Technically this is even a re-read, but it's been so long that I hadn't yet been on GR then – plus, it's my first time reading it in the original language (I guess I first read the German edition when I was Chagak's age).

I used to love these kinds of adventurous prehistoric novels from the dawn of time, of civilization and of humanity so much, especially if they were as well researched as this one, anthropologically as well as archaeologically and socioculturally, with the dynamics of the tribal culture distinctly depicted. The female protagonist was a very strong lead with an indomitable spirit, wise beyond her 13 years of age, and the supporting characters were compelling as well. Harrison has a very vivid writing style, even though less in terms of poetic diction than matching the general tone of the novel – tearing through the pages of this retelling of an old Aleut folk tale, I was able to see everything in front of my inner eye. The descriptions of how these people lived with nature instead of off it – it's something that should be as important today as it was back then. These people were ingeniously resourceful and self-sufficient, keenly aware of wind and sea and nature all around them. A woman's worth wasn't much in those days and there were a few uncomfortable scenes revolving around the graphic descriptions of the belief system of prehistoric man, but ultimately, it's a gritty story about the trials and tribulations of Chagak and of her survival in a harsh and frigid environment.
It's still a genre favorite of mine, but it'll never replace the deep-seated love I have for Auel's Earth's Children series.