This is a book very near and dear to my heart. It is the first in a series by Francine Rivers called The Mark of the Lion, and, though it took me time to get into it, once you're in you're hooked! The series follows a young Jewish girl, Hadassah, and opens up right off the bat (after some background information) with a bloody grueling scene which I won't ruin for you. She's sold into slavery and it follows her romance both with God and with a young attractive Roman named Marcus, who is the son of her new master. Marcus scoffs at Hadassah's God, but is strangely drawn to the girl. Meanwhile, the tale also follows a gladiator named Atretes, who was taken from Germany, and his struggle to survive the colosseum. I highly recommend this!
Rating: *****
2. Wuthering Heights
I loved this book, but it is definitely not for the faint of heart. It is oddly told, through an unreliable narrator through his biased housekeeper, but it is an enchanting novel. This story is about a man named Lockwood discovering the background of his new neighbor, who has a very dark past. It follows that one day Mr. Earnshaw brought home to his two children and his wife a gypsy boy, who he grew to love more than his own son, and how this boy changed their lives forever. The story follows the family from childhood until death, specifically the romance that springs between Heathcliff and Mr. Earnshaw's daughter and Heathcliff's revenge. Though he is always a sympathetic character, no one can condone or justify anything the gypsy boy, Heathcliff, does, so it can be a very dark read indeed.
Rating: *****
3. Ship Breaker
This book I haven't actually read yet, but I plan to read it, so I'll get back to you on the rating. In America's Gulf Coast region, grounded oil tankers are being broken down for parts by crews of young people. Nailer, a teenage boy, works the light crew, scavenging for copper wiring just to make quota-and hopefully live to see another day. But when, by luck or by chance, he discovers an exquisite clipper ship beached during a recent hurricane, Nailer faces the most important decision of his life: Strip the ship for all it's worth or rescue its lone survivor, a beautiful and wealthy girl who could lead him to a better life.
Rating: pending...
4. The Poisoner's Handbook
This is a really interesting read following the history of poisons and how they were used, accidentally and intentionally, in America's history. This is a bit nerdier, but I think it's still a fascinating read.
Rating: ****
5. Beowulf
I really enjoyed this book! It's very fantastical and fun to read, but at the same time if you're looking for deeper reading or analysis it's not lacking by any means. It follows a Geat King Beowulf and his life from the slaying of the Grendel and his mother in his youth, to the slaying of the dragon at the end of his life.
Rating: *****
6. Forgotten God
A follow up to the profound message of Crazy Love, Pastor Francis Chan offers a compelling invitation to understand, embrace, and follow the Holy Spirit's direction in our lives.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and... the Holy Spirit. We pray in the name of all three, but how often do we live with an awareness of only the first two? As Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised to send the Holy Spirit—the Helper—so that we could be true and living witnesses for Christ. Unfortunately, today's church has admired the gift but neglected to open it.
Breakthrough author Francis Chan rips away paper and bows to get at the true source of the church's power—the Holy Spirit. Chan contends that we've ignored the Spirit for far too long, and we are reaping the disastrous results. Thorough scriptural support and compelling narrative form Chan's invitation to stop and remember the One we've forgotten, the Spirit of the living God.
Rating: pending...
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