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All the Glimmering Stars
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.
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.
475 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2024
About the author
Mark T. Sullivan
39 books3,657 followersMark T. Sullivan (b. 1958) is an author of thrillers. Born in a Boston suburb, he joined the Peace Corp after college, traveling to West Africa to live with a tribe of Saharan nomads. Upon returning to the United States, he took a job at Reuters, beginning a decade-long career in journalism that would eventually lead to a job as an investigative reporter for the San Diego Tribune.
Sullivan spent the winter of 1990 living with a group of skiers in Utah and Wyoming, and used the experience as the foundation for his first novel, The Fall Line (1994). In 1995 he published Hard News, a thriller based on his work as a reporter, and a year later he released The Purification Ceremony, which won the WH Smith Award for Best New Talent. His most recent work is Private Games (2012), which he co-authored with James Patterson. Sullivan lives with his family in Montana, where he skis, hunts, and practices martial arts.
Sullivan spent the winter of 1990 living with a group of skiers in Utah and Wyoming, and used the experience as the foundation for his first novel, The Fall Line (1994). In 1995 he published Hard News, a thriller based on his work as a reporter, and a year later he released The Purification Ceremony, which won the WH Smith Award for Best New Talent. His most recent work is Private Games (2012), which he co-authored with James Patterson. Sullivan lives with his family in Montana, where he skis, hunts, and practices martial arts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 779 reviews
June 21, 2024
LRA. The Lord’s Resistance Army. Teenage boys and girls kidnapped and recruited in Uganda, 1994. Time to take up arms for a ruthless war Lord, Joseph Kony.
The terrifying war with teen soldiers who became merciless. Trained during brutal conditions. Pushed to the frontlines without weapons as an initiation. The gruelling treks and near starvation. The brainwashing, the abuse, the inhumanity these soldiers suffered.
Opoka has survived with them for 3 years and is now The radioman for Kony himself. The hate he feels for the man hasn’t dwindled but he never revealed his true feelings. He survived by being the best human he was raised to be. He met Florence. Another kidnapped victim whose dreams were shattered. They become each other’s hope and future that one day they will be free of the LRA.
The resilience and the ability to put into practice the 4 voices of suffering; the power of love, gratitude and forgiveness.
**This is based on Anthony & Florence Opoka - child soldiers of the LRA. A must read are the author’s notes and the afterword from Anthony & Florence.**
A bit lengthy and slow at times but a worthy read.
4.25⭐️
The terrifying war with teen soldiers who became merciless. Trained during brutal conditions. Pushed to the frontlines without weapons as an initiation. The gruelling treks and near starvation. The brainwashing, the abuse, the inhumanity these soldiers suffered.
Opoka has survived with them for 3 years and is now The radioman for Kony himself. The hate he feels for the man hasn’t dwindled but he never revealed his true feelings. He survived by being the best human he was raised to be. He met Florence. Another kidnapped victim whose dreams were shattered. They become each other’s hope and future that one day they will be free of the LRA.
The resilience and the ability to put into practice the 4 voices of suffering; the power of love, gratitude and forgiveness.
**This is based on Anthony & Florence Opoka - child soldiers of the LRA. A must read are the author’s notes and the afterword from Anthony & Florence.**
A bit lengthy and slow at times but a worthy read.
4.25⭐️
May 14, 2024
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 is a story with history, action, drama, hope and triumph. It is a MUST read historical fiction 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, while being transported into their world.
As always, Sullivan does immaculate research when compiling an unforgettable story. I stayed up very late many nights simply because I couldn't go to sleep not knowing what would happen next.
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.
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!!
Thank you Lake Union Publishing for this gift a book and exchange for my honest opinions.
But I’m still gonna try…
All the Glimmering Stars is a story with history, action, drama, hope and triumph. It is a MUST read historical fiction 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, while being transported into their world.
As always, Sullivan does immaculate research when compiling an unforgettable story. I stayed up very late many nights simply because I couldn't go to sleep not knowing what would happen next.
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.
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!!
Thank you Lake Union Publishing for this gift a book and exchange for my honest opinions.
