I’ve been a fan of Jacqui Murray’s prehistoric fiction for years now. Her latest, Against all Odds, the 3rd book in the Crossroads Trilogy, is just out and my review is below.
Did I mention that I’m a fan? I’ve read and reviewed:
Born in a Treacherous Time
Survival of the Fittest (Crossroads Trilogy 1)
The Quest for Home (Crossroads Trilogy 2)
And, newly released:
Against All Odds (Crossroads Trilogy 3)
If you need an August read, why not give prehistoric fiction a try.
The Story:
A million years of evolution made Xhosa tough but was it enough? She and her People finally reach their destination—a glorious land of tall grasses, few predators, and an abundance that seems limitless, but an enemy greater than any they have met so far threatens to end their dreams. If Xhosa can’t stop this one, she and her People must again flee.
The Crossroads trilogy is set 850,000 years ago, a time in prehistory when man populated most of Eurasia. He was a violent species, fully capable of addressing the many hardships that threatened his survival except for one: future man, a smarter version of himself, one destined to obliterate all those who came before.
From prehistoric fiction author Jacqui Murray comes the unforgettable saga of a courageous woman who questions assumptions, searches for truth, and does what she must despite daunting opposition. Read the final chapter of her search for freedom, safety, and a new home.
A perfect book for fans of Jean Auel and the Gears!
Trailer:
My Review
This book concludes the fascinating trilogy that began 850,000 years ago as Xhosa and her People begin their search for a new home, migrating across continents, meeting different peoples, and facing the harsh elements. They learn new skills, adapt, and develop strategies that help them survive. I recommend reading this series in order since it entails a single journey.
What I’ve enjoyed most about Murray’s prehistoric fiction is the meticulous research, which shines through and brings the time period to life. While the glimpses into prehistoric life were mesmerizing at the beginning of the series, this third installment focuses more on the characters and their personalities and how they adapt to situations. The natural landscape and elements continue to be a challenge but there are more encounters, both cooperative and aggressive, with other humans, including cannibals.
The cast of characters has grown over the trilogy and a glossary of names at the book’s beginning is worth browsing for a refresher. Murray also provides some research detail in a foreword that is interesting though not required to enjoy the story. The book moves along at a good pace, and the author does a great job envisioning the world through prehistoric eyes with terminology that creates an aura of the past. Highly recommended for readers of prehistoric fiction.
Meet Jacqui Murray
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy, the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers, and the Man vs. Nature saga. She is also an adjunct professor of technology in education, blog webmaster, an Amazon Vine Voice, a columnist for NEA Today, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. Look for her next prehistoric fiction, Laws of Nature, Book 2 in the Dawn of Humanity trilogy, Winter 2021.
Social Media contacts:
Happy Reading!
Myths of the Mirror 
Nicely penned
Stay wealthy healthy safe and happy
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Thanks for stopping by to read and comment 🙂 And same to you! Strange times and books are a great way to keep ourselves entertained. Happy Reading.
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🙏
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[…] Continue reading at Myths of the Mirror […]
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Thanks for sharing the release/review, Sue. Jacqui will be over the roof! 🙂 Much appreciated!
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Thanks so much for sharing this, Sue!
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It takes a special kind of imagination to write an epic work of prehistorical fiction like Against All Odds — there’s a reason so few authors will even attempt it! Bully for Jacqui!
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The other reason is that it’s a pretty small market! Nevertheless, we don’t always get to choose our passion.
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No, we need only the self-insight to recognize it!
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Her research is amazing, Sean. She’s been answering questions about prehistoric man on other blogs and it’s just fascinating. All that knowledge shines through. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and cheering Jacqui on. Have a great weekend and be well. ❤
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Wow Di you never failed to amaze me with your book recommendations and ypu have been reading lot.
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Not as many this month though, Mich. I’ve been busy writing and then falling asleep way to early at night. 😀 I’m glad you enjoyed the selection. Have a wonderful day! Take care. ❤
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You to D…take care…😊😊😊
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Imagine my excitement, Mich, to be included! Whew what a high.
