Review by rscorman -- Adrift by Charlie Sheldon

[rscorman]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Adrift" by Charlie Sheldon.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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In Adrift, author Charlie Sheldon’s sequel to Strong Heart, we are taken on a journey that picks up about a year after the first novel ends, introducing us to a new cast that connect us to the characters we’d already met. The novel begins out at sea, where we meet Steve, the captain of the Seattle Express, an old ship we came to know through William, one of the main characters in the first book. William is part of Steve’s crew when the ship catches fire and everyone on board is forced to abandon ship.

Adrift takes us on a journey through the eyes of Steve and the ship’s crew, the team of boat salvagers that risk their lives to tow the stranded Seattle Express back home, and several of the characters from Strong Heart. Sheldon expertly pulls parts of his first novel into the second, allowing the incomplete pieces from Strong Heart take shape.

I give Adrift 3 out of 4 stars. From the first chapter, I wanted to read more. The different parts of the story were so captivating and curiosity-building that I was going to sleep thinking about setting aside time the next day to read more. I found Sheldon’s second novel much more interesting, readable and well done than the first in the series. In fact, when I was finished with Adrift, I started hoping for a third book. The only reason I didn’t provide a perfect rating was due to a handful of typos throughout the book.

I found Sheldon’s ability to create parallel storylines that intersected at different points in the book masterful. I also felt the characters to be believable. In his first novel, I struggled with some of the storytelling; there were many chapters that didn’t resonate with me. However, in Adrift, I was able to follow along perfectly.

It is clear that Sheldon has maritime experience, providing extensive descriptions of the ship, an old tugboat, docks, and shoreline. His talent in providing detailed imagery allowed me to visualize and feel the experience - I cringed at cringe-worthy moments, shivered when the crew faced the Pacific Northwest winter, and felt frustration towards the corporate giant that I’d grown to despise during Strong Heart.

You know it’s a good book when you’re invested in each character’s outcome and are compelled from start to finish. With Adrift, Sheldon nailed it. I highly recommend this adventure story.

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Adrift
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