3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon is a story rich in mystique and edge of your seat moments, with Native American legends as a backdrop. The main character, Tom Olsen, is about to set out on a trip to visit his grandfather's grave, but the arrival of an unexpected visitor, his granddaughter Sarah, drastically changes those plans. What unfolds instead is a story about adventure, family and the wilderness.
Although the beginning of the story is a bit boring as the pace is slow, it picks up towards the middle of the book where there are a few intense moments that take place. However, the ending of the book seemed quite rushed and abrupt and I would have appreciated some more closure, maybe in the form of an epilogue.
Overall, the character development and portrayal was very good. Each one is unique with their own different character traits and there is noticeable individuality among them.
What I loved about this book is that it doesn't only involve the storyline of the characters' adventures and their personal development. It also includes a number of interesting historical and cultural facts. A map is also included before the story starts.
Although some topics in the book such as the igniting of spirits are not that relatable, other topics such as family dynamics are. Tom and his granddaughter's relationship grows significantly throughout the book and the process of them warming up to each other is beautifully portrayed. Sarah's character is also relatable as her behavior and emotions are that of a stereotypical teenager.
Another thing I loved about this book is the setting. Instead of creating a fictional world for the story to play of in, the author used the Olympic Peninsula Park along the North Pacific Coast. In this way the reader can do research on what it looks like and feel like they are there in the story with the characters.
The writing style is simple and easy to understand. I would recommend this for anyone who loves a fictional read, especially one that leans more towards history and fantasy. However, if you prefer contemporary fiction, this is not for you. Also, if you don't enjoy reading books that contain sensitive topics, you may want to stay away from this one as the issue of domestic abuse is discussed.
I really enjoyed this book, but because it took a few chapters to fully grab my attention and because of the abrupt ending I give it a rating of 3 out of 4 stars.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Booklover1606's review? Post a comment saying so!