Valerie Bennett, Lidu’s Awakening (Kindle 2024)
Young Paleolithic hunter Crik is over-anxious to prove himself in this test of manhood, his first solo hunt. If he could bring down a bison, he might look worthy in the eyes of his tribe to be their leader in the future as his grandfather was today. He notices wolves are stalking his prey, as well.
Gatherer for the tribe, Lidu has made a Great Mistake. One day she accidently picks purple coloured berries instead of the blue ones, setting off a chain of events that changes her destiny. People get ill from eating the berries, and the women shun her.
Kylo and his brother Aneko struggle for dominance within their pack of teen wolves, who are closing in on a herd of bison. Since he was a pup, Kylo had known that he was destined to one day be alpha.
Crik creeps into position, eyeing the bison, when suddenly one of the wolves lets out a howl, spooking the herd into stampeding off.
The wolves prepare for the big pursuit, Kylo and Aneko in the vanguard.
Lidu, shunned by the other gatherers, goes out berry-picking on her own. She discovers that applied topically, the purple berries have healing qualities. A large cave lion surprises her, but leaves her alone.
Crik continues his stalking. A wolf howls, but the bison are not spooked. Just as he throws his spear, the bison is spooked by something on its other side—two large wolves. Crik is seriously injured, gored by the terrified bison.
The chase is on, and Kylo charges too soon, leaping into the air only to be met by a massive horn. Gored, Kylo fell to the ground. Nearby was Aneko and next to him an unconscious human boy.
Lidu hears two howls, one from a boy, one from a wolf. She heals them both, winning respect first from the wolves, then gradually from the humans.
This is largely the story of a Paleolithic hunt, told first from the humans’ point of view, then from the wolves’, and the events that followed that hunt. We see the primitive structure of the human’s society. Occasionally we glimpse the thinking processes of the wolves, which is quite interesting.
The humans have to learn bigger lessons than how to make a successful kill. They learn the values of honesty, humility and gratitude, that there is possibility for individuals to step outside their assigned gender roles and that being a leader means more than showing off before one’s mates.
The wolves learn—sometimes, humans can be trusted.
Susie Helme 
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