Council of the Ark

Forrest,

Council of the Ark is an incredibly, creative and imaginative, and even believable rendition of the Noah story. Mingled amongst the plot are the truths of God’s word and physical glimpses into the unseen world that contends for man’s soul.

Although this story is entertaining in its depiction of how things may have been on the ark, it also serves to teach and warn against the wiles of the devil and our own selfish desires.

Council of the Ark is written in familiar, modern language making the characters and their circumstances very relatable. I know I only touched on the tip of the iceberg, having only read the first two chapters, but measuring the beginning with what lies ahead, I think it’s safe to say, this story will not disappoint in it’s delivery of a spiritual thriller. Six stars!

Dianna Lanser
Nothing But The Blood

Council of the Ark
Fiction - Narrative - biblical

Fantastic rendition of the story of Noah and the flood. This is an excellent read. Well done.
Pitch, premise, plot, POV, characters, mechanics - all excellent! This book would be a wonderful addition to any Christian bookstore.
I appologize for the abbrievated review, but I have nothing to offer to improve this MS.

Raechel
Echo

I love your refreshing twist on such a familiar, endearing Bible story. You have expertly honed the craft of creating word pirctures, putting the reader right in the story. Two of my favorites are:

"...the morning breeze...skated over the surface of the water unchecked."

"...luminous arch of color bands..."

This is a highly imaginative and charming piece, yet deeply thought-provoking and inspirational... a perfect blend!
Rating with all 6 stars and putting back on my shelf soon. I think it will stay there until you reach the top five. This piece without a doubt deserves publication!

~Faith Rose
Now to Him

I've had my eye on this book for a while, and I'm glad i finally had the opportunity to enjoy it. A fresh look at Noah's Ark, and a chance to ponder on the possibilities. It could've happened this way!
Totally enjoyable, especially the interaction between the species.
Six stars and backed with pleasure.
Maria
Dark of the Moon

What a great read! You are a talented new writer with a real gift for putting a story together. I especially like the way you incorporated Biblical Truths into your story line. Excellent job! You have taken an Old Testament story that is usually written about in childrens books and put a mature slant on it that makes adults keep wanting to read more. I would like to see this book published.

John

forrest, its samantha your book is amazing keep writing. i love how you come up with amazing stories

forrest, its samantha your book is amazing keep writing. i love how you come up with amazing stories

forrest, its samantha your book is amazing keep writing. i love how you come up with amazing stories

Read part of your first chapter. It opens with a mysterious thrill to it.
This is very creatively written to say the least. You took a lot of time to come up with this idea.
It is well developed with different POV.
Your pitch is well written.
Good work with your book.
Best wishes.

Shelby Z./Driving Winds

Forrest,

Council of the Ark is an incredibly, creative and imaginative, and even believable rendition of the Noah story. Mingled amongst the plot are the truths of God’s word and physical glimpses into the unseen world that contends for man’s soul.

Although this story is entertaining in its depiction of how things may have been on the ark, it also serves to teach and warn against the wiles of the devil and our own selfish desires.

Council of the Ark is written in familiar, modern language making the characters and their circumstances very relatable. I know I only touched on the tip of the iceberg, having only read the first two chapters, but measuring the beginning with what lies ahead, I think it’s safe to say, this story will not disappoint in it’s delivery of a spiritual thriller. Six stars!

Dianna Lanser
Nothing But The Blood

LOVE IT!
Blessing,
Bridget

One of the best books I have ever read. I would suggest it to anyone.

Hello Forrest:

This is certainly a wonderfully written story, and even in novel form its language is simple yet creative enough be enjoyed even by young children. You have done a masterful job of filling in the blanks to bring the Flood account to life in a whole new way.

Well done!

Blessings.

James

Wow! Totally impressed Forrest!

Could not put the book down. Really makes you think about what really could have taken place on the ark. I appreciate the truth using the "Word" also. There are so many other people that I know that I wish could read it. I would absolutely purchase it if/when published!

Debra

Council of the Ark
Fiction - Narrative - biblical

Fantastic rendition of the story of Noah and the flood. This is an excellent read. Well done.
Pitch, premise, plot, POV, characters, mechanics - all excellent! This book would be a wonderful addition to any Christian bookstore.
I appologize for the abbrievated review, but I have nothing to offer to improve this MS.

