book data
1053 ratings, 4.57 average rating, 196 reviews
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published
March 1st 1998
by Tyndale House Publishers
binding
Paperback, 515 pages
setting
Unknown
isbn
0842377506
(isbn13: 9780842377508)
description
This classic series has inspired over half a million readers. Both loyal fans and new readers will want the 10th anniversary editions of this beloved ...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 1323)
Read in October, 2008
recommended to Gracee by:
Margirecommends it for: willing to be entertained involving a Christian theme
Wonderful book. Francine Rivers used to write secular novels, but found her calling was with Christian stories.
I found myself pulled into the story, wanting to know what happens next, and being fascinated with the Roman way of life. Knowing how Francine Rivers writes, I'm sure the historical accounts of everyday Roman life is pretty accurate. Yes, there is love and romance, but only hints of sex. Nothing tawdry. The descriptions of the Roman gladiator fights were fairly graphi...more
I found myself pulled into the story, wanting to know what happens next, and being fascinated with the Roman way of life. Knowing how Francine Rivers writes, I'm sure the historical accounts of everyday Roman life is pretty accurate. Yes, there is love and romance, but only hints of sex. Nothing tawdry. The descriptions of the Roman gladiator fights were fairly graphi...more
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Read in April, 2008
I read this book back in 2003 and LOVED it. It was possibly one of the best books I have ever read. I never got around to reading the next two in the series, so I am re-reading it now, so that I can continue with the series.
***update***
Just finished re-reading this and I am so glad I did, because I had forgotten so much of the plot! If possible, I forgot just how MUCH I love this book. I think it is my number one favorite book ever. I can't wait to continue with book numbe...more
***update***
Just finished re-reading this and I am so glad I did, because I had forgotten so much of the plot! If possible, I forgot just how MUCH I love this book. I think it is my number one favorite book ever. I can't wait to continue with book numbe...more
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Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
anyone who needs something to believe in no matter the situation
This is the first book in a series of three. I read this one and the second one, but not the third. The storyline/characters change in the third and those characters didn't intrigue me like the characters/main theme in books one and two.
This is Christian fiction. Francine Rivers came highly recommended and I tried to read a couple of her books on several occassions but just couldn't get into them. That was not the case with this one. It started with a bang and was a page turner ...more
This is Christian fiction. Francine Rivers came highly recommended and I tried to read a couple of her books on several occassions but just couldn't get into them. That was not the case with this one. It started with a bang and was a page turner ...more
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Read in September, 2006
I LOVE THIS SERIES! Francine Rivers has done amazing things in these books. What an inspiring character! I just kept finding myself wanting to be like Hadassah. It's hard to love others like Jesus did...more than myself. I am all the time reminded of my shortfalls and selfishness. But, Hadassah reminds me of many of the characters in the Bible. I am amazed by the tough choices that she makes and wondered if I could do the same thing in similar circumstances. The historical aspect of the b...more
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I was adamantly opposed to reading a Historical fiction book. Just having the name historic in the genre turned me immediately off. After enduring months of constant badgering to give this book a shot by my sister in law, I caved and began the book. Not only did I fly through this book absorbing every vividly written detail, I was so caught up in the lives of the characters and the beautiful way that Francine Rivers illustrated God's unfailing love that I immediately went out and purchased the o...more
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my mom kept bugging me to read an auther by the name of Francine Rivers, and i kept putting her off. Then one day i was about 5 months pregnant and bored, so i picked up the first book in the Mark of the Lions trilogy and read the first sentence. These are not thin books but suffice it to say, i finished all three in about 4 days. and i have read them several times since. all of her books are powerful in different ways, but these three and Redeeming Love have affected me and the way i approa...more
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Read in May, 2007
This is a book that not only would a recommend, but I would be likely to pick up again. Rivers is the author of Redeeming Love, so I was interested to see what else she had written. This book is unique - historical, Christian fiction, and I was nervous I would find it either inaccurate or cheesy, but fortunately it was neither. I gained historical insight, was entertained, and was even challenged in my own spiritual walk.
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Read in January, 1994
recommended to Lori by:
my husband's sister
My husband's sister recommended this as one of the best books she had ever read and she was a prolific reader. I took it on a get-away weekend and almost put it away because the first 70 pages dealt with the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD and that was NOT what I wanted to read during my "get-away". Don't get me wrong, it was well written, but not what I was expecting or looking for at the time.
I'm so glad I stuck with this story. This was my first novel by this author and certai...more
I'm so glad I stuck with this story. This was my first novel by this author and certai...more
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Read in January, 2006
recommended to Shadow by:
A friend of mine, sort of. I was going to read it anyways. recommends it for: Over 16 years old, Roman times lovers,
Ahhh, this book is amazing!!! Although I wouldn't recommend it to anyone under the age of sixteen (take it from someone who knows) due to some graphic and questionable content, it is an amazing story of Hadassah's faithfulness, endurance, and love towards God. I was crying so hard at the end! Definetly a book that will move you and change the way you think. It helped me with my relationship with God in many ways.
