Review of Strong Heart
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Yolanda Pereira
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- Latest Review: Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
Review of Strong Heart
[Following is a volunteer review of "Strong Heart" by Charlie Sheldon.]
As Tom and his friends get ready to depart on an arduous trip around the Olympic National Park, his thirteen year old granddaughter he didn’t know existed, Sarah, is dropped off at his door. Although she proves to have an impossibly bad temper, Tom’s friends convince him to bring her along. Things go awry when, deep into their expedition, the girl runs away in a bout of anger, taking a crucial artifact with her. She goes missing for eight days and the group is then perplexed to hear about her transformational experience.
Perfectly balancing science with legend, Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon, takes its main characters through a physically demanding journey, in which their beliefs will be challenged as they are invited to surrender to the magic of the Olympic Peninsula.
Some chapters are written from Sarah’s point of view, recounting her recollections of the time she was stranded. In connection to the nature and ancestry of the land, the young girl finds, for the first time in her life, a sense of belonging. She flourishes as the others start to trust and accept her influence, her persistence and survival instincs being what earns her the nickname Strong Heart.
I found Tom, William, Myra, Sarah and even Sergei to be likeable and relatable. As their bond strengthened I became more involved in the story as well. I found myself rooting for them, sharing their wonder and also their frustration when troubles arose. The book features such vivid descriptions, that it was easy to get immersed hiking with them.
Throughout the story, Sheldon introduces interesting archeological facts and primitive survival tips, blendend cleverly in the plot development and in the characters’ discussions.
We are not provided much of the characters’ inner worlds or their pasts, apart from Sarah’s, although we are given enough information, through dialogue, to assume who they are. Their flexibility is shown as they consider each other’s outlook and make decisions as a team.
The plot is very refreshing and engaging, I don’t think I’ve ever read a book like this, albeit the ending comes quite suddenly, leaving much unresolved.
I give this book 4 out of 4 stars, being an easy read but thought-provoking, educational and memorable.
History and archeology aficionados with a taste for fantasy and nature will enjoy this book and find it enriching, possibly being prompted, like I was, to Google some of the interesting facts presented and to learn more.
Lastly, a content warning. The story alludes to themes of abuse, child neglect and rape, although it doesn’t get too descriptive at all. There are some gore moments that sensitive audiences may find upsetting.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
As Tom and his friends get ready to depart on an arduous trip around the Olympic National Park, his thirteen year old granddaughter he didn’t know existed, Sarah, is dropped off at his door. Although she proves to have an impossibly bad temper, Tom’s friends convince him to bring her along. Things go awry when, deep into their expedition, the girl runs away in a bout of anger, taking a crucial artifact with her. She goes missing for eight days and the group is then perplexed to hear about her transformational experience.
Perfectly balancing science with legend, Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon, takes its main characters through a physically demanding journey, in which their beliefs will be challenged as they are invited to surrender to the magic of the Olympic Peninsula.
Some chapters are written from Sarah’s point of view, recounting her recollections of the time she was stranded. In connection to the nature and ancestry of the land, the young girl finds, for the first time in her life, a sense of belonging. She flourishes as the others start to trust and accept her influence, her persistence and survival instincs being what earns her the nickname Strong Heart.
I found Tom, William, Myra, Sarah and even Sergei to be likeable and relatable. As their bond strengthened I became more involved in the story as well. I found myself rooting for them, sharing their wonder and also their frustration when troubles arose. The book features such vivid descriptions, that it was easy to get immersed hiking with them.
Throughout the story, Sheldon introduces interesting archeological facts and primitive survival tips, blendend cleverly in the plot development and in the characters’ discussions.
We are not provided much of the characters’ inner worlds or their pasts, apart from Sarah’s, although we are given enough information, through dialogue, to assume who they are. Their flexibility is shown as they consider each other’s outlook and make decisions as a team.
The plot is very refreshing and engaging, I don’t think I’ve ever read a book like this, albeit the ending comes quite suddenly, leaving much unresolved.
I give this book 4 out of 4 stars, being an easy read but thought-provoking, educational and memorable.
History and archeology aficionados with a taste for fantasy and nature will enjoy this book and find it enriching, possibly being prompted, like I was, to Google some of the interesting facts presented and to learn more.
Lastly, a content warning. The story alludes to themes of abuse, child neglect and rape, although it doesn’t get too descriptive at all. There are some gore moments that sensitive audiences may find upsetting.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
