Review by King Fisher -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon

[King Fisher]

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

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3 out of 4 stars

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Strong Heart - Charlie Sheldon

Strong Heart is a historical fiction novel that tells the story of Sarah, a 13-year-old girl. In the first chapter of this book, Sarah’s grandmother shows up with her to her grandfather's house and drops her off, informing him that he has a granddaughter and that she’s too wild for her to handle and that he has to take care of her. Sarah's grandfather (Tom) who was planning to take a trip to Olympic Peninsula to visit his grandfather's grave with his friends William and Myra is confused, as she couldn't have come at a worse time, not knowing what to do with her, William suggests that Sarah come along with them, Tom reluctantly agrees to bring her with them. Not knowing that this trip was going to change their lives.

While on the trip to Olympic peninsula Tom tries to bond with Sarah but finds it difficult as she's angry and rebellious. Tom shows them a historical artifact and tells them that it's an important part of their history and was one of the reasons he had decided to make the climb, it was an object he had carried from the mountain many years ago and had decided to return it. Their peaceful climb takes a turn when Sarah takes the historical artifact with her and disappears. Tom and others spend days searching for her until she reappears, covered in mud and blood, she tells them an unbelievable tale about going to a strange land and coming back.

The book is a mix of science and ancient history, the author does an impressive work telling the story, as the reader gets to see the characters through their struggles and feelings, the book also sheds light on family reunion and fighting for what's one believes in, we get to see Tom, Sarah, and their friends do their best to fend off a mining corporation. It was brilliantly written as the reader is presented with numerous facts such as the different stages of the ice age that affected the area and the fossils that can be found today. The setting of the book was so well described that one could feel being in the mountains with the characters while reading the book.

Readers aren't given any back stories of the characters, so one may easily get confused, besides that there wasn't any problem with the book. The author did an impressive job with his researches and study of the ice age and the history of the world. The setting of the book was so wonderfully described that it makes one want to visit the Peninsula while hoping that they have the visions Sarah had. The story is engaging and the characters felt real, the conversation was kept simple making it easy for readers to understand the story.

The storyline was clear, simple, and well written but there wasn't anything really special about it. I give this book 3 out of 4 stars and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction and adventure.

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Strong Heart
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Like King Fisher's review? Post a comment saying so!

[Wesono]

I'd have to read Strong Heart: I like historical stuff. Moreover, this review aroused my interest

[Zupanatural]

Thanks for the review, King Fisher. From what you say, this book has a very similar plot to the excellent Testament of Gideon Mack (in which the lead character disappears for days on end & returns claiming to have spent time with the Devil) so I may read this one purely for comparison.

Also note that Irish/Scottish folk literature is full of stories in which people (usually women or children) are abducted by "fairies". Sometimes they are released, sometimes they escape, sometimes they are never seen again. Reading between the lines, such tales probably reflect the abduction of women/children by other humans

[King Fisher]

I'd have to read Strong Heart: I like historical stuff. Moreover, this review aroused my interest

I hope you enjoy it.

-- 18 Sep 2017, 20:36 --

Thanks for the review, King Fisher. From what you say, this book has a very similar plot to the excellent Testament of Gideon Mack (in which the lead character disappears for days on end & returns claiming to have spent time with the Devil) so I may read this one purely for comparison.

Also note that Irish/Scottish folk literature is full of stories in which people (usually women or children) are abducted by "fairies". Sometimes they are released, sometimes they escape, sometimes they are never seen again. Reading between the lines, such tales probably reflect the abduction of women/children by other humans

wow from what you've said I think there are quite a number of similarities between both books, I would like to read testament of Gideon