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

**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.

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.

This is a wonderful book for all ages. I have gifted this series (Order of the Seven) to many people. My 90-year-old mother read it and said it "sure has a lot of good life principles." I I cried, I laughed, I wanted to read ahead but did not, and I grew spiritually. Throughout this series, you will find that Ms. Cote took some license; however, she owns it. This particular book really gives you food for thought. How did the animals get to the ark? How did they survive on the ark? It is a wonderfully written book (Max is Scottish, so roll your r's) and prepare to grow in the Grace of God. I have read and reread about six times.

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!

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.

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.

I picked up this book not knowing what to expect. I am not in middle school and I have heard the story of the ark too many times to count. What I did know is that Jenny Cote is a person with a passion for history and a wonderful outlook on life. What I found was nothing short of amazing. How do you take a story told a million times to children and make it new? How do you hold a reader's interest through what could be a simple Bible school lesson? Ask Jenny...she got it done. The story, as told through the eyes of Max and Liz, was so unique and thought provoking that I forgot I was reading. The playfulness of the characters and how they jump off the page is wonderful for a reader. I truly became invested in them as real animals in my life. I felt what they felt. One of the most amazing parts of the book (and I won't ruin it for new readers) has to do with the animals boarding the ark. Wow is all I can say. I never thought about it from Jenny's perspective. Very entertaining. I now look forward to Jenny's books with eagerness. I am sold 100%. As with all books, you either love them or not. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it to readers of all ages. For me, it goes on my FaceBook page as a favorite book for all time.

We were introduced by a fellow homeschool friend. It pairs perfectly with The Story of the World and Christian Studies. We have read it once but we are reading through the whole series as our read aloud at night before bed. Reading these books along with history and Christian studies helps put that picture in your mind that helps you remember His story. We gift these for birthdays. Last year our nieces received the entire set for Christmas. When I ask the girls what their favorite part is they say Max and Liz. The whole story is my favorite part especially the research section in the back. No home library is complete without these books. 🥰 Thank you for sharing your God given gift with us all.

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.