Do you dream of visiting Italy and the romantic streets that hum with history and legends? In her recent release, All the Lost Places, Amanda Dykes will make those dreams come true as she sweeps readers away on the canals of Venice in this picturesque tale of identity, love, and family.

"Once upon the dawn of time, water discovered its eternal dance partners: shadow and light." ~ Amanda Dykes

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 their 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.

"In this land of tapestries and ropes and lace, there were no threads more intricately twined than their hearts." ~ Amanda Dykes

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 — The Book of Waters. There, he discovers a city of colliding hope and decay, much like his own life, and a mystery wrapped in the pages of the 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.

"Does not God have as much purpose for the Daniel of now as he did for the Daniel of before?” ~ Amanda Dykes

“Who am I?” All of us have asked this question at some point in our lives, but few have sought the answers more than Sebastien Trovato and Daniel Goodman. During their quests through Venice, these young men must grapple with forgiveness, love, and their pasts until the truth stands in front of them.

“The question is not the price of a man,” he said. “That has already been paid. The question . . . is that of a man’s worth. His value.” ~ Amanda Dykes

How do I begin to articulate what I just read? Be still my heart! I’m still reeling after completing this vibrant Historical Fiction beauty. All the Lost Places is a treasure that deserves to be described with only the best words. From the first page, Amanda Dykes captures her reader’s attention with a prologue that is a masterpiece in itself. The perfect setup for the awaiting adventure, I had to reread it before taking a deep breath and plunging into the characters’ lives and their plight to discover who they are and what they were called to do!

"I am like you, Venice seemed to say. A patchwork life, whole and yet broken." ~ Amanda Dykes

I cannot recommend All the Lost Places enough! Even if you're in the middle of reading something else, I implore you to pick up a copy of this book and be transported to a world that will remind you that you are not the only one!

*Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with a pre-release copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own*

Amanda Dykes is a writer of lyrical, thought provoking, beautiful words and though I’m typically one for a lighter fare of reading she somehow keeps drawing me back.
This one hit me a bit differently than her previous novels. Where they drew me in immediately and I was lost in their pages this one took a lot longer to build the story and thus kept me from engaging until about a third of the way in. Once I got through the start though I did feel a bit of that Amanda Dykes magic and started to invest more in the characters.
The story is exceedingly descriptive, painting a picture times and places long ago, giving the reader a chance to travel to San Francisco and then onto captivating Venice.

Wow! Another winner by Amanda Dykes! There are a handful of authors for whom I look forward to each new release, and she is one of them. Her storytelling and use of language are always beautiful and magical. This book was set in Venice in a split timeline, both historical. I loved the beautiful setting, the characters, and the stories and how they came together. She always manages to take a beautiful story and point to the Creator. Themes of love, identity, and redemption were all strong and well told. The book is very well researched and gave me a deeper appreciation for the history and culture of Venice through the wonderful story.

I received a complimentary copy this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Amanda Dykes writes such beautiful, poetic stories. Every single word on the page just grabs your attention. The characters are well written, relatable even across time periods, and have such wonderful journeys. Her faith thread is wonderfully and intricately woven so seamlessly into the story. It speaks to your heart in a way that no author can compare to if I'm being honest. There are a LOT of wonderful faith threads out there in the Christian Fiction world, but there's just something about Amanda Dykes writing that is different. Powerful even.

I could start talking about how intriguing the storyline is, and how people need to go get this book right away, but honestly - just go get the book. When you do, be prepared to go on a journey. A journey of reflection, not only in the characters but in yourself. Get ready for a book hangover. And get ready to carve out a big chunk of uninterrupted reading time.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What an absolutely beautiful story.
I am left speechless.
Who am I? This question is pondered through out the entire book.
Beautiful thoughts, lovely prose…

Every time I am privileged enough to be able to read an Amanda Dykes novel, I am left in awe and amazement. This one is no exception. As I finished reading, I found myself... stunned. Mostly just left unsure of how to begin crafting a review worthy of this beautifully sweet masterpiece.