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She is a wide and varied reader. Diana’s the reason I now love fantasy.
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Awww. How kind of you to say so, Jacqui. 🙂
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Jacqui continues to inspire, with her work ethic and what I would call transparency, her ability to share progress and challenges on her book projects with readers.
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Thanks for the lovely comment, Ankur. She is inspiring. I’m blown away by her organization skills, her research, and her books. Such a talent. If I can do a quarter of what she accomplishes, it’s a good day. Lol. Have a wonderful week and Happy Reading!
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Thank you, Ankur. That is much appreciated. I love reading how other authors thrive as writers, warts and all!
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Very interesting! I loved Jean Auel and this series sounds like a fun replacement. I’m adding it to my TBR.
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Thanks for stopping by, Michelle. I think you’ll enjoy the authenticity in these stories that comes from some amazing research. I enjoyed Clan of the Cave Bear, but the people were a bit “modern” in a lot of ways. Jacqui does a good joy of recreating the past to the extent we understand it. I hope you give it a try. Happy Reading!
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I’m amazed at the depth and tenacity it must have taken Jacqui to write this trilogy, all that research!
Glowing review, Diana, congrats Jacqui!
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Thanks, Jina. I love researching so this was a labor of love, truly. Diana really captured the essence with her review.
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Thanks for stopping by, Jina. I find it utterly fascinating. Jacqui is so knowledgeable and all the hard work researching shines through her stories. Have a great day and Happy Reading!
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What a great review, Diana. I agree with you on the amazing research from Jacqui that goes into her prehistoric books. life was fascinating in those times.
What a prefect timing! Jacqui is over on my blog for her launch of Against All Odds!
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And I’m having a great time, Miriam. You have a nice community.
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I love the open house party, Jacqui, when people come at their convenient time. I agree that I’m in a great community.
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She does a wonderful launch, Miriam. I always say I’m going to try harder after watching her launch a book. I’ll be over to say hi! Thanks for the visit and Happy Reading. 🙂
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She did, Diana! 🙂 She is well organized for her launch. Please come on over! 🙂
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Fantastic review! I can’t wait to read this:)
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Thank you, Denise. Diana did catch its essence–I’m thrilled with that.
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Thanks for checking out the review, Denise. I’d recommend starting with the first book an working your way through the hundreds of thousands of years. Really well-researched and fascinating. Have a great day and Happy Reading. Take care.
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I agree the books should be read from the beginning. I’ve loved each of them:) Thank you, hope you are having a good week so far and Happy Reading!
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Busily writing with a self-imposed deadline. Lol.
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Congrats on the new release and the review, Jacqui! I can’t begin to imagine the amount of research that went into this series.
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And I love every bit of it. A future trilogy is going to take place 70,000 BC, the time when man almost went extinct. I can’t wait to dig into that!
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I can’t wait either. 🙂
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I can’t imagine it either, Teri. The worldbuilding is exceptional and really brings the period to life. It’s a fun read. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and I hope the moves have gone well! Have a great week.
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This is sounding good. As I enjoyed the previous two from this trilogy I’m feeling very tempted about checking up on the developments. This is such a good way to get a sense of early human history.
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Xhosa’s kind spread throughout Eurasia 850,000 years ago. This book shows how they got to the furthest reaches of Europe. Thanks for reading the earlier two, Cath!
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This book moves focuses more on the characters and the conflicts between groups than challenges with the environment. But that too was part of our history and survival. I’m looking forward to the next trilogy. 🙂 Thanks for the visit, Cath. Have a lovely week and take care. 🙂
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Oh, I so want to read this triology! I’ve loved this type of literature ever since I was about 16 and started on Jean Auel. I promise I’ll get to them soon, Jacqui!! Wonderful review, D 🙂
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I liked figuring out how man survived without tools, technology, the wheel, fire, weapons–nothing but his big brain. Quite interesting.
