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All That Glows
The apocalypse didn’t take everyone. It just took us.
Ever since the rain turned green, Kyrie’s world has been bathed in glowing dust. She packs it into old mascara tubes and sells it as makeup alongside dried cacti, threadbare blankets, and long-expired canned food. There’s not much else to do when everyone outside Kyrie’s small town in the Mojave Desert died from the plague-bearing rain ten years ago.
Everyone―except the man in the rubber mask.
He’s on the dangerous side of the fence, huffing infected air like it’s nothing, babbling to Kyrie about college and umbrellas and yogurt and everything else that disappeared the day it rained. He doesn't seem to know that the world ended, and he has no explanation for how he survived the apocalypse. But Kyrie doesn't believe in ghosts.
She can’t trust him, but he’s right about one Towns without secrets aren’t surrounded by chain-link fences. And chain-link fences won’t keep out the plague forever.
Ever since the rain turned green, Kyrie’s world has been bathed in glowing dust. She packs it into old mascara tubes and sells it as makeup alongside dried cacti, threadbare blankets, and long-expired canned food. There’s not much else to do when everyone outside Kyrie’s small town in the Mojave Desert died from the plague-bearing rain ten years ago.
Everyone―except the man in the rubber mask.
He’s on the dangerous side of the fence, huffing infected air like it’s nothing, babbling to Kyrie about college and umbrellas and yogurt and everything else that disappeared the day it rained. He doesn't seem to know that the world ended, and he has no explanation for how he survived the apocalypse. But Kyrie doesn't believe in ghosts.
She can’t trust him, but he’s right about one Towns without secrets aren’t surrounded by chain-link fences. And chain-link fences won’t keep out the plague forever.
343 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 12, 2026
About the author
Lauren Smyth
8 books100 followersFormer teen author, now a 21-year-old author still writing clean fiction stuffed with adventure, action, and intrigue from start to finish.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 stars!!! Wow this was incredible!!! It's taken me a while to collect my thoughts enough to write a review but I'm excited to get into it!
✴︎Dystopian/Mystery
✴︎Desert town
✴︎Found Family
✴︎Corrupt Government
✴︎Faith Themes
I was immediately captivated by the writing style of this story. The prose matched the personality of our fmc Kyrie so well. The atmospheric mysterious town pared with a cast of characters who felt real people was such a joy to read about. I came to love our cast: Kyrie, Morgan, Maple. I haven't had such a connection to a group of characters in a standalone in a while. In the second half, these characters had me tearing up as they experienced hardship. One of the highlights of this story for me was the faith themes. I won't do them justice by talking about them, but I'll do my best. Kyrie's relationship with faith felt so real and I loved how her thoughts on faith changed through the story. The way questions about faith and God when you have been through so much pain and suffering was so beautifully handled. (I just teared up again looking back at my kindle highlights.) Lauren didn't shy away from talking about hard or complex topics which was where the story really shined for me. This story felt steeped in the rawness of humanity while so much of the plot was thrilling and twisty.
This was such an ambitious standalone novel and while I would have loved more at the end, the whole story landed incredibly in my opinion. Lauren balanced gritty reality with building tension and action sequences wonderfully.
I definitely recommend!! The voice and prose of this story reminded me of A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes so if you've read that book I think you'd really like this book!!
*I received an e-arc in exchange for a honest review
Content: our fmc's father is a drunk and has been abusive in the past. mentions of him hitting her in the past. Battle violence (minor)
✴︎Dystopian/Mystery
✴︎Desert town
✴︎Found Family
✴︎Corrupt Government
✴︎Faith Themes
I was immediately captivated by the writing style of this story. The prose matched the personality of our fmc Kyrie so well. The atmospheric mysterious town pared with a cast of characters who felt real people was such a joy to read about. I came to love our cast: Kyrie, Morgan, Maple. I haven't had such a connection to a group of characters in a standalone in a while. In the second half, these characters had me tearing up as they experienced hardship. One of the highlights of this story for me was the faith themes. I won't do them justice by talking about them, but I'll do my best. Kyrie's relationship with faith felt so real and I loved how her thoughts on faith changed through the story. The way questions about faith and God when you have been through so much pain and suffering was so beautifully handled. (I just teared up again looking back at my kindle highlights.) Lauren didn't shy away from talking about hard or complex topics which was where the story really shined for me. This story felt steeped in the rawness of humanity while so much of the plot was thrilling and twisty.
This was such an ambitious standalone novel and while I would have loved more at the end, the whole story landed incredibly in my opinion. Lauren balanced gritty reality with building tension and action sequences wonderfully.
I definitely recommend!! The voice and prose of this story reminded me of A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes so if you've read that book I think you'd really like this book!!
*I received an e-arc in exchange for a honest review
Content: our fmc's father is a drunk and has been abusive in the past. mentions of him hitting her in the past. Battle violence (minor)
June 24, 2026
3.5 stars for me, personally.
