Book review: heart warriors by Amanda Rose

This is a review of the Advance Reader Copy

For me, this was a tough read — but let me quickly clarify that and tell you that any book, especially a memoir, that talks about the suffering of children is a tough read for me. That being said, I did enjoy Heart Warriors.

The author, Amanda Rose Adams, shares a very real and personal experience with the reader. She is a woman committed and driven to holding onto hope and finding help for her son, Liam, who was born with congenital heart disease. But she doesn’t start out as a “warrior.” She starts in ignorance and honestly conveys her fears, challenges, weaknesses and struggles. She is a very tangible part of this book and her personality is painted on every page. I think she’d be someone I’d like which made her story that much more interesting to me.

But I think the larger value of this book is that will be a tool, a support system, even a guide for parents who are fighting the same battle as the author and her family. Not to mention the fact that it helps educate the public at large. The book states that congenital heart disease is “the single most common and lethal birth defect in the world in both the most advanced and the most underdeveloped nations.” Did you know this? I did not. Do you know a family that is dealing with this issue? Well then you’d probably find a lot of value in this book as well. It is ultimately intended to help everyone.

There were a few moments during this book that I felt a bit chastised because I would likely have been one of those people who says the wrong thing to a “heart parent” when they’re trying to be supportive. Ms. Adams mentions these moments in her book. But she also discusses her own personal growth and development, and that process was an appreciated addition to the read. Hopefully we all learn that, for the most part, people want to help. Sometimes we just don’t have the whole picture.

Besides the fact that this book can be a valuable asset to anyone close to someone with congenital heart disease, the best part of the book was Liam. His resilience and overall attitude is an inspiration.