June 2, 2024
5**
Mark Sullivan vaults another historical fiction novel into the universe with an indescribably horrific and beautiful true story of two kidnapped teenagers forced into the terrorist LRA (Lord’s Republican Army) in the Sudan/Uganda civil war in the ‘90’s - 2000’s. Just imagine as a teenager growing your crops, going to school, enjoying your family when you are taken at gunpoint, forced to march hundreds of miles through brutal desert, jungles, and raging rivers with nearly no food, water, and terrified for your life.
You are wrenched away from your family, branded a traitor to your country, and then unimaginably forced to kill young children with bayonets, guns larger than yourself, and stomping on their corpses to prove your loyalty to the regime who kidnapped you. Imagine giving birth through the crossfire of a heated battle, giving coordinates for soldiers to kidnap thousands of 10-year-olds from their families, being told that your own family is no more simply because the lie would serve to bring out the anger from you.
You are not given antibiotics or painkillers but rather mushrooms and salt to clean your wounds after having your arm nearly ripped off from mortar shells. These horrors, and so much more, Sullivan brings to light so that you briefly become part of the war, and you do not have the option of becoming numb like so many of the soldiers did to survive.
Yet, somehow two young people - the radio operator to the commander and nurse who tended to his wounds - somehow find each other through the impossible odds to create their own story of hope and love. They learn the philosophy of what is more dangerous than the war, and that is the loss of hope.
The strength, the courage, the resiliency, the impossibly immoral mandates, the redemption and healing are so masterfully interwoven that this is a MUST READ for anyone! Look to this glimmering star of a novel to garner inspiration of grit and perseverance.
Mark Sullivan vaults another historical fiction novel into the universe with an indescribably horrific and beautiful true story of two kidnapped teenagers forced into the terrorist LRA (Lord’s Republican Army) in the Sudan/Uganda civil war in the ‘90’s - 2000’s. Just imagine as a teenager growing your crops, going to school, enjoying your family when you are taken at gunpoint, forced to march hundreds of miles through brutal desert, jungles, and raging rivers with nearly no food, water, and terrified for your life.
You are wrenched away from your family, branded a traitor to your country, and then unimaginably forced to kill young children with bayonets, guns larger than yourself, and stomping on their corpses to prove your loyalty to the regime who kidnapped you. Imagine giving birth through the crossfire of a heated battle, giving coordinates for soldiers to kidnap thousands of 10-year-olds from their families, being told that your own family is no more simply because the lie would serve to bring out the anger from you.
You are not given antibiotics or painkillers but rather mushrooms and salt to clean your wounds after having your arm nearly ripped off from mortar shells. These horrors, and so much more, Sullivan brings to light so that you briefly become part of the war, and you do not have the option of becoming numb like so many of the soldiers did to survive.
Yet, somehow two young people - the radio operator to the commander and nurse who tended to his wounds - somehow find each other through the impossible odds to create their own story of hope and love. They learn the philosophy of what is more dangerous than the war, and that is the loss of hope.
The strength, the courage, the resiliency, the impossibly immoral mandates, the redemption and healing are so masterfully interwoven that this is a MUST READ for anyone! Look to this glimmering star of a novel to garner inspiration of grit and perseverance.
June 1, 2024
3.5 round up to 4
All the Glimmering Stars by Mark T. Sullivan is a coming-of-age novel set in the jungles of Uganda, Africa, during the 1990s. The author weaves a tale of kidnapping and adventure, enriched by strong character development. Sullivan captures a wide range of emotions, portraying human resilience and hope, taking readers into a world where every star tells a story. Though not as enjoyable as Beneath a Scarlet Sky, which remains my top favorite, it was an entertaining and well-researched book that offered a unique narrative. Some parts were violent and nauseating, and having remembered the Joseph Kony (Lords Resistent Army) Kidnappings, the violence felt even more harrowing.
All the Glimmering Stars by Mark T. Sullivan is a coming-of-age novel set in the jungles of Uganda, Africa, during the 1990s. The author weaves a tale of kidnapping and adventure, enriched by strong character development. Sullivan captures a wide range of emotions, portraying human resilience and hope, taking readers into a world where every star tells a story. Though not as enjoyable as Beneath a Scarlet Sky, which remains my top favorite, it was an entertaining and well-researched book that offered a unique narrative. Some parts were violent and nauseating, and having remembered the Joseph Kony (Lords Resistent Army) Kidnappings, the violence felt even more harrowing.
