Review by Nich37 -- Hearts Set Free by Jess Lederman

Post by **Nichole Kurns** » 14 Nov 2019, 21:17

[Following is a volunteer review of "Hearts Set Free" by Jess Lederman.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Hearts Set Free by Jess Lederman is a complex and wonderful Christian fiction novel. It will catch and hold your attention from the beginning to the end. This novel book will draw you in through the different characters and historical figures that the author placed in daily life. For example, Amelia Earhart causally flying one of the characters to Las Vegas and talking about her perspective of relationships. Jess Lederman uses ordinary daily activities help describe the different paths taken to find and rediscover faith.

The author tells one main story from 3 different perspective that spans through decades. The first story line starts in the early 1900’s with Uukkarnit Noonwook, a Native American from Alaska, who along with his mother sets out on a journey to find his father. His father was a famous dog-sledder who left the family for a reporter. Around the same time, we are introduced to David Gold. David Gold is a boxer who is looking for answers about his life and God. He is a former student of the Moody Bible Institute who became sparring partners and friends with heavyweight champion Jack Johnson and became known as “Pummelin’ Preacher”. In 2011, we are introduced to Tim Faber and Joan Reed, who are tv-producers making a special about Belgian Catholic priest Georges Lemaitre. They travel to Las Vegas to meet with Lemaitre’s colleague, Luke Noongwook to get the full story of why George’s Lemaitre was written out of the history after being the first to theorize the universe was once atom sized.

Las Vegas is the main setting for the story and where all the characters converge. This is where Luke(Uukkarnit) and his mother end their search for his father, where David Gold finds his life purpose. It is also where Tim and Joan confront situations in their lives that bring about powerful changes. The readers are given details on how alas Vegas was developed with the construction of the Hoover Dam dung the Great Depression. Jess Lederman writes with such descriptive details that you are able to imagine exactly what he is describing. I found myself being transported to the places and time period he described.

I appreciate the author provided the translation version of Bible verses within the novel. This helped as I was able to look up the scripture in a translated version I can understand fully. The scriptures quoted throughout the book helped convey the emotions the character were feeling during each stage of their developing relationship with God. The author explored many topics in Christianity including the dichotomy of religion and science, sovereignty of God, the existence of evil and forgiveness. I like that the topics were not causally explore but given a good debate by the characters in the book.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars . I did not find any spelling or grammar error and I believe the book has been professionally edited. I would recommend this book for those who love Christian fiction. You do not need to be a Christian to enjoy this book because it is not trying to persuade you to convert to Christianity . This is a good read for those who enjoy inspirational stories.

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Hearts Set Free
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acopj · Post by **acopj** » 01 Dec 2019, 16:52

Always been a fan of fiction novels, i think this one is good by reading your review. Great job!

Reynaa · Post by **Reynaa** » 03 Dec 2019, 10:46

Nice review. I was a bit confused on the plot line for this story but it seems like there is more than one, with all of the characters.

Not a genre of book I generally read but I enjoyed your review!

Post by **Nichole Kurns** » 08 Dec 2019, 10:44

acopj wrote: ↑01 Dec 2019, 16:52 Always been a fan of fiction novels, i think this one is good by reading your review. Great job!

Thanks. Yes, it is a good read and the characters are well developed in this novel.

Post by **Nichole Kurns** » 08 Dec 2019, 10:49

Reynaa wrote: ↑03 Dec 2019, 10:46 Nice review. I was a bit confused on the plot line for this story but it seems like there is more than one, with all of the characters.

Not a genre of book I generally read but I enjoyed your review!

Thanks. The plot line can get confusing when there are three storylines rolled up into one.The author did a really good job of connecting all the storylines together. Historical fiction is becoming one of my favorite genres(mystery will always be number 1).

Reynaa · Post by **Reynaa** » 08 Dec 2019, 12:19

Nich37 wrote: ↑08 Dec 2019, 10:49
Reynaa wrote: ↑03 Dec 2019, 10:46 Nice review. I was a bit confused on the plot line for this story but it seems like there is more than one, with all of the characters.

Not a genre of book I generally read but I enjoyed your review!
Thanks. The plot line can get confusing when there are three storylines rolled up into one.The author did a really good job of connecting all the storylines together. Historical fiction is becoming one of my favorite genres(mystery will always be number 1).

Historical fiction was my favorite a few years ago too! But mystery is my current favorite too haha. I get in different genre moods.