I was really excited for this one! But honestly, I found myself really confused about everything as I was reading, and even by the end of the book, not much was cleared up for me. I’m not sure exactly why, or if maybe part of that was intentional, but either way it was just really hard to keep things straight. It’s a really great concept, though!
I was really excited for this one! But honestly, I found myself really confused about everything as I was reading, and even by the end of the book, not much was cleared up for me. I’m not sure exactly why, or if maybe part of that was intentional, but either way it was just really hard to keep things straight. It’s a really great concept, though!
April 24, 2026
The green rain had taken everything from us, leaving only the virus and these glittering shards of loveliness behind. A souvenir of our misery.
I need a sequel.
Pancakes, pinky promises, and post-apocalyptic plots appear, all deliberately placed and enhancing the story’s impact. Painted with a magnetic glow and layered with mystery, the Mojave dystopian world and its unusual structure are entirely fascinating. Clever prose perfectly matches Kyrie’s wry voice. All the supporting characters are distinctly dynamite, from Maple and Morgan to Thatch and Hunter. Subtle, subtle romance glimmers at the story’s edges. Honest bewilderment spurs the characters, especially Kyrie as she wrestles with what to believe, how to frame religion, and how to weigh the goodness of God, the potential for loss, and the elusive nature of choice. And the story alternately escalates, swerves, and slams the brakes, disorienting you in the best way.
(Also, I’ve got to say that I love the highly specific element of a setting with a church, a house of worship to remain a place of refuge and blessing amidst disintegrating surroundings. Pastor Basil lives with real light within the neon aura and fractured society of Peakin.)
I’ll admit, I would have loved a longer denoument toward the end of the book. But I can tell every part of the novel was crafted with intention, and I admire the way the story landed with a solid, gripping, and revelatory thump.
With its living characters, mysterious world, raw reflections, and bold finish, All That Glows sucked me into Peakin and kept me swiping pages from start to finish.
And about that sequel…?
the heads-ups: Shooting and some details about blood and injuries. Non-graphic descriptions of the virus’s symptoms. Detainment in what seems to be a medical facility. Kyrie’s father is an alcoholic, and she notes that he occasionally slaps her.
🌵 Many thanks to the author and publisher for sending an eARC my way! All thoughts within this review are entirely my honest opinions; I wasn’t required to leave a favorable rating or review. 🌵
July 5, 2026
I received an ARC copy of this book from the publisher as thanks for being on their street team. No review was required. The following review is my honest opinion.
I had no idea from the description how I would feel about “All That Glows.” I have simply never read anything quite like it before, even when I’ve read the occasional other post-apocalyptic novels. But I enjoyed Lauren Smyth’s other book with Enclave, “Warsafe,” so I wanted to see what she came up with this time.
She once again took me on a rollercoaster ride! While “All That Glows” has a very different setting and premise from “Warsafe,” once again, everything was not as it seemed. I won’t spoil what was going on, but it was interesting to learn what happened to cause the apocalypse and what life was like for Kyrie and her friends and family afterwards. And then, of course, something happens that makes Kyrie question what she’s been told, and we follow her while she starts to dig deeper into the truth.
I really enjoyed being in Kyrie’s head with her wry wit and unique way of viewing the world. Her struggle with faith was realistic given the circumstances. I really liked how the local pastor was depicted as a good man who was trying to help people and point them to God even though they were in a very unusual and difficult situation. He helped answer some questions Kyrie had as best as he could, and her growing faith helped guide choices she made along the way.
Something I noticed with both Warsafe and this book is that they share the theme of telling the truth even when it’s hard. I appreciate the way Smyth handles this. The truth can be hard and even painful sometimes, but in the end, it’s always better than living a lie. Kyrie and her friends realize this as they discover the truth about Peakin and the things that have happened there, and fight to make things right.
I’ll admit that I was a little surprised that the story ended where it did, but I appreciated the promise that the truth was going to get out, and Kyrie wouldn’t be alone in making it happen. I also really liked where things were going with her and another character, and how her determination to do what was right helped someone else learn to do the same.
In the end, this was a very unique story with excellent, thought-provoking themes and I enjoyed it. Looking forward to seeing what else Lauren Smyth comes up with!
Content Advisory:
This is YA Christian scifi and very appropriate for teens.
Language:
None. Kyries sometimes says mild exclamations along the lines of, “cheese and crackers” or “crickets.”
Sexual/Romance:
Nothing sexual.
Two of Kyrie’s friends get married. She sees them kiss and hold each other occasionally. (Barely described.)
Kyrie has a very slow-growing attraction to a boy. There is some acknowledgement of thinking each other are pretty/cute/whatever but looks aren’t obsessed over. Their attraction is more about who they both are on the inside. In the end, the boy says he loves Kyrie because she was the first person to make him want to “tell the truth for the truth’s sake” and showed him “what it means for every person to bear the image of God.” They don’t kiss until nearly the end of the book (barely described) and they hold hands.
