All the Lost Places by Amanda Dykes dives into a world of identity. It is a timely novel with so many people trying to figure out who they are by diving into a world of sin and chaos. No, Dykes does not touch on those issues in her story, but she allows her hero in 1807 to dive into the world of discovering who he really is. At first, the story starts a little odd, and I was following the story, but I had no idea what was really occurring. But once the story moved to Italy, it made more sense, and I became fully invested in the character's lives. I love the hunt for the missing pages of the story. I enjoyed reading the actual story as Daniel is translating it while he is in Italy. Both stories intertwined really nicely and had a satisfying ending. Both characters discovered who they were created to be and relished in God's love and plan for their lives. Dykes does have a lyrical way of crafting the description. I took notice of how she described certain things like the water and the lagoon and marveled at her use of imagery to convey the scenes and the emotion of the scenes. Nicely done! Overall, All the Lost Places by Amanda Dykes is a unique, yet important story with a lesson that everyone needs to uncover. I really enjoyed the story.

I received a complimentary copy of All the Lost Places by Amanda Dykes from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

"And isn’t that the way of miracles? Something extraordinary because of the faithful ordinary."

There are so many beautiful layers in this story. I love how Amanda weaves truth into the fabric of her story and everything points to it. She is a stunning example of an author who can use truth in an allegorical way, but then leaves no questions about what it is she's referring to - she straight out tells you, and I appreciate her being clear where it really matters.

Because the vagueness and not mystery as much as mystique in the rest of the story kept me as a reader at a distance and made it difficult for me to care or get invested for large swaths of the book. Ultimately, I loved the characters and the general plot, but the setting was not something I came into the book caring about and all the constant reminders of secrecy of the place made me feel unwelcome and care about it even less than when I started. There were a lot of concepts connected to the culture that were foreign to me and for which I needed a less purple explanation to understand everything as it unfolded.

I think lovers of the setting would have a very deep appreciation for this book, and lovers of truth can enjoy it, but it's not necessarily easily accessible for every reader. Nonetheless, I can appreciate the author's skill with character, plot, weaving of the message, and immersing in a setting.

I received this book from the publisher but a positive review was not required and all opinions are my own.

This was a truly beautiful book. Beautifully written; two historical periods exquisitely connected; lovely Truths communicated. Dykes's best yet.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

‘Courage keep, and hope beget; the story is not finished yet…’

This story cannot be any better summarised than by these words, spoken by one of the characters in the story. This story is pure hope and purpose, and the answer to that eternal question: ‘Who am I?’

I honestly don’t know how she does it, but Amanda consistently writes novels that are more than just a novel. And this one is no exception. It’s a slow-moving read, but full and rich in its meanderings, much (I’d imagine) like a gondola ride through the canals of the city that inspired it. And as you take that ride, Amanda’s words, rather than just speak to your mind, will resonate to the very depths of your soul.

That ending is going to resonate within mine for a very long time…

Who am I? Trovato

(and if you want to understand that, you’re just going to have to read it for yourself 🥰)

Honestly, I just don’t have words that can do this story justice. The way it embodies it’s own values is just so incredible. So simple and yet so much depth. (IYKYK) And, as always, Amanda’s prose is unparalleled… her way with words is so evocative and rich and blows me away every time.

Thank you Amanda for sharing your beautiful words with the world… and for making me really, really want to visit Venice!!! 😂

I love this book. Read it. It’s Amanda, need I say more? 😊

Thank you so much @bethanyhousefiction and @netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts here are my own honest opinion. (All The Lost Places releases in December - be sure to pre-order!)

Forget 5 stars. This book needs another system of rating. It's a 5 diamond story in a world when most books only earn stars. If you haven’t found a delicious turn of phrase or beautiful, unique description within two minutes of starting All the Lost Places, I’d be surprised. I may or may not have teared up on the first page—both because of her beautiful writing and also because of what Amanda Dykes says of lost, light, and memory. If you don’t begin—and certainly end—this book with chills creeping up your arms, did you really read it?

