In 1933 in Kentucky, Carol’s despicable father lost her in a card game when she was thirteen years old. Although her early years are filled with violence and anger, eventually she happens upon good people who help her through a terribly difficult time. Night Came with Many Stars tells Carol’s story as well as what happens to her children and grandchildren.

Some of this novel is harsh and heartbreaking, yet Night Came with Many Stars is also a work of hope, love and the strength of the human spirit. Van Booy’s eighth work of fiction presents a group of interesting, somewhat complex characters; however, I wish there was more detail and explanation about some of them.