An Echo in the Darkness (Mark of the Lion #2) [Paperback]

Francine Rivers (Author)

Book Description

Series: Mark of the Lion | Publication Date: March 1, 1998

This classic series has inspired nearly 2 million readers. Both loyal fans and new readers will want the latest edition of this beloved series. This edition includes a foreword from the publisher, a preface from Francine Rivers and discussion questions suitable for personal and group use.
#2 An Echo in the Darkness: Turning away from the opulence of Rome, Marcus is led by a whispering voice from the past into a journey that could set him free from the darkness of his soul.

Editorial Reviews

About the 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 Christ until later in life, when she was already a wife, a mother of three, and an established romance novelist.

Francine and her husband, Rick, live in Northern California and enjoy the time spent with their three grown children and every opportunity to spoil their grandchildren.

Product Details

• Paperback: 461 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; 10 Anv edition (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0842313079
• ISBN-13: 978-0842313070
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (101 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,418 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #80 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Religious & Inspirational > Historical

More About the 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 Christ until later in life, when she was already a wife, a mother of three, and an established romance novelist. Shortly after becoming a born-again Christian in 1986, Francine wrote "Redeeming Love" as her statement of faith. First published by Bantam Books and then rereleased by Multnomah Publishers in the mid-1990s, this retelling of the biblical story of Gomer and Hosea, set during the time of the California Gold Rush, is now considered by many to be a classic work of Christian fiction. Redeeming Love continues to be one of the Christian Booksellers Association's top-selling titles, and it has held a spot on the Christian best-seller list for nearly a decade. Since "Redeeming Love," Francine has published numerous novels with Christian themes--all best sellers--and she has continued to win both industry acclaim and reader loyalty around the globe. Her Christian novels have been awarded or nominated for numerous honors, including the RITA Award, the Christy Award, the ECPA Gold Medallion, and the Holt Medallion in Honor of Outstanding Literary Talent. In 1997, after winning her third RITA Award for inspirational fiction, Francine was inducted into the Romance Writers of America's Hall of Fame. Francine's novels have been translated into over 20 different languages, and she enjoys best-seller status in many foreign countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, and South Africa. Francine and her husband, Rick, live in northern California and enjoy time spent with their three grown children and taking every opportunity to spoil their grandchildren. Francine uses her writing to draw closer to the Lord, and she desires that through her work she might worship and praise Jesus for all He has done and is doing in her life.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful Story of God's Love and Forgiveness, February 12, 2002

By 

Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: An Echo in the Darkness (Mark of the Lion #2) (Paperback)

It's been a year since the end of A VOICE IN THE WIND. Marcus is feeling restless. His life of pleasure no longer holds any happiness for him. Julia is finding that her friends really don't care for her, and she is fighting an illness that no one seems to be able to cure. Their mother, Phoebe, prays constantly for their salvation. Fortunately, God has not given up on them. And the answer might come from the strange woman hidden in veils who assists the young doctor Alexander at his shop in the poor part of town.

Francine Rivers has once again captured the Roman empire of the 1st century AD. Rome, Ephesus, and Israel come alive with compelling people and small historic details. The theme of God's love and the power of forgiveness are beautifully shown through the lives of these characters. The ending was so powerful, I'm sure it will stay with me for quite some time.

This novel is definitely a sequel to the first book in the series, A VOICE IN THE WIND. Enough of the first book is explained so you won't be lost if you choose to read this one first. However, since you'll ultimately want to read the first one, I recommend starting with it so none of the surprises will be spoiled.

These novels are some of the best Christian fiction I've ever read. If you enjoy a good story with strong characters, you'll want to pick these up and read them today.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Will Change You, September 13, 2001

By 

mjanke - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Echo in the Darkness (Mark of the Lion #2) (Paperback)

Francine Rivers is arguably Christian fiction's finest writer, and THE MARK OF THE LION trilogy is her crown jewel. They are my favorite works of fiction -- ever. While other authors may sell more books at times, none can WRITE like Rivers.

The MARK trilogy is set in the Roman Empire, shortly after the fall of Jerusalem. Using a Hebrew slave girl (Hadassah) and a German gladiator (Atretes; think the film GLADIATOR) as the main characters, three books are crafted around themes of faith, redemption, forgiveness, and sacrifice. Rivers is one of the best at writing characters and those that she creates here are absolutely convincing -- flawed and heroic on multiple layers, with developmental conflicts that relate to and parallel modern times almost seamlessly. AN ECHO IN THE DARKNESS, the middle book of the series, picks up immediately after A VOICE IN THE WIND's climax. Where A VOICE focused mainly on Hadassah and her struggle to stand for her faith, AN ECHO's main conflicts surround the Valerian family (whom Hadassah served) and their responses to the sacrificial price that Hadassah paid. The resulting journeys towards redemption play out wonderfully and, as the book progresses, become more and more moving. Though A VOICE is my favorite of the series, from a literary standpoint AN ECHO is probably the best.

You can read AN ECHO on its own, but you must read A VOICE first, and you might as well order the entire series because once you read one you will have to read them all. These books will not only grab hold of you and demand to be finished but they will challenge you to take your walk with God to a much deeper level. No other novels have ever affected me so profoundly. Forget the LEFT BEHIND series and invest in a true Christian classic. FIVE STARS.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As Good as the First!, June 8, 2006

By 

Monty Rainey (New Braunfels, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: An Echo in the Darkness (Mark of the Lion #2) (Paperback)

It is a rare find when a sequel is as good as the original, but Francine Rivers has succeeded admirably with her second installment of this trilogy in AN ECHO IN THE DARK. After reading the first one, I knew I had to read on, but never expected this book to be as good. I don't read a lot of fiction, but have a strong feeling there will be many books by this superb writer in my future.

God gives us each unique gifts in life, and he gave Francine Rivers the blessed gift of writing. She has recognized her gift and deftly uses it to glorify Christ by witnessing through her stories. I do not believe it is possible to read either of these first books of this trilogy without them strengthening ones faith, or perhaps even altering your life altogether. That's how profound these books truly are.

I don't want to give away too much of the story, but readers here will most likely have already the first installment, so I will say that Rivers will make your heart ache for Hadassah's identity to be revealed, only to keep your incessantly turning page after page, mired in anguish and crying out for her precious soul to be rewarded. Throughout this book, as in the first, your emotions will run high as you smile, you cry, you rejoice in the glory of God as others accept His salvation.

I anxiously await the third and final installment in this trilogy, as well as exploring other works by this author. God has blessed Francine Rivers with a wonderful gift. I urge everyone to partake in that gift.

Pastor Monty Rainey