Review by rtparsons4 -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon

[rtparsons4]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Strong Heart" by Charlie Sheldon.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Strong Heart, written by Charlie Sheldon, takes the reader into a world of adventure in the Pacific Northwest, specifically Olympic National Park in Washington State. We are introduced to an elderly man named Tom, his Native American friend named William, and to Myra, William's daughter. The three of them are busy planning a backpacking excursion to visit the place that Tom lost his father, when Tom's ex wife shows up with an unexpected surprise; a granddaughter named Sarah that he didn't know he had. All of a sudden, he is caring for her. William makes a risky suggestion to bring her along on the camping trip; something they all regret as soon as they hit the trail.

As they work their way into the forest, Sarah disappears for awhile and returns showing a drawing of what Myra believes is a Short-Faced Bear. She claims she saw it along the riverbank. Short-Faced Bears have supposedly been extinct since the last ice age. This incident causes the group to be skeptical of Sarah's honesty, until she disappears for days with Tom's ancient artifact.

Honestly, it took a while to get into the story line. It began abruptly, with little introduction of the main characters, especially old-man Tom. I still don't know much about him after completing the book. On the other hand, perhaps it is the the author's intention, to leave him be as a simplistic man on a mission. Myra and William are portrayed as secondary characters in the first paragraph, but we learn more about them than we do Tom. As for Sarah, it isn't until she dives into her thrilling story that we get to know who she really is.

The first part of the book feels rushed, but after Sarah's disappearance, we can understand why Sheldon skimmed over the first few chapters. The meat of the story is portrayed when Sarah relays to Tom, Myra, and William her captivating journey with the ancient people. The end of the book ends rather abruptly, in my opinion, and I was left wishing there was just one more chapter.

Sheldon did an exceptional job at forming Sarah's character and giving her a voice in the story. She becomes an inspirational and devoted character by the end of the book. Sarah started out as my least favorite character, due to her ungrateful personality, but quickly transforms into a compassionate and mature young girl.

Overall, I am giving this book a 4 out of 4 rating. I did not pick up on any errors in the text, nor did I experience any confusion with the plot. I would have enjoyed more of a drawn out conclusion, but I believe Sheldon was hoping to leave it as a cliff hanger ending and it only makes readers feel more connected to the story. This story is perfect for the outdoor adventurer who is willing to delve into a gripping tale! You won't be able to set this book down.

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Strong Heart
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[palilogy]

I appreciate your review and I agree it does take awhile to get into the storyline.
I think that is why he loses some of his readers, some people don't stick around hoping it will get better.
I'm glad you were able to and find enjoyment in the book.