I really enjoy books of this genre/era, so I was excited to check this book out. Few, if any, have dealt with the Jews hiding in the woods, as was the focus of this story. It's a relatively quick read that explored the meaning of community, as well as the impact one's choices have on themselves and others.

It's obvious that the author did her research, as the story is nicely detailed. I enjoyed the section at the end regarding the factual details. The mystical elements led to a unique take on a Holocaust story.

I enjoyed Yona, who is a nice mix of strength, determination, compassion, and intelligence. The active pace keeps the reader engaged. Fans of historical fiction will want to add this to the TBR pile.

I love reading historical fiction, especially books set during WWII. This was an interesting take on the genre. The main character was kidnapped as a small child from wealthy, German parents and raised by her kidnapper, an old woman who lived in the woods and taught her survival skills away from humanity. After her kidnapper dies she is living on her own when she runs into a group of escapee Jews. She goes against her kidnapper's advice and becomes involved with the group, teaching them survival skills so they can stay in the woods and have a better chance of survival. I loved the idea of the story but rather than focusing on the historical fiction perspective it became more of a romance as the main character ended up in a relationship with first one and then another of the men from the group she was assisting. This detracted from the story for me.

"We've all lost so much. When we find happiness, especially where we didn't expect to, we must hold it close with all our might."

Yona was taken from her family in Berlin when she was two years old and raised in the forest by a woman who teaches her everything she needs to know in order to survive. After her capture dies decades later, Yona finds herself alone until she comes across a group of Jewish refuges trying to escape the Nazi's. She begins to teach them everything she knows so that they can survive and they teach her about opening her heart after years of being alone in isolation. When Yona feels betrayed she heads to a nearby village that is occupied by the Germans. It's there her past and present collide.

Based on true events, The Forest of Vanishing Stars tells the remarkable story about survival in the midst of a terrible war in challenging elements. The story is heartbreaking, beautiful and enlightening. I had no idea that there were Jewish refuges who escaped into the forest and created a home while relying on each other and faith to get them though. The characters are captivating, brave and authentic. I also appreciate when an author writes a historical fiction novel that they take the time to research so that storyline is accurate. I also love when they include an authors note at the end. It gives me a little glimpse of how they poured their soul into writing. If you are a historical fiction lover then this book will not disappoint.

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 comes out July 6th! Pre-order your copy today!

Gripping WWII story about the Jewish refugees who hid in the forests in Poland during WWII to escape persecution from the Nazis. Yona was stolen from her German parents at age 2. She is brought up by her kidnapper in the forests of Eastern Europe. The woman who raised her dies, and she is now alone in 1941. She stumbles upon a group of Jewish refugees in the forest hiding from the Nazis. After loosing one family, she becomes part of another group, teaching them how to survive out in the forest, and helping to cure those that are sick or injured.

At one point, she is brought face to face with her birth father who is now an officer in the Nazi army. She has to choose whether she will live the live she was born into or brought up with. The story is tense, nail bitting, and emotional. The forests, towns, and what happened in them are for the most part historically accurate. I definitely feel it is a must read.

Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to read the advance copy of this wonderful book.

Incredible! Kristin Harmel does it again! 5 Stars!

Not your typical nonfiction WW11 book about Jews fleeing the Nazis. Kristin Harmel’s research is so extensive. The book evoke so many emotions. My heart ached, I cried, I got angry and I felt the love. There is a bit of mythical component; but in all great religions, stories are carried through generations. The red coat and the emotions I now have when I see the book cover….

In reading the acknowledgement section, I learned about the individuals who lived this story, or who brought the forest to life. It also open up new books of interest for me.

The book comes out on July 6th. Preorder it now, you will not be disappointed!

Thank you #NetGalley, #GalleryBooks, #Simon&Schuster,Inc and #KristinHarmel for the advance readers copy for my honest review.

I received a free copy from NetGalley. Holocaust survivors, but hiding in the woods not with a family. But what if you don't know how to survive in the woods? What if you run into someone who was raised in the woods, who while awkward around people, knows everything you need to know to survive? A totally different story from the usual WWII history fiction. Well worth the time to read.

I hadn't realized; I didn't know.
I hadn't realized that thousand and thousands of Jews hid in thick forested areas to avert the Nazis. I didn't know what it took to survive for months even years with only the resources available in their natural form. One had to be knowledgeable and experienced in order to survive. In Yona, this is demonstrated. Although the first chapters are fanciful, I felt compelled to read more. I was fascinated with her capabilities, although skeptical of her ability to intrinsically figure out how to socialize so quickly. My belief in the goodness of humanity won me over to believe and trust in her.
Well-researched with sources cited.

Kristin Harmel does it again with a unique, well-researched take on historical WWII fiction! The. Forest of Vanishing Stars introduces us to the world of Yona, the daughter of German parents taken from her cradle at two-years-old by Jerusza, an old Jewish woman living in the thick forests of Poland, told by precognition to take and raise Yona away from civilization. Yona grows to be an intelligent young woman capable of living on her own and providing for herself in the forest. As Jews begin to flee into the woods when the Nazis arrive in Poland, Yona is called to help the Jews survive.

This book reminded me of Where the Crawdads Sing mixed with historical WWII fiction and was nothing like any WWII fiction novel I have ever read. It was a different approach to telling the history of this time period and truly a remarkable read!

Thank you, NetGalley, for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts in this review are my own.

#ForestofVanishingStars
#NetGalley

As a lover of historical fiction, especially if it’s set during WWII, and super-especially if it’s protagonist is a strong, brave woman, I was excited when this book popped up in NetGalley.
I really enjoyed the story, and althogh I have read of this ilk, this book felt fresh and original. I, loved the loving, brave, nurturing character of Yona, enough that I was willing to put aside my incredulity about her remarkable integration with the various communities, despite not having been a part of one for most of her life, and willing to suspend my reality and go with her MacGuyver-esque abilities in any situation. But ... really, some of “jumped the shark” (including the ending). The book is less than 400 pages but felt a lot longer ... it dragged in places but I’m not sure why, exactly. It also took me a bit longer than usual to get through it, partly because some parts were so disturbing that I needed “brain [and heart] breaks.”

Yona was a very small child when she was taken from her family by Jerusza, who continued to raise her and teach her how to survive on her own in the forest. When Jerusza passes, Yona is full alone until she comes across a group of Jews hiding out from the Germans that have invaded their homes. While Jerusza always told her to stay away from people, Yona knows she can help this group survive and escape the terror that awaits them if they are to be found. Suddenly Yona is learning what the word family means.

So I won’t lie, I have had trouble reading historical fiction recently. Not sure why, but the struggle has been real. I also feel like I hit a wall a bit with WWII books. I just had read so many and I needed a break. Well let me tell you, if you are similar to me, look no further than The Forest Of Vanishing Stars! This book was so dang amazing. It was a completely different WWII story and it was exactly what I needed. It made me cry, it broke my heart, and then warmed it right back up. Yona was just an absolutely fantastic character, and Harmel had me rooting for her from page one! In case its not clear, I highly recommend this book!

Wow...this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I have read a lot of WWII novels and honestly can say I had never heard of Jewish refugees living out in the woods...setting up camps like small towns out in the middle of woods trying to not be captured. I was so invested in all the characters and just how the author described the nature and living out in it was just beautiful. Loved it!
Kindle ebook – I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for the purpose of an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Kristin Harmel does it again. I have devoured and loved every book I have read by her, and this one is no different.

As usual, we get beautiful writing, interesting characters, and a unique, heartbreaking story. This was especially unique. The writing is whimsical at times but not overly so, and it truly adds depth and complexity to the story. I was engrossed in Yona's story from start to finish, and I appreciated and adored every single character she met in the forest (those who were on her side, of course).

The story is heartbreaking and difficult to read at times, to be expected, but I cannot recommend this one enough.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an advance copy of this beautiful book!

I loved this book! Once I got started, I could not put it down until I was done. Many books have been written about fleeing Jews and the people who tried to help them, but I have never read one with this storyline. The book was incredibly well-written and kept you engaged right until the very end. I highly recommend to anyone who loves WWII historical fiction but is looking for a new angle.

Yona is a strong, smart, and independent young woman. She was stolen from her home in Berlin when she was two years old and raised in the forest by an old woman named Jerusza who believed Yona’s parents were bad people. Jerusza didn’t want to be a mother and is only a teacher to Yona. She taught her a lot of things but couldn’t teach her to understand people since they never interacted with anyone else and Yona didn’t even really know Jerusza. Jerusza frequently tells Yona she saved her life and hints that Yona has a greater purpose. After Jerusza dies, Yona is completely alone until she finds a group of Jewish refugees who are trying to survive in the forest. She makes the difficult choice to give up her safety and solitude to help them. She teaches them essential wilderness survival skills like how to build shelter, catch fish, what plants can be eaten, what herbs to use for medicine, and how to move frequently and avoid leaving a trace so they can remain hidden.

I think it is fascinating the author was able to interview a “real-life superhero” who helped people escape the ghetto and survive the war by hiding in the forest. Aron Bielski, a Polish Jew, was 14 years old in 1941 when his parents were taken away. He was able to hide and along with two older brothers created a mini society hidden in the forest, complete with a hospital and jail. He was 93 years old at the time of the interview and still felt guilt that he survived when so many others died. Three million Jewish people were killed just in Poland during that period of time.

I recommend reading this book when you have a lot of time because you won’t want to put it down. The author does an excellent job of pacing the story. I wanted to see if and when Yona’s path would cross with that of her parents and what her purpose was, but I was disappointed in the way that ended up. Overall, this is a beautifully written story that explores what makes a family.
Trigger warnings: there are a couple of brief sex scenes and descriptions of violent acts against the Jews and others.
Thanks to NetGalley for a temporary digital copy.

This was a new perspective on the unspeakable happenings of the 2nd world war for me..

The take away for me is this: Home is not a place but a feeling, it's the people we choose and the people who choose to love us. Tragedy makes family from strangers., and home from unexpected places. Yona is taken at age 2 and raised in the woods. The first part of the book chronicles her rearing and training for survival. The remainder of the book chronicles her survival and helping of others survive at one of the darkest times in our collective history. I was a bit confused by her ability to assimilate to a society so readily having been raised by and interacted with only one person. As educated and intelligent as she was, I find it hard to believe her social skills had been that developed that she could assimilate that rapidly.

Regardless of her ability to assimilate, this was a enjoyable story of survival of the most vulnerable.

This incredible story as possibly the best one yet from Ms Harmel! The descriptions and emotions have come to a new level beyond those of hers other titles. I dunno what she has done to up her writing style but whatever it is, it is working. Without a doubt I will continue to put her on auto buy for her nect titles.

The main characters of Yona and Jerusza are so vivid in their emotion that its hard not to imagine what they are like emotionally. Well rounded in character development, Ms Harmels stories are always a delight to get to know and understand. I have no doubt this title will take off like wildfire! Parts of it brought me to tears. Always a good sign I've connected completely with the book!

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for this advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

A remarkable story of human resilience. I have read many books like this one where people survive under such horrific circumstances. I cannot imagine trying to survive like these people did.

The Forest of the Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel

I received an ARC from NetGallery for an honest review.

The Forest of the Vanishing Stars is a story about family, survival, love, and discovering your place in the world. Set in World War II, a young woman named Yona, who was kidnapped and brought to the woods as a baby, is forced to make decisions in her life that she never expected to make.  At least, that is what she tells herself in the beginning.  Yona’s knowledge of nature, the woods where she lives, and religion help Yona help others.

I don’t want to say much more about the story and the plot because I don’t want to give any hints that may lead to spoilers.  I really liked this book, and I think everyone should read it when it comes out.

I enjoyed the well-thought-out characters. I appreciated that all the characters were not totally good and not totally bad.  Yona is brave, naïve, worldly, and stronger in mind and body.  She is a character that will most likely stay with me for a very long time.

The story's events were based on real events during World War II in Poland and authentic places. The author, Kristin Harmel, did thorough research for the book.  Her descriptions of the woods and surviving the forest for long periods of time were so in-depth, I felt like the woods were right outside my house.

The story is both heartbreaking and triumphant and well worth the read.

I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of The Forest of Vanishing Stars. This book helped me learn more about the plight of European people in wartime, primarily a young girl who was kidnapped and raised by a stranger in the woods. So often while reading, I couldn’t fathom how people could survive the elements as they did, hiding from soldiers and eating food supplied by the forest. The intricate detail provided by the author painted a picture of the living conditions, the emotions of the characters, and the brutal facts of those days. I do not particularly enjoy reading books that are graphic in violence, and there were a few elements such as this because it was a wartime story. Other than those parts, I enjoyed the time spent reading The Forest of Vanishing Stars.

Thank you @KristinHarmel for another great read. This book was beautifully written and telling of what survival was like for so many Jewish people in German occupied Poland during WWII. Although there was so much grief, there was also so much love and hope to be found in this story. I have a thing for WWII books, and this one is a new favorite of mine. Thank you @netgalley for this advanced reader copy!