Violence/Scariness:
The basis of the book is that one day green rain fell from the sky and then it’s believed that everyone outside the town of Peakin died of some kind of apocalyptic virus. (All communication to the outside world got cut off.) Kyrie mentions that scouts were sent out to find survivors, but they came back and died, (symptoms described, but not graphically) thus the belief that they died of this horrific virus. This is why the town got fenced off and everyone is forbidden from leaving.
Mention that Kyrie’s drunkard father has slapped her occasionally.
As with most dystopians, there are some intense moments. The leaders of the town of Peakin keep a firm grasp on the citizens, and the threat of execution (typically by being shot) for breaking rules hangs over their heads. Even stealing can result in execution.
A fight breaks out in a church. Kyrie believes one of her friends was killed. (Briefly and emotionally described, but no graphic description.)
There are some intense chase scenes. One involves Kyrie and friends getting shot at repeatedly, and Kyrie gets grazed by a bullet.
Someone dies in Kyrie’s arms after getting shot while trying to protect her. (Briefly described and very emotional, but nothing graphic.)
Someone falls in a radioactive pool and gets sick from it (nothing gross or graphic, but the person starts getting symptoms.) There’s talk about the nasty things radiation does to the human body.
Spiritual/Magic:
This is scifi/dystopian, so there is no magic. Everything happening has a scientific basis to it.
This is also Christian fiction and does have faith elements. There’s a church in Kyrie’s town, and the pastor is depicted as a kind man who has done his best to support, protect, and uplift people in the name of Jesus, despite the unusual circumstances they’ve found themselves in. He gives Kyrie biblically-based spiritual counsel a couple of times when she seeks it. He acknowledges that he doesn’t have all the answers, but that he has faith that one day, even if we have to wait until heaven, God will show us how everything worked out.
Scripture is referenced at points, throughout.
Kyrie struggles with faith at first, but slowly begins to pray to God and believe that He is good and that, even when our earthly circumstances are scary and painful, God is working it for the ultimate good. Even while she struggles, she believes in the dignity of human life and fights to protect her friends and family, and speak the truth despite those trying to stop her.
Other:
SPOILER but, as in most dystopian stories, the local government of Peakin is corrupt, lying to the populace about what’s happening. Only read this spoiler if you want to know what gets revealed about the apocalypse:
Kyrie’s father starts out the story almost constantly drunk. She thinks he drinks because of the death of her mother, but it turns out (MASSIVE ENDING SPOILER):
I had no idea from the description how I would feel about “All That Glows.” I have simply never read anything quite like it before, even when I’ve read the occasional other post-apocalyptic novels. But I enjoyed Lauren Smyth’s other book with Enclave, “Warsafe,” so I wanted to see what she came up with this time.
She once again took me on a rollercoaster ride! While “All That Glows” has a very different setting and premise from “Warsafe,” once again, everything was not as it seemed. I won’t spoil what was going on, but it was interesting to learn what happened to cause the apocalypse and what life was like for Kyrie and her friends and family afterwards. And then, of course, something happens that makes Kyrie question what she’s been told, and we follow her while she starts to dig deeper into the truth.
I really enjoyed being in Kyrie’s head with her wry wit and unique way of viewing the world. Her struggle with faith was realistic given the circumstances. I really liked how the local pastor was depicted as a good man who was trying to help people and point them to God even though they were in a very unusual and difficult situation. He helped answer some questions Kyrie had as best as he could, and her growing faith helped guide choices she made along the way.
Something I noticed with both Warsafe and this book is that they share the theme of telling the truth even when it’s hard. I appreciate the way Smyth handles this. The truth can be hard and even painful sometimes, but in the end, it’s always better than living a lie. Kyrie and her friends realize this as they discover the truth about Peakin and the things that have happened there, and fight to make things right.
I’ll admit that I was a little surprised that the story ended where it did, but I appreciated the promise that the truth was going to get out, and Kyrie wouldn’t be alone in making it happen. I also really liked where things were going with her and another character, and how her determination to do what was right helped someone else learn to do the same.
In the end, this was a very unique story with excellent, thought-provoking themes and I enjoyed it. Looking forward to seeing what else Lauren Smyth comes up with!
Content Advisory:
This is YA Christian scifi and very appropriate for teens.
Language:
None. Kyries sometimes says mild exclamations along the lines of, “cheese and crackers” or “crickets.”
Sexual/Romance:
Nothing sexual.
Two of Kyrie’s friends get married. She sees them kiss and hold each other occasionally. (Barely described.)
Kyrie has a very slow-growing attraction to a boy. There is some acknowledgement of thinking each other are pretty/cute/whatever but looks aren’t obsessed over. Their attraction is more about who they both are on the inside. In the end, the boy says he loves Kyrie because she was the first person to make him want to “tell the truth for the truth’s sake” and showed him “what it means for every person to bear the image of God.” They don’t kiss until nearly the end of the book (barely described) and they hold hands.
Violence/Scariness:
The basis of the book is that one day green rain fell from the sky and then it’s believed that everyone outside the town of Peakin died of some kind of apocalyptic virus. (All communication to the outside world got cut off.) Kyrie mentions that scouts were sent out to find survivors, but they came back and died, (symptoms described, but not graphically) thus the belief that they died of this horrific virus. This is why the town got fenced off and everyone is forbidden from leaving.
