[Pre-publication] Praise From Published Authors
“Historical novels don’t get much better than The Boy with the Star Tattoo, and it’s obvious that the author did her homework, then sat down to a labor of love. The mark of a great historical novel is where the fictional characters become more real than the historical events they are living through.
Talia Carner is a writer’s writer and a reader’s delight.”
–Nelson DeMille, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of THE MAZE
“THE BOY WITH THE STAR TATTOO is a heartfelt testament to the power of determination and belonging. Talia Carner is a masterful storyteller – bringing fascinating history to life in the way that only the best historical fiction can. Perfect for fans of Pam Jenoff and Heather Morris.”
–Kelly Rimmer, New York Times bestselling author of THE PARIS AGENT
“Talia Carner, long established as one of the strongest voices in Jewish historical fiction, returns with her finest work to date, THE BOY WITH THE STAR TATTOO. Spanning World War II Europe to the struggling early state of Israel, Carner’s latest brings to light important history in a spellbinding and unforgettable human drama.”
–Pam Jenoff, New York Times Bestselling Author of CODE NAME SAPPHIRE
“Talia Carner has written a bold, moving, historically -rich tale that resonates with courage and vitality. Bouncing back and forth between WWII and the tense months after the ‘67 Israeli war, the novel is a countdown to a daring naval raid elevated to an even higher pitch by a courageous woman’s search for her past. No one today is writing better on the subject of Jewish identity.”
–Andrew Gross, New York Times Bestselling Author of THE ONE MAN.
Media Reviews
Hadassah Magazine
Curt Schleier
“Talia Carner once again shows off her skills as a master storyteller…. The novel is suffused with appealing, authentic and heartwarming touches. Israeli-born Carner knows her stuff and throws in details that ground her story…. Most heartwarming of all, though, are the chapters related to Uzi Yarden, sent to Europe to repatriate Jewish orphans to Mandate Palestine….
“Carner’s skill in tying together the disparate narratives is what makes her a storyteller…. In crafting this intricate narrative, she captivates the reader’s interest—and that’s what makes her a master….. The ending make me, as I am sure it will every reader, happy.”
Historical Novel Society
Jessica Brockmole
“The history in this story—the efforts to absorb Jewish children into families in occupied Europe and the work of Youth Aliyah to locate and rescue those children after the war—was new to this reader and made for a truly engaging read. The characters loved, worried, questioned, hoped, and dug deep to find courage they didn’t know they had. Through the alternating narration, the reader also tries to put together the story of Sharon and Daniel’s pasts. The history of the Israeli military’s secret Cherbourg Project was also gripping and made a great backdrop to the unfolding of the wartime story.
An excellent and engrossing novel.”
BookList.com
“This tale of courage, loss and reconnection is a satisfying historical read about a time and culture and not the typical WWII story.”
American Jewish Libraries
Sally Stieglitz
“Equal part political thriller and historical mystery, The Boy with the Star Tattoo takes place over several decades (1940s-1960s) in France and Israel, following the interwoven stories of several main characters…. Author Talia Carner is a seventh-generation Israeli, and her deep knowledge of Israel’s country, culture and internal struggles shine with authenticity throughout. …. Recommended for synagogues and public library popular fiction collections and for book clubs.”
The Reporter Group
Rabbi Rachel Esserman
“…The three sections of “The Boy with the Star Tattoo” come together at its conclusion…. readers won’t complain because that made the ending extremely satisfying.
Carner notes that she is proud of her country. Those who read her work will understand and appreciate her feelings.”
Times of Israel
Mark Levenson
“Carner’s The Boy with the Star Tattoo is a gripping and beautifully drawn story of Israel’s early days that deserves a wide audience.”
The Most Anticipated Novels 2024: “…As Danny focuses on the future of his people and on executing a daring, crucial operation under France’s radar, he is unaware that the obsessed Sharon follows the breadcrumbs of clues across the country to find her answers. But she is wholly unprepared for the dilemma she must face upon solving the puzzle.”
Jewish Book Council
Jamie Wendt
“….The Boy with the Star Tattoo is a worthwhile read. It simultaneously depicts little-known historical moments in France and the humanity and resilience of Carner’s characters.”
San Diego Jewish World
Donald H. Harrison
Three Intriguing Stories Lead to One in ‘The Boy with the Star Tattoo’
“The novel was well-researched and dramatically executed. I eagerly anticipated learning how it would end, and yet, paradoxically, I didn’t want it to end because it was such enjoyable reading.”
Praise From Bloggers
ChickLitCentral
Sara Steven
“I cannot say enough good things about The Boy with the Star Tattoo. It was absolutely riveting and I needed to know how it would end…. As a reader, I knew what was coming, but even when the truth was revealed, it was still heartwarming and heartbreaking, all at once…..
“I loved the two different timelines that are provided through Sharon’s and Claudette’s perspectives. Both feed into the other, so the events that take place in 1942 shape the outcomes of 1968….
“At many points, I felt teary-eyed with emotion. Knowing it is historical fiction added even more to my emotional feelings about this book. It truly affected me in a way that no other historical read has. If I could give The Boy with the Star Tattoo more than five stars, I would!”
BookMusing
“THE BOY WITH THE STAR TATTOO is an incredibly well-written and well-research book about lesser-known post-WW@ historical events. I enjoyed reading about the Cherbourg project because it is what drew me in first. But I was moved by other themes in the book. One was the collective trauma that Jewish people experienced during and after the Holocaust. I had understood it in the abstract but hadn’t thought about it deeply before. This novel changed that. It hammered it into my psyche. In Uzi, Sharon and Danny, Talia Carner embodies the Jewish nation and how the collective trauma drove Jewish people to build a country where Jews would be safe.
Currently, we are seeing an unprecedented rise in antisemitism that echoes 1930-1940. It’s important, now more than ever to read Jewish stories and listen to Jewish voices. THE BOY WITH THE STAR TATTOO is a must read….”
Novel Alive
“Once I got into the book, I couldn’t put it down. With Sharon’s mother’s story, Daniel’s history, Claudette’s heartbreaking search for her son, and Uzi’s relentless pursuit of Jewish orphans, it was indeed a very compelling and poignant read.”
