Review by CozyBookCorner -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon

This forum is for volunteer reviews by members of our review team. These reviews are done voluntarily by the reviewers and are published in this forum, separate from the official professional reviews. These reviews are kept separate primarily because the same book may be reviewed by many different reviewers.
Post Reply
User avatar
CozyBookCorner
Posts: 33
Joined: 01 Feb 2021, 22:48
Currently Reading: Seven Fallen Feathers
Bookshelf Size: 13
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-cozybookcorner.html
Latest Review: Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas

Review by CozyBookCorner -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon

Post by CozyBookCorner »

[Following is a volunteer review of "Strong Heart" by Charlie Sheldon.]
Book Cover
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review


Charlie Sheldon brings life to his own twist on North American myths in Strong Heart. The story follows Sarah, a troubled young teen that has been left behind by her stepfather. With no other choice, she heads out to the boonies to find her estranged grandparents, Tom and Ruth. Understandably, she has a bit of an attitude about it all. Through Sarah’s adventures we learn about the Olympic Peninsula’s inhabitants, its tumultuous landscape, and its history. Sarah soon finds herself in peril; lost in the woods and thrown into a vision quest. Meanwhile a controversial mining operation is attempting to hunker down in her newfound friend’s beloved park.

I found myself entranced by the effortless scenery that Charlie built up. He never included so much that I was bored of the details, but instead created vivid mental landscapes that transported my mind right into the Olympic National Park with Sarah and the gang. I found myself yearning to go for a hike in the Rockies myself, but his book was the next best thing. Thankfully, his attention to detail did not extend to the few gruesome parts of the story. I was equally as glad that here he had simmered down the detail, so that these scenes were not so clearly depicted in my head!

A point that could be both positive and negative is that there was a fair amount of dialogue throughout the story. Personally, it made my experience feel more realistic and enhanced the mental imagery I had going on; almost as if it were a motion picture or screenplay instead. However, despite all this dialogue I never felt any closer to the individual characters. I was deeply invested in the plot and the setting of the story, but most of the characters could have been easily replaced and I would not have cared. It almost felt as though they were place holders, sufficient for moving the plot forward but nothing to get attached to.

A second negative to the story is that I felt a lack of closure at the end. Without giving too much away, I knew everything was coming to a head, but it was as if I wasn’t allowed to participate or watch. It left me with a few questions, and a slight feeling of unfulfillment. However, after realizing that this is just the first story in the series, I can understand that Charlie was building anticipation for the next addition.

I found minimal errors in the book, so I rate this book 4 out of 4. I would not rate it any lower because I was truly engrossed the entire time. Whenever they were in the park I felt submerged in nature, which was wonderful to experience considering I was actually in the middle of a city and unable to get any true fresh air. Additionally, the myth he created made me think more about North America's history, where people came from in general, and how our theories constantly evolve with new evidence. It got me excited about how far we have come, and how much we still have left to discover.

There are a few examples of both borderline and non-borderline profanity, however I found that they flowed easily in the speech and mannerisms of the characters, so it was never abrasive. In fact, the first borderline usage fit so naturally in the passage I almost missed it completely. For their inclusion, and for the slightly complicated way he jumped from past to present, I would not recommend this book to anyone younger than a young adult. Those who enjoy fiction with themes of history, nature, and casually questioning current hypothesis about man’s creation would likely enjoy Strong Heart.

******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
User avatar
Raluca_Mihaila
Posts: 2849
Joined: 03 Aug 2020, 14:52
Favorite Book: The Brothers Karamazov
Currently Reading: The Master and Margarita
Bookshelf Size: 175
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-raluca-mihaila.html
Latest Review: Brandy, Ballad of a Pirate Princess by Dan E. Hendrickson

Post by Raluca_Mihaila »

I agree with you regarding the amazing descriptions of the Olympic Peninsula. That was my favorite part, together with the anthropology lesson. Thank you for this amazing review!
Heidadela
Posts: 147
Joined: 19 Jan 2021, 04:30
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 21
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-heidadela.html
Latest Review: Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas

Post by Heidadela »

