I was wrong! This book hits all the right notes: it is informative, historically accurate, it avoids anachronism, and makes the VERY distant past feel real and tangible, all while including relatable characters who move through a story that is poignant, factual, and meaningful (not only to our characters, but the the history of civilization).
It is quite an accomplishment to make characters, actions, events, and "society" from prehistory accessible to readers in a meaningful way. Too often we think that people who lived so long ago were not like us, but this book manages to create characters with whom the reader can identify, even if the reader doesn't always agree with their actions.
Anther great thing the book does is describe the huge transition from hunter/gatherer society to agricultural society. In the present-day, we just assume this was a great innovation, and that everyone should have been amazed and excited about this change. But the author shows how deeply and profoundly a world-shifting change like this could have been to the people living at the time. The conflict, fear, and struggle are all portrayed in a way that shows how what they might have gone through then is very similar to things we are going through now in modern times. The author's ability to make such an ancient clash of belief systems feel completely relatable is extremely admirable. I never felt like I was reading a book about prehistoric "cave men" with feeble intellects and silly superstitions. These were all characters who were just like us.
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history or even YA. I enjoyed reading it and truly felt like I was sent back into the past.
April 19, 2025
ALC 🎧 Book Review 🤍
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a self discovery journey 🫶🏽 More so character driven than plot heavy, I just wish I could’ve connected w/ everything more!!
Overall, this was a beautifully written story & even more beautifully narrated!!
Quotes living in my head rent free-
“How did you bear it?
It is not who I am, it is only what happened to me.”
“Things happen, sometimes good things, sometimes bad things, unfair things, the sun rises and then it sets. Life goes on.”
“If you expect too much from others, you will be hurt. No one is responsible for any choices, but their own.”
Oh, howww I felt this one though 🤍
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a self discovery journey 🫶🏽 More so character driven than plot heavy, I just wish I could’ve connected w/ everything more!!
Overall, this was a beautifully written story & even more beautifully narrated!!
Quotes living in my head rent free-
“How did you bear it?
It is not who I am, it is only what happened to me.”
“Things happen, sometimes good things, sometimes bad things, unfair things, the sun rises and then it sets. Life goes on.”
“If you expect too much from others, you will be hurt. No one is responsible for any choices, but their own.”
Oh, howww I felt this one though 🤍
April 28, 2025
Maybe 3.5 stars. This was an interesting look at prehistoric Europe, but I couldn’t fully feel connected to the story. I know a lot of research went into this one, but I agree with another review that said this was telling and no showing—I couldn’t tell anything about the setting.
December 10, 2025
Not sure why this was on my TBR, but it was pretty interesting. Historical fiction is so random because the author clearly did her research, but it was clunky at points to string together.
Read by Isabella Star LaBlanc. #booksin25
Read by Isabella Star LaBlanc. #booksin25
April 1, 2025
Nahia by Emily Jones is an exceptionally well written historical fantasy novel. The world building is phenomenal and intricate I felt completely immersed. The characters are relatable and the issues and struggles Nahia has are something very prominent even in today's world, which I loved. The only thing I had issue with was the pace, it seemed slow throughout the whole book BUT it also seemed to help with the story (if that makes sense).
Nahia’s struggle with finding her place in a changing world without losing who she was is the prominent plot point and we see her grow and change as she becomes more aware of what she wants. Other characters like Eneko, Hodei and her sister all play a critical role in her self discovery. I thought of them as Nahia's past present and future which I don't know if it was intended but adds a certain depth to the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed this read and would recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction with a splash of first love and self discovery
Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House for providing the eARC!
Nahia’s struggle with finding her place in a changing world without losing who she was is the prominent plot point and we see her grow and change as she becomes more aware of what she wants. Other characters like Eneko, Hodei and her sister all play a critical role in her self discovery. I thought of them as Nahia's past present and future which I don't know if it was intended but adds a certain depth to the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed this read and would recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction with a splash of first love and self discovery
Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House for providing the eARC!
March 27, 2025
⇢ 4 stars
I really enjoyed it: this was unlike anything i’ve read.
It was a quest of self-discovery and finding a place to belong, in a period I knew nothing about and I feel incredibly grateful for the notes at the end of the book.
The language was modern and Nahia could be slightly annoying at times but she was endearing and I got pulled into the book rather fast.
While there was a dash of romance, the story was really about Nahia and the other women of her band and the choices they made. Some were likable, some less, but all were nuanced and our heroine went through really positive character development.
Thank you netgalley for sending me this ARC in exchange of an honest review.
I really enjoyed it: this was unlike anything i’ve read.
