I agree with the other reviewers that Francine Rivers has done an outstanding job with this trilogy. If you like historical fiction you will love this book. But read the first book first!

This book was an amazing sequel to A Voice in the Wind. Rivers has a remarkable way of envoking emotions with her writing. I have adored every book that I have read of hers and I will continue to read all of her books. She is, without a doubt, the best author I have ever had the priveledge to read. I highly recommend any and all of her works!!!!!

An Echo in the Darkness is the second book in Francine River's Mark of the Lion triology. The book wastes little time recapping from the first book (A Voice in the Wind).

Spoiler alert: Since the last book, we discover that life has changed for the characters in 1st century AD. Hadassah is surviving with disfiguring injuries, Marcus is seeking to make sense of the world as he knows it, his sister suffers from an unidentified and dangerous illness and his mother Phoebe has turned to Christianity and does good works in the community.

To make sense of the tragedy and abominations of the people, Marcus travels to the holy land to find this "God" to whom Hadassah prayed. His journey, is a good metaphor for many people's journey into Christianity. Through his journey, as well as Hadassah's into forgiveness and Julia's into redemption we get a good picture of life in Rome, Ephesus and Israel in the 1st century AD. However, my overall issue with the book was that the talk of God and faith was quite heavy handed. I much preferred a Voice in the Wind because there was a better combination of history, faith and humanity. I know this is probably an unpopular sentiment, but there was so much talk of God in this book that it became overbearing at times. For me, it was to much, for others, if you enjoy a substantial focus on God in a book besides the Bible, then this book is for you.

When I started reading this book, I was afraid that a sequel could never be as good as an original. However, my fear was unfounded with this book. I have not enjoyed a piece of fiction this much in many years! This series has rekindled my love for fiction and deepened my walk with God.

This book is great! However, you must read the first book "Voice in the Wind" first. Voice in the Wind starts off slow and boring for the first 3 to 4 chapters then after that you cannot put this book down nor can you put Echo in the Darkness down. They are wonderful books. Christian believers will enjoy the books the most but unbelievers will like them also. The story is truly riviting.

Wow, I stayed on the bike at the gym for over two hours b/c I just had to get to the end. Then I re read the last few pages again once I got off the bike. I want the kind of faith that Hadassah had. Amazing story. Seemed real. I cried ALOT! Life changing novel. A must read for anyone and everyone.

yet He is doing much on behalf of His children. The power of God - through His mercy and grace was displayed throughout the entire book - God moving through every situation and circumstance in the life of all those associated with Hadassah. The faith of one woman inspiring others to look to Jesus. There were times when she felt unsure of herself - but God always gave her a scripture to remind her of His promises. Francine shows the reader how truly frail we are, and how much we need God in our lives. To the Christian, how we need to be more compassionate to win the lost to Christ and reminding us just exactly where we were before we received Him in our lives. Hadassah's character at the beginning of "Voice in the Wind", was one of timidity and fear - but God helped her to overcome this as her relationship with Him grew she was more faithful to His voice. I would also recommend, if you missed reading TIN0 GEORGIOU'S masterpiece--THE FATES, go and read it. With fascinating and brilliantly created characters in `THE FATES' coupled with two intertwining plots makes for a completely enjoyable and page-turning read.

Other recommended titles: The Fates: A Novel

Francine Rivers has an amazing way of bringing to life the truths of the Bible in her fiction that is unsurpassed.

