When you are 17 and your initials are J E D I, you do your best to be a hero. WISEHEART introduces us to Jed, the JEDI in training, who just wants to protect his family, a very tall order for this 17 yr old. His single mother has a boyfriend that Jed doesn't like and is definitely trying to cheat on her. His aunt and 12 yr old female cousin live next to them, where Jed's cousin continually embarasses him. Then there's Dora, the young woman Jed loves. These core characters carry the story of growing up and beginning an adult life as the adults in your life seem to be floundering. It was a good story, watching Jed as he struggles to leave his childhood reminded me of the young people in my family who have faced the same challenges with mixed results. It's sure to stir some nostalgia before the focus changes to school violence and the aftermath. The mixture of the two stages of Jed's life didn't feel real to me, but it did leave some questions when he takes those last few steps and leaves the fantasy behind.

I was engaged with what was happening with the characters. It worked overall with the genre and enjoyed the young adult element to this read. I was enjoying going on this journey and how the characters were written. It was a sad and scary situation dealing with a school shooter. Claudia Ermey was able to make this and thought the writing worked well.

American author Claudia Ermey’s Wiseheart (2024) is a coming-of-age Young Adult fiction tale. Seventeen-year-old high schooler, Jed thinks he’s a Jedi warrior given his full name is Jonathan Earl David Iverson. Jed sees his role as a protector of his family and school friend Iscadora Gonzales (Dora). Raised by his single mother Iris, they live next door to her sister, Aunty Rainbow and his cousin Penny. A gentle family drama, with the various characters dealing with life’s challenges, with a couple of scenes depicted that may disturb some readers. There are several themes depicted in the narrative, including teen romance, family connections, migration, school security, and the ultimate consequences of ones’ actions. With a literary fiction feel and the issues raised in a story, this American family saga makes for an enjoyable enough read, with a three stars rating. With thanks to Books Go Social and the author for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement.

This novel was a genre switch up for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A great cast of characters that made it hard to put down. A lovely read that kept me guessing until the very end. A great lesson on loyalty.
Thank you NetGalley, Claudia Ermey and Swell Media for the opportunity to read and review this book.

“Wiseheart” is a compelling narrative that follows the life of Jonathan Earl David Iverson, a young boy who finds inspiration in the iconic Star Wars franchise. After watching the first movie, he discovers that his initials spell “JEDI,” which leads him to envision himself as a Jedi warrior. This self-identification drives him to protect the significant women in his life.

As the story unfolds, Jed grapples with his identity and the expectations placed upon him. His journey takes a dramatic turn when he is mistakenly hailed as a hero for stopping a high school shooter. This incident forces him into a moral dilemma where he must choose between maintaining this facade or coming clean about the truth, which could jeopardize his relationship with Dora.

The narrative explores themes of loyalty, loss, and personal growth against the backdrop of family relationships and societal pressures. As Jed navigates these complexities, he faces the risk of slipping toward what he perceives as the “Dark Side,” reflecting on his choices and their implications.

“Wiseheart” gives an emotionally charged experience filled with riveting character development and poignant moments that resonate with readers. It delves into the struggles of adolescence while highlighting the importance of honesty and integrity in relationships.

A different type of story for me but I really enjoyed it.
Will recommend to others.
Thanks for the opportunity to read & review it.