This book is the epitome of historical fiction! It is exceptionally well-written! It’s clear that the author did much research and combined history well with fiction to tie the historical facts together. This is one of the best books I’ve read for quite a while.

Kristin Harmel has fast become a favorite author of mine. An extraordinary story teller, her stories make me feel, think and reflect long after I’ve finished, and her stunning delivery of this WWII novel touches on everything I love about her style, while displaying her giftedness within her craft.

While WWII stories are always an emotional read they also make for great stories about love, loss, survival, failure, perseverance, and hope while show the best and worst in humanity. As heartbreaking as the topic is, it’s so important to ensure this period of time is never forgotten. Harmel delivers a a beautiful coming of age novel set during WWII that is unlike any I’ve read. Based on real events, The Forest of Vanishing Stars delivered a fresh new perspective to a topic I continually find myself drawn to. The descriptiveness of the writing brought the forest to life, the prose was stunning and the characters well developed. It was original, suspenseful and powerful and I was captivated from start to end.

The author’s note at the end showed the care and depth she put into her research and is a story in itself. A must read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. Publishing release date is 06JUL21.

What a unique and interesting World War II story! Lona was raised in the forest of Poland, learning how to survive in the wild with very little human contact. That is until the Nazis invade Poland, and people flee to the forest to avoid persecution. Putting other’s needs above her own, Lona teaches these people how to survive in the forest. Taking on the responsibility of wanting to save everyone, Lona’s story is a story of love, loss, selflessness, kindness, and faith. This is a MUST read for historical fiction lovers.

I was so excited to read this book, as I have loved the other books Kristen Harmel has written. While i enjoyed this one as well, i don’t think it compared to some of her others. While i liked the story itself, i could have done without the parts that bordered on supernatural. I would have preferred if the ending was developed a little more as well. Other than that it was a good, quick read. The authors note is worth reading as well.

If i could give more than 5 stars i would. So many things about this book, but first-KRISTIN HARMEL'S historical fiction is some of the best i have read!!! This story is so amazing!!!! Grabs you right from the beginning, but also makes you wonder exactly what Jerusza is going to do with Yona, so many ways it could go but in keeping her away from everyone it just made Yona need to be around people more (even if she didnt know that herself). all of the descriptions of everything, the sky and the forest in the snow-loved it as a backdrop.
Yona struggled to understand everything and find herself but she was such a good person in her heart and she trusted herself and her instincts. this book has the best ending, gave me chills and had me crying at the same time!
This is definetly a must read if you are a historical fiction fan !! Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Suspense, sacrifice, romance, honor...what more could you want from a WWII-era novel? Mix in heavy doses of culture, geography, and faith, and you've got yourself a winner. And Kristin Harmel's The Forest of Vanishing Stars is just that!

The forest is the only life Yona has known. She has vague memories of her life with her parents in Berlin, but how much can one truly remember from their infancy? After being kidnapped from her crib at age two, Yona has lived deep in the forests with only her kidnapper for company. Years later, she's alone and eager to know the warmth of friendship and fellowship. When she unexpectedly stumbles onto a group of Jewish refugees fleeing the ghettos of neighboring towns, she's suddenly forced to face the truth: Yona is the only one who can help the struggling families learn to survive the unforgiving forests. The transformative journey that she embarks upon will change not only her life but the lives of many. And what she learns about mankind on the way will shock her to her core.

From the start Yona's story draws the reader into a world unlike most WWII-era novel. Harmel has traded the famous cities of Europe for the dark and often foreboding forests of Poland. Alone and isolated, the character embodies strength and resilience, yet Harmel successfully evokes a vulnerability and tenderness in Yona that is endearing. On more than one occasion we're reminded of Sleeping Beauty, envisioning Yona in the center of a wooded clearing singing softly to the beasts of the wood. But then a show of brute force would reminds us that Yona isn't a Disney princess. She's fighting for her life and the lives of the strange new family she's found.

The author did a masterful job conjuring images of daily life on the run from Nazi troops. There are times the reader is breathless, wondering if this is the moment Yona and the others meet their fate. The relationships weaved throughout the story are intense; we're along for the journey as Yona discovers what it means to truly connect with another human being.

Wow. That was an amazing, AMAZING story! This historical fiction is centered around WWII, which is a topic that surrounds so many books I read. I have never read one that focuses on the refugees that lived in the forests during the war. This was an amazing story of survival, family, friends, and life. I absolutely LOVED it!

It is heartbreaking through so much of the story, and yet the characters are always providing hope. So, I smiled through my tears at times. It took me longer to read this one than many books though because I did need to put it down and process what was happening. So, from a content warning perspective, I would say child death is one that you should be aware of.

Overall, I highly recommend this one. It is beautifully written, and obviously well-researched. The author's note at the end really provides a ton of extra details. Don't miss this one!

I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

4.75 rounded up to 5.
This is a very unique WWII historical fiction thanks to the mystical aspect that the author wove into the story. I found myself very invested in the life of the female protagonist and everyone she met through her journey.