This book picks up right where "A Voice in the Wind" stops. I could not put this one down either. The transformation of Marcus is amazing. This is a wonderful love story filled with heartache, adventure, challenges and love. The author is absolutely wonderful! This book sets up the final in this trilogy and they should be read in order.

yet He is doing much on behalf of His children. The power of God - through His mercy and grace was displayed throughout the entire book - God moving through every situation and circumstance in the life of all those associated with Hadassah. The faith of one woman inspiring others to look to Jesus. There were times when she felt unsure of herself - but God always gave her a scripture to remind her of His promises. Francine shows the reader how truly frail we are, and how much we need God in our lives. To the Christian, how we need to be more compassionate to win the lost to Christ and reminding us just exactly where we were before we received Him in our lives. Hadassah's character at the beginning of "Voice in the Wind", was one of timidity and fear - but God helped her to overcome this as her relationship with Him grew she was more faithful to His voice. Also, if you missed reading Tino Georgiou's masterpiece--The Fates, go and read it. While I'm near the end, I'm reading it at a rapid pace because it's so addictive. There is something about his books that bring you in and get you hooked. and I'm loving this one.

If you're like me, you couldn't put down the first book (A Voice in the Wind)... you will be less able to stop reading this one. Good fiction holds your interest and passes the time. Great fiction grabs you and refuses to let go...all the while inspiring you to greater thoughts and actions in your own life. You will LOVE following Marcus and Hadassah through their journeys in this book. If you haven't purchased the whole series yet, start clicking away!

Reading Francine Rivers was an immediate encouragement to contine writing my historical novel Forever Changed, a Journey in Jericho. Her attention to detail is outstanding. Her characters are fully fleshed out. I learned much from her novels about ancient times and the thrill of the read.

In Francine Rivers second book of the Mark of the Lion Series she leads you on a journey with Marcus through Jerusalem as he searches for God. Julia, Marcus' sister, also goes through a personal journey of her own as she sows what she reapt in the first book. It gives the reader a historic look at the Roman Empire without overloading you on facts. This book was a fabulous book ending the story of Julia, Marcus, & Hadassah.

Rivers produced another book replete with interesting characters, a compelling plot, and rich, vivid imagery. This is a story of love between people and the Lord who loves them, but that sentence does very little to describe the story. Highly recommended.

It is a rare find when a sequel is as good as the original, but Francine Rivers has succeeded admirably with her second installment of this trilogy in AN ECHO IN THE DARK. After reading the first one, I knew I had to read on, but never expected this book to be as good. I don't read a lot of fiction, but have a strong feeling there will be many books by this superb writer in my future.

God gives us each unique gifts in life, and he gave Francine Rivers the blessed gift of writing. She has recognized her gift and deftly uses it to glorify Christ by witnessing through her stories. I do not believe it is possible to read either of these first books of this trilogy without them strengthening ones faith, or perhaps even altering your life altogether. That's how profound these books truly are.

I don't want to give away too much of the story, but readers here will most likely have already the first installment, so I will say that Rivers will make your heart ache for Hadassah's identity to be revealed, only to keep your incessantly turning page after page, mired in anguish and crying out for her precious soul to be rewarded. Throughout this book, as in the first, your emotions will run high as you smile, you cry, you rejoice in the glory of God as others accept His salvation.

I anxiously await the third and final installment in this trilogy, as well as exploring other works by this author. God has blessed Francine Rivers with a wonderful gift. I urge everyone to partake in that gift.

Pastor Monty Rainey

I enjoyed the first novel of the trilogy so I had no hesitations over purchasing the second.

It pretty much picks up from where the first one ends. And in this we learn the path of wickedness is truly the path of self destruction as one vain young woman finds out.

This is a novel of human weaknesses. Of human needs and people with needs which we can understand sest in the Roman Empire during the Reighn of Vespasian, one of my favorite ROman emperors. We can also understand that some people turn to the wrong places, and in Multi culteral and very tolerant Rome those places were abundent. People can easily be lead astray. Sometimes a lonely path in the midst of the wilderness can truly be fullfilling. Other times in the midst of others and in the oddest of places fulfillment can be found. This novel covers them well.

I enjoyed it. It is a good read. An enjoyable work of fiction.

Hopefully authors of this fine genre will produce more like it.

I would recommend these books to anyone. My children and housework got neglected during the time I read this book and the first one, because I could not put them down. Francine Rivers was defiantly given a gift from God, because she knows how to write.