It was a quest of self-discovery and finding a place to belong, in a period I knew nothing about and I feel incredibly grateful for the notes at the end of the book.
The language was modern and Nahia could be slightly annoying at times but she was endearing and I got pulled into the book rather fast.
While there was a dash of romance, the story was really about Nahia and the other women of her band and the choices they made. Some were likable, some less, but all were nuanced and our heroine went through really positive character development.
Thank you netgalley for sending me this ARC in exchange of an honest review.
March 26, 2025
Nahia by Emily Jones is definitely worth a read. I always enjoy reading historical books and I feel as though EJ created a captivating world and in depth characters, set 8000 years ago in prehistoric Spain.
Our main character, Nahia, has to navigate through her journey of being a young girl, to a leader. I enjoyed this book because the themes of female power were written well. I found the book had a good level of world building, action, and that element of a love interest which did not overpower the book.
The writing is rich and easy to follow and I enjoyed all of the descriptions in the book.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Our main character, Nahia, has to navigate through her journey of being a young girl, to a leader. I enjoyed this book because the themes of female power were written well. I found the book had a good level of world building, action, and that element of a love interest which did not overpower the book.
The writing is rich and easy to follow and I enjoyed all of the descriptions in the book.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 1, 2025
First of a few errors:
Page 37-38: "...older than anyone I had ever met, and had a PIECING (piercing?) stare like an eagle's."
Page 215: "could make a reconnaissance." (You mean, "could reconnoiter"?)
"On the way, I began to encounter more burned, blackened clearances." (You mean, "clearings"?)
To be kind, this work was painfully pedestrian and shouldn't have made print.
To be critical, the review is as follows:
The work is devoid of character. We're given family trees, not denoting rank or import to the story, just equally dispersed upon a tree scale. Characters that DO become important to the narrative are tucked away in the far corner of "other hunters" and not connecting their relation to this larger structure. What would have been MORE beneficial? A MAP. Show us where the other bands exist in the story by illustrating through a map. Has the Iberian peninsula PHYSICALLY changed in 8k years? No. What has changed are the peoples, and not providing a map, when this is set in the real world, is a terrible fumble for historic interpretation.
Also, while the novel's cover is what piqued my curiosity, I was saddened to learn most of it was artistic license on Fernanda Suarez's part, and nothing like how Nahia is ever depicted in the story itself. The number of tattooed bands is too many. The necklace is incorrect. The owl happens only once. At no point does she adorn a headdress. WHERE DID THE STAFF EVEN COME FROM?!
Reviews are alo detached from reality: this isn't a relatable story. Being disinherited for being honest, cast off to the "shaman" to be an "apprentice" as a short form of trafficking? The Headwoman knowing her underlings had attempted to assault YOUR CHILD and not caring, even then, when told about it by several family members? THEN later, the victim is actually ready to forgive this heartless beast of a leader because ... ???? The reader is never given a logical reason why this character could warrant any grace whatsoever. Nothing in the vision preceding it gives ccreence as to ... anything, and yet it is asserted as YES IT IS OKAY.
Personally, considering the method of practice, the "shamans" in the book should be referred to, correctly, as DRUIDS. Druids were nomadic medicine men, ones who never stayed with any tribe, but had their own domiciles within nature who would, from time to time, travel to assist and consult with other tribes, even during hunter-gatherer periods. Shamans remained, and still do this day, WITH their chosen tribes/people groups, rather than adopting a reclusive lifestyle. So, immediately, when Jones explores this idea of the shaman's role in paleolithic society, they use completely inaccurate diction.
My most hated trope rears its head in this story. Despite her youth and inexperience, Nahia is incredulously fertile, despite fatigue, near starvation, and exhaustion. Absolutely stupid. Has Jones ever consulted a GYNECOLOGIST about these likelihoods, considering the diet of the time did nothing to fortify this possibility? For the love of suspended disbelief, GOOGLE something before writing it. Why did her editors not go "huh" for us beforehand?
When Nahia complains about the gruel in the village, I do wonder how none of the indigenous women, who are forced to do most of the labor, didn't incorporate any berries or honey, or instruct the other villagers to do so, to make the barley concoctions more palatable. Were they this subjugated, to the point of amnesia, not to want to flavor foods? Referring back to the fermented honey/mead the hunters were imbibing page 145, this is not how you get "fermented honey" that is drinkable. It's a prepared drink, like the fermented barley in the village later on; this is just bubbly viscous ooze that isn't palatable. Just as a "found" thing in a hive, the concentration of alcohol is, AT MOST 2% and so rank and smelly, no one would describe the odor as sweet as Jones did. JUST GOOGLE, JONES!
