Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book! I did not want to put it down because I had to find out what would happen next. This is a historical fiction written like no other about the Jews fleeing into the forest as they were being persecuted by the Nazi’s. The main character, of German descent, Inge was stolen by an old lady, Jerusza who had a feeling that the child was in danger. She had to hide with the child and went to live in the forest. There she renamed the child Yona. She taught Yona many life skills that she would need to survive in the forest. After Jerusza passed away Yona was left alone and that is where the story begins with how Yona used all the survival skills.

Kristin Harmel writes another remarkable WWll novel, where Yona, at the age of 2, is kidnapped by Jerusza from her family in Berlin. She and Jerusza live and travel around in the forest. Jerusza teaches Yona important life lessons and survival skills. When Jerusza dies at 102, 20 years latter, Yona is left to figure out what to do with her life. Will Yona try to go back to her parents or will she choose to live her own life? This book will having you turning the pages to find out. Kristin Harmel draws the reader into the book where they feel like they are right alongside Yona in her journey. This book leaves a lasting impression, so you will be thinking about it from start to finish. Definitely one to add to your TBR list.

Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity of reading an ARC by Kristin Hammel called The Forest of Vanishing Stars. This is the third book I've read from this author and she is one of my favorites. She beautifully tells a story, it's hard to put her novels down, you become so engrossed. Highly recommend this novel.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: A young German girl, originally named Inge but renamed Yona, is kidnapped from her parents and raised by a lone woman in the forest. After the old woman’s passing, Yona has the opportunity to use her survival skills to help Jewish families escaping the Nazis.

Review: This book is a MUST READ for lovers of WW2/historical fiction. While I have been a bit burnt out on that genre lately, I was pleasantly surprised to find a totally new twist and perspective on that time period. To know it was inspired by true events was the cherry on top. Kristin Harmel is a beautiful writer that brings her characters to life. I felt like I was trekking through the forest and surviving right along with them. This book is worth your time!!

This novel is just beautiful and incredible. I have read so many World War II involving the Nazi atrocities but this novel is just so different from all of those stories. I have often wondered when reading these novels if people hid in the forests to protect themselves from these atrocities but never came across such stories. This novel gave me an opportunity to read a story exactly like that. Inspired by true events and a fictionalized story this novel evokes so many emotions. A incredible read makes you cry, angry and question the world we live in today. An absolute must read!

What a story! I have read so many WWII historical fiction books, but none like this. I learned about another aspect of the Jew's fight to live and it touched me in so many ways. Kristin wove some magic with a lot of heart break, survival, and triumph while writing this book.

Highly, highly, highly recommend this book. You won't be disappointed!

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

I fell in love with Yona, the female heroine in Kristen Harmel’s latest novel The Forest of Vanishing Stars. At first I was unconvinced that large groups of Jews could live in the forest for years, and skipped ahead to read the Authors Note at the end. Then my heart was captured by this book.

Yona was stolen as a two year-old and raised in the forests by a woman who trained Yona in how to survive in the forest. They lived for decades in the woods. When bombs begin falling from overhead, people begin wandering the woods, but are uninformed in how to survive. Yona saves the day repeatedly. She isn't all that knowledgeable with human relations and there is always a pecking order within a group. And then add in complications with Nazis trying to kill those in the forests. Even though I've been increasingly frustrated with historical fiction lately, I really enjoyed this one.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author Kristen Harmel, for the opportunity to review the advance read copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is July 6, 2021.

This book was so good. It was a great story with a different approach. I loved learning about living in the forest too. Definitely a page turner for me!

I enjoyed reading this book and learned much about the people that had to live in the forrest during WWIII.. While there is some fantasy in this story it felt like most of it was possible and actually happened. I would definitely reccomend this book

Once again Harmel (as in The Book of Lost Names), has managed to capture the true essence of survival for both Jews and non-Jews and what subtlety touch on the important role Righteous Gentiles played during the Holocaust. As the numbers of first generation Holocaust Survivors reach epic lows, it is important for the mantle to be passed onto the second and third generation to continue to teach and testify to what happened. Equally as important is Harmel's mission of exploring lesser know acts of survival and endurance that the WWII generation faced.

A wonderful, compelling, well-written story of story of survival, heartbreak, loss, and courage. This is my second book by Kristin Harmel (I recently read and LOVED The Book of Lost Names), and it did not disappoint! I’ve read a lot of WWII fiction but none like this one with its unique take (and at times, a bit of a “fairytale” feel).

