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On Heaven's Hill
Finalist for the 2023 Banff Mountain Book Award for Mountain Fiction & Poetry
An Anchorage Daily News Favorite Book of 2023
Kim Heacox, author of the National Outdoor Book Award-winning novel Jimmy Bluefeather, returns with a new, brilliant novel about family love and the lengths one will go to protect it.
"A sprawling novel brimming with suspense, ideas and unforgettable characters, On Heaven's Hill paints a captivating group portrait of a rebel alliance discovering their true selves in America's most glorious natural landscape. This book will appeal equally to aging idealists reared on Edward Abbey and adventurous kids hooked on Gary Paulsen. Oh, and it's laugh-out-loud funny, too."
—Mark Adams, New York Times bestselling author of Tip of the Iceberg and Turn Right at Machu Picchu
"Kim Heacox poses the age-old question—what price progress?—with new urgency in On Heaven’s Hill, his compelling novel of an Alaskan hamlet whose remote location is no defense against big-money development. All that stands in its way is a pack of wolves and the twelve-year-old girl determined to save them. Reminiscent of John Nichols' The Milagro Beanfield War, Heacox deftly weaves lyrical tributes to the healing power of nature with a fast-paced plot that builds to a heart-pounding conclusion."
—Gwen Florio, author of Silent Hearts and the Lola Wicks series
The small town of Strawberry Flats sits on a remote Alaska coast, peacefully left to itself—until controversial plans for a road and a bridge threaten to upend everything.
Former trapper Salt d’Alene never thought he’d find himself in the midst of such a dispute, but he’ll do anything to provide the best care for his son Solomon, recently diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. Eleven-year-old Kes Nash just wants her father—back from war in Afghanistan—to be normal again. And circling the perimeter of the town is a wolf, Silver, and his pack, quietly watching.
Told from three alternating perspectives, On Heaven’s Hill is a vividly powerful story about rediscovering hope and finding new life in the aftermath of trauma. Filled with humor and compassion, it depicts the best of America, a place composed of wildness and kindness.
An Anchorage Daily News Favorite Book of 2023
Kim Heacox, author of the National Outdoor Book Award-winning novel Jimmy Bluefeather, returns with a new, brilliant novel about family love and the lengths one will go to protect it.
"A sprawling novel brimming with suspense, ideas and unforgettable characters, On Heaven's Hill paints a captivating group portrait of a rebel alliance discovering their true selves in America's most glorious natural landscape. This book will appeal equally to aging idealists reared on Edward Abbey and adventurous kids hooked on Gary Paulsen. Oh, and it's laugh-out-loud funny, too."
—Mark Adams, New York Times bestselling author of Tip of the Iceberg and Turn Right at Machu Picchu
"Kim Heacox poses the age-old question—what price progress?—with new urgency in On Heaven’s Hill, his compelling novel of an Alaskan hamlet whose remote location is no defense against big-money development. All that stands in its way is a pack of wolves and the twelve-year-old girl determined to save them. Reminiscent of John Nichols' The Milagro Beanfield War, Heacox deftly weaves lyrical tributes to the healing power of nature with a fast-paced plot that builds to a heart-pounding conclusion."
—Gwen Florio, author of Silent Hearts and the Lola Wicks series
The small town of Strawberry Flats sits on a remote Alaska coast, peacefully left to itself—until controversial plans for a road and a bridge threaten to upend everything.
Former trapper Salt d’Alene never thought he’d find himself in the midst of such a dispute, but he’ll do anything to provide the best care for his son Solomon, recently diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. Eleven-year-old Kes Nash just wants her father—back from war in Afghanistan—to be normal again. And circling the perimeter of the town is a wolf, Silver, and his pack, quietly watching.
Told from three alternating perspectives, On Heaven’s Hill is a vividly powerful story about rediscovering hope and finding new life in the aftermath of trauma. Filled with humor and compassion, it depicts the best of America, a place composed of wildness and kindness.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 21, 2023
12 people are currently reading
5246 people want to read
About the author
Kim Heacox
37 books127 followersKim Heacox is the author of more than a dozen books, five of them published by National Geographic.
He’s won the National Outdoor Book Award twice, first in 2015 for his novel Jimmy Bluefeather, the only work of fiction in 25 years to win the award. And again in 2020 for his memoir, The Only Kayak, as an “outdoor classic” (originally published in 2005).
He writes opinion-editorials for The Guardian in celebration and defense of the natural world, and lives in a small town in coastal Alaska with his wife, Melanie, where they support the emerging Glacier Bay Leadership Program within Tidelines Institute. Learn more about him at www.kimheacox.com and download the Jimmy Bluefeather book club guide at westmarginpress.com.
He’s won the National Outdoor Book Award twice, first in 2015 for his novel Jimmy Bluefeather, the only work of fiction in 25 years to win the award. And again in 2020 for his memoir, The Only Kayak, as an “outdoor classic” (originally published in 2005).
He writes opinion-editorials for The Guardian in celebration and defense of the natural world, and lives in a small town in coastal Alaska with his wife, Melanie, where they support the emerging Glacier Bay Leadership Program within Tidelines Institute. Learn more about him at www.kimheacox.com and download the Jimmy Bluefeather book club guide at westmarginpress.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
January 3, 2024
I was rather amazed at the wide swath of society that Heacox manages to tap in building his characters. None of them are cardboard cutouts. All are so human and so fuzzy around the edges that they really come alive in the pages. You feel you know the characters. As a wilderness lover, I got into the plot, and I related both to the defenders and the despoilers. This book is definitely worth one's time.
April 10, 2024
Unfortunately, I had to DNF at about 30 percent in. I loved the idea of this book but couldn’t get into it. There were too many characters and three seemingly different POVs to learn about so it felt a bit confusing. I am not sure I truly understand what the book was supposed to be about and what I thought it was about still didn’t really feel explained at about 30% in. Some parts were beautifully described and some felt choppy, vague, or confusing.
March 8, 2023
I would rate this book 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.
On Heavens Hill brings together the story of three families and what eventually brings them together and entwines their lives in the small town of Strawberry Flats, Alaska. The story is told from the viewpoint of each and the struggles they all have. First is a pack of wolves who are trying their best to survive and grow the pack. Second is the family of Salt D'Arlene who has the history of being a trapper who is doing the best he can taking care of his family which is just a little bit harder with a son who has muscular dystrophy and last is the family of Kes who is a young girl hoping that somehow her father will come back to being himself after he his injured by an attack while he serves his country in Afghanistan. They hope that the environment will not be so crazy by moving to a family compound. All the worlds will be brought together when there are plans to build a road and bridge in the area. This story touches on many of the controversial attitudes and believes in recent times based on religion, war, environment and such which some may fine a little of putting. I felt the author tried a little too hard to include as many of these subjects and attitude and sometimes seemed to force in. This had a lot more potential when it first started. The author does a good job in bringing the story together even with those complaints so give it a read and see what you think.
