Book Review – Transcendence by Shay Savage

Transcendence
A love story involving a caveman? Definitely not my usual. I mean, sure… I do prefer my book-heroes to be alphas,  so in essence, you might think that the whole “caveman” thing would be right up my alley. *shrug* Not really. 

Or so I thought.

Oh… I was curious, for sure. Considering that fact that I’ve loved this author’s writing in the past (her other books, one of ’em – Surviving Raine – being one of my all-time favorites). I was enticed by the idea of reading something so unique, despite the “weird-factor”. <— Actually. Scratch that. I kinda love that “weird” factor. Hermits, escorts (<—how does that even work out?), kidnappers, forbidden love “couples” and now… cavemen. 😉 As long as the main focus is on love (or some weird rendition of “love”), I’m in!

And considering that this was not so much a “historical” as much as it was a love story influenced by adapting and survival, I was even more intrigued. After all, I LOVE those! Books about love dawning… and even thriving against all odds. Despite dire circumstances. Books like Surviving Raine, The Bronze Horseman, On The Island, and even The Hunger Games captivate me every time.

But it’s when I saw this part of the synopsis that my mind overloaded in anticipation! I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it, ’cause it’s not just about a caveman and his “woman”. His woman is a modern one. From OUR time.

He’s strong and intelligent, but completely alone. When he finds a beautiful young woman in his pit trap, it’s obvious to him that she is meant to be his mate. He doesn’t know where she came from, she’s wearing some pretty odd clothing, and she makes a lot of noises with her mouth that give him a headache. Still, he’s determined to fulfill his purpose in life – provide for her, protect her, and put a baby in her…

… With only each other for company, they must rely on one another to fight the dangers of the wild and prepare for the winter months. As they struggle to coexist, theirs becomes a love story that transcends language and time.

So yes… there’s that “time-travel” angle (so I suspected) hovering in the background, keeping us on edge, but it’s not necessarily the focus of the story. And it’s not a “comedy” read either (which is what my husband assumed. Too much Encino Man for him, maybe?). Not a “comedy” no, despite the many times it made me laugh out loud, and had me grinning so many times in between.

Maryse’s Book Blog: Tee hee! He growls at her to get her to calm down, and when he realizes he scared her, he feels bad and growls at her a second time… softly. That made me giggle!

Brandi: Cavemen!! *dies* Buying and starting NOW haha I’m getting Clan of the Cave Bear flashbacks thanks Maryse!

Ana: What?! OMG! I need this! *buybuybuy*

Emma: Hoh!!! <— side note from Maryse. Ohhhh I get this, now. 😉 Tee hee!!!

Rebecca: Lol, definitely Clan of the cave bear flashbacks!! Crossed with Surviving Raine survival… I’ve just started this.

Stacy: Omg! Im 34% into it and I love it! Ive never read anything quite like this. Also, its hilarious! lol Shay Savage is a bad-ass!!

Stephanie: I’m reading it too! It’s so good!!!

Rebecka: And done! Wow I loved. Epilogue …

Maryse’s Book Blog: The name part was sooooooo cuuuuute!

Vicki: I’m reading it now and I can’t stop laughing!!!

Kandace: When I started the book I had to message Shay to ask if I should be laughing and she said YES! It’s so different but so good. I thought I would miss somethings because of “you know” but I truly enjoyed their interaction. I honestly thought she was crazy when she said she was writing a book about a caveman! I’m glad you’re liking it.

Maryse’s Book Blog: I am loving it, and laughing out loud, but it also tugs at my heart. Sweet and a bit sad at times. Totally up our alley my friends! I’m still reading as we speak.

Ann: Stayed up till 3 am finishing. So sweet… So good and different! No cliffhanger but she leaves herself open to write another.

Sally: I am so happy that everyone finally gets to read this utterly amazing & unique book! Shay Savage really outdid herself with this one!

Jaime: That book was so weird…but so adorable! Loved it.

Maryse’s Book Blog: Annnnd done! WOW!! What. An. Ending!!! What an epilogue!! There were tears…  LOVED IT!

Erin: I could not stop the tears. I loved that epilogue

Kandace: The ending sealed the deal for me. Did you figure out the gift her *spoiler* gave her?

