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As Sure as the Dawn
(Mark of the Lion #3)
by
The third installment in the Mark of the Lion trilogy.
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, Hadassa ...more
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, Hadassa ...more
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It was a great book and a wonderful ending to an amazing series. It was sad to know that I wouldn't be able to follow the lives of Rizpah and Arteres anymore. As well as Haddassa and Marcus. :)
I suggest this series to everyone. Now I am a Francine River's reader. I am off to my next book of hers. :) ...more
I suggest this series to everyone. Now I am a Francine River's reader. I am off to my next book of hers. :) ...more
While I adore the 2nd book of the series, I think this was my favorite. Atretes is frustrating and intense, and while I wanted very much to come through the pages of the book and strangle him, I loved reading his journey. I think his struggle with anger and what was done to him is so similar to many people today, that stubborn pride that just won't let you loose to experience God even when He makes himself obvious.
And then there's Rizpah, my favorite character in the entire series. I can relate ...more
And then there's Rizpah, my favorite character in the entire series. I can relate ...more
I'm not sure how to begin this review. Despite the one star review I gave it, I did enjoy it more so towards the ending and there was a lot of spiritual wisdom and entertainment speckled throughout it.. buutttt there were just some things I didn't like about this book. And since I got to start somewhere, I might as well get my "problems" with the book out of the way. So brace yourself peeps.
In this Mark of the Lion series, I noticed a discomforting trend. The romantic relationships between the m ...more
In this Mark of the Lion series, I noticed a discomforting trend. The romantic relationships between the m ...more
There are books that are good, even great, books that you will remember and offer glowing recommendations to all you meet. And then there are books like As Sure as the Dawn, which, days later, will still leave you in awe and wonder. There’s power behind this story, that transformative, tremor-inducing power that makes you forget this is a work of fiction and not something that raised itself out of the ground.
This is considered Christian fiction, which by definition already holes itself to certa ...more
This is considered Christian fiction, which by definition already holes itself to certa ...more
This book was a big disappointment for me, because I simply adored the first 2 books from the Mark Of The Lion, in fact, I don’t remember crying as much while reading a book as I cried during A Voice in The Wind and especially An Echo in The Darkness. I adored Hadassah and Marcus and despite knowing that their story ended with Book II I sill wanted to read Book III and discover what happened to Atretes.
For the first time while reading these Christian books, the constant preaching and christiani ...more
For the first time while reading these Christian books, the constant preaching and christiani ...more
This book really spoke to me until they reached the Chatti. Then it became sort of weird. I definitely found the power of Satan stronger in this book. I've got some great lessons from it, almost more so than the first two. I could identify with Rizpah and her struggles as a born again Christian. I was hesitant to read it in the beginning but I am so glad I did.
...more
Dude, the first half of this book = romance novel. Straight up, with less nakedness and with the word "Jesus" muttered as something other than a curse or expression of sexual fulfillment.
The middle part = summarization of Bible stories through one character's pages and pages of talking. As if the people of the "projected" audience don't freakin' know. And as if anybody who appreciates good writing wants to see pages of info-dump via dialogue.
Second half of book = I don't even know. But, the actu ...more
The middle part = summarization of Bible stories through one character's pages and pages of talking. As if the people of the "projected" audience don't freakin' know. And as if anybody who appreciates good writing wants to see pages of info-dump via dialogue.
Second half of book = I don't even know. But, the actu ...more
This story is beautiful! I have already read it twice and foresee myself rereading it at some point in the future. Francine Rivers, well done!
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…I don’t want this series to end… but I must say it, yes, a fitting end to the Mark of the Lion saga. As Sure as the Dawn told another powerful story; another tale of a life completely turned around. This time, we focus on Atretes, the fierce and feared gladiator. Except he’s not a gladiator anymore, but many would like to see him in the arena again. He now has his son, and the woman, Rizpah, who’s become a mother to his son… Yet will his relentless anger take all that away from him?
