Francine Rivers - As Sure as the Dawn

Following A Voice in the Wind and An Echo in the Darkness, As Sure as the Dawn continues the chronicles of Hadassah, a Christian slave woman living during the height of the Roman Empire. She has saved the life of the scorned child of a disreputable Roman woman and the Germanic gladiator, Atretes. For her faith, Hadassah now languishes in condemnation, awaiting death in a dungeon beneath the arena. Atretes, who holds fast to his dreams of revenge for the slaughter of his people, wants his son back. So he seeks out John the Baptist, who is the key to finding the custodian of his son, and brings his war-weary soul closer to redemption.

Comment: This is the third installment in the Mark of the Lion trilogy by author Francine Rivers. I've enjoyed reading the other two stories a lot and this third one isn't an exception but I admit I preferred the others slightly more than this one, the second one in particular was my favorite.

In this story we follow Atretes, the gladiator who we've met in the first book. Atretes has won his freedom and lives in a house with servants and can do whatever he wants. But the person he wants is his son, the baby his ex lover Julia Valerian decided she didn't want anymore. The baby was given to Rizpah, a young widow who lost her own child and Atretes makes it happen for her to come to him but when he thought he could just dismiss her, the baby won't drink from other women, so he gets her back to take care of him until he finds a way to leave for Germania, where his family might still be. But Rizpah has the Faith and the love and soon Atretes can't help but develop feelings for her even if her words make him restless. But when trouble arises, the escape he thought would be planned happens too quick and to fast to be safe. Or will it?

I enjoyed this book, I won't deny that. I was as eager to read and see what would happen in this story as it happened with the others but I'll be honest, the second book was my favorite ans the one where I was more focused and interested in seeing how it would end.

This third book is centered on Atretes and his anger and disappointment, his lack of confidence in certain aspects while too aggressive in others. I understand why his character is portrayed this way but, overall, I wasn't as invested in him as I was in Marcus, the key character in the previous installments.

Atretes is a man with a lot of issues from his past. He was taken captive after a lost battle and had to adjust to a lot of changes in his life, the main one having to fight for survival and amusement of those who caught him. His experiences with some other characters embittered him even more and, of course being this a Christian book, he doesn't Believe so that's another added thing he has to deal with, namely being close to others who do believe.

In fact, this is something I struggled to accept. In the course of the story, at some point, Atretes is confornted with something which makes him start to believe in God. To me, the way he is convinced didn't change his mind out of true feelings but rather awe and fear. His attitudes later show precisely that so can I say he truly converted, despite some of his words and thoughts? His behavior makes me believe not... 

I mean, for me, personally, this doesn't matter that much because my main goal in reading these books is the historical content and romance-related scenes, but how truthful his change in behavior could really be? Not very convincing from a characterization POV.

Most of the book is focused on a journey from Ephesius to Germania and of course, all the lessons and notions Atretes - and others - learn on the way there. Rizpah and Teophilus are two Christians with a strong faith, people who keep trying to change Atretes mind about the existence of God. I suppose preaching and spreading the Word is something people had to do, and still happens nowadays, but the way all conversations they had always, always centered on that... it got a bit repetitive and tiring and I really understand Atretes reluctance...teaching, trying to tell about something is one thing, bit to only speak of it...

Added to the fact these characters weren't as captivating as the ones from the previous book, I struggled a bit more in liking them, even if historically the plot was still interesting.

Nevertheless, the story is what it is and for the most part I could enjoy it without feeling I was constantly immersed in religion. In terms of plot, there were some things I think were avoidable, even if they served to teach a lesson... It always bothers me when authors take definitive measures to stress out a notion. There are ways to say things without being radical...

My favorite things in the story, the historical setting and character interaction were interesting as always and what I looked for the most. In this the author does a great job, as I've seen in the previous installments too, and the whole atmosphere, the traditions of those times really make us thing how much we really evolved - or not. I think that, if a reader is to bear in mind the religious scenes are something to be taken as seriously as one can/want, the fictional story itself is quite amazing and full of details that add flavor to the novel.

I just wish the end had been a bit more happy. It was positive, a HEA happens, we are left with good wishing thoughts and hopes but it wasn't as sweet as I hoped for. Oh well.

I still recommend this one but truly, the second one was better to me.

