The Mark of the King

The Mark of the King, is a historical fiction from the Christian fiction genre. There are some Christian fiction that just doesn't give me the emotional depth I love in a story but this book proved differently. The story and characters sent me through a gamut of emotions from the beginning to the end. The reader follows Julianne's life from France to the Louisiana territory found at the mouth of the Mississippi River during the early 1720s. Julianne is a midwife in France who becomes sentenced to a women's prison due to being falsely accused of murder. True to the times, Julianne is branded with a fleur-de-lis so to bear the mark of the king of France. This branding was a life sentence that meant she was owned by the king and he could do what he wanted with her. She was exempt from capital punishment to be the midwife for the women's prison. Also true to history, the French government both allowed and forced convicts to leave France for the French territory to help populate and colonize the area. Julianne traded her life sentence of prison for freedom in the French territory. Her only living family member, her brother Benjamin, was already in Louisiana so Julianne's decision was partly to find and be re-united with him. Though Julianne found legal freedom, the brand on her arm didn't provide a life of freedom. That brand was the symbol of human judgment for the great sin she was accused of and the people around her didn't let her forget it resulting in further unjust judgment, resentment and more punishment. But there was one man, Marc-Paul, who saw her as a daughter of The King and wanted to show her the grace she deserved not only from a fellow sinner as himself but also from her Heavenly Father. "He followed the law, he stayed alive by the law, and he punished those who broke it. But ever since he met Julianne Chevalier, a hunger for something more had grown in him. Grace. He craved grace. For her, and for himself." Julianne's story continues as she tries to live in the unforgiving, tough, rugged Louisiana territory while overcoming her own demons the mark of the king brought upon her. Just when you think she has suffered enough, her heart is broken again. Emotional, raw heartbreak. "Loss had fallen three times upon her, three cruel blows to the same raw heart that had not had time to heal from the last." Through much heartache and through grace, Julianne finally overcomes the mark of the king. "God owes you nothing, and yet He made you His daughter. You are a child of the King; it is His image you bear. King Louis marked you with judgment, but the King of Kings covers you with grace. Whose mark will you now display?" This story is based on historical events of the time mixed with mild fictional romance. I learned much of the Louisiana territory that I had not known. I now have a simple idea of how New Orleans and the people there came to be. But not only does this book teach history, it teaches God's grace in even among the most cruel injustices one can experience here on Earth. For the sensitive reader there several elements to be aware of: while there are no sexual scenes, there are implied ones. There is detailed punishment through public flogging that may be a bit gory for some. There's also detailed war peril from Native American attacks. The reader will experience scenes of infant loss and scenes of child birth. There is no vulgar language. There is one circumstance at the end I found to be a bit too coincidental as part of the ending but full of suspense even so. I cried, I smiled, I continued reading with great anticipation of what was about to happen. The book drew me in from the beginning and held me captive till the end. This book will be one my favorites list and one of my favorites for this year. (I think the cover is beautiful, too.)

This was an entertaining and interesting historical fiction book about the founding of New Orleans and early history in that part of the US. It is well-written and I learned a lot. There was a minor theme about God's salvation that I found preachy and I started to resent. But it didn't interfere with the story line. Other than that, it was almost a 5 star read.

As a voracious reader, I pick up some decent but unmemorable books, lots of contrived duds, and a few really good ones along the way. But, occasionally, I lay eyes on a story that is wholly engrossing, unique, well-rounded, meaningful, memorable, even educational— and this is one of those books. I read a fair amount of Christian lit, and I can often find the characters too one-dimensional, and unrealistically perfect. I appreciated how this author wove the quiet (sometimes immediately invisible), colorful threads of God’s redemptive purpose, plan, and goodness, against the dark but real background of the characters’ imperfections, suffering, doubt, and very human struggles, without resorting to cliched tropes about either. We relate with and understand the realities of human failure, but also (hopefully) come to recognize the grace offered in our brokenness. Though the specific terrors that beset our heroine will never touch our realities (unless you plan to board a wooden frigate to settle uncharted lands), and though her rescues were sometimes very improbable, her story and struggles are relatable and engaging. In addition, the historical elements in this book are well-researched and illuminating enough to inspire further research and reading. I myself became absorbed in the plight of the Choctaw and Chickasaw people, their relationship with European settlers and how their societies were impacted, the injustices they suffered, the wars that ensued, and how they prospered from then on. Though this book had a different focus, I appreciated the opportunity to also read some of the history of Native Peoples, and to then carry on with my own understanding of their history. If you’re looking for an engaging read with plenty of adventure, mystery, history, romance, and non-brazen or contrived Christian spirituality, this is worth picking up right now. Try not to let yourself stay up all night because you can’t stop turning pages— you probably have responsibilities tomorrow. Enjoy.

These book is intense and beautiful! Action pact with twist and turns! Prepare to cry

The Mark of the King truly swept me up in the life of Julianne Chevalier. The historical details are fascinating, and the plot moves at an exciting pace. Vivid descriptions and intense scenes kept me reading as quickly as I could. The descriptions of the fledgling city of New Orleans are nothing I've read about before, and Jocelyn Green bring it into sharp focus. The harshness of the land is evident throughout, and the temerity of Julianne and the other inhabitants is admirable. There were some times that I wished for more interaction between characters, so I could see the development of their relationship a bit more, but the emotion between them is poignant and rings true. The overall message of forgiveness no matter the sin that marks your past and hounds your present circumstances is fully fleshed out and a beautiful one to read. Overall, I can easily recommend this for fans of historical fiction. The history evokes the feeling of a bygone time, when the land was wild and life uncertain. The characters display personal fortitude, but are also realistically flawed. The faith aspect is woven throughout the narrative organically, perfectly suited to the situations that the characters face. “Remember this, mes cheres: There is no person so small that the Lord cannot see her, no voice so quiet that He cannot hear it.” Now to make it a priority to read more of Jocelyn Green's novel as soon as I can!

Great

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, rich in history and gripping events that I couldn't put it down. A must read for historical fiction lovers!

I just LOVED this amazing book. Scripture woven throughout in an identifiable way. Believable characters and a story that grips you, making it very hard to put down.

Loved the way faith was weaved realistically throughout the story and the contrast of characters. Thank you for a great read.

An amazing tale showing great courage on the part of the heroine. There is quite a heavy Christian slant to the story but if you are comfortable with this you will truly enjoy the story which is one that takes you gently by the hand at first and then DRAGS you in. Certainly life has some mysterious ways of unfolding