Review by Valerieanne55 -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
Posted: 07 Jun 2020, 09:52
[Following is a volunteer review of "Strong Heart" by Charlie Sheldon.]
Strong Heart is the story of thirteen-year-old Sarah Cooly; a spunky, strong-willed, and extraordinarily talented artist who is dumped at her grandfather Tom's house by her grandmother. Tom, is packing for a hiking trip into the Olympic National Park, when Sarah is dropped off. The long-planned hiking trip to Bob-Bob’s grave, Tom’s grandfather, must happen before the corporate mining company, Buckhorn, invade the valley below the gravesite to mine a rare metal discovered there. Tom also wishes to return an ancient artifact that belonged to Bob-Bob to the valley. Against his better judgment, and encouraged by Walleye, an old friend, and Myra, Walleye’s daughter, he decides to take Sarah along. Sarah hates the idea, but since she is unwelcomed at her grandmother’s house, and will not go anywhere near her grandmother’s creepy husband, Fletcher, she has no choice.
Early one afternoon while waiting for dinner, Sarah wanders off along the trail and she is confronted by a huge bear. The bear stays still long enough for her to draw him. He then left looking back at her three times. Sarah is convinced that the bear wanted her to follow him. She returns to the campsite to tell the others. Sarah is upset when her story is met with disbelief although her drawing of the bear is superb and detailed. Myra recognizes it as a short-faced bear; a species that has been extinct for twelve thousand years. On the last morning, while packing rocks on Bob-Bob’s grave, Tom accuses Sarah of telling wild tales. Sarah, furious, storms off back to the campsite. When the others return to the campsite, Sarah is missing, and the artifact is gone.
I loved this novel. Charlie Sheldon, the author of this unusual story, paints splendid pictures of the lives our ancient ancestors may have lived. This is a story of magic, mystery, myth, and legend. Superbly descriptive. I could hear the roar of the great ice bear, feel alarmed as the small canoe filled with icy water, share the horror of being hunted by starving, giant bears and feel the fear of getting lost on the vast ocean. He brings the constant debate between two schools of thought about the origin of humankind to the fore in heated discussion between his characters: the ancient origins handed down in stories and what there is scientific proof of. There are of course some nasty, greedy, and murderous individuals that spice up the story with their nefarious doings.
My only complaint is that it ended abruptly which left me wondering what happens to Sarah once they get home. However, Charlie Sheldon, the author may have done so intentionally so that his avid readers will rush out to get the second book in this series called Adrift
This is a thrilling adventure story and is highly recommended for the lover of magic and mystery with an interesting helping of scientific fact. There are unsettlingly graphic scenes and one of the character's actions is ominous. This is not a book for the sensitive reader.
I gave this book 4 out of 4 stars Well edited and apart from a few typo’s flawless.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Strong Heart is the story of thirteen-year-old Sarah Cooly; a spunky, strong-willed, and extraordinarily talented artist who is dumped at her grandfather Tom's house by her grandmother. Tom, is packing for a hiking trip into the Olympic National Park, when Sarah is dropped off. The long-planned hiking trip to Bob-Bob’s grave, Tom’s grandfather, must happen before the corporate mining company, Buckhorn, invade the valley below the gravesite to mine a rare metal discovered there. Tom also wishes to return an ancient artifact that belonged to Bob-Bob to the valley. Against his better judgment, and encouraged by Walleye, an old friend, and Myra, Walleye’s daughter, he decides to take Sarah along. Sarah hates the idea, but since she is unwelcomed at her grandmother’s house, and will not go anywhere near her grandmother’s creepy husband, Fletcher, she has no choice.
Early one afternoon while waiting for dinner, Sarah wanders off along the trail and she is confronted by a huge bear. The bear stays still long enough for her to draw him. He then left looking back at her three times. Sarah is convinced that the bear wanted her to follow him. She returns to the campsite to tell the others. Sarah is upset when her story is met with disbelief although her drawing of the bear is superb and detailed. Myra recognizes it as a short-faced bear; a species that has been extinct for twelve thousand years. On the last morning, while packing rocks on Bob-Bob’s grave, Tom accuses Sarah of telling wild tales. Sarah, furious, storms off back to the campsite. When the others return to the campsite, Sarah is missing, and the artifact is gone.
I loved this novel. Charlie Sheldon, the author of this unusual story, paints splendid pictures of the lives our ancient ancestors may have lived. This is a story of magic, mystery, myth, and legend. Superbly descriptive. I could hear the roar of the great ice bear, feel alarmed as the small canoe filled with icy water, share the horror of being hunted by starving, giant bears and feel the fear of getting lost on the vast ocean. He brings the constant debate between two schools of thought about the origin of humankind to the fore in heated discussion between his characters: the ancient origins handed down in stories and what there is scientific proof of. There are of course some nasty, greedy, and murderous individuals that spice up the story with their nefarious doings.
My only complaint is that it ended abruptly which left me wondering what happens to Sarah once they get home. However, Charlie Sheldon, the author may have done so intentionally so that his avid readers will rush out to get the second book in this series called Adrift
This is a thrilling adventure story and is highly recommended for the lover of magic and mystery with an interesting helping of scientific fact. There are unsettlingly graphic scenes and one of the character's actions is ominous. This is not a book for the sensitive reader.
I gave this book 4 out of 4 stars Well edited and apart from a few typo’s flawless.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon