Book Review

THE 'MARK OF THE LION' SERIES

 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

These books, in my humble opinion, are some of Francine Rivers' best work. They're so well written and brimming with subtle christian messages and ideals, tackling tricky christian and modern issues under the pre-text of fiction.

Set in the fall of Jerusalem, it tells the story of a young early christian girl who flees from death into slavery. The girls presence in the family that buy her, acts as a catalyst- destroying preconceptions, roman values, views on faith, views on love. Though it's set thousands of years ago, it's a book that speaks very much to the attitudes and thoughts of today's world, and into the hearts of those who read it.

Hadassah- the main character and christian slave girl- is such an inspiring character, I am in awe of whoever was able to dream her up! However, when we first encounter her, she is as far from a heroine as possible, a mere weak and feeble child. But this is the beauty of Rivers' writing- whilst Hadassah's faith is crumbling as the romans destroy and kill those around her, and she questions God's role in such horror, she is relatable to so many people today. People who only seem to encounter God as a man outside to blame for pain, death, and failure.

But through suffering comes strength. Rivers builds up Hadassah's character and faith in equal measure, and we are witness to a fantastic display of courage and a great example of trusting in God to all extents, even when stepping the line between life and death. It gives us hope, that we can grow in faith and strength just as Hadassah did.

Now, it wouldn't be a Francine Rivers book without a thread of romance; and so enter:

Marcus- He is the eldest son and, like Hadassah, begins as less of a hero than you might think. He is not the stead-fast, strong, hard and honest, humble christian man that Michael Hosea is in 'Redeeming Love'- no, Marcus has a string of girls and a mind focused on making money, recieiving his inheritance and living life only on his terms. When he meets Hadassah, he encounters the God she believes in and things start to change. Only inside him. He has no room for God, and yet his heart yearns after Hadassah, and an unbelievable romance develops until even he is forced to question God's role and existence.

Asides from the two main characters, there are a string of subplots as different people involve themselves in Hadassah's life. Julia, Marcus' sister, and their relationship is very much a focus in the book, her life a sad tale that winds up and down throughout the series in an irregular and exciting manner. Atretes is a German who was taken from his life by the Romans as Hadassah was, and though for the main part of the series the two slaves lives rarely meet, his story is one that develops intently in the last book.
Essentially, Francine Rivers had the premis for an amazing book, and was able to manipulate and twist such a story into an epic christian narrative. It contains so many lessons, so many tearful, joyful and wonderful moments, that yes, I have no bad thing to say about it.

 Favourite Quote:

 "Christ forgave the crimminals sins, but did not take him down from the cross."

-A Voice in the Wind, Book One.