Amy | Foxy Blogs's Reviews > A Voice in the Wind
A Voice in the Wind (Mark of the Lion, #1)
by
Listening Length: 21 hours 29 minutes.
LOVED THIS EPIC BOOK
A popular question that gets asked when someone reads a book by a Christian author is- is this book religious? A simple one word answer would be, “Yes.� It’s written by a Christian writer about a biblical time period. It has biblical principles throughout the story. The story takes place 40 years after Jesus was persecuted. Being a Christian was a scary thing during that time period because if you were found out that meant you would be fed to the lions as entertainment for the Romans.
To understand A VOICE IN THE WIND it is important to know a little bit about the four major characters in the story.
Hadassah: her family is killed and she's taken from her home and put into slavery. She was born a Jew (being a Jew is both a Nationality and religion) and no one suspects that she is a Christian. She's seen as a non threat because of her plain looks but it’s her inner beauty that draws people to her. She's also Julia’s faithful, humble, and obedient servant.
Marcus Valarian: is a wealthy man in his early 20’s. In our modern world we would consider him a manwhore because he has a different woman all the time. He is very handsome and has an air of confidence about himself.
Julia Valerian: Marcus’s teenage sister. She’s spoiled, selfish, and vain. Her outer beauty is the envy of many women and catches the eyes of many men.
Atretas: a warrior in his country he is taken and made into a gladiator. He’s treated like an animal; caged and forced to fight and kill to stay alive. All this is done for the entertainment of the Romans. He’s fueled by his hatred of Romans and what they’ve done by taking him from his homeland.

The beginning of this story is not what will draw you to it. It's like reading the Old Testament where you are learning about the history of what is happening. Once you get past that part... the story takes off. So, if you start the book and feel like maybe this isn't for you because it drags a little just know once you are about a fifth of the way into the book you'll have a hard time putting it down.
My all-time favorite book is Redeeming Love which happens to be by this author. I was asked if this book surpasses Redeeming Love as my favorite. Here’s the thing, RL is pure romance...about one couple. While AVITW is about several people and it’s filled with so much scandal that my jaded self loved it. But I can’t pick which one I love more because it feels like picking a favorite kid and who does that?!
But don’t let the words “Christian fiction� hold you back from giving this book a try. This book has: manwhores, backstabbers, murderers, gladiators, schemers, aborters, forbidden romance, and the list goes on.
SERIES:
A continuing story.
by

Amy | Foxy Blogs's review
bookshelves: donum, 2015-books, 2015-5-stars, lendable, 2021-5-stars, 2021-books, audible, headphones, 2024-books, 2024-rereads
May 01, 2015
bookshelves: donum, 2015-books, 2015-5-stars, lendable, 2021-5-stars, 2021-books, audible, headphones, 2024-books, 2024-rereads
Read 3 times. Last read August 18, 2024 to August 19, 2024.
Listening Length: 21 hours 29 minutes.
LOVED THIS EPIC BOOK
A popular question that gets asked when someone reads a book by a Christian author is- is this book religious? A simple one word answer would be, “Yes.� It’s written by a Christian writer about a biblical time period. It has biblical principles throughout the story. The story takes place 40 years after Jesus was persecuted. Being a Christian was a scary thing during that time period because if you were found out that meant you would be fed to the lions as entertainment for the Romans.
To understand A VOICE IN THE WIND it is important to know a little bit about the four major characters in the story.
Hadassah: her family is killed and she's taken from her home and put into slavery. She was born a Jew (being a Jew is both a Nationality and religion) and no one suspects that she is a Christian. She's seen as a non threat because of her plain looks but it’s her inner beauty that draws people to her. She's also Julia’s faithful, humble, and obedient servant.
Marcus Valarian: is a wealthy man in his early 20’s. In our modern world we would consider him a manwhore because he has a different woman all the time. He is very handsome and has an air of confidence about himself.
Julia Valerian: Marcus’s teenage sister. She’s spoiled, selfish, and vain. Her outer beauty is the envy of many women and catches the eyes of many men.
Atretas: a warrior in his country he is taken and made into a gladiator. He’s treated like an animal; caged and forced to fight and kill to stay alive. All this is done for the entertainment of the Romans. He’s fueled by his hatred of Romans and what they’ve done by taking him from his homeland.