Raechel
Echo

I love your refreshing twist on such a familiar, endearing Bible story. You have expertly honed the craft of creating word pirctures, putting the reader right in the story. Two of my favorites are:

"...the morning breeze...skated over the surface of the water unchecked."

"...luminous arch of color bands..."

This is a highly imaginative and charming piece, yet deeply thought-provoking and inspirational... a perfect blend!
Rating with all 6 stars and putting back on my shelf soon. I think it will stay there until you reach the top five. This piece without a doubt deserves publication!

~Faith Rose
Now to Him

I've had my eye on this book for a while, and I'm glad i finally had the opportunity to enjoy it. A fresh look at Noah's Ark, and a chance to ponder on the possibilities. It could've happened this way!
Totally enjoyable, especially the interaction between the species.
Six stars and backed with pleasure.
Maria
Dark of the Moon

Authentic, talented writing. Awesome epic!

Ariel
"Merkabah at the centre of the universe."

Very interesting writing style. I was drawn in by the conversation of the heavenlies, and read on as the storyline progressed. I wish you all the luck in your continued writing and bringing this book to success.
-author of December Gold

Forrest,

I am truly impressed. You are an incredible writer! I enjoyed this book immensely! What a great way to get to the adult reader and help us remember such a simple story but with such deep meaning! Thank you! I hope to see this book published!

Tracy

Awesome book!! Love the talking animals.

Hi Forrestt – Thanks again for backing Whither Thou Goest. I’m so grateful! Sorry it took me so long to get to Council of the Ark.

I like the concept of this story – great idea for a metaphor

I see that you’re using several different points of view. For example, in the chapter called Distance and Contact (Section 8), the reader experiences the action through someone in the throne room, Amsel, Csak, and Saryosa. There have been many successful books over the years that have done this, but it’s currently frowned on. Try to determine who in the story has the absolute most to lose in the story without getting killed or incapacitated, and stick with that viewpoint as much as possible. Keep the number of other viewpoints to a minimum, and each scene should “belong” to a single character – the reader will experience everything through that character.

Throughout the book, your story is a very heavy on narrative, which tends to put off contemporary readers. Try to reserve narrative for setting time and place at the beginning of chapters and sections and to transition time forward. Keep it brief and then roll right into action. For example, taking a look at the chapter Vision and Blindness (section 5), look at the paragraph beginning, “Csak hummed to himself.” This paragraph tells us what is happening. Try to translate that into *showing,* with beat-by-beat action filtered through your viewpoint character’s perceptions, which is this paragraph is Nabu:

Csak had discovered a cupboard with pots and pans. He wrested a pot lid out and made a game of rolling it on end around the kitchen floor. When it lost momentum it fell with a metallic clatter. He hummed to himself as he manipulated it back onto its end and got it rolling again. Nabu felt a stab. He’d gotten so independent since he came down here. It was good for him, but . . .

Of course, you’d do it your way, but hopefully you see what I mean. I’ve skimmed through your book and this heavy narrative is a problem throughout. The good news is, you’ve done the hard part – figuring out what is going to happen. It’s relatively simple now (and fun) to go through and bring each paragraph to life.

Best of luck with this book!

How totally wonderful you are, Forrest!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for again backing my memoirs/testimony book, to help me be chosen in the top 5 of the editor's desk. :) May God richly bless you, is my prayer. :) Love, Susie :)

Hi. I love historicals and strong voices but only had time to read short passages, enough to like and back it. I’ll try to come back for more and a in depth commentary. Tell me which chapter you would like me to pay close attention to?
Meantime, could you please check TO KILL A DEAD MAN?
Thanks.
Dan

Hello Forrest, I have read several chapters of your wonderful story, Council of the Ark. It explained the story of Noah and The Ark in the most remarkable way. We all remember the story, but your writing brought it all into sharp focus. Your descriptive prose enables the reader to understand what would have happened in the Ark: the squabbles, the smells and above all the realisation that every creature had to endure hardships in order to survive.
I wish you every success with this work. I am shelving it with a high star rating.

