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

This was really good. This isn't my normal genre.
I enjoyed it quite a bit. Maybe a glossary and pronunciation guide would be helpful while reading. Also more physical descriptions of the characters would be really helpful.
More of Eneko and Nahia in the valley would be a dream! It was over too soon! I really enjoyed that part. It seemed so beautiful. The description of the scenery is wonderful. And I really enjoyed Nahia's confusion about her reactions towards Eneko. The fact that the reader can pick up on the things Nahia is too naive to realize makes a really good read.
Overall this was a wonderful read. You can tell that the author knows about this world and how it would go.

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.

Nahia is an intense, riveting, story set in prehistoric Europe. Following Nahia, the Headwoman's daughter as she tries to find her place on the land she has always called home. A place that has always felt safe is now being infiltrated by violent, aggressive groups of foreigners. Nahia, knows it's time for her Band to move inland but her mother refuses to leave. Set to be a Shaman's apprentice as a punishment from her cold mother, Nahia must learn how to interact with the spirit world and what it means to be a Shaman in an ever changing world.

Author Dr. Emily Jones paints a wild, world that we know little about, but she does it in a way that is so captivating you can't help but to read more. The characters and their relationships are complex which makes them all the more real. I really enjoyed this story and can't wait to see what Jones releases next.

I was hooked from the cover and description, it had that element that I was looking for. It uses the prehistoric Europe element and that the historical feel worked overall. The characters had that feel that I was looking for and enjoyed how they were written. Emily Jones has a strong writing style and was glad I got to read this.

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 <spoiler> pragmatic, because it made the entire thing feel so much more real. Nahia's decisions at the end were what I would've expected from her, and I breathed a sigh of relief when she didn't go 'guns a'blazin' and blow up everything just before the end. She was pragmatic throughout, thank goodness. </spoiler>

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. :]

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.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

I went into this book not knowing precisely what to expect. So much historical fiction takes place in time periods that we - the western world - already know quite a bit about (WWII, Victorian England, etc.) and while I do enjoy stories set in those periods, there is something absolutely refreshing about a story set in a time and place that almost NO other fiction story is, as is the case here.

This is a story about a young woman, Nahia, who lives in Spain around 6,000 B.C. It's clear the author did a tremendous amount of research to prepare, and it shows in the incredibly detailed world-building. When Nahia discovers something that her mother - the head of her tribe - does not want known, she is treated as an outcast, banished from her tribe, and forced to rely on the good graces of a young shaman/spiritual leader named Eneko. The majority of the story covers her journey to accept herself in a shamanic role and her efforts to help her family and friends in the tribe that she still cares about.

This story earns major credit for being set in such a unique time and place and clearly supported by deep periodic research, but truthfully, it was hard to keep reading at certain points. It's possible that this story was just not as much for me, but I found myself skimming large sections of the second half, and could not remain as interested. The prose is clean but also, in a way, somewhat dry, and full of extraneous details. The pacing was consistent, but it felt as though not much of any consequence happened, outside of a few key scenes. The romance was incredibly tepid, and I didn't even know it existed (or was meant to exist) until it was more or less over.

Those who enjoy historical fiction set in unique time periods should absolutely give this one a try, and I will likely check out other works by this author, but this one simply wasn't for me, though I do appreciate the opportunity to read and review.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.