Harmel used the Bielski Brothers’ true story as inspiration and her research was evident in the detailed descriptions of each step through the forest, the plants and herbs picked for medicine and survival, and many other details. As with any historical fiction set during this time period there were moments that were hard to read about, but the story was incredibly well done and very hard to put down! I highly recommend for anyone who enjoys this genre!

Pub Date: July 6

Big thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books for this wonderful e-ARC!

I loved this book! This is Where The Crawdads Sing set during WWII and a bit of the same kind of magic that you find in an Alice Hoffman novel! This book is filled with suspense, thrills, romance (maybe a bit too much for my taste) and so very much more.

You will spend almost the entire book surviving in the forests with Yona. You will learn how to survive the harshest of winter trying to evade the Germans and trying to stockpile enough to eat. But, we will know that the forest always provides. Then, you get to the passage of the title reveal, always my favorite jaw dropping part of any book and this one is spectacular!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books for this advanced readers copy. This book is scheduled to release in July 2021.

The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel takes place during WWII in the dense Nalibocka forest in then Poland, now Belarus. While it is fiction, it is based on historical accounts of thousands of Jews who hid in the forests of Poland and survived the war. Yona was kidnapped from her German home and brought to live in the dark forest by an old woman. Learning not only from the forest itself, but from books stolen from villages on the outskirts of the forest, Yona’s education is thorough. Alone after the woman’s death, Yona uses her survival skills to avoid contact with the outside world. However, she happens across two men fishing in a river, and driven by a need to find connection, she uses her skills to lead a group of Jewish refugees deep into the forest. While always an outsider, Yona feels an affinity for those she is helping, and eventually, she allows herself to trust. But, her past ends up finding her and the consequences of that are far-reaching. She must use both her knowledge of the forest, and her need to atone for others’ sins, to save them all. Harmel creates an intense story right from the start; the tension builds early and never lets up. I could actually feel myself reluctant to turn the page because I did not know what was lurking in the forest next. Though the subject matter is very dark, the light of hope and human kindness is stronger. The characters Harmel creates are complex; we only learn about the characters superficially because the pain of revealing themselves to each other is too great. The goal is survival and as a reader you can feel that throughout. The subplot around Yona finding her father in the middle of the chaos isn’t really necessary to the story, and I found it dragged it down a bit; it felt like it was included to force a confrontation towards the end. The author’s notes at the end helped add authenticity to the story as well. The Forest of Vanishing Stars reveals an astonishing and poignant part of WWII and demonstrates what hope and determination can achieve even in the harshest of times. Thank you @NetGalley for the eArc. Expected publication date July 6, 2021.

The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel is the portrayal of amazing research with brilliant writing. WWII is an unforgettable time period in our history and when I think I know their stories a book like this comes along. This is told from a different avenue than most...basically about the ones who were not afraid to go on their own to help the Jews survive.

Yona can survive on her own in the forest with some amazing survival skills taught by an unexpected caretaker. Jerusza is guilty for deciding Yona's future by taking her from the comfort of her wealthy German home at just two years old. Her justification is challenged by her ability to see the future and know the destruction that will occur. She sees that same gift in Yona, formerly known as Inge. You will see what Jerusza means later on in the book.

When Jerusza dies at 102 years old, Yona is still able to live off the land. When Jews escape the horrendous life in the ghettos, she teaches them how to survive in the worst weather conditions and how to hunt for food. The only thing she wasn't taught was the gift of love that Jerusza never let her see. Without human contact, this was her first exposure to people as a family. When her feelings become too strong for one of the male cohabitants, she is so hurt that she chooses the solitary life again.

This coming-of-age story is based on real life situations that the author relates in the background information at the end of the book. The way it is articulated with the research will blow your mind.
The Holocaust in any aspect is always an emotional read.
Thank you NetGalley & Gallery Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars.

<i>The Forest of Vanishing Stars</i> is a World War II historical novel, but the storyline was entirely new to me. Yona was born in Berlin, but was kidnapped at two years old. Jerusza, the woman who took her, has raised Yona in the forest. The two live entirely off the land; Yona's survival skills are exceptional. Jerusza encourages Yona's intelligence and fortitude, but never affection. When she dies at the age 102, Yona is satisfied to live the rest of her days in solitude.

Then, Yona encounters Jews in hiding. She quickly realizes that she has the capacity to help them survive. More so, Yona is surprised by her feeling of obligation to do so. <i>The Forest of Vanishing Stars</i> follows Yona and the many Jews she helps to hide in the woods of Poland. There are threads of history in the stories of ghettoes, executions, and forest survivors, which Harmel describes in an author's note.

This book, while a challenging topic, maintains a levity for most of the story. I believe this can be attributed to the many relationships formed and the feelings of love and camaraderie that build throughout the course of the book. I appreciate learning a new piece of World War II history and what, at least for me, felt like a unique storyline. I could have done without some of the romantic drama, but overall, I really enjoyed this and definitely recommend.

Thank you to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Favorite quotes:
<i>"...maybe great risk is the only way to a better life."

"There was nothing acceptable about allowing innocent people to go to their deaths because their presence didn't suit your needs."

