Review by MaLingle -- Adrift by Charlie Sheldon
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MaLingle
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- Latest Review: Adrift by Charlie Sheldon
Review by MaLingle -- Adrift by Charlie Sheldon
[Following is a volunteer review of "Adrift" by Charlie Sheldon.]
Surprisingly, Adrift by Charlie Sheldon, while not a book I would typically select to read, drew me in from the first chapter. Sheldon, is a writer, that has a great working knowledge of cargo ships and their equipment, from experience or extensive research, which made reading Adrift easy to visualize and understand in regards to the technical aspects and the when understanding their plight at sea.
The story begins in the midst of a tragedy at sea. It evolves quickly, and with about as much speed gains a varied and large cast of characters. At first getting to know them all and figuring out their relationships, was a bit cumbersome. Looking back after completing the book, I can see that the different perspectives helped to move the story along, however, I am not sure that I would agree that all perspectives were needed or added benefit to the story line.
The development of some characters was strong and on point, their backstories beneficial in weaving the story together. I felt that the details about the crew of both the ship in distress, The Seattle Express and the rescues ship, The Warhorse to be the strongest plot line and character development. However, after completing the story, there were several plot lines that lacked dimension or relevance, in my opinion, to the main story. I would have liked to see several of the story subplot lines elaborated more greatly to grow the depth of the secondary characters, which in return would make the story richer and more cohesive.
As I indicated initially, I was impressed with the details and the clarity in which the author, Charlie Sheldon, was able to depict the various details of the ship, the lifeboats, and the geography of the area that were discussed in the book. The attention to the details causes the reader to use their imagination more vividly to enact the story in their minds. The descriptions of the seas, and the weather, and the geography once the crew has cast off in the life boats, has the reader enthralled in their battle for their lives, and wondering if they will survive in the elements.
At times I was cheering for the crew on the lifeboats, or on the rescue ship because I was so engrossed in this sea tale. Typically, not a fan of maritime adventures this tale was able to hold my attention from beginning to end, because of the abundant and descriptive details of life at sea or surrounding the sea vessels.
I did not find any typographical errors in this book, and I would rate this maritime adventure a 3 out of 4 stars due mostly to the jumble of lesser developed characters in the book. Overall this was a captivating tale of tragedy, survival, jubilation, and loss. Anyone looking for a good maritime adventure or who would like to read their first sea tale, you will not be disappointed with the recounting of this story.
******
Adrift
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Surprisingly, Adrift by Charlie Sheldon, while not a book I would typically select to read, drew me in from the first chapter. Sheldon, is a writer, that has a great working knowledge of cargo ships and their equipment, from experience or extensive research, which made reading Adrift easy to visualize and understand in regards to the technical aspects and the when understanding their plight at sea.
The story begins in the midst of a tragedy at sea. It evolves quickly, and with about as much speed gains a varied and large cast of characters. At first getting to know them all and figuring out their relationships, was a bit cumbersome. Looking back after completing the book, I can see that the different perspectives helped to move the story along, however, I am not sure that I would agree that all perspectives were needed or added benefit to the story line.
The development of some characters was strong and on point, their backstories beneficial in weaving the story together. I felt that the details about the crew of both the ship in distress, The Seattle Express and the rescues ship, The Warhorse to be the strongest plot line and character development. However, after completing the story, there were several plot lines that lacked dimension or relevance, in my opinion, to the main story. I would have liked to see several of the story subplot lines elaborated more greatly to grow the depth of the secondary characters, which in return would make the story richer and more cohesive.
As I indicated initially, I was impressed with the details and the clarity in which the author, Charlie Sheldon, was able to depict the various details of the ship, the lifeboats, and the geography of the area that were discussed in the book. The attention to the details causes the reader to use their imagination more vividly to enact the story in their minds. The descriptions of the seas, and the weather, and the geography once the crew has cast off in the life boats, has the reader enthralled in their battle for their lives, and wondering if they will survive in the elements.
At times I was cheering for the crew on the lifeboats, or on the rescue ship because I was so engrossed in this sea tale. Typically, not a fan of maritime adventures this tale was able to hold my attention from beginning to end, because of the abundant and descriptive details of life at sea or surrounding the sea vessels.
I did not find any typographical errors in this book, and I would rate this maritime adventure a 3 out of 4 stars due mostly to the jumble of lesser developed characters in the book. Overall this was a captivating tale of tragedy, survival, jubilation, and loss. Anyone looking for a good maritime adventure or who would like to read their first sea tale, you will not be disappointed with the recounting of this story.
******
Adrift
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Adrift by Charlie Sheldon
