Mark of the Lion : A Voice in the Wind, An Echo in the Darkness, As Sure As the Dawn (Vol 1-3) [Paperback]

Francine Rivers (Author)

Book Description

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

This classic series has inspired nearly two million readers. Both loyal fans and new readers will want the latest edition of this beloved series. Books in this latest edition include a foreword from the publisher, a preface from Francine Rivers, and discussion questions suitable for personal and group use.

#1 A Voice in the Wind: Torn by her love for a handsome aristocrat, a young slave girl clings to her faith in the living God for deliverance from the forces of decadent Rome.

#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.

#3 As Sure As the Dawn: Atretes. German warrior. Revered gladiator. He won his freedom through his fierceness . . . but his life is about to change forever.

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: 520 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; Anniversary edition (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0842339523
• ISBN-13: 978-0842339520
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 4.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (339 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,289 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #70 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

130 of 135 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, you want the complete trilogy....., October 12, 2004

By 

Chris (Cerritos, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mark of the Lion : A Voice in the Wind, An Echo in the Darkness, As Sure As the Dawn (Vol 1-3) (Paperback)

You could buy these books one at a time, but why? As soon as I finished one, I was immediately reaching for the next. They are that good.

The first book in the series, *A Voice in the Wind*, introduces us to the characters. During the first half, the pace is rather frenetic, and the chapters skip from one character's story to the next. I found it a bit confusing at times. It was an interesting tale, but one I could put down. Halfway through the first book, the characters converge, the tension builds and I was absolutely hooked.

In my opinion, the second book was even better than the first (which is saying a lot -- I LOVED the first book). All of the magic of the first book is found in the second -- and more.

A word of advice: when you read the first book, be sure and read the chapter that is included introducing *An Echo in the Darkness* that follows. I ignored it, thinking that it would be redundant; however, this chapter is NOT included in the sequel, and it VERY important. A quarter of the way into *An Echo in the Darkness*, I went back and read this and it answered a lot of questions!

As soon as I finish writing this review, I will start reading *As Sure as the Dawn*, the final book in this series. I can't wait to discover what happens to Atretes, the German warrior whose story we were introduced to in *A Voice in the Wind*.

All in all, a wonderful, heartwarming and inspiring story. Sparks your imagination of what it would have been like to be a First Century Christian living in Rome and Ephesus.

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life-Changing Fiction (And Fun To Read!), November 11, 2000

By 

mjanke - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mark of the Lion : A Voice in the Wind, An Echo in the Darkness, As Sure As the Dawn (Vol 1-3) (Paperback)

In a short time Francine Rivers has become one of our finest Christian authors, and The Mark Of the Lion Trilogy is her crown jewel. Quite simply, these are my favorite works of fiction, ever. While other authors may sell more books at times, none can WRITE like this woman.

The trilogy's setting is a short time after the resurrection of Christ, in the Roman Empire. Using a Hebrew slave girl (Hadassah) and a German gladiator (Atretes; think the movie Gladiator) as the main characters, three books are crafted with themes of faith, redemption and sacrifice. Rivers is one of the best at writing characters and the ones she creates here are absolutely convincing -- flawed and heroic on multiple layers, with developmental conflicts that relate to modern times almost seemlessly.

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. Do not read this series unless you want to be changed. No other stories have every affected me in such a deep way. Forget the Left Behind series and go invest in a true Christian classic. Five Stars, times three.

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Completely enthralling! The best books I've read in years!!, October 5, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mark of the Lion : A Voice in the Wind, An Echo in the Darkness, As Sure As the Dawn (Vol 1-3) (Paperback)

A friend recommended Francine Rivers' "Mark of the Lion" series to me, and I am so grateful!! I love to read, but it is not often that my life is enriched by a work of fiction. From the very first book I found myself not only engaged, but challenged. Rivers begins by challenging her readers to a life committed to sharing the gospel and living Christ's love, through her main character, Hadassah. The second book takes an honest and powerful look at forgiveness, as God would have us forgive and love those who have hurt us most deeply. Finally, "As Sure As the Dawn" takes us into the heart and mind of an unbeliever who is chained by his anger. As I read of God's work in this man's life, I felt I was seeing an eye-opening perspective of my own life. Each book became so personal to me. The writing and research into each book is absolutely incredible. As a person with degree in English literature, it is so nice to read a book that I don't find myself editing as I read it!! I am certainly a new fan of Francine Rivers, and look forward to reading the rest of her work!