The beginning of this story is not what will draw you to it. It's like reading the Old Testament where you are learning about the history of what is happening. Once you get past that part... the story takes off. So, if you start the book and feel like maybe this isn't for you because it drags a little just know once you are about a fifth of the way into the book you'll have a hard time putting it down.
My all-time favorite book is Redeeming Love which happens to be by this author. I was asked if this book surpasses Redeeming Love as my favorite. Here’s the thing, RL is pure romance...about one couple. While AVITW is about several people and it’s filled with so much scandal that my jaded self loved it. But I can’t pick which one I love more because it feels like picking a favorite kid and who does that?!
But don’t let the words “Christian fiction� hold you back from giving this book a try. This book has: manwhores, backstabbers, murderers, gladiators, schemers, aborters, forbidden romance, and the list goes on.
SERIES:



A continuing story.
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Reading Progress
May 1, 2015
–
Started Reading
May 1, 2015
– Shelved
May 1, 2015
– Shelved as:
to-read
May 1, 2015
– Shelved as:
donum
May 1, 2015
–
15.0%
"Even though the story is set in biblical times...it reminds me of the holocaust. Goes to show history repeats itself.
"

May 2, 2015
–
28.0%
""It's understandable that he has adopted the philosophy of 'Live for today, for tomorrow you die.'"
Looks like our generation wasn't the only one following the YOLO philosophy."

Looks like our generation wasn't the only one following the YOLO philosophy."
May 4, 2015
–
48.0%
""...it felt as though they were trying to rip me apart so they could take the pieces home with them."
"When they have their idol in arm's reach, they get a little excited."

HOLY SMOKES...that whole scene seemed right out of modern day when fans go crazy over a famous person"
"When they have their idol in arm's reach, they get a little excited."

HOLY SMOKES...that whole scene seemed right out of modern day when fans go crazy over a famous person"
May 5, 2015
–
77.0%
""Remember what I taught you... You have many things yet to experience as you grow into the person I know you will be. Everything will be revealed to you in time."

GAH!! I've hated this person from the first time we met them. Very conniving"

GAH!! I've hated this person from the first time we met them. Very conniving"
May 6, 2015
–
92.0%
"'He hated her so much he could taste the bile of it in his mouth, feel the rush of it heating his blood.'
ME TOO"

ME TOO"
May 6, 2015
– Shelved as:
2015-books
May 6, 2015
– Shelved as:
2015-5-stars
May 6, 2015
– Shelved as:
lendable
May 6, 2015
–
Finished Reading
October 7, 2021
–
Started Reading
October 9, 2021
– Shelved as:
2021-5-stars
October 9, 2021
– Shelved as:
2021-books
October 9, 2021
– Shelved as:
audible
October 9, 2021
– Shelved as:
headphones
October 9, 2021
–
Finished Reading
August 18, 2024
–
Started Reading
August 18, 2024
– Shelved as:
2024-books
August 18, 2024
– Shelved as:
2024-rereads
August 19, 2024
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 65 (65 new)
message 1:
by
Ash
(new)
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rated it 5 stars
May 01, 2015 11:12AM

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Eeeeee!!! Soooo good! You were totally right, Ashley �
thanks for chatting on my statuses with me...love that :)


Thanks, Kim... � I love this manwhore...he's very arrogant. LOL

Thank you, Piper �
Ha ha! I have that too-> the never ending TBR list! :) #bookwormprobs
Yea, it leaves you shocked at the end. I'm so glad the series is complete because I'd be going nuts right now. Hard to believe it's been over 20 years since this was published.

Thank you, Evyt �
YAY!! Glad to have another RL lover as a friend!! �

Eeeeee!!! Soooo good! You were totally right, Ashley �
thanks for chatting on my statuses with me...love that :)"
I love being right :) haha especially when it has to do with awesome books. I love your review!! Christian literature doesnt always means cute and light. This series...FR in general just...amazing at getting you to really think.

Your review is so good, I read it TWICE. Like a second helping of delicious

or something...
PERFECTLY and so beautifully, BEAUTIFULLY said!! Thanks for BRing this with me. I couldn't think of a better friend to read this one with. I love how much you appreciate this story. I only wish I had less going on so I could have kept up! �

Thank you, Christy � xoxo

"
Thank you so much, Ashley � *mwah* you were so right! LOL

Thank you, Vrsha � :)
I wonder if you read Redeeming Love...that's one of her most popular books. Such a beautiful story. xoxo

:) hows the 2nd book coming along? theres some pretty intense stuff that happens in that series. and heart wrenching...jeez.

Thank you, Dusti �
I had to start the next book right away! I couldn't let it end like it did. lol

Your review is so good, I read it TWICE. Like a second helping of delicious
BEAUTIFULLY said!! Thanks for BRing this with me. I couldn't think of a be..."
awe, KC, I'm humbled by your words.

Thank you for the book and br with me. Had you NOT encouraged me to read it I don't know if I would have gotten around to it. It's been a true gift to share the love of this authors work with such a great friend.

thank you, Stacey �
If I was to recommend a Francine Rivers book to a romance reader I would recommend- Redeeming Love. It's a standalone and focuses more on one couple.