Status
Available
Collection
Description
Francine Rivers is winner of the ECPA Gold Medallion and many other awards. Her inspirational novels move the hearts and souls of millions of readers. Following A Voice in the Wind (K1069), An Echo in the Darkness is the second book in her remarkable saga set in ancient Rome. As a Roman trader grieves over a lost slave woman, he begins to learn about the faith that gave her enough strength to face death.
Publication
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (2002), Edition: Anniversary, 461 pages
Series
Awards
RITA Award (Finalist — Inspirational Romance — 1995)
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User reviews
LibraryThing member ruthjoec
Francine Rivers paints a detailed picture of life in the Roman Empire. She gets into who her characters are inside rather than just how they appear on the surface. The book is Christian fiction, in the best sense of the word. The main character is a Christian Jew who is taken captive when Jerusalem
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falls to the Romans. The story is very much about how her faith effects her life and the lives of those around her, and it is shown not by sermon snippets but by her actions. I highly recommend the book. Much of what is sold as Christian fiction couldn't be sold to those without faith because the stories are trite and the dialogue preachy. This book could be enjoyed even by someone who didn't care a bit about religion Show Less
LibraryThing member reeread
Hadassah, a female Jewish slave, has been thrown to lions. She is rescued and nursed back to health by Alexander, a doctor. She works in partnership with him and becomes known as "Rapha" or healer. Her faith in God gives her care an added dimension which people respect and revere.
Marcus Valerian, a
Marcus returns to Ephesus and finds his sister, Julia, terminally ill and penniless, and brings her into his house.
Ultimately, Hadassah ends up nursing Julia, the person responsible for sending Hadassah to her supposed death, while Marcus continues to grieve for his lost love, not realising she is the one who tends to Julia.
An encouraging story of faith and forgiveness.
Marcus Valerian, a
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Roman, who wanted to marry Hadassah before she was thrown to the lions, believes she is dead and goes on a quest to Palestine to find Hadassah's God. Marcus returns to Ephesus and finds his sister, Julia, terminally ill and penniless, and brings her into his house.
Ultimately, Hadassah ends up nursing Julia, the person responsible for sending Hadassah to her supposed death, while Marcus continues to grieve for his lost love, not realising she is the one who tends to Julia.
An encouraging story of faith and forgiveness.
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LibraryThing member letseatgrandpa
I read the book in less than 48 hours. It was nice not having to spend the first third of the book trying to learn the characters. Other than the introduction of a doctor and a few ancillary characters, the cast remained the same. It was easy to plow right through, and I was just as invested in the
Then I got to the ending which was The Most Felicitous Ending In The History Of Books Ever. And that kind of made me frustrated. Life, especially the Christian life in ancient Rome, was not nearly as tidy as this book made it out to be. Rivers took “And they lived happily ever after” to a level never before reached by someone other than Walt Disney.
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characters as I was in the first book. The most compelling part of this book, easily, is Marcus’s trip to Judea. He aches to discover the God who would kill the woman he loved. His quest is heart-breaking — Rivers really captures what it’s like to be angry and searching and broken, and then to find redemption but still have a significant journey ahead. Marcus’s progression through Hadassah’s homeland is truly incredible. Then I got to the ending which was The Most Felicitous Ending In The History Of Books Ever. And that kind of made me frustrated. Life, especially the Christian life in ancient Rome, was not nearly as tidy as this book made it out to be. Rivers took “And they lived happily ever after” to a level never before reached by someone other than Walt Disney.
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LibraryThing member Lynngood
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.
LibraryThing member HELLOKITTYISPRETTY
2nd book in the series but more of a journey whereas the first book was more action. Still love this series.
LibraryThing member silva_44
This story is so incredibly moving; I enjoyed every minute!
LibraryThing member Danielle.Montgomery
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
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.
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
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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.
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LibraryThing member pluto6490
This was just as good as the first book. I had a hard time putting it down. What a great mix of an adventure and biblical truths. I would and have recommended this series to everyone that I know.
LibraryThing member GrannyNanny
This series is incredible! This second book is just as good if not better than the first. The author captures that time period so well. The characters are so real you don't want the story to end!
LibraryThing member LoftyIslanders
the story of Julia and Hadassah continued and showed the results of the choices they have each made and the paths those choices led each on. It was a true coming of age story that is so similar to what is happening in todays world. In Julia's world of pleasure and me me me her choices lead to
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unhappiness, loneliness yet Hadassah serves with a willing and loving heart and even survives the areana! I was very well told. enjoyed the discussions it lead to with my seventeen year old son. Show Less
LibraryThing member hobbitprincess
This is the second in the Mark of the Lion series. A dear friend loaned this to me, so I feel bound to finish the trilogy. It's ok, but I feel it's a bit preachy. Still, the characters almost seem to be caracatures, not realistic. There is also an angel figure that appears briefly. I understand
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Rivers's goal in writing this, to bring her readers closer to Christ. I am afraid, however, that she has made it seem like all Christians are perfect, have powers that non-Christians don't have, and have angels appear to lead them to Christ. In my experience, it doesn't happen that way. The story itself picks up more than it did in the first one, although it did seem a bit draggy in spots. Show Less
LibraryThing member HeatherLINC
Often the second novel in a trilogy suffers from middle-book syndrome where it lacks depth and purpose. An Echo in the Darkness definitely defies this complaint. I was captivated from the first to the last page as I continued following the lives of Hadassah, Marcus, Julia and Phoebe. A beautiful
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and moving story - loved it! Show Less
LibraryThing member leah152
Another great read from Francine Rivers! It was a bit stop & start cos I've been a bit tired but I enjoyed it nonetheless :O)
LibraryThing member EstherFilbrun
After reading the first book in this series, I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next! This book was a surprising read, in some respects, but also a deeply redemptive one. Watching characters choose the hard road of forgiveness over hate was powerful, and the historical context was
There was much to love and appreciate in this story, and for that, I’m grateful. I’m planning to read the last book in the series as soon as I can, even though I’m not sure how many other books I want to read from Francine Rivers. She is a talented author, and I greatly enjoy her style and ways of showing Biblical truth and history through the medium of story, but some of the descriptions of sin are borderline too much for me at times (thankfully, no instances appear condoning of said sin—and rarely is there more than a mention of it—but it is a common occurrence in these books).
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striking, especially considering the perspective the Bible gives on certain places that feature in this book. Content-wise, I was a little disappointed at some of the sin that was mentioned in the book—although overall, it felt like a cleaner read than the first book in the series.There was much to love and appreciate in this story, and for that, I’m grateful. I’m planning to read the last book in the series as soon as I can, even though I’m not sure how many other books I want to read from Francine Rivers. She is a talented author, and I greatly enjoy her style and ways of showing Biblical truth and history through the medium of story, but some of the descriptions of sin are borderline too much for me at times (thankfully, no instances appear condoning of said sin—and rarely is there more than a mention of it—but it is a common occurrence in these books).
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LibraryThing member classyhomemaker
Just read this for the first time in 8 years! I love this series and was really encouraged by the character of Hadassah. I'm feeling bolder about sharing my own faith after reading about her sharing hers! Truly a masterpiece series!!
(Mine has the original cover art...different from the one pictured
(Mine has the original cover art...different from the one pictured
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here.) Show Less