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36th out of 558 books
—
1,357 voters
Mark of the Lion Trilogy
This classic series has inspired nearly two million readers. Both loyal fans and new readers will want the latest edition of this beloved series. Books in this latest edition include a foreword from the publisher, a preface from Francine Rivers, and discussion questions suitable for personal and group use. #1 A Voice in the Wind: Torn by her love for a handsome aristocrat,...more
Boxed Set, 1468 pages
Published
September 1st 1998
by Tyndale House
(first published 1993)
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This has got to be the best, and I mean, THE best Christian trilogy I've ever read. You know those good ol movies such as Ben Hur and The Robe? This trilogy reminded me of the movies. In fact, how I wish they would make a movie out of the books!
The only problem I have with the series (two of the books anyway) is Hadassah, the heroine of the tale. She was too perfect, too good, and... she spoke Christianese. What I'm saying is this - nobody is that perfect a Christian in real life. Although Hadas...more
The only problem I have with the series (two of the books anyway) is Hadassah, the heroine of the tale. She was too perfect, too good, and... she spoke Christianese. What I'm saying is this - nobody is that perfect a Christian in real life. Although Hadas...more
Absolutely one of the BEST series I've read. This is another author I resisted reading...for y-e-a-r-s because I had preconceived opinions about what she would write because she's a Christian.
I was so very, very wrong.
The story begins in early Rome with a young girl character. By the end of the book, she's grown, and you will have run a gamut of emotions, experienced love, total suspense, extreme pain, joy, tears, hope, fear, and burning anger, and I would be surprised if you don't lie awake man...more
I was so very, very wrong.
The story begins in early Rome with a young girl character. By the end of the book, she's grown, and you will have run a gamut of emotions, experienced love, total suspense, extreme pain, joy, tears, hope, fear, and burning anger, and I would be surprised if you don't lie awake man...more
3 likes · like · see review
The "Mark of the Lion" series was wonderfully written. The author, Francine Rivers, has done her homework, and writes about the tyranny of Rome (about 200 AD)in a way that transports you back to that era. Indeed, to crack the cover of these books and begin reading is very like discovering a time-machine and traveling back in time.
As Jerusalum falls, you are there, feeling the terror of the Jewish people and early Christains as Rome persecutes and and nearly exterminates a whole group of people....more
As Jerusalum falls, you are there, feeling the terror of the Jewish people and early Christains as Rome persecutes and and nearly exterminates a whole group of people....more
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People have been recommending this trilogy to me for years, and I should have listened! Francine Rivers has an unbelievable gift to write Christian fiction in a way that is meaningful and never cheesy. There isn't a single flat character in the entire trilogy that I can recall. Rivers' characters continue to draw me to a deeper understanding of God and how to practically apply His Word to my life. Her books are an enriching experience.
There's a hook for everyone: Her references to the early chu...more
There's a hook for everyone: Her references to the early chu...more
I cannot say how much I love these books! I read them every couple of years. The characters come alive and I think about them often. Sometimes I will find myself asking "what would Hadassah do in this situation?" A MUST READ!!
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Apr 15, 2010
Emily
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Christians or just people who are interested in gladiatorial Rome
This is one of my favorite series. I am constantly looking to the main character, Hadassah, as an example for what my life should look like. That's probably weird. Whatevs. Anyway, the first book takes place in ancient Rome during the gladiatorial era. It mostly follows Hadassah, a racially Jewish girl sold as a slave, as she serves her insanely rich and crazy Roman family. The book is primarily Christian, but I would recommend it even if you aren't into "that stuff". I never thought I would enj...more
Oh man, this was an emotional literary rollercoaster. The first two books were amazing and I think Hadassah is probably my most favorite character in a book... ever. I never thought that I could learn to be a better person through a fictional character. The first book of the series, "A Voice in the Wind", took about 60-70 pages to get into, which was brutal, but it was well worth it from that point on, and throughout the second book. I gave this series 4/5 stars because the last book of the seri...more
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I actually read the 3rd book first. I happened to get it for free, and had never read anything by this author at the time. (I actually had never really read any Christian literature before this either.) I thought 'what the heck. I'll give it a try.' After the first couple chapters I was hooked. I read books one and two later on, and found that reading the 3rd story first really didn't effect the first 2 very much. I'm very happy I found that 3rd book by mistake, otherwise I would have passed up...more
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The only reason I rated this a four star versus five, is because the last book in the trilogy is rather weak. So read the first two and skip the last. This is an incredible story of love and faith that is set in the time after Christ's crucifixion. It is a journey about one women's faith and the journey of another man's faith. It is a mix of the "Robe" and "Ben Hur" all wrapped into one. If you are fans of either one, you will want to read these two books.
