Secure A Copy From The Dark To The Dawn: A Tale Of Ancient Rome Compiled And Edited By Alicia A. Willis Issued In Audio Book
loved this book. It was one such book that I could not put down, I read it every chance I had, The characters came to life and the plot was written very well, If I could rate this book I would give it aout of, The first thing I can say about this book is “WOW!!” I am not usually a big fan of historical fiction, but this work blows that idea out of the water, drastically so.
When first receiving From the Dark to the Dawn in the mail and noticing the size of the bookpages to be exactI was hopeful, but kinda daunted by its size.
Not that I do not like big books, truth of the matter is I LOVE bog books, but the fiction books I have read that are of substantial size overpages, and some smaller books even usually take quite awhile to develop the plot and characters, plus the author adds much filler information that doesn't necessarily apply directly to the plot's direction.
I was sorely wrong. From the Dark to the Dawn was written extremely well that it holds you attention from page one until the end.
Even after finishing the book I was not ready for it to end if you're reading this Alicia, I'm up for a sequel!.
There was hardly if any any “down time” in which Alicia just wrote to take up space and time to add pages, the plot kept driving on to the end.
From the Dark to the Dawn is a tale with such lifelike characters you will not soon forget them.
The individual and collective, interwoven stories of each of the characters are very well developed and crafted that by the end of the book you feel that you know each character personally.
Some books take either way to long to develop their characters, others are too hasty, Neither was the case with Alicia, Rather she developed the characters at a great pace, which is a reason why you will feel that you know the characters after finishingand while readingthe book.
Along with amazingly well developed and planned out characters and plot, there are several themes throughout the book that I found fascinating, which also give the story such powerful meaning.
If you could pick just one theme that summarises the From the Dark to the Dawn's entirety it would be forgiveness, but there are so many other themes carefully woven that adds such splendor and life to the tale.
In summary, I greatly enjoyed From the Dark to the Dawn, Someday, Lord willing, I hope to adapt the book into a movie, I do, however, have a caution about the book one in which the author informs people of: the book does contain talk of and few times of actual slavemaster persecution as well as alluded to aspects of Raman depravity.
However, Alicia did well at writing in such a way that does not “glory” on the brutality and sin as some authors, even Christian authors, do and yet she did not gloss over it.
I thought she handled the “scenes” very well with great Christian integrity, With that in mind, I still highly recommend From the Dark to the Dawn by Alicia A, Willis. This is by far the most entertaining historical fiction by Alicia Willis, I couldn't put it down, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the multiple stories neatly woven through an incredible tale of God's grace and forgiveness, The amount of historical study that went into this book becomes very evident and simply adds to the pleasure of reading it.
Readers will have no choice but to root for young Philip as he faces the brutal Roman persecution for his faith in Christ.
You can't go wrong with this gem of a book, I highly recommend it for young and old readers alike I love, love, love this book! It's fantastically told, A story of FORGIVENESS, LOVE, and GOD'S POWER TO OVER COME!! It's fabulous, I enjoyed it so much, I can't give it to my brother for him to read! It's like my new security book!
It's not the normal book pattern, when the story builds up to one climax.
No sirrey! It goes up, then down, then simmers lower, than jumps up, and so on, It's incredible! I just can't wait to read her other books, She's obviously a talented author, as well as a Christian, I love reading books that I know was written by a Godfearing author, lt
Thanks so much for writing this book, Alicia! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!!
Jazzy
sitelink Oh, this book was wonderful, exciting, amazing, inspiring, and beautiful, all wrapped up into one powerful story! I've just discovered a new favorite book as well as a new favorite author! Two nationalities are caught in the war of race and power in this gripping story of redemption, grace, love, and forgiveness.
Join Roman master Marcus and British slave Philip on their gripping journey from darkness into morning, Set in the battlefields of ancient Britain and turbulent Rome, this story is sure to linger in your heart long after you've read it.
At least, it did in mine, I hope you enjoy your experience with my characters as much as I did! Poignant, realistic, tasteful, accurate,
From the Dark to the Dawn is an excellent portrayal of early Christianity and the hope and freedom it brings to allbe they slave or free Roman, Jew, or otherwise struggling with anger, fear, or pride.
This is a tale that drew me in, held me, and finally turned me loose at the end feeling more encouraged than I've ever felt reading a historical fiction novel.
The darkness of the dark is portrayedbut discreetly, and even in the worst moments, the reader can sense the dawn is coming.
I highly recommend this book for the mature teen reader! This was one of the best books I've read in awhile.
At first, I was not captured by the story, but quickly I got pulled in as Phillip had a struggle a tiny bit similar to something I've dealt with finding a balance between submission to authority and not holding to your principles.
Marcus soon got me as well and I found myself having trouble putting the book down,
Every character was amazingly well rounded, the whole plot felt very believable, and so did the ending.
I loved how much this book really felt like it could happen, The characters that
come to Christ are not instantly perfect Christians, they have struggles, and make mistakes, Even to the very end of the book characters were still growing and changing,
Two tiny things irritated me, but they didn't take away much from the story, The first was that four girls are described the exact same way, and
This book left me crying at the end, I don't think I've ever cried that hard at a book,
Overall, this was an amazing book, I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a faith building story, So glad I finally got to read this book! It is an absolutely wonderful and powerful tale of redemption set in ancient Rome.
Once all the characters were set up I could barely put it down, I will admit that I did not like Marcus at all until we got to some important events for him whereupon I think I might have liked him better than Phillip.
Blame my flipflopping on how well Willis wrote the story and all the characters,
I laughed. I cried several times. I was on the edge of my seat more than a few time, I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction set in ancient Rome and tales of redemption, If you love a good adventure that starts within the very first pages, then you'll enjoy "From Dark to the Dawn".
