Thank you Gallery Books and Netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

5 beautiful, non-vanishing stars for the latest by Kristin Harmel. Harmel’s powerful storytelling about a young woman, living her entire life in the forest with her kidnapper, brings a new perspective to WWII historical fiction. From a startling young age, Yona learns skills to survive in the forests of Poland, not realizing at the time that she will use these skills to aid and protect Jews fleeing from the ghettos they once called home.
The author notes at the end show the extensive research which went into this novel, yet I never felt like the author dumped the information in my lap at once. Instead, it was masterfully woven into the story.
This novel is full of tragic loss, yet also hope and love, as Yona discovers where she truly belongs. I didn’t want her story to end!

Kristin Harmel is one of my favorite authors because she creates characters that are so relatable. Just beautiful and incredible. I have read so many World War II involving the Nazis. Mystery, suspense, gut-wrenching horrors and a little sprinkle of magic make this story truly fascinating.

I just finished this book. Its a lot different from the typical WW2, Jewish stories. This takes place mainly in the forests & how 1 girl was able to save a group of Jewish people from the ghettos. It also has a subplot about how the girl came to live in the forest, and also how she was kidnapped from her German parents. I would definitely recommend this book when it comes out on July 06/21.

I liked this book a lot more once I found out some characters and situations were based on true people and their heroic tales of survivial.

Overall though, the writing of this book was mediocre. The beginning was so fast with minimal detail, even though Yana's relationahip with Jeruza was a major theme throughout the story. It was breezed over in the beginning. The idea of her living in the forest and helping Jewish people survive the war was a fantastic idea, but Harmel just didn't quite tell the story with the justice it deserved. It felt as though the afterward/author note was written with more feeling, excitement, and care than the story itself.

It was still a good story, just not as good as I hoped.

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to receive a digital ARC. All opions are my own.
Kristin Harmel has written another WW2 historical novel that does a very credible job of fictionalizing some true accounts from wartime. In The Forest of Vanishing Stars, the main character, Yona is a young woman who was kidnapped as a toddler from a wealthy German family and raised by her kidnapper who was a bit mystical and felt called to take Yona and raise her in the forest. Yona grew up subsisting and living in isolation with her captor, the only mother she knew and it was not clear for what purpose until she started to come across Jewish refugees who were trying to escape to the forest. The book follows her interactions with different groups in the forest that she tries to assist and also follows what happens to Yona when in trying to forage in a town, is taken by the Germans for reasons that become clear. The author explains that the true story of the Bielski brothers and the hundreds they kept alive hiding in the forest was an inspiration for her story. She did a great job in her research into how you would live in the forest (shelter building, how to hunt and gather, make medicine, etc. That was all fascinating. As with many WW2 novels, it was so interesting to see how people dealt with the unthinkable evils that were visited upon them and also how the perpetrators tried or didn't try to justify their actions or in small ways try to help. 4 stars.

What an amazing story told by a masterful storyteller. Yona, a young woman, learns to survive in the forest by a much older woman. That knowledge comes in handy when Polishen and women escape to the forest to outlive the Nazis. An amazing read and a part of history that isn't talked about much. I loved it.

Kristin Harmel delivers a World War II novel quite like no other in her astonishing new coming-0f-age novel, The Forest of Vanishing Stars.

I was quite captivated simply by the premise of this book. I've read A LOT of WWII books, including all of the ones Harmel has previously written, and most WWII books tend to have a very similar shtick of stories of Jewish people becoming part of the resistance to the Nazis; I've read that book countless times from so many authors. But in this particular piece, the main character named Yona is kidnapped as a 2 year old child by a woman named Jerusza and raised in the forest of Poland, never stepping outside the forest until Jerusza is no longer with her and she is forced to fend for herself.

I thought the way Harmel chose to frame this piece was simply fascinating. Yona lived such a sheltered and quiet life, never knowing any humans at all other than her kidnapper, who became a mother to her, and then at the height of the war Yona begins to help so many people who venture into the forest for freedom. I loved Yona's naive perspective, but she was also written to be incredibly tough and fierce and brave.

My only problems with the novel was the pacing...It was an incredibly slow-burn read until about the 40% mark....I've been reading it all week and kept putting it down, waiting for more action to occur....but boy, when it gets good, it sure got GREAT. I read completely through to the practical end of the novel last night well past my bedtime once the action picked up.

This was truly a very very different book, and I think WWII lovers and historians as well will really be captivated by the world that Harmel has spun here in this breathtakingly tragic novel.