Mention that Kyrie’s drunkard father has slapped her occasionally.
As with most dystopians, there are some intense moments. The leaders of the town of Peakin keep a firm grasp on the citizens, and the threat of execution (typically by being shot) for breaking rules hangs over their heads. Even stealing can result in execution.
A fight breaks out in a church. Kyrie believes one of her friends was killed. (Briefly and emotionally described, but no graphic description.)
There are some intense chase scenes. One involves Kyrie and friends getting shot at repeatedly, and Kyrie gets grazed by a bullet.
Someone dies in Kyrie’s arms after getting shot while trying to protect her. (Briefly described and very emotional, but nothing graphic.)
Someone falls in a radioactive pool and gets sick from it (nothing gross or graphic, but the person starts getting symptoms.) There’s talk about the nasty things radiation does to the human body.
Spiritual/Magic:
This is scifi/dystopian, so there is no magic. Everything happening has a scientific basis to it.
This is also Christian fiction and does have faith elements. There’s a church in Kyrie’s town, and the pastor is depicted as a kind man who has done his best to support, protect, and uplift people in the name of Jesus, despite the unusual circumstances they’ve found themselves in. He gives Kyrie biblically-based spiritual counsel a couple of times when she seeks it. He acknowledges that he doesn’t have all the answers, but that he has faith that one day, even if we have to wait until heaven, God will show us how everything worked out.
Scripture is referenced at points, throughout.
Kyrie struggles with faith at first, but slowly begins to pray to God and believe that He is good and that, even when our earthly circumstances are scary and painful, God is working it for the ultimate good. Even while she struggles, she believes in the dignity of human life and fights to protect her friends and family, and speak the truth despite those trying to stop her.
Other:
SPOILER but, as in most dystopian stories, the local government of Peakin is corrupt, lying to the populace about what’s happening. Only read this spoiler if you want to know what gets revealed about the apocalypse:
Kyrie’s father starts out the story almost constantly drunk. She thinks he drinks because of the death of her mother, but it turns out (MASSIVE ENDING SPOILER):
May 9, 2026
This book is a wild exploration of hope and despair, truth and deception, selfishness and self sacrifice, all wrapped up in a post-apocalyptic Mojave where fences keep out more than cayotes.
I read this in a span of, like, 24 hrs, drawn in by the mystery of the devastating world that the characters live in and the risks they take to uncover the truth, wresting with faith—in one another, in themselves, in God. There were twists I did NOT see coming, and the ending? Wowzers.
For love. For justice. For freedom. For pancakes.
I read this in a span of, like, 24 hrs, drawn in by the mystery of the devastating world that the characters live in and the risks they take to uncover the truth, wresting with faith—in one another, in themselves, in God. There were twists I did NOT see coming, and the ending? Wowzers.
For love. For justice. For freedom. For pancakes.
May 22, 2026
1/5
With this book I realized early on the way the writing style was just wasn’t for me. As it continued on I wasn’t the biggest fan of the climax and the way the main character was written. Over all, the slow pace with the vacant atmospheric vibes led me to be pulled out of this apocalyptic world and I wish I could have enjoyed it more.
With this book I realized early on the way the writing style was just wasn’t for me. As it continued on I wasn’t the biggest fan of the climax and the way the main character was written. Over all, the slow pace with the vacant atmospheric vibes led me to be pulled out of this apocalyptic world and I wish I could have enjoyed it more.
June 18, 2026
An interesting take on the classic story of a small, isolated town that /definitely isn’t/ the site of government conspiracy, All That Glows blends all the elements of a dystopian story (no one goes outside the fence, more questions than answers, scraping for resources, death penalties, and a tiny elite ruling class) with a frenetic pace, Mojave setting, and hard-hitting Christian themes.
For myself, I would have preferred a clearer path through the story and a little more attention to the world building. But the ground and dust glowing green in the wake of a cataclysmic event? Pretty stinking cool.
For myself, I would have preferred a clearer path through the story and a little more attention to the world building. But the ground and dust glowing green in the wake of a cataclysmic event? Pretty stinking cool.
July 9, 2026
I really enjoyed this book- I just love Lauren Smyth's writing and characters. The concept was really interesting and the story was haunting and captivating, but I was a little thrown off by the way the climax fell- as in, I almost felt like it didn't have one? I was still waiting for something else to happen and things started wrapping up. The ending made up for that a little, but it still didn't play out the way I expected.
Anyway, still a thoroughly enjoyable book if you like dystopian stories with a good dose of humor, lovable characters, and a lot of heart! Now I need a sequel. (and more Lauren Smyth books in general.)
Anyway, still a thoroughly enjoyable book if you like dystopian stories with a good dose of humor, lovable characters, and a lot of heart! Now I need a sequel. (and more Lauren Smyth books in general.)
August 16, 2026
Unfortunately, the premise is better than the actual book. Post apocalyptic town where a plague-rain killed half the town and left the rest of them green.
