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forestidylls's review
4.0
Beautiful, lyrical prose. A sweet, classic story. Definitely slow-paced and a little hard to get into, but if you are willing to just enjoy the words rather than getting impatient for the plot, then worth reading, though there were some parts it was hard to understand.
english_lady03's review against another edition
4.0
All the Lost Places is a dual-timeline novel set in the beautiful city of Venice. The novel divides its time between early 19th century Venice (just after the invasion of Napoleon) and the early 20th century. One timeline involves a young foundling and another a thief sent from America to find a priceless and legendary tome called The Book of Waters.
All the Lost Places is a beautiful story about finding one’s place in the world. “The Lost Places” can be inside yourself and not just in the world, and one of the themes is that searching for can be a result of feeling lost and purposeless. Characters in this story find meaning, purpose and ultimately healing though faith and love.
This was, overall, just a very encouraging and uplifting book and I think we all need this at times. Recommended.
Thanks to Bethany House for approving my request for this title. I was not required to review it or write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
All the Lost Places is a beautiful story about finding one’s place in the world. “The Lost Places” can be inside yourself and not just in the world, and one of the themes is that searching for can be a result of feeling lost and purposeless. Characters in this story find meaning, purpose and ultimately healing though faith and love.
This was, overall, just a very encouraging and uplifting book and I think we all need this at times. Recommended.
Thanks to Bethany House for approving my request for this title. I was not required to review it or write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
eckermama's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
farmfreshlisa's review
4.0
Possibly the most beautiful prologue of prose I've ever read. It washed over like a gentle tide. I hoped that it would then turn into the emotional ride that her first book gave me back at the beginning of this year...
But for some reason this book didn't connect with me like some of her others have. Was it rich? yes. Did the characters have baggage? yes. But I just didn't connect. Sometimes I think I got lost in the plot. Perhaps it was simply that the baggage these characters had didn't touch me like some of the others. I didn't relate to them like I have others.
I do enjoy that the author creates strong male lead characters. This is another one where the lead is NOT female. In fact, we only really see the two male narratives. This isn't done enough in christian fiction so I appreciate it. I did love the "multi-parents" scenario with Sebastian. The way he learned the different Guild members skills. Oh and maybe that's where the story bogged down...in the history of Venetia and the whole Doge thing. I never quite figured out how it all worked and the rolls of the guild members.
Vittoria was a fun character. She was a good match with Daniel. My heart ached for Daniels mother. And the ending was solid. and I still want to go to Venice. LOL.
this one is just a solid 4 stars.
Lisa’s Ratings
5⭐ = Unforgettable. Make me FEEL emotions. I laughed or cried. I didn't want to put it down or let it end. They became my friends. A personal favorite.
4⭐ = Excellent read. Couldn’t put it down. Will recommend to others. But I didn't *feel* anything.
3⭐ = Liked it. Glad I read it. Engaging/entertaining/interesting. But nothing stellar or unforgettable. Not sure I will recommend it.
2⭐ = The book was tolerable, but I almost didn't like it.
1⭐ = For whatever reason, I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.
But for some reason this book didn't connect with me like some of her others have. Was it rich? yes. Did the characters have baggage? yes. But I just didn't connect. Sometimes I think I got lost in the plot. Perhaps it was simply that the baggage these characters had didn't touch me like some of the others. I didn't relate to them like I have others.
I do enjoy that the author creates strong male lead characters. This is another one where the lead is NOT female. In fact, we only really see the two male narratives. This isn't done enough in christian fiction so I appreciate it. I did love the "multi-parents" scenario with Sebastian. The way he learned the different Guild members skills. Oh and maybe that's where the story bogged down...in the history of Venetia and the whole Doge thing. I never quite figured out how it all worked and the rolls of the guild members.
Vittoria was a fun character. She was a good match with Daniel. My heart ached for Daniels mother. And the ending was solid. and I still want to go to Venice. LOL.
this one is just a solid 4 stars.
Lisa’s Ratings
5⭐ = Unforgettable. Make me FEEL emotions. I laughed or cried. I didn't want to put it down or let it end. They became my friends. A personal favorite.
4⭐ = Excellent read. Couldn’t put it down. Will recommend to others. But I didn't *feel* anything.
3⭐ = Liked it. Glad I read it. Engaging/entertaining/interesting. But nothing stellar or unforgettable. Not sure I will recommend it.
2⭐ = The book was tolerable, but I almost didn't like it.
1⭐ = For whatever reason, I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.
what_ella_reads's review
4.0
My rating:4 stars
Another beautifully lyrical work from Amanda Dykes.
My favorite thing about this book was the atmospheric setting. I've never been to Venice, but this book makes me feel like I have been! The way the author wrote about it made me feel how special and almost magical Venice is.
