Review by Clorinda Donovan -- Strong Heart
Posted: 13 Apr 2020, 13:46
[Following is a volunteer review of "Strong Heart" by Charlie Sheldon.]
As Tom Olson is about to set off on a trip to visit his grandfather's grave, he is astonished to learn that he is now a grandfather. Now with a rebellious teen on his hands, he has a choice to make. Either he will postpone his trip or take a thirteen-year-old Sarah with him. Against his better judgment, William, his long-time friend, and travel companion will convince Tom to include Sarah on their journey. Everything seems alright on the trip until Sarah goes missing. Read Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon to experience life as it was at the dawn of humanity, defend yourself against some hulking surveyors, and meet a magnificent creature from the past. All this and so much more as you explore the Olympic Peninsula.
Sarah Cooley is an only child, and her stepfather has left her with Ruth; her seemingly ruthless grandmother who quickly forwards Sarah to her ex-husband Tom. Young Sarah has braved much, but nothing prepared her for the dangerous journey ahead.
When I first chose this book, I expected a typical story of teenage rebellion and the wilderness. The exploration intrigued me of the Olympic Peninsula as I have never been there. Strong Heart was wonderfully original and surprisingly intriguing all the way. The author kept my attention throughout the story; at times, it was hard to put down.
I liked Sarah and Myra most because they are brave to a fault throughout the narrative. The strength of character in a thirteen-year-old is enviable. She faced evil at its worst and still prevailed. Myra is a fiery and strong-willed character who; with her heritage and energetic personality, is the embodiment of many women. All the characters were uniquely adapted. They were relatable, and the story though magical, is written in a way that made it believable. I give Charlie Sheldon my highest praise on this point.
If you have a heart of an explorer, wonderment of what the world was thousands of years ago and a thrill for adventure; then this is just the book for you. There are references to rape that were not detailed. There were no intercourse descriptions, and the profanity was minimal; the story was not erotic in any way. Due to the rape references, I recommend a mature reading audience.
Furthermore, if you want to read about an adventure with a fantasy type theme and a romantic story; this is not your read. Also, if learning about the wilderness is not your style of reading, then stay far from Strong Heart; Sarah may nail you to a tree! The book was well-edited, and for all the positive points I made earlier my rating is 4 out of 4 stars.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
As Tom Olson is about to set off on a trip to visit his grandfather's grave, he is astonished to learn that he is now a grandfather. Now with a rebellious teen on his hands, he has a choice to make. Either he will postpone his trip or take a thirteen-year-old Sarah with him. Against his better judgment, William, his long-time friend, and travel companion will convince Tom to include Sarah on their journey. Everything seems alright on the trip until Sarah goes missing. Read Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon to experience life as it was at the dawn of humanity, defend yourself against some hulking surveyors, and meet a magnificent creature from the past. All this and so much more as you explore the Olympic Peninsula.
Sarah Cooley is an only child, and her stepfather has left her with Ruth; her seemingly ruthless grandmother who quickly forwards Sarah to her ex-husband Tom. Young Sarah has braved much, but nothing prepared her for the dangerous journey ahead.
When I first chose this book, I expected a typical story of teenage rebellion and the wilderness. The exploration intrigued me of the Olympic Peninsula as I have never been there. Strong Heart was wonderfully original and surprisingly intriguing all the way. The author kept my attention throughout the story; at times, it was hard to put down.
I liked Sarah and Myra most because they are brave to a fault throughout the narrative. The strength of character in a thirteen-year-old is enviable. She faced evil at its worst and still prevailed. Myra is a fiery and strong-willed character who; with her heritage and energetic personality, is the embodiment of many women. All the characters were uniquely adapted. They were relatable, and the story though magical, is written in a way that made it believable. I give Charlie Sheldon my highest praise on this point.
If you have a heart of an explorer, wonderment of what the world was thousands of years ago and a thrill for adventure; then this is just the book for you. There are references to rape that were not detailed. There were no intercourse descriptions, and the profanity was minimal; the story was not erotic in any way. Due to the rape references, I recommend a mature reading audience.
Furthermore, if you want to read about an adventure with a fantasy type theme and a romantic story; this is not your read. Also, if learning about the wilderness is not your style of reading, then stay far from Strong Heart; Sarah may nail you to a tree! The book was well-edited, and for all the positive points I made earlier my rating is 4 out of 4 stars.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon