Prolific Christian author Francine Rivers has penned several popular book series, but my favorite of them all is Mark of the Lion. 
A Voice in the Wind is the first book of the trilogy and not only does it set the stage for the other two novels, it is also strong enough to stand on its own. But be warned, once you finish A Voice in the Wind, you will want to have An Echo in the Darkness and As Sure as the Dawn close by.
The story is set in the Roman Empire and begins with the fall of Jerusalem. A young woman named Hadassah is the lone survivor in her family and is taken as a slave. She ends up in the Valerian household, in which brother and sister Marcus and Julia are partaking in many of the excesses for which Rome was known, much to the dismay of their conservative father. While in the Valerian home, Hadassah attempts to share her faith in Christ, but feels that she is, as the title suggests, just a voice in the wind.
We also meet the Atretes, another captive from Germany who is thrown into the Gladiator ring. Magnetic and at times barbaric, he is a troubled hero who longs for home.
One of the things Rivers does well in her writing is to deliver the message of the Word while still telling a compelling story. The juxtaposition of the depravity of Rome with the purity of Hadassah's faith, especially in the face of her many adversities, is pretty startling and Rivers does not shy away from showing what was ugly about the Roman Empire.
This is a satisfying read for Christians looking for a story of tested and triumphant faith and for anyone who enjoys the work of a great storyteller.
A Voice in the Wind is the first book of the trilogy and not only does it set the stage for the other two novels, it is also strong enough to stand on its own. But be warned, once you finish A Voice in the Wind, you will want to have An Echo in the Darkness and As Sure as the Dawn close by.The story is set in the Roman Empire and begins with the fall of Jerusalem. A young woman named Hadassah is the lone survivor in her family and is taken as a slave. She ends up in the Valerian household, in which brother and sister Marcus and Julia are partaking in many of the excesses for which Rome was known, much to the dismay of their conservative father. While in the Valerian home, Hadassah attempts to share her faith in Christ, but feels that she is, as the title suggests, just a voice in the wind.
We also meet the Atretes, another captive from Germany who is thrown into the Gladiator ring. Magnetic and at times barbaric, he is a troubled hero who longs for home.
One of the things Rivers does well in her writing is to deliver the message of the Word while still telling a compelling story. The juxtaposition of the depravity of Rome with the purity of Hadassah's faith, especially in the face of her many adversities, is pretty startling and Rivers does not shy away from showing what was ugly about the Roman Empire.
This is a satisfying read for Christians looking for a story of tested and triumphant faith and for anyone who enjoys the work of a great storyteller.