Bridging time from Sebastien in early 1800s Venice to Daniel early 1900s San Francisco, we adventure through this city of water to unravel a mystery surrounding a rare book. There’s Vittoria whom Daniel meets through the bookshop, and jumping back a century there’s the woman in the lagoon who holds pieces of Sebastien’s past.
Amanda Dykes’s raw skill as an author is one element to this book’s delights, but her work to apply that skill is just as evident. There are books you read, enjoy, and return. Then there are books you savor, which dig into you and stay with you for a lifetime. I was constantly highlighting and marking along 4 different color themes of the story’s light/shadow exploration, these just delicious descriptions of the characters…Daniel’s memory.

One spoiler-free excerpt--which hit hard enough I had to step away for the rest of the day—describes life with amnesia in a way I’ve never heard but know too well (I lost years of my memories after trauma long ago): “The empty place that was my visual imagination…dug that hole deeper. Every grief doubled. Lost in true life and lost again to this wall between me and the simple act of picturing things.”

Ya’ll, All the Lost Places is incredibly special (and apparently others such as Booklist and Library Journal with their starred reviews agree!).

Generally I read for pleasure and find enjoyment in reading books. Unfortunately this book didn't grab my attention, I am sure others will enjoy and be encouraged by reading it.

I wish i could give this book more than 5 stars because this author has written another beautiful story that made my heart full and satisfied.
The way she wrote this book she made me visualize this beautiful city. I felt like I was there.
I'm going to put a quote that I loved from this book because there's just something about it that rings true for all of us.
"There's just something about you Daniel Goodman, that makes me think that perhaps you are right. " That a book, bell, or anything might be wrapped in a thousand invisible threads lives entwined without us even realizing."
I wanted to add that I felt like I could relate to the main character since he could "see" what things might've been like in the past. Like seeing what people used to look like how they felt and what they thought etc.
There seems to be a mystery part to this novel as well.
This author is just awesome in what she does.
I hope to see another novel from her in the future
I didn't want this book to end because it was so good!
5 stars for a job well done! I highly recommend for sure and certain!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Amanda Dykes will never fail to amaze me with her ability to spin ordinary words into extraordinary stories. I have yet to read another author that surpasses her craft at writing and touching my heart with deep and relatable themes. One of those themes was this question: Who am I? Who am I with a past behind me, a present in front of me, ands future ahead of me? Who am I when I feel lost and uncertain?

I think it’s impossible for Amanda to ever not get a five-star review from me so, without further ado, here’s to another five-star rating to another masterpiece.

“Remember—though it may feel as if it is, the story is not over yet.”

“And isn’t that the way of miracles? Something extraordinary because of the faithful ordinary?”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of All the Lost Places. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.

ALL THE LOST PLACES by AMANDA DYKES needs to be read slowly in order to enjoy the poetic prose and symbolism to the full. The story and characters are enthralling and so are the descriptions of Venice, who is a major character herself. “I am like you, Venice seemed to say. A patchwork life, whole and yet broken.” It is a story about restoration and finding out who one really is, of friendship and sacrificial love, and of redemption in Christ. There are also secrets and there is betrayal, and the author describes vividly the checkered history of the city with its Doges and rebellions under Napoleon and Austria.
We are taken from 1807 where we meet SebastienTrovato, the baby in the basket who was saved and nurtured by the members of a guild, learning all their trades, to 1904 when Daniel Goodman, self professed thief and disappointment to his mother, an artist who has lost the ability to imagine, leaves California for Venice to draw antiquities and find and translate old books for Mr Wharton and his Venice in America project. ………
I am not going to tell you any more in case I spoil things for you.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

All the Lost Places by Amanda Dykes


This is such a beautiful, authentic, and redemptive story. All the Lost Places explores the journey from a place of being lost in life, and the beauty of being found. Readers are invited into an immersive plot filled with faith, mystery, and hope. The setting (Venice) was enchanting, the characters were like old friends, and the writing was spelling-binding. I did not want to put this book down for a second!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Amanda Dykes!

I did not know what to expect with this book, only that I have read this author before and have liked her previous novels. But this exceeded any expectations I might have had and I couldn't put it down! It was well written, and the characters seemed 'true' for the times they were living in (i.e. not modern characters put into past eras that retain their modernity). I enjoyed the mystery at the heart of this book, and its lyrical descriptions of Venice was like a mini-vacation to it. Overall, I really enjoyed this and will be reading it again!