After turning the first page, I had a hard time reading or turning the pages fast enough to get more of the story.
As a reader, I want to relate to the characters, to feel for them, cry with them, cheer for them.
Alicia Willis was able to give me all of that and more, leaving me extremely satisfied with the story,
Join a young Briton, Phillip, as he experiences a major event that will change his life forever, Former warrior and son to the king of his country, he suddenly finds himself thrown into Roman slavery and suffering like he never has before.
His bitterness towards Rome and her people grow stronger with every harsh word or discipline he receives from his new master until he finds himself befriended by one of those accursed race a Christian.
Daniel talks about a Christ Who loves His enemy and Who willingly sacrificed Himself for all people, But Phillip's bitterness has a strong hold on him and he now faces one of the biggest decisions in his life to choose forgiveness, or to continue down his angry path.
Marcus is a young Roman, handsome, strong, and rich, He has everything a person could want except for one thing, He just doesn't know what, When he also encounters a Christian, will he give up everything and follow Christ, or will he be the instrument that sends those Christians to their deaths
Follow Phillip and Marcus on their journey and they learn about life, death, sacrifice, and true love.
Along the way you'll also learn about Roman history in a way that will excite and interest you while also keeping within Christian values.
Since posting my original review, I've come perhaps belatedly, for which I would like to offer sincere apologies to exercise a little more restraint in how and when I review books by other Christian authors.
Accordingly, I'm withdrawing this review, Feel free to contact me personally if you would like my honest opinion on this story I'd be happy to chat :.
I didn't know what to expect when I started to read this book, I had gotten it free on my Kindle, but I had never read anything by this author before, To say that I have been left "touched" is an understatement,
I learned while reading this book, There were some details I didn't know, or some I had never even considered, As I got midway and beyond in the chapters and pages, I couldn't stop, I needed to know what was going to happen to these "people", I needed to see the "end of the beginning" of the story, I needed to see some redemption, hope, restoration, of some sort, And, thankfully I did.
Alicia A. Willis has woven a story worthy of becoming a classic like that of Quo Vadis, The Robe, and Ben Hur.
Even for the little descrepancies which others have found within the pages, it is well written and full of excitement, drama, and real characters with real character flaws.
The story felt LONG, Just when I thought things couldn't get better or worse, they did, But the length and situations all worked "together for good" to create a story I will archive among my favorite classics.
As I read bits to my nonreader husband, he was interested enough to inquire "is there a movie of it".
If only Long story short: You should read this book,
From the Dark to the Dawn begins inA, D. just after the rebelling Britons under Queen Boudica are defeated by Roman legionaries, Philip, the central character, is the young son of a chieftain who is sold into slavery with the remnants of his tribe.
His passionate nature utterly rejects his lot, but he finds his match in Marcus, his young Roman master who will brook no nonsense from his slaves.
When Philip meets a Christian in Rome he learns of a powerful concept: Forgiveness, Could he ever learn to forgive his master for his cruelty and submit himself contentedly as a slave Can he survive the battle of wills within his own soul And, could the love of Christ ever touch someone as hardened as Marcus
What stands out the most to me in this story is Alicia Willis's understanding of human nature.
Her characters are intensely relatable sometimes scarily so, Philip and Marcus feel and act like real flesh and blood people, with flaws, ups and downs, and moments of heroism that captured my imagination.
The best part of From the Dark to the Dawn is its unapologetic Christian message, I think it portrays a very accurate picture of Christianity under Nero's reign, when persecution was intense, but the gospel spread rapidly through every class and station.
Thumbs up to Alicia for crafting a tale which is both enjoyable and Godglorifying,
The story evidences meticulous research and gives a great feel for life during this time period, I would have liked to see a little bit more action, but the action sequences that do exist were wellwritten.
I laughed and teared up multiple times while reading, which is not a common occurrence, I definitely recommend this book, Where do I begin From this books heartpounding beginning in firstcentury Roman Britain through its conclusion in the heart of lavish and oftencruel Rome, the story, characters, and lifechanging themes arrested me.
The author skillfully weaves a tale of heartrending redemption during a time of intense depravity without resorting to sentimentality, dwelling on gross graphic details, or engaging in tedious moralizing.
There are few books that move me to tears, sitelinkFrom the Dark to the Dawn: A Tale of Ancient Rome is one of them,
What did I like, specifically Wellrounded, defined main characters particularly the male characters who act in accord with their time periods and cultures conversations that seem like they actually could occur varied pointofviews adding flavor and perspective historical details that enhance, rather than overwhelm, the story Christcentered storytelling that asserts that Jesus is alive indeed and Lord of all and a satisfying conclusion that fit the story.
Some reviewers have asserted that the book doesnt contain enough action, As a fan of historicallybased action/war fiction and films, I didnt find this to be the case at all.
Indeed, I found that Willis maintained a nearperfect balance in this area,
The only major disappointment That the author so finally concludes the tale with her epilogue, I would have loved to read a sequel or several sequels! after I came to feel so deeply involved in these characters lives.
Excellently planned, beautifully executed, and never contrived, the story of Marcus and Philip will capture your imagination and your heart and will inspire you to greater faithfulness to the Savior of the world.
Five out of five, Highly recommended for agesdue to authentic slave/soldier punishment/abuse as well as minor, undetailed scenes involving realistic temptations in the Roman world debauchery, etc.
. I applaud the author for handling these themes purposefully and unflinchingly in a Godhonoring way, If used for family reading, parents could use these scenes as a jumpingoff point for discussing genuine Christianity and what following Christ truly entails.
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