Well. It's been awhile. I've pondered. And thought. And pondered again.
And I still don't have the right words to fully explain this beautiful story.

So, instead, I will keep my review short and say that this is one amazing book.

It is a book about people finding themselves. Figuring out who they really are, and finding where they belong.

Two different time lines, woven together in a beautiful way.

I love, loved the setting. I have always wanted to visit Venice, and I could at least in a tiny way, do that through these pages.

If you are looking for a historical fiction novel that has something of substance, and is more than just an easy reading story, then please, do yourself a favor and read this book!

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

“I search my whole life for something, and you give it to me in an entirely different form, far richer and better than I could have imagined. I was looking for a ring…and you gave me the moon.” “I didn’t do that,” she said. “It was there all along.”

All the Lost Places is another fabulous story by Amanda Dykes. Using such lyrical prose, this author engaged me with such memorable characters. I felt transformed to another place that I may never go but I feel like I could’ve been there after reading this story. Not a lot of another’s can do that.

Being set mostly in Venice in dual time line-the first in the 1800’s-a baby, Sebastian Travato, is found on the canals of a river then raised by a group of artisans. In the early 1900’s, Daniel Goodman, travels to Venice to find the Book of Lost Waters. He engrosses himself so much in Sebastian’s story that he makes amends of his own past mistakes.

This helps bring up the main theme-“Who am I?”-searching for your own identity and just wanting to belong. Don’t we all want to be seen as important and meaningful to others. The author really poured her heart into this so that we could feel in tune with what the characters are feeling. So much that I really had to pay attention to take it all in and savor each word. I felt a little confused at times so I’m gonna have to go back and reread again in the near future. That’s not a bad thing. I found All the Lost Places so relatable to what we go through in todays society wanting to be accepted for what we truly are. That being said we can sometimes also experience heartache and hope in what we go through. Our faith in God helps mold us into the “Who am I.” that we are searching to be. I really enjoyed experiencing that in this story and totally recommend it.

“He was a child of the murky lagoon, born upon dark canal waters themselves. And she, a daughter of Venice’s remnant of glory.”

I received an advanced copy from the author and publisher. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review. All opinions stated here are my own.

Amanda Dykes is a personal favorite of mine! Her works have the ability to sweep you up and transport your into another world and time. All The Lost Places features the same lyrical writing style and descriptive writing that I have come to expect and appreciate from this author. This book is a bit of a slow build and I really felt that the author was building towards taking the reader on a journey through the pages and time periods as the beginning was being set up in this story. Amanda’s books are always thought provoking and I would say that is true of this book as well. If you enjoy split time novels that are immersive and deep then you should give this one a try!

This is an intriguing book. It's not fast-paced. It has a lot more description than most books I've read. It's a haunting quest to answer the question "Who am I?" It takes place in two different times and you have to really be paying attention to catch the clues and to follow what's going on as the stories come closer to merging. It's not a light-hearted read.

However, it is a beautiful book of love on several different levels. It's a book of love that chooses to love and embrace and sacrifice a lifetime of ease for the object of that love. It's a book of sweet love between kindred spirits experiencing freedom and adventure and life. This part is what makes the book poignant and deep and rich.

I also enjoyed learning more about Venice. I felt I was transported back in time to a place I've never been and it made me want to go there and explore just as Daniel did.

I would recommend this book but it may not be a good fit for everyone. I read a lot of suspense and at times it was a little slow for me. Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I loved Amanda’s 2020 book, Set the Stars Alight. Her lyrical writing and way with words so unique and beautiful.
Unfortunately, for this book I am going to have to put it aside. I’ve been reading it for over 2 weeks and I just cannot “get into it.” I’m about 46% of the way through and I’m having a hard time concentrating and focusing. I have been sick so that hasn’t helped but I’m also not enthused to pick it back up which is always my barometer for a book. I’m sad to do this but it feels like the right thing to do.
Despite not being able to finish this book, I’m excited to see what she writes next!