On Heavens Hill brings together the story of three families and what eventually brings them together and entwines their lives in the small town of Strawberry Flats, Alaska. The story is told from the viewpoint of each and the struggles they all have. First is a pack of wolves who are trying their best to survive and grow the pack. Second is the family of Salt D'Arlene who has the history of being a trapper who is doing the best he can taking care of his family which is just a little bit harder with a son who has muscular dystrophy and last is the family of Kes who is a young girl hoping that somehow her father will come back to being himself after he his injured by an attack while he serves his country in Afghanistan. They hope that the environment will not be so crazy by moving to a family compound. All the worlds will be brought together when there are plans to build a road and bridge in the area. This story touches on many of the controversial attitudes and believes in recent times based on religion, war, environment and such which some may fine a little of putting. I felt the author tried a little too hard to include as many of these subjects and attitude and sometimes seemed to force in. This had a lot more potential when it first started. The author does a good job in bringing the story together even with those complaints so give it a read and see what you think.
March 26, 2023
On Heaven's Hill is an immersive novel of controversy and unlikely coalitions in a small, coastal Alaska town. The story is adeptly told from three perspectives: a young girl with Greta Thurnberg’s compassion and leadership magic, desperate to help her war-veteran father recover from PTSD; an aging trapper caught between doing what’s right and taking dark money to provide medical treatment for one of his sons; and—I love this part—a young wolf named Silver. Unforgettable characters—human and wolf—have much to lose to when unscrupulous developers secretly plan to build a road and bridge that will forever alter their wilderness-embedded communities. Kim Heacox’s deep knowledge of natural history, sense of humor, and keen insights on the state of the world, make On Heaven’s Hill unforgettable and inspiring.
February 29, 2024
Hello. I was not able to finish this.
The story holds great promise, but ithere were so many character introduced in the first 10% of the book that it did not allow for the development of any of them and so I felt little affinity as a reader. - Papa, Uncle Ty, Salt, Kes, Uncle Charles, Rita, Kathy, Celia, Allison - the list goes on. In these first chapters, we jumped back and forth between characters, scenes and traumas so quickly that the 'story' did not progress.
I got 20% into the book at which point the story began to pick up, but the first chapters were hard work. I had no sense of progression story or characters, there was very little 'world building' or establishment of 'place''. I liked Salt as a character. Kes adds nothing so far to the story and the juxtaposition of an old wizened "Salt" with a young niece woman is hard to take work.
The story would be more engaging of the Kes and Salt stories were told as separate parts of the novel and then find away to bring them together.
Thanks,
MJ
The story holds great promise, but ithere were so many character introduced in the first 10% of the book that it did not allow for the development of any of them and so I felt little affinity as a reader. - Papa, Uncle Ty, Salt, Kes, Uncle Charles, Rita, Kathy, Celia, Allison - the list goes on. In these first chapters, we jumped back and forth between characters, scenes and traumas so quickly that the 'story' did not progress.
I got 20% into the book at which point the story began to pick up, but the first chapters were hard work. I had no sense of progression story or characters, there was very little 'world building' or establishment of 'place''. I liked Salt as a character. Kes adds nothing so far to the story and the juxtaposition of an old wizened "Salt" with a young niece woman is hard to take work.
The story would be more engaging of the Kes and Salt stories were told as separate parts of the novel and then find away to bring them together.
Thanks,
MJ
March 21, 2023
I enjoyed this book immensely. The writing is lyrical, sometimes whimsical, but always clear and never trite. Heacox is able to write believably from multiple perspectives, which is not always the case, so it's all the more impressive. This book is all-too relevant right now, and may just inspire you, but even if not, it will certainly entertain you.
March 16, 2024
Kim Heacox’s book, On Heaven’s Hill is, on the surface, a story about a brave girl who stands up to protect her quiet, peaceful, town from government officials who wish to destroy the surrounding wilderness in the name of progress. But this story is about so much more.
Heacox alternates the narrative between Salt (a Christian, ex-trapper, with 4 kids, ones who is disabled and one who is very troubled), Kes (a young girl from Texas, whose mother died, whose father is a veteran suffering from PTSD), and a wolf (young but capable, determined to protect his pack). Dealing with issues such as conservative vs liberal, war politics, Christianity, radicalism, environmental protection, and disabilities (both physical and mental), this book is beyond packed with controversy. Unfortunately, Heacox seems to use this to push his own personal agenda as well as air his own issues with government. If the book wasn’t so heavy with his own opinions it would have been a great story. However, more often than not, I felt like I was being lectured at. Also, he mentioned one of his characters wearing “Nike Air Jordan” shoes at least 5 different times which was incredibly irritating and came across as very pretentious.
On another note, the narrative from the view point of the wolf at first bothered me because he personifies the wolf quite a bit. But, as the story progressed, I grew to really enjoy those chapter the most. It helped me feel more empathetic toward the wolves and really worked for the overall story.
***Thank you NetGalley, Kim Heacox, and Turner Publishing for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.***
Heacox alternates the narrative between Salt (a Christian, ex-trapper, with 4 kids, ones who is disabled and one who is very troubled), Kes (a young girl from Texas, whose mother died, whose father is a veteran suffering from PTSD), and a wolf (young but capable, determined to protect his pack). Dealing with issues such as conservative vs liberal, war politics, Christianity, radicalism, environmental protection, and disabilities (both physical and mental), this book is beyond packed with controversy. Unfortunately, Heacox seems to use this to push his own personal agenda as well as air his own issues with government. If the book wasn’t so heavy with his own opinions it would have been a great story. However, more often than not, I felt like I was being lectured at. Also, he mentioned one of his characters wearing “Nike Air Jordan” shoes at least 5 different times which was incredibly irritating and came across as very pretentious.
On another note, the narrative from the view point of the wolf at first bothered me because he personifies the wolf quite a bit. But, as the story progressed, I grew to really enjoy those chapter the most. It helped me feel more empathetic toward the wolves and really worked for the overall story.
***Thank you NetGalley, Kim Heacox, and Turner Publishing for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.***
March 26, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Turner Publishing company for an advance copy.
On Heaven's Hill is a novel about family, the role of religion on our view of the world, and the importance of standing up for what you believe to be right. Chapters alternate between perspectives of a young girl named Kestral who has had her world turned upside down, an adult man named Salt walking a moral line to support his family, and a member of a wolf pack called Silver that is pivotal to the story. While the animal perspective was unexpected, and only appears occasionally throughout the book, I really enjoyed those chapters.
This book started out really nicely for me. It's not a genre I typically read, but I connected with each character right away. I appreciated the fairness with which members of different walks of life, religion, and politics were represented. I kept waiting to see the author's personal biases bleed through the narrative, but now I don't think I can say for sure where they stand. Much respect to Kim Heacox for that. Each character was represented very fairly regardless of their opinions and perspectives.
I gave it three stars because the story lost its hook from me around 75% of the way through. I think it cared more about the characters personal lives than I did about the major event in the book which connected them all. Once the foundations were laid for each character and the plot moved on to the event, I stopped caring. And I would have loved more of Silver.
On Heaven's Hill is a novel about family, the role of religion on our view of the world, and the importance of standing up for what you believe to be right. Chapters alternate between perspectives of a young girl named Kestral who has had her world turned upside down, an adult man named Salt walking a moral line to support his family, and a member of a wolf pack called Silver that is pivotal to the story. While the animal perspective was unexpected, and only appears occasionally throughout the book, I really enjoyed those chapters.
