Scan barcode
rasheal's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
abbyhopkins's review against another edition
5.0
Very good! I would give it 5 stars but it felt like too much of a drama from 70% to 90% way thru. Crazy ending so I have no idea what the next book holds??!
raygersh's review against another edition
5.0
There are very few books that I would actually call life-changing. I have my favorite novels, but I don’t think I’ve ever felt the impact as acutely as I do now, following my journey through this novel. For years I have been told that A Voice in the Wind is a masterpiece of Christian Fiction and I continuously avoided reading it knowing it was mostly historical fiction and romance, two genres that I tend to hate on. Deciding I could avoid it no longer, I finally picked up this hefty novel and am so glad that I did.
At just about 500 pages, it is a lengthy endeavor and initially I was annoyed that this book is so long. But slowly I started to become enamored with all of the attention Francine Rivers paid to the details of life in Rome during the time period. Living in such a rich period of history that is so vastly different from our own, each of the characters’ lifestyles and motivations only make sense within their context. In addition to the historical detail, there is also such vivid characterization of the four main characters. The length of the novel feels justified when I look at the span of their lives and the weight of the events that unfold throughout the book. In a lot of ways the plot is not the conventional formula. It could be described as meandering and plotless, but also so much is happening (this is the type of novel that would be adapted to a TV series, not a movie). I could see how this might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I came to love it.
I really am not a crier but there were multiple instances during my reading that I felt like I had to pause for a moment and hold back tears. At times, they were heartbroken tears, caused by the depravity of the lifestyles in Ancient Rome. Most of the time, however, they were tears of joy at the fulfillment I saw. This is a beautiful depiction of a life reliant on God as the Prince of Peace.
This novel is definitely not perfect, but I loved it so much regardless. I think the only thing I find slightly unsettling is that Hadassah, one of the protagonists, shows essentially no faults. Hadassah maintains extraordinary resolve and devotion to her faith in Jesus. This is what draws other characters to her and is central to her as a character, but she is nonetheless still human. I fear this portrayal provides the incorrect vantage point that Christians no longer struggle with sin. Sadly, we are all still susceptible to our flaws, still plagued by entirely human emotions.
Overall: My heart is full, God is good, and I guess I have to dive right in to the sequel.
At just about 500 pages, it is a lengthy endeavor and initially I was annoyed that this book is so long. But slowly I started to become enamored with all of the attention Francine Rivers paid to the details of life in Rome during the time period. Living in such a rich period of history that is so vastly different from our own, each of the characters’ lifestyles and motivations only make sense within their context. In addition to the historical detail, there is also such vivid characterization of the four main characters. The length of the novel feels justified when I look at the span of their lives and the weight of the events that unfold throughout the book. In a lot of ways the plot is not the conventional formula. It could be described as meandering and plotless, but also so much is happening (this is the type of novel that would be adapted to a TV series, not a movie). I could see how this might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I came to love it.
I really am not a crier but there were multiple instances during my reading that I felt like I had to pause for a moment and hold back tears. At times, they were heartbroken tears, caused by the depravity of the lifestyles in Ancient Rome. Most of the time, however, they were tears of joy at the fulfillment I saw. This is a beautiful depiction of a life reliant on God as the Prince of Peace.
This novel is definitely not perfect, but I loved it so much regardless. I think the only thing I find slightly unsettling is that Hadassah, one of the protagonists, shows essentially no faults. Hadassah maintains extraordinary resolve and devotion to her faith in Jesus. This is what draws other characters to her and is central to her as a character, but she is nonetheless still human. I fear this portrayal provides the incorrect vantage point that Christians no longer struggle with sin. Sadly, we are all still susceptible to our flaws, still plagued by entirely human emotions.
Overall: My heart is full, God is good, and I guess I have to dive right in to the sequel.
baylithill's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
maggie1875's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
estherfilbrun's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, this book…it’s torn me apart and put me back together again so many times I couldn’t even count them. I’ve wanted to rage at Rivers…why, oh why must she make her characters go through some things? But then when I come to my senses again, I realize that it’s very realistic, and that’s when the gravity strikes me—again—that there are lessons here that would hold true in my own life as well. Wow.
Historically speaking, this book is spot-on from everything else I’ve read. Rome was an evil, evil place, and though Rivers doesn’t go into the sordid detail of it all, you know that wrong things are happening (so yes, content warning there—it almost, but didn’t quite, cross my comfortable line, but just be warned in case prostitution and things like that bother you). But seeing the good parts come to life—wow. God really does preserve His church through all kinds of things, and for that, I’m grateful!
Characters, setting, theme…all were well-done, immersing me in the story and making it quite difficult to get things done some days because I just wanted to read more! Rivers is a talented author.
Prepare to be challenged and encouraged. This is, in the end, a hopeful, deeply redemptive story…or at least, I trust it will be that way by the time I get to the end of the series. ;) I’m still mulling over several themes from this story, and expect that will continue for quite a while.
Recommended for adults: I don’t believe some content would be suitable for teenagers.
Historically speaking, this book is spot-on from everything else I’ve read. Rome was an evil, evil place, and though Rivers doesn’t go into the sordid detail of it all, you know that wrong things are happening (so yes, content warning there—it almost, but didn’t quite, cross my comfortable line, but just be warned in case prostitution and things like that bother you). But seeing the good parts come to life—wow. God really does preserve His church through all kinds of things, and for that, I’m grateful!
Characters, setting, theme…all were well-done, immersing me in the story and making it quite difficult to get things done some days because I just wanted to read more! Rivers is a talented author.
Prepare to be challenged and encouraged. This is, in the end, a hopeful, deeply redemptive story…or at least, I trust it will be that way by the time I get to the end of the series. ;) I’m still mulling over several themes from this story, and expect that will continue for quite a while.
Recommended for adults: I don’t believe some content would be suitable for teenagers.
michelle_ltc's review against another edition
4.0
Slow start as author sets up the back story. Tears by the end. Christian fiction from around 70-80A.D.
jennyvetvik's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
tlcollier1's review against another edition
5.0
Very long and amazingly well written. Typical for Francine Rivers, these characters are fully developed. The author doesn't shy away from the sin of the world and yet the reader isn't subjected to unnecessary details. If it were a movie, you could expect a PG rating drifting into PG-13 due to the gladiators and colosseum games. Looking forward to the next book in the series!