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Francine Rivers has the ability to communicate spiritual principles without sounding boring or self-righteous. Her books are incredible. The characters are gripping. The plots are clever and suspenseful. The historical research is surprisingly educational. I felt like I was there.
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Read in December, 2008
I really loved this tale set in the Roman Empire during the first century AD. The heroine is a young Jewish survivor of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD who is sold into slavery to a wealthy Roman family. We follow her through her difficulties as she clings to her Christian faith, which gives her a peace that is evident and endearing to her owners. Enterwined with Hadassah's story and that of her family is that of a young Germanic chieftan who is taken in battle and sold as a gladiator. T...more
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Read in September, 2008
It took me a long time to read this book. It was very daunting since it's many pages and the writing is small and dense. When my mom gave it to me, I let it sit awhile, then read the first two chapters, and then I think a magazine came and that was it. I switched and it sat back on my nightstand. So, my mom took it back, let other people read it, and then when everyone she knew read it, gave it back to me. I just happened to not have anything to read so I picked it up again from the beginning. O...more
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Read in April, 2008
recommended to Kriste by:
Laura Miller
This is an amazing book that teaches about the quietness of God's love and devotion. Hadassah is a Christian caught in the destruction of Jeuruselem by the Romans. She is taken as a slave to Rome and bought by a caring family with troubled children. She is the slave to the daughter, Julia. Julia longs to be accepted by her peers and does anything and everything to be admired and idolized. Marcus is the son of the family and he is arrogent and self-centered, but has a heart for his family. ...more
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Read in March, 2008
recommended to Trish by:
Maria B
A Voice in the Wind is the first book I have read by Francine Rivers. I didn't really know what to expect - I just knew this author was a Christian and had written romance novels. This book is labeled historical fiction and was definitely a very good read. Without giving too much away, this book began with two stories, happening at the same time to different people; a Christian slave girl and a gladiator. (Since we own Gladiator - the movie - it really helped me visualize the scenes from this bo...more
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This book made me fall in love with Historical Fiction. Just to warn some of you it is labeled Christain fiction...
That being said it completely took my breath away. I read the first page and quickly devoured the rest. I can't say a bad thing about this book. The writing was great, the plot amazing, the characters believable...I could tell the author really worked hard on it. Just writing this review makes me want to read it again.
That being said it completely took my breath away. I read the first page and quickly devoured the rest. I can't say a bad thing about this book. The writing was great, the plot amazing, the characters believable...I could tell the author really worked hard on it. Just writing this review makes me want to read it again.
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Read in December, 2008
It would be really easy for me to be a literary snob about this book. Rivers is a romance writer and occasionally slips into some hackneyed phrases. BUT I can't put it down. And, I have to say, the best parts of the books are when she writes about God. At those points, when most writers get all awkward and weird, Rivers shines. A hush falls over the book and God speaks. So give it a chance. I'm glad I did.
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This is the first book of “Christian Fiction” I had ever read. It wasn’t a literary masterpiece. I wasn’t impressed with its historic accurateness. Either the author chose not to pay attention to the more subtle points of Roman history/culture or my memory of the classes I took in college is fading. However it was interesting to read a “Christian Fiction” book.
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Read in October, 2005
I had a hard time getting through the first few chapters of this book because it was very bloody and graphic. But it was the fall of Jerusalem. It is important as it sets up the 3 main characters for this wonderful trilogy: Marcus, Haddassah and Atretes. The time period is around 70 AD--42 years after Jesus is crucified.
Marcus was a spoiled young man and Haddassah was sold to his family as a slave (from Jerusalem). She has been starved, head shaved (lice) and not treated well no...more
Marcus was a spoiled young man and Haddassah was sold to his family as a slave (from Jerusalem). She has been starved, head shaved (lice) and not treated well no...more
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Read in January, 2003
Beautiful series - the first two go together and the third is more of a spinoff story, but they are all great. Very encouraging...a story of hope amidst really crappy circumstances....and of faith in God when all seems lost. I couldn't put them down and there were many tears at the end!!
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Read in January, 2007
Amazing and inpossible to put down. I read this 450 pg book in two days, which is a feet for me. It was the best read I have had to date. And spoke so much on a spiratual and personal level. Exciting, heartbreaking, and motivating as ever.
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quotes from this book
"Julia looked back at Hadassah on the bloodstained sand. A great emptiness opened within her as she looked at the still form. Gone, too, was the salt that had kept her from completely corruption."
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