Oh my goodness. How can anyone put into words how absolutely beautiful this story is? How can I use my limited vocabulary to express the way it dives down into the depths of your soul, seeking an elusive treasure, and at last finds something tucked away – a ‘something’ which you didn’t even know was there, waiting to be found by just exactly the story this was?

I just now turned the final page of this truly exquisite novel, and I’m typing this review while still wiping away tears at the ending. Not because it was sad but rather because it was perfect and messy and intricate and just so beautiful. And – mainly – because it stirred my heart unlike few books I’ve read. Amanda Dykes is an author who can spin gold out of words, who can take the bones of a story and turn it into a painting. The dual narrative of this story – as in others she has written – is woven so intentionally that it is impossible to separate the two from one another. The inevitable discoveries of who (gasp!) and what (gasp!) and where (gasp!) and how (gasp!) the two timelines are connected in All The Lost Places left me both deliciously stunned and positively delighted right down to my toes.

Not to mention the author’s poetic voice that has me reading out loud just to slow down and savor each carefully placed word. Sentences like:

"There was shadow and song in every stone."

or

"The place dripped in gold and history."

or

"Never had the connection between them been stronger – and never had the distance between them been so great."

Blissful sigh. Aren’t they just so pretty?

And then there is the heartbeat of All the Lost Places itself – the theme that curves through the story like Venice’s famed waterways. “Empty places… are not always lost places.” And, conversely, lost places are not always empty places. Brokenness can give way to beauty when in the hands of an Artist. The characters in this book are each a little (or a lot) broken in one way or another (or several), and our respective heroes in each timeline are seeking (whether they realize it or not) to be found and to find their place in history’s story. The way their stories intersect is not something I will soon forget – not only the joy of the discovery of it but of what it did to my own heart.

Bottom Line: All the Lost Places is exquisite in every way – from its vivid characters that set up camp in your heart to the lyrical prose and the healing message of redemption and restoration. Of beauty from ashes. Of art from brokenness. Of family and books and story… and, of course, Venice. I want to go back and start reading it all over again as one who hasn’t read it yet – such treasure on these pages! Take heart, dear readers: “Courage keep and hope beget, the story is not finished yet.”

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy)

"And hope. That they might be a turning point for those who would follow. That though life had taught them hope was a dangerous and fragile thing...Faith sang a different song: hope was as necessary as breath, and so strong that it carried its own heartbeat."

I always love a new story from Amanda. There is such a different quality to her stories, she weaves such beautiful and immersive tales that have a certain lyricism to them. This one is no different! Set in Venice, this a beautiful tale of redemption. Daniel is trying to atone for past mistakes and set on a path of discovery that will change everything for him. I really enjoyed this story!

I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

Another achingly beautiful story from Amanda Dykes. This book is full of beauty and hope and such lyrical writing. This is why she’s a favorite author!

This book is as wonderful as I expected! Reading a book by Amanda is more than enjoying a good story, it’s an experience. And if you enjoy dual timelines, this one is done in a unique and flawless way—think of a book within a book.

I enjoyed being transported to Venice and it was effortless to connect with Sebastian, Vittoria, Daniel (and others.) I love how Daniel and Vittoria worked together to find answers on his quest for redemption. (And a story that includes a bookshop and people with a love of books is always an added plus for me!)

All the Lost Places makes me feel all the feels, see all the places, and fall in love with the story. It’s a lyrical story of mercy, hope, forgiveness, grace, and redemption. Daniel and Sebastian both had many questions, and I was anxious to discover the answers.

Amanda’s storytelling has a poetic, expressive feel to it that makes it feel enchanted. It’s always a little bittersweet to finish such a good book because I don’t want to leave the wonderful characters behind. Sigh…

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.

