Children of the Stars | Book Review

ABOUT THE BOOK

From international bestselling author Mario Escobar comes a story of escape, sacrifice, and hope amid the perils of the second World War.

August 1942. Jacob and Moses Stein, two young Jewish brothers, are staying with their aunt in Paris amid the Nazi occupation. The boys’ parents, well-known German playwrights, have left the brothers in their aunt’s care until they can find safe harbor for their family. But before the Steins can reunite, a great and terrifying roundup occurs. The French gendarmes, under Nazi order, arrest the boys and take them to the Vélodrome d’Hiver—a massive, bleak structure in Paris where thousands of France’s Jews are being forcibly detained.

Jacob and Moses know they must flee in order to survive, but they only have a set of letters sent from the south of France to guide them to their parents. Danger lurks around every corner as the boys, with nothing but each other, trek across the occupied country. Along their remarkable journey, they meet strangers and brave souls who put themselves at risk to protect the children—some of whom pay the ultimate price for helping these young refugees of war.

This inspiring novel, now available for the first time in English, demonstrates the power of family and the endurance of the human spirit—even through the darkest moments of human history.

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: February 25, 2020

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christian Book

MY REVIEW

Jewish brothers Jacob and Moses Stein have been staying with their aunt in Paris, while their parents search for a safe place to live. Yet, a detainment in the Vélodrome d’Hiver proves the city is no longer safe. They determine to find their parents before it is too late, and a dangerous journey through France—and beyond—brings them encounters and experiences they never expected.

Mario Escobar’s Children of the Stars is a WWII story about family, hope, and perseverance, full of both harrowing and heartfelt moments. It is a touching story, but at times, the author bogs down the narrative with more “telling” than “showing,” leaving me feeling slightly bored. Still, it is an interesting piece of historical fiction, and fans of the genre could enjoy it.

★★★.5

I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mario Escobar Golderos (Madrid, Spain) has a degree in History, with an advanced studies diploma in Modern History. He has written numerous books and articles about the Inquisition, the Protestant Reformation, and religious sects. He is the directs the magazine Nueva historia para el debate, in addition to being a contributing columnist in various publications. Passionate about history and its mysteries, Escobar has delved into the depths of church history, the different sectarian groups that have struggled therein, and the discovery and colonization of the Americas. He specializes in the lives of unorthodox Spaniards and Americans.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

TOUR SCHEDULE

TLC Book Tours