A River of Stars

In her powerful debut novel, A River of Stars, Vanessa Hua explores modern motherhood, immigration, and identity through the journey of Scarlett Chen, a pregnant Chinese woman seeking the American dream in California. Separated from her past in China and holed up in a secret maternity home, Scarlett's life takes an unexpected turn when she hijacks a van to escape her situation and inadvertently brings along Daisy, a spirited teenager with similar dreams. As they navigate their newfound freedom and the complexities of their lives, the novel vividly captures themes of home, belonging, and the fierce determination of women facing overwhelming challenges.