Ok, first off, I'm not entirely sure that is the series name. The first book is called 'A Voice in the Wind', but I've heard, Francine Rivers is a controversial author. The only thing I've read so far that has bothered me is VERY gory detail and false religion. Does anybody know about anything I should be wary of? I don't mind the gory detail so much, but the false religion is something that I'm not sure what kinds of ideas it may put in my head. I'm at the part where Atretes gets captured, so don't give anything away, please. XD

If you've read the book please tell me what you think of it.

BTW, should this go in this forum?

I read all three books and it was very good. The first one was best, with the others the plot kind of began to fall apart, the endings were far from satisfactory and there were some very strange... miracles? I'm not aware of anything that might be this 'false religion' you're referring too. I don't remember every theological aspect of the books but they were your pretty typical 'believe in Jesus' kind of thing. Lots of martyrdom, corruption, lions, gladiators, immorality, typical Roman things. It's not nearly as gory as Que Vadis. I love martyr stories, (to an extant,) but Que Vadis was... intense... graphic... *shiver* Voice in the Wind wasn't nearly as bad although she does seem to focus on the immorality a bit more than necessary. Nothing graphic but there's murder, and rebellion and... Okay. I should stop listing all the negative attributes of Rome I guess and say some good things.

It's a romance of course, so there's a very sweet love story similar to- to- to The Robe I think. Between and Roman patrician and a Hebrew slave. There's a lot of redemption. It's not a cheerful book by any means, but I liked it. And if you can handle Fox's Book of Martyrs you can handle the gory in this easily.

I haven't actually had a lot of time to read at all, but I think I might later on in the year...Thanks for all the heads-ups, I'll definitely read with discernment, if I do indeed read more. I haven't had much time lately.

I didn't like the first one... the immorality was too much for me. But I really enjoyed the second one. I recommend it. It answers many questions "why" that athiests think about Christians. The third one was ok, but for me, As Sure as the Dawn really shone out for me.

I've read the first one, when I was sixteen. The MC girl, Haddasah, was so sweet. And so courageous and dedicated to Christ. It was so cool watching her, as a young innocent slave girl, trying to be pure, with all the immorality around her.
As for said immorality, there was definitely a lot. Everywhere. The Romans were watching bloody fights for their regular entertainment, juggling multiple girlfriends, "sleeping around" all the time, tolerating homo-people, and turning to abortion when a baby was not wanted.
Huh. That list sounds familiar somehow...

But it was all portrayed as nothing but wrong. I'll never forget Haddasah's reaction to her mistress's abortion. It makes me regret how hardened I've become to all that. I found the book inspiring.

I think I need to read the second one.

Aah no, I have not read these.

By recommendation from my mom, I'm currently reading "The Mark of the Lion" trilogy by Francine Rivers. Off the top of my head, I must say they are some of the most impressive books I've ever read. They even helped refresh my faith and make me look at the world with a different perspective.

You can tell Mrs. Rivers did incredible research in writing this book to get it historically and biblically correct. I really admire her writing style and plot lines. This trilogy has landed itself on my favorites list.

It covers some very raw issues, so I wouldn't suggest it to those who are under sixteen years of age. (Or older depending on comfortably.)

~Calen

I haven't read them, Calen. Are they fantasy books?

I loved the Last Sin Eater, also done by Mrs. Rivers. I have looked into getting these, but have not, as of yet.

Nope, they are historical fiction. ^^

I personally wasn't bothered by the gore at all. I actually didn't find it that gory, but I suppose it was rather descriptive. I sort of liked that because it gives you an idea of the methods they used back in the day to punish people.

When you mention "false religion" are you referring to the beliefs of the Romans and Greeks worshiping idols and gods? I thought it was interesting, because that was the true nature and lifestyle of those people. Mythology has always fascinated me in general though.

The romance, I feel, was done very well. It was nice because it was kept pure instead of taking the Lord's blessings before marriage like many other stories out there. Purity was high on the list for the leading heroine, Hadassah. I admired that.

The characters very real and relatable, and the story kept the book glued to my hands. (Except for when I had to go to work and Bible Study.)

~Calen

I personally haven't read the books from that series, but my sister really enjoyed them.

There is some things that Rivers does write that I would have your mum check before you read. They are excellent books (Atonement Child, Redeeming Love), but she is very frank about certain subjects, that may not want to be known about at a certain age.

Ooh, I like Historical Fiction! *Puts on To Read list*

Thanks for that, Eruvande! I will definitely bear it in mind.

The Mark of the Lion Trilogy is my favorite book series of all time.

I read them for the first time when I was 14, and now, seven years later, they remain my favorite book series. Yes, they do have violence and sex in them BUT the violence and sex are NEVER gratuitous and NEVER explicit. She never goes into detail about sex, only mentions that it happens, because this is the fallen world we live in and the reality is that people misuse the bodies God gave them. Her treatment of it is never crass or un-Biblical. She advocates for sex within the context of Biblical marriage, between one man and one woman. All other relationships that do not follow this concept she uses to show the pain that can arise from such misuse of sex.

This book changed my life. I had grown up in a Christian school most of my life and was heading on to a public high school for the first time in my sheltered life. When I read these I was blown away by Hadassah (the main character in the first two books) and her incredible faith in Christ Jesus in a place that was so against Christ. This book was one of the first things that queued me on to what it truly means to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

So, yes, I highly recommend them! :p