This book started out really nicely for me. It's not a genre I typically read, but I connected with each character right away. I appreciated the fairness with which members of different walks of life, religion, and politics were represented. I kept waiting to see the author's personal biases bleed through the narrative, but now I don't think I can say for sure where they stand. Much respect to Kim Heacox for that. Each character was represented very fairly regardless of their opinions and perspectives.
I gave it three stars because the story lost its hook from me around 75% of the way through. I think it cared more about the characters personal lives than I did about the major event in the book which connected them all. Once the foundations were laid for each character and the plot moved on to the event, I stopped caring. And I would have loved more of Silver.
February 13, 2023
Heacox’s tightly woven plotting is reminiscent of the Tlingit’s watertight baskets made from spruce roots. With three alternating perspectives, the reader is kept guessing which solution is correct as the outcome hangs in the balance.
The story centers around the citizens in the remote village of Strawberry Flats, nearby Willynillyville, home to a group of former military war veterans, and the wolves who can be heard howling on Heaven’s Hill across the cold and swift Menzies River.
All is not peaceful in this idyllic corner of Alaska. Politicians and business interests instigate a nefarious plan that could forever alter this scenic world. Can activists organize and stop the plan? Will infighting thwart the villagers’ efforts to save their lifestyle? Will the wolves attack?
Heacox has written a well-crafted story. Fascinating details about living in a remote Alaskan village will surprise readers. His vivid characters live on different levels, like the symbolic patterns woven into the spruce root baskets. Heacox’s characters explain details about natural history, astronomy, the Bible, geology, songwriters, assisted suicide, climate change, trapping, and much more.
A compelling story filled with inspiration, hope, and compassion makes this novel Heacox’s best.
The story centers around the citizens in the remote village of Strawberry Flats, nearby Willynillyville, home to a group of former military war veterans, and the wolves who can be heard howling on Heaven’s Hill across the cold and swift Menzies River.
All is not peaceful in this idyllic corner of Alaska. Politicians and business interests instigate a nefarious plan that could forever alter this scenic world. Can activists organize and stop the plan? Will infighting thwart the villagers’ efforts to save their lifestyle? Will the wolves attack?
Heacox has written a well-crafted story. Fascinating details about living in a remote Alaskan village will surprise readers. His vivid characters live on different levels, like the symbolic patterns woven into the spruce root baskets. Heacox’s characters explain details about natural history, astronomy, the Bible, geology, songwriters, assisted suicide, climate change, trapping, and much more.
A compelling story filled with inspiration, hope, and compassion makes this novel Heacox’s best.
March 24, 2024
People are part of nature. Nature heals and nature kills. Just like us humans. What´s the difference? Wild nature doesn´t kill itself, unlike us.
Home made philosophy aside, this book is about healing and the importance of family (among many other topics).
There are three parallel stories of two families of humans and one of the pack of wolves. These come together at some point to teach readers some universal truths (sarcasm!).
I like the writing and characters, but I really don´t like it when someone tries to force opinions and beliefs on me. Unfortunately, way too often I felt while reading like a student who was being lectured, and looked down at.
Home made philosophy aside, this book is about healing and the importance of family (among many other topics).
There are three parallel stories of two families of humans and one of the pack of wolves. These come together at some point to teach readers some universal truths (sarcasm!).
I like the writing and characters, but I really don´t like it when someone tries to force opinions and beliefs on me. Unfortunately, way too often I felt while reading like a student who was being lectured, and looked down at.
March 29, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for this book.
For me this was a deep read about not just the humans and their struggles but a strong voice for the wolves and how our land will only be here when we all listen to each other.
It did take me awhile to get through this book on my kindle. It was a bit deep and at times not a story to read when you are tired. But I’m glad I had the opportunity to read this story. You should grab a copy if you love the spirit of nature us humans. Not written like a novel I have ever read before.
For me this was a deep read about not just the humans and their struggles but a strong voice for the wolves and how our land will only be here when we all listen to each other.
It did take me awhile to get through this book on my kindle. It was a bit deep and at times not a story to read when you are tired. But I’m glad I had the opportunity to read this story. You should grab a copy if you love the spirit of nature us humans. Not written like a novel I have ever read before.
March 23, 2024
A wonderful story of healing, growing, and standing up for what you believe in.
4.5 stars rounded up.
Set mostly in Southeast Alaska, „On Heaven‘s Hill“ is filled with vivid descriptions of the area‘s innate natural beauty. Alaska becomes as much of a character in the book as its three main protagonists: Silver, a young gray wolf roaming the area around the town of Strawberry Flats with his family; Salt, a former trapper and devoted father clinging to his Christian faith while desperately trying to hold together his own family and get medical help for one of his sons; and Kes, a plucky twelve-year old whose father returns from the war in Afghanistan seriously wounded and a shelf of his former self, who just wants to see her dad whole again - and who, in the process, finds a deeper purpose and passion.
Examining timeless and often controversial subjects such as family, faith, science, nature, progress, environmental responsibility, rebellion, and healing, as well as the current state of American politics and society, this book will not be for everyone, though it should be. I found it utterly compelling and well-written, a lyrical testament to the beauty of Alaska, the importance of nature, and the incredible resilience of the human spirit.
Thank you to NetGalley and Turner Publishing Company / West Margin Press for the Advanced Reader‘s Copy in exchange for my honest review „On Heaven‘s Hill“ is slated to be published on November 19, 2024.
4.5 stars rounded up.
As pastel evening light plays over the rooftops and trees and fireweed seeds drift about, catching the last light breaking, it occurs to Kes that you have to invent words for the way beauty expresses itself in Alaska. She remembers a similar evening from one year before, soon after she‘d arrived in Strawberry Flats, when uncle Ty told her that while the land is young and shaped mostly by glaciers, the processes are timeless - the rivers and tides, the seasons, the abundant life flowing and ebbing, the people rounded by water yet sharpened by ice, engaged in the country and committed to its flourishing. „All in all,“ he said, it‘s a fine place to stand upon, and to defend.“
Set mostly in Southeast Alaska, „On Heaven‘s Hill“ is filled with vivid descriptions of the area‘s innate natural beauty. Alaska becomes as much of a character in the book as its three main protagonists: Silver, a young gray wolf roaming the area around the town of Strawberry Flats with his family; Salt, a former trapper and devoted father clinging to his Christian faith while desperately trying to hold together his own family and get medical help for one of his sons; and Kes, a plucky twelve-year old whose father returns from the war in Afghanistan seriously wounded and a shelf of his former self, who just wants to see her dad whole again - and who, in the process, finds a deeper purpose and passion.
Examining timeless and often controversial subjects such as family, faith, science, nature, progress, environmental responsibility, rebellion, and healing, as well as the current state of American politics and society, this book will not be for everyone, though it should be. I found it utterly compelling and well-written, a lyrical testament to the beauty of Alaska, the importance of nature, and the incredible resilience of the human spirit.
Thank you to NetGalley and Turner Publishing Company / West Margin Press for the Advanced Reader‘s Copy in exchange for my honest review „On Heaven‘s Hill“ is slated to be published on November 19, 2024.