There were just too many unanswered questions and missing threads by the end.
Read by Jennifer Jill Araya. #booksin26
There were just too many unanswered questions and missing threads by the end.
Read by Jennifer Jill Araya. #booksin26
May 25, 2026
I hid this but be warned, spoilers. I'm going to talk about my issues with the book openly, so step away if you don't want spoiled. I feel the need to warn people that this book gets Christain-style preachy. I know that will not bother some, but it really bothered me. If you want to see why, read on.
I really got into this book at the beginning, but I admit I was slogging it by the end. The early parts seemed to give a government conspiracy vibe, and I suppose that was the overall plot, but it went there in a weird way. By the end, it's clear that the CIA is involved. The scope of the book remained somewhat small, focused on a single town, so it was hard to feel the full conspiracy to me.
What I really liked: the characters were pretty good. I liked Kyrie, the POV character for 98% of the book. I really liked that her skills and abilities matched her background. She isn't physically active, and she doesn't know how to shoot, and the author does a very good job of making her feel real. She's flawed, she's good sometimes, and overall, she's real. I didn't get that from Thatch, her love interest. I didn't understand why he did what he did, when just talking meant he might have a better chance to find what he needed without the certain death he risked. Maybe I missed that in the text, but it wasn't clear to me. The other characters felt real, save maybe Juliet being smart enough to keep her mouth shut. I know one gifted child, and they won't shut up about their areas of interest. It feels unreasonable to me that a 12 year old can figure out complex adult interactions.
The thing I really didn't like was the inclusion of the one completely trustworthy adult inthe story (yes, the MC and her friends were almost all adults, save the 12 year old but I'm talking older adults) is the pastor in town. Okay, that's a not-unusual authority figure in American culture, but I felt like the conversations Basil and Kyrie have about why God's plan sucks were very preachy. I can't stand when I'm told by the text that I have to just accept that bad things happen because some all-powerful being is running things, but won't offer the comfort of why. It literally says that Kyrie may never know why she was chosen to suffer this life, even "in eternity". No, BS. If my pain has a reason, I deserve to know that reason. To keep it from me, and demand that I just draw comfort from knowing that God wants it this way. That God has some plan. Nope, hard pass. I get that offers some people comfort, but I don't like it in my entertainment reading. That and the "if only we talked" trope is why it lost two stars out of an otherwise entertaining story.
I really got into this book at the beginning, but I admit I was slogging it by the end. The early parts seemed to give a government conspiracy vibe, and I suppose that was the overall plot, but it went there in a weird way. By the end, it's clear that the CIA is involved. The scope of the book remained somewhat small, focused on a single town, so it was hard to feel the full conspiracy to me.
What I really liked: the characters were pretty good. I liked Kyrie, the POV character for 98% of the book. I really liked that her skills and abilities matched her background. She isn't physically active, and she doesn't know how to shoot, and the author does a very good job of making her feel real. She's flawed, she's good sometimes, and overall, she's real. I didn't get that from Thatch, her love interest. I didn't understand why he did what he did, when just talking meant he might have a better chance to find what he needed without the certain death he risked. Maybe I missed that in the text, but it wasn't clear to me. The other characters felt real, save maybe Juliet being smart enough to keep her mouth shut. I know one gifted child, and they won't shut up about their areas of interest. It feels unreasonable to me that a 12 year old can figure out complex adult interactions.
The thing I really didn't like was the inclusion of the one completely trustworthy adult inthe story (yes, the MC and her friends were almost all adults, save the 12 year old but I'm talking older adults) is the pastor in town. Okay, that's a not-unusual authority figure in American culture, but I felt like the conversations Basil and Kyrie have about why God's plan sucks were very preachy. I can't stand when I'm told by the text that I have to just accept that bad things happen because some all-powerful being is running things, but won't offer the comfort of why. It literally says that Kyrie may never know why she was chosen to suffer this life, even "in eternity". No, BS. If my pain has a reason, I deserve to know that reason. To keep it from me, and demand that I just draw comfort from knowing that God wants it this way. That God has some plan. Nope, hard pass. I get that offers some people comfort, but I don't like it in my entertainment reading. That and the "if only we talked" trope is why it lost two stars out of an otherwise entertaining story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2026
All That Glows by Lauren Smyth was a different take on a dystopian story. It clearly has elements of what readers expect to see in a dystopian book, but there were twists and turns in the plot that were different and keep readers engaged and guessing what will happen next. This book has a lot of faith in the One true God discussed and much of the dialogue is about wanting to trust in God, but doubting, because of suffering and despair. I read one of the author’s books prior to this and it was really good, so I wanted to check this one out and I was not disappointed, though I do feel that this one was not really for me. This book was good as well, but something was not quite as intriguing to me in this one as her previous book Warsafe.
