Mark of the Lion Series

[Ashley]

Ok, this is the last new thread I'll make over here today, promise (what can I say, I'm a bookworm at heart). Gypsy lent me the first volume last year and I fell in love with it--ended up with the triology for Christmas from aforementioned gypsy girl.

Story is this: Hadassah is a jewish captive at the fall of the Jerusalem and is taken to Rome to serve under a prominent Roman family. Eventually she makes a huge impact on each member, and even a gladiator from Germany named Artorius. Anyway, if you couldn't tell I'm an avid fan of historical fiction. I will say this as well: I have been reading since I was 4 and in all that time, this is arguably one of the best books I have ever read. Ever. If the story alone wasn't great, it also had a major impact on my spiritual life as well. For you fruits basket fans, imagine Tohru Honda as a Christian slave girl in Rome and you've got a picture of Hadassah. Moved me to tears, really.

Ok, so now that you're going to buy the book, for those of you that read it, let's talk about that too. Favorite characters? Favorite book? Favorite moments? What'd you like? What didn't you like? Et cetera.

[Kokhiri Sojourn]

Ooh... I read A Voice in the Wind, and An Echo in the Darkness, but not As Sure as the Dawn. And yeah, I am a guy, and don't really know any other guys that have read it, but I read the first two in less than a week. Quite addicting and very well written.

It's been a long time, so I don't remember all of the characters names, but I really liked seeing Hadassah's weakness in her own mind, and constant failing to be a witness to her owners, yet all the while they were seeing Christ in her. I thought it showed well that God works though sinners that aren't always as strong as iron, but as frail as a leaf. In the same respect, when she finally just confessed her faith in Christ, she was freed from her burdens and reserves. Wonderful to see.

I also loved the development in Marcus. So many of the little things were so fascinating to me, such as the depravity of all the cities, the depraved characters and the effects they had on others, Julia's spiral into sin and her mother's redemption, I can't even remember it all. I loved the first book, but think of them more as one, because I read them at the same time.

Anyway, yeah, great books, even if they are aimed at girls.

[LaChica07]

I love this series, it is awesome...my favorite character was Hadassah haha, and its been a while since I've read it so I'm not sure which moments I liked the best...i liked all three, hard to say my favorite....i really liked the story and the depth to it...its definitely on up there on my list :c)

[Kokhiri Sojourn]

It's cool that the Mark of the Lion fanclub is up to three members. In coming back to this thread I thought about Ashley's original questions, and I think I'll jot down some of my favorite moments in the story, or, at least ones that come to mind.

I recall distinctly at the beginning of the story when Jerusalem was being pillaged and destroyed being very drawn in to the story. From that point on, Hadassah began developing, viewing herself as theweakest in the family, but paradoxically, the one that survived. That was the first moment that drew me in to the book (the beginning - go figure!).

One point that also stands out is the grace and love that Hadassah showed to Julia, even when Julia was treating her like trash. She always remained true to her and served her faithfully, despite Julia's harshness. I think that in this, one thing that I admire in Hadassah is her humility. She never thought much of herself, but moreso thought of her earthly masters and how she could show the gospel to them, even though she thought she was doing a poor job, the light of Christ, shone forth. I think that is much more of a realistic portrayal of evangelism, because more often than not, it seems like we always fail in how we are trying to live and show Christ to others, yet God still chooses to use us - sinners - in many cases, to show His grace and love to others, like Hadassah in this story.

There are many others, but I'll leave it at that, and see if any others post again. Then maybe I'll post some more...