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Makes me wonder if we could go back to that again and survive.
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Probably not! People were pretty tough then. And I’ll be a lot of them didn’t survive.
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Yeah, we complain about modern techology – kids and their phones etc – but we ARE living longer than ever before…
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That’s for sure. 🙂
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I’m late to the party. I have the first one in Jacqui’s trilogy waiting on my Kindle. It’s exciting to know that two others are waiting in the wings.
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You’re not late, Pete. The party will go for another couple of days here, and for Jacqui, it’s going to go a lot longer. 🙂 Now when you start the first, you won’t have to wait. I hope you enjoy the read. ❤ Have a wonderful week.
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I often buy all the books in a trilogy at once so I don’t have to stop. If I’m honest, I buy five books at a time in a series so I can just keep reading. And then I get more. I guess I like long stories.
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Congrats to Jacqui. So much research into a book like this. The trailer was fantastic! 🙂 ❤
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Thanks for the visit, Debby. I’m delighted to help Jacqui with her launch. I really do enjoy her books. And the trailer came out great. Have a lovely week, my friend. Be happy and healthy and peaceful. ❤
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Thanks Diana. I’m having Jacqui over to my blog on Friday/<3 See you there ❤ Stay safe! xx
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Awesome. 🙂
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I’m so glad you liked the trailer, Deb. It’s my first but came out pretty much the way I wanted. Thanks for dropping in to say hi.
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Pleasure Jacqui. See you Friday at my blog 🙂
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I’m intrigued about where humans in the development of language during that period of history. I haven’t studied it or, until now, ever really thought about it.
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In the books, Liz, there is a lot of hand-gesturing and sounds, eventually including bird calls as call-signs. That’s what I mean when I say well-researched; it feels authentic. Of course the characters “talk” in the book, but it’s subtly clear that they aren’t actually “talking” like we do. The research adds an intriguing level of interest to the story. Thanks so much for stopping by to take a peek. Have a wonderful week. 🙂
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Hi Liz–there is so much disagreement on whether early man–Xhosa’s kind–could verbally speak, I settled for other communication styles, as Diana mentions. There is ample evidence of that sort among all types of animals.
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Thank you for the additional information, Diana! I hope you have a wonderful week, as well.
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This sounds like a great read. 🙂
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I like the problem-solving and tenacity of most characters in prehistoric fiction. You’ll find lots of that in this book!
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I’ll certainly check it out.
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I’ve enjoyed all her prehistoric fiction, Steven. It’s well-researched and fascinating. I’m happy to share my review and recommend her books. Have a great week and Happy Reading. ❤
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Thanks for the review and the recommendation, Diana. Have a great week as well. 🙂
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Thanks, Steven. 🙂
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Darn it! Another book (well, series) I have to read. 😉
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Hehee. I know what you mean. My list is long–and then it gets longer! Thanks for visiting.
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Always longer, but it’s a good problem to have!
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I know. It never ends, does it? A good problem to have, I guess. This is a fun series and the world building is rather amazing while based on lots of research. I enjoyed it. Happy Reading!
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Though we’d be terribly sad if we ever got to the end of our TBR lists. Thankfully that will never happen.
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This sounds amazing
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It’s not your usual read, and it’s fascinating. Worth giving a try. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week. Be well. ❤
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It sure was fun to write!
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Prehistoric read – got to – being a Devon boy who grew up close to England’s Jurassic Coast – and old enough to watch the ‘Flintstones’ first time around! Going to take your advice (above), Diana and go for the first book first! All the best to you and yours.
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You’ll have fun, Eric. It’s not quite the Flintstones, Lol. Jacqui does a great job of showing how humans began to advance beyond animal intelligence into something more thoughtful and inventive. It’s fascinating. The first book is a stand-alone, but I bet you’ll get hooked. Happy Reading and take care. 🙂
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Parts of this take place close to you–well, close geographically, albeit 850,000 years ago! I found some great information on ancient Britain.
