Review by hconyers -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
Posted: 16 Sep 2020, 15:16
[Following is a volunteer review of "Strong Heart" by Charlie Sheldon.]
Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon is not your typical coming of age story. Sarah, an abandoned teen, is unexpectedly dropped off on her grandfather’s doorstep before he and two of his friends depart on a camping trip. To make things worse for Tom, he didn’t even know he had a granddaughter until he opened his front door. Obviously, this changes everything for the group. The three were packed and ready to go on a hiking trip that was going to be difficult even before this 13 year old girl was pushed onto them. They decide to bring her along, because postponing the trip isn’t an option. The group’s journey takes them through the beautiful Olympic National Park. One character is quoted saying, “This is a land of magic, history and legend.” As the reader continues through this story, we understand that sentence to be grave understatement for the adventure that is yet to come.
I really enjoyed the way the book was written. The author did a fantastic job describing the scenes the characters were seeing. I was actually able to draw a parallel from the trail in the story to a hiking trail that I would frequent in my youth. As a visual learner, I love being able to make these connections and feel more involved with the story. This book is extremely rich in history and legend. It’s admirable how the author was able to take legends and facts to create such a rich backdrop for this adventure. Oftentimes in books that refer back to native legend or scientific evidence, the story is overshadowed in trying to set an elaborate stage. Sheldon did a wonderful job in balancing the history we need to know for the scene, the legends that furthered the plot, and the story he is telling.
Another thing I found very interesting in this book is that it seemingly lacks strong character development. Typically, this would drive me nuts. I like to go into a story knowing who the characters are and having a sense of familiarity with them. However, in this book, we get to know the characters as they get to know each other. Sarah is shoved into a house with three perfect strangers and is immediately whisked away to the forest with them. By the end of the book, all of the characters have a better understanding of themselves, as well as each other.
The story and plot lines of the book are entertaining, if at times a bit jumpy. A reader entering the book is surely not prepared for the turmoil this little group must face. It’s way more than a typical narrative about a young girl meeting strangers and finding herself in the wilderness. There are some heartfelt moments that one would expect. However, there are also moments that can take the breath away and some pictures of a past culture that will leave the mind reeling. At more than one spot in this tale, I veered off into a place of historical research that was indescribably fascinating.
As I previously stated, there were sections of the story that felt a little jumpy. I’m not sure if these subplots were supposed to serve as quick branches off the main story or if the author was intentionally leaving some things that a sequel could jump off from. Whichever the case, I feel there could have been a bit more plot development and/or suspense to some of these extras. However, this is my chief complaint about the book and I’m hesitant to even call it a complaint. I feel it’s more of a personal preference.
Over all, I would rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. It is an entertaining and a pleasant read. Native culture is an incredibly rich tapestry that weaves magic, history, legends, and facts into one. This book is a wonderful representation of sharing these things through different generations and adding to the timeline that isn’t complete.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon is not your typical coming of age story. Sarah, an abandoned teen, is unexpectedly dropped off on her grandfather’s doorstep before he and two of his friends depart on a camping trip. To make things worse for Tom, he didn’t even know he had a granddaughter until he opened his front door. Obviously, this changes everything for the group. The three were packed and ready to go on a hiking trip that was going to be difficult even before this 13 year old girl was pushed onto them. They decide to bring her along, because postponing the trip isn’t an option. The group’s journey takes them through the beautiful Olympic National Park. One character is quoted saying, “This is a land of magic, history and legend.” As the reader continues through this story, we understand that sentence to be grave understatement for the adventure that is yet to come.
I really enjoyed the way the book was written. The author did a fantastic job describing the scenes the characters were seeing. I was actually able to draw a parallel from the trail in the story to a hiking trail that I would frequent in my youth. As a visual learner, I love being able to make these connections and feel more involved with the story. This book is extremely rich in history and legend. It’s admirable how the author was able to take legends and facts to create such a rich backdrop for this adventure. Oftentimes in books that refer back to native legend or scientific evidence, the story is overshadowed in trying to set an elaborate stage. Sheldon did a wonderful job in balancing the history we need to know for the scene, the legends that furthered the plot, and the story he is telling.
Another thing I found very interesting in this book is that it seemingly lacks strong character development. Typically, this would drive me nuts. I like to go into a story knowing who the characters are and having a sense of familiarity with them. However, in this book, we get to know the characters as they get to know each other. Sarah is shoved into a house with three perfect strangers and is immediately whisked away to the forest with them. By the end of the book, all of the characters have a better understanding of themselves, as well as each other.
The story and plot lines of the book are entertaining, if at times a bit jumpy. A reader entering the book is surely not prepared for the turmoil this little group must face. It’s way more than a typical narrative about a young girl meeting strangers and finding herself in the wilderness. There are some heartfelt moments that one would expect. However, there are also moments that can take the breath away and some pictures of a past culture that will leave the mind reeling. At more than one spot in this tale, I veered off into a place of historical research that was indescribably fascinating.
As I previously stated, there were sections of the story that felt a little jumpy. I’m not sure if these subplots were supposed to serve as quick branches off the main story or if the author was intentionally leaving some things that a sequel could jump off from. Whichever the case, I feel there could have been a bit more plot development and/or suspense to some of these extras. However, this is my chief complaint about the book and I’m hesitant to even call it a complaint. I feel it’s more of a personal preference.
Over all, I would rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. It is an entertaining and a pleasant read. Native culture is an incredibly rich tapestry that weaves magic, history, legends, and facts into one. This book is a wonderful representation of sharing these things through different generations and adding to the timeline that isn’t complete.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon