Thanks to NetGalley for my gifted copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Forest of Vanishing Stars is the story of Yona, a girl kidnapped at age 2 by a strange old woman and raised in the forest. During 1941, Yona is now lonely and alone, she lives alone in the forest and one day happens upon Jews who are fleeing from Nazis who’ve killed their friends and families. They desperately need help to survive and hide in the forest. Helping these people, then later a larger group, she feels must be her fate but finding out about her past is still a strong motivator for her actions.
Overall, I enjoyed this book but some of the plot points seemed unrealistic and took a little away from the story. The Authors note at the end was very informative and definitely added to the overall story.

I would like to thank Gallery Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book and give an honest review. I have read many of Ms. Hammel's books and have to say I enjoyed this one. While it started out slow, and I put it down for a few weeks, once I got into it, I did enjoy it. It tells the story of Yona, a young girl who is being raised by Jezeble who kidnapped her when she was two. They lived in the forrest and Yona learned how to survive. After the death of Jezeble (which I think isn't right but close enough), she happens upon a family escaping the Germans and a ghetto. She tries to help them but the wife doesn't trust Yona. Without going into too much detail, Yona helps another group of Jews escape and survive. There are times the book drags and the ending was confusing but all in all it was a good book.

A book of survival while hiding in the forest during WWII. If you’ve read and liked Harmel before you won’t be disappointed.

Interesting story about a young lady who is raised in the forest and finds herself assisting people trying to evade the German soldiers. She teaches them survival skills and they teach her about love and family.

Thanks to #netgalley #kristinharmel for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advance Kindle copy of this 5-star book from Netgalley for a fair and honest review. Thank you Netgalley for this opportunity.

The Forest of the Vanishing Stars is the first book I have read by Kristin Harmel. It will definitely not be my last! I was not at all aware of the sequence of events Ms. Harmel presents based on her meticulous research in this historical fiction offering. Her telling of these circumstances sent me into research mode many times as I was inspired to learn more. That is the result of a book that is well-written and engaging.

In 1922 at age two Inge Jüttner was taken from her crib in Berlin by Jerusza, a Jewish mystic, who had lived her entire life in the deep forest. Renamed Yona, which meant dove in Hebrew, Jerusza would now teach her to obtain all she needed to survive supplied by the Eastern European forests of Poland and Belarus. After Jerusza’s death at 102, Yona will use all these skills to teach a group of Jewish refugees escaping from the ghetto the survival skills they need after the German army invades Poland. Her knowledge, strength, and courage make an attempt for these families to survive a possibility. They in turn teach Yona to understand and develop a life of trust and relationships in contrast to her many years of isolated existence.

What appeared to be a fairy tale in the first chapter would prove to be Harmel’s characters living actual events during WWII. Don’t miss the “Author’s Note” at the end describing actual characters, events, and settings that provide additional meaning to themes presented in the book.

The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel

In 1922, an eighty two year old woman steals a two year old baby girl from the home of her wealthy German parents. For the next twenty years the old woman raises the girl, teaching her everything about nature and how to live without the help of anyone else. She schools the girl with stolen books, instructs her so that she is fluent in many languages, gives the girl everything she needs to be self sufficient . And then the old lady dies. 

In 1941, Yona, lonely, on her own, comes across Jews fleeing from those who have killed their families and friends and she helps them. Then she helps a bigger group and she knows that this must be her fate, why she she was stolen from her parents, so that she can help those who need help to survive in the woods that she knows so well. There comes a time when she flees these people, only to find them again. She has always wondered about her past, the face of her father that she sees in her mind. Finding her past helps her to know where she really belongs, although her past could obliterate her future. 

There is a mystical quality to this book but as I read the Author's Note at the end and learned the extensive research she did and the real life events and stories that she drew from, I have no doubt that faith in God, the desire to not only survive but to help others survive, and the resilience of people that have nothing left to lose but their last breath, can make miracles happen. So many millions died but there are people who lived to tell the horrors of this time, in the hope of stemming cruelty to fellow man. Every time I read a story such as this one, as hard as it is to know what happened, I want to remember the people who lost their families, friends, and lives. 

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

A stunning Heart stopping story of survival during WW2. Hiding in the deep forest and running from the Nazi soldiers. You will not be able to stop reading this as you hold your breath every time they get close. Powerful story and a great book! A must read.

Another fabulous novel from Kristin Harmel. Highly recommended. Her characters and world building draw you in and keep you glued to the page. Ms Karmel is one of my favorite authors.

In Berlin 1922, an old woman kidnaps a two year old girl from her nursery. The only
explanation the woman ever gives Yona for stealing her away is that her father is a bad man. Yona lives with her kidnapper Jerusza in the forests of Poland and Belarus for many years. Jerusza warns Yona of the dangers of the outside world and tells her never to get close to civilization, the forest will provide a life for you. And so it does, Yona and Jerusza live in the forests for two decades before Jerusza dies. Yona has learned all the ways of the forest, and not just how to survive but how to thrive. Yona learns that Jews are being hunted by Nazi Germans in the towns outside the forest and when she stumbles upon a group of escaped Jews, she offers to teach them how to survive. The Forest of Vanishing Stars is a story of love, hope, trust and survival. And shows the reader how bright a light can shine in a dark place.

Yona was kidnapped from her German parents and raised surviving off the Eastern European forests. Years later, she finds herself helping a group of Jews fleeing concentration camps, teaching them how to hide and survive int he forest as well.

This book was engaging and unlike other WWII historical fiction novels I have read before. There was an element of magic in the beginning that felt a little out of place and didn’t continue, but otherwise I loved this book. I felt all of the emotions: I was angry at some characters, I cried, I felt heartbroken and hopeful. I was so invested in these characters and their survival. The writing was stunning, and I could not put this one down.

4.5 stars

In the latest novel, Harmel creates a striking character who has an unforgettable skill set: an extraordinary individual in horrific circumstances. While readers must suspend disbelief at times, surpassing that hurdle really pays off with this one.

Yona, nee Inge, is taken from her home at just two years old by an excellent character, and the two live together in the forest for many years. The relationship between these characters is powerful - even beyond the confines of their lives - and I love the way that they stay connected through both Yona's messages and varied knowledge. Living up to the Earth Mother archetype, Yona masters the forest and her own survival in it enough to use it to the advantage of others, who ultimately need the support much more than she does. This is intentionally vague so that readers can enjoy what unfolds without too much upfront information.

There are some extremely convenient coincidences that detract from the magic of the central characters and plot at times, but overall, I could not get enough of the sense of place and truly everything about the m.c. I remain a devoted fan of Harmel's, and I am already looking forward to what comes next. Recommended!

World War II fiction is my favorite genre and I have been a long-time fan of Kristin Harmel’s books. I feel each WW II book I read fills in a piece of the WWII puzzle. The Forest of the Vanishing Stars is one such piece. I knew that many Jewish people survived in the forests and have seen the movie, Defiance. I also know from experience that Harmel does a lot of research before writing her books, so I read her author notes first. I am glad I did! If I hadn’t I might have given up during the mystical tale of Jerusza, an old Jewish woman, who kidnaps a two-year-old German girl from her parents’ home. I did not care for how long this part lasted. After reading the entire book, I can understand why she wrote the book this way.

I love Harmel’s gift for writing. One paragraph that stood out to me is “We all are,” Yona murmured, but she knew now that Zeus had been shattered in a different way than she had. You can’t heal a heart that has been smashed in a different way than she had. You can’t heal a heart that has been smashed to pieces; you can only move forward, doing your best to hold the shards together until they eventually form into something new.” This really speaks to me as most of us have or will have our lives shattered at some point and need to piece together a new life.

I know that I will be thinking about this book for a very long time. This is a sign of an amazing book. I suggest you take the journey and not give up reading this book at any roadblock you might have while reading. My thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

I am neither Jewish nor particularly religious, but what a beautiful book about trust, love, and determination.  I liked this book much more than my previous completed novel by this author, The Winemaker's Wife. That book had some similar "domestic strife" and this author is very good at weaving that into the story without taking from the historical details.

A few of my favorite quotes:

"...perhaps God gives us the answers before we know what the questions will be."

"...never (to) question God’s plan, that even when things felt like they were falling apart, there was always a reason, always a purpose."

"...vengeance would only taste sweet for a second, and then it would be a permanent stain on her soul."

"...home is not a place, but the people you choose to love”

Thank you to NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As a lover of historical fiction and a history major in college, I have read many WWII/Holocaust stories. Each one hits me hard, but I keep coming back to them because I feel drawn to the people whether real of fictionalized characters. This was my first book by Kristin Harmel and it definitely won't be my last. The way she wrote the story based on real groups of escaped Jews living in the depths of the forest in Poland makes you feel as though you were right there with them. She did extensive research and told a hauntingly beautiful story of the group fighting for survival. The story follows Yona who was born in Germany and ends up living in the woods and off the land with a woman named Jerusza. They spend their life away from people, fending for themselves, and Jerusza teaching Yona everything she knows.
As WWII begins and everything starts to change Yona finds herself wondering about her past, and confronted with the horrors the Jewish people are facing at the hands of the Germans. While the atrocities are talked about, at the heart of this book is a story of love, family, and forgiveness. This was a beautifully written story, and I highly recommend it. Thank You Netgalley and Gallery books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

When she was just two years old, Yona was stolen from her German parents and raised in the woods away from the ever growing Nazi party. In the woods, her sole companion was the old woman who had taken her from her crib. Yona was taught how to live in the wilderness and fend for herself. The old woman knew that danger was lurking ahead and she taught Yona how to survive. When the old woman dies of old age, Yona is suddenly alone in a vast forest with a world war circling all around her. At least she thought she was until she stumbled across small clusters of people who have fled from Jewish ghettos. To help with their survival, Yona teaches them how to “disappear” within the forest. Always on the run but always trying to find hope and trust within the darkness.

