I found this book and story very compelling. It is set in Uganda and Sudan in the 1990's centering around the Lord's Resistance Army run by Joseph Kony. I had heard about this man and his abduction of child soldiers, but didn't know much of the story. This book is based on the stories of Antony and Florence, two young people who were abducted and spent many years as soldiers. It is based on a true story, which made it more compelling. Some of the story is very intense and hard to hear, but it was handled with delicacy and sensitivity.
I listened to this book and found the narrator to be excellent.
Recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for the Advanced Reader Copy. The review is my own.

Reviewing the audiobook of All the Glimmering Stars and only at 12%. When I'm really enjoying a book, I like to provide updates as I'm reading. Two point of views, Anthony and Florence, both young African children. Mark T. Sullivan's writing is so captivating; I'm so drawn to both of these youngsters. This book is inspired by a true story!

Finished! Absolutely the best book I’ve read this year! I listened to the audiobook that was narrated by Junior Nyong'o who did an absolutely fabulous job! So many different voices!

Mark T. Sullivan is a favorite historical fiction writer. I've been hooked since Beneath a Scarlet Sky.

Often I read several books at the same time. I happened to be reading Okay, Now What? By Kate Gladdin – a self-help book (Resilience, Recognize, Reflect, Redirect) and also touches on “being a good human”. Coincidently I was also switching between another historical fiction audiobook All The Glimmering Stars by Mark Sullivan about two teenagers who were abducted in Africa and forced to be child soldiers for the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda. These teenagers went through some horrific events, but their upbringing from their parents was strong and included “being a good human”. Anthony’s father told him when he was young, “Do you know how to be happy when you are sad or afraid? (Go play with my friends.) Good and here’s another one, look for the good things in your life and thankful. You will always be happier and less afraid if you do.” This and some other similar events stuck with Anthony and helped him be resilient.
It was just so interesting to read the non-fiction alternately with this historical fiction.

So very glad that NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing/Brilliance Audio approved my request to listen to the advance listen of All the Glimmering Stars in exchange for an honest review. Don't miss this one! and the audio is fantastic! I'm at 12% completion and there are 14hr 35 min remaining, (hardcover is around 480 pages). Release date is May 2024, but I don't see the audio ISBN listed on GoodReads yet.

A tough but beautifully written story to listen to. This is a well researched and painfully history of what happened to children in Uganda.

Sometimes, I wonder: does a certain author have the right to write other people's stories, especially when they are from another part of the world and may struggle to accurately present the culture of the potential protagonist? This is a constant debate on social media, and I understand where it comes from. At the same time, I wonder if, without those exact authors who venture into often forgotten parts of the world, we would even hear about these people. This brings to mind the case of Anthony and Florence Opoka, whose lives were as tragic as one can imagine. Yet, they found not only love in each other but also happiness despite it all.

In this book, the author perfectly encompasses the historical aspects of the political situation in Uganda. I found it not only informative but also motivating, prompting me to learn more about the atrocities committed during that time. My research overlapped with the story of Anthony and Florence, adding more context to their narrative. On the other hand, the book does not claim to be a factual account but is instead a fictional representation inspired by true events. Memories can be faulty, but here we do not have to double-check; we just immerse ourselves, and if we allow it, we will be rewarded with a story that squeezes our hearts.

Despite the author's due diligence in representing events, some cultural aspects were missing, which, for me, was deeply unsettling. The dialogues contained sentences as they would be spoken by any English-speaking Westerner, using idioms that made me wonder if they are truly used when translated. As someone who operates in two languages daily and lives in a place that is not my origin, I recognize the influence of the Western world. Yet, it would have been so much better if, especially in the audio version, I had experienced more culturally appropriate expressive tools from the protagonist. Of course, this is not a reason to discard the book altogether, but I feel it is important to mention.

Either way, I am glad I listened to the audiobook. I have the utmost admiration for Anthony and Florence and am even more shocked by how much history of some parts of the world is never talked about in schools. We could learn a lot from these stories, as humanity seems to make the same mistakes over and over.

Thank you, #netgalley , for this #giftedaudiobook . Have you read any books by Mark Sullivan? I became a fan when I read Beneath a Scarlet Sky, and I was intrigued by the compelling subject matter in his new book. This novel highlights the plight of child soldiers kidnapped by the Lords Resistance Army led by Joseph Kony in South Sudan and Uganda. This author illustrates a world that readers can not fathom and brings to life the complexities of war, emotional and physical abuse, love, and straddles the chasm between survival and being a good human. This is one of the best books I have listened to this year. I highly recommend the audiobook, as the narrator's accent makes this story even more authentic.