My biggest gripe, however, lies in "budding romance" where this wildly sheltered girl falls in love with the SINGULAR male that physically touches any part of her kindly and non-sexually? Not only is this embarassing levels of solely-heterosexual-society (which have never existed), it's borderline grooming. Why is the non-hostile touch of one man different from the non-hostile touch of another non-related woman? The characterization is so comically barren that even the concept of "fated mate" is too embarassing to consider. I've criticized other works harshly for prioritizing homo/bisexual romance under the same flimsy pretenses, so wanting a reason beyond "the warm body is here" isn't a narrative decision too great to request.
At the end of the novel is a ... section where Jones explores assumed flora and fauna of the region. On page 301, she notes she has "studied herbal medicine in a general way" which is followed, likely by a lawyer encouragement "don't try this at home" naggery. Yet, two pages later, she's lump-summing artemisia genus amongst white artemisia, white mugwort, and white wormwood. All of which have hallucinogenic properties and would suit for different forms and function of medicine, but they are NOT "used for other plant species in other parts of the world", they are THEIR OWN species that then have different taxonomical delineations throughout the world... Eastern mistletoe (from Europe) improves nervine medicines, yet western mistletoe (from North America) is deadly. Does she not know the difference between species and genus? Potatoes and tomatoes are in the same genus, but definitely not species, and potatoes cannot all be consumed raw. Isn't knowing the difference between genus and species rudimentary in her field? "General way", indeed.
Also, listing only Roman chamomile and not German chamomile, takes an easy Google search to differentiate, because among the most obvious size and growing season differences, one is from much closer to the Iberian peninsula than the other. Same as with assuming poppy has come, from further away, than Roman civilization at this time (which would've consisted of shorter, closer cropped linen and leather clothing, instead of the flowing robes of casual Roman society garb as described on page 213). Roman soldiers would've come this way, first and foremost, had what would become the Gauls had not done so first. So when Jones talks abou "ancient DNA" on page 299, she could instead talk about Haplo groups, which did still classify "ancient DNA" that had migrated Eastward, like with the Yezidi people, one of the most "ancient DNA-classed" peoples alive in current day.
So while Jones understands the "spirit" of herbal medicine, she should've actually CONSULTED modern-day DRUIDS that are available in the "herbal training programs" she cited on page 302, or just in Facebook or reddit Groups, instead of leading niche readers like me into a crevasse of cringe.
Artistically, a gripe that also arose while reading was the complete absence of written chants. Should Jones have even ployed ChatGPT to create similar indigenous chants that could be vaguely reminescent and fit within the narrative (since Jones so easily inferred ancient Basque words/names), few would notice. The chants follow a typical pattern that mirrors most indigenous tribes of Eurasia that still exist. And yet, no effort was made to create the paleolithic equivalent of what modern evangelicals would denote as "praise and worship" songs. Even current artists of Siberian/Inuit descent like Otyken, create songs with modern tempos with traditional instruments that follow the same cadence as their ancestors'.
Overall, the anemic, cardboard storytelling, the monochromatic descriptions, and the dreadful tropes (apart from awkward writing gaffs-a-plenty), reinforces Jones strength NOT as a fiction writer. Publishing a thesis does not a fiction writer make. The last few pages, pages 310 and 311, encourage you to learn more... elsewhere. And it's a valuable suggestion. Jones goes on to tell you how she studied and explored different things and other regions and then wrote this book placed near none of them. It seems her research paper became the setting point, but all of the influences on the writing were in the American Southwest, a CONTINENT away ACROSS a vast ocean.
Sigh. High hopes were dashed. I feel like Josh Gates would've fomented a better Reader's Digest sampling than this. Oh well, if you want less romance and more fact, just visit Ancient Architects on YouTube and save yourself this hassle. I should hope maybe one day, Jones shall sit beneath Leigh Bardugo's learning tree and actually give effort to provide citations for inspirations, rather than lean solely on their field expertise as enough credible support.
Page 37-38: "...older than anyone I had ever met, and had a PIECING (piercing?) stare like an eagle's."
Page 215: "could make a reconnaissance." (You mean, "could reconnoiter"?)
"On the way, I began to encounter more burned, blackened clearances." (You mean, "clearings"?)
To be kind, this work was painfully pedestrian and shouldn't have made print.
To be critical, the review is as follows:
The work is devoid of character. We're given family trees, not denoting rank or import to the story, just equally dispersed upon a tree scale. Characters that DO become important to the narrative are tucked away in the far corner of "other hunters" and not connecting their relation to this larger structure. What would have been MORE beneficial? A MAP. Show us where the other bands exist in the story by illustrating through a map. Has the Iberian peninsula PHYSICALLY changed in 8k years? No. What has changed are the peoples, and not providing a map, when this is set in the real world, is a terrible fumble for historic interpretation.
