Forty Days

by Sp

• ASIN: B00BEA5MC6
• Publish Date: 2013
• Publish Status: Unknown
• Format: eBook (Kindle)
• Pages: 123
• Language: English

Reviews

[inlibrisveritas]

Forty Days is a new way of looking a very old story, more specifically the story of Noah’s Ark. Stephanie Parent takes on the task of delving into the story and adding some depth to the family of Noah. This is not a overly religious story but instead it is a YA historical novel about family and love during a very scary and peculiar ordeal.

We are introduced to Neima before the Flood and we are treated just how her family is perceived by the other villagers. They are outcasts thanks to Noah’s strange fixation with a coming flood and his building of a monstrous Ark; it’s a source of immense tension through out the village and as a result Neima only has two friends, Jorin and Derya. I loved that Parent took the time to let us get to know Neima’s rather large family and I also enjoyed seeing the progress on the Ark as the deadline closes in. There is a immense attention to detail as Parent lists the animals involved, as well as occupations and their roles during the Bronze Age. She paints even the smallest of details in a big way giving the story a life of its own.

Neima, our main character, is the obedient granddaughter of Noah but she has a will of her own and a sort of passive bravery. I can’t even imagine the sort of panic and terror that she has to go through as the Flood starts, but Parent really gives you access to the character’s mind so that you can better understand how she’s dealing with everything. Most of the men in this novel are rather fierce and outspoken, one of which is Keenan. He is the cousin of Neima, and her mostly like suitor. He’s charming but he’s also egotistical, and he’s a man of the times…meaning he plans to be in charge when it comes to relationships. Jorin is the exact opposite of Keenan and the others. He’s sweet, soft spoken and willing to listen, and his intentions seem to be good; however he’s not Neima’s family.

This does end in a cliffhanger and it’s one that snuck up on me, even though I was fully aware it was coming. I blazed through this book in a day and then when I read the last page I went into panic mode because I need to know what happens. I can’t wait for the second book, Forty Nights! Stephanie is well on her way to becoming an author I put all others aside to read.

I recieved this in exchange for an honest review.

[Angie]

Growing up in a Christian school, I'm very familiar with the story of Noah's Ark. I've heard it too many different ways to remember, but none were like Forty Days. The author has taken a well known story and turned it into some kind of awesome, exciting, historical, apocalyptic tale. Despite my upbringing, I would not consider myself a religious person at all. I have to say that you definitely don't need to be religious to enjoy this one! The author also includes a very well written Author's Note that explains the context in which she's writing the story, and a note on how she chooses to capitalize "God." She handles it all very respectfully.

Neima and her family are not exactly looked upon with favor in their village. Her grandfather Noah has been building an ark since before she was born and their neighbors find it quite the eyesore. Noah has been determined a mad man, because he claims God spoke to him and instructed him to build this ark. Her grandfather's actions have left Neima almost friendless and without any marriage prospects except for her jackass of a cousin, Keenan. However, once the worst rain in history hits, perhaps Noah isn't so crazy?

Once we're on the ark with Neima and her family, the author doesn't spare us any of the more unpleasant details. I mean, this is an ancient ark, not a luxury cruise liner. Motion sickness hits the family as well as the animals that they have stored, so things get messy very quickly. Life on the ark has caused Neima to consider the possibility that her grandfather's God is in fact the one God, but she has trouble coming to terms with the fact that he would destroy everyone but her family. She's also on edge because she feels like someone is watching her, and she wants to avoid Keenan at all costs. Luckily, she's good with a knife.

I really enjoyed Forty Days. Even though I knew it would abruptly end, as the story is split into two books, I was still shocked to reach the end. I was completely engrossed in the story, and the ending is quite a major cliffhanger. I do have hope that everything will work out, but who knows, since the author has completely re-imagined this classic tale!