All the Glimmering Stars is a deeply moving, dark story about children kidnapped into the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda in the 1990s. But it also manages to incorporate a glimmer of hope. Based on a true story, it focuses on two of the 60-100,000 children believed kidnapped and pressed into service. This is an important book, but it’s definitely not an easy one. Once again, Sullivan has brought an important historical time to the forefront and taught me something I was unaware of. As always, Sullivan has something important to say about human nature.
As a young boy, Anthony’s father made sure to spend time with him teaching him how to be a better human. He’s then kidnapped into an army determined to drive any semblance of humanity out of their young soldiers. There’s an old term called “cannon fodder”. That’s basically how these kids were treated. Their first time in battle, they literally weren’t given weapons but were told shea butter would protect them.
This meets all my requirements for historical fiction - to learn something while also being told a fabulous story with strong, believable characters. I was totally engrossed in Anthony and Florence’s story. Over and over, my heart just went out to them. Their ability to keep that core of humanity in their hearts was so impressive. And what they accomplished afterwards was equally important.
It was sad to learn how Ugandans viewed the returning soldiers and the women.
Warning - this is not for the faint of heart. The LRA thought nothing of enacting horrible punishments and deaths onto young children. I was repeatedly shocked at the horrors of this war.
Make sure to listen to the Author’s Note at the end.
My thanks to Netgalley and Brilliance Audio for an advance copy of this book.

Another great book by Sullivan. Long story, but worth it. The audio version was wonderful. Such great narration. This story was well worth the read.

Wow, what an incredibly heartbreaking yet inspirational story.

Journalist and author Mark Sullivan has opened my eyes to a dark and shocking part of history that I knew little about. In 1990, in Uganda, teens and children were being kidnapped by the warlord Joseph Kony and forced to serve in his fanatical Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

Anthony Opoka and Florence Okori are both young students from loving homes when the LRA kidnaps them. 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 is based on their actual experiences as they are taken from their families, beaten, abused, and forced to be used as part of the LRA.

As you can imagine, this was difficult to read at times. But what made this story so astounding was Anthony and Florence’s kindness, generosity, perseverance, and determination to help others. It’s not a spoiler for me to tell you that these two, surrounded by war, hatred, and brutality, found love in each other.

This story is historical, but the author approaches it from a human perspective—tearing your heart out while making you believe in the power of love.

Please don’t miss the Author's Note. Also, Anthony and Florence tell the afterword, which will give you goosebumps!

Thank you @dartfroggco and @amazonpublishing for this gifted copy.

I paired my reading with the gifted audiobook from @brilliancepublishing and it made the characters come alive for me.

Wow. This book. I’m not sure there has ever been a book where I have learned this much. I didn’t know anything about Uganda in the 90’s and 2000’s and the Lord’s Resistance Army. The story follows two teens who were kidnapped by the LRA and the story of their survival, their battles and their hopes and dreams. Sullivan goes on to explore the tragedy and sufferings thousands of children went through who were kidnapped and either killed or forced into the LRA. Inspired by true events, this story brought facts, adventure, hardship, courage, and lots of emotion. Sullivan’s storytelling is spectacular, and I was captured from the beginning. If your heart can take it, this is a must read.

All the Glimmering Stars tells the story of two young people who were taken by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in Africa. Anthong was taken from home and forced quite young to start fighting for the LRA and he ended up close to Joseph Kony’s inner circle in communications. Florence was fifteen and had dreams of college and an education when she was taken from her home. The LRA didn’t believe in rape, but instead force Florence to marry an older man (shaking my head). He was killed and Florence and Anthony fell in love and started dreaming of escaping the LRA.
Anthony and Florence’s story was awe inspiration. The author’s note at the end (what makes this fiction) and the afterword by Anthony and Florence made me love this one. Anthony has testified against Kony and his crimes, and together, Anthony and Florence are raising money to help child soldiers. Part of the profits from this book are going to help them. I love that.
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Every once in a great while I read a book so profound that I just can’t come up with a review for it. Nothing I attempt to put into words will come close to expounding on how truly moving, important, gripping and emotionally engaging this story was. In other words, this book has left me completely and utterly speechless.

But I’m still gonna try…

𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀 (𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝟱/𝟴) is a story with history, action, drama, hope and triumph. It is a MUST read based on real people that shines a light on an important and horrific part of Ugandan history and life for those living there. I felt so connected to each character he introduced throughout the storyline, and found myself completely wrapped up in the lives and emotions of the two main characters(Anthony and Florence), while being transported into their world.

As always, Sullivan does immaculate research when compiling an unforgettable story. I was truly amazed at the how well Sullivan wrote shocking moments throughout the story that Anthony and Florence were forced to endure, but there were also so many uplifting moments to cherish as their love grew, continued to never give up their hopes of freedom, and their spirits radiated till the very last page.

I stayed up very late many nights simply because I couldn’t go to sleep not knowing what would happen next.

Overall, this is an outstanding and masterful book. Mark Sullivan has told another important, eye opening, and never-to-be forgotten story. And, you too will find yourself utterly speechless and have tears streaming down your face at the end.

All the stars and going on my Lifetime Favorites shelf!!