Also, while the novel's cover is what piqued my curiosity, I was saddened to learn most of it was artistic license on Fernanda Suarez's part, and nothing like how Nahia is ever depicted in the story itself. The number of tattooed bands is too many. The necklace is incorrect. The owl happens only once. At no point does she adorn a headdress. WHERE DID THE STAFF EVEN COME FROM?!
Reviews are alo detached from reality: this isn't a relatable story. Being disinherited for being honest, cast off to the "shaman" to be an "apprentice" as a short form of trafficking? The Headwoman knowing her underlings had attempted to assault YOUR CHILD and not caring, even then, when told about it by several family members? THEN later, the victim is actually ready to forgive this heartless beast of a leader because ... ???? The reader is never given a logical reason why this character could warrant any grace whatsoever. Nothing in the vision preceding it gives ccreence as to ... anything, and yet it is asserted as YES IT IS OKAY.
Personally, considering the method of practice, the "shamans" in the book should be referred to, correctly, as DRUIDS. Druids were nomadic medicine men, ones who never stayed with any tribe, but had their own domiciles within nature who would, from time to time, travel to assist and consult with other tribes, even during hunter-gatherer periods. Shamans remained, and still do this day, WITH their chosen tribes/people groups, rather than adopting a reclusive lifestyle. So, immediately, when Jones explores this idea of the shaman's role in paleolithic society, they use completely inaccurate diction.
My most hated trope rears its head in this story. Despite her youth and inexperience, Nahia is incredulously fertile, despite fatigue, near starvation, and exhaustion. Absolutely stupid. Has Jones ever consulted a GYNECOLOGIST about these likelihoods, considering the diet of the time did nothing to fortify this possibility? For the love of suspended disbelief, GOOGLE something before writing it. Why did her editors not go "huh" for us beforehand?
When Nahia complains about the gruel in the village, I do wonder how none of the indigenous women, who are forced to do most of the labor, didn't incorporate any berries or honey, or instruct the other villagers to do so, to make the barley concoctions more palatable. Were they this subjugated, to the point of amnesia, not to want to flavor foods? Referring back to the fermented honey/mead the hunters were imbibing page 145, this is not how you get "fermented honey" that is drinkable. It's a prepared drink, like the fermented barley in the village later on; this is just bubbly viscous ooze that isn't palatable. Just as a "found" thing in a hive, the concentration of alcohol is, AT MOST 2% and so rank and smelly, no one would describe the odor as sweet as Jones did. JUST GOOGLE, JONES!
My biggest gripe, however, lies in "budding romance" where this wildly sheltered girl falls in love with the SINGULAR male that physically touches any part of her kindly and non-sexually? Not only is this embarassing levels of solely-heterosexual-society (which have never existed), it's borderline grooming. Why is the non-hostile touch of one man different from the non-hostile touch of another non-related woman? The characterization is so comically barren that even the concept of "fated mate" is too embarassing to consider. I've criticized other works harshly for prioritizing homo/bisexual romance under the same flimsy pretenses, so wanting a reason beyond "the warm body is here" isn't a narrative decision too great to request.
At the end of the novel is a ... section where Jones explores assumed flora and fauna of the region. On page 301, she notes she has "studied herbal medicine in a general way" which is followed, likely by a lawyer encouragement "don't try this at home" naggery. Yet, two pages later, she's lump-summing artemisia genus amongst white artemisia, white mugwort, and white wormwood. All of which have hallucinogenic properties and would suit for different forms and function of medicine, but they are NOT "used for other plant species in other parts of the world", they are THEIR OWN species that then have different taxonomical delineations throughout the world... Eastern mistletoe (from Europe) improves nervine medicines, yet western mistletoe (from North America) is deadly. Does she not know the difference between species and genus? Potatoes and tomatoes are in the same genus, but definitely not species, and potatoes cannot all be consumed raw. Isn't knowing the difference between genus and species rudimentary in her field? "General way", indeed.
Also, listing only Roman chamomile and not German chamomile, takes an easy Google search to differentiate, because among the most obvious size and growing season differences, one is from much closer to the Iberian peninsula than the other. Same as with assuming poppy has come, from further away, than Roman civilization at this time (which would've consisted of shorter, closer cropped linen and leather clothing, instead of the flowing robes of casual Roman society garb as described on page 213). Roman soldiers would've come this way, first and foremost, had what would become the Gauls had not done so first. So when Jones talks abou "ancient DNA" on page 299, she could instead talk about Haplo groups, which did still classify "ancient DNA" that had migrated Eastward, like with the Yezidi people, one of the most "ancient DNA-classed" peoples alive in current day.
