As Sure as the Dawn: The Mark of the Lion, Book 3

Wow. I just finished this one, #3 of the trilogy. Although each of the books could stand alone, I was enriched by beginning with the 1st and going all the way through the series in order. I have a new appreciation of the brutality and horror of the gladitorial arenas and the torturous training endured to be able to fight in them. Counterbalancing all that was the sweet acceptance and gentle love offered by a former slave girl who served the superficial, pleasure-seeking Julia. I was enriched by the stories of all the characters.

I stumbled across this series almost 20 years ago, and I am still reading them to this day, this book especially. I have read the first two at least a hundred times, but Atretes and Rizpah's story is just so particularly beautiful, and I have read it at least an additional fifty times on top of the others. There is so much anger in Atretes, and the way that he slowly comes around to peace and God really is just beautiful. More than that though, the story is just so haunting and captivating.The fear of the unknown, the struggle with temptation, the danger offered by Rome, and those who would see Atretes back in the arena. I also am just heartbroken each time as it is made clear over and over that actions have consequences. Nobody gets off unscathed, least of all those who make decisions outside of God's will.I read this book again just the other day, and there is a very good chance that I'll still be reading it 30 years from now. It is a timeless masterpiece of struggle and love, and it was just so beautifully written!

Excellent

Great!

love

Loved it.

My wife reads many historical fantasy novels and authors. We have met quite a few of them at signings and national events. I am merely her official “photographer and book obtainer”, so I really don’t know anything about what I have ordered and she has read. I have had to build extra shelves in our home to accommodate the vast library she has acquired and read. One shelf is about to break from the many hard backs she has stacked on it. I foresee our den being compared to Lord Grantham’s Library eventually. Rolling Ladders and high back chairs with a butler just through the next door. She only reads books from her favorite authors and favorites from her reading group at work. So, if I have composed a review for a book on amazon like this one, I can assure you she has read it and enjoyed it and heavily discussed it with her group of co-workers. Consider this a recommendation by my wife for an excellent and enjoyable read.

Rivers completes her Mark of the Lion trilogy by further developing the character of Atretes who was pivotal in the life of Julia in book 2. Like the first two in the series, the historical setting of ancient Rome and its surrounding regions is vivid and engaging. Against this backdrop, freed gladiator Atretes seeks to set up an elaborate home for his beloved Julia only to find nothing but betrayal. Into his subsequent depression and mounting anger arrives gentle Rizpah and her fatherless child. The path that follows takes these very different people into the wilds of Germania on a quest for home, hope, and happiness in a way that will leave the reader satisfied.

Loved this one, found it brought together a lot of the loose ends in Aretes' story in a clever way with all the added benefits of a Francine Rivers classic; strong likable leads, exceptional writing style, strong biblical foundation, enthralling romance, and incredibly thought-provoking stuff. Again I really enjoyed this one and found it to be a much more fulfilling experience than the preceding books, especially since the light showed itself too strong for the darkness unlike in the previous books which I felt were a little overwhelming (funny since Redeeming Love, possibly my favourite work of fiction, also has very dark themes).

Francine Rivers is excellent at painting a scene and developing very believable characters, she really is a master story teller and with the added dimension of wisdom in conveying spiritual truths these Mark of the Lion books are truely inspiring classics which can impact you in a very deep way as it has me. Although "As Sure As The Dawn" is a bit longwinded in places it all makes sense eventually and gives a vital perspective to the amazing events that unfold when the characters reach Germania...WOW!. I love the characters i love the story of uncompromising faith, so wonderfully challenging. One of the BEST FICTIONAL SERIES ive ever read.!!!!!

I loved this book, I could hardly put it down. The story is really well written and well paced, and the characters are so real; so human.

Brilliant book.... the third in this series.The first two equally as good.I wish I had found this author years ago ...so glad I have found her now.The book is so well researched...each character well written and the storyline believable.Brilliant

I just love the Mark of the Lion series. They are so inspiring and Francine Rivers has done such a wonderful job of bringing the truth of God's Word to her readers. God has blessed her with a wonderful talent and she has used it to the full in bringing the good news of the Gospel to all who read these books. I have read all 3 books several times and will no doubt do so again. I'm only sorry there are not more books in the series.