Disclosure: I received this complimentary product All The Lost Places through Nuts about Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and is so much appreciated. 
Amanda Dykes presents to us a story of history interwoven in the present, and yet even the present has the depth of pastness woven in. Be drawn into the story of Daniel, Sebastian, and Massimo. Can there be a connection separating 100 years of history?
Learning the Details of All the Lost Places
Author: Amanda Dykes
Title: All the Lost Places
Publisher: Bethany House
Pages: 400
Intended Audience: young adult, adult
Formats Available: Kindle, Audiobook, Hardcover, Paperback
Reviewed For: Nuts About Books
Received: paperback copy
Genre: Christian Fiction, 20th Century Historical Romance, Historical Christian Romance, Christian Historical fiction.
About the Author
Amanda Dykes has written several books over the past few years. She writes from a faith-based perspective, and loves to drink tea. Her goal is inspire hope in her readers.
About the book
1807
A baby discovered in floating basket is raised by a guild of artisans in Venice. Raised in each of their trades, the boy Sebastien wonders about his origins, wanting to answer the question Who Am I? A stranded woman starts him on the path of answering that question. Getting the answer might affect not only his future, but also that of his beloved floating city of Venice.
1904
Daniel Goodman is a man haunted by his path, and looking for redemption. He’s given a fresh start in life as the century turns. His assignment takes him from California to Venice. His job: procure and translate a copy of a rare book, the book of Waters. With the help of Vittoria, a bookshop keeper, Daniel soon finds himself in a web of shadows, secrets, and discoveries within the stones and canals of the ancient city and deep in the mystery of Sebastien.
Digging Deeper
I love the chapter heading images. That bridge? It fit so well into the entire story, symbolizing the bridge between history, love, and the hope hidden in the shadows.
Each chapter clearly lets us know if we are talking about the life of Daniel, Sebastien or the Book of Waters.
Two different fonts are used throughout the story to distinguish between the book of the past, and the working through of history and present company. I appreciated the distinction as it added an important element to the story.
My Thoughts?
It took me a long time to work my way through this story, far longer than I thought it would. The biggest reason was the story just didn’t really grab my attention. It’s poetic and introspective in nature and jumps back and forth in history. Not quite my style of read.
Is there a message of hope? Yes. Does good triumph? Yes.
Does the modern day story have a good ending? Certainly.
I want to say… go get it, but I was just left feeling meh, and I have a hard time recommending it. Now, if you are familiar with Amanda Dykes and her writing style and love it… well go get All The Lost Places! Enjoy it.
Learn some history, and be inspired to hope in something bigger than yourself. It’s a good thing that!
I struggle with dual timeline stories often. That hopping back and forth is just difficult if it is not well done.
I think I’m going to choose not to read books like this anymore. most of the time they are just too hard.