April 18, 2024
If I could give this book all the stars in the sky, I would. This historical fiction book is EXTRAORDINARY. The power of love carries two humans through unimaginable, heart wrenching, horrific conditions. This is based on true events, and I applaud the author for telling this story in a way that I could digest it without graphic details. The themes weaved throughout call us to be better humans. I am forever changed by this incredible narrative.
If you loved The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah—you will enjoy this book too.
I am honored to have been selected to receive an advanced gifted copy.
If you loved The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah—you will enjoy this book too.
I am honored to have been selected to receive an advanced gifted copy.
May 31, 2024
I really wanted to LOVE this book because I am a huge fan of Beneath a Scarlet Sky and The Last Green Valley… unfortunately, this one missed the mark as I found it to be much slower and less detailed. It often felt like I was just reading someone regurgitate information rather than drawing a detailed picture, which was a different experience from what Mark has done with his past books.
But I think if you can keep in mind that this is a story about real people, it’s incredibly powerful and touching. Anthony and Flo are such lovable people and when their stories connected I found myself more invested. Flo giving birth in the middle of absolute chaos BY HERSELF was one of the most emotional and powerful moments I’ve ever read. Hell yea to women!! I didn’t know much of anything about Kony or the LRA, so that was interesting to learn about. I loved the theme of the shopkeepers 4 voices; Lack, Violence, Fear, and Rush, it was giving Alchemist vibes and I have been trying to identify these voices as the show up in my life.
READ THE AUTHORS NOTE AND AFTERWORD!!! The authors note and afterword elevated this read from a 3.5 star read to a 4! It always amazing me to learn how Mark comes across such amazing people with incredible stories. He is either one heck of a lucky guy or well connected man… maybe both!
While I struggled to get into this book, I will be thinking about it for a very long time… and anything that leaves that big of a lasting impression on me is something that I will recommend to others.
But I think if you can keep in mind that this is a story about real people, it’s incredibly powerful and touching. Anthony and Flo are such lovable people and when their stories connected I found myself more invested. Flo giving birth in the middle of absolute chaos BY HERSELF was one of the most emotional and powerful moments I’ve ever read. Hell yea to women!! I didn’t know much of anything about Kony or the LRA, so that was interesting to learn about. I loved the theme of the shopkeepers 4 voices; Lack, Violence, Fear, and Rush, it was giving Alchemist vibes and I have been trying to identify these voices as the show up in my life.
READ THE AUTHORS NOTE AND AFTERWORD!!! The authors note and afterword elevated this read from a 3.5 star read to a 4! It always amazing me to learn how Mark comes across such amazing people with incredible stories. He is either one heck of a lucky guy or well connected man… maybe both!
While I struggled to get into this book, I will be thinking about it for a very long time… and anything that leaves that big of a lasting impression on me is something that I will recommend to others.
July 13, 2024
This beautiful cover called out to me as I was browsing my local bookstore. I recognized the author’s name and decided to take a chance. This book called out to me and I’ll forever be changed after reading it. This is a difficult story to read, but a necessary one. It should be required reading. This author did some phenomenal research and I’m so excited to read more from him. I knew nothing of Kony or the LRA, but I do now. Anthony and Florence’s story will be with me forever. Also, towards the beginning of the story, Anthony has an encounter with a shop owner who speaks some wise words to Anthony. As the story goes on, Anthony reflects back on those words and they are woven throughout the book. I think I highlighted several pages worth because I know I should go back and read when I’m having some hard days. This book will be added to my lifetime favorites list!
“Try to be a better human in some way every day. And whenever you are confused about anything in life, not sure what to do, ask yourself this question: what would a good human do?” George Opoka
And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
Daniel 12:13
“Try to be a better human in some way every day. And whenever you are confused about anything in life, not sure what to do, ask yourself this question: what would a good human do?” George Opoka
And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
Daniel 12:13
July 17, 2024
This book was simply incredible. A historical fiction book but it is almost 100% true. I had no idea about the LRA or conflict within Uganda but the fact that this happened within my lifetime made it seem so much more jarring. The only cons were that the beginning was a bit slow and it is definitely very real about the atrocities of war so do not read if that would be too much to handle. But the way that the author was able to paint a picture and show failure, and true love, and the effects of childhood on someone’s life ugh it was just so good like I simply got lost in this book and stayed up until 2 am reading. Please please please add this to your TBR!!!