A two year old girl is stolen from her wealthy, German parents and raised in the forest by her kidnapper, an old woman who felt compelled to kidnap the young girl in order to change the girl’s fate and perhaps the fate of others, too. The girl, Yona, grows up in the woods, constantly on the move, surviving only on what the forest has to offer, what the old woman has taught her, and natural instinct.

When the old woman passes away, Yona is in her early 20s and completely alone for the first time. But not for long. She encounters a group of Jews in the forest, fleeing their home in an effort to escape the Nazis. They know little about surviving in the forest, so Yona promises to teach them everything she knows.

Big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was such a beautiful , heartbreaking read. The premise of the book, a young girl kidnapped in pre-war Berlin and raised in the woods is a different slant on historical WWII stories, but was well done and the development of the main character made me fall in love with her. The heartbreak of Jews suffering during the war was counterbalanced by the main character's concern and care for those she discovered and rescued in the woods.

Kristin Harmel has knocked it out of the park with another stupendous work of historical fiction! A powerful story of survival, love, faith, and our responsibility to help others, the novel opens in 1922 Germany. Yona, a toddler, is abducted from her affluent Nazi home in Berlin, and raised deep in the forest by an elderly Jewish woman. After spending her entire life with no human contact (other than with her kidnapper) and surviving off the land, she is suddenly thrust into interaction with others as the Holocaust forces fleeing Jews into her forest to hide. When her Nazi family background and Jewish upbringing collide, which will she choose? How can she use her unique situation to help those among whom she finds herself? This is a gripping, emotional tale that kept me on the edge of my seat and compelled me to be thoroughly invested in the characters, particularly the protagonist, Yona. The historical setting was masterfully researched, and I particularly appreciated when real-life historical figures, such as the Bielski brothers, were mentioned. This is hands-down my favorite book of 2021, to date- and I will be highly recommending it to everyone. Five well-deserved stars!

The Forest of Vanishing Stars was captivating from the very start. There was great character development, interesting personalities, even when they made you furious with their decisions. I've read tons of WW2 books but none before this that brought you into the forest and showed that side of survival. 5 stars for Kristin Harmel's latest book!

Well researched book but the ending was abrupt and felt rushed. The main character is very compelling but the appearance of her "secret" felt a little too contrived.

Words cannot describe how much I loved this book...lovely, lyrical and haunting with a mystical heroine who leads a group of Jewish refugees to safety in the forest and teaches them how to survive but doesn't recognize the incredible goodness of heart that makes her so unique.

Kristin Harmel has created a masterpiece of story and I highly recommend this book. Much gratitude to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing this advance copy. I couldn't put this down!!

Learning from our history is critical. Kristin Harmel brings to life the story of Jews seeking refuge in the forests of Poland. The struggles of Yona translate for decades and show the battles that women face. Yona's leadership, determination, and dedication create a character you want to read and emulate. If you are passionate about learning about WWII and the Holocaust, I recommend The forest of Vanishing Stars.

In The Forest of Vanishing Stars, Kristin Harmel tells the beautifully heart wrenching story of Yona, a German-born girl who had been kidnapped and taken to live in the forest at the age of 2. When her kidnapper and teacher, Jerusza, dies, Yona begins a journey of self-discovery, adventure, and love that brings her face-to-face with the outside world, the plight of Jewish refugees, and even her Nazi father. Which world will she embrace: the glittering one Jerusza stole her from, one of isolation in the woods, or something new?

I simply could not put this book down and devoured every single page over the course of about 24 hours. From the very first page, Harmel weaves a complex, engaging, and truly exquisite coming of age story. Despite having read my fair share of WWII historical fiction, I've not read anything about the thousands of Jewish refugees who hid, mostly successfully, in the Polish forests until the end of the war. Not only is the plot itself fast paced and excellently researched, but Harmel's character development was masterful as well. This novel had everything I love in a great book: a fascinating historical setting, complicatedly believable characters, love, and adventure.

I received a free copy from the publisher. No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.

I was privileged to receive an advance copy through NetGalley. Kristin Harmel has done it again! A story of survival and faith like no other Ive read. Yona is a character I won’t forget. Harmel's description made me feel I was in the forest with these amazing characters. I I have learned so much of this time period through Harmel’s books. I was not aware of the large group of Jewish citizens who fled and lived in the forests to survive. Can't wait to recommend to my reading friends. Sure to be another best seller!

I've read hundreds of Holocaust stories but this one if different, from the very first page. The author did extensive research and it pays off in this engrossing novel. It's perfect blend of fact and fiction, where the fiction helps to illuminate a painful history.