A voice in the wind
Written by Francine Rivers
February 2026
February Fiction Edition
The book that made me fall in love with fiction…
When I finally started to like books, I assumed anything worth reading must be educational or faith-building, I had no idea a novel could accomplish the same task until I met Hadassah. Her story stirred in me a resolve to live wholeheartedly for Christ—even, should it come to it, at a great personal cost. If I could sum up her life story in one line from the book, it would be: “I gave up what I can't keep for something I can never lose.” This fictional narrative provoked a level of spiritual self-examination that I did not know was possible from a novel.
About the Book
A Voice in the Wind is the first book in the Mark of the Lion series, and I can say with confidence that finishing the initial installment will certainly compel you to read the next book. Though the main characters are imagined, Francine Rivers writes in such a way that each narrative feels almost as if you are reading the historical accounts of courage, moral consequence, redemption, and the subtle ways light confronts darkness.
Though romance threads through the narrative of this biblical fiction series, it also offers a vivid contrast between a life devoted to God and one consumed by worldly pleasures, along with the inevitable ends with which each path leads. Each character’s trajectory invites you to reflect on the complex way a life is shaped. Before long, you’ll find yourself rooting for these characters to find true life in Christ.
Why I recommend it
Many Western readers are far removed from the realities of persecution. This novel serves as a window into what faithfulness to God would mean to a Christian in this era. I found myself inspired by Hadassah’s quiet and steadfast faith. Her gentle conviction demonstrates how the way one lives can quietly transform others (details withheld in the interest of suspense).
Rivers occasionally integrates figures drawn directly from Scripture, grounding the narrative in recognizable history and lending it an added sense of familiarity. Although the beginning patiently constructs the narrative’s foundation, by the final pages, I found myself unexpectedly moved, proof that fiction can, in fact, argue persuasively for the truth. The series leaves the mind thoughtful, the faith stirred, and the heart noticeably softer.
You can purchase A Voice in the Wind here