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Soldier Hill

by Phil Rossi (Goodreads Author)

3.25 of 5 stars 3.25 · rating details · 8 ratings · 7 reviews

In 1983, a high school boy sets out to discover the unknown identity of a fallen soldier from the Vietnam War. Coming of age fiction honoring sacrifice.

ebook, 110 pages

Published by Independent

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Feb 28, 2013 Autumn rated it 4 of 5 stars

I received this book to give an honest review.
This was a decent read, but I really did not get into like I thought I would. The blurb does not really give the book justice. It take me a while to really get into the story, and truly understand what was going on.
Eddie embarks on a journey with his friend Dave to find out why there is a tree planted there with the remembrance of a soldier. Why does no one in the school or in town speak of it? Or speak of the person? Eddie finds out the story behin...more

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Oct 11, 2012 Wendy Hines rated it 4 of 5 stars

Eddie and Dave are two young friends, both coming from working class families. They don't have goals in life and they are treated poorly by some of the wealthier kids. Nonetheless, when there is some expansion and remodeling done at the high school, Eddie takes an interest in a small tree. It was planted in honor of a fallen soldier and Eddie wants to know who and why it's not discussed at the school.

So embarks his and Dave's journey in determining who the Soldier was and they eventually do find...more

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Jul 18, 2012 Jonathan rated it 4 of 5 stars

When Phil Rossi first asked me to review his novella, Soldier Hill, I have to admit, I was a little skeptical. First off, it’s YA, and you people know how I feel about YA. Secondly, it’s a novella, and to me, novellas often smack of author ambiguity and indecision—as if they started to write a novel and didn’t know what to do with it after a while, so they just cut it off and called it a novella (for this presupposition, just or unjust as it may be, I blame Stephen King). And three, it’s an indi...more

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Jul 05, 2012 Wanda Panda Hartzenberg rated it 5 of 5 stars

Soldier Hill by Phil Rossi
I received this book from the author for a fair and honest review.
In all honesty, I had a very hard time reading this book. The vernacular was foreign to me, whether it is American speech and not written word, 80's street lingo, or simply a more closely knit dialect I can't say.
But the vernacular used, being foreign to me made me struggle with the book and had me a bit frustrated. The boy in the story, Eddie or Higgs as he is known is a character most of us can and will...more Soldier Hill by Phil Rossi
I received this book from the author for a fair and honest review.
In all honesty, I had a very hard time reading this book. The vernacular was foreign to me, whether it is American speech and not written word, 80's street lingo, or simply a more closely knit dialect I can't say.
But the vernacular used, being foreign to me made me struggle with the book and had me a bit frustrated. The boy in the story, Eddie or Higgs as he is known is a character most of us can and will relate to. He has no idea what his future will bring but he knows he wants a car and not only a car, THE car. But Eddie has no plans for his future, he would rather cut class than study, he is not a bully but has to tread carefully. Eddie is the boy next door.
Then one day Eddie notice a small struggling tree at his school. The tree is dedicated to Billy, a Vietnam War veteran who sacrificed his life for his country. A war veteran with no surname, nothing to identify him and who died a boy, although a hero, still a boy.
So begins Higg's story. One in which he tries to find out who Billy is, how come nobody really talks about the war. And so begins the struggle to save the tree, the one thing still standing as a testimony towards the brave act of a boy dying for the liberty of his country.
The more I read of the book, the more I became accustomed to the colloquial speech, writing style. With ease of reading returning I got invested in the book. By the end of the story, after struggle, camaraderie and small acts of kindness Higg's does one thing possibly more important than ever obtaining a white collar job. He makes an unintended difference. This is my first ever 10 * review. I am almost certain that if you start the book on my recommendation you will remember this 10 * and wonder what I was thinking. But it is ok. I am not losing my marbles. By the last five pages in this book I experienced that very odd and uncomfortable feeling. You know the one; it starts from your stomach and moves up until your eyes over flows by itself. It is not in actual fact crying, it is past that, it is the feeling of being moved and knowing you will never forget the story that moved you such. Ironically not being a US citizen I finished this book on the 4Th of July. And I need to say, happy Independence day, it was bought for in blood. Make it count. (less)

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Sep 27, 2012 Sandra "Jeanz" rated it 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW
I was given the e-copy of this book by the Author Phil Rossi in exchange for my honest,unbiased opinion.
So the cover, I would say it would attract boys and men but perhaps put off the females a little. The cover is more representative of the fallen soldier being honored than the other characters in the book. In my opinion the blurb really doesn't do the book justice, and perhaps isn't drawing as many readers to this book as it could or should. The book is fairly sort and I read it all i...more MY REVIEW
I was given the e-copy of this book by the Author Phil Rossi in exchange for my honest,unbiased opinion.
So the cover, I would say it would attract boys and men but perhaps put off the females a little. The cover is more representative of the fallen soldier being honored than the other characters in the book. In my opinion the blurb really doesn't do the book justice, and perhaps isn't drawing as many readers to this book as it could or should. The book is fairly sort and I read it all in one go. So its the ideal length for a "cup of tea" afternoon read.
My first instinct was that this book was going to be a "Blokey" mans book, but it really isn't. It's the story of a couple of young lads who the school system and it seems everyone around them has written off as layabouts and "never do wells". They aren't the popular guys, in fact they are more belonging to the misfit's crowd, who get bullied by the more popular well off kids. Both the boys David and Eddie come from a working class background and have paper rounds. That's how Eddie meets the man whose son is the soldier honored by the tree planted at their school. The story revolves around the tree. The school is having an extension built and the tree is taken out and just laid aside, discarded unceremoniously on the ground.
I don't want to tell you the whole story, as you should read it for yourself. It's quite unusual what the boys decide to do and there's a surprise twist or turn here and there too.
So what did I think? The first part of the story seemed slightly wordy, and a little over described in places. The plot was a little slow starting. Then when you realize certain things come together like a jigsaw and make more sense. When you have finished the book you can't help but smile. In our era of soldiers being away on duty makes the story all the more poignant really.
Did I enjoy the book? After the first third of it yes I did. Would I recommend it? I think perhaps it is something that could be read in schools to promote respect for soldiers, and each other. As well as reinforcing the "lest we forget" message of Remembrance Day. Would I read more by this author? Yes I would give other books by him a go.(less)

