Another interesting read by Francine Rivers...Again many lessons learned!A few thoughts from things I read...I'll try not to use names so I don't give away plots... ;)**There is a discussion between two characters, about why God would allow a servant of His to be killed while being faithful to Him..."If a centurion ordered a legionnaire to go into battle, would he not go?" The other character relpies "x wasn't a soldier", (and here it is.... the line that struck me!) "Wasn't she? Rome builds armies to take land and people captive, to expand the boundaries of the Empire to the farthest reached of the known world. But X was a soldier in another kind of army, one that fight a spiritual battle to free the human heart. And in that war, GOD'S will prevails."Those are such strong words, and so true! It's the reason we're here! To do His will, and serve Him! We wouldn't question commands given to us if we were in the armed forces- we would carry out our orders without question, why is it so hard to do the same when it comes to matters of the heart? Our instruction manual is laid out, 66 books worth!** Another line that spoke volumes to me... a character is cursing God, convinced that He can't possibly exsist, and the response to him is "How is it possible to hold such anger against something you don't believe in?" How indeed? And yet it happens! When I share the truth with people they are either open to it, or they get angry about it! Why is that!? If it's not true, made up like a fairytale- why do they get so passionate!? They don't get angry when they read about cinderella or snow white do they??** This next line, was interesting to me, and I'm not quite sure what I think about it... Character A is praying for Character B (an unbeliever), and has the thought that B is blind and deaf to the truth (agreed) but goes on "She was ignorant. Did one reprove a blind woman for her inability to see? Did one become angry with the deaf for not hearing?" And I'm not sure what to think... because ignorance of the law is not inocence of it... I can see not becoming angry, but are we to just ignore the sin, because they don't know better? I'm not sure I follow this!**And my final thought, a part of the book that really spoke to me, because I often struggle with forgiving things in my past. I feel that I have, but then I get angry again...A character in the book is struggling with forgiveness and says that God asks too much, and here is the response that was like a slap in the face to me... "Does he? Jesus forgave the men who drove the nails into his hands and feet. HE forgave the disciples for deserting him. Aren't we all like that? Fallible. Afraid. Weak in our faith. And still Jesus loves us and points the way to real freedom and what it means, God forgave you in order that you forgive."WOW!! What can I say!? He forgives us over and over, and then casts our sins as far as the east is from the west! Why do I struggle with it so much? Why even after I feel I've forgiven do I recall the things? Why can't I cast them away!?
Let me start by saying, "WOW, This is one of the best, most moving books I have ever read in my entire life!"An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers is an absolute masterpiece. The story picks directly at the ending of the first book. Hadassah, now very disfigured, covers herself from head to toe in veils and does God's work as a healer, working tirelessly with Alexander, the physician who helped God save her from the arena. She sees patient after patient, day after day. And all the while, she tries to open Alexander's eyes to the wonder that is Christ. Eventually, Hadassah learns of the all consuming illness Julia has contracted and knows that God is leading her back to Julia in order to continue her work trying to make Julia understand the salvation God can offer regardless of her past transgressions. All the while, Marcus is consumed with bitterness at the loss of Hadassah as he doesn't know she's still alive. He refuses to speak with Julia and no longer enjoys the pull of Rome or anything else in life. To find the truth about God, he travels to all the places Hadassah has ever set foot, yet he still finds no salvation, until one night, after attempting to drown himself, he is rescued by a man and told the Good News again. He knows now that God wants him to return to Ephesus in order that he may forgive Julia for her sin against him just as God has forgiven him his own sins. What I Liked: THE WHOLE THING! From start to finish, I was totally enraptured. I shed a few tears but I also felt like jumping for joy. The emotional pull Mrs. Rivers exerts is absolutely astounding. Through the whole book, you are rooting for everyone to be able to find the salvation they need and to be able to see God as clearly as Hadassah. Yet you also see the vulnerability of believers, those who's faith isn't strong but whom strive to be stronger. You also feel the frustration, as Hadassah tries to import God's message as people hear the words yet don't understand the deeper meaning of what she's really trying to impart. I was very much in love with all the events in the book and how strong Hadassah is, as her faith never wavers. This series has made me a stronger believer. Thank you, Francine. What I Didn't Like: Not a single thing. I encourage everyone, young or old, man or woman, regardless of religion, to read this book. It will move you and show you the goodness of one young woman who touched the lives of so many. And through them, the lives of even more people. A wonderful, awe inspiring, belief strengthening book.
What do You think about An Echo In The Darkness (1998)?
This is the second book in the Mark of the Lion trilogy by Francine Rivers. Books 1 and 2 are much more closely related; Book 3 expands on the story of a minor character from Book 1. I absolutely loved this book, and Marcus's journey and struggle in finding his faith is both frustrating and beautiful. I won't give away any spoilers, but I distinctly remember reading this on the T in Boston and missing my stop because I was so enthralled and wrapped up in the story of Marcus's journey. This is definitely Christian fiction, though, and the author makes a very clear distinction between the behaviors of her Christian and non-Christian characters...almost to a fault. She is very black and white on that issue, which will turn off some readers. There really aren't any characters that are likeable and non-Christian, but it's her prerogative I suppose. I HIGHLY recommend these two books. I could take or leave Book 3 as a part of the trilogy, but it's still an interesting read.
—Mandy
This is a fantastic series. I am flying through it. I love the history. The plot is very interesting and the biblical aspect is interesting, not evasive. Most of this book takes place in Ephesus which is in what we now call Turkey.The focus is on the characters, Julia, Marcus, Phoebe and Hadassah. It picks up immediately after the end of A Voice in the Wind.This is the 3rd book I've read by Rivers and all three of them have been great.I had to go to the library today to get As Sure as the Dawn so I can continue on. This is a rare occurrance. When I'm more interested in my book than my IPAD, you know I love the book.The characters become personal. I think about them during the day. Strange but true.Even though this is considered a Christian oriented book, it is not intimidating. The story is so good and the infusion of biblical quotes and teaching flows very nicely. It is very educational.Love love love this series.
—Kellie
The only reason why I got as far into this book before quiting is because I was listening to the audio version during my commute. Even then I could only stand the first 4 (of 12) cd's before it was ejected out of my stereo. I didn't know that this was the 2nd in a series, but I don't think that had anything to do with me not liking the book. There was more than enough exposition to get a handle on the people & their interconnections. I knew 1/2 way through the first chapter that the woman Marcus pined for was alive. The historical inaccuracies I could get past, but the blatant demonizing of anyone not Christian I could not. While I did know that this would be a novel about historical Christianity, I did not know that the author had such an ax to grind. The 3 books of the sires could have been condensed into 1 w/out the re-hashing of biblical stories we all know. The Christians in the story were kind to a fault, loving & perfect examples of human beings. All of the Roman non-Christian characters were mere caricature sin & depravity. They were physically/emotionally ill, thieves, murderers, rapists, loveless & completely unable to form any kind of functional relationships with others. One even seemed to be suffering a physical illness as a result of her previous sins. How Christian is that? The only exception was those who were obviously going to become Christian before the end of the book. The author made her proselytizing point with a literary sledgehammer. When she got to describing the Jews, the book took on an anti-semitic tone. Perhaps she redeemed herself in future chapters, but that was as far as I could get.
—Gina