So while Jones understands the "spirit" of herbal medicine, she should've actually CONSULTED modern-day DRUIDS that are available in the "herbal training programs" she cited on page 302, or just in Facebook or reddit Groups, instead of leading niche readers like me into a crevasse of cringe.
Artistically, a gripe that also arose while reading was the complete absence of written chants. Should Jones have even ployed ChatGPT to create similar indigenous chants that could be vaguely reminescent and fit within the narrative (since Jones so easily inferred ancient Basque words/names), few would notice. The chants follow a typical pattern that mirrors most indigenous tribes of Eurasia that still exist. And yet, no effort was made to create the paleolithic equivalent of what modern evangelicals would denote as "praise and worship" songs. Even current artists of Siberian/Inuit descent like Otyken, create songs with modern tempos with traditional instruments that follow the same cadence as their ancestors'.
Overall, the anemic, cardboard storytelling, the monochromatic descriptions, and the dreadful tropes (apart from awkward writing gaffs-a-plenty), reinforces Jones strength NOT as a fiction writer. Publishing a thesis does not a fiction writer make. The last few pages, pages 310 and 311, encourage you to learn more... elsewhere. And it's a valuable suggestion. Jones goes on to tell you how she studied and explored different things and other regions and then wrote this book placed near none of them. It seems her research paper became the setting point, but all of the influences on the writing were in the American Southwest, a CONTINENT away ACROSS a vast ocean.
Sigh. High hopes were dashed. I feel like Josh Gates would've fomented a better Reader's Digest sampling than this. Oh well, if you want less romance and more fact, just visit Ancient Architects on YouTube and save yourself this hassle. I should hope maybe one day, Jones shall sit beneath Leigh Bardugo's learning tree and actually give effort to provide citations for inspirations, rather than lean solely on their field expertise as enough credible support.
March 3, 2025
A story of finding oneself among traditions and change, listening to nature, and survival in a reimagining of pre-historic times. Through Nahia, the daughter of a tribe leader who fears rumors of dangerous settlers arriving, we experience the daily life of hunter-gatherer societies, the constant struggle to coexist with and survive on nature, and the different attitudes of resistance or assimilation they experienced when faced with the arrival of aggressive, agrarian peoples.
In other words, a teen mouths off, goes on a spiritual journey, and kindly says I-told-you-so to those people who disliked said mouthing off.
Given the author's academic background, it was interesting to see her imagining of how it may have been to grow up in such a time. It doesn't read like a dry, education book at all, but the ending materials summarizing research inspirations and facts about plants and things demonstrates just how many details are woven into the story. To quote, it's "probably best to think of Nahia's world as fictional", but it's a great starting point for imagination and sparking curiosity in that vast period of history. Some things that really stuck out to me were the emphasis on oral traditions (there are several recitations of history, and daily chants) and the shamanic rituals, which could be interpreted as a combination of naturalism, belief born from interpreting science as mystical, or something else entirely.
Nahia's journey is one of discovery, negotiation, and survival. Expect mysteries and challenges of skill, but no battles. Nahia and her sister talk about sex as a concept, but descriptions stop at kisses.
**Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to review with YA Books Central. See YABC for more reviews**
In other words, a teen mouths off, goes on a spiritual journey, and kindly says I-told-you-so to those people who disliked said mouthing off.
Given the author's academic background, it was interesting to see her imagining of how it may have been to grow up in such a time. It doesn't read like a dry, education book at all, but the ending materials summarizing research inspirations and facts about plants and things demonstrates just how many details are woven into the story. To quote, it's "probably best to think of Nahia's world as fictional", but it's a great starting point for imagination and sparking curiosity in that vast period of history. Some things that really stuck out to me were the emphasis on oral traditions (there are several recitations of history, and daily chants) and the shamanic rituals, which could be interpreted as a combination of naturalism, belief born from interpreting science as mystical, or something else entirely.
Nahia's journey is one of discovery, negotiation, and survival. Expect mysteries and challenges of skill, but no battles. Nahia and her sister talk about sex as a concept, but descriptions stop at kisses.
**Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to review with YA Books Central. See YABC for more reviews**
November 25, 2025
In Spain 8,000 years ago, Nahia (first daughter and future headwoman of her band) speaks up when she shouldn’t by questioning her mother in front of everyone. Stories of strangers raiding and killing other bands and kidnapping their women have Nahia concerned, but her mother refuses to listen. The next day, she finds herself apprenticed to a shaman and her twin sister, Izara, replacing her as first daughter. Disgraced and cast out of her home, Nahia and the shaman, Eneko, travel far. As Nahia begins to unlock her own powers, the vision she sees reveals a heart-wrenching picture: her mother and sister alone, their camp in ruins. Nahia knows she must try to help the people who turned their backs on her, but what will she find when she returns?