The first book is difficult to get throu...more
The first book is difficult to get throu...more
Nov 06, 2009
Sarah
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anybody, but especially Christians who are struggling with their faith.
Recommended to Sarah by:
My aunt, mother, and grandmother.
This is one of the absolute best Christian Fiction series out there. From Hadassah (A Voice in the Wind and An Echo in the Darkness) I learned that it's the easiest thing in the world to speak your faith from the rooftops when you are not or very mildly persecuted, but true courage is holding fast to what you believe in when those very beliefs are what is making the world seemingly crash down around you. From Rizpah (As Sure as the Dawn) I learned the value of holding my tongue and cooling my te...more
Loved, loved, loved, them!!! These are can't put down, aren't going to feed the kids or the dog, not doing laundry kind of books!
Dear potential reader, these are by far the best books I have ever read. I have read them TWICE now. Once when I was 16, and once ten years later. The story is heart gripping and her faith when once I was 16 didn't phase me, now shakes my very soul with conviction. This story of faith, dedication, perseverance and ultimately love will have you wanting more in life, I promise. Once you get to Ephesus, you will never go back. Thank you Francine Rivers for so beautifully exemplifying Gods love thro...more
I read Redeeming Love last year when my then minister did a series on it. I enjoyed it, as far as Christian "literature" goes (notice my hesitation). Anyway, a father of one of the girls at school lent me these three books and said I had to read them. I couldn't quite pick up Restless yet, so I started this. And couldn't put them down until I was finished. The first two were very interesting; the third one less so (I guess writers get bored with their own writing, too). All in all, I very very m...more
I was never a reader of Christian fiction, but this collection was recommended by a good friend; she was reading it aloud to her family, and said they had a hard time putting it down. They couldn't wait to return to it the next evening.
I found myself in the same situation. This is so well done - every single book holds the interest and the reader is hard-pressed to take a break. I became very invested in the main characters and was dying to know what happened next.
Highly recommended. I have the...more
I found myself in the same situation. This is so well done - every single book holds the interest and the reader is hard-pressed to take a break. I became very invested in the main characters and was dying to know what happened next.
Highly recommended. I have the...more
I loved this series. Haddassah's quiet courage and commitment to living for Christ in spite of her lonely position and the despicable behavior of others inspires me. Humility, faithfulness, unselfishness - these are characteristics scorned by the mighty of Rome but treasured by the Lord. I cried at the end of book one, then read the excerpt from book 2 that was included, and it blew my mind! I had to immediately go buy books 2 & 3. These books were the first time I'd read Rivers; her books a...more
By looking at the cheesy covers of these you'd never know that they are actually great historical fiction. I'm very picky with Christian fiction and Rivers is one of two writers in that genre that I enjoy. One could argue that parts are somewhat unbelievable but the early church age was full of signs and wonders. I love the mesh of Judaism and Christianity and I love learning more of the ancient cultures of Rome and Ephesus. Interesting to read this trilogy after the Hunger Games. There are grea...more
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I can't believe how quickly I blew through hundreds of pages. When I finished the first one, I had to drive around looking for Christian bookstores in CA and I had no idea where any were. I just had to finish reading the series. The first book is so engaging and thought provoking and so unlike any book I have ever read. The second and third books were also well written. I was sad when I had completed the series for I felt like I really knew the characters after following the story line for so lo...more
These books are a great way to learn about what it was like for early Christians. They're set around 79 AD - sort of the first to second generation after Jesus was alive. Jerusalem has just fallen, Christians are being persecuted. Rome is at the height of decadence. Gladiator contests in the arena reign supreme for entertainment. Paul has just written letters to the churches in several major cities.
Even though they're very fictional accounts, I really appreciated the insight these books gave int...more
Even though they're very fictional accounts, I really appreciated the insight these books gave int...more
Don't read volume 1 without having volume 2 close by. These two books are of the remarkable story of Hadassah, a Jewish slave and Marcus, a Roman, in the turbulent times for Christians about 100 AD. I read volume 2 first ("An Echo in the Darkness") when I picked it off the shelf at the library. I'm not sure I could have handled the first one ("A Voice in the Wind") had I not know the fate of Hadassah. Even reading the first book second, my heart was beating so hard at the end, even knowing what...more
Jan 29, 2008
Morgan
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
EVERYONE
Recommended to Morgan by:
Kari Way
Shelves:
christian
Now, I was a little apprehensive about these books at first because they were (cough, cough) "Historical Christian Romance" novels. Hmmm. But everyone at church kept going on and on about them. Including Kari Way. Now, Kari isn't the super girlie mushie lovie dovie type, so I concluded that they must be decent and not super cheesy. Which they weren't.
