Review by turtlesong -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
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turtlesong
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- Latest Review: Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
Review by turtlesong -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
[Following is a volunteer review of "Strong Heart" by Charlie Sheldon.]
3 out of 4 stars
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I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. Strong Heart follows the adventures of a young girl named Sarah and her grandfather Tom. At first glance, Sarah seems like any other unruly and rebellious child, but as their story progresses, the reader discovers hidden strengths in her character. The writer weaves together myths, discoveries and challenges as the characters brave the wilderness.
Dealing with a strong-willed child, Tom could barely keep Sarah under control. She certainly had a mind of her own. While he felt responsible for her, he also yearned to travel to his own grandfather's grave. Conflicted, someone suggested he bring her with him much to his dismay. Unexpectedly, Sarah proved that she was more capable than Tom initially thought. In the end, their jouney led them to more than just a destination. It led them to a bond that deepened their understanding of each other.
For the most part, the writing was succinct yet descriptive. The book showed the writer's attention to detail. Though it was a work of fiction, there was a clear effort to make it seem as realistic as possible. However, I also felt that some parts of the book were lacking. Every now and then, the book describes scenes that don't drive the plot forward. For example, there were times when the characters would set up camp or gather resources. Instead of using these scenes to further illustrate the character's inner conflicts, the writer only skimmed the surface. Some parts of the writing were too short and choppy, and it made it difficult to connect with the characters at times. In my opinion, it would get a higher rating if the author used the "show, don't tell" writing technique. Instead of telling the reader what a character was like, it would be better if the writer showed it solely through their actions, facial experessions and dialogue.
Yet the story also had its own redeeming qualities. I liked that all the characters were flawed and imperfect in some way. The dialogue felt intense making you wonder what could happen next. While it seemed like an ordinary tale at first blush, there were plenty of unexpected plot twists along the way. What was most surprising of all was how each character shone despite their struggles along the way.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. I would recommend it to people who love adventure stories with a hint of drama, lore and mystery. While I wouldn't give it a perfect rating, the writer showed a lot of potential with this work.
******
Strong Heart
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3 out of 4 stars
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I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. Strong Heart follows the adventures of a young girl named Sarah and her grandfather Tom. At first glance, Sarah seems like any other unruly and rebellious child, but as their story progresses, the reader discovers hidden strengths in her character. The writer weaves together myths, discoveries and challenges as the characters brave the wilderness.
Dealing with a strong-willed child, Tom could barely keep Sarah under control. She certainly had a mind of her own. While he felt responsible for her, he also yearned to travel to his own grandfather's grave. Conflicted, someone suggested he bring her with him much to his dismay. Unexpectedly, Sarah proved that she was more capable than Tom initially thought. In the end, their jouney led them to more than just a destination. It led them to a bond that deepened their understanding of each other.
For the most part, the writing was succinct yet descriptive. The book showed the writer's attention to detail. Though it was a work of fiction, there was a clear effort to make it seem as realistic as possible. However, I also felt that some parts of the book were lacking. Every now and then, the book describes scenes that don't drive the plot forward. For example, there were times when the characters would set up camp or gather resources. Instead of using these scenes to further illustrate the character's inner conflicts, the writer only skimmed the surface. Some parts of the writing were too short and choppy, and it made it difficult to connect with the characters at times. In my opinion, it would get a higher rating if the author used the "show, don't tell" writing technique. Instead of telling the reader what a character was like, it would be better if the writer showed it solely through their actions, facial experessions and dialogue.
Yet the story also had its own redeeming qualities. I liked that all the characters were flawed and imperfect in some way. The dialogue felt intense making you wonder what could happen next. While it seemed like an ordinary tale at first blush, there were plenty of unexpected plot twists along the way. What was most surprising of all was how each character shone despite their struggles along the way.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. I would recommend it to people who love adventure stories with a hint of drama, lore and mystery. While I wouldn't give it a perfect rating, the writer showed a lot of potential with this work.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like turtlesong's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