Two hot-t ...more
Two hot-t ...more
The Mark of the Lion Trilogy are some of my favorite books. They were excellent, and dare I go as far as to say they were even life-changing? I realize these books are fiction, however, I believe that they must be somewhat representative of what life may have been like centuries ago, shortly after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Realizing what the early Christians risked to follow Him shows how strong their faith was...in comparison with my easy life in a country where I am
...more
It was awful--a 300-page, pressure-cookery romance novel. This book also had the most problematic theology of the trilogy, and an unsatisfying ending.
Let me just pick one big problem with this book. It's about a Christian woman falling in love with a very unsaved man (as are the previous two books in the series). Outside fiction, this is known as "dating evangelism" and it is madness. Apart from anything else, how can a woman respect a man who she's leading spiritually?
I mean no disrespect to Mr ...more
Let me just pick one big problem with this book. It's about a Christian woman falling in love with a very unsaved man (as are the previous two books in the series). Outside fiction, this is known as "dating evangelism" and it is madness. Apart from anything else, how can a woman respect a man who she's leading spiritually?
I mean no disrespect to Mr ...more
Okay, I know these are Christian books, but I read them because they came highly recommended. The first two had good stories, good enough to overcome the preaching. The third basically drudged up some leftover characters from the first two books and had them quote the entire Bible to eachother. Oh, plus there were some pretty outrageous "heavenly miracles" in this book, while the other two managed to tell a good story without depending on acts of God for the storyline to progress.
...more
Didn't want this series to end and put the book down after the last page with a sigh of satisfaction and regret. Satisfaction at a lovely ending to the three book series and a sigh of regret that the journey was ended.
...more
*sigh*
Francine Rivers, what am I going to do with you?
Seriously, I'm not sure where to begin. The first two books in the series followed different characters, and although at times the religious elements smacked a bit too much like American evangelicalism (more on that in a bit) they did reflect good historical research and some smattering of knowledge of ancient bits of the faith (like the Jesus Prayer, or the prayer of unbelief). One of our main characters, Atretes: the German barbarian broug ...more
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This book captured my attention much more than what I had expected. Francine delivers very intense scenes & doesn't sugarcoat the message of the Bible. As always, you feel like you're in the shoes of the main characters drawing you into their battles & their triumphs. In my mind I questioned some of the supernatural things that were attributed to the Lord, and then I wondered why He wouldn't show His power in the face of darkness. We have been amazed at what God is doing in these days to open pe
...more
What can I say about this book. It was so wonderful, yet I felt so sad when I finished it. This amazing trilogy was over .
I loved Rizpah; what an inspiring character. I loved Theophilus. I loved Atretes, but I was a little disappointed at how he kind of just 'forgot' about the Lord, and went back into the way he had been. I absolutely abhorred Anomia. She was worse than Julia! Overall, such a wonderfully inspiring and amazing book. Looking back on the series, I have to say that the first was m ...more
I loved Rizpah; what an inspiring character. I loved Theophilus. I loved Atretes, but I was a little disappointed at how he kind of just 'forgot' about the Lord, and went back into the way he had been. I absolutely abhorred Anomia. She was worse than Julia! Overall, such a wonderfully inspiring and amazing book. Looking back on the series, I have to say that the first was m ...more
Jan 26, 2020
Oceana
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
all-time-favorites,
faith-builders
Now this one is special. It was about the spiritual battle we all face and how the Name of Jesus saves. How having a humble, servant heart speaks louder of Jesus than yelling about salvation. It’s still so relevant to our time. Thank you Francine Rivers!
I enjoyed it, but not nearly as much as the first two. Maybe because Hadassah and Marcus were closer to my age (and their love story is one of my favorites of anything I've ever read), whereas Rizpah and Atretes are quite a bit older and more adult. I found them harder to relate to because their emotions and thought processes were so much more mature (Hadassah and Marcus thought like angsty teenagers! ha!). And I also found the setting considerably less interesting. Still, this was crammed with
...more
I read all three of these books as recommended by my daughter. She writes well. I appreciated her Christian emphasis and attention to historical detail but, like so many modern writers and filmmakers, so much of the book is devoted to the bad behavior of the unconverted or the slow, stumbling process of the newly converted. There is also a great deal of mysticism passing for true spiritual growth and closeness to God. I found little spiritual depth here. They are also so female-dominated that sh
...more
This was my favorite book out of the 3 in the series. There was more romance in this one and as always despair. However, I thought it was great writing and really kept me captivated. definitely worth reading this book to finish the series.
