Review by Espie -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon

[Espie]

The backdrop of the Olympic National Park provides a rich framework for exploration. As characters with significant substance these caricatures represent some of the highlights of the Pacific Northwest from the pragmatic, scientific side to the wayfaring sailor and wanderer. These individuals may have aspects that are boiled down for purposes of the narrative while still highlighting themes common for this area. The juxtaposition of the ornery juvenile who collides with the personalities provides a formula allows these personality traits to become further highlighted. This book provides an excellent insight as a character study.

This book uniquely balances the well-known elements of both plot-driven and character-driven fictional pieces, I believe. It allows a closer look at the main characters' lives and personas while at the same time interweaving events and situations befitting its adventure theme. With deeper introspection, it also allows the mind to wander not only in what would seem as make-believe yet could be believable details. Thank you for sharing your profound thoughts.

[Espie]

I like books about journeys and discovery, your review reminds me of a few I really like.

This piece is about those, indeed, plus more. It's unlike the fictional works I've read before, but I hope you'd read and find this book as insightful and read-worthy as I did. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[Espie]

This is a well written review, great job! This looks like an interesting adventure story. I can already spot a section of the tapestry this story attempts to weave and I like it. Sarah should make for a good protagonist. Congrats to the author on #BOTD

The author truly deserves this feat after all the years of work he has put in for this piece. The realities of life's tapestry may be too daunting for some, and it's noteworthy to find someone or something that surmounts the blocks and hurdles. This fictional work catches a glimpse of what is and also presents what could be. I do hope you'd read and find it as significant and worthwhile as I did. Thank you for your humbling feedback and profound thoughts, too.

[Espie]

I really enjoyed this book. At first I thought it was going to be a tipical tale of a rebellious teenager coming of age, but it turned out to be so much more. Wonderfully descriptive and well written. It draws you in and holds you captive. The end left me hoping for a sequel.

Wow! What a coincidence! I would've written those very same thoughts although with slightly different words, though. It's good to find another kindred "soul" in you. I'm looking forward to Adrift, too. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[Espie]

This sounds like an engaging read with well-developed characters. Thanks for the great review.

It's a unique balance of both character-driven and plot-driven elements, I believe. It's not unusual to be daunted by its beginning pages, and yet it turned out worthwhile eventually. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for your kind words.

[kelsiemaxwell]

Thank you for addressing my comments. I’m glad to know that it’s not as wordy as I had interpreted it to be.

[Espie]

Thank you for addressing my comments. I’m glad to know that it’s not as wordy as I had interpreted it to be.

No worries at all. It could drag on at the start just like real life itself for those among us who struggle. It could get better and becomes worth the while eventually. Thank you once more.

[Espie]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Strong Heart" by Charlie Sheldon.]
It was a trip of discoveries and a wonderful instantaneous holiday made interesting by the initial personality skirmishes between Sarah and Tom, the condescending employee presence of a company threatened by the group of four's find, and, more especially, Sarah's perplexing yet stirring extraordinary experience.

I like how you captured the whole book with that sentence! William, Myra, Tom, and Sarah go on a long hike in the Olympic National Park. They encounter differences of opinion, danger, and mystical experiences. There are interesting viewpoints on the migration of humans, as well as stories of a long ago people living in that area.

I was torn between staccato-like multiple sentences and that lengthy, seemingly "run-on" sentence. My stubbornness won. At times, life may really seem so long and arduous just as it could be for this book's characters. The journey, the significant facts and facets in between, and the ultimate destination could make it all worth it. Thank you for your constructive and well-meant comments.

[Espie]

Τhis looks like a lovely heartwarming story. I hope that every character gets a happy ending.

This book touched my heart in its own unique way. I'm someone who'd go for the happier ending, too, as far as possible. It may not have been what I initially expected, and yet it didn't disappoint me at all. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[Espie]

I agree that Strong Heart isn't a typical fantasy novel but I really enjoyed it. I would encourage anyone who likes the fantasy genre to try it, even though it is set in a realistic, everyday setting. Thanks for the review.

It's great to know you loved it, too. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[Espie]

Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon revolves around the arduous yet wonder-filled #Adventure and #ComingOfAge of an orphaned girl named Sarah Cooley. It started when she surprisingly appeared on the doorstep of her grandfather, Tom. Thanks for the wonderful review.

#Myths  #Mysticism #Family

It's something like that, indeed. Thank you as well for dropping by and for your kind words.

[Espie]

Good review! It doesn't seem like my type of book due to the genre but thanks anyway!

If you're after a book that's character-driven yet with an ample splash of surprising twists, then this could be for you. I do understand that we have varying perspectives and corresponding genre preferences, too. Thank you for your honesty and for your kind words.

[Espie]

Interesting review. You do make this book sound really interesting, if only because you take the time to really discuss the characters in it.

The main character defied my initial expectations and I had a few other surprises along the way. I do hope you'd read and find this piece as worthwhile as I did. Thank you for dropping by and for your kind words.

[Espie]

Nice review! I also read/reviewed this adventure book and loved it. I agree with almost everything you have written in your review. You really covered the themes in the story very well without giving away any spoilers. Congrats to BOTD!

Thank you for dropping by and for your kind words.

[Espie]

Mystery, drama and so much more. It seems to be a very intriguing page turner. Thanks for such a clear review.

Exactly. It turned out different from my initial expectations, yet I hope you'd read and find it as worthwhile as I did. Thank you for your kind feedback.