Phyllis
PAPER DREAMS & A PASSING STORM

Interesting take on well-known Bible story

Lynne Ellison

The Green Bronze Mirror

Love the Noah reference and immediately backed Council. If you have the chance, check out 33. Great intro.

Council of the ark
The ark of Noah, but told differently, it's good
Backed
Lenny Harry
(Like a dot on the horizon)

I was tickled pink by this, especially when it came to the rat's responses to wine-drinking. It's one of those cross-over novels, like Animal Farm, which can entertain on several levels. High stars. Lara
GOOD FOR HIM

This is terrific! On my WL! Best wishes, Claire

I wondered if the name 'Amsel' means anything? I am always fascintated by names and the choices behind them. Is there a story to it, or just a name you liked?!
The bit with the termites made me smile! I really liked the little snapshots into the thoughts and perceptions of various people/animals aboard the ark. At times, however, I was itching to be more deeply moved. Perhaps more emotion or to be able to reach more deeply into the thoughts and feelings of those concerned.
I LOVED the bit about Nabu and the weasel- that's the kind of detail of emotion that I would love to see more of, particular in the earlier passages. For me, this is where the story begins to get interesting!

Glad to see this new book building momentum. It's worthy!!!
byzestuf

Great Book Forrest See ya buddy EZMONEY

Hi Forrest,
I'm pretty sure I read your book and commented on it under the old voting system and I'm just as impressed now as I was then. Your writing skills are really to be admired and you have left us with a brilliant read and one that is heading for the Editors desk and well deserved. I like it and as is usual with me, if I like it I give it my BACKING and it goes on my shelf now. Good luck and I'm sure you will be up there at the top quite soon.

Frank James (The Contractor)

Good, but a bit too preachy.

Forrest, Drawing from a popular Biblical story that has been widely told was brilliant. It allows for your premise and POV to be easily accepted and pondered. I love the use of the weasel beig the stow away , very clever.
The reindroduction of free will and it's consequences when not fully thought out for me knocks the storyline out of the park.
Well paced and written, extremely creative and most importantly thought-provoking...Backed with ease Patricia aka Columbia Layers of the Heart

Loved the new cover!!!

Wow! I'm there, I'm in the ark. I'm feeling it brov!

Highly imaginative. Really does breath life into a dusty old bible story "many pairs of bewildered eyes trying to make sense of it all". I've only read the start but will make the time to read this one.

Great pitch! This is on my shelf and I'll comment more when I delve a little deeper. JupiterGirl (Twins of the Astral Plane)

Backed Council of the Ark. Really enjoyed the remake of the Biblical story. Good Job.
CC Brown
Dark side

You are totally fantastic, Forrest!! :) How can I ever thank you enough for backing my memoirs/testimony book? :) God bless you. :) Love, Susie :) p.s. I just looked to see if I had ******-ed your book & it is ******-rated (6 gold ******'s) :) - thank you for ******-ing mine, too. :) Every ****** -ing & backing moves our books closer to the editor's desk :) I want to ask you if you could please keep my book on your bookshelf as long as possible because I'm 12 from the editor's desk & trying to be in the top 5 to be chosen, the end of November :) - I had a mini-stroke Nov. 10 with slurred speech for an hour & numbness of tongue still & over 20 smaller ones where I couldn't speak since & I"d sure like to cross the finish line of the editor's desk after 8-1/2 months trying on authonomy. :) Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me :) - I have lost 3 sisters to strokes & my last sister, Mary had 2 heart attacks earlier this year.

Christian books are always a read for me. Who is the One that warns? Is it not God? Reading. Do you think the animals actually spoke - even the termite?
Tom Balderston
The Wonder of Terra

I hope you do very well on your book. I love what I'v read so far great job and god bless sonya

This is a captivating story,didn't want to put it down after starting it.
I'm amazed at the unique storyline, most unusual.
For a Biblical story this is an exceptional read and we can all relate to Noah's Ark. Well most readers will.
Pulling slightly away from the original is acceptable of course. After all it's fiction. And very well put together.
Enjoyed your story, pleased to star rate it. RATED.

Kind regards,

Neville THE SECRETS OF THE FOREST - SERIES.