In her author's note Harmel is quoted "I think many World War II novels remind us that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, and that as human race, we can all triumph over the darkness." This message resonates so fiercely in this novel and is timely for the world as we come out of this dark winter of the pandemic.

So many twists and turns took place in the book's final act and for that reason, even with it's faults this is a 5 star read for me. Truly can't wait to see what Harmel comes up with next, she is a true rising star in the historical fiction world.

The forest of Vanishing Stars is a story inspired by the bravery, determination, and survival of Jews fleeing Nazi terror during WWII. Much of the story takes place around Naliboki Forest (Poland/Belarus).

Yona was kidnapped by old-woman Jerusza from German parents when she was only two years old. Jerusza, who had the gift of knowing, taught Yona extensively about living in the forest. After Jerusza’s death, Yona, now in her early twenties, went on to guide those Jews to enduring against incredible odds. I thoroughly enjoyed this entire book which takes place surviving the forest. (I wondered when I started how the author would pull this off without boredom setting in. She did. Brilliantly.)

I sunk my heart into this book, feeling empathy for all those who faced such unimaginable challenges. Ms. Harmel did not skimp on historical details, all adding significant interest to the story. The Author’s Note at the end adds facts that corroborate this unbelievable historical novel.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. It will be published in July/’21, and I highly recommend it to my reading friends. It is memorable and will remain on my Best Books of 2021 list.

Once again Kristin Harmel has written an extraordinary book set during World War 2. The Forest of Vanishing Stars beautifully spins the story of Yona who lives in the forest in Poland and how she uses her survival skills to help Polish Jews who are fleeing for their lives. Mystery, suspense, gut-wrenching horrors and a little sprinkle of magic make this story truly fascinating. The amount of research that was done is amazing and makes this book quite educational. I loved it from the start to the finish and was sad for it to end. Well done.Kristin!

Kristin Harmel is an absolute master at writing epic historical fiction novels! Her latest novel The Forest of Vanishing Stars is one of the most gripping and original WWII novels I’ve read in a long time! In true Kristin Harmel fashion, the storyline was multi-layered with characters that that are truly unforgettable! I have read many novels centered around WWII and The Forest of Vanishing Stars in now in the top 5 of all time! This novel will move you and most importantly it will stay with you! Kristin Harmel has out done herself with this 5+++ star read and I highly recommend everyone put The Forest of Vanishing Stars at the very top of your summer reading list!

I recently read The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel and fell in love with her writing! So I was super excited to receive an ARC copy of this book. Thank you NetGalley! Let me just say, absolutely amazing.
My heart aches to think of what they all had to endure, especially Zus. After the end of this book I find it quite difficult to go on with life like nothing ever happened. I was totally and completed vested emotionally in this story. Well done!

Wow, I can't even really fathom the words to describe this incredible novel. Kristin Harmel weaves this story of Jews survive WWII living in a forest, in hiding. It is a a horrific experience as in any of the things the Jews and others had to go through during WWII. There are some beautiful characters in this story, Zola, and Yona especially. I think this will be well read because historical WWII fiction has such a huge following. And this is a story that is different from many others in the past.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Kristen Harmel is back with another almost unbelievable story of World War II survival. We are taken on an almost magical yet horrific journey through a forest in Eastern Europe, where many Jews hid from persecution at the hands of the Germans. It is there we meet Zola, who as a child was kidnapped by a woman who raised her in the forest. Zola is alone living in the forest when she meets a group of Jews trying to escape the Germans.She is able to use her knowledge of the forest to help them survive. In return she learns to be a part of something. But Zola carries a secret. Zola’s secret will change everything.

“The Forest of Vanishing Stars” is so much more than your typical historical fiction. It is a uniquely compelling survival story with a hint of mysticism thrown into the mix. Set against a WWII backdrop, it is a heart-wrenching, extraordinary journey that is both horrific AND a huge testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It’s a story that stays with you long after you’ve read the last page and closed the book.

Fleeing from the Nazi’s persecution and certain death, a group of Jews take refuge in the unforgiving forest, aided by a mysterious young woman, Yona, who was raised in seclusion, seemingly for this very purpose. Despite Yona’s survival skills and vast knowledge about the forest, she is very naïve when it comes to inter-personal relationships. Becoming part of a “family,” is something that Yona never expected, nor did she realize that it was something she very much wanted. But opening your heart to all of life’s gifts and beauty, means allowing pain and grief to filter in, as well. For no matter how deep in the forest they manage to hide, all the horrors and fallout of this war, are always close at hand.