Kyrie is the main female protagonist in this book. She is stuck in a town that glows green because of an explosion. No one really knows what happened, just that the green came and things changed drastically. The town that Kyrie lives in is sectioned off from the outside world, and they are told that there are no survivors on the outside of the fence. They are also told that the air outside the fence is contaminated. Kyrie must navigate through some hard thoughts about God and other situations that happen during the course of the story. There are some heart wrenching things that happen to her, I found myself tearing up several times throughout the book. Kyrie also must come to terms with a stranger she meets that is on the outside of the fence, where no survivors were supposed to be. Kyrie’s maturation throughout the book, especially toward redemption, is beautiful. Her progressive relationship with the stranger is also interesting and along the way, there are a few other supporting characters that are endearing.
As I mentioned previously, for me this book was not as good as the last one I read by this author, but it was good, nonetheless. I would recommend picking it up and seeing for yourself, you just might think it is a rock star book for you and at the very least, I think most people will enjoy it.
I received a complimentary copy from the author through Celebrate Lit, for my honest opinion.
Kyrie is the main female protagonist in this book. She is stuck in a town that glows green because of an explosion. No one really knows what happened, just that the green came and things changed drastically. The town that Kyrie lives in is sectioned off from the outside world, and they are told that there are no survivors on the outside of the fence. They are also told that the air outside the fence is contaminated. Kyrie must navigate through some hard thoughts about God and other situations that happen during the course of the story. There are some heart wrenching things that happen to her, I found myself tearing up several times throughout the book. Kyrie also must come to terms with a stranger she meets that is on the outside of the fence, where no survivors were supposed to be. Kyrie’s maturation throughout the book, especially toward redemption, is beautiful. Her progressive relationship with the stranger is also interesting and along the way, there are a few other supporting characters that are endearing.
As I mentioned previously, for me this book was not as good as the last one I read by this author, but it was good, nonetheless. I would recommend picking it up and seeing for yourself, you just might think it is a rock star book for you and at the very least, I think most people will enjoy it.
I received a complimentary copy from the author through Celebrate Lit, for my honest opinion.
June 11, 2026
Is the truth beyond the fence...or behind it?
It's no secret that I love books from the publisher Enclave. They've introduced me to new authors and genres that I might not have otherwise given a chance. I haven't disliked any of their titles that I've read so far. Lauren Smyth's previous book, Warsafe, was one of those introductions so it was an automatic Must Read on my TBR list when I spotted All That Glows.
All That Glows more than lived up to my expectations. It's a fast-paced post apocalyptic tale with the fascinating setting of the Mojave Desert. Lauren Smyth delivered more of her trademark gritty but clean action that is sure to appeal to teen readers as well as this 30-something adult. More than just action, though, are her flawed characters. I know that phrase is overused these days but I love how Lauren Smyth keeps her characters feeling real to the reader. These characters make reckless decisions, they make mistakes, but they learn from this and grow as a result. Kinda like real teens and new adults.
I also loved Kyrie's voice in All That Glows. Her first-person turns of phrase, observations, and raw honesty were perfect for the post-apocalyptic setting and genre. Lauren Smyth captured her protagonist in a way that was a delight to read and made it feel like Kyrie was telling her story directly to the reader.
All That Glows was the perfect title for this book and I can tell you that I was intrigued from the front cover to the last page. It's good edge-of-your-seat stuff and I couldn't put it down. I wound up finishing it in almost one sitting. Anyway, highly recommend this book to teens and even adult readers who want a good post-apocalyptic escape....
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
It's no secret that I love books from the publisher Enclave. They've introduced me to new authors and genres that I might not have otherwise given a chance. I haven't disliked any of their titles that I've read so far. Lauren Smyth's previous book, Warsafe, was one of those introductions so it was an automatic Must Read on my TBR list when I spotted All That Glows.
All That Glows more than lived up to my expectations. It's a fast-paced post apocalyptic tale with the fascinating setting of the Mojave Desert. Lauren Smyth delivered more of her trademark gritty but clean action that is sure to appeal to teen readers as well as this 30-something adult. More than just action, though, are her flawed characters. I know that phrase is overused these days but I love how Lauren Smyth keeps her characters feeling real to the reader. These characters make reckless decisions, they make mistakes, but they learn from this and grow as a result. Kinda like real teens and new adults.
I also loved Kyrie's voice in All That Glows. Her first-person turns of phrase, observations, and raw honesty were perfect for the post-apocalyptic setting and genre. Lauren Smyth captured her protagonist in a way that was a delight to read and made it feel like Kyrie was telling her story directly to the reader.
All That Glows was the perfect title for this book and I can tell you that I was intrigued from the front cover to the last page. It's good edge-of-your-seat stuff and I couldn't put it down. I wound up finishing it in almost one sitting. Anyway, highly recommend this book to teens and even adult readers who want a good post-apocalyptic escape....
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
It's taken me a couple days to process my thoughts enough to write a review. This story is both thrilling and haunting, and kept me off-balance and turning the pages. At first, it seems like a straight-forward post-apocalyptic tale, but most readers will soon realize that something is wrong, and you don't know what the lie is - the information you bring as a reader, or what the MC, Kyrie, has been told her whole life.
