Following A Voice in the Wind and An Echo in the Darkness, As Sure as the Dawn continues the chronilcles of Hadassah, a Christian slave woman living during the height of the Roman Empire.
Download and start listening now!
"3.5 Stars. The first two books in this series blew me away and have earned spots on my shelf of honor, but the final installment fell short for me. This book picks up Atretes' story again from the end of the first book where his path diverged from Hadassah's world. I loved his character in the first book, but in this book his proud, arrogant bullheadedness got really old, really fast. This book really dragged for me in the middle, though it got exciting again toward the end. Whereas the word of God was woven through the first two books through character choices and situations in the plotline, in this book characters spent huge chunks of time rehashing the gospel for new converts, and it just didn't make for the same level of gripping storytelling. I'm glad I finished out the series, and I enjoyed living in the world of an ancient Germannic tribe for a time, but I won't remember and cherish this book as I will the first two."
— Jenny (4 out of 5 stars)
" After reading the reviews I was a bit guarded as I first listened but I quickly grew in my interest of the gladiator and his return to his homeland. Although this book had a new line up of characters, I was riveted to the unfolding story that had twists and turns along the way. I enjoyed the 3 books! Very entertaining. I also was able to reflect on the lives of the early church during the Roman era. "
— Jen Swenson, 9/13/2024" The first two in this series were much better. In fact, they're on my favorites list. I really liked the first half of this book, but the second half - the trek to Germania and time living there - alternated between boring and strange. "
— Laurel, 2/13/2014" A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I couldn't put it down! I highly recommend the entire "Mark of the Lion series"! Francine Rivers is an amazing writer! "
— Maria, 2/13/2014" FABULOUS read! This is the third book in the series. It has different main characters than the first two, but their stories intertwine somewhat. I'll be reccomending this one! "
— Kayla, 2/9/2014" I enjoyed this 3rd book of this great trilogy by Francine Rivers. This one didn't capture my attention quite as much as the first two but I still really liked it. Amazing how God's love and scripture can be applied today just as it was thousands of years ago! "
— Alina, 1/30/2014" was not as good as the first 2 but still amazing at showing God's work and what he is capable of:) "
— Meg, 1/27/2014" 2 1/2 stars? I liked it in spite of myself. I had just finished A Thousand Splendid Suns, which is so well written, and here I was with "tremulous chins" and jaw muscles twitching. But the story is sweeping and carries you along, you never know what is going to happen next, and the author either got better at characterization or my senses were dulled and I stopped cringing quite so often. The research seems solid in comparison with other books of the time period. It is Christian through and through--thought-provoking and interesting. "
— Vilo, 1/14/2014" Again it was the third in the series, not bad, but lacking a bit the wonderful flow the first book in the series had. Still not a bad read. "
— Paula, 1/13/2014" I did like it but maybe two too many "jump the shark" moments for me. I preferred book one and two in the series. "
— Jacqui, 1/12/2014" This was my least favorite of the three. Too much preaching not enough action. "
— Stepher, 12/12/2013" I loved this story all three of them, could not put these books down until they were finished. Beautiful beautiful story, loved it! "
— Paula, 11/15/2013" I hate to say I didn't love this book like I did the first two but I didn't. I was so disappointed that the story didn't continue with the story line of hadassa and Julia. "
— Krista, 10/31/2013" oh, atretes. you had me at hello. "
— Maggie, 10/14/2013" not as good as #1, #2 in series, but still itneresting. "
— Lisa, 9/24/2013" The 1st two in the series are my favorite but this one is still awesome. "
— Amber, 3/16/2013" Only on like page twenty, but already I can tell it won't dissapoint. After all, Atretes is a strong character with a definite story to be told. Can't wait to read on and find out what that story might be. "
— Marybeth, 2/13/2013" Not as good as the first two. Still worth reading Especially if you enjoyed the first two and wish for more story. Enjoyed the main characters but felt she drew it out, realized it, then suddenly ended it. "
