A young Christian slave girl struggles to reconcile her love for a handsome aristocrat with her deep faith, as she confronts the dark and decadent forces of imperial Rome.

2008-01-13 Great Christian Fiction for everyone

I have read this whole series a number of times. I come from a Christian family who have worked for the Lord in Nepal for most of my childhood. I have always gone to church, my schools in Nepal were Christian and most of my friends - Christian. But on returning back to Britain and growing up in a growing materialistic country, my faith has had all too many lows.

But i read this book and i finish within 2 days. I read 'An Echo In The Darkness' and i'm finished almost straight away. Suddenly my life is put into perspective and I am reduced to tears and pleading to the Lord for forgivness of my sins. It is inspiring how Hadassah manages to be so strong in her faith after seeing such harrowing scenes and being intwine with those who dispise her race and her faith the most.

Hadassah is brought to Rome after the Romans obliterate the Jews and spread her race across a number of cities. She becomes a slave to the Valerian family and is given as personal handmaid to Julia Valerian. For over 5 years she stays with her and loves her and is repulsed by julia's way of life and slowly watches her commit terrible sin after terrible sin. Yet still loves her like a sister and prays for her constantly.
On the otherhand she falls in love with Julia's older brother who lives to please himself and to increase his wealth. Marcus and Hadassah's relationship grows painfully slowly but the conversations between them are intense and inspiring to any reader.
Her commitment to the family is reflected in her prayers for all members of the family and her LOVE for serving them rather than just her obediant service.

I then go on to read the last book in the series 'As Sure As The Dawn' and again i am inspired by Atretes determination.
In 'A Voice In The Wind' we see him go from a respected tribesman who loved his family and those around him and fought to keep his men safe, to a captured slave passed from Roman hand to Roman hand, from Ludos to Ludos, where he has to fight to entertain the Romans. He has to kill other innocent slaves for no other reasons than to gain freedom and to entertain the mob. After he is freed his relationship with Julia Valerian comes to an explosive end and he is plagued by dreams that only Hadassah can interpret for him while she awaits death.
His story is continued in the final book.

My faith doubles and triples when i read these books and I am filled with a new longing to tell the good news to my friends and to pray and give my life to the Lord again and again. This book is a good push in life and then it's up to us to keep the passion going.

To keep being like Hadassah.