Based on the incredible true stories of the women who worked in secret to create the first atomic bomb, this is a sweeping novel about the power of the individual and the heartbreaking choice between the call of duty and following your own heart…
1944, New Mexico: Alice Katz is a young Jewish physicist, one of the only female doctoral students at her university, studying with the famous Dr Oppenheimer. Her well-to-do family wants her to marry and settle down. Instead, Alice answers her country’s call to go deep into the desert and lend her skills to a secret project at the heart of the fight against Germany.
At Los Alamos, Alice meets Caleb, who has been assigned to the explosives division. Around them are other young scientists and engineers who have left their ordinary lives behind, telling no one where they are going and what they will be doing.
Details of the project are shrouded in secrecy, but everyone knows it is a race against time to beat the Nazis before they create an unspeakable weapon of their own.
In this atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, and despite their many differences, Alice and Caleb find themselves drawn to one another. But as they become more and more desperate to complete their mission before the war is lost, they will face a heartbreaking choice between love for their country and love for each other…
This epic tale of love in the face of war is a poignant reminder of the consequences of our decisions, and the roles we play in history. Perfect for fans of Oppenheimer, Hidden Figures and The Diamond Eye.
Everyone loves The Sound of a Thousand Stars:
‘Asks devastating questions of our past while engaging in hopeful reflections on love. The attention to historical and scientific detail is impressive, and the prose kept me turning pages’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘An amazing story of love and The Manhattan Project that is both sad and triumphant… haunting and magnificent’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Whenever I read books about World War II be it non-fiction or fiction I am always astounded by the stories, by what happened in that time and just how did fellow humans get through it. Anyone living or working in that time are little heroes… I’m in awe of the bravery… You could tell this story had heart. Her characters were written beautifully… brilliant historical fiction… The stories of that time should never stop being told‘ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Meticulously researched and beautifully rendered… Reminds us that the greatest mysteries are those of the human heart. This book will leave you breathless’ Soon Wiley
‘A soaring testament to all those unseen souls who answered history’s call and selflessly sacrificed in order to shape the world in which we live’ Giano Cromley
‘Riveting story that shows love and destiny are forces just as powerful as faith or science’ Kathleen Rooney
‘Beautifully done historical fiction… It had everything that I was looking for… I enjoyed the science element’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Historically astute… Terrific scene-setting, linking the brilliant stars of her title to the majesty of rural New Mexico… An intelligent consideration of a great moral dilemma‘ San Francisco Chronicle
‘Asking questions of complicity and sacrifice that reverberate today, this beautifully written novel considers the costs of scientific advancement, the value of an individual life, and the thrilling knife’s edge of being in love‘ Julia Fine
1944, New Mexico: Alice Katz is a young Jewish physicist, one of the only female doctoral students at her university, studying with the famous Dr Oppenheimer. Her well-to-do family wants her to marry and settle down. Instead, Alice answers her country’s call to go deep into the desert and lend her skills to a secret project at the heart of the fight against Germany.
At Los Alamos, Alice meets Caleb, who has been assigned to the explosives division. Around them are other young scientists and engineers who have left their ordinary lives behind, telling no one where they are going and what they will be doing.
Details of the project are shrouded in secrecy, but everyone knows it is a race against time to beat the Nazis before they create an unspeakable weapon of their own.
In this atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, and despite their many differences, Alice and Caleb find themselves drawn to one another. But as they become more and more desperate to complete their mission before the war is lost, they will face a heartbreaking choice between love for their country and love for each other…
This epic tale of love in the face of war is a poignant reminder of the consequences of our decisions, and the roles we play in history. Perfect for fans of Oppenheimer, Hidden Figures and The Diamond Eye.
Everyone loves The Sound of a Thousand Stars:
‘Asks devastating questions of our past while engaging in hopeful reflections on love. The attention to historical and scientific detail is impressive, and the prose kept me turning pages’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘An amazing story of love and The Manhattan Project that is both sad and triumphant… haunting and magnificent’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Whenever I read books about World War II be it non-fiction or fiction I am always astounded by the stories, by what happened in that time and just how did fellow humans get through it. Anyone living or working in that time are little heroes… I’m in awe of the bravery… You could tell this story had heart. Her characters were written beautifully… brilliant historical fiction… The stories of that time should never stop being told‘ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Meticulously researched and beautifully rendered… Reminds us that the greatest mysteries are those of the human heart. This book will leave you breathless’ Soon Wiley
‘A soaring testament to all those unseen souls who answered history’s call and selflessly sacrificed in order to shape the world in which we live’ Giano Cromley
‘Riveting story that shows love and destiny are forces just as powerful as faith or science’ Kathleen Rooney
‘Beautifully done historical fiction… It had everything that I was looking for… I enjoyed the science element’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Historically astute… Terrific scene-setting, linking the brilliant stars of her title to the majesty of rural New Mexico… An intelligent consideration of a great moral dilemma‘ San Francisco Chronicle
‘Asking questions of complicity and sacrifice that reverberate today, this beautifully written novel considers the costs of scientific advancement, the value of an individual life, and the thrilling knife’s edge of being in love‘ Julia Fine
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Reviews
'A riveting story that shows love and destiny are forces just as powerful as faith or science'
'Not only is The Sound of a Thousand Stars a great achievement of historical depth, it proves how selfless and vital love becomes when we find ourselves at the end of the world. Robbins has given us an elegy that rings clear, strong, and true'
'Asking questions of complicity and sacrifice that reverberate today, this beautifully written novel considers the costs of scientific advancement, the value of an individual life, and the thrilling knife's edge of being in love'
'This book is a soaring testament to all those unseen souls who answered history's call and selflessly sacrificed in order to shape the world in which we live'
'Meticulously researched and beautifully rendered, The Sound of a Thousand Stars reminds us that the greatest mysteries are those of the human heart. This book will leave you breathless'
'Historically astute . . . Terrific scene-setting, linking the brilliant stars of her title to the majesty of rural New Mexico . . . An intelligent consideration of a great moral dilemma'