As a fan of the authors, I couldn’t wait to read this book because I loved her others so much. I have always admired and respected the amount of research Kristin Harmel puts into to her stories and while a work of fiction, she definitely did her homework to ensure accuracy as much as possible. Having said that, this one was just okay for me. I admire the will and determination of Yona. She truly believes her path in life is to help those who need it and she does manage to save lives. There are a few characters that I really didn’t like but that’s okay. I loved the journey that Yona herself took to discover who she really is. This novel flows easily and makes for a great weekend read!

Thanks to NetGalley, Simon and Shuster and Kristin Harmel for the opportunity to read this novel ahead of its publication date

Definitely a top read of the year!

Ms. Harmel writes a powerful story of survival amidst the hardships of war. Expertly plotted, with a strong message of good amidst some of the darkest moments of history. I found myself haunted by the characters in the story, knowing that their stories were fictional, but that they reflected the real-life stories that remain untold. Highly recommend to fans of historical fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Forest of Vanishing Stars
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I will not repeat the plot, as it has been done many times before. Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and I have throughly enjoyed some of this author’s previous books. Well, this one, not so much. Fiction should be capitalized, because although the book is based on some true events ( Jews hiding in the forests from the Nazi’s) , a lot of what’s described in this book is just plain unbelievable in spite of the author’s note at the end with explanations. Yona has been kidnapped by Yerusza at age two, yet she remembers pictures on her bedroom wall more than twenty years later? Her education by Yerusza including multiple languages, religion, Torah, Talmud, history, medical training, while living in the forest is just not possible. While many survived some time in the forests, but more than twenty years? The forest always supplying exactly what’s needed at the time, such as herbs, plants for specific ailments? Just not plausible. I also found that after never living outside the forest, the first time Yona gets into civilization, she knows just how to act and takes upon herself to save everyone who needs saving, folks she has nothing to do with.
I personally did not care for the ending either.
Overall, I found this book more of a fairy tale with some monsters, than historical fiction. I give it three stars the most.
Thanks NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the advanced copy.

Inspired by the true story of a community of Jews seeking refuge in the forests of Eastern Europe, THE FOREST OF VANISHING STARS is a unique stand out among WWII fiction. I personally challenge you to read the first chapter and not get drawn in.

The story begins with the swift kidnapping of a two year old Yona. She is whisked away from her German family into the harsh forests of Eastern Europe. Yona was raised in the woods and possesses intimate knowledge of her solitary home. She later uses her wilderness expertise to assist Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazis.

Even if you think you’re burnt out on WWII fiction, give this one a chance. It’s a fresh perspective, and I never tire of reading about the resiliency of the human spirit. Kristen Harmel is an incredibly gifted storyteller--after finishing this novel I promptly added THE BOOK OF LOST NAMES and THE WINE MAKER’S WIFE to my TBR.

More than anything, this book is a love letter to the sanctuary of the woods and the healing power of nature. It is a deep exploration of faith, doubt, and what forces shape our identity.

RATING: 4.5/5 (rounded up)
AVAILABLE: July 6, 2021

A big thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a new-to-me author and I wasn't sure what to expect. What I got was a well written story that was absolutely wonderful. It was full of emotions and keep me turning the pages to see what happened next. I look forward to reading more books by this author . Thank you Gallery Books via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Books that take place during the World Wars are my favorite. With the bonus of having a person raised in the woods as a survivalist, I thought this would be an easy home run. But unfortunately, for all the strength Yona was supposed to have, I found her lack of assertiveness weak. She let people walk all over her. First Chana, then Sulia, and then Aleksander. She pretty much let them yell at her without even trying to explain or stick up for herself. It was incredibly offputting. And Aleksander took advantage of her kindness so often I found I couldn’t stand him as a character.

When Yana was explaining survival, I enjoyed the knowledge of the earth that shined through. I only wish that strength and know-how spread to each facet of her character. But between having a weak main character and occasional characters that I couldn’t stand, there is a good story here. I enjoyed the research that went into this. I highlighted a lot of insightful things that I feel will stay with me. Thank you, Gallery Books, for sending this along.

This is a different type of book for Harmel in that it moves more slowly, giving her a change to show her gorgeous prose and dig deeply into the details of outdoor survival. She also got to cover the beauty of faith in all its forms during times of great hardship, and what that looks like and feels to different people, including mysticism in her primary caregiver as a child.

It's a dreamy type of book that almost feel like ASMR at times, yet at other times puts the MC in terribly difficult situations and shows her tremendous grace with boundaries. Worth reading.