November 16, 2024
The good news is that the author of this book is an expert on Alaska. The setting is so lush and vivid in this novel that it is virtually a character. He has written any number of nonfiction texts about Alaska. The bad news is that he has not written many other novels. My hope is that he will continue to bring readers into his fictional landscapes that are so realistic that you feel like you are there and have you start looking on the internet at vacation packages.
It is not only the landscape that drew me into this book; the characters were so vivid as well. One warning: this novel is work. There are many characters and they are not always easy to follow. It takes work to keep track of them but it was worth it. It helped that there are three perspectives and they were rotated exactly throughout, and two of them were human. The third perspective was that of the wolves. I was worried that this might be gimmicky but given the plot and theme, this worked. The characters, including the wolves, were full of rich details portrayed through actions and interactions. Some characters were likeable and a few were not but they were complex, making the reader hopeful for change.
This author has a very clear message about the environment, so be forewarned. There were a few moments where perhaps this message was a bit heavy handed. But it wasn't only about that; it was about families and neighbors coming together and the difficult choices we need to make and how we do that. There is so much to unpack in this novel, that I may just need to reread it. It is also very timely given our current political climate.
Also, readers might want to know that this is not a brand new book but has actually been republished.
Thanks to Turner Publishing Company and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this excellent and absorbing reissuance that is coming out on Tuesday, November 19th, in exchange for my unbiased review.
It is not only the landscape that drew me into this book; the characters were so vivid as well. One warning: this novel is work. There are many characters and they are not always easy to follow. It takes work to keep track of them but it was worth it. It helped that there are three perspectives and they were rotated exactly throughout, and two of them were human. The third perspective was that of the wolves. I was worried that this might be gimmicky but given the plot and theme, this worked. The characters, including the wolves, were full of rich details portrayed through actions and interactions. Some characters were likeable and a few were not but they were complex, making the reader hopeful for change.
This author has a very clear message about the environment, so be forewarned. There were a few moments where perhaps this message was a bit heavy handed. But it wasn't only about that; it was about families and neighbors coming together and the difficult choices we need to make and how we do that. There is so much to unpack in this novel, that I may just need to reread it. It is also very timely given our current political climate.
Also, readers might want to know that this is not a brand new book but has actually been republished.
Thanks to Turner Publishing Company and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this excellent and absorbing reissuance that is coming out on Tuesday, November 19th, in exchange for my unbiased review.
February 3, 2024
"On Heavens Hill" is stunning and so relevant
Based in a small town in Alaska, it tells of how the area is threatened by unscrupulous developers and this results in the most unlikely people working together against the commomn enemy. A young girl who is passionate about protecting the eco-system as well as her father who has PTSD. A trapper who is desperate to provide medical treatment for one of his children, and is a risk of giving into the temptation of money from the developers, and more.
The use of a wolf is absolutely genius, the POV had me gripped
Kim Heacox is clearly very knowledgable about Alaska and its people. This is reflected in his outstanding ability to describe how very different characters feel about and are connected to the area. As a reader, I was captivated by Heacox's illustrative writing style, there is an exceptional empathy there
Thank you to Netgalley and the Turner Publishing Company for this incredible book of our times. My review is left voluntarily
Based in a small town in Alaska, it tells of how the area is threatened by unscrupulous developers and this results in the most unlikely people working together against the commomn enemy. A young girl who is passionate about protecting the eco-system as well as her father who has PTSD. A trapper who is desperate to provide medical treatment for one of his children, and is a risk of giving into the temptation of money from the developers, and more.
The use of a wolf is absolutely genius, the POV had me gripped
Kim Heacox is clearly very knowledgable about Alaska and its people. This is reflected in his outstanding ability to describe how very different characters feel about and are connected to the area. As a reader, I was captivated by Heacox's illustrative writing style, there is an exceptional empathy there
Thank you to Netgalley and the Turner Publishing Company for this incredible book of our times. My review is left voluntarily
February 4, 2024
On Heavens Hill" is stunning and so relevant
Based in a small town in Alaska, it tells of how the area is threatened by unscrupulous developers and this results in the most unlikely people working together against the commomn enemy. A young girl who is passionate about protecting the eco-system as well as her father who has PTSD. A trapper who is desperate to provide medical treatment for one of his children, and is a risk of giving into the temptation of money from the developers, and more.
The use of a wolf is absolutely genius, the POV had me gripped
Kim Heacox is clearly very knowledgable about Alaska and its people. This is reflected in his outstanding ability to describe how very different characters feel about and are connected to the area. As a reader, I was captivated by Heacox's illustrative writing style, there is an exceptional empathy there
Thank you to Netgalley and the Turner Publishing Company for this incredible book of our times. My review is left voluntarily
Based in a small town in Alaska, it tells of how the area is threatened by unscrupulous developers and this results in the most unlikely people working together against the commomn enemy. A young girl who is passionate about protecting the eco-system as well as her father who has PTSD. A trapper who is desperate to provide medical treatment for one of his children, and is a risk of giving into the temptation of money from the developers, and more.
The use of a wolf is absolutely genius, the POV had me gripped
Kim Heacox is clearly very knowledgable about Alaska and its people. This is reflected in his outstanding ability to describe how very different characters feel about and are connected to the area. As a reader, I was captivated by Heacox's illustrative writing style, there is an exceptional empathy there
Thank you to Netgalley and the Turner Publishing Company for this incredible book of our times. My review is left voluntarily
November 22, 2024
I really enjoyed Kim Heacox’s On Heaven’s Hill. I’d like to share a quote from his book. I consider it to be “spot-on” during these times of social, environmental, and political divisiveness.
“The most corrupt politicians—and we have many—want their citizens uneducated, not unarmed. That way tens of millions of people will continue to vote against their own best interests by reelecting authoritarians who rant on about gun rights and illegal immigrants and same-sex marriage, all while giving tax breaks to billionaires and never raising the minimum wage, or addressing the climate crisis, or fixing income disparity, or working for universal health care, or ending poverty. What those politicians really care about, Chippy, is one thing: staying in power. Which they do by catering to fat cats who in turn finance their campaigns. That’s why the South stays poor. That’s why the Heartland will bake in an oven of its own making, having voted for pro-gun, climate crisis deniers for fifty years."
“The most corrupt politicians—and we have many—want their citizens uneducated, not unarmed. That way tens of millions of people will continue to vote against their own best interests by reelecting authoritarians who rant on about gun rights and illegal immigrants and same-sex marriage, all while giving tax breaks to billionaires and never raising the minimum wage, or addressing the climate crisis, or fixing income disparity, or working for universal health care, or ending poverty. What those politicians really care about, Chippy, is one thing: staying in power. Which they do by catering to fat cats who in turn finance their campaigns. That’s why the South stays poor. That’s why the Heartland will bake in an oven of its own making, having voted for pro-gun, climate crisis deniers for fifty years."
