#ReadWithMC Reviews Vanessa Hua's 'A River of Stars'
"A fascinating peek into a culture that isn't portrayed enough."
To put it simply, October has been a hellscape. And with Trump's recent proposal to sign an executive order ending birthright citizenship, Vanessa Hua's A River of Stars couldn't be more timely. The novel highlights the journey of a Chinese woman fleeing her country in pursuit of a better life for her child, and reading it has become a way to escape from the real world while simultaneously relating to it.
Here, the #ReadWithMC community shares what they thought of A River of Stars.
"A River of Stars is delicious and delivers in every way: motherhood, female friendship, Chinese immigration, with strong doses of humor set in San Francisco's Chinatown." —@Karen_K_Lewis
A RIVER OF STARS is delicious and delivers in every way: motherhood, female friendship, Chinese immigration, with strong doses of humor set in San Francisco's Chinatown. New review: https://t.co/oM3iEoVKrH Impressive debut! @vanessa_hua #ReadwithMC, #ARiverofStars, #NetGalley pic.twitter.com/EUJawp0tN1September 27, 2018
"Just finished #ARiverOfStars and it was SO good! Scarlett and Daisy’s unexpected friendship shows the strong bonds that can be built when you lean on other people. I was obsessed with the journey you take with Scarlett as she navigates becoming a new mom in San Francisco. It was beautiful to see the scary, raw, and sometimes uncertain side of becoming a new mom. Having just visited San Francisco twice this month, I loved being in the same city where the women and their children started their lives." —@klchavez27
A post shared by Krystyna Chávez (@klchavez27)
A photo posted by on
"#Ariverofstars was really interesting to read. The story of a Chinese immigrant headed to the U.S. to bear her child takes unexpected turns, but highlights the community she builds around her as an expecting and then new mother." —@myreading2018
A post shared by k (@kirstyisreading)
A photo posted by on
"So enjoyed Vanessa Hua's ‘A River of Stars,’ a fierce, wrenching story of friendship, motherhood, sacrifice, and survival. And (sadly) a very relevant plot for us right now." —@sallyholmes
"I just finished reading A River of Stars this morning. Mostly, I really enjoyed this story of immigration, though I did find it to be a little slow." —@readwithrachel
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
A post shared by rachel | nyc (@readwithrachel)
A photo posted by on
"Late to the party on this one, but man am I glad I read Vanessa Hua's A River of Stars. A fascinating peek into a culture that isn't portrayed enough. The plot is especially poignant considering POTUS's desire to (unconstitutionally) get rid of birthright citizenship." —@DaniSMcNally
Late to the party on this one, but man am I glad I read Vanessa Hua's A River of Stars. A fascinating peek into a culture that isn't portrayed enough. The plot is especially poignant considering POTUS's desire to (unconstitutionally) get rid of birthright citizenship. #ReadWithMCOctober 31, 2018
Missed out on our October pick? Starting November 1, we'll be reading Jasmine Guillory's The Proposal. Learn more about the book and read an exclusive interview with Guillory here.
RELATED STORIES
Rachel Epstein is a writer, editor, and content strategist based in New York City. Most recently, she was the Managing Editor at Coveteur, where she oversaw the site’s day-to-day editorial operations. Previously, she was an editor at Marie Claire, where she wrote and edited culture, politics, and lifestyle stories ranging from op-eds to profiles to ambitious packages. She also launched and managed the site’s virtual book club, #ReadWithMC. Offline, she’s likely watching a Heat game or finding a new coffee shop.
-
The 2025 Grammy Nominees Make Personal Style a Performance
This year's most-nominated stars don't leave their costumes onstage.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Hulu's New Thriller 'Paradise' Is Full of Political Intrigue and A-List Actors—Here's What to Know About the Cast
'This Is Us' creator Dan Fogelman and star Sterling K. Brown reunited for the prestige drama.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Alex Cooper’s "Tousled" Blowout Is Fit for a Mogul
Hairstylist Ryan Richman gives 'Marie Claire' the breakdown.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
15 Romance Novels We Can't Wait to Read in 2025
We can't wait to read these new books from Abby Jimenez, Emily Henry, Jasmine Guillory, and more.
By Andrea Park Published
-
'Children of Blood and Bone' Movie: Everything We Know About the Cast and Release Date
You won't believe how many A-listers have joined the cast of this book-to-screen adaptation.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
13 Fantasy Books to Read When You Need an Escape
If you need a bit of escapism, these #BookTok-obsessed series and enchanting novels will do the trick.
By Liz Doupnik Published
-
The 18 Most-Anticipated Mystery-Thriller Books of 2025
All of the clues point to these upcoming novels being must-reads.
By Nicole Briese Published
-
A Netflix Series Adaptation of Ana Huang's 'Twisted Love' Series Is Confirmed: What We Know
Could this be the next 'Bridgerton' or 'Tell Me Lies?'
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
The 15 Most Anticipated Novels of 2025
These are the new fiction books that should be on your TBR stack.
By Andrea Park Published
-
Every Emily Henry Book, Ranked—From 'Beach Read' to 'Funny Story'
From underrated YA titles to No. 1 bestsellers like 'Beach Read.'
By Nicole Briese Published
-
Everything to Know About the 'Fourth Wing' Books: Your Guide to the 'Empyrean' Series
Rebecca Yarros's novels have become a literary phenomenon—and there's more on the way very soon.
By Nicole Briese Published