May 22, 2024
My wall of heros just got bigger.❤️ Stories like this one, are an opportunity to walk in another's shoes. This is why reading is so important. Thank you. This book will make you uncomfortable. At times I needed a break, but it's an important story that needed to be told. When you purchase the book, you are contributing to ending child soldiers around the world & helping those who have been a victim of child soldiering. Go buy the book!
"Try to be a better human in some way every day. And whenever you are confused about anything in life, not sure what to do, ask yourself this question: What would a good human do?" George Opoka
"Try to be a better human in some way every day. And whenever you are confused about anything in life, not sure what to do, ask yourself this question: What would a good human do?" George Opoka
March 26, 2024
I read this book purely because of the author, whose “Under a Scarlet Sky” I had read and loved. When I realized the topic, the story of 2 abducted Ugandan children by the Ugandan megalomaniac Joseph Kony, I almost set it aside. However, this historical novel is more human and less military than other similar books.
June 21, 2024
The best book I’ve read all year, and I’ll be shocked if another book beats it. Everyone should read this
August 30, 2024
ALL THE GLIMMERING STARS by Mark T. Sullivan
Audio narration read by Junior Nyong’o was perfectly done and I enjoyed listening to it. I paired the audio with the book too.
A story of the Ugandan history and life for those living there. A historical fiction read inspired by a true story of the experiences of Anthony Opoka and Florence Okori, two Ugandan teens who were kidnapped from there home villages and turned into warriors for a messianic warlord, Joseph Kony, of the LRA (the Lord’s Resistance Army) in the 1990s. Joseph Kony wasn’t able to recruit enough soldiers to overthrow the government, so he decided to start kidnapping children and molding them into soldiers and making them killing machines. Roughly 35,000 children were taken and turned into these soldiers.
Mark T. Sullivan —- “I look for stories that are inherently moving, inspiring, potentially healing to some people, and potentially transforming to some readers. So this story hit all those criteria right off the bat.” Mark was an investigative journalist before his historical fiction-writing career, so the research he does for his books comes naturally, and his writing is beautifully done. I’ve read his book, Beneath a Scarlet Sky, that is as exceptional as, All the Glimmering Stars. I want to read, The Last Valley, also. He was able to interview Anthony and Florence, as well as, close to 50 others from Uganda and bring this story to life. This is a dark, dark story that’s truly evil of what these kids and families suffered, but it’s also about survival, and a love story within a story of humanity, as Mark T. Sullivan thinks. A powerful story of two really good people struggling for light in unimaginable darkness. Would be an excellent choice for book clubs.
Audio narration read by Junior Nyong’o was perfectly done and I enjoyed listening to it. I paired the audio with the book too.
A story of the Ugandan history and life for those living there. A historical fiction read inspired by a true story of the experiences of Anthony Opoka and Florence Okori, two Ugandan teens who were kidnapped from there home villages and turned into warriors for a messianic warlord, Joseph Kony, of the LRA (the Lord’s Resistance Army) in the 1990s. Joseph Kony wasn’t able to recruit enough soldiers to overthrow the government, so he decided to start kidnapping children and molding them into soldiers and making them killing machines. Roughly 35,000 children were taken and turned into these soldiers.
Mark T. Sullivan —- “I look for stories that are inherently moving, inspiring, potentially healing to some people, and potentially transforming to some readers. So this story hit all those criteria right off the bat.” Mark was an investigative journalist before his historical fiction-writing career, so the research he does for his books comes naturally, and his writing is beautifully done. I’ve read his book, Beneath a Scarlet Sky, that is as exceptional as, All the Glimmering Stars. I want to read, The Last Valley, also. He was able to interview Anthony and Florence, as well as, close to 50 others from Uganda and bring this story to life. This is a dark, dark story that’s truly evil of what these kids and families suffered, but it’s also about survival, and a love story within a story of humanity, as Mark T. Sullivan thinks. A powerful story of two really good people struggling for light in unimaginable darkness. Would be an excellent choice for book clubs.
August 25, 2024
Solidly based on the true life story of Anthony and Florence Opoka’s harrowing experiences with Joseph Kony and their 10 years of captivity and forced service in The Lord’s Resistance Army.
Prior to reading this book, my knowledge of the Ugandan, Congolese and Sudanese civil war against the LRA, Kony and his atrocities with child soldiers, was cursory, at best. This is an extremely difficult, disturbing but important read. I was only able to spend an hour or two at a time and then needed to break away from the nearly constant horrifying situations.
