All the Glimmering Stars: A Novel

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars | 4,485 ratings

Price: 27.55

Last update: 12-12-2024


About this item

Inspired by a true story, two teens kidnapped by an African warlord find salvation through love in a powerful and healing historical novel from the #1 bestselling author of Beneath a Scarlet Sky and The Last Green Valley.

Anthony Opoka and Florence Okori are coming of age in Uganda in the 1990s. Outstanding students, they believe in being good humans before they are kidnapped and forced into the fanatical Lord’s Resistance Army.

In a legion of young recruits, no one gets closer than Anthony to powerful messianic warlord Joseph Kony and his darkest secrets. To stay sane as he spirals through chaos, Anthony clings to his childhood lessons about being a good human. Florence’s upbringing grounds her, too, helping her keep her dreams alive even as she’s pulled deeper into the insanity of Kony’s war.

At the lowest points of their lives, certain they’ll never go home, Anthony and Florence meet by chance, fall in love, and begin to dream of surviving their captivity. They devote their lives to helping their fellow child soldiers escape bondage and return to their families and redemption by following the stars.

By turns tender, shocking, moving, desperate, and ultimately triumphant, Florence and Anthony’s story is an epic drama of humanity, a life-affirming tale, and an experience readers will never forget.

Featuring an afterword by Anthony and Florence Opoka.


Top reviews from the United States

R. Zervas
5.0 out of 5 stars Staying Power
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2024
I read Mr. Sullivan's Beneath a Scarlet Sky about 3 years ago and it remains one of my all time favorite stories. All the Glimmering Stars is such a compelling story and I think it, too will remain with me for a long time. The message of love and forgiveness to heal all wounds is so powerful and the unthinkable experiences that Anthony and Florence endured for so many years makes our grievances pale in comparison.

Mr. Sullivan's writing style - this is where I have difficulty writing a review - is just smooth - it flows and holds the reader's attention throughout the story. This restless reader could not have gotten through this or any story if it were not written in such a manner.

I highly recommend this book for its message of endurance under the very worst of circumstances, the strength of character shown by Anthony and Florence, especially their ability to forgive and let go. I could count on one hand the books I was truly inspired by and will remember. Mark Sullivan's books have that impact on you. They have staying power
Bridget
5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2024
A book I couldn’t put down. Mark Sullivan is an artist. He tells these stories and brings us along on horrific, beautiful and complicated journeys. Along the way we learn about ourselves and God and the human experience. Such a heartbreaking story- but a love story through and through.
Shirley J.
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2024
This was an amazing book and I highly recommend it to readers who can handle extreme violence, cruelty and death of young, kidnapped children. That said, it is at the same time full of hope and love and life’s lessons we can all use to be good humans.
Kelly Cannizzaro
5.0 out of 5 stars A Story that Needs Telling
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2024
This story is so unbelievable except that it is a true story and Mark Sullivan does an amazing job of telling it. The story follows the kidnapping of two children into the “Lord’s Resistance Army” in Uganda. As we follow their journey through the worst kind of hell, we witness what it is like to have a radical, terrorist leader. It shows how a dictator can rule in the worst possible way. This book gives us a small glimpse of how people are brainwashed to believe in someone who is the worst kind of human being. To me, it is a cautionary tale of what can happen when power is exploited and when power has no limits. Mark does an outstanding job of showing how love and hope help keep the two main characters going even when most people would have given up.
Dan R Boatright
5.0 out of 5 stars A remarkable true story
Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2024
An unbelievable and remarkable story of survival and love. Truly inspiring as it tells the story of the power of love in overcoming the most horrific circumstances.

One of the greatest novels I have ever read.
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Compelling Story of Survival
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2024
Excellent book and worth reading though it’s a bit long. The best part was after about 70% of the way through the book where the escaping part of the story took hold, and that’s where it gets its 5 stars. Had great insight into the LRA and how being “a good human” was the great moral to the story.
KDL
5.0 out of 5 stars Deeply moving true story-don’t skip it!
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2024
I’m typically an “easy read” kind of girl but a couple times a year I like to reach for something with meaning. Something moving, deep and thought provoking. Mark Sullivan will definitely do that. Beneath a Scarlet Sky is one of my all time favorite books so I knew I needed to try All the Glimmering Stars.
This story with break your heart, have you holding on to your children a little tighter. It will also leave you mesmerized and in awe of the strength of Florence and Anthony. They are good humans.
-do not skip the authors note or the acknowledgements. Most of my tears were during the authors note.
VST
4.0 out of 5 stars horrifying stories of child soldiers
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2024
All the Glimmering Stars is not an easy read because it is a story of children who were kidnapped, abused, threatened and forced to become soldiers for Joseph Kony, a maniacal leader of The Lord’s Army in Sudan and Uganda. The way the children were treated and brainwashed is horrifying, all the more so because it is real and is still going on. At the same time, the personal stories of the two main characters, Anthony and Florence, and their feelings for their families, respect for their traditions, strength, endurance,and love are inspiring.

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