Student Saturday - Nostradormouse by Chris Tinniswood

Today's Student Saturday is brought to you by one of last year's students, Riffatul.

Nostradormouse is a great book for all ages because it has no mature or inappropriate attributes in the book. Also, I would really consider this book to kids, mainly, and adults who love animals and want to know more about the world and how it all evolved.

The story all started when the Earth was at its youngest age. In The Great Woods, there was this grand tree that stood still and was lifeless. The animals in the Great Woods had no names and no knowledge of anything, but luckily knew how to communicate. Another conflict was that the environment had no seasons at all, so life was pretty hard. Then one day an elderly stag named Find came along a lake and met a salmon. Find said "hello" to the salmon and named him Fintan. The salmon was bewildered when he heard that, he also did not know that Find was "The Spirit of Wisdom". Find and Fintan shared talks, then the stag gave the salmon to do a veyr important job. Find then with his antlers, gave a shake and nine trees sprouted onto the ground. The stag told the trees to make hazel nuts and put them into the water so Fintan could eat them. So why eat nine hazel nuts? Why so important? Will somebody accidentally eat some of them? But most importantly, will The Great Woods become finally knowledgeable and be successful at last? These are some of the questions that will be answered to you, but only if you read the book "Nostradormous"!

My overall opinion for this book is that it is very good because of its great story and a twist to the famous Nostradamus, which I honestly like when stories are a twist in famous people or mysterious things. I honestly have one connection of this book, it really reminds me of Nostradamus (A famous person who predicted fatal tragedies for instance Hurricane Katrina and the Assassination of JFK), which I learned fro the History Channel. The main characters of this book is Nostradormous (protagonist), a young dormouse who unlocks secrets of the world, Find, the stag who literally is the "Spirit of Wisdom", and the young dormouse's parents, who yet don't know their names, will they? So please read "Nostradormous" and find out how the world evolved, fictionally!

Finding Monsters – Liss Thomas

Pages: 254

Source: Review copy in exchange for my honest review

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

From Goodreads:

Missy has been fighting to live her entire life, but when she finds herself in a realm of unique and sometimes deadly monsters, she discovers just how much of a survivor she really is. Accidently transferred to this mysterious realm by her monster and only friend, Charlie, he finds himself weak and unable to protect her. The only way she can defend herself and him, is to become a monster herself. But an unknown dark stalker watches her progress and if he steals her power, he will unleash a scourge on both his world and the world she left behind.

My Thoughts:

This was better than I thought it was going to be. I read the synopsis and was intrigued. I just didn't know enough to know I would love it as much as I did. The thought that monsters live under our bed to protect portals into our world was unique. It was great knowing that as Missy lay dying from cancer that Charlie, the monster under her bed had spent years encouraging her. As she neared her death he gave her something she truly wanted. He gave her the freedom to be a teenager, to run and play. Unfortunately the minute he made contact with her he was bound to her for life and would take on her human strength. This was sad knowing that she had no human strength because she was dying. The contact also pulled her into his world.  To shave Charlie she must become a monster herself.

To do that, she must go on three quests. She is willing to do this because of the sacrifice he has  made for her. He wants her to succeed because he loves her. She makes friends along the way who will help her. Will she succeed? You must read this book to find out. This is just the first book in the series. There is so much goodness to come from this author.

Rapture's Rain - Chris Pennington

Pages: 300
Source:  Review copy from author in exchange for my honest review.
Genre:  Christian Fiction

From Goodreads:
In the aftermath of the world's most catastrophic event, Jason Stover finds himself alone and on the verge of suicide. His family, along with millions of others, has suddenly vanished without a trace and the world as he knows it is starting to die.  After a supernatural event, mysterious strangers begin to appear that may hold the key to his and the rest of mankind's survival.  The only question is will he be able to solve the mystery before time runs out. As the clock ticks down, he and his friends' souls hang in the balance teetering between eternal damnation and everlasting life. Rapture's Rain is a provoking and unique journey that puts faith to the test in the ultimate battle between good and evil.

My Thoughts:
I absolutely loved the "Left Behind" series.  This book ranks right up there with them.  Although the difference is that all of the events are told in one book.  Jason Stover is a non-Christian married to a wife, Kristina who is a Christian.  They also have a daughter, Nikki, who like her mother is a Christian.  Jason has just started going to a Bible study with his wife.  He's made many friends there.  He's working in his yard one minute and wakes up the next day to terrible news.  His wife, daughter, most of the Bible study group, along with millions of others are gone.  

Jason's best friend Mike and Jason's wife's best friend Erin meet up and come to the conclusion that God has come back for his people and they like many others have been left behind.    As the world goes deeper into chaos, and is slowly dying their faith begins to get stronger.  This author has created a fictional account that doesn't completely follow the Bible events.  He has added his own twist on this subject.  To me I believe this will make the book appeal to non-Christians just as much as it appeals to Christians.  

As a Christian, believing that we are living in end times I found this book to come at the appropriate time.  It is one I will recommend to my friends who are Christians and Non-Christians alike.  I look forward to reading more from this author.

About the Author (From Goodreads)

Chris Pennington is a marketing and internet entrepreneur by day and a closet creative in the evenings. He graduated from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina with a degree in Graphic Design and Journalism. Upon graduation, he moved to New York City where he began his career at Omni Magazine. Chris conceived and is  a founding partner in the website, CodeOfKidness.com, which is based on helping better the world by promoting random acts of kindness. Feel Free to contact Chris at chris@codeofkindness.com