Description
5200 BCE. In a land of towering mountains and shadowed valleys, the Izokina people struggle to endure. Te’a, daughter of a chieftain, carries the weight of tradition, leadership, and survival on her shoulders. But when strangers arrive bearing gifts—and the promise of alliance—Te’a alone perceives the danger in their bargain.
As oaths splinter and betrayal takes root, Te’a must guard her people against forces that threaten not only their land but their very way of life. With only the fierce loyalty of her band and the unyielding strength of her spirit, she must stand as the last barrier between her people and the darkness of oblivion.
Sheila Balls –
Frozen in Time paints a picture of life 7000 years ago; daily occurrences mixed with the kind of occasional drama that touches all people. This book centres on how life might have been,how it might have changed. A list of the many characters and a setting map at the beginning of the book help to orient the reader. The writing style is clear and the voice well maintained. Notes at the end of the book indicate how the author researched language in order to portray the characters’ speech as meaningfully as possible.
– Sheila Balls, author of All Right So Far
D.M. Buehler –
Te’a is smart, strong, skilled, and a brave leader alongside and equal to her man. I was hooked from the first few pages when Te’a and her Izokina tribe grapple with the arrival of newcomers who outnumber them and whose values, especially towards ownership and women, are at odds with their own. Raby takes us on an adventure through the towering mountains and shadowed valleys of the European Alps over 5000 years ago as we follow Te’a and her people through a cycle of the seasons. This is a gripping story of love and loyalty set amid an intellectual playground of politics, Mesolithic ecology, and (to this reader) fictionalized hints of our own human past. You won’t be able to put this book down.
~D.M. Buehler, author of TIARIS: When the Oceans Kissed
G. Martin –
Frozen in Time: Shelter of Stones is one of the most convincing prehistoric novels I’ve read in years. The world-building is extraordinary—every detail of landscape, clan life, and ritual feels grounded in careful research, yet the story never gets bogged down in it. Raby brings 5200 BCE vividly to life in a way that feels both alien and completely human, weaving a gripping tale of survival, change, and loyalty that stayed with me long after I turned the last page.
Reads.Nancy –
📚Review: In Frozen in Time, Zanne Raby delivers a masterfully told prehistoric epic driven by emotion, tension, and gripping character dynamics. Te’a stands out as a heroine who balances vulnerability with unwavering strength, a young leader forced to navigate the fragile line between tradition and survival. Her internal struggle—torn between duty and instinct—adds powerful emotional depth to the story.
The Izokina world feels authentically alive, richly detailed with rituals, landscapes, and the relentless challenges of an unforgiving environment. When enigmatic visitors arrive with promises of unity, Raby builds an atmosphere of dread that slowly tightens like a snare. Te’a’s foresight becomes both her burden and her weapon as she fights to uncover the truth behind their intentions.
The novel’s pacing is driven by escalating tension—fractured oaths, hidden rivalries, and the looming threat of destruction. Through it all, themes of loyalty, cultural identity, and ancestral resilience shine.
Fans of historical adventure, ancient civilizations, and strong female protagonists will be swept away by this enthralling tale. Frozen in Time is both haunting and inspiring—a story that lingers long after the last page. ❄️✨
DINESH KUMAR –
Post Description: Zanne Raby’s Frozen in Time: Shelter of Stones is a beautifully crafted prehistoric drama that blends survival, courage, and cultural identity into an unforgettable reading experience. Set in 5200 BCE, the novel transports readers into a world carved by mountains, shadowed by uncertainty, and held together by tradition. At its heart is Te’a—daughter of a chieftain and a remarkable heroine whose strength feels both timeless and deeply human. As her people, the Izokina, navigate hunger, harsh terrain, and growing threats, Te’a becomes the quiet force holding their world together. 🌄🔥
When mysterious outsiders arrive offering gifts and promises of alliance, Te’a senses the danger beneath their generosity. As betrayal and fractured loyalties begin to surface, the tension in the story intensifies, turning the narrative into a gripping struggle for survival—not just of land, but of culture, trust, and community. Raby’s poetic writing, rich world-building, and emotional depth immerse readers fully into the ancient past.
For lovers of historical fiction, strong female leads, and deeply atmospheric storytelling, Frozen in Time: Shelter of Stones is a captivating must-read. This powerful tale reminds us that even in the earliest eras of humanity, bravery and leadership shaped destinies.