Like all of Francine Rivers' books, this series is wonderful. I gave it a 4 because the first two books were amazing but the last book was not as good. The first two books especially really inspired me to have the heart of a servant. ( )

I read them as separates but am writing a review of the trilogy as a whole.

v.1-2. How a slave girl from Judea, Hadassah, changes the lives of members of a Roman family living at the time of the Flavian emperors. The first two books in the trilogy I felt were superior. The Christian message was muted. The example of Hadassah's life spoke volumes to me, the reader, and to the family.

The third volume carries on with the German ex-gladiator, Atretes, [a former lover of Julia--daughter of the Roman family], his search for his son, journey back to Germania and life with the villagers. The Christian message got to be a bit overwrought. I felt as though the third volume was weakest and was tacked onto the first two merely to give closure to the story of Atretes.

The story did teeter on the edge of melodrama and emotionalism sometimes, but I felt for the characters and their struggles. I did get misty-eyed in several places. The author didn't get all of the tiny details absolutely correct, but the power of the story overwhelmed that criticism. Recommended, especially the first two volumes. The third volume is optional reading. Side note: it tickles me about Christian fiction set in the days of early Christianity how the characters quote the Bible centuries before the N.T. was officially codified [late 300s A.D.] ( )

Everyday life in Rome during the reign of Caesar: Working as a gladiator, being a slave on the market, partying with Roman senators, or attending an underground church - Amazing! ( )

One of the best books I have EVER read!! ( )

Amazing writing ( )