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Oct 06, 2012 Sandy rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-reviewed-2012, meh-it-just-wasn-t-for-me, realistic-fiction, set-in-a-bygone-era

I really, really, hate giving negative reviews, but to be honest with myself and to honor my word that I would give a honest review I have to say I really didn't like this book.

Let me start off with the things I did like about it. The premise of the story was good. I loved the idea that two kids could honor someone who had died in a horrific war some years before. I loved how I could definitely tell the character was a male and see through his eyes. I also loved the final chapter where the final...more I really, really, hate giving negative reviews, but to be honest with myself and to honor my word that I would give a honest review I have to say I really didn't like this book.

Let me start off with the things I did like about it. The premise of the story was good. I loved the idea that two kids could honor someone who had died in a horrific war some years before. I loved how I could definitely tell the character was a male and see through his eyes. I also loved the final chapter where the final resting place of 'Billy' became a place where all soldiers who died and who were from the town could be honored.

But, all that was spoiled by the terminology of the book. I didn't understand half of what the author had written. I understand that slang and some terminology is needed to give legitimacy of the era it is placed in, but unless we can time travel and release the book back in 1983, where people can understand everything, then there's going to be people, like me, that are just plain confused.

There needed to be a balance between the yesteryear and remembering that the young adults of today don't talk like that and will probably give up half way through the book because they don't understand a word of what is being written. With that being said though, others may think it's great. I didn't.

Some of the words are repetitive too. Like the fight scene when the word 'Kidney' was used over and over again when 'ground' would have been easier to understand. It felt, to me, like every piece of slang or terminology that could be introduced into the book was.

There was also too much telling in the story. I was told what was going on through Eddie. I know that's what happens when the story is in first voice, but some description would have been nice. I had barely any idea of what the settings were like in each particular scene. Also, there was no emotion to this story. I like books that are character and emotionally driven - and this wasn't. I didn't feel anything that Eddie was feeling. He seemed emotionless.

I wish I could have said I really enjoyed it, but I'd be lying. With that being said though, these are only my thoughts on Soldier Hill - if you read it, yours may be different.

Anyway, here's my rating :-

One out of five stars.

This review can be found here http://magicalmanuscriptsandwritingth...(less)

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Aug 26, 2012 Faize rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: war, will-forget-tomorrow

I am reviewing Soldier Hill because I recieved a free copy of the book from the author.

Soldier Hill was difficult to get through. I don't think I've ever had to struggle so much to finish a book. Here are a few reasons why Soldier Hill disappointed me:

Firstly, I'd like to make a note of the grammar. There are misspelled words, incorrect punctuation, an endless amount of fragment sentences. The latter was probably the most annoying. Normally, I don't have any problem with fragment sentences. In f...more I am reviewing Soldier Hill because I recieved a free copy of the book from the author.

Soldier Hill was difficult to get through. I don't think I've ever had to struggle so much to finish a book. Here are a few reasons why Soldier Hill disappointed me:

Firstly, I'd like to make a note of the grammar. There are misspelled words, incorrect punctuation, an endless amount of fragment sentences. The latter was probably the most annoying. Normally, I don't have any problem with fragment sentences. In fact, I think they can be helpful in adding to the atmosphere and tone of a book. However, in Soldier Hill, there were more fragment sentences than complete ones. It became difficult to read and I found myself constantly wondering what was going on because I couldn't understand it.

Secondly, and this is again about the writing, the terminology used was...I'm gonna say "strange." There was a gratuitous abundance of slang words and phrases; so much that, paired with the fragment sentences, I barely knew where the story was going. I felt I was reading a foreign language. Yes, I understand, you want to make it so that the characters seem real and relatable. But when it comes to the point that the reader can barely deduce what you mean to say, I think it's time to lay off on the experimental writing techniques.

Thirdly, this is a YA book that takes place in the 80's. It was written in 2012. I see somewhat of a problem there. You don't? Let me explain. YA novels are written for and geared towards teenagers. Ages 13-18. If it was written in 2012, then the earliest a member from the projected audience could have been born is '94. Simply put, I'm 14 and didn't grow up in the 80's, therefore the 80's references are lost on me. I'm sure kids of the 80's would have gotten them, but they are all adults now. I'm not saying that this book shouldn't have been written all; I just think the author should have kept his readers' approximate ages in mind.

Fourthly, I thought the plot jumped around too much, or rather, it didn't stay on the topic of the fallen soldier. We read about Higgs's paper route, his obsession with cars, talking with neighbors, etc. For the most part, though, I felt that the "fallen soldier" aspect of the story was very neglected.

Lastly, and this is, believe it or not, a positive comment, I found that subject of the story to be both simple and unique. The author didn't need to concoct a huge fantasy world with mythical creatures and a whole new set of physical laws. It's a simple plot, and I appreciate that. If it had been executed better, I feel that much more of the story's potential could have been drawn out.(less)

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