Our child of the stars - Stephen Cox

In this magical, bewitching debut, Molly and Gene Myers' marriage is on the brink of collapse. Then a child arrives, with a remarkable appearance. Will he bring them together, or tear their whole world apart?

Molly and Gene Myers were happy, until tragedy blighted their hopes of children. During the years of darkness and despair, they each put their marriage in jeopardy, but now they are starting to rebuild their fragile bond.

This is the year of Woodstock and the moon landings; war is raging in Vietnam and the superpowers are threatening each other with annihilation.

Then the Meteor crashes into Amber Grove, devastating the small New England town - and changing their lives for ever. Molly, a nurse, caught up in the thick of the disaster, is given care of a desperately ill patient rescued from the wreckage: a sick boy with a remarkable appearance, an orphan who needs a mother.

And soon the whole world will be looking for him.

Cory's arrival has changed everything. And the Myers will do anything to keep him safe.

A remarkable story of warmth, tenacity and generosity of spirit, set against the backdrop of a fast-changing, terrifying decade.

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.

This strong and generous first novel wears its heart on its sleeve and embeds all the thrills and chills in credible human, and non-human, emotions
Daily Mail

A pleasing, big-hearted read, its late-1960s setting well evoked
Financial Times

Sympathetic characterisation and fine storytelling . . . What makes this such a satisfying read, apart from the thrillingly rendered chase (and the refreshing notion that not all aliens are bent on inimical invasion), is the characterisation of Molly and Gene, a childless couple given this one miraculous chance to show love for an adopted son. This is an optimistic take on the ET theme, done without the schmaltz of the film
Guardian

Part ET, part Wonder, part Snow Child, it has the same combination of science fiction and heart-tugging tenderness that Stephen King does so well
Grazia

An endearing story well told and I would recommend it as an uplifting tale to read on a dark and stormy winter night
My Weekly - Barbara Beaton

Cox takes a straightforward SF idea and turns it into something wholly fresh and intensely gripping. A tightly personal story draws readers deep into a couple's struggle to protect an innocent caught up in (literally) world-shaking events. By looking back to the '60s space race, and what might have been, Cox invites us to muse on events and ideas that have shaped the societies we live in today, and asks us where we might want humanity to go
Juliet McKenna, author of the No.1 bestselling The Green Man's Heir

A powerful combination of warm-hearted hope and steely-eyed realism . . . Idealism collides with harsh reality, hope battles violence and a family desperately tries to hold on . . . A heartfelt, richly imaginative and gripping story
SciFiNow

I dare anyone not to fall in love with the Meyers family . . . I could gush about this book forever, so I am just simply going to say, go read it. Read this beautiful, wonderful book
Angie Groves, Waterstones Blackpool

Dark and compelling reading
Irish Examiner

I loved this book. It was one of those I couldn't put down but didn't want to end. It is beautifully written and certainly stirs the emotions. It is a tale of love, loss, friendship, loyalty and doing the right thing
Sue Tingey, author of the Soulseer Trilogy

An uplifting tale of love and kindness
Candis

Rich layers of depth and superbly drawn characters that are a joy to read . . . a finely crafted adventure with pacing that expertly ramps up throughout . . . I tore through it
Dominic Dulley, author of Shattermoon

Cox takes a classic SF idea and turns it into something wholly fresh and intensely gripping. Highly recommended reading
Interzone - Juliet McKenna

A hybrid of more than one genre, a thrilling sci-fi tale that also poses the question of how far a mother will go to keep her precious son safe
Mature Times - Kate Goodman

A gripping, remarkable story that will stay with you days after you've read it. Stephen Cox is the new big name in fantasy
Pulped Machina

A great SF story, a great story of humanity, full of action but also of heart. Strongly recommended
Blue Book Balloon

An emotional story that is filled with tension and one that has an underlying intensity to it. It is a quietly impactful enchanting story, a poignant portrait of a family life . . . Arevelation. It is something unexpected and something wonderful. I highly recommend it
Tattooed Book Geek

An amazing debut
Rea's Book Review

I got through this in a matter of hours and was hooked . . . Gripping . . . 5 stars
Just Katherine

A story that will touch your heart . . . This heartwarming story reminds you of the lengths parents will go to to protect their children
Amanda J Evans

A gentle science fiction tale that is more about the depth of human compassion than it is whizzy alien technology and laser swords. You don't have to be a science fiction fan enjoy this book . . . Set against the backdrop of a small, decent, American town, Our Child of the Stars celebrates diversity, togetherness and the incomparable depths of human compassion
GeekDad