Grade: 7/10

Francine Rivers - An Echo in the Darkness

A prosperous trader, Marcus Lucianus Valerian has made a fortune providing sand and slaves for the Roman games. But Hadassah, a slave in his family's household, has enchanted him with her quiet beauty and her staunch faith in Christ. When Marcus' sister sends Hadassah to almost certain death in the games, Marcus feels that his life has been ripped apart. Now he is on his way to Jerusalem to find out more about Hadassah's god, unaware that a miracle awaits him back in Rome.
The political intrigue of the imperial city provides a dramatic backdrop for Marcus' spiritual quest.

Comment: This is the second installment in the Mark of the Lion trilogy by Francine Rivers. this is a Christian fiction story and it's the follow up from the first book, A Voice in the Wind. I was so curious to read this story and to know if the main couple would finally get the HEA they deserved! 

 

After what happened at the end of the first book, Marcus is feeling desperate and lost and is looking for answers to why certain things happened. He decides to travel, to se Hadassah's country and house and where God appeared to men from her old community and to demand the reasons why things happened the way they did.

At the same time, Julia is ill and her husband stole much of her money from her but she still has people who care, namely a veiled crippled woman who works as an assistant to a doctor and makes her duty to care for Julia in her last days.

But in the end, can everyone find what they need, what they require to survive or to be finally accepted? What about love, does it have hearts where it can flourish?

 

Well, I've read this book full speed and only stopped, tears in my eyes, around 2am the day before yesterday. It's a big book, it has some passages where I wasn't as interested, but overall, this has a plot and a way of developing I couldn't put down. I really needed to know what would happen and at the end of the book, of course I cheered the HEA despite the sad moments in it as well.

 

The book starts where the other left of, although we get a sense of time passing, if I remember well, one year. Marcus is still in mourning, angry at the way things happened, Julia is ill, Hadassah is...well, she lives on, despite what happened. Especially in the hearts of those she cared about.

The majority of the plot is Marcus traveling to search for answers, for God and the veiled assistant and the doctor helping and dealing with patients, etc.

Of course the whole book is centered about Christian Faith, devotion and inner struggles everyone has to face to embrace the faith or to understand it.

I'm a Christian, catholic, and many of the things "preached" are recognizable to me. In a way, it doesn't bother me much but I can understand why it would others of different faiths; there's a heavy, almost complete focus on the religious matters and that affects every character's actions, even those who don't care or don't believe.

 

I could put it aside, though. Not that I "dismissed" those sections, but they didn't had to convince me, I could read them but not feel their highlight in my enjoyment of the fictional story. Maybe not everyone can do this, but I was so interested in the story, it felt like just one other detail.

The plot is simple, but I was so curious to see what would happen.

There's a lot of human emotions and actions to wonder about here. Sure, we all know about religion and stuff and that does affect what we choose to do, in a way, but it was amazing how simple things like knowing what's right and what's wrong are things you need to think about in certain contexts, religion aside. But of course religion has a heavy weight here, so both are connected, but the lesson to get is you should help others, you should respect them, you should know which choices are always bad for you and others and that has nothing to do with religion, but simply loving and respecting people around us and trying to be a friend or a good person.

I liked I could have this notion even if I didn't believe in God or if I weren't a religious person.

 

As for the plot, I did like the historical atmosphere, the way certain daily life issues were dealt with, I liked to see the author wrote showing off how so many things never changed, human character related, I mean. I liked there's closure in this book. The end is very sad because a character finds redemption - although in a very cheesy way, but that's to e expected - but there's also love and hope and a wonderfully sweet HEA I really, really loved. And an epilogue proving things are alright, which was great too.

I still think some things were left unsaid or undone, though. Maybe it's the author's choice, maybe it's something that historically wouldn't happen, but I got the feeling it wasn't something chosen to be in the story...oh well.

 

Marcus and Hadassah find their HEA. Yes, this was what mattered, no matter how well done the historical context was, the romance was what drove me to keep reading and despite the super clean aspect of it, there's only one sweet kiss and references to future happiness, I still think it was romantic and special. I wouldn't mind a bit more proof, but I get it.

Julia has an expected end, Marcus' mother becomes a wonderful character again and even two or three secondary characters prove their worth.

 

I don't know, this book just convinced me. I could put aside all the things I'd change and just enjoy the story. Sometimes books talk to us in a certain they don't to others and so on. I'm very glad this book was good to me and that I can cherish it, even though some parts aren't things I'd like to re-read.

It's not for everyone, but for me it worked and was quite sweet.