Author, Mark Sullivan, does try to insert moments of hope and love into the story. When they happen, it’s like an Arctic Breeze has arrived in the jungle. There are even a few snippets of humor that become an oasis in this desert of unending violence.
I found it hard to tell if the book is actually too long and could be edited down or if it only feels that way because of the story content. I suspect it is a little of both. If you take the time to read the author and main character notes prior to starting the book proper, you’ll be prepared for what is to come. Knowing the outcome in advance isn’t a spoiler, in this situation, but rather much needed insight.
Like his other bestsellers, “Beneath a Scarlet Sky” and “The Last Green Valley”, Sullivan has immersive descriptive prose, bringing readers into the setting, making it another character. Thankfully, he used some restraint with the violence; not that there isn’t plenty of it.
It’s hard to give Sullivan credit for developing the characters in this story because they are real people who participated in the project. Where he does get kudos is for showing the emotional growth over 10 years and weaving the spiritual elements, both positive and negative, into the story. Kony’s character has what could be a paranormal vibe or it could be interpreted differently by readers. Again, Sullivan avoids interjecting his own personal feelings, for which I applaud.
Financial considerations with this book are inspiring. The author is putting his money where his heart is. Read the closing notes for that information. There’s also a link for readers to participate in ending child soldiers, which are estimated to be in excess of 350K worldwide.
Lots of trigger warnings with this book: physical, mental, emotional and sexual abuse, war, wounds, kidnapping, slavery, murder, torture; definitely not the book for everyone. After many difficult pages, there is an happy ending, not Hallmark style, but there is a rejoining and renewal of purpose that continues today📚
Prior to reading this book, my knowledge of the Ugandan, Congolese and Sudanese civil war against the LRA, Kony and his atrocities with child soldiers, was cursory, at best. This is an extremely difficult, disturbing but important read. I was only able to spend an hour or two at a time and then needed to break away from the nearly constant horrifying situations.
Author, Mark Sullivan, does try to insert moments of hope and love into the story. When they happen, it’s like an Arctic Breeze has arrived in the jungle. There are even a few snippets of humor that become an oasis in this desert of unending violence.
I found it hard to tell if the book is actually too long and could be edited down or if it only feels that way because of the story content. I suspect it is a little of both. If you take the time to read the author and main character notes prior to starting the book proper, you’ll be prepared for what is to come. Knowing the outcome in advance isn’t a spoiler, in this situation, but rather much needed insight.
Like his other bestsellers, “Beneath a Scarlet Sky” and “The Last Green Valley”, Sullivan has immersive descriptive prose, bringing readers into the setting, making it another character. Thankfully, he used some restraint with the violence; not that there isn’t plenty of it.
It’s hard to give Sullivan credit for developing the characters in this story because they are real people who participated in the project. Where he does get kudos is for showing the emotional growth over 10 years and weaving the spiritual elements, both positive and negative, into the story. Kony’s character has what could be a paranormal vibe or it could be interpreted differently by readers. Again, Sullivan avoids interjecting his own personal feelings, for which I applaud.
Financial considerations with this book are inspiring. The author is putting his money where his heart is. Read the closing notes for that information. There’s also a link for readers to participate in ending child soldiers, which are estimated to be in excess of 350K worldwide.
Lots of trigger warnings with this book: physical, mental, emotional and sexual abuse, war, wounds, kidnapping, slavery, murder, torture; definitely not the book for everyone. After many difficult pages, there is an happy ending, not Hallmark style, but there is a rejoining and renewal of purpose that continues today📚
October 15, 2024
My goodness, all the tears. And anger and adrenaline and despair and shock. And beauty from ashes. A truly unbelievable story. Every time a date was mentioned, I couldn’t believe how recently this happened. Sometime I’ll have to edit my review to add more. Right now I just don’t have the words.
August 1, 2024
“What would a good human do?”
“How can I be happy today?”
It is August 1st & I have undoubtedly just read the best book I will read this month. I did not expect to be impacted to this extent by the riveting & absolutely heartbreaking story of the Opoka’s. Anthony & Florence Opoka were kidnapped as children(alongside thousands of other children) & forced to serve in The Lord’s Resistance Army- a terrorist organization in Africa led by a cruel madman named Joseph Kony. I will never forget the things I read about in this book. These events took place as I was a safe child in America, completely oblivious that this ever occurred.
