Kim Heacox

On Heaven's Hill is a captivating story from the outset. Told from three perspectives, there is much to learn about the groups these three belong to. Kes is a twelve-year-old girl who wishes she could have her old dad back – the one before his National Guard troop was sent to Afghanistan. In juxtaposition to Kes is Salt, a man who works hard to provide for his family but is now up against a problem he can't fix – he would do anything to have his old son back, the healthy Solomon before he was struck by muscular dystrophy. The third perspective is an engrossing one – Silver, the young wolf trying to grow big and strong to support his tribe and one day head a tribe of his own. These individuals live in or near the idyllic small town of Strawberry Flats, whose peacefulness is about to be shattered.
Kim Heacox is a master of depiction, painting a vivid and awe-inspiring picture of the Alaskan wilderness. The reader is drawn into this glorious landscape, which encircles and interacts with the people of the small town. His characterization is magnificent. There are quite a few people in the novel, and each is a thoroughly developed individual. The secondary characters add supplementary information to complement the main story's background, surroundings, and personalities. These side characters add more than a little humor.
I highly recommend this novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and West Margin Press. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by West Margin Press via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.… (more)