I was quick to judge the girl because of her attitude. Sometimes circumstances influence our behaviour and thinking. I guess that was the case with Sarah. Thank you for a wonderful review.
User avatar
CozyBookCorner
Posts: 33
Joined: 01 Feb 2021, 22:48
Currently Reading: Seven Fallen Feathers
Bookshelf Size: 13
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-cozybookcorner.html
Latest Review: Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas

Post by CozyBookCorner »

raluca_mihaila wrote: 12 Mar 2021, 04:31 I agree with you regarding the amazing descriptions of the Olympic Peninsula. That was my favorite part, together with the anthropology lesson. Thank you for this amazing review!
I wholeheartedly agree, thank you!
User avatar
CozyBookCorner
Posts: 33
Joined: 01 Feb 2021, 22:48
Currently Reading: Seven Fallen Feathers
Bookshelf Size: 13
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-cozybookcorner.html
Latest Review: Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas

Post by CozyBookCorner »

Heidadela wrote: 14 Mar 2021, 10:46 I was quick to judge the girl because of her attitude. Sometimes circumstances influence our behaviour and thinking. I guess that was the case with Sarah. Thank you for a wonderful review.
I remember having a fair amount of attitude at her age even without the extenuating circumstances, so it made it a bit easier not to judge too harshly :lol2:
User avatar
TheMazeRunner
Posts: 610
Joined: 31 Oct 2020, 04:47
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 102
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-themazerunner.html
Latest Review: Lady of the Play by Deena Lindstedt

Post by TheMazeRunner »

I could find myself in this book. I love your review!
Mvictoria
Posts: 295
Joined: 04 Oct 2020, 07:10
Currently Reading: Midnight Sun
Bookshelf Size: 46
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mvictoria.html
Latest Review: Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas

Post by Mvictoria »

Even though you rated it well, I don’t think this book is for me. I’m not too interested in the plot or the scenery. I’m glad you liked it!
User avatar
CozyBookCorner
Posts: 33
Joined: 01 Feb 2021, 22:48
Currently Reading: Seven Fallen Feathers
Bookshelf Size: 13
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-cozybookcorner.html
Latest Review: Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas

Post by CozyBookCorner »

Mvictoria wrote: 17 Mar 2021, 05:29 Even though you rated it well, I don’t think this book is for me. I’m not too interested in the plot or the scenery. I’m glad you liked it!
That's totally fair, everyone has their own preferences.
User avatar
CozyBookCorner
Posts: 33
Joined: 01 Feb 2021, 22:48
Currently Reading: Seven Fallen Feathers
Bookshelf Size: 13
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-cozybookcorner.html
Latest Review: Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas

Post by CozyBookCorner »

TheMazeRunner wrote: 17 Mar 2021, 03:10 I could find myself in this book. I love your review!
Thank you! I hope you try it, I loved the immersive scenery he created.
User avatar
Mariana Figueira
Posts: 922
Joined: 03 Aug 2020, 00:55
Favorite Book: Tujunga
Currently Reading: Cloud Atlas
Bookshelf Size: 215
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mariana-figueira.html
Latest Review: Mysteries Of the First Instant by Daniel Friedmann

Post by Mariana Figueira »

Yes, I resent the lack of closure in this book. Thanks for the detailed review.
"No two persons ever read the same book" Edmund Wilson
User avatar
CozyBookCorner
Posts: 33
Joined: 01 Feb 2021, 22:48
Currently Reading: Seven Fallen Feathers
Bookshelf Size: 13
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-cozybookcorner.html
Latest Review: Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas

Post by CozyBookCorner »

MarianaFigueira wrote: 17 Mar 2021, 15:29 Yes, I resent the lack of closure in this book. Thanks for the detailed review.
I will say the cliffhanger worked though, I've started reading the next book in the series to see what happens next!
User avatar
Marcel Cantu
Posts: 504
Joined: 27 Feb 2021, 08:38
Currently Reading: Under Another Sun
Bookshelf Size: 42
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-marcel-cantu.html
Latest Review: Elizabeth's Garden by Phillip Leighton-Daly

Post by Marcel Cantu »

This sounds like a beautifully written and interesting book! Thank you for your great review, I enjoyed reading it!
Post Reply

Return to “Volunteer Reviews”