Review by Laylah_12_Reads -- Strong Heart

[Laylah_12_Reads]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Strong Heart" by Charlie Sheldon.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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This book - Strong Heart -, is a spectacular novel that will keep you on your toes. Filled with action, mystery, drama, and adventure. This book, told from the Pacific Northwestern area, is a great one to read if you’re lounging outside, basking in the sun, or if you’re on the highest peak of the tallest mountain . This story is written by Charlie Sheldon and also narrated by Laurel Ann White.

We have Tom, Myra, and William. All great friends connected by not only their great bond with each other, but their heritage and Native American descent. As they are preparing and packing one stormy night to head out on an annual backpacking trip, they get an unexpected surprise at their front door. This surprise ends up on being an unknown addition to the family. Tom’s granddaughter, Sarah. Tom becomes greatly confused and burdened as he is pushed to take her with them onto the backpacking trip. But as they had ventured out onto their journey, neither Tom, Myra, William, or even Sarah knew any of the great troubles they’d encounter. Sarah ends up disappearing into the wilderness. As her new found grandfather, Tom does everything it takes to find her. About a week and a day later, Sarah reappears. After settling in with Tom and his friends, she tells an extravagant story about the things she had encountered and the things she had seen when she’d vanquished. As Tom and his friends are trying to connect and make sense of the great story they’d learned, they continue to face even greater challenges on their return back home.

I normally gravitate towards more fantasies and fairy tale like novels, so the fact that I highly enjoyed this book and will definitely read it again is amazing! I enjoyed the story plot and how things were told but, at other times I felt as if there was no..feeling. It’d just be,” They’d walked outside” ,instead of, “ They’d gradually stepped out into the light of day.” In other words, it was less..interesting in a way. I love each character and the personalities given to everyone and I like that they all have a backstory on where they’d come from.

I was able to envision each scene I had read vividly due to the great details written in the book (Including the Olympic National Park). I had also enjoyed how the author had added a little bit of politics and science along with the great Native legends and history told. It gave a great spin on how the story was unfolded and it ended up blending very well with the story-line as well. I was slightly confused when I had read about what Sarah had gone through after she’d dispersed from the rest of them. It’d made it seem like she was gone longer than what she was and I had to kinda think a little and look over my notes to make sure I did not skip anything important.

There was only one thing I had wished would've been different was the ending of the book. It was very... abrupt, and hurried in a way. It left some of the questions I'd had unanswered. However, I still greatly enjoyed the book and I believe that this is a minor technicality.

Overall, I rate this book a 3 out of 4 stars. I would recommend this book towards people who like adventures, mysteries, and a slight bit of humor.

-Strong Heart-

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Strong Heart
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