When I first delved between the pages of this book, I was a little uncertain as to where this story was taking me. But it wasn’t long before I found myself fully immersed in this historical saga, never wanting to put my Kindle down. “The Forest of Vanishing Stars” is one of my top picks for 2021 and one I would highly recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley.com for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest review. I was completely familiar with the Jews and partisans who took to the forests to survive during WWII. The Jews were escaping persecution and almost certain death at the hands of the Nazis. Yona, the baby daughter of a German couple is kidnapped from her crib by a Jewish woman who takes her to the forest and teaches her how to live in the harsh conditions of a completely outdoor life. When Jerusza dies, Yona stays in the forest, never expecting to be a guide, mentor or savior to anyone else. When she meets Jews on the run, many who have no idea how to live in such harsh conditions let alone remain hidden from the Nazis, she allows herself to live among their communities.

Yona has no social skills. She knows which berries to eat and how to build shelters to protect against the cruel winters, but personal relationships with women and men are completely new to her. She has never loved. She didn’t expect to learn from the refugees, but she finds herself deeply caring about them as she works to overcome their skepticism of her intentions. Yona is not Jewish although she is well versed in customs and traditions.

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and I have been disappointed with a number of books in the last 18 months. This book doesn’t disappoint, but we are asked to take some big leaps of faith despite the author’s excellent research. IMHO Defiance is the book to read before this book. The movie is also excellent. And as far as traveling to Belarus to visit the Naust Eco Station, that won’t happen for most Americans. Belarus is experiencing deadly and continuing anti-government protests.

Thank you so much @gallerybooks and @netgalley for this eARC! I loved this book!! If you love historical fiction this is such a great book. I couldn't put it down. This story takes place during WWII and follows a young woman who is raised in the forest learning how to survive. Her skills help her lead many Jewish refugees through the forest and to escape from the Nazis. I loved the history behind this book and also loved that it included romance, heart break, grit, and courage. It is a heartbreaking book visualizing what the Nazi's were doing to these Jewish people. Very eye opening. I really enjoyed watching the main character figure out who she is without knowing her past. She follows her heart and the Jews she meets along the way help her discover who she is. Giving this one 5 stars for sure!

What a beautifully written, heart rending story of survival! This is historical fiction at its best! I was captivated from the start, both by the memorable characters the author created and the unique story of those who survived the World War II Nazi invasion by hiding and creating small communities in the surrounding forests. The book focuses on Yona, stolen as a child, raised in the forest, and taught the skills to survive, as she comes to the aid of the ghetto refugees. Kristin Harmel made me feel as if I was a part of that small community, feeling their love and friendship, as well as their hardships, terror and loss. The last few chapters were absolutely riveting! I just could not put the book down. Definitely read the author's notes after the end, for the true stories that inspired her to write the book. If I could give this more than 5 stars, I would. I did receive a complimentary copy from NetGalley and I am so very glad I did. I loved this book!

I read a lot of WWII fiction and non-fiction so when I come across one that has an original or unusual premise, I take note. Kristin Harmel’s The Forest of Vanishing Stars is such a book. The character of Yona will live in my heart for a long time. This is a well researched novel with complex characters that are relevant to what is happening in America today. I highly recommend this novel.

This book is just not for me. Honestly, I did not finish so I will not post on Goodreads. (60%) The author has written a good story about compassion and perseverance for her fellow man through her unselfishness and knowledge of the forest and her many survival skills. The mystical aspect of the book was off putting for me right from the start. I guess I couldn't get past the kidnapping and living in the forest for 20 plus years with an 80 year old woman. The survival skills used by the Jews during these horrific times and portrayed by the characters in this book were excellent. These are stories that need to be told. I guess I just needed a more realistic format. The author's writing skills are excellent and I have enjoyed all the books I have read by Kristin.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.
If you are an avid Historical Fiction reader, like myself, then you know that there are a lot of Nazi/Jew books out there, that can be very similar. This book is a refreshing, completely different take on the subject..and I loved it! Magical, heartbreaking, brutal, and an honest look at such a horrible time but from Yona’s perspective. Yona is a young women who was stolen from her family as a baby and forced to grow up solely in the forests, with her only companion as the older woman that stole her. As she grows up, she starts to uncover her past, her Jewish history, and her future. She quickly learns about the violence, the love, the good, and the complexity of humans as she opens herself to a group of Jews on the run.
Beautiful, well developed story that will leave you crying, cheering on Yona, and filling you with hope and promise.
“But there is light, too. In the times of greatest darkness, the light always shines through, because there are people who stand up to do brave, decent things.”