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

I read The Book of Lost Names back in March and it is one of my favorite books I’ve read this year. So I had to get a copy of the authors new book! This one is another beautiful story set in Germany during WWII involving Jews fleeing from the Nazis. This book is unique that it centers around them hiding in the forests surrounding the city. It’s beautifully written with great character development and a storyline that keeps you wanting to read!

Another 5 star book for me from Kristin Harmel! I love how her HF books are more than just a love story and feature strong female leads! Plus this and Book of Lost Names both have in depth authors notes at the end about the history and research she did.

After being stolen from her wealthy German parents and raised in the unforgiving wilderness of eastern Europe, a young woman finds herself alone in 1941 after her kidnapper dies. Her solitary existence is interrupted, however, when she happens upon a group of Jews fleeing the Nazi terror. Stunned to learn what’s happening in the outside world, she vows to teach the group all she can about surviving in the forest—and in turn, they teach her some surprising lessons about opening her heart after years of isolation. But when she is betrayed and escapes into a German-occupied village, her past and present come together in a shocking collision that could change everything.

Although parts of this book were really slow, the storytelling presented by Harmel is captivating. Yona is such a strong character that anyone should have looked up to. I do think Harmel did a really good job about capturing the human elements in this story. Everyone has a dark side and no one is purely good.

Excellent!!! Would give it ten stars out of five. Best historical fiction of the year. Very Believable characters. Emotional and very thought-provoking. Loved it! Highly recommend this book.

Wow! Is all I can say! I've never read a WWII book written from this prospective. It was thrilling, addictive, and so interesting! I couldn't put it down! 5 🌟🌟 🌟 🌟🌟

The Forest of Vanishing Stars is a totally unique, if not strange at times, story about WWII. After reading hundreds of Historical Fiction books on WWII, I was intrigued to see such a different and unique spin on the story. Inge is stolen from her German parents at the age of 2 by an old woman named Jerusza who keeps and raises her in the forest. She changes the girls name to Yona and raises her to live off the land. Relying only on what the land and Mother Nature will provide. Once Jerusza dies, Yona is left to herself, completely alone, until one day she stumbles upon a small group of Jews hiding from the Nazi ghetto. She decides to teach them how to survive on the land with the intention of leaving them after their first winter. But Yona realizes that she likes and craves interaction with other humans and so begins her journey to help as many Jews as she can survive the forest and the Nazi's.
There was a lot to love about this story. The main character, Yona, was a lovable heroine in the story. She was a fighter and never gave up on the group that she quickly became a part of. I adored the unique spin on the story, because it was original. It wasn't a story I'd ever read before and the author quickly absorbed me into Yona's world. The only couple of negatives that I didn't enjoy about the story was I did become a little bit bored around the middle of the book. I felt like the first 1/3 of the story was exciting and entertaining, but once the group was bunkering down for their first winter, the story started to drag on for me and started to lose me a little. After Yona ventures into town (don't worry, I won't spoil the story here) and comes face to face with her past, the story became completely engrossing and captivating again, but I also felt like the author started to rush through it at that point, which was when I didn't want it to end.
This was a wonderful book and anyone who is a fan of Kristin Harmel or Historical Fiction would be crazy to pass over this one!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for my review and honest opinions.

This was a moving story about a woman who helped Jewish people hide in and travel through the woods to escape Nazi-occupied cities. It’s loosely based on a true story which is something I always love.
The main story was inspiring and meaningful and really pulled me in as it followed this group of Jewish people that just kept growing. They needed to not only survive living in the woods with hardly enough to eat, but they also had to avoid being found by the Nazis. In reality there actually was a large community of Jewish people that came together in the woods and in the end 1,200 of them survived to the end of the war, which is amazing to me!
I did think that the beginning of the story was a little strange, but it was nothing that majorly impacted my opinion. The ending dragged a little and I felt it could’ve been shorter. A few things happened that I didn’t expect and they added intrigue to the story.
Overall, this was a great story and I learned more about this part of history which I feel is important.

How do I go about reading any more historical fiction after reading this one? This story takes place during WW2 and even though there are other historical fiction novels set in this time, I felt like this particular book was so well researched and beautifully written. I can’t even describe the way this story spoke to me and I can’t help but feel sadness after finishing it. And believe it or not, that’s a good thing. I’m left speechless and not knowing how to justify the way I feel by writing this review. This is such a great story about survival during one of the worst times. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book before release.

A toddler, stolen from her parents by a mysterious woman of the woods in the early days of the rise of the Nazi regime, grows up isolated and not truly knowing where she belongs leading to a beautiful tale of humanity and survival against the harshest of odds.

Set in the Eastern European woods of Poland and Belarus, the central story centers on Yona, a girl of German descent as she comes to discover that ancestry, even if not known, does not make the person as she finds herself in a position to go against how she was raised to help the survival of Jews fleeing to the woods to escape the Nazis.

If you enjoy historical fiction and takes of redemption, I’d highly recommend this book. I especially enjoyed the author’s notes which allowed me to glean the historical perspective

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Publishing for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.