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!

The Ark, the Reed, & the Fire Cloud is a book written by Jenny L. Cote. She takes stories from the Bible and brings imaginations alive with the adventure of the main characters and their mates: two dogs, Max and Kate, and two cats, Liz and Al. They all embark separately on a journey of Faith, following the fire cloud after they all hear the Maker calling to them. They soon meet each other and together forge a friendship that is inseparable. They go through many countries and past many waters following the cloud, but also discover that they are not the only ones. Liz, the expertise on many things, notices that two animals from all over the world have been called, and struggles with her faith of the impossible. Meanwhile Max has a fear of water, and when they reach their final destination he discovers it is an Ark. After all of the animals are finally loaded, flood waters rise and the rains come down for forty days and forty nights. During the time of waiting to reach dry ground, Max has been declared a hero, and when things get out of hand Liz suspects one of Max’s friends, and in discovering this she could end her friendship with Max. Will Max be able to understand the importance of what is happening, or will he ignore the evidence? In the end the main characters learn to not be prideful and to trust God, not trying to logically solve everything. Max learned to conquer his fears and not be prideful, like the waters from the flood, and to give the glory to God instead of himself, while God showed Liz how all things are possible with Him. One of my favorite Bible stories is Noah's Ark, so I was excited to read this book. Jenny L Cote writes in a very unique setting, many of which are not used a lot. she brings her characters alive and the details make you feel as if you are a part of the story. For example, in one scene she shows how when the animals step into their stalls, the animals’ natural habitat appears with everything they need, from waterfalls and rain forests, to deserts and ice. To say that I enjoyed this book is an understatement. I loved this book! I would definitely suggest this book for all ages, and readers who love the Bible, animals, and imagination.

We read this with our kids before they went to bed. Overall, they enjoyed it, but some bits were a little too far-fetched or fantastical for even their liking. And our middle-school boys didn't appreciate all the romantic language between the animal pairs. But generally, it kept their interest and they wanted to keep reading it every night. It also helped bring the story of Noah's ark alive and got them to think about what it might have been like for Noah's family. Our kids also enjoyed the details and research that went into the animals' behavior and the different geographic locations they were from.

This book is truly amazing. It takes you back in time to a story of Noah and all the trials and tribulations and event events that unfolded in a fun way that kids can understand and be engaged with and learned the real Gospel.

Love, Love this story. The sequels are even better!! I rarely reread a book. This one I have read three times and recommend to others. Some people don't read anymore and have bought the online version to listen to, which is fun when they use the various accents as they travel through different countries. I am a senior citizen and I have read the story to my 6-year-old grandchild. The reading level is probably 10+, although my 8-year-old grandchild has read it.