Book Review: A Voice in the Wind (Mark of the Lion Series #1) by Francine Rivers

Rating: 5 Stars

Published: March 1, 1993

Pages: 520

Genre: Christian/Historical Fiction

Buy: Amazon.com

---

After re-reading ‘Redeeming Love’, I caught the Francine Rivers bug and decide to re-read more of her books I have enjoyed so much in the past. Of course, ‘The Mark of the Lion’ series first came to mind, and I was quickly drawn into the beauty and depths of the first book in the series – A Voice in the Wind. Reading this series is usually a treat as it is a combo of my two favorite genres, Christian fiction and historical fiction and most importantly, the story always hits home like it is the first time I am reading it.

A voice in the Wind follows Hadassah, a Jewish Christian girl sold into slavery after Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans and her entire family killed. She finds herself in the household of a wealthy family to serve their daughter Julia Valerian. Although her mistress is wildly worldly and lives only for her pleasure, Hadassah is steadfast in her love for her even when Julia is cruel and unbelievable. Marcus, Julia’s elder brother however, sees how faithful Hadassah is to his sister and after a while begins to have feelings for her even when he does not believe in her God and serves only himself and Rome. The story also follows Atretes, a German warrior who was captured by the Romans and forced to become a gladiator. Atretes’ hatred for Rome fuels him to fight to get his freedom and he finally meets a woman he loves, Julia Valerian.

Again, this story does exactly what it is supposed to do for any reader including me who has read it previously. It shows you how God expects us to love and choose him first, no matter what and also to love others despite their faults and wickedness. Hadassah seemed to live a life of suffering but when called a slave, she said she was free for who the Lord has set free is free indeed. Her passion for praying and trying her best to be an example to those she loved even when they were far away from God is something to emulate.

The story is also a reminder that we have no excuse in this day and age not to evangelize and call our loved ones and people we meet to Christ. For if in those times when professing Christians were fed to lions and they did not cower, how much more now when we are not faced with such persecution. This story is a call to action for all of us, to spread the good news, to stand firm and to shine the light of Christ by the way we live our lives.

I highly recommend this book to all Christians. There is so much to learn here as it is rich with history as well. If you haven’t yet read this book, what are you waiting for? Go get yourself a copy.

Also available in eBook and audiobook formats on Audible and Everand.

Thanks for stopping by.

---

The Author:

New York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers continues to win both industry acclaim and reader loyalty around the globe. Her numerous bestsellers include Redeeming Love, A Voice in the Wind, and Bridge to Haven, and her work has been translated into more than thirty different languages. She is a member of Romance Writers of America’s coveted Hall of Fame as well as a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).

---

Copyright © Biyai Garricks
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Biyai Garricks, rovingbookwormng.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.