Florence is the definition of a mama bear. The things she experienced.. giving birth, with a toddler, in a battle zone. I cried & cried!
“Sometimes life is so hard you just have to survive it.”
“I am alone, and my life will never be good again.”
“Pain in the heart & injustice in the head are the two foods violence always feeds on.”
But the love story of Florence & Anthony is so beautiful! The story of their family is one of strength, resilience, & the fiercest love. I read this on KU but immediately purchased my own copy after finding out that a percentage of the sales goes to their family. I would want this book on my shelf forever anyway! I can’t stress it enough that this is a MUST READ. I was immersed from the beginning, but if you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy reading about military tactics & combat, just hold out & keep going. It seems like a lot in the beginning, but that is far from the bulk of this story & it is 1000% worth it.
Not only does this story need to be shared, there’s also powerful insight about coping, survival, & reasoning with fear. A truly inspirational book for anyone!
“See my happiness?” 😭❤️
“How can I be happy today?”
It is August 1st & I have undoubtedly just read the best book I will read this month. I did not expect to be impacted to this extent by the riveting & absolutely heartbreaking story of the Opoka’s. Anthony & Florence Opoka were kidnapped as children(alongside thousands of other children) & forced to serve in The Lord’s Resistance Army- a terrorist organization in Africa led by a cruel madman named Joseph Kony. I will never forget the things I read about in this book. These events took place as I was a safe child in America, completely oblivious that this ever occurred.
Florence is the definition of a mama bear. The things she experienced.. giving birth, with a toddler, in a battle zone. I cried & cried!
“Sometimes life is so hard you just have to survive it.”
“I am alone, and my life will never be good again.”
“Pain in the heart & injustice in the head are the two foods violence always feeds on.”
But the love story of Florence & Anthony is so beautiful! The story of their family is one of strength, resilience, & the fiercest love. I read this on KU but immediately purchased my own copy after finding out that a percentage of the sales goes to their family. I would want this book on my shelf forever anyway! I can’t stress it enough that this is a MUST READ. I was immersed from the beginning, but if you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy reading about military tactics & combat, just hold out & keep going. It seems like a lot in the beginning, but that is far from the bulk of this story & it is 1000% worth it.
Not only does this story need to be shared, there’s also powerful insight about coping, survival, & reasoning with fear. A truly inspirational book for anyone!
“See my happiness?” 😭❤️
June 19, 2024
I appear to be in the minority here by not giving this book 5 stars, and don’t get me wrong, I do agree this book was an amazing story of events in a place I know little about, and a remarkable work of research. BUT it was sooooo LONG with so many repetitions and rehashing and retelling, plus sooooo many details that seemed to have little to do with the main story. I almost gave up when I realized I was hardly into the story after so many hours of reading, but i stuck with it and eventually finished with the the help of some strategic skimming later in the book. I felt the writing was a little flat, kinda disconnected like a history book rather than a good story. Maybe I shouldn’t have been reading it on our Greece trip and should’ve gone for something lighter.
May 12, 2024
Another profound, redemptive, must-read by Mark Sullivan.
May 18, 2024
Sullivan’s best book yet. One of those books that puts life into perspective. Anthony and Florence have an unforgettable story.
October 19, 2024
All the Glimmering Stars
Mark Sullivan has rendered me speechless with this one. Everyone needs to know the story of Florence and Anthony. “All the Glimmering Stars” is a historical, biographical fiction novel set in Uganda and Sudan during the 90s during a warlord, Joseph Kony, reign of terror. The Lord’s Resistance Army kidnaps Florence and Anthony and forces them to serve, along with thousands of other children. I will never forget this story. You need to read this book. It will change you.
Mark Sullivan has rendered me speechless with this one. Everyone needs to know the story of Florence and Anthony. “All the Glimmering Stars” is a historical, biographical fiction novel set in Uganda and Sudan during the 90s during a warlord, Joseph Kony, reign of terror. The Lord’s Resistance Army kidnaps Florence and Anthony and forces them to serve, along with thousands of other children. I will never forget this story. You need to read this book. It will change you.
May 14, 2024
A brilliant novel that has left its mark on me! A story to be told to remind ourselves of how lucky we mostly are!