— Tracie, 9/10/2012" I've read all three of the books, and I absolutly love all of them. However, I noticed the characters weren't nearly as vibrant and well thought out in the second and third books. Nonetheless, I sill loved them, and I strongly urge anyone who stuggles with their faith to read this. "
— Britny, 9/5/2012" The last of the series, not nearly as good as the first two, but you should still read it. "
— Karing123, 6/11/2012" The best Christian Historical Fiction series ever. You gotta read this. "
— Colleen, 5/16/2012" Love this entire series...presents the Gospel of Christ using characters who reflect our daily lives. I will be looking for more of her books "
— Barbara, 11/27/2011" My favorite Francine Rivers book and I have no words yet to explain how much I love it. "
— Gail, 11/15/2011" The story of a former gladiator coming to grips with his new found faith. It's tested when he returns to his Germanic tribe who practice a pagan faith. Excellent writing on the struggle of faith and being a new Christian at the dawn of the end of the Roman Empire. "
— G, 10/28/2011" Definitely the best of the triology - this was one of those books I carried round the house in the hope of finding a few minutes to read the next part of the story. I loved the way the characters developed and of course, the difference that God made to their choices and behaviour. "
— Alison, 10/2/2011" This book has been amazing, but I give it one less star because I personally didn't relate as well to the characters. Lots of war and blood scenes:) haha. . . and trying to finish! "
— Kayla, 7/16/2011" This series is made up of three of my favorite books ever. I don't buy Christian fiction, as a rule, though I sometimes get them from the library. These I bought. "
— Wanderer, 5/29/2011" These books will suck you in! They will entertain and inspire you. <br/>Enjoy with Greek food! "
— Krystal, 5/26/2011" Just reread these! Roman Empire, fall of Jerusalem, Germania, Gladiators, and Faith. Powerful. "
— Mary, 4/27/2011" Fantastic Series! I highly recommend them all! "
— Robyn, 4/9/2011" Francine Rivers + Historical Fiction = Happy Kate "
— Kate, 3/5/2011" I really enjoyed being taken back to the time of the gladators and really getting a feel for what it was like for Christians in that time... Hadasa challenge me in the ways i would look at life if I had lost everything!... All three books were so hard to put down! "
— Becky, 2/4/2011" So incredible. I've read the first two books twice and the third book once. It's fiction, but it makes you reflect on your own dedication to the cause of Christ due to the faith of the main character Hadassah. LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "
— Kristin, 1/17/2011" I think these qualify as my favorite books of all time. I'm an astute lover of Roman History and also a Christian. These books bring these two loves to life for me...if you are either of these, you will enjoy these books.<br/> "
— Mardi, 1/14/2011" great series- explained things to me in a way that made perfect sense, this series answered some of my own questions about the bible by weaving the explanations into a great story "
— Natasha, 1/12/2011" Fabulous trilogy! Lead to my meeting one of the coolest persons on the planet. "
— Sharon, 1/9/2011" These books are amazing. I was reminded of God's love for me over and over while reading this series. Rivers has an incredible ability to capture the reader's heart. "
— Erin, 1/4/2011" Love the Mark of the Lion series!! "
— Mikki, 12/9/2010Francine Rivers published a number of novels in the general romance market until 1993, when she released her first book in the Christian book market. The Mark of the Lion series has sold half a million copies, and her total book sales are over one million. Since then all of her books have all been bestsellers. She has won numerous awards and was named to the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame in 1997.
Richard Ferrone recorded over 150 audiobooks including thrillers, romances, science fiction, and inspirational novels. He won the prestigious Audie Award and was a finalist for four Audie Awards, including for Best Solo Male Narrator. He was named an AudioFile "Voice of the Last Century" and a "Rising and Shining Star." He earned many AudioFile Earphones Awards, including being named the 2011 Best Voice in Mystery and Suspense as well as the 2009 Best Voice in Science Fiction and Fantasy. A science fiction fan, he narrated Kim Stanley Robinson’s Mars trilogy. He also narrated works by James Patterson, Walter Mosley, John Sandford, Eric Van Lustbader, and Stuart Woods.