Amanda Dyke’s amazing story that combines faith, mystery, secrets, hope, and the history of Venice will hold you captivated with its magnificent poetic prose.

The author’s note at the end was the most touching aspect. I appreciated the tender experiences Amanda shared of her own struggle and how this book came about. I suffer from short-term memory loss, and not only is it difficult for me, but it is difficult for those who share my life. Many times I have to reread a book before being able to write a review.

When I first read All the Lost Places, the characters and settings sometimes seemed sad, dreary, and even depressing. Despite the enchanting writing style and mystery bridging the two timelines, I struggled to fall in love with this book. But after reading Amanda’s author’s note, I reread Daniel’s story and the “Book of Waters” separately, which made me fall in love with both stories. Sebastien’s story is a dreamlike, magical story full of hope, love, and forgiveness, while Daniel’s story is true to life and its struggles. This dual-timeline story is full of truth and hope for the heart that questions, “Who am I?” from both POVs.

I needed a book like this at this time in my life as I have been asking myself, “Who am I?” as of late. All the Lost Places is a perfect winter read, leaving one feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Thank you, Amanda Dykes, for penning this story and sharing your struggles.

I requested and received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley through Interviews & Reviews. All the opinions are my own, and I was not required to give a positive review.

All The Lost Places is the sort of beautiful that sends shivers up your spine. The writing is spun in this enchanting, folktale sort of tone, that slowly draws you in until you almost forget that you're reading; pulling away is like awakening from a dream. It's the sort of book you have to read slowly, and every little detail matters and feels like something to savor.

I also loved the way the different tales intertwined. At first, I wasn't sure where they were going as they seemed mostly unrelated. Then suddenly, all the little pieces began to click into place like a mosaic, and I was shocked at how much sense it made and yet how I had completely missed the connections. The craftsmanship is just incredible and the payoff at the end... *chef's kiss*.

My one note is that the book is very slow-moving. Even though I did enjoy the story and it was magically written, for the first half or so, nothing really happens. Eventually all the seemingly mundane events do tie together, but because that did change the reading experience for me in the first half, I figured I'd mention it. :)

All the Lost Places by Amanda Dykes transports readers to Venice, Italy. The author’s vivid language and descriptions make readers feel like they are a part of the unfolding mystery of the story. Set in two time periods, the story follows Sebastien Trovato, the legendary baby that was rescued from the river. But years later, Daniel Goodman travels to Venice to complete the story. He discovered a book, partially written, of Sebastien and seeks to unlock the mystery.

I am a fan of the author, and Whose Waves These Are is one of my favorites. All the Lost Places brings the scenery and characters to life on the pages. Readers will fall in love with Daniel and his quest, especially when he meets the alluring yet quirky Vittoria, who joins Daniel to search for the missing book. My only issue was that I did find it hard to switch between time periods while reading, which usually doesn’t bother me. But the author’s characters and settings make me want to pack my bags and head to Venice.

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Amanda Dykes has such a way with words! She writes stories that are told in a beautiful manner, with words that jump off the page and capture you instantly. Her prose is stunning and gorgeous! I loved the setting of this novel. It was remarkable how the setting (the canals of Venice) almost became a character in and of itself. The descriptions of the scenes make it easy for me to be transported to the two historical timelines. The characters are equally well written and I was instantly invested in their stories and their romance. The Christian truths are unique and integrated flawlessly; I found myself reflecting often on the deep questions the characters ask themselves. The struggle with identity is something most of us have also struggled with and these realistic thoughts made the characters more authentic. Reading this novel is like reading beautiful poetry. I cannot recommend it enough!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers, courtesy of Austen Prose Tours with Laurel Ann Nattress. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Oh my! What magnificent storytelling. I felt like I was in the presence of a master storyteller. There is so much in this story that a review really can't do it justice, however, I'm conscious of not just throwing out superlatives to express my delight.