The first two books follow a young Jewish Christian girl named Hadassah as she is taken captive to Rome after Jerusalem and the temple are destroye...more
The first two books follow a young Jewish Christian girl named Hadassah as she is taken captive to Rome after Jerusalem and the temple are destroye...more
I should probably give this series 3.5 stars. It landed somewhere between "liked it" and "really liked it." They're getting 3 for the sole fact that it took me 11 months to read them all.
The characters are the best part of these books. Rivers does a great job making the characters come alive. I felt engrossed in the story because I wanted to know how the characters developed. The characters of Hassadah and Rizpah, in particular, convinced me to contemplate on my own life and my own faith. Howeve...more
The characters are the best part of these books. Rivers does a great job making the characters come alive. I felt engrossed in the story because I wanted to know how the characters developed. The characters of Hassadah and Rizpah, in particular, convinced me to contemplate on my own life and my own faith. Howeve...more
This is a great story in the 3-volume novel tradition. It follows a girl who is taken as a slave by the Roman legions, and portrays her life and that of the family she serves. This series contains romance for the chicks, combat for the guys, excellent storytelling, journeys of faith, even medical drama -- all wrapped up in the details of life in 2 ancient Roman cities.
Even if you think a trilogy might be too much of a slog, you should really read this one.
Even if you think a trilogy might be too much of a slog, you should really read this one.
Follows a core group of christian charactars living in the times 70 years past the death of Chirst. Wonderful Christian fiction. Loved reading the history backdrop for what it was like to live during this time when Christians really lived underground and bringing people to the faith was at a risk to their life. Francine Rivers really writes amazing fiction, not your typical Christian fiction she doesn't keep it squeaky clean she keeps it real.
Very good guilt-free and edifying reading. A little preachy at times, but entertaining. My favorite was the last in the series. To I didn't like the gladiator's story much in the first two books, I really enjoyed the direction it took for the last. Stick it out. These books made me think about the early church as a reality that I never really considered.... It came alive, not a bit stale, and surprisingly relevant.
Aug 25, 2008
Kris Randles
added it
Any book by Francene Rivers is a great work. Her workmanship and story telling is phenomanal. She's a great author. Her Mark of The Lion series is one of the absolute best. It is historical biblical fiction at it's best. It makes for good read. Introducing the lifestyle and events of the times with the state of the people at that time, whether it be unredeemed / redeemed mankind, makes for a riviting novel. She takes you there, in a setting, that is so amazing, that you smell the smells and hear...more
This series in is my top 2! Let's just say at the end of book one, I jumped into my car and raced to the bookstore minutes before they closed. I bought my book and sat on the floor of the bookstore to start it until they kicked me out (then I read at the stoplights on the way home). When I got home, I passed a mirror and realized that I was barefoot, braless, and wearing pjs... Yeah, these books are that good.
My favorite of all series of books. The first was so good, I didn't want to read the second one because I knew there was no way it could hold up to it. Well it did...loved it so much...but wouldn't read the 3rd one because...well, I knew I wouldn't like it because of how the 2nd book ended. The 3rd book can stand on it's own...it was my favorite of the three.
I can't say enough about these books.
I can't say enough about these books.
Amazing - the things you feel and learn reading these historic books - totally wanting to be Hadassa (sp?) wanting to love the Lord the way she does - to live my life as she did!!! The books are amazing and take you back in time to the destruction of the temple and what life was like in those days - Jews being slaves, how the Romans and Greek lived - the level of education. One of the BEST!!!
This series was amazing!!! Each book was hard to put down and made you upset that you were approaching the end. The trails that Hadassah faces are extraordinary but the faith she has in God is even more extraordinary. This historical, fictional,romantic and suspensful series I wsould recommentd to any young adult on up. Francine Rivers did an amazing job and I applaud her!
I was so appalled by the description of the trials of persecuted Christians in the first century, I vowed not to read the following two books. After much encouragement from my sister and niece, I gave in years later. Wow! Fantastic! Truly, the precious relationships of the characters and their King are exciting and encouraging for one's own personal walk with the Lord.
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New York Times best-selling author Francine Rivers began her literary career at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in English and journalism. From 1976 to 1985, she had a successful writing career in the general market, and her books were highly acclaimed by readers and reviewers. Although raised in a religious home, Francine did not truly encounter...more
More about Francine Rivers...
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