Promised Valley Rebellion by Ron Fritsch

I wasn't sure what to expect when I was sent Promised Valley Rebellion by Ron Fritsch.  Then, when I read, on the back cover, a favorable comparison to Jean Auel (Clan of the Cave Bear) I really wasn't sure what I'd think, as I was pretty un-enthused during my one and only attempt to read Clan of the Cave Bear (though, in all fairness, I was pretty young -- I think it was a good 20 years ago).

I put it in my stack for Dewey's Read-A-Thon and it was the second one I picked up.  I really, really enjoyed it. From the back cover:

Prehistoric farmers inhabit a fertile river valley they believe their gods promised them in return for their good behavior.  Their enemies, hunters roaming the mostly barren hills beyond the mountains enclosing the valley, believe their gods gave it to them.

When the farmers' king refuses to allow the marriage of the coming-of-age prince to be the daughter of the farmer who saved the king's life in the last war with the hunters, her brother decides he has to help his sister and the prince, his boyhood friend, correct the flagrant injustice.

That decision leads them and their youthful allies into a rebellion against the king and his officials, who rule the kingdom from their bluff-top town.  The far more numerous farmers in the villages below, who despise the officials but not the king, and who admire the prince, are in a position to determine whether the rebels will succeed or face execution for treason.

Just excellent stuff about being human, similarities, differences, love and acceptance, forgiveness and living life.   Even if Clan of the Cave Bear isn't your cup of tea, you may want to give Promised Valley Rebellion a try.