Review by Espie -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon

[Espie]

"Pragmatic consciousness and imaginative mysticism," sounds like a very interesting and different read. I'm officially curious. Thanks for your review!

It's an odd blend for a fantastical piece of fiction. Yet I was convinced that the author has successfully pulled it through.

Bits and pieces weren't what I expected them to be, but they made the piece more unique and layered enough for pondering. It may take a while that resilient ones who'd opt for humour amidst adversity would just say, "Are we there yet?" Overall, though, it was worth the effort and the book didn't disappoint at all.

Indeed, you've got to read to find out more.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[Espie]

You did a good job on your review. You were very through and in-depth. I also appreciate that you described the specific type of fantasy book it is.

Life could be so complex and challenging at times that we just would like to get "through" with what we're faced and proceed to the next phase. Yet realistic some parts of this book may be, it also has imaginative mysticism of traditional lore that takes the mind off from stark truths into a world of possibilities. It is different from what I've expected it to be, but it was worth the extra mile and open mind.

Thank you for stopping by and sharing your profound thoughts.

[Espie]

Thanks for the great review, Espie. This is actually the first book I started but never got around to completing on this site. For some reason, it just didn't appeal to me. But I'm glad you enjoyed it so!

I could really see where you're coming from, and I'd understand. Just like in real life for most of us in challenging situations, the first parts of this book could indeed seem unending, complex, or arduous. However, going the extra mile, an openness to something different, and deeper introspection could pay off eventually if not sooner. It wasn't what I initially expected it to be, but it was worth it all.

The good thing about life is that we could always give things another try.

Thank you for your frank and well-founded comments.

[Espie]

Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon is about the arduous yet wonder-filled journey of a headstrong orphaned girl named Sarah Cooley, which started when she surprisingly appeared on the doorstep of her grandfather, Tom. Interesting novel to read

Exactly.

I know that you're a fairly new member. Thus, as a courtesy reminder, paraphrase if you must. When you don't, please remember to use punctuation marks when directly quoting (verbatim) from someone else's work. It'll spare you from unintended plagiarism complications later on.

Thank you for finding value in my words and for sharing four of your own.

[Espie]

I like the seamless way it interwove convention and tradition as it looks at Tom who didn't believe in folklore much but still chose to trek great lengths to remember a deceased ancestor.

I think this was the best part of the book. How Mr. Sheldon used the general facts and the traditions together in this book is superb. The reader can easily relate to Tom who doesn't believe in the past but, just in case, he follows the traditions anyways.

Growing up in a rural area of a third world country, I had more reasons to stick to traditions than not. Especially when I was a child, I didn't realise there was any other option but do so. It was the acceptable, normal, and safest thing to do. For Tom, his reasons may even extend further than the mere superficiality of my own. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[Espie]

Nice review. I dont really know if this book is for me. I like books that show how two people grow a relationship from nothing to something great. I will put this on my books to read hopefully it will change my mind.

This book delves on relationships among other precious insights. Just like in real life, the protagonists' interactions and connections with others are affected and intertwined with various situations and other aspects, too. I hope you'd find this piece as worthwhile as I did. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[Espie]

I have read this book, and it is excellent. I have posted an official review in the private forum.

It's good to know that we both found this book read-worthy. Thank you for dropping by.

[Espie]

I love a book that is able to bridge the gap between generations and to interweave convention and tradition. The respect of the past that is gained in a book like this, by outlining extreme lengths gone to honour one’s ancestors, is an excellent premise behind a journey tale like this. Between the coming-of-age story, the folklore aspects, and the adventure background, this is sure to be a winner.

It wasn't what I initially expected it to be, but it didn't disappoint me at all. Thank you for sharing your profound thoughts.

[Espie]

This sounds like an interesting book and quite thought provoking. It's like a "clash" of two generations (Tom and Sarah), both experienced in their own way, both having something to teach the other one. Besides I love reading about the legends of various cultures and Native Americans have loads of them. As Tom's friends are Native Americans I'm sure the author will tell us about some of their traditions. Congratulations on becoming BOTD!

I won't say it's impossible for you to catch those generational clashes and traditional lore tinges in this piece at all. The author deserves this accolade, indeed. I hope you'd read and find this book as worth reading as I did. Thank you for dropping by and for sharing your thoughts.

[Espie]

For some reason this book has never appealed to me. Some parts seem interesting, but the mysticism in the storyline is not my style. Thanks for your review though, Espie.

I understand that we have our own unique experiences, learning, and viewpoints that affect our preferences and subsequent choices. This piece may have make-believe elements enough for a fictional book to work, but it's got gleanable facts and well-researched details to tie things in. Thank you for your honest comments, Melissy.

[Espie]

This not seems as a matching book for my interests. Despite my personal view, this book seems as a good book. Congratulations on being BOTD

I understand that each of us has our own perspectives and corresponding preferences. Although with enough vivid imagery and imaginative tinges for us to visualise the landscapes and adventures the characters were in, it's also based on well-researched facts and details gleaned from the author's educational, work, and other personal exposures. This piece wasn't what I expected it to be, but the author deserves the credit for this one. Thank you for dropping by and sharing your thoughts.

[Espie]

I have loved reading and reviewing this book. It is a amazingly explores the themes of love, family, heritage, and history.

Thank you for the wonderful review.

It's great that you've found the book as noteworthy as I did. Thank you for dropping by and for sharing your kind words and good thoughts.

[Espie]

This sounds like a lovely story about family and a journey. I love that the author includes lore and mysticism in the story. Congrats on the book of the day! Great review!

This piece has tinges of those splashed along the way. The author deserves the spot, indeed. Thank you for dropping by.

[Espie]

I do love read Sheldon's books. Although, so far, it was Sydney Sheldon, but thanks to that review, I think from now on it could be Charlie Sheldon as well.

What a coincidence! You've just reminded me of the first Sheldon I've come to know several decades ago. The piece wasn't what I initially thought it to be, but I do hope you'd read and find this piece as worthwhile as I did. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[Espie]

I loved reading this book. The adventure was my favorite part and how family came together. Great review.

It's wonderful to find a kindred spirit in you. It wasn't what I expected it to be, but this piece was worth reading, indeed. Thank you for your kind words.