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Summary: A COMPELLING MASTERPIECE
Review: The year is 70 A.D. A Christian teenaged-girl named Hadassah, (who is the only one left of her family at the fall of Jerusalem) is taken to Rome. Sold as a slave, she is to serve the wealthy Valerian family. The Valerians are having problems of their own. The parents, Pheobe and Decimus are very traditional but their children Marcus and Julia embrace all the plesures of Rome. Hadassah is torn by her faith: she wants to share it's wonders and love with her new family, but cannot find the courage to do so. Also, Atretes has been captured from Germania and is brought to Rome as a gladiator. As their lives intertwine, they will face problems that will change who they are and what they believe in.Francine Rivers has truly created a masterpiece. The characters are so real and believable. The plot is remarkable, and the detail given to ancient Rome makes history come alive. I call this an inspirational, dramatic-historical love novel. The way that the author shows the love of God is beautiful. I give this book 5 stars. It's a must-read, and I can't say enough about it. It's an amazing story that captivates you and touches your heart. It changes you as a person, it makes you think, and that's what I call worthy liturature. I give it my full recomendation, which is reserved for very few books.
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Summary: The most inspiring novel I have ever read, bar none!
Review: Let me set the record straight. "A Voice in the Wind" is Christianity. It is history. It is romance. It is action. It is about people, and how they are interacting in arena of Ancient Rome. It displays all kinds of people. It brings out the best traits known to mankind and the worst traits known to mankind. "Voice" is centered around two different stories: that of Hadassah, the Hebrew/Christian girl sold into slavery, and her masters, the Valerian family- stern but fair Decimus and gentle, loving Phoebe; and their children, Marcus, whose feelings for Hadassah run high over, and Julia, the girl who Hadassah serves, whose only care in life is for her own pleasure.
The second is that of Atretes, German warrior-turned-Roman gladiator. All brawn and beauty....but also vulernability and anger. The object of Julia Valerian's affections. Draw your own conclusions. Francine Rivers is a masterful story teller, and the way she draws you into this book is amazing. It is life changing. Literally. You love some characters- Hadassah [the obvious!] and even the vulernable Atretes and the lustful Julia. You also hate some- Caius Urbanus, Calabah Fontaine; and feel pity for some, such as Arria and Octavia, God help her. In short, this is one of the best books of the decade...no, century...no...how about millennium!!!!!! You will be supporting one of the most talented authors on the planet by purchasing "A Voice in the Wind" and its magnificent follow-ups, "An Echo in the Darkness" and "As Sure as the Dawn". God Bless!
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Summary: "Feel Good" stories
Review: An avid fan of historical fiction, I must say that while I am impressed with the historicity Rivers provides, I was displeased with the pervasive, American evangelical (almost charismatic) interpretations of cultural "things." Many of Rivers characters are good and fairly believable and her historical facts seem well researched, accurate and detailed. However, the philosophical style and interpretation of people and events seems inconsistent with the perspective of a Jewish girl in the first century (or anyone of any other culture, as there were many in the book). It might have been much more believable if Rivers had succeeded in thinking a little more outside the box and less like a modern American. I wasn't sure if she was trying to make a point about the similarities (ie: moral degeneration) between American culture and ancient Roman culture...? I was also disappointed by the frequent, direct quotes from scripture-especially from "books" that may not have been in wide circulation at that point in time. There are places that also seemed slightly preachy. Some of the "miraculous" happenings (more in book 2) were also a little unbelievable. When I first read this book I didn't know that Rivers was a romance author (outside of my usual genre). A consistent and slightly disappointing theme in the entire series was the good "Christian" girl winning over the bad pagan boy with her virtue. In modern terms: missionary dating. It might have been more realistic if Hadassah had a few character flaws. Her emotional/spiritual/mental battles are little bit weak and she always makes the "morally correct" decision. I would have liked to see some deeper grapping with the life-and-death issues, some sincere mistakes, deep doubts etc. I didn't find it very romantic or realistic, it was difficult to relate with Hadassah on many levels because of her flawless character, but Rivers has definitely crafted a "feel good" story with good endings for all of the likeable characters.
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Summary: Inspirational and Educational
Review: Francine Rivers is gifted in educating and inspiring the reader and at the same time provide a very moving story. Her characters are so believable that you feel like you actually know them. It is a story about a Jewish Slave girl, Hadassah, who is serving in a Roman household. Not only is she Jewish, but she believes in Jesus Christ as being her Savior. We witness how her faith and love for the Lord guides her within a licentious community. We learn many things about Rome and its culture, including fascinating information about the gladiator games. We also learn a little about German tribes and Jerusalems ruin by the Romans. This is a story that can be read by everyone, but I think every young woman should read this book. It provides an excellent example on standing firm in what you believe regardless of what society may encourage.