I never stop reading a story; if I start it, I finish it, whatever my initial thoughts. However, I was struggling with this story until 30-40% through it. I just didn't get it. Yes, the prose was brilliant and the imagery of the two time periods was breathtaking but I wasn't feeling anything for either Sebastien or Daniel. And then Mariana appeared and her fragility and wonder brought Sebastien alive in my eyes. Soon, Daniel jumped out in 3D and I couldn't stop turning the pages. Slowly though, because Ms Dykes storytelling demands it in its complexity, beauty and lyrical quality.

Interestingly, one of the images Dykes uses is the mosaic which is so significant to the famous St.Mark's Basilica in Venice. It's a good image to describe this story - slowly, broken fragile pieces of the story are lovingly pulled together by Dykes wonderful crafting. Two time-periods, 1800s and early 1900s, two male leads, Sebastien and Daniel, whose stories are pieced together in a stunning portrayal using the beauty of Venice, its canals, palazzo's, islands and enchantments.

And then there's Mariana who in my mind is the jewel of the story. At times she communicates in the abstract, almost too lyrical, but her vulnerability and love is breathtaking. Then there's the Garbin, Vittoria, who brings Daniel out of his funk, who gives him purpose and meaning beyond his past that he is ashamed of. Vittoria too is a delightful creation - a whirlwind, who brings order out of chaos and loves books.

My mum loved Venice. We lost her this year as the Lord took her home to be with Him. Mum would have loved to have read this story - it would have charmed her the way the city did. There's much in this story about loss - it's explicit in the title and Dykes shares some of her own reflections on loss in her note at the end. There is always hope, even when all seems lost. We experience that through Sebastien, Daniel and Mariana's eyes - it may take time to find that hope, but it is in the beauty, grace, fragility and wonder of our belovedness by the One who has created the most fascinating human mosaics.

I was blessed to have received an early ebook copy of "All the Lost Places" from Bethany House via NetGalley with no expectation of a positive review.

How does Amanda Dykes continue to write such beautiful and poignant stories? Ones that take readers on a journey of discovery that both leave you completely satisfied with the ending yet wanting more because you’re just not ready to say goodbye to the characters you’ve traveled with along the say.

In All the Lost Places, two broken men living a century and continents apart are searching for their identity. Through the author’s lyrical prose woven so delicately, we embark on this soul-searching endeavor, and in the end, it changes us. I loved how well these two stories fit together like puzzle pieces in the bigger picture.

And when a book surprises me, it’s one I won’t soon forget, and this one did it multiple times. If you have not yet read an Amanda Dykes novel, run to your nearest bookstore and grab this one. You will not regret immersing yourself into this captivating story that will stir your soul.


Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own.

“Empty places . . . are not always lost places.”

I always have to give myself extra time when I read a book by this author, because I don’t want to miss a single beautiful word, thought, or phrase. I find myself rereading many of the lyrical and thought-provoking sentences and paragraphs and marking them for future reference. Her stories are some of my all-time favorites, and I recommend them often to other readers.

Set primarily in Venice during two time periods—the early 1800s and the early 1900s-- this stirring novel stars a baby foundling, Sebastien Trovato, who is raised by a group of artisans, and Daniel Goodman, who is trying to atone for past crimes. As Daniel travels to Venice on a quest to obtain and translate a lost book, he finds himself immersed in Sebastien’s story.

“This sense of anticipation flexed its reach until Sebastien was certain the air must be pushing right out of the windows, slipping onto the balcony and tumbling over the waters below.”

The characters are colorful, unique, masterfully crafted, and set amidst historically intriguing locales. It was very interesting to learn much about the history of Venice while reading this absorbing tale. This book is filled with broken, bruised, and hurting souls searching for answers, lost places and lost people searching to find who they are. It’s a story of redemption, hope, family, and identity. It’s the kind of book I finish and immediately want to start reading again to find more hidden meaning and beauty.

“Courage keep and hope beget, the story is not finished yet . . . “

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers. All opinions are my own.