The Ark, the Reed, and the Fire Cloud (Epic Order of the Seven Book 1)

What a lovely book! Jenny L. Cote has a talent for telling a story! My husband and I have been reading this together, and we are in our late 50s, so I know that older readers will find it as delightful as young readers do. We've fallen in love with the many animal characters, and the Biblical history of Noah and the Ark was beautifully written. We love the humor as well as the powerful messages about faith in the Maker and how to follow Him with all our hearts. We just bought the second book in the series can hardly wait til it arrives so we can read more!

**Review: *The Ark, the Reed, and the Fire Cloud* by Jenny L. Cote** *The Ark, the Reed, and the Fire Cloud* is a captivating and imaginative novel by Jenny L. Cote that blends biblical history with a rich narrative, offering readers of all ages a compelling adventure filled with faith, friendship, and courage. ### Plot Overview: The story follows Max, a Scottish terrier, and Liz, a brilliant cat, as they embark on an extraordinary journey led by a mysterious fire cloud. Their destination is Noah's Ark, where they join an array of animals called from all corners of the world to survive the impending flood. Along the way, they encounter various challenges, make new friends, and learn valuable lessons about trust and perseverance. ### Key Features: 1. **Engaging Characters**: - Max and Liz are well-developed protagonists whose personalities and dynamics drive the story forward. Their interactions with other animal characters add depth and humor to the narrative. 2. **Biblical Foundation**: - The novel is rooted in the biblical account of Noah's Ark, providing a unique perspective on the familiar story. The integration of faith and biblical themes is handled thoughtfully, making it suitable for both religious and secular audiences. 3. **Adventure and Mystery**: - The journey to the Ark is filled with suspense, mystery, and adventure. The fire cloud that guides the animals adds an element of intrigue, keeping readers engaged and curious about what will happen next. 4. **Rich Descriptions**: - Cote’s vivid descriptions bring the settings and characters to life. From the Scottish Highlands to the lush forests and vast deserts, readers are transported to diverse and enchanting landscapes. 5. **Moral and Ethical Lessons**: - The novel emphasizes important values such as courage, friendship, loyalty, and faith. These themes are woven seamlessly into the narrative, offering readers meaningful takeaways. ### Pros: - **Captivating Storytelling**: The narrative is well-paced and engaging, with a perfect blend of action, humor, and heartfelt moments. - **Strong Character Development**: Characters are relatable and memorable, each contributing uniquely to the story. - **Educational Value**: Provides an accessible introduction to the story of Noah's Ark and its moral lessons. ### Cons: - **Complexity for Younger Readers**: Some of the plot elements and themes might be complex for very young readers to fully grasp. - **Length**: At over 400 pages, the book may feel lengthy for those who prefer shorter reads. ### User Feedback: - **Positive**: Readers often highlight the book's ability to captivate and inspire, praising its imaginative approach to a biblical story. The character development and moral lessons are frequently mentioned as standout aspects. - **Negative**: A few readers note that the story's complexity and length might be challenging for younger children, suggesting it may be more suitable for middle-grade readers and up. ### Conclusion: *The Ark, the Reed, and the Fire Cloud* is a delightful and thought-provoking read that successfully combines adventure, faith, and history. Jenny L. Cote's storytelling prowess shines through, making this novel a recommended choice for those seeking an engaging and meaningful tale. Whether you're a fan of biblical fiction or simply enjoy a well-crafted adventure story, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression.

I fell in love with this book several years ago and have given it away and recommended it to friends many times since. Jenny Cote's ability to explore deep theological concepts, using vibrant language, humor and great emotion is unparalleled in literature for this audience. (It is intended for readers age 8-12, but of interest to younger and much older readers!) The story is full of adventure and imagination but packed with education and discovery. Animals from all over the world introduce the reader to their homeland's languages and cultures, while facing all-too-human problems and situations. Be inspired, educated and entertained by this great family book!

I found this story based on the biblical story of Noah's Ark to be inventive, inspiring, and fun! The author has managed to keep the true elements of the original story in place while imagining how God would have provided for Noah, his family and the animals. Whether the imagined parts are true or not (remember this is a work of fiction), I found the story to be God honoring and inspiring and truly a pleasure to read. The story covers not only the building of the ark, animals entering the ark, and lots of rain, but it is a story about friendship, community, caring for one another, having courage, and seeking divine wisdom for the journey. It is a worthy read for your late elementary/middle schooler and adults too!

Whilst based on the story of Noah, this book takes you 'behind' the scenes putting flesh on the skeleton of what we know happened in the Bible. Very well done and kept my daughter (aged 10) captivated despite the size / length of the book!

Great book! I am an adult and I couldn't put it down lol! Wonderful writer.

Love this series. My kids can't wait for story time each evening!

I bought this book for my 12 year old, since it is listed as being appropriate for grades 5-11 (I think they must mean AGES 5-11), and since it got great reviews. I especially thought it would work for my avid reader, since it's over 400 pages long. Unfortunately, it just hasn't grabbed her interest. I think she feels the animal characters and the gentle and somewhat slow nature of the story would be more appropriate to a younger audience, and honestly, having read the first couple of chapters with her, I can see her point. Having said that, perhaps we should push on, and it may gain momentum. As it is, it's a lovely read, and I would recommend it more for the younger set. It might be too difficult/long for them to read on their own (especially with that delightful Scottish brogue!), but I think it would make an absolutely delightful, gentle read aloud for kids from 5-10 years old, particularly those who love animal stories.