February 20, 2024
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Kim Heacox's "On Heaven's Hill" is a captivating tale set in rural southeast Alaska, where three families, including a pack of wolves, intertwine in unexpected ways. The story revolves around Kes, a smart and environmentally conscious young girl; Salt, a former trapper grappling with his past actions; and Silver, a wolf who matures into a pack leader. Through skillful storytelling, Heacox seamlessly integrates themes of religion, politics, science, and environmental awareness. Amidst the backdrop of a controversial development project, Heacox's vivid descriptions transport readers to the Alaskan wilderness, immersing them in the sights and sounds of nature. The book's descriptive style and compelling narrative make it a compelling read, leaving readers eager to uncover the fate of these intertwined families.
Kim Heacox's "On Heaven's Hill" is a captivating tale set in rural southeast Alaska, where three families, including a pack of wolves, intertwine in unexpected ways. The story revolves around Kes, a smart and environmentally conscious young girl; Salt, a former trapper grappling with his past actions; and Silver, a wolf who matures into a pack leader. Through skillful storytelling, Heacox seamlessly integrates themes of religion, politics, science, and environmental awareness. Amidst the backdrop of a controversial development project, Heacox's vivid descriptions transport readers to the Alaskan wilderness, immersing them in the sights and sounds of nature. The book's descriptive style and compelling narrative make it a compelling read, leaving readers eager to uncover the fate of these intertwined families.
February 25, 2024
This author is clearly passionate about the environment and the state of America. Although a few times, I felt like I was being preached to, a lot of what he wrote resonated with me. The three POVs work really well, especially the one with Silver the wolf. The range of characters, the kindness and wisdom of many of them and their courage made this book especially enjoyable. The community of veterans that is created is beautiful to read about. Not knowing a lot about Alaska, it was great to read a book set there ( and I still have fond memories of Call of the Wild that I read as a kid). and to delve into the problems it faces. The young people in this book were also inspiring, especially Kew and ultimately Abe. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the state of the world. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy to read and give an honest review of.
March 25, 2023
So many books are divorced from their time, written from an author's perch. But I like fiction that matters. Fiction that transcends but also emerges out of the actual world. The struggles and realities that surround us.
That's what you get here. An unforgettable story, yes, but also one that sings with meaning. On Heaven's Hill delivers.
This book urges you to feel while you think, and think while you feel. The plot has a great drive, a real race to the finish. And like any book worth its weight, it has genuinely funny moments.
For those of you familiar with Heacox's work and wondering if he's still got it, trust me: the man still writes with fire.
I'm adding this to the pile of books of his I treasure.
That's what you get here. An unforgettable story, yes, but also one that sings with meaning. On Heaven's Hill delivers.
This book urges you to feel while you think, and think while you feel. The plot has a great drive, a real race to the finish. And like any book worth its weight, it has genuinely funny moments.
For those of you familiar with Heacox's work and wondering if he's still got it, trust me: the man still writes with fire.
I'm adding this to the pile of books of his I treasure.
March 29, 2024
On Heaven's Hill is one of the most entertaining books I read so far in 2024. It's an ode to our planet and all living things, it also talks about respect, friendship, family values, faith, leadership, respect for our environment, and how one person when supported by a few others can make a movement grow and acquire an unpredictable dimension. The story is beautifully written, the descriptions of Alaska and the wolves are extremelly good so much the reader can picture the animals and places easily. This story is easy to read and really entertaining!
I thank the author, his publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
I thank the author, his publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
November 15, 2023
I won this book in a goodreads give away!
This was really enjoyable. I ended up liking all three different perspectives, even though I was kinda ho hum about the idea of reading the wolf's perspective at first. Each POV is delightful. The overall message about the healing power of nature hit home and I do enjoy a story where people stand up against developers.
It was a great book to read now that the weather is turning cooler, under a blanket with some tea.
This was really enjoyable. I ended up liking all three different perspectives, even though I was kinda ho hum about the idea of reading the wolf's perspective at first. Each POV is delightful. The overall message about the healing power of nature hit home and I do enjoy a story where people stand up against developers.
It was a great book to read now that the weather is turning cooler, under a blanket with some tea.
January 24, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and West Margin Press for this advance reader’s copy, in exchange for an honest review.
“On Heaven’s Hill” is scheduled for publication in November 2024.
In Plato’s The Republic, circa 375 BC, the Greek philosopher first noted that art imitates life. More recently, Kim Heacox has followed that philosophy in his soon-to-be-released novel “On Heaven’s Hill.” Think environmental and nature issues, protests, people vs. government, and wounded war veterans, and you get the picture.
One of the problems, however, is that the picture gets a little too preachy in spots. But more on that later.
The narrative flows from three different perspectives. Salt D’Alene is a former wolf trapper now working in an auto repair shop in Strawberry Flats, Alaska, and struggling to support his wife and four sons – one of whom, Solomon, has been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. Medical bills are a huge concern.
The second voice belongs to 12-year-old Kes (short for Kestrel) Nash. Her father, Danny, was a successful singer/songwriter in a Texas-based band called Whoa Nellie until Grandpa (we never learn his actual name) convinced him to join the Texas National Guard for some extra money. He winds up getting sent to Afghanistan where he’s almost blown to bits and has both legs amputated below the knee. His older brother, Ty Nash, convinces the family to move to Alaska as part of Danny’s rehabilitation.
Lastly, Heacox offers us a unique perspective – that of Silver, a young wolf living in the wilds of Alaska, traversing the landscape with his family.
As you may have guessed, these three perspectives, or storylines, begin to intersect about midway through the book. Salt is secretly offered a lot of money by some government folks to track wolf movement as part of the state’s coalbed methane project. Kes and her friends get wind of the project and somehow mobilize hundreds of local residents and veterans from all over to form a resistance. Silver and his family begin to live in fear over the changing landscape.
And of course, everything comes to a head when the National Guard is brought in to quell the resistance.
The three narrative perspectives alternate nicely, and offer a pretty in-depth understanding of the main characters and related family members. Salt wants desperately to provide for his family. Kes wants to preserve the wildlife.
Heacox’s bias comes through periodically with references to the current Washington, D.C. administration, such as this president “watches a lot of television” and “thinks windmills (wind turbines) cause cancer.” And that’s okay. But toward the end there are lengthy diatribes characters launch into that sound more like candidate speeches than normal dialogue. The point of the story comes through naturally; the sermons are too over the top.
There are also some inconsistencies. I was left wondering how someone signing up with the Texas National Guard, which requires one weekend per month and one month per year of service, winds up in Afghanistan. And how a group of 12-year olds is able to marshal the forces of an entire community, and then some.
Still, “On Heaven’s Hill” is an interesting read that throws light on some of the polarizing and potentially explosive issues facing our country today. I would give it 3.5 out of 5 stars, but will round down to 3 rather than up due to too many inconsistencies that left me scratching my head.
This review will also be posted to my person book blog, Raised on Reading (raisedonreading.com) on Feb. 5, 2024.
“On Heaven’s Hill” is scheduled for publication in November 2024.
In Plato’s The Republic, circa 375 BC, the Greek philosopher first noted that art imitates life. More recently, Kim Heacox has followed that philosophy in his soon-to-be-released novel “On Heaven’s Hill.” Think environmental and nature issues, protests, people vs. government, and wounded war veterans, and you get the picture.
One of the problems, however, is that the picture gets a little too preachy in spots. But more on that later.