I thoroughly enjoyed the more cloak-and-dagger feel of this story, the science elements, the secrets, and the building tension interspersed with heart-pounding action scenes. It's a fun deviation from the typical action-packed thrillers that populate the genre - which are great, but variation is nice - and a heroine who isn't an incredible fighter, and doesn't have to become one.
Kyrie's growth journey is incredibly well-written, and her growth so natural that at first I missed her character arc. It wasn't a dramatic transition from the beginning to the end, just the realistic maturing of someone who learns and, as a a result, grows into the characteristics they already had, blossoming rather than turning into someone new.
Combined with threads of faith and Smyth's unflinching examination of hard questions about who God is and His goodness, this book is one that will stick with me and necessitate a re-read to fully appreciate it.
I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
I thoroughly enjoyed the more cloak-and-dagger feel of this story, the science elements, the secrets, and the building tension interspersed with heart-pounding action scenes. It's a fun deviation from the typical action-packed thrillers that populate the genre - which are great, but variation is nice - and a heroine who isn't an incredible fighter, and doesn't have to become one.
Kyrie's growth journey is incredibly well-written, and her growth so natural that at first I missed her character arc. It wasn't a dramatic transition from the beginning to the end, just the realistic maturing of someone who learns and, as a a result, grows into the characteristics they already had, blossoming rather than turning into someone new.
Combined with threads of faith and Smyth's unflinching examination of hard questions about who God is and His goodness, this book is one that will stick with me and necessitate a re-read to fully appreciate it.
I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
June 25, 2026
"All that Glows" by Lauren Smyth is an interesting premise for a post-apocalyptic/dystopian novel. At times the story moved slowly so I had to stop and move onto something else before circling back to the book so it took awhile to read through it. There are a lot of twists and turns in this and it was hard to tell where it was going or what would happen next. Some things that happened came out of nowhere as well.
This is a YA book so there are a few things to note for younger readers. There is an adult character that is regularly drunk (not looked at positively), there is some violence and shooting as well as some kissing in it. Overall it's cleanly written with some Christian faith elements woven into the story.
I would recommend this book to older teens 17-18+ and adults. If younger readers read this one, I'd recommend reading with a parent.
The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger so not sure if there will be a book 2 or not. I'd be on the fence about reading it if it comes out.
Also a shout out to whoever did the cover art for this one. The cover is amazing and fits the story well!
Thank you to the publisher, Enclave, for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
This is a YA book so there are a few things to note for younger readers. There is an adult character that is regularly drunk (not looked at positively), there is some violence and shooting as well as some kissing in it. Overall it's cleanly written with some Christian faith elements woven into the story.
I would recommend this book to older teens 17-18+ and adults. If younger readers read this one, I'd recommend reading with a parent.
The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger so not sure if there will be a book 2 or not. I'd be on the fence about reading it if it comes out.
Also a shout out to whoever did the cover art for this one. The cover is amazing and fits the story well!
Thank you to the publisher, Enclave, for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
All that Glows was a truly unique and captivating dystopia. I was invested in the story from the very beginning. The compelling first chapter gripped me and didn’t let go. I was so curious to learn more about the world, the characters, and the virus.
I enjoyed how the story unfolded piece by piece. There were clues about what had really happened, and when I finally figured it out, my mind was blown. The second half of this story flew by. There was nonstop action, and I had a hard time setting it down. I finished it in record time.
I was a big fan of Smyth’s previous book Warsafe, so I was really looking forward to this new release. It did not disappoint. In fact, I loved it even more! I can’t say enough good things about All that Glows. I know I’ll want to read it again and again. If you’re a fan of young adult dystopia or post-apocalyptic fiction, you’ll love this book! I really hope there’s a sequel.
I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
I enjoyed how the story unfolded piece by piece. There were clues about what had really happened, and when I finally figured it out, my mind was blown. The second half of this story flew by. There was nonstop action, and I had a hard time setting it down. I finished it in record time.
I was a big fan of Smyth’s previous book Warsafe, so I was really looking forward to this new release. It did not disappoint. In fact, I loved it even more! I can’t say enough good things about All that Glows. I know I’ll want to read it again and again. If you’re a fan of young adult dystopia or post-apocalyptic fiction, you’ll love this book! I really hope there’s a sequel.
I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
May 30, 2026
WOW! All That Glows is a wild ride of mystery, intrigue, and captivating lies. I went into the book not expecting to enjoy it nearly as much as I did, since I am normally a fantasy reader. Lauren did an amazing job of keeping me on the edge of my seat. The book started off, and I had no idea where it was going to go. The little clues and hints give the reader the idea that everything is not as it seems in the last town on earth, Peakin, California. I l also appreciated the emphasis on loyalty. In a place where trust is hard to come by, the relationships between the characters stood out to me. I was glad that while there was a bit of romance, it was not in anyway the focus. The plot twists throughout caught me by surprise. I won't say anything else so as to give it away, but my goodness, was I shocked. I also appreciated the faith element; I think it helped to tie the story into the real world even more. The book reminded me of Mastermind by Gordon Korman, for anyone familiar with that book. Overall, an exciting read, and I recommend to fans of sci-fi!