The book captures a pivotal era when societies transitioned from foraging to farming, leading to the establishment of permanent settlements. Amidst this transformation, the author effectively portrays the fear and confusion experienced by her characters. Nahia, deeply connected to the land, senses the shifting and receding balance of nature.
As Nahia embarks on her shaman training, she grapples with the fear of losing her identity and is challenged to decide who she’ll become as the story unfolds. Many attempt to mold her to their expectations. She’s a headwoman’s daughter, a shaman-in-training, a sister, but which of these paths will guide her future? Can she transcend the definitions that have long bound her people? The book’s mid portion as Nahia hones her powers slows in pace a bit. Nahia doesn’t fully comprehend when she succeeds, so there isn’t a sense of accomplishment. However, her growth in the book’s last section is gratifying. A captivating, well-crafted, informed tale about the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition suitable for upper YA to adult readers.
Review originally posted via the Historical Novel Society at https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...
The book captures a pivotal era when societies transitioned from foraging to farming, leading to the establishment of permanent settlements. Amidst this transformation, the author effectively portrays the fear and confusion experienced by her characters. Nahia, deeply connected to the land, senses the shifting and receding balance of nature.
As Nahia embarks on her shaman training, she grapples with the fear of losing her identity and is challenged to decide who she’ll become as the story unfolds. Many attempt to mold her to their expectations. She’s a headwoman’s daughter, a shaman-in-training, a sister, but which of these paths will guide her future? Can she transcend the definitions that have long bound her people? The book’s mid portion as Nahia hones her powers slows in pace a bit. Nahia doesn’t fully comprehend when she succeeds, so there isn’t a sense of accomplishment. However, her growth in the book’s last section is gratifying. A captivating, well-crafted, informed tale about the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition suitable for upper YA to adult readers.
Review originally posted via the Historical Novel Society at https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...
Want to read
January 1, 2025Such a fresh idea that it's now my most anticipated book of the year, can't wait to read it!
February 4, 2025
Solid. Nicely written story. Enjoyable fast read.
December 4, 2024
Summary:
Set in prehistoric Spain, "Nahia" by Emily Jones is an upper YA novel with crossover appeal that delves into themes of leadership, sorcery, and the fierce bond between sisters. The protagonist, Nahia, is the daughter of the Headwoman, destined for leadership until she voices a forbidden truth about an impending invasion, leading to her exile. Sent to apprentice under a shaman named Eneko, Nahia discovers her own extraordinary abilities to communicate with spirits and channel their powers. Her journey is not just one of survival in the wild but also of self-discovery, love, and the struggle to save her people from a looming threat.
The book explores Nahia's growth from a sheltered, albeit headstrong, young woman into a figure of power and resilience. Alongside themes of conquest and violence, Jones incorporates elements of magic rooted in nature, the dynamics of power within a matriarchal society, and the complexities of love and duty.
Review:
Setting and World-Building:
Jones paints an evocative picture of the prehistoric era, blending historical authenticity with a touch of fantasy. The rugged landscapes of pine forests and the wild magic associated with them create a vivid, immersive environment. The world-building is detailed, offering a unique glimpse into a time long past, enhanced by Jones's archaeological background. However, the magic system, while intriguing, could have been fleshed out more to provide clearer boundaries and rules. Rating: 4.5/5
Character Development:
Nahia is a compelling character, evolving significantly throughout the narrative. Her internal conflicts, particularly her struggle with her role versus her personal desires, are well portrayed. The relationship between Nahia and her sister Izara, along with her connection with Eneko, provides emotional depth. Still, some secondary characters could benefit from further development to avoid feeling one-dimensional. Rating: 4/5
Plot:
The storyline is engaging with a good balance of action, introspection, and romance. The pacing keeps the reader involved, though the shifts from personal growth to broader community threats can sometimes feel jarring. The narrative successfully intertwines Nahia's personal journey with the larger historical narrative, but some plot threads are resolved too conveniently. Rating: 4/5
Themes:
"Nahia" excellently explores themes of female power, leadership, and the connection with the natural world. It touches on the harsh realities of survival, the complexities of power dynamics in a matriarchal society, and the ethical considerations of using one's abilities for the greater good. These themes are thoughtfully integrated but occasionally the message can overshadow the subtlety of the storytelling. Rating: 4.5/5
Writing Style:
Emily Jones's writing is descriptive and atmospheric, effectively transporting readers to ancient times. Her prose is engaging, with a poetic quality that suits the mystical elements of the story. However, there are moments where the narrative could benefit from tighter editing to enhance clarity and flow. Rating: 4/5
Conclusion:
"Nahia" stands out as a fresh take on prehistoric fiction, merging historical detail with fantasy in a compelling narrative. It's a testament to Jones's ability to make the distant past feel immediate and relevant. The book is particularly recommended for those who enjoy stories of empowerment, with a strong female lead, and for fans of fantasy that's deeply rooted in the natural world. While not without its flaws, particularly in secondary character development and plot convenience, "Nahia" is a notable debut that promises much from Emily Jones in the future.