The narrative flows from three different perspectives. Salt D’Alene is a former wolf trapper now working in an auto repair shop in Strawberry Flats, Alaska, and struggling to support his wife and four sons – one of whom, Solomon, has been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. Medical bills are a huge concern.
The second voice belongs to 12-year-old Kes (short for Kestrel) Nash. Her father, Danny, was a successful singer/songwriter in a Texas-based band called Whoa Nellie until Grandpa (we never learn his actual name) convinced him to join the Texas National Guard for some extra money. He winds up getting sent to Afghanistan where he’s almost blown to bits and has both legs amputated below the knee. His older brother, Ty Nash, convinces the family to move to Alaska as part of Danny’s rehabilitation.
Lastly, Heacox offers us a unique perspective – that of Silver, a young wolf living in the wilds of Alaska, traversing the landscape with his family.
As you may have guessed, these three perspectives, or storylines, begin to intersect about midway through the book. Salt is secretly offered a lot of money by some government folks to track wolf movement as part of the state’s coalbed methane project. Kes and her friends get wind of the project and somehow mobilize hundreds of local residents and veterans from all over to form a resistance. Silver and his family begin to live in fear over the changing landscape.
And of course, everything comes to a head when the National Guard is brought in to quell the resistance.
The three narrative perspectives alternate nicely, and offer a pretty in-depth understanding of the main characters and related family members. Salt wants desperately to provide for his family. Kes wants to preserve the wildlife.
Heacox’s bias comes through periodically with references to the current Washington, D.C. administration, such as this president “watches a lot of television” and “thinks windmills (wind turbines) cause cancer.” And that’s okay. But toward the end there are lengthy diatribes characters launch into that sound more like candidate speeches than normal dialogue. The point of the story comes through naturally; the sermons are too over the top.
There are also some inconsistencies. I was left wondering how someone signing up with the Texas National Guard, which requires one weekend per month and one month per year of service, winds up in Afghanistan. And how a group of 12-year olds is able to marshal the forces of an entire community, and then some.
Still, “On Heaven’s Hill” is an interesting read that throws light on some of the polarizing and potentially explosive issues facing our country today. I would give it 3.5 out of 5 stars, but will round down to 3 rather than up due to too many inconsistencies that left me scratching my head.
This review will also be posted to my person book blog, Raised on Reading (raisedonreading.com) on Feb. 5, 2024.
April 6, 2023
Up front, in full transparency, I confess I know Kim Heacox. Thirty-three years ago, while a ranger in Alaska’s Denali National Park, I met Kim, a kind, gracious, witty, & creative photographer/ writer whose wife was also a ranger. This couple, both beautiful souls, touched my heart in that way certain special humans occasionally do. Kim and Melanie moved on to another Alaskan park but stayed in my heart for all of these years and, now & again - perhaps once a decade - we’ve had a chance to meet for short visits. Those are always precious & joy-full times for me. I’ve followed Kim as his lovely photography gave way to more writing; I’ve read his beautiful books, both fiction and non, and more recently, his extremely well-crafted, deeply touching, well-researched, and oh-so-important pieces about the natural world, the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and threats to US public lands in publications such as The Guardian. (https://www.theguardian.com/profile/k...) You might understand then how profoundly honored I was when Kim asked if I might read an advance copy of his latest novel, “On Heaven’s Hill.”
I’m not sure I can find the right words to express how I feel after reading “On Heaven’s Hill.” Breathless, teary (happy & heartbreak), joyful, contemplative, uplifted. Knowing Kim, I feel his deep love of Alaska palpably woven through each of the three perspectives that twist and twine across miles and millennia to weave a powerful tapestry that covers critical, timely topics. Among the many characters in the novel are a young science-loving girl, trying to pull her Afghanistan-war-wounded father back to life. There’s a former trapper who deeply loves God, his family, and the wild world. And tying them together is a young silver wolf, trying to keep his family fed, safe, and sheltered.
Kim’s love of humor and music braid together many compelling human topics of war, religion, social justice, veteran issues, corporate & political greed, science vs conspiracies, and more. The strands of quirky characters from all walks of life living in small-town America, kids in a school where conflicts & friendships happens, and ruthless developers who care only for profit are dyed with the colors of compassion, kindness, and clarity in Kim’s beautiful prose. Sewing it all together is his deep love of Alaska, this place and community in which he lives, so rich in wilderness, wildlife, and wild spaces.
Like I did, when you read “On Heaven’s Hill,” you’ll perhaps recognize people, places, and situations you know in it. You’ll find your heart enmeshed in the characters, not all of which are human. You’ll laugh, cry, and find yourself entwined in the many messages knitted throughout the book. You’ll want to share this book with others. I believe that everyone who reads it will become a strand in this gorgeous tapestry that Kim has created, spinning an ever-larger fabric that, I can only hope, will cover this hurting, precious world in a blanket of compassion, kindness, and love.
I’m not sure I can find the right words to express how I feel after reading “On Heaven’s Hill.” Breathless, teary (happy & heartbreak), joyful, contemplative, uplifted. Knowing Kim, I feel his deep love of Alaska palpably woven through each of the three perspectives that twist and twine across miles and millennia to weave a powerful tapestry that covers critical, timely topics. Among the many characters in the novel are a young science-loving girl, trying to pull her Afghanistan-war-wounded father back to life. There’s a former trapper who deeply loves God, his family, and the wild world. And tying them together is a young silver wolf, trying to keep his family fed, safe, and sheltered.
Kim’s love of humor and music braid together many compelling human topics of war, religion, social justice, veteran issues, corporate & political greed, science vs conspiracies, and more. The strands of quirky characters from all walks of life living in small-town America, kids in a school where conflicts & friendships happens, and ruthless developers who care only for profit are dyed with the colors of compassion, kindness, and clarity in Kim’s beautiful prose. Sewing it all together is his deep love of Alaska, this place and community in which he lives, so rich in wilderness, wildlife, and wild spaces.
Like I did, when you read “On Heaven’s Hill,” you’ll perhaps recognize people, places, and situations you know in it. You’ll find your heart enmeshed in the characters, not all of which are human. You’ll laugh, cry, and find yourself entwined in the many messages knitted throughout the book. You’ll want to share this book with others. I believe that everyone who reads it will become a strand in this gorgeous tapestry that Kim has created, spinning an ever-larger fabric that, I can only hope, will cover this hurting, precious world in a blanket of compassion, kindness, and love.
July 30, 2025
On Heaven's Hill
a reader will find an atmospheric feeling spreading over them - and it will last a long time as they begin the sorting out required in the first third of the book. Around that point from all the characters and backstories that are spread in the empty readerly landscapes an overview shows there are three primary points of view: Salt d'Alene - scripture quoting man who has a certain skillset that he seems to wish he didn't; Silver - a charming wolf who may simply be the best part of this literary braid; and an pre-teen who is fierce and ready to rumble, named Kes Nash.
Once I had this sorted, I fell into the tale fully and put aside the niggles one builds up when they are not fully engaged - if that happens, you who reads this response - put the book down, but keep it on your shelves. Come back to it - there's much here to work with - it reminded me many times of Ken Kesey's Sometimes a Great Notion , or works by David James Duncan, William Kent Krueger or even Michener - those writers who do not hesitate to allow their words to have their way and wander around in the natural settings their characters inhabit. Literary digression. A place to pause in a read, or loiter if one is inclined is usually a welcome thing for me (but I love Henry James, so there's that to consider. . . .).
