Mark of the Lion Trilogy

While I am waiting for my new books to come in the mail, I decided I would give you a review of the series I just finished...for the 3rd time! I love historical fiction. I love to become so immersed in a story that I feel a part of it. I hate it when a great book ends. I also believe that if a book isn't worth reading again, it isn't worth reading at all!


This trilogy by Francine Rivers is nothing short of incredible. The first book in the series is "A Voice in the Wind." The story is set in 70 A.D. and opens at the destruction of Jerusalem. You meet Hadassah, a Jewish Christian in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover with her family. Francine gives great insight into the Roman Empire and the history surrounding this event. She weaves actual historical people in with fictional characters seamlessly. Hadassah becomes a slave of the Roman Empire and taken to Rome. She is purchased by a Jewish slave of the Valerian family. Marcus and Julia, the grown Valerian children, are as Roman as Roman can be. They worship the gods of the land, along with selfishness, wealth, and the games. Hadassah shows the family Christ's love for them in the way she selflessly serves them, with quiet dignity and love. She becomes an essential part of the family, especially for Marcus and Julia, though for very different reasons. We also meet Atretes. He is the chief of the Chatti from Germania. He is taken captive by a Roman legion and sent to Capua and then Rome to be a gladiator. He becomes the most celebrated gladiator Rome has ever seen. Hadassah's relationship with God is what all Christians would hope to have. Her perseverance and faithfulness is truly inspiring. 


In the second book of the trilogy, "An Echo in the Darkness," our main characters become entangled in one another's lives. Marcus desperately tries to hold on to the reality he grew up knowing, all the while, Hadassah shatters it without even knowing. Julia is obsessed with herself and her status. Though Hadassah prays for her unceaselessly, she continues in her depraved lifestyle. Atretes fights for his freedom and his life with every match, while becoming more of a prisoner than he ever thought possible. Because of Hadassah's faithfulness to the Valerians and God, miracles happen in that family that only He could have imagined possible. 


The final book of the series, "As Sure as the Dawn," follows Atretes back to Germania to find his tribe and resume the life he thought he wanted. He travels with Rizpah and Theophilus. God put these two people in Atretes life to help him find his way. He uses all the defenses he learned over his 10 years in captivity to fight what was happening in his heart and in his life. Atretes, Rizpah, and Theophilus battle all manner of evil when they reach the Chatti and have to rely on God in ways they never knew they could. This is truly a story of learning to depend on Christ for all our needs and letting Him go out before us to fight the battle. Our strength alone is never enough. 


These are three of my all-time favorite books. Each time I read them, I take away new insights and discover more about myself that I didn't know before. I believe that these books are essential reads for the Christian historical fiction lover as well as anyone interested in deepening their walk with Christ. I have a set if you want to borrow them!


Just throwin' it out there!