Grade: 8/10

Alphabet Soup Challenge: Francine Rivers - A Voice in the Wind

The first book in the bestselling Mark of the Lion series, A Voice in the Wind brings readers back to the first century and introduces them to a character they will never forget—Hadassah.
Torn by her love for a handsome aristocrat, this young slave girl clings to her faith in the living God for deliverance from the forces of decadent Rome.

Comment: This is book #1 in the Mark of the Lion trilogy by Francine Rivers. I first knew about this book in a forum where a reader said something that made me curious about the story and how things would develop. I just wasn't aware it was so focused on religion, despite being labeled Christian fiction. I've read some of those and as with everything, some were god, others bad, some heavier on the religion, others not that much.

This story has a lot of preaching, to be honest, and despite being a catholic myself, I think it was too much.

Anyway, I talked to a friend and we agreed on a buddy read of this. Now that we both finished it, I think we agree some things weren't very appealing, but overall we liked the book.

I also used this title for the alphabet challenge to get the V letter done.

 

Basically, this is the story of a young girl, Hadassah, who lives in Judea with her family but she loses them all in a roman attack and is taken to Rome as a slave. Hadassah has never felt her faith was strong enough but she is a believer and that helps her live a simple but thankful life among her owners, especially Julia, a very childish and naïve girl around her age and her brother Marcus, someone Hadassah can't see as just an owner.

We also follow the path of Atretes, a German warrior captured and taken to Rome to become a gladiator.

But social status, intrigues and corruption fill up Rome's streets and the cities of its empire. Can Hadassah hold on until happiness is on her way?

 

First of all, I think the blurb is deceptive. It makes one think we'll have more romance than what actually exists. And I don't mean sex, no, it's really romance, which I think could be there without removing the Christian aspect of the story. Things were subtle in a way, but I wanted to have seen Hadassah not so blind and strict to a detail at the end that made everything go a certain way. Then the book ends in a sort of cliffhanger and now I can't wait to read what happens next.

 

The story is labeled as Christian fiction, so there's lots of religion conversations, elements, references. Hadassah is devoted despite everything and I get the message we should be proud of our beliefs, but if we think this was Rome at a time where Christians were killed without mercy, she could have been practical too and be devoted but not so loudly. Sure, that goes against the idea we should share the Lord's love and so on, but come on.... this was historical, if it was so important to insert certain aspects to give it accuracy, then this was exaggerated for plot's purposes too, I think.

I was actually annoyed at the whole religious content. I didn't think it would be this much and would have liked more focus on the romance story.

 

Nevertheless, the writing is addictive even if I wrinkled my nose over some passages. I still want to know what happens, how things happen, I want to see a HEA so I'm going to read the other books just for that.

Some historical content was very interesting, culturally fascinating too, but I admit it was difficult to read about slavery and be powerless to change the history that killed so many people and treated them so wrongly. The gladiator's fights - usually featuring Atretes - I skimmed through because they were violent and I felt for those who had to die for the amusement of others. History id teach us how unfair is was/still is for some in detriment to others...

I'm looking for to see more historical details about the imperial Rome. Not my usual preferred theme, but it's interesting to learn things through fiction books.

 

The characters... I liked Hadassah despite her over religious behavior and intransigency about it. I didn't expect things to happen miracously, but a bit more feeling towards Marcus would have been sweet. I'm looking for seeing her admit her love without any issue. She is a good heroine and I applaud her actions in some situations.

Marcus is the son of the man who purchased Hadassah and then gave her to Julia. Marcus is amazing although at first I didn't like him much. His love feels convenient and temporary at first but in the end I really felt for him when things didn't work out right away. I foresee he's going to turn Christian but I hope that doesn't change his personality...

Julia, Marcus' sister and the owner of Hadassah, I'd say is the villain but she does it out of jealousy and loneliness. That's not an excuse, and she was also manipulated by true villains but she got on my nerves so much for her blind belief in things anyone should realize are wrong. Too childish and spoiled. I'm curious to see what happens to her too.

Atretes was featured a lot and I got the idea he just wanted freedom but didn't enjoy the path to that. I skipped some violent scenes with him so I'm curious to see his softer side in his book.

The other characters were all intriguing and added up to the plot in a way I liked.

 

All in all, I liked the book and I'm eager to keep reading. But I can't put aside the things I wish were different. Less preaching would be nice because it distracts from the plot and the curiosity over the fictional plot. I get it but I still wish it were different.

Eagerly ready for the next one as soon as I buy it.

Grade: 7/10