What a wonderful story, and a lovely, original slant on a Bible story. Well -told and full of suprises. A must for any book-shelf. Backed with pleasure. Well done and good luck.

Kate Grimes - LIZZIE -CUPPA TALES

This is an excellent read! The imagination... This really keeps me wondering what I would do if I was on the Ark! I would love to see this published :-)

Childhood stories revisited with the wisdom of age:) What a wonderful read!The theme,presentation and language are so well matched! The familiarity is what makes it appreciable...and ..have you thought about people who may NOT be familiar with biblical themes,philosophies and concepts?a brief foreword could set the matter straight ..perhaps?
Cheerio
sonali

To preface, I am completely outside of literary fiction or anything similar...engaged in it as a kid though. So...by this you should know that I am dry, dulled out logician who is going to comment as such...but I think it is good to include all kinds of people in the review of your book.

I suppose the logical flow of the introductory statement to lure readers in is what concerns me. From a Biblical standpoint, I didn't think slaughtering beasts was all that much of a violation...unless it went much beyond that needed for food and clothing. The Bible seems to stress more of the component of intra/interpersonal transgressions. However, this is not the Bible and it opens the book up for a cute twist with animated creatures.

A chosen prophet to conserve what is worth conserving while the rest perishes in doom is a theme I can get on board with...as well as warning future morons about repeating the same stupidity...warning them about what exactly though? ...not uselessly slaughtering beasts? What other critical messages would be worth passing on? ...a message so dire if not heeded that it would require taking on Hell's fiendish army?

Yep, death is occurring all around once on the ark...that is the only way those pesky sinful creatures are going to be eliminated...separation is good for people/creatures on the ark...they don't want to be washed away with the scumbaggery of the earth...after all, there is a message that needs to be delivered for crying out loud among other things. Death and separation on the ark itself and/or perhaps after it crashes into the top of Mt. Ararat?

Fallen angels and supernatural creatures...here is where my brain completely shuts off. Do they work through natural means to gum up the works? Do they just sort of pop up and fly into the ark with swords and shields and stuff? They possess the beasts and we have animals pecking and biting one another? Some isolation is good...we don't want snakes eating all of the mice or what have you. If I were Noah, I know a chicken or two wouldn't be safe for long if I had to hang out on that darn boat for more than a day...the food chain thing sort of complicates the plot a little...and certain to generate some resentment...maybe that's considered in the book...dunno.

Where did Amsel come from? Why does he have to wait for volunteers when everyone is supposed to be in peril?...that is kind of a no choice commitment...it is do or die, baby. Who is included in the Council of the ark exactly? Noah and some bears, tigers, and kangaroos? What are the supernatural forces manifested as?

I can tell this story is highly developed flipping through the pages...I just hope the reader has more imagination than I do to get through the summary to the book above to give it a good thorough and objective read.

I think elaborating a little more here on what exactly has made God so angry to spawn the flood...and what absolutely needs to be conserved and passed down to future generations after defeating the Army of Hell would evoke more enthusiasm...a little bit of sex appeal to lure the reader in and the other details to other confounding issues can be filled in later.

Alright...Okay...I'll back the darn book. You certainly deserve it after reading all of this nonsense! When I reach really deep inside to my imaginative self, I feel compelled to sling over six gold ones your way because you are truly talented and this story is highly developed...I don't know why you tortured yourself with such a difficult topic and platform to work from. Cheers!!!!

An old tale with a new twist, I love it! I'm putting it on my shelf to read more of it later...
Claude Nougat
Strings of Madness (check me out, let me know what you think...)

Genius. It puts an interesting spin on a classic historical story.

Great question in your pitch. Added Council of the Ark to our watchlist.
CC Brown
Dark Side

Try taking the word "that" out. In most cases, it isn't necessary. In many, it can be replaced with "who" or "which". Otherwise well written and descriptive. Backed

Cat
"Lies & Love"

Try taking the word "that" out. In most cases, it isn't necessary. In many, it can be replaced with "who" or "which". Otherwise well written and descriptive. Backed

Cat
"Lies & Love"

beautifully written, and i love the imagery. this is very powerful, very authentic.

Hi

Not my particular area of interest: I feel like I have heard this story before :)

I have not seen that double dash -- used before.

Good luck with your book.