May 28, 2026
3.5 Stars
It as a fun read and a fast paced read. I liked the writing style, and I did like the overall plot. However, the writing at times did feel like it could've used some more work. The Christianity in it does come off more preachy than sincere most of the time.
The longer the book when on the more it felt like things were just happening and the characters were just there. The characters also felt a little flat, and the later romance the main character has didn't really seem to work for me.
There's no swearing, some violence though not described in detail, the virus does cause the skin to peel but that's about all the description you get. Some kissing, nothing over the top. Some characters get shot, hit over the head, and one character does drink and has times where he's drunk (Not in a positive light).
Also there need to be a second book lol. If/when there is I would read it, because overall I still enjoyed this book.
It as a fun read and a fast paced read. I liked the writing style, and I did like the overall plot. However, the writing at times did feel like it could've used some more work. The Christianity in it does come off more preachy than sincere most of the time.
The longer the book when on the more it felt like things were just happening and the characters were just there. The characters also felt a little flat, and the later romance the main character has didn't really seem to work for me.
There's no swearing, some violence though not described in detail, the virus does cause the skin to peel but that's about all the description you get. Some kissing, nothing over the top. Some characters get shot, hit over the head, and one character does drink and has times where he's drunk (Not in a positive light).
Also there need to be a second book lol. If/when there is I would read it, because overall I still enjoyed this book.
June 5, 2026
This has been an interesting journey as I got to know Kyrie better. She has been isolated for a long time as strange green dust surrounds her. Kyrie has been taught never to leave her small town. Can you imagine that everything around you has been destroyed? A strange rain brought destruction and left behind few people.
I liked how the author transports us into a world where you must always be on guard. It was hard for Kyrie to trust but I could sense her curiosity when she runs into someone who she has never seen before. Can she ever go outside the fence and breathe fresh air? What if she was being deceived and controlled by those in power?
A nice look at what it may be like during an apocalypse with action, decisions that are hard to make and a bit of faith. I enjoyed the story and thought it was written in a way that gives us things to ponder.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
I liked how the author transports us into a world where you must always be on guard. It was hard for Kyrie to trust but I could sense her curiosity when she runs into someone who she has never seen before. Can she ever go outside the fence and breathe fresh air? What if she was being deceived and controlled by those in power?
A nice look at what it may be like during an apocalypse with action, decisions that are hard to make and a bit of faith. I enjoyed the story and thought it was written in a way that gives us things to ponder.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
June 15, 2026
This is a fun journey of a read. Kyrie has lived in her little town of Peakin (surrounded by gates with no knowledge of what is outside them) for her entire life. Everything changed the day it rained green from the sky. Her mother dies shortly after, and her dad starts drinking. She does get a "sister" out of the situation, and some great friends. One day she sees someone outside the fence and her life is forever changed again. As she and her friends journey for truth and possibly freedom they fight impossible odds and find impossible things. I loved the found family aspect, but found the romance a little forced- I would have liked a little more development or motivation there. Characters are well-developed and quirky (my favorite kind), and the plot has an interesting premise and moves at a good pace. It is a quick and enjoyable read, I would recommend for a fun young adult read!
I recieved a eARC for my enjoyment. All thoughts shared above are my honest opinion.
I recieved a eARC for my enjoyment. All thoughts shared above are my honest opinion.
Did Not Finish
August 9, 2026I read 72 pages but I just could not get into this book. There is not much offered in the way of lore, you're kind of just thrown straight into things, so the way this little "society" functions did not make much sense to me in the context of an apocalypse. The writing style is strangely vague, which made it difficult to fully grasp what was happening in the story. I wasn't able to feel any connection to the characters because we don't really get to know them at all. They're kind of just... there. The vibes were off all around.
June 5, 2026
This book was a crazy ride! I loved the plot and all the twists and turns and how it kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat throughout. I also loved the array of interesting and unique characters and the found family vibes they had. Ultimately, this was a very intriguing book and I will absolutely be checking out this author’s other books!
And also book two?
And also book two?
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was an engaging dystopian book that easily kept me reading. It did have some similarities with the author's previous book, Warsafe (plot beats, story elements, some characters, etc.) but was unique enough that it didn't matter too much.
I'm interested to see what this author writes next.
I'm interested to see what this author writes next.
May 28, 2026
If happened in California ... and if she wasn't the only one who survived. I'll let you figure out the rest. :)
June 17, 2026
Fun read! Good theology! Would recommend!
June 23, 2026
Lauren Smyth did it again—and by that, I mean she threw me into the most enjoyable, emotional, strange, and intriguing story ever.
July 3, 2026
This book was fine, it just wasn’t for me. Honestly, I found it kind of confusing. It was a little scattered, and there were quite a few holes that left questions for me.
July 28, 2026
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I enjoyed this book. It kept me on my toes throughout.
September 3, 2026
Super fascinating read.
September 14, 2026
(3.5 stars)
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