Overall Rating: 4.2/5
This novel is a rich tapestry of adventure, magic, and human (or rather, pre-human) emotion, recommended for those who seek a blend of history, fantasy, and a story of a young woman's rise to power.
Set in prehistoric Spain, "Nahia" by Emily Jones is an upper YA novel with crossover appeal that delves into themes of leadership, sorcery, and the fierce bond between sisters. The protagonist, Nahia, is the daughter of the Headwoman, destined for leadership until she voices a forbidden truth about an impending invasion, leading to her exile. Sent to apprentice under a shaman named Eneko, Nahia discovers her own extraordinary abilities to communicate with spirits and channel their powers. Her journey is not just one of survival in the wild but also of self-discovery, love, and the struggle to save her people from a looming threat.
The book explores Nahia's growth from a sheltered, albeit headstrong, young woman into a figure of power and resilience. Alongside themes of conquest and violence, Jones incorporates elements of magic rooted in nature, the dynamics of power within a matriarchal society, and the complexities of love and duty.
Review:
Setting and World-Building:
Jones paints an evocative picture of the prehistoric era, blending historical authenticity with a touch of fantasy. The rugged landscapes of pine forests and the wild magic associated with them create a vivid, immersive environment. The world-building is detailed, offering a unique glimpse into a time long past, enhanced by Jones's archaeological background. However, the magic system, while intriguing, could have been fleshed out more to provide clearer boundaries and rules. Rating: 4.5/5
Character Development:
Nahia is a compelling character, evolving significantly throughout the narrative. Her internal conflicts, particularly her struggle with her role versus her personal desires, are well portrayed. The relationship between Nahia and her sister Izara, along with her connection with Eneko, provides emotional depth. Still, some secondary characters could benefit from further development to avoid feeling one-dimensional. Rating: 4/5
Plot:
The storyline is engaging with a good balance of action, introspection, and romance. The pacing keeps the reader involved, though the shifts from personal growth to broader community threats can sometimes feel jarring. The narrative successfully intertwines Nahia's personal journey with the larger historical narrative, but some plot threads are resolved too conveniently. Rating: 4/5
Themes:
"Nahia" excellently explores themes of female power, leadership, and the connection with the natural world. It touches on the harsh realities of survival, the complexities of power dynamics in a matriarchal society, and the ethical considerations of using one's abilities for the greater good. These themes are thoughtfully integrated but occasionally the message can overshadow the subtlety of the storytelling. Rating: 4.5/5
Writing Style:
Emily Jones's writing is descriptive and atmospheric, effectively transporting readers to ancient times. Her prose is engaging, with a poetic quality that suits the mystical elements of the story. However, there are moments where the narrative could benefit from tighter editing to enhance clarity and flow. Rating: 4/5
Conclusion:
"Nahia" stands out as a fresh take on prehistoric fiction, merging historical detail with fantasy in a compelling narrative. It's a testament to Jones's ability to make the distant past feel immediate and relevant. The book is particularly recommended for those who enjoy stories of empowerment, with a strong female lead, and for fans of fantasy that's deeply rooted in the natural world. While not without its flaws, particularly in secondary character development and plot convenience, "Nahia" is a notable debut that promises much from Emily Jones in the future.
Overall Rating: 4.2/5
This novel is a rich tapestry of adventure, magic, and human (or rather, pre-human) emotion, recommended for those who seek a blend of history, fantasy, and a story of a young woman's rise to power.
November 7, 2024
Thank you Netgalley and Holiday House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Set against the rich, rugged backdrop of prehistoric times, “Nahia” by archaeologist Emily Jones is a captivating upper YA historical book that takes readers on a journey through the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition. This unique setting, rarely explored in fiction, is a refreshing departure from typical historical stories, as Jones meticulously weaves cultural, spiritual, and environmental details of the era into a powerful coming-of-age story. I really enjoyed the blend of spiritual elements and the unique culture of the time throughout the book. Before going into the review, I do want to note that this is an upper YA book and there is a scene with attempted SA, so younger readers may not want to pursue this book. I do, however, recommend this book for fans of historical fantasy with supernatural elements.