Another thing I enjoyed were the themes of forgiveness, redemption, and identity. I love how the author wove the gospel into the tough conversations characters had about these topics.
My only critique of this book is that it has a slow start. It took about 75 pages for me to really get into the story and to relate to the protagonist, Daniel, but once I did I was engaged.
Amanda Dykes is so talented and I will definitely continue o read her works in the future!
Another beautifully lyrical work from Amanda Dykes.
My favorite thing about this book was the atmospheric setting. I've never been to Venice, but this book makes me feel like I have been! The way the author wrote about it made me feel how special and almost magical Venice is.
Another thing I enjoyed were the themes of forgiveness, redemption, and identity. I love how the author wove the gospel into the tough conversations characters had about these topics.
My only critique of this book is that it has a slow start. It took about 75 pages for me to really get into the story and to relate to the protagonist, Daniel, but once I did I was engaged.
Amanda Dykes is so talented and I will definitely continue o read her works in the future!
nfathauer's review
5.0
2nd time around. A comfort read for sure. This will be on annual rotation.
1st time. Absolutely brilliant
1st time. Absolutely brilliant
melissasbookshelf's review
4.0
“Courage keep, and hope beget . . . the story is not finished yet.”
“Whatever else our lot—whatever our legacy, our history, our burdens to bear—we have all been given time. And we must spend it well, spend it like it is gold, or better.”
I can’t believe this is my first Amanda Dykes novel! I was captured from the very beginning by her beautiful, lyrical prose. It took me a little bit to get used to the richness of the storytelling because this is one book you really have to pay attention to. Every word, every nuance, every character is important. It’s a dual time line masterpiece where the two main characters are lost and needing to be found. It’s the answer to one of those age old questions of who am I? It’s a story encapsulating faith, redemption, love, mystery, family, country, and identity.
Daniel is living in America in the early 1900’s. As a former thief who spent time in prison, he’s trying to atone for all the wrongs he committed. He’s given a second chance when he’s given the opportunity to travel to Venice, Italy to discover the mysterious ending of an old, rare book. When he arrives in Venice, he meets a beautiful bookshop owner, Vittoria who not only helps him on his quest, but also helps him rediscover his own story.
Sebastian Trovato’s dramatic life is contained in the Book of Waters. Like the baby Moses, Sebastian was found floating down the canals of Venice in a basket. Though destined for the orphanage, he was rescued and raised by five artisans who possess differing talents of everything from gardening to printing. His constant question is “who am I?” When a young woman washes up on his island after a storm, he begins to discover the long awaited answers to his identity.
This is a slow burn, rich historical fiction that will leave you truly appreciating the message and beautiful craftsmanship of the novel. Perhaps, one of the most touching aspects was the author’s note at the end. We all have our own struggles and feel lost at times. I appreciated tender experiences the author shares of her own struggle and how this book came about. It’s a must read for all historical and Christian fiction fans. Can’t wait to read her other books! I received an advanced complimentary copy from AustenProse PR. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review. 4.5/5 stars!
“Whatever else our lot—whatever our legacy, our history, our burdens to bear—we have all been given time. And we must spend it well, spend it like it is gold, or better.”
I can’t believe this is my first Amanda Dykes novel! I was captured from the very beginning by her beautiful, lyrical prose. It took me a little bit to get used to the richness of the storytelling because this is one book you really have to pay attention to. Every word, every nuance, every character is important. It’s a dual time line masterpiece where the two main characters are lost and needing to be found. It’s the answer to one of those age old questions of who am I? It’s a story encapsulating faith, redemption, love, mystery, family, country, and identity.
Daniel is living in America in the early 1900’s. As a former thief who spent time in prison, he’s trying to atone for all the wrongs he committed. He’s given a second chance when he’s given the opportunity to travel to Venice, Italy to discover the mysterious ending of an old, rare book. When he arrives in Venice, he meets a beautiful bookshop owner, Vittoria who not only helps him on his quest, but also helps him rediscover his own story.
Sebastian Trovato’s dramatic life is contained in the Book of Waters. Like the baby Moses, Sebastian was found floating down the canals of Venice in a basket. Though destined for the orphanage, he was rescued and raised by five artisans who possess differing talents of everything from gardening to printing. His constant question is “who am I?” When a young woman washes up on his island after a storm, he begins to discover the long awaited answers to his identity.
This is a slow burn, rich historical fiction that will leave you truly appreciating the message and beautiful craftsmanship of the novel. Perhaps, one of the most touching aspects was the author’s note at the end. We all have our own struggles and feel lost at times. I appreciated tender experiences the author shares of her own struggle and how this book came about. It’s a must read for all historical and Christian fiction fans. Can’t wait to read her other books! I received an advanced complimentary copy from AustenProse PR. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review. 4.5/5 stars!