I did miss the face and voices of the Alaska Natives in this tale, but that may be on purpose as one of the "bad guys" of the story is Progress/Development/Commercialism. . .and those long-suffering peoples would not be the ones pushing that particular cart forward. I'm going to be looking for the author's book Jimmy Bluefeather to follow up this read, and from the description I should be filled with readerly satisfaction on this point.
That said, the Alaskaness of this read was spot on for me - I have had family living there for the last 5 decades and so have spent many family vacations there, with little'uns and my parents. Not in just one part but many in that wide ranging landscape that for most of us deadends. But not for all - there are so many who find their way around just fine, thank you very much! Who needs roads, who needs all that STUFF? This read caught that spirit with both hands.
Looking forward to reading more by Kim Heacox, throwing four stars out there to prove it!
*A sincere thank you to Kim Heacox, Turner Publishing Company | West Margin Press, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #OnHeavensHill #NetGalley 25|52:36c
Once I had this sorted, I fell into the tale fully and put aside the niggles one builds up when they are not fully engaged - if that happens, you who reads this response - put the book down, but keep it on your shelves. Come back to it - there's much here to work with - it reminded me many times of Ken Kesey's Sometimes a Great Notion , or works by David James Duncan, William Kent Krueger or even Michener - those writers who do not hesitate to allow their words to have their way and wander around in the natural settings their characters inhabit. Literary digression. A place to pause in a read, or loiter if one is inclined is usually a welcome thing for me (but I love Henry James, so there's that to consider. . . .).
I did miss the face and voices of the Alaska Natives in this tale, but that may be on purpose as one of the "bad guys" of the story is Progress/Development/Commercialism. . .and those long-suffering peoples would not be the ones pushing that particular cart forward. I'm going to be looking for the author's book Jimmy Bluefeather to follow up this read, and from the description I should be filled with readerly satisfaction on this point.
That said, the Alaskaness of this read was spot on for me - I have had family living there for the last 5 decades and so have spent many family vacations there, with little'uns and my parents. Not in just one part but many in that wide ranging landscape that for most of us deadends. But not for all - there are so many who find their way around just fine, thank you very much! Who needs roads, who needs all that STUFF? This read caught that spirit with both hands.
Looking forward to reading more by Kim Heacox, throwing four stars out there to prove it!
*A sincere thank you to Kim Heacox, Turner Publishing Company | West Margin Press, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #OnHeavensHill #NetGalley 25|52:36c
June 17, 2024
First, thank you NetGalley and Turner Publishing Company for providing an arc of the book. This book will be released on 19th November 2024.
In “On Heaven’s Hill,” Kim Heacox masterfully weaves a tale of resilience and community set in the tranquil town of Strawberry Flats on Alaska’s remote coast. The peace is shattered by plans for a controversial road and bridge, thrusting former trapper Salt d’Alene into an unexpected battle as he strives to care for his son Solomon, who has muscular dystrophy. Eleven-year-old Kes Nash yearns for her father’s return to normalcy after his deployment in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, a wolf named Silver and his pack silently observe the unfolding drama.
Heacox tells a moving story that is full of humor, compassion, and the continuing spirit of hope and rebirth in the face of suffering through alternate points of view. This moving tale honors the compassionate and untamed spirit of America. Some people may find it off-putting, but this novel touches on many of the contentious attitudes and opinions that have emerged in recent years regarding religion, war, the environment, and other topics. I had a good start to this book. I don’t usually read in this genre, but I immediately felt a connection with every character.
The wording is poetic and even fanciful, yet it’s always understandable and never corny. All the more amazing is the fact that Heacox can write convincingly from numerous points of view, something that is not usually the case. I did like a narrative where people oppose developers, and the general message about the restorative power of nature struck a chord with me. It is a poetic monument to the beauty of Alaska, the value of nature, and the extraordinary resiliency of the human spirit. I thought it to be quite engaging and well-written.
In “On Heaven’s Hill,” Kim Heacox masterfully weaves a tale of resilience and community set in the tranquil town of Strawberry Flats on Alaska’s remote coast. The peace is shattered by plans for a controversial road and bridge, thrusting former trapper Salt d’Alene into an unexpected battle as he strives to care for his son Solomon, who has muscular dystrophy. Eleven-year-old Kes Nash yearns for her father’s return to normalcy after his deployment in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, a wolf named Silver and his pack silently observe the unfolding drama.
Heacox tells a moving story that is full of humor, compassion, and the continuing spirit of hope and rebirth in the face of suffering through alternate points of view. This moving tale honors the compassionate and untamed spirit of America. Some people may find it off-putting, but this novel touches on many of the contentious attitudes and opinions that have emerged in recent years regarding religion, war, the environment, and other topics. I had a good start to this book. I don’t usually read in this genre, but I immediately felt a connection with every character.
The wording is poetic and even fanciful, yet it’s always understandable and never corny. All the more amazing is the fact that Heacox can write convincingly from numerous points of view, something that is not usually the case. I did like a narrative where people oppose developers, and the general message about the restorative power of nature struck a chord with me. It is a poetic monument to the beauty of Alaska, the value of nature, and the extraordinary resiliency of the human spirit. I thought it to be quite engaging and well-written.
April 7, 2023
Kim Heacox’s “On Heaven’s Hill” is a “good read” indeed. Kim has masterfully woven a complex tale of three families, living in rural southeast Alaska. Oh yes, one of the families happens to be a pack of wolves. As the story moves forward, you know that these separate entities will somehow interact.
There are three main characters: Kes, a young girl who is whip-smart and environmentally sensitive, ahead of her years. Salt is a one-time trapper who has lingering doubts about what he has done to wildlife in the past. And Silver is a male wolf who grows from a young pup to become the leader of his own pack. As you read, you can feel that all three families will somehow come together in time.
Kim has a way of weaving politics and environmental education into the narrative without being pushy. If you’re not careful you might just learn something. Controversy erupts in the small village of Strawberry Flats when the State of Alaska suddenly and without warning, arrives to build a road and bridge across a wild river and develop undisturbed land. Kim knows Alaska politics and how these things can happen in real life.
I particularly enjoy Kim’s descriptive style of writing. As an Alaska resident, he knows his surroundings and is somehow able to describe them in great detail. He makes you feel like you are really there, sights, sounds, smells. He does a particularly good job of describing wolf behavior. It’s as if you are actually watching the wolves hunt, interact as a family, struggle to survive another day.
“On Heaven’s Hill” is a great story, one you want to keep reading to discover what will happen next. Three complex families, all with their challenges, joys and sorrows. A wonderful book.
There are three main characters: Kes, a young girl who is whip-smart and environmentally sensitive, ahead of her years. Salt is a one-time trapper who has lingering doubts about what he has done to wildlife in the past. And Silver is a male wolf who grows from a young pup to become the leader of his own pack. As you read, you can feel that all three families will somehow come together in time.