All The Glimmering Stars, by Mark T. Sullivan.
Uganda, towards the end of the 1990's. Florence and Anthony are young adolescents (13; 16) until they are kidnapped by the Lord's Army to be forced into becoming killers each day dreading death. These two people are real, and have been through all that is described in this novel! They are only two among many others, sometimes even young children. How can you survive while survival is the only aim? How could they actually become soldiers and killers??? What happened to their psyche? Can they save themselves or be saved? Escape seems impossible, unimaginable .
In this particular case, Florence and Anthony seem to gain psychological strength thanks to their faith in love. Not the plain romance love, but a real strong and powerful belief/faith in love. This might sound a bit silly, and a bit easy, but it is confirmed by our two main characters in the afterwords. Will it be enough though, and to what extent?
What I particularly loved in this novel, is the parallel drawn by the author between the Four Spirits talking to Konny (the warlord of the children's army), and the four wisdom lessons on life given by a dying old man: while the first was destructive, the latter was enriching and did help me, the reader, go through the novel... Brilliantly mastered by the author!
I have followed each of Florence and Anthony's dreadful and heart-wrenching path filled up with anger, deep sadness and distress while being speechless and unable to fully comprehend how something can happen (because it still does!). On the other hand, I also felt speechless and unable to fully comprehend how you can survive such experiences still believing in goodness. I have high respect for Florence and Anthony and will NOT forget the other children who do not (and should not need to) have their strength.
All The Glimmering Stars, by Mark T. Sullivan.
Uganda, towards the end of the 1990's. Florence and Anthony are young adolescents (13; 16) until they are kidnapped by the Lord's Army to be forced into becoming killers each day dreading death. These two people are real, and have been through all that is described in this novel! They are only two among many others, sometimes even young children. How can you survive while survival is the only aim? How could they actually become soldiers and killers??? What happened to their psyche? Can they save themselves or be saved? Escape seems impossible, unimaginable .
In this particular case, Florence and Anthony seem to gain psychological strength thanks to their faith in love. Not the plain romance love, but a real strong and powerful belief/faith in love. This might sound a bit silly, and a bit easy, but it is confirmed by our two main characters in the afterwords. Will it be enough though, and to what extent?
What I particularly loved in this novel, is the parallel drawn by the author between the Four Spirits talking to Konny (the warlord of the children's army), and the four wisdom lessons on life given by a dying old man: while the first was destructive, the latter was enriching and did help me, the reader, go through the novel... Brilliantly mastered by the author!
I have followed each of Florence and Anthony's dreadful and heart-wrenching path filled up with anger, deep sadness and distress while being speechless and unable to fully comprehend how something can happen (because it still does!). On the other hand, I also felt speechless and unable to fully comprehend how you can survive such experiences still believing in goodness. I have high respect for Florence and Anthony and will NOT forget the other children who do not (and should not need to) have their strength.
August 9, 2024
A story worth telling and reading but the writing style was not for me…the writing felt choppy and something that went on and on without the need to. I never skip pages but found myself skip over 200 and I could pick back up the story without any issues. Regardless I learned a lot about this part of Africa in culture, lifestyle and community.
June 8, 2024
Mark Sullivan has knocked it out of the park again. The true story of kids stolen from their homes and villages by the LRA in the 1990's is heartbreaking. This book left me in awe of what the human being can tolerate but still forgive and move on. In some ways I found this reminiscent of Unbroken in that these children endured more than any of us can imagine, but still tried and succeeded in being good human beings.
October 8, 2024
This book brought to life something I didn’t know much about. Compelling. Well researched. Beautiful writing. Grateful this book exists.This story is brutal and difficult to read but it is still, uplifting, and full of wisdom. You will not be able to put this book down.
June 9, 2024
Een gebroken hart maar wel een met veel algemene kennis
July 7, 2024
Hands down the hardest, but most important book I've ever read. The unimaginable suffering of these children is shocking and horrific, but the two main, characters' resilience, love and finally freedom and forgiveness is what makes this story unforgettable.
Read the book.
Read the book.
May 19, 2024
Brilliant…absolutely loved it!
