3 out of 4 stars
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Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon is a well thought-out book with an intriguing story. It is set in the wilderness of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, and incorporates the traditional Native American lore of the area - hence we see a bit of the mystical and spiritual woven into this adventure story.
The story begins with a thirteen year old girl, Sarah, unexpectedly arriving at her grandfather's (Tom) - whom, up until this point, was unaware of her existence. Tom is quite unsettled by her arrival, and his sudden new role as guardian - particularly as he was about to embark on a rather significant journey into the wilderness to visit his grandfather's grave. At first Tom decides to cancel this trip but after some convincing from his two companions (father and daughter William and Myra), he reluctantly agrees to go as planned and to take Sarah along on their trek in hope that it would be good for her, and because this is the most convenient option.
The characters begin as expected: a teenager with an attitude; an older man tinged with bitterness and regret, but as the story unfolds, the characters develop to new depths and it becomes apparent that all is not as it seems. Although the dialogue feels a little stilted or forced at times, it does not negatively impact on the shape of these characters.
The author demonstrates a keen knowledge of the region and weaves this competently through the story. The imagery conjured up through the writing is vivid yet simple, which is very enjoyable, quite impressive, and perhaps the best part of this story.
Not a great deal of time is spent setting up the story and characters, or the setting and how everything fits together; this is revealed as a continuous process throughout the narrative. It is a great way to keep the story moving at a good pace and keep the reader interested and invested. Although, in some instances, a little more explanation and detail could make things clearer and eliminate any confusion.
This book would appeal to those who like a story with a bit of mystery and a clever, involved plotline. The language is not overly complex so it is an easy read in that sense. There are some areas that may benefit from a little fine-tuning, but this is very minor and overall, it is a good book which deserves a rating of 3 out of 4 stars.
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Strong Heart
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