At its heart, “Nahia” is the story of a young woman torn between tradition and her burgeoning individuality. As the daughter of her tribe's headwoman, Nahia has long felt the weight of expectations. However, when she speaks out against a looming threat from foreign invaders, she faces exile and is cast out by her own people. Forced into a new path, Nahia apprentices under Eneko, a young shaman, and discovers not only her own shamanic abilities but also the potential to challenge the norms that bind her. Jones portrays Nahia’s spiritual journey with depth, capturing her growth as she learns to define herself beyond her mother's approval, which may make her relatable to readers. The main focus of this book is on Nahia’s spiritual growth and self-actualization, though there are elements of romance as well as a unique exploration of Nahia’s relationship with her twin sister.
Jones’s experience as an archaeologist is evident in the world-building, which shines with details of prehistoric culture, flora, and the natural landscapes of the setting. The story balances a complex examination of spiritual identity and cultural resilience with Nahia’s personal growth, particularly her complicated relationships. Though her bond with Eneko shifts into romance, it remains a subtle aspect, taking a backseat to her evolving self-identity and her relationship with her twin sister.
While the historical and spiritual elements make for an engaging read, the pacing was a bit slow at times, mainly in the second half where the story shifts to focus on themes of colonization and cultural preservation. Yet, for those who appreciate immersive historical narratives and introspective journeys, Nahia offers a nuanced exploration of adaptation and survival. There is also a detailed and informative author’s note at the end that provides information about the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition, particularly with the history, culture, plants and more, which I appreciated as this note helped me learn more about Nahia and her culture.
Overall, “Nahia” is a beautifully crafted and informative work that delves into an ancient world of complex relationships, both human and spiritual. It’s a must-read for those who enjoy historical fiction with a strong female protagonist and unique setting. While I normally don’t enjoy historical fiction, Jones made this story extremely engaging, especially in exploring the supernatural elements. With a satisfying conclusion, “Nahia” marks a promising debut for Jones, and I definitely can’t wait to read more from Jones.
Set against the rich, rugged backdrop of prehistoric times, “Nahia” by archaeologist Emily Jones is a captivating upper YA historical book that takes readers on a journey through the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition. This unique setting, rarely explored in fiction, is a refreshing departure from typical historical stories, as Jones meticulously weaves cultural, spiritual, and environmental details of the era into a powerful coming-of-age story. I really enjoyed the blend of spiritual elements and the unique culture of the time throughout the book. Before going into the review, I do want to note that this is an upper YA book and there is a scene with attempted SA, so younger readers may not want to pursue this book. I do, however, recommend this book for fans of historical fantasy with supernatural elements.
At its heart, “Nahia” is the story of a young woman torn between tradition and her burgeoning individuality. As the daughter of her tribe's headwoman, Nahia has long felt the weight of expectations. However, when she speaks out against a looming threat from foreign invaders, she faces exile and is cast out by her own people. Forced into a new path, Nahia apprentices under Eneko, a young shaman, and discovers not only her own shamanic abilities but also the potential to challenge the norms that bind her. Jones portrays Nahia’s spiritual journey with depth, capturing her growth as she learns to define herself beyond her mother's approval, which may make her relatable to readers. The main focus of this book is on Nahia’s spiritual growth and self-actualization, though there are elements of romance as well as a unique exploration of Nahia’s relationship with her twin sister.
Jones’s experience as an archaeologist is evident in the world-building, which shines with details of prehistoric culture, flora, and the natural landscapes of the setting. The story balances a complex examination of spiritual identity and cultural resilience with Nahia’s personal growth, particularly her complicated relationships. Though her bond with Eneko shifts into romance, it remains a subtle aspect, taking a backseat to her evolving self-identity and her relationship with her twin sister.
While the historical and spiritual elements make for an engaging read, the pacing was a bit slow at times, mainly in the second half where the story shifts to focus on themes of colonization and cultural preservation. Yet, for those who appreciate immersive historical narratives and introspective journeys, Nahia offers a nuanced exploration of adaptation and survival. There is also a detailed and informative author’s note at the end that provides information about the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition, particularly with the history, culture, plants and more, which I appreciated as this note helped me learn more about Nahia and her culture.
Overall, “Nahia” is a beautifully crafted and informative work that delves into an ancient world of complex relationships, both human and spiritual. It’s a must-read for those who enjoy historical fiction with a strong female protagonist and unique setting. While I normally don’t enjoy historical fiction, Jones made this story extremely engaging, especially in exploring the supernatural elements. With a satisfying conclusion, “Nahia” marks a promising debut for Jones, and I definitely can’t wait to read more from Jones.
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