Anita Mae Draper
  • Home
  • Books
    • Secret Admirer
    • American Heiress Brides
    • Austen in Austin
    • Here We Come A-Wassailing
    • Riding on a Christmas Wish
  • Blogs
    • Author Memories
    • Inkwell Inspirations
    • Heroes, Heroines, & History
    • Draper's Acres
    • Photo Blog
  • Research
    • The Oregon Trail Ruts
  • Fun
    • Text-Free Photos
    • Recipe Blog
    • Jigsaw Puzzles >
      • Christmas
      • Fauna
      • Flora
      • Travel Destinations
    • Free Reads >
      • The Shepherd
    • Poetry >
      • You Were By My Side

Mark of the Lion Series by Francine Rivers

10/20/2011

2 Comments

 

Picture
Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers

Breathless! That’s how I felt after reading A Voice in the Wind – Book 1 in Francine Rivers’ Mark of the Lion series. I also wanted to throw the book against the wall!
 
It’s because the end was such a shock. Not only didn’t it end how I wanted—I didn’t even like the ending! My arm was raised and ready to fling when the last few pages fluttered and I saw a preview for Book 2. Doubting I’d like it, I pulled the book down and read the beginning of An Echo in the Darkness.

Okay, that was much better. The end of Book 1 wasn’t the end of the story… it was the end of the first part of a continuing story. Phew.


As you can see, I’m trying very hard to let you know the emotions this series evoked without actually telling you what happened and how Book 1 ended. That would ruin it for you, I’m sure. Just ensure you take your blood pressure medication before you read the end.

This series was the first time I’ve read anything authored by Francine Rivers. And now I know what all the fuss is about. It’s the difference between reading about a heroine and her story and actually being right there in the story with her. Several times I became so involved that I cried out in pain or disgust. Being readers themselves, my teenage sons asked what was going on in the story knowing it had to be good for their normally silent reading mom to immerse herself to such an extent that she cried out.   

The only flaw in the series as I saw it, was the placement of the Glossary of Terms after the Preview of Book 2 because I didn’t find it until after I’d read the complete book and the preview.  Forearmed, I was able to use the glossary in Book 2 and 3 – both which were also placed after previews at the back of the book. 

Here then is the rundown of the Mark of the Lion series:
Picture
Book 1 - A Voice in the Wind
Setting: Rome & Ephesus with scenes in Jerusalem & Germania

Although A Voice in the Wind doesn’t give an actual year of setting, approx. several decades have passed since the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The personal aspect of people remembering Jesus as He walked on the earth brought reality to this fictional story where John is the only disciple still alive. The book opens with shocking details of gore yet history has proved to be far worse than anything the author mentions. It slams home the daily struggle early Christians faced. I’m filled with awe for their faith and devotion despite the knowledge they could be thrown to the hungry lions at any second. One of the book’s main characters is Hadassah who continually asks herself one question: When the time comes, will she pass the test? In the book, it was Hadassah’s father who was raised from the dead as a youngster while his widowed mother pleaded with Jesus to bring him back. And He did. How can Hadassah not believe? But believing and wanting to live are both the same and different when you must choose one or the other. In the 4 wks since finishing this book, that same question has often crossed my mind: If faced with the choice, will I pass the test? Will I chose life on earth or life after a horrifying death? I’d like to think I'll choose the latter.


Picture
Book 2 - An Echo in the Darkness
Settings: Ephesus & the Journey to Judea and back

Emotions raw with the brutal end of Book 1, I eagerly immersed myself in the pages of Book 2, An Echo in the Darkness. I’ve always considered myself an historian, but Francine Rivers’ writing breathes life into her characters and shows me a truth too unreal to believe in the average history book. I see, smell and taste as if I were a character in her story. And yet, a part of me is always aware that she’s the one who orchestrated the scenes and I turn my anger to her for putting my characters through such pain. But we need pain in our life to be able to appreciate the blessings, don’t we? Or do we only need strife? Would the conclusion at the end of Book 2 have been as complete if not for the pain as well as the strife? I’ll let you be the judge.


Picture
Book 3 - As Sure as the Dawn
Settings: Ephesus & the Journey to  Germania

After reading the first 2 books, you may be in for a culture shock heading into Book 3. Although it starts in Ephesus, after 100 pages or so the story travels to Germania—a culture so different from Ephesus and Rome it seems hard to believe it’s the same series. And yet the story wouldn’t be complete if it didn’t end there. The Germans lack the hygiene of the fastidious Romans. They live in dirt floor semi-underground shelters as opposed to brick and marble strongholds. They fight like enraged animals instead of uniformed ranks of disciplined soldiers. And yet, both cultures believe in the same dark gods, priestesses, potions, and evil spirits.

Summary

This series rings with the spiritual warfare between one true God and false gods, good versus evil, and the euphoria of heaven compared to the perpetual torment of hell. Francine Rivers masterfully covers both sides and left me shaking at the awesome power of God  - as well as the horrific hold the dark forces employ when allowed into your life.

The Mark of the Lion series left me completely satisfied – well, except for a deep hunger for more novels authored by Francine Rivers.

If you'd like to know more about this series and other Francine Rivers' books, check out her site:  http://francinerivers.com/books/series/mark-lion 
2 Comments

    What is a book?

    A book is an adventure I'd love to take but know I never will. It can make me feel everything is right in the world. And it can make me want to throw it across the room regardless of what it knocks over. A book can make me laugh and cry. It makes me realize no matter what I'm going through, someone somewhere is in a much worse predicament
    than me. 
    My all-time favourite book
     is the Book of Ruth 
    in the Bible.
    Anita Mae Draper

    Picture

    Picture

    Archives

    October 2013
    July 2013
    August 2012
    March 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011

    Categories

    All
    Abingdon
    Anthology
    Autism
    Bad Boy Hero
    Barbour Publishing
    Bethany House
    Biblical
    Blacksmith
    Book Review
    British Hero
    Christmas
    Concubine Heroine
    Disfigurement
    Disinherited
    Doctor Hero
    Dry Creek
    Early Christians
    England
    Gladiator Hero
    Historical
    Historical Romance
    Inky Members
    Inspirational
    King Hero
    Lawman Hero
    Lawman Heroine
    Librarian Heroine
    Love Inspired
    Love Inspired Historical
    Love Inspired Suspense
    Marriage-of-convenience
    Medieval
    Merchant Hero
    Montana
    Multi-year
    New Jersey
    Nurse Heroine
    Old Testament
    Preacher's Daughter Heroine
    Prostitution
    Rancher Hero
    Rancher Heroine
    Regency
    Rescue Society
    Resort
    Romance
    Scent
    Scotland
    Series
    Sheriff Hero
    Sheriff Heroine
    Slave Hero
    Slave Heroine
    Society Heroine
    Soldier Hero
    Speech Impediment
    Summerside Press
    Teenager
    Texas
    Texas Ranger
    Titled Hero
    Whitefire Printing
    Widower

    RSS Feed

Created on Weebly  - Copyright Anita Mae Draper 2011-2024
​