Kim has a way of weaving politics and environmental education into the narrative without being pushy. If you’re not careful you might just learn something. Controversy erupts in the small village of Strawberry Flats when the State of Alaska suddenly and without warning, arrives to build a road and bridge across a wild river and develop undisturbed land. Kim knows Alaska politics and how these things can happen in real life.
I particularly enjoy Kim’s descriptive style of writing. As an Alaska resident, he knows his surroundings and is somehow able to describe them in great detail. He makes you feel like you are really there, sights, sounds, smells. He does a particularly good job of describing wolf behavior. It’s as if you are actually watching the wolves hunt, interact as a family, struggle to survive another day.
“On Heaven’s Hill” is a great story, one you want to keep reading to discover what will happen next. Three complex families, all with their challenges, joys and sorrows. A wonderful book.
February 24, 2024
I thought this book was well written and had great potential, however it’s religious undertones were too much for me and i ended up dnf-ing around 40% through.
I want to start with the positives: the characters and the setting. I am a sucker for nature stories which is why I picked this book up in the first place. There is something both romantic and daunting about the “deep wild”. The author painted a beautiful picture of Alaska and I often felt like I was there alongside the characters. If you’re looking for a nature story, this one is for you.
Additionally, I thought the POVs were very well done especially the POV of the wolves. Such a creative and well executed decision. There were moments where I honestly wished that the entire story was from Silver’s perspective.
Now, for the reason I am dnf-ing; false advertising. I was expecting this story to be a survival thriller and it was….sort of. I was not dragged into this story the way I needed to be. I was also discombobulated by the religious messages and undertones. Now, I have nothing against religious books (I’m religious myself) but nowhere in the description of this book was there any mention of religion. I am so serious when I say it was a jump scare. I wish this element was mentioned in the bio because I likely would’ve saved some of my time. This is a personal preference and if you like random biblical references tossed in your face—more power to ya.
This book was beautifully written but did not hook me and its misleading categorization led me to anticipate a story that did not exist.
2.5
Thank you NetGally & publishers for the ARC
I want to start with the positives: the characters and the setting. I am a sucker for nature stories which is why I picked this book up in the first place. There is something both romantic and daunting about the “deep wild”. The author painted a beautiful picture of Alaska and I often felt like I was there alongside the characters. If you’re looking for a nature story, this one is for you.
Additionally, I thought the POVs were very well done especially the POV of the wolves. Such a creative and well executed decision. There were moments where I honestly wished that the entire story was from Silver’s perspective.
Now, for the reason I am dnf-ing; false advertising. I was expecting this story to be a survival thriller and it was….sort of. I was not dragged into this story the way I needed to be. I was also discombobulated by the religious messages and undertones. Now, I have nothing against religious books (I’m religious myself) but nowhere in the description of this book was there any mention of religion. I am so serious when I say it was a jump scare. I wish this element was mentioned in the bio because I likely would’ve saved some of my time. This is a personal preference and if you like random biblical references tossed in your face—more power to ya.
This book was beautifully written but did not hook me and its misleading categorization led me to anticipate a story that did not exist.
2.5
Thank you NetGally & publishers for the ARC
March 18, 2023
In this richly drawn tale, Kim Heacox expertly weaves three story lines, set against the beauty of Alaska, the warmth of a small town, and the struggles and triumphs of a band of war veterans.
As a thirteen-year-old girl, Kes has it hard enough, but now, in addition to having lost her mother at age five, Kes’ injured, traumatized war-hero father has retreated into silence. To give Dad the peace he needs to heal and survive, Kes’ fiercely independent uncle flies the family to his compound in Alaska. There, the family struggles to become a part of the village as they rebuild their lives.
A villager, Salt D’Alene, can barely feed his family, let alone raise money for medical treatment for his son. Becoming increasingly desperate, Salt, a deeply Christian man, accepts dark money to do a horrible thing to the town and its endangered pack of wolves.
On the outskirts of the village, young adult wolves Silver and his sister must look out for their increasingly-stressed parents and siblings. Silver is almost eerily intelligent as he reads the world around him. The “tall uprights” are a threat, as are environmental changes, and it is through his eyes we see Alaska at its most wild, raw, and beautiful.
Facing the challenge of climate change, corrupt politicians, and greedy developers, Kes defies her science-disbelieving school principal and raises a Kid Army to fight for the wolves. Her mission will have a powerful and lasting impact on the town.
On Heaven's Hill is a realistic and uplifting novel from a masterful storyteller.
As a thirteen-year-old girl, Kes has it hard enough, but now, in addition to having lost her mother at age five, Kes’ injured, traumatized war-hero father has retreated into silence. To give Dad the peace he needs to heal and survive, Kes’ fiercely independent uncle flies the family to his compound in Alaska. There, the family struggles to become a part of the village as they rebuild their lives.
A villager, Salt D’Alene, can barely feed his family, let alone raise money for medical treatment for his son. Becoming increasingly desperate, Salt, a deeply Christian man, accepts dark money to do a horrible thing to the town and its endangered pack of wolves.
On the outskirts of the village, young adult wolves Silver and his sister must look out for their increasingly-stressed parents and siblings. Silver is almost eerily intelligent as he reads the world around him. The “tall uprights” are a threat, as are environmental changes, and it is through his eyes we see Alaska at its most wild, raw, and beautiful.
Facing the challenge of climate change, corrupt politicians, and greedy developers, Kes defies her science-disbelieving school principal and raises a Kid Army to fight for the wolves. Her mission will have a powerful and lasting impact on the town.
On Heaven's Hill is a realistic and uplifting novel from a masterful storyteller.
May 14, 2024
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.
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.
March 10, 2024
The small town of Strawberry Flats sits on a remote Alaska coast, peacefully left to itself—until controversial plans for a road and a bridge threaten to upend everything. Former trapper Salt d’Alene never thought he’d find himself in the midst of such a dispute, but he’ll do anything to provide the best care for his son Solomon, recently diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. Eleven-year-old Kes Nash just wants her father—back from war in Afghanistan—to be normal again. And circling the perimeter of the town is a wolf, Silver, and his pack, quietly watching. Told from three alternating perspectives, On Heaven’s Hill is a vividly powerful story about rediscovering hope and finding new life in the aftermath of trauma. Filled with humor and compassion, it depicts the best of America, a place composed of wildness and kindness.
Having lived in Alaska as a child, I was intrigued by a book that explores the vast beauty of the region. It did not disappoint. Getting the perspective of Silver, the wolf was a new twist that I found interesting and fascinating . Very emotional story and the imagery was written in a beautiful way. The substance of the novel felt a little lost among these three different perspectives at times. I think this has "classics" vibe to it that moves slowly but determinedly. This book may not have been the right book at this time for me but it actually is a beautiful story that I would love to revisit in the cold of winter when a cozy book is called for.
Having lived in Alaska as a child, I was intrigued by a book that explores the vast beauty of the region. It did not disappoint. Getting the perspective of Silver, the wolf was a new twist that I found interesting and fascinating . Very emotional story and the imagery was written in a beautiful way. The substance of the novel felt a little lost among these three different perspectives at times. I think this has "classics" vibe to it that moves slowly but determinedly. This book may not have been the right book at this time for me but it actually is a beautiful story that I would love to revisit in the cold of winter when a cozy book is called for.
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