it is one of the books that make you want to be a better person, it is calling to your very inner you. This is what I call Christianity
Oh my. A few weeks later and I successfully finished the whole trilogy. It's a little sad to see all of these characters go, but I am honestly ready to read some different genres now hah. So...REVIEW:
It was okay. I did like it, but there's always some things that I'd like to change about Francine's book. I loved Ripzah's character. I like that she's a lot different from Hadassah because she had way more faults and struggles, and was hilarious when she got mad at Atretes. The one thing I got a li ...more
It was okay. I did like it, but there's always some things that I'd like to change about Francine's book. I loved Ripzah's character. I like that she's a lot different from Hadassah because she had way more faults and struggles, and was hilarious when she got mad at Atretes. The one thing I got a li ...more
As Sure as the Dawn by Francine Rivers is the third book in an amazing series. Atretes a german warrior also revered gladiator is free. He won his freedom through fighting, but now his life is going to change forever.
I recommend this book to young adults.
This book almost felt like a stand alone. The characters are not related to the previous two books. Even though I missed the characters in the previous books I felt like I related to the characters in this book the most. Well more to the subject ...more
I recommend this book to young adults.
This book almost felt like a stand alone. The characters are not related to the previous two books. Even though I missed the characters in the previous books I felt like I related to the characters in this book the most. Well more to the subject ...more
After reading A Voice in the Wind and An Echo in the Darkness, As Sure as the Dawn is the perfect closure to the Mark of the Lion Series. In the prologue the book starts right off how the first book finishes, with Atretes talking to Hadassah in the dungeons of Ephesus. However, after the prologue, Hadassah is not in the book. The main Characters are Atretes, Rizpah, and Theophilus. Atretes, finds his son and wishes to leave Ephesus and Rome, which reminds him so much of his past and finally retu
...more
This is a hard one to rate. I really liked the Mark of the Lion series so far, especially the second book. This third part seemed to have great potential, Francine Rivers is a master storyteller and even though I enjoyed the first half a lot, it was too steamy for my taste (especially for a chrsitian novel). Also I had a hard time liking the main character Atretes. (view spoiler)
...more
The third and last book in Francine Rivers, Mark of the Lion series, and again, this isn't a book that I would normally pick up and read but a coworker let me borrow all but this last book which I got a the library, because she thought I'd like them, which I did enjoy reading the series and I'm glad I did.
I would have to give this book 2 stars being that it's not as good as the first book " An Echo in the Darkness" which was my favorite in the series.
This classic series has inspired nearly 2 mi ...more
I would have to give this book 2 stars being that it's not as good as the first book " An Echo in the Darkness" which was my favorite in the series.
This classic series has inspired nearly 2 mi ...more
My husband made fun of me on this one because it looks so much like a Romance novel on the cover. And I have to say out of the 3 Mark of the Lion series, this last one read much like a romance novel until about half way through before the story seemed to pick back up the pace Rivers had going with the last two. Atretes anger and rage... while completely understandable for his character (a man enslaved and who spent 10 years of his life as a trained killer) got a little old for my taste, but I st
...more
This is the fourth Francine Rivers book I've read and like the other ones it does not dissapoint. One of my favorite quotes from this book is: "In all things show yourself to be a pattern of him. To the pure, Rizpah, all things are pure. As you are pure in Christ. Speak of these things to him. Speak of the things that will edify and light his way out of darkness."
...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question... | 5 | 21 | Oct 11, 2018 06:31PM | |
| Sinopsis en Español // Synopsis in Spanish | 2 | 3 | Sep 06, 2015 06:52PM | |
| Sumner C Period: "As Sure As The Dawn" Discussion | 5 | 16 | Feb 18, 2014 08:41AM |
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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
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