Book Review: All the Lost Places by Amanda Dykes
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What is this book about?
When all of Venice is unmasked, one man’s identity remains a mystery . . .
1807
When a baby is discovered floating in a basket along the quiet canals of Venice, a guild of artisans takes him in and raises him as a son, skilled in each of their trades. Although the boy, Sebastien Trovato, has wrestled with questions of his origins, it isn’t until a woman washes ashore on his lagoon island that answers begin to emerge. In hunting down his story, Sebastien must make a choice that could alter not just his own future, but also that of the beloved floating city.
1904
Daniel Goodman is given a fresh start in life as the century turns. Hoping to redeem a past laden with regrets, he is sent on an assignment from California to Venice to procure and translate a rare book. There, he discovers a city of colliding hope and decay, much like his own life, and a mystery wrapped in the pages of that filigree-covered volume. With the help of Vittoria, a bookshop keeper, Daniel finds himself in a web of shadows, secrets, and discoveries carefully kept within the stones and canals of the ancient city . . . and in the mystery of the man whose story the book does not finish: Sebastien Trovato.
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About the Author
Amanda Dykes is a drinker of tea, dweller of redemption, and spinner of hope-filled tales who spends most days chasing wonder and words with her family. She’s the winner of the 2020 Christy Award Book of the Year, a Booklist 2019 Top Ten title, and the winner of an INSPY award for her debut novel, Whose Waves These Are. She’s also the author of Set the Stars Alight (a Christy Award finalist), Yours is the Night (recipient of the Kipp Award, Christy Award finalist), All the Lost Places (starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Foreword), and three novellas. Find her online at amandadykes.com.
My review:
Wow. I had to set this book aside for a few hours to really gather my thoughts before writing my review. Goodness, this was such an interesting and page turning story. This author is very poetic in her writing which I really enjoy, but there were also points when I found myself a little lost in all of the poetry. That being said, the story begged me to turn the pages. It challenged me to think deeper about my faith. It also delighted me with sweet romance, wonderful characters, and an interesting mystery.
This was a dual time story and I very much enjoyed both Sebastien and Daniel’s stories. While Sebastien’s story seemed to take up more pages, I also liked when Daniel’s story took center stage.
And the setting? I’ve never read a fictional book about Venice so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this story allowed me to picture a place that I would love to visit. Definitely recommend this story.
What I enjoyed most about this book:
Not just one, but two sweet romances.
What I didn’t like about this book:
Almost too poetic for me.
Would I recommend this book to others? Yes I would. Very deep and relevant inspirational message, multiple sweet romances, and an interesting page turning mystery. This is a standalone story.
Note: I received this book complimentary as a member of the author’s launch team. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions I have expressed here are honest and my own.
Where can I learn more about this author and their books?
-Loraine Nunley
All the Lost Places by Amanda Dykes (4 1/2 out of 5 stars) #amreading #BookReview #AlltheLostPlaces #BHPFiction #Venice @AJDykes @bethany_house Share on XWant a copy for yourself? Buy one here today.