Maryse: The ending was AMAZING!!!! Sealed it for me, too. The gift…? Hrmm… no. LOL!!!! Tell me in a private message.

Andrea: Wasn’t it perfect! There are so many things that came full circle in the end.

Polly: I adored the ending!! So beautiful and poignant. Had tears rolling.

Erin: I wanted inside of Beh’s head sooo bad!!!

Jennifer: I adored this book. I just finished it, it’s 4:30 in the morning and I want more!! I loved it. So different but so captivating. This is one book I would truly, from the depths of my heart, want to read from her POV just to be immersed in this story again! Please Shay Savage, give it to us from her POV! Thank you so much for the recommendation Maryse’s Book Blog and thank you for a beautiful story Shay Savage! (BTW I love, love, love Ehd! He was such a breath of fresh air, his strength and his tenderness were balanced perfectly).

Agreed Jennifer! I think the only thing that would have made this better, maybe given it more “depth” (via a totally different perspective) would have been having the heroine’s POV at least a few times for a few integral scenes. Might have changed things up a bit (as at times, things did get a tad repetitive through his more basic perspective). Although when it comes to emotion, there is nothing basic about him. But still… overall? She pulled it off, and my heart had that squeeeeezy feel in the end.

“What what whaaaaaat? Just his POV?!!!” you ask. Yep. The author wrote the entire thing from the caveman’s POV. A man with no real language abilities. To be fair, the author took some artistic liberties, so to us, his thoughts and perceptions are coming through loud and clear, in english, no less. But the entire discovery, and eventual connection is translated through his eyes.

And let me tell you, this author is something else, ’cause she was still able to deliver the heroine’s POV, through him. Mind you, at times, his caveman, or should I just say “male” comprehension  of what she was experiencing (or trying to say) was wayyyy off, but to us, the reader… things were clear. 😉 And this author is just clever that way. When it counted, we were living through her eyes, too.

So what’s it about? Well… pretty much what the synopsis says, and I won’t go into it much further than that. The fun is in the step-by-step discovery, when it comes to this story. “Ehd” (a young man) has been alone for years, having lost his family and entire tribe to a fire. Having to fend for himself with no companionship is wearing on him and he’s losing the will to live.

Not for the first time, I consider just going back to my cave, lying down, and letting the hunger take me. I’m tired, I’m cold, and alone. I’m not sure there is any reason for me to continue to work so hard just to keep myself alive.

Winters are harsh, he’s starving and doesn’t believe he’ll live much longer (and isn’t really working towards survival anymore). That is, until he finds a woman in his trap. Beautiful and wearing such odd clothing (and colors on her face), he decides he’s taking her (despite her protests). No worries, my friends… he’s a sweeeeeeetie!!!

Kandace: I loved how he tried figuring out what made her happy. Men today still haven’t figured that out. Lol!

Maryse: Poooor sweet not-so-alpha Ehd.

Kandace: He wasn’t alpha at all but so sweet.

Maryse: LOVED!! You’d think a caveman would be alpha and all scary-EEEEP and stuff with his woman. She couldn’t have lucked out more, if you ask me (considering the circumstances).

Yep… once he had a friend, he was going to do anything to protect her. And… put a baby in her.  LOL!! But at first, he’s so concerned and self-conscious of his care taking abilities, his living arrangements and wanting to please her.

Does she think it is good enough? What if she thinks it’s too small? After so much time alone, I hadn’t considered that I might find a mate and hadn’t collected the things she would want and need to start her life with me. Now that I am thinking about it, I realize I have very little to offer a mate, not even much in the way of food.

And really, all she’s thinking is…. HELP!!!!!!!

I have no idea what she needs, and I wonder what might have happened to her to make her so sad.

I suddenly realize that she must have lost her tribe just as I have.

Awwwww!!!  *clutches chest*

Now that I comprehend, my heart aches for her.

But despite their communication difficulties and language barrier, the look of love needs no translation. And this one had my heart from the get go.

An unconventional, delightfully weird love story. Weird… but not quirky or corny, you know? Just… right up our alley, and I loved it!

I was fluctuating between 4 and 4.5 stars, (4 stars, due to my occasional need for the heroine’s POV), but just for the fact that I read it with gusto, and for that incredible heart-squeeeeeezing, super clever, gasp-worthy ending? I’m giving it…

4.5 stars!