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The times I’ve walked the beaches of Charmouth and Lyme Regis, their crumbling cliffs reveal… and drove past Stonehenge to return to where I, all begun.
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That’s beautiful.
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It’s the ancient Briton in me.
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Wonderful review Diana and I have next on my list to read, so looking forward to catching up with the characters and the story. I am sharing your review in Jacqui’s new book promo on the 10th. x
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Excellent, Sally. It’s a fun read and I’m so happy for Jacqui. I love reading the books of other bloggers. I hope that you enjoy it when you get there. 🙂
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I am sure I will Diana. have loved the other books..x
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Oooh, I can’t wait. Diana does a good job of explaining the pieces of this story.
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She writes wonderful reviews..xx
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Like you, I’m amazed by the research that went into these books- it’s mind boggling!
Wonderful review, congrats to Jacqui.
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Thanks for visiting, Jacquie. Isn’t the research wonderful?! It made the books so real for me, and I felt like I was learning (and experiencing) that time. This one is a satisfying end to the story. Now I have to wait for the next. Have a great week, my friend. ❤
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This iteration of early man is so interesting. Researching him was easy!
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It doesn’t sound easy! Lol.
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Maybe for you! Lol. Things go in one side of my head and out the other!
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Lovely post Diana. Jacqui is a terrific writer. I too have read all the books in this series and am half way through this one.
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Nice, Balroop. It’s a pleasure to read her writing. I’m already eager for the next series. Thanks for taking the time to visit and add your thoughts. Have a lovely week, my friend. Be well. ❤
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Thank you, Balroop! Xhosa has a lot of angst that would fit well with your poetry I think.
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I loved all three books and recommend them to anyone who ever wondered about what life was like before the days of Smart Phones. I just had to chuckle to myself because I read all three of these books on my Kindle!
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Me too, Anneli. Lol. I’m already looking forward to the next batch of books (Cro-magnon man, I think I read somewhere). That will be another amazing read, I’m sure. Thanks for stopping by to cheer Jacqui on. 🙂
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Hehee–before the wheel even! Who knew those days even existed!
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Oh groan! I can’t imagine life before the wheel!!!
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A terrific review, Diana. I am looking forward to reading this.
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Thanks for the visit, Robbie. I think you’ll enjoy it. Jacqui has this prehistoric fiction genre down. Have a great week and Happy Reading. 😀 Take care.
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Thanks, Robbie. I loved figuring out what man was like before we were the Alpha in the Animal kingdom.
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Prehistoric fiction fascinates me too ❤️. Great review!
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Thanks for stopping by, Tessa. I’ve obviously enjoyed all of these books, and I’m looking forward to the next batch. Lol. Have a great Sunday and week ahead. Happy Reading. 🙂
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Love hearing that, Tessa. Thanks!
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Enticing review Diana. You’ve piqued my interest for Jacqui and her books.
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Start with the first one, which is a stand-alone, and see if you enjoy it. The research (which I can’t stop talking about) made it an enthralling read. Have a great Sunday, my friend. I hope you’re doing well. ❤
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Thanks Diana. The books sound appealing, especially for the details and research. Yes, I’m doing OK, chugging along at work and life. You?
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Caring for parents, grandkid, and trying to get a book ready to launch. Housework? Not so much. Lol. I’m busy, but watching less news, which is healthy for me.
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That sounds like a lot of doing but purposeful and passionate I imagine. No news is good news. 😊
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Lots of doing!
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Xhosa’s time was a tough one for mankind but she constantly rose to the challenge. I like seeing people in impossible circumstances who prevail. Thanks for visit!
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You’re welcome!
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Thank you for this review, Diana. I’ve enjoyed the previous books, I’m looking forward to reading this one too, at some point.