October 7, 2024
This book is all about Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda. It follows two kids that get kidnapped into the army. They are forced to do terrible things (or be killed), but whenever possible they choose to do good things. Florence going into labor right before having to cross a river (with her 2 year old son!) and then delivering her baby on the river bank amidst shooting was so powerful to read (having just had a baby myself). It is terrible that Kony is still out there somewhere. Mark Sullivan did an incredible job, and I enjoyed reading the afterword to find out what was true and where he took creative liberties due to it being historical fiction.
May 22, 2024
I really tried to like this book. I so loved your last two. I got to page 200 and I just can't do anymore. It's a horrible story about horrible things. The book didn't go anywhere. March, be hungry, shot everyone, steal kids. Over and over again.
November 7, 2024
This book broke me. I'll spend the next few days in a fog now knowing the depravity and inhumanity that these children experienced. Finishing this book, I feel immensely blessed to live where I live and to have had a very different childhood from the children in Uganda who were spending their childhoods as child soldiers for the LRA in the late 1990s/early 2000s.
I remember hearing stories about the LRA years ago when the US began to get involved for the hunt for Joseph Kony. I remember how heartbreaking it all was, so when I saw this book I was interested in reading the story of two children who had survived and persevered despite all odds. But the pain and suffering portrayed in this book almost did me in. So many times I had to set it down and take a pause, and so many times I wanted to just stop reading because I didn't want to know any more of the horror that Kony was capable of... but I felt I owed it to Florence and Anthony to see their story to the end. Like they opened the saddest, most painful part of their lives up for me to see and to walk away from it before seeing how it ended would somehow be an injustice to them.
This story is beautifully told - heartbreaking, horrifying, inspiring, transformative, and so very real. While I don't know Florence and Anthony, I am convinced that they are two of the bravest people I have ever met (and I say that because it almost feels as if I have met them). To not only relive a story like this in the daily confines of your mind, but to also be willing to share it with the world in hopes that it brings forth some good, takes such tremendous courage.
This story will absolutely demolish you, but please be brave enough to read it. The Opokas were brave enough to tell it.
I remember hearing stories about the LRA years ago when the US began to get involved for the hunt for Joseph Kony. I remember how heartbreaking it all was, so when I saw this book I was interested in reading the story of two children who had survived and persevered despite all odds. But the pain and suffering portrayed in this book almost did me in. So many times I had to set it down and take a pause, and so many times I wanted to just stop reading because I didn't want to know any more of the horror that Kony was capable of... but I felt I owed it to Florence and Anthony to see their story to the end. Like they opened the saddest, most painful part of their lives up for me to see and to walk away from it before seeing how it ended would somehow be an injustice to them.
This story is beautifully told - heartbreaking, horrifying, inspiring, transformative, and so very real. While I don't know Florence and Anthony, I am convinced that they are two of the bravest people I have ever met (and I say that because it almost feels as if I have met them). To not only relive a story like this in the daily confines of your mind, but to also be willing to share it with the world in hopes that it brings forth some good, takes such tremendous courage.
This story will absolutely demolish you, but please be brave enough to read it. The Opokas were brave enough to tell it.
November 4, 2024
I don’t know that I even have the words to convey how beautiful, heartbreaking, and important this piece of historical fiction is. To think that the political unrest in Uganda and South Sudan began when I was born, and has been going on throughout my lifetime and I have had very little knowledge of it is heartbreaking and proof of my privilege. While this book is inspired by real people, Mark Sullivan clarifies in his author’s note that this is “based on my understanding of the events, culture, and people who survived the Lord’s Resistance Army.”
Joseph Kony spent over 30 years resisting the Ugandan government and forcing children to fight his battles for him. This story follows the lives of Anthony and Florence Opoka. Two kids who grew up in different villages, but were kidnapped into Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army and found one another. There was so much that was difficult to read, and every time I thought I couldn’t keep reading I got a glimpse of hope. To see Anthony and Florence’s faith, their love, their courage, and their persistence…and to read their personal afterword in the back of the novel? So moving.
Read this book.
Joseph Kony spent over 30 years resisting the Ugandan government and forcing children to fight his battles for him. This story follows the lives of Anthony and Florence Opoka. Two kids who grew up in different villages, but were kidnapped into Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army and found one another. There was so much that was difficult to read, and every time I thought I couldn’t keep reading I got a glimpse of hope. To see Anthony and Florence’s faith, their love, their courage, and their persistence…and to read their personal afterword in the back of the novel? So moving.
Read this book.
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