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Summary: A Voice in the Wind
Review: A Voice in the Wind, by Francine Rivers, is a fascinating tale of true love set in ancient Rome. Far from being a sappy love story, A Voice in the Wind combines action, mystery, romance, and history to form a magnificent novel you won't be able to put down. Rivers uses her excellent skills as an author to create an intriguing and thought-provoking novel written from a Christian perspective.
The protagonist, Hadassah, is a young Jewish girl captured in Jerusalem and forced into slavery. Purchased by a wealthy and affluent family in Rome, Hadassah begins her life-changing adventures. Hadassah's love for God and the joy she finds in serving others emanate from her and impact all those who meet her. One such person is Atretes, another main character. Captured and taken from his tribe in Germania, Atretes is forced to be a gladiator. He soon learns the tricks of the trade and goes on to become the premiere gladiator in all of Rome.
One of the wonderful aspects of this book is its characterization. The characters in A Voice in the Wind are anything but flat characters and Rivers portrays them exquisitely and realistically. Though Hadassah is the heroine, she still comes across as a plausible person with real struggles. The reader feels as if he or she can truly relate to the characters and that they are actual people.
Though A Voice in the Wind contains some characteristics of escape fiction, it is creative and original. Although not interpretive, the novel is full of meaning and expression. One theme in particular is portrayed throughout the book: Serve God, love others, and your joy will be complete.
A Voice in the Wind is perhaps the most enjoyable book I have ever read. Characters such as Hadassah and Atretes and the glamour of ancient Rome will captivate you and each page you turn will be a new adventure. Meaningful and thought provoking, A Voice in the Wind is also fascinating from cover to cover and I highly recommend reading it.
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Summary: Why Did I Wait So Long?
Review: The year is 70 AD. Hadassah has been captured at the fall of Jerusalem. Taken to Rome, she is bought to serve the Valerian family. The Valerians are having their own problems. Decimus, the father, is very traditional, yet his children, Marcus and Julia, embrace all the decadence Rome has to offer. Hadassah wants to share her faith in Jesus the Messiah with this family, but she cannot find the courage to do so. Meanwhile, Atretes has been captured in Germany and taken to Rome as a gladiator. As their lives intertwine, they will all face problems that will challenge who they are and what they believe. I just read this book for the first time, and can't believe I waited so long to do so. This is an amazing novel. The characters are strong, the writing is crisp, the plots are remarkable, and the detail given to ancient Rome makes it come alive. Every time I picked up this novel, I was drawn into its world and had a hard time putting it down. This was my introduction to the books of Francine Rivers, but by no means will this be my last. I am looking forward to finishing this series and exploring her other novels. She is truly a gifted author.
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Summary: WOW!
Review: wow. iv been looking for a good, wholesom christin book for a while, when my friend recomended it to me, and i read it, it was completly blown away!!! the story of a young girl, torn away from the only life shes ever known, and entering a roman house as a slave, with only gods love the consule her, is a book, that i have already added to my library of favorite books. i am in the middle of readding all of Francine rivers other books, i hope they all as good as this one!!
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Summary: My favorite book!
Review: This book captured me from page one. I was completely unable to put this book down. I strongly encourage anyone looking for an emotionally captivating book to buy "A Voice in the Wind" by Francine Rivers.
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Summary: An absolute must
Review: I am awed by Francine Rivers, best author I've read. Her research ability is admirable. Wish I could have read this when I was studing Roman History.
This is my favorite out of the trilogy, which was mainly due to my amazement for the talent of Rivers. Her character development spans numerous profiles, her factual details of Hebrew life, the Fall of Jerusalam and the Roman Empire, places her in a reputable class of a Historian author, and how she weaves theology into the mix is awesome.
A must for every Christian Library & Home.
I strongly suggest AN ECHO IN THE DARKNESS standing by, you won't want to wait.
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Summary: a servant's heart
Review: This book was amazing. The story of Hadassah, a young christian slave girl in 1st century Rome, touched my heart. Her unconditional love and servant's heart were absolutely beautiful, and made me re-evaluate my own life. Rivers is an extremely talented author, and her writing style is elegant and compelling.
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