Hope you’re keeping well, my friend…x
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There are some surprises here. I didn’t expect to find what I did when I researched the Iberian Peninsula 850,000 years ago!
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Hi Khaya. Thanks so much for the visit, and I’m so glad you’re familiar with Jacqui’s work. This is a great end to the series, and I know you’ll enjoy it. I hope you’re doing well and enjoying your summer. Happy Reading, my friend. ❤
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Fantastic review, Diana! I love Jacqui’s series and I’m so looking forward to this one. Great trailer!
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Thanks for stopping by, Jill. Her prehistoric fiction is just fascinating. I’m already looking forward to the next series! Lol. Happy Sunday, my friend. Be well. ❤
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❤
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Thanks, Jill! I hope you love this one, too!
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I know I will!
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Thank you so much for hosting me, Diana! This will be a fun day.
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Thanks for the opportunity, Jacqui. And thanks for coming by to say hi to everyone. Congrats on the book and for completing the series. That’s an accomplishment. 🙂 Enjoy the glow.
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Great review–love the book trailer!
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Thanks! I enjoyed the series, most of all at the start, I’ll admit, when the world-building was so amazing. Naturally the series shifts into a more character-driven story as the world becomes familiar and we get to know the characters better. I’m looking forward to Jacqui’s next project. Have a great Sunday and Happy Reading. 🙂
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You too!
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Thanks–about the trailer. This was the first time I’ve tried it. I got the courage from seeing Diana do hers.
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Is there someone specific you used? I’ve had an animated cover done for my last novel, but I always wanted a trailer:-)
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I did one on PowerPoint for one of my books and it came out well enough that I’ve seen others try it recently too. I’m pretty sure that’s what Jacqui used. I’m sure she’ll chime in.
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Thanks–I never even thought of that but I might get my husband to try it–he’s very good with PowerPoint!
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The hardest part for me was just getting organized with images. Then it’s just assembly and details. Adding audio is pretty easy and there’s quite a bit of free music on the internet… or you can narrate an audio clip. It will keep the husband busy for a few days. 🙂
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Diana’s right–I used her instructions. It’s time-consuming but easy. Canva also has an option with a selection of public domain music.
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My new project is to try this! Thanks!
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You did a fabulous job. 🙂
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Never heard of this and I’m definitely adding it to my TBR list. Great review!
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Hi Jonathan. I read Clan of the Cave Bear as a teenager and then forgot about prehistoric fiction until I started reading Jacqui’s books. The research shines through and added a rich layer to the story. Thanks for the visit and the follow. 😀 Happy Reading!
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That comment about how well the research shines through is what hooked me. I really appreciate writers who know their stuff, it makes the difference between a world that feels genuine and one that feels fictional in all the wrong ways.
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That was a favorite part – the research. It gave great insights into our ancestors when they stopped being animals and started becoming human. I hope you enjoy it.
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Thanks, Jonathan. There are bits and pieces of man that have not changed over millions of years. They’re what makes us human. I focus on those.
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That sounds really interesting, I can’t wait to get into it. I really appreciate writers who do their research and that was honestly the comment that caught me most in the review, so I look forward to reading your work.
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A terrific review and overview of Jacqui’s awesome series that takes us back before history was written!
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Thanks for stopping by, Bette. I enjoyed getting to know these characters over the series. Jacqui undertook quite a project. 🙂 Have a great Sunday and week ahead, my friend. ❤
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Diana has a way with reviews. She seems to connect to dots well–not just in my book but most of her reviews. I always enjoy them.
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A great review. The series sounds like a good read.
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I’ve enjoyed it, Vivienne, especially the research that really transported me back to prehistoric times. I think Jacqui has a time machine in her garage. 🙂 Thanks for the visit. Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!
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This was an amazing time in man’s evolution. We collected many of the pieces that allowed us to survive when we became this species.
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Thanks for visiting, Vivienne. Because man at that time got himself in a lot of trouble, the story is pretty action-packed. It’ll keep you reading!
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