By This book is an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish and I loved every minute. To think this is Stephen Cox’s debut novel is astounding.
A young couple in the midst of a turbulent time in their marriage after loss, find a child who needs nurturing and to be kept safe.
Molly a nurse is thrown into caring for a young child after a catastrophe hits the town – Amber Grove. A meteor shower causes mayhem and destruction and in this chaos Molly is asked to care for an injured unconventional child, after his mother dies, but it MUST be kept a secret.
How do Molly & Gene protect the child named Cory? – How does someone protect the one they love most above all else – From danger, the chase of the FBI, but also from everyday eventualities such as eating snails & loneliness. How do they protect him and keep him secret even from close family and friends. Do they tell or not?
Where are his real family, will they come and rescue him?
How Molly and Gene deal with these trials and tribulations shows how deeply Cox has an ability to expose emotions and empathy through his writing. His description of Cory, his mannerisms and behaviours was sublime and really brought him to life.
From the moment I started reading, I was taken in by Molly and Gene. I had trouble putting it down from the off! The heartbreak and stresses caused by loss was an excellent way to sympathise with them and draw the reader in. Stephen Cox’s writing style is effortless and totally compelling. This book is so emotive, pulling on your heart strings regularly; it is about love, parent child attachment, protection and the lengths a parent will go too, to keep their child safe.
I have only one criticism and it would be the book cover. I found it uninspiring, it does not offer any clue to the true gem that is hidden inside, and to be honest I was not really looking forward to reading it. How wrong could I have been and a lesson learnt; Never judge a book by its cover!
Well done Stephen Cox I will be thoroughly recommending this book & I look forward to it becoming a best seller.
Our Child of the Stars is published by Jo Fletcher Books and is available here.
Stephen Cox
Stephen Cox was born in the USA and now lives in London with his partner of twenty years. A father to two children, he has worked for various not-for-profits, most notably for twelve years with Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Reviewed by Amanda Brightman
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