I fell in love with Kristin Harmel's writing in 2020 with "The Book of Lost Names," and she's written another favorite with "The Forest of Vanishing Stars." It's not often that a book stays with me long after I've closed the book (or tapped out of the app, as the case may be), but Harmel's storytelling so deeply immersed me into the denser forests of eastern Europe during WWII, that I'll be thinking about this one for a long time.

"The Forest of Vanishing Stars" follows Yona, born to German parents as Inge and stolen at age 2, as she grows up in the forest, learning the secrets of the land. When her kidnapper dies, she's forced to live on her own and make decisions about who she is-- is it the blood that runs through her veins that decides, or can she forge a new destiny?

When she runs into a group of Jewish refugees, she has the chance to find out. This is a book about survival, love, and ultimately-- home.

I actually read this book in about 5 hours (and was up till 2 since I couldn’t go to sleep without finishing it and seeing how it ended)
I don’t know many people who say they can’t wait to read about WWII but I find when I read a book by Kristin Harmel I walk away learning something new that I was not taught in school. Case in point- this book brings to life the story of the Jews hiding from the Germans in a forest. For years. Children, seniors, businessmen, mothers- they were all being hunted and they escaped from their homes and villages with barely anything to live in a forest and join groups of others. But there is magic within the story as we learn about the characters, their relationship to each other, to God, to the woods around them. She writes about how choosing to do the right thing is always hard but you must try.
I wept reading the pain and the fear and the loss, and I smiled as there were times of joy even in those dark years. This would be a terrific book club selection to discuss with a group of people (on zoom or maybe by the time it is released, in person!) There were so many choices that the characters were faced with and they had to react immediately- and maybe not the way you would expect. Even in the darkness of the forest, there is light from the stars, and that can give anyone hope.

We know right away: this is not just another WWII book. It's written by the talented Kristin Harmel and there's only one place for it: somewhere above the five-star rating. This is one powerful book: 384 pages of multiple stories within one.

It's a spiritual journey of a young girl, Yona, who is a free spirit with hopes of always doing good things for mankind. She learns: truths lie within you and "be sure your heart is open to hear the answers."

It's a book on survival. Her kidnapper takes Yona at two-years-old and becomes her teacher to show her the ways of the forest. Yona learns tips on how to kill, how to heal. She learns languages, science and religious beliefs. She knows how to find food for those that are starving.

It's about the need for social interaction with other which brings emotions to the surface. How easy it is to fill like a misfit when you're just trying to help.

It's a historical account of Jewish groups that escaped the ghettos during WWII exposing once again the horror of the brutal acts committed by the Nazis. Yona teaches them with her knowledge how to survive.

And finally, it's a book of love.

Kristin Harmel has the gift to tell stories with strong messages on a number of levels. My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

I enjoyed this story. It was both a unique viewpoint and a story I have not seen told before. The writing style kept me engaged and I could not put the book down until I finished it. I recommend this bok.

Once again, Kristin Harmel has written an incredible book about WW 2. This book is about a young. German girl that was kidnapped as a toddler by a woman that takes her into the forest in Poland and raises her in total isolation in the forest. She teaches her how to live and survive off the land in the forest. This woman dies a few months before Jews escaping from Nazi ghettos come into the forest. This young woman comes upon 2 men trying to catch fish with their hands and realizes how they have no idea how to survive in the forest. She agrees to train their group in survival skills and helps this group survive. She becomes attached to people for the first time in her life. This incredible woman saves a number of Jews and helps them survive the war. It is an amazing story that I could not put down once I started reading it.

I truly loved this book- 5 stars!! This is not your typical WW2 historical novel. This is a story about survival, communing with nature, believing the best of people and the goodness of humanity, even (and especially) in the darkest times. The author brought these characters to life, and made you care for them, and share in their heartbreaks and triumphs. It has hints of Where the Crawdads Sing, with a woman alone in nature, but this is a wholly original book. The story is based on painstaking research of real people who hid out in the forests evading Nazis for years. This book is beautifully written, inspiring, and just a joy to read. I think it will be a terrific book for book clubs to discuss in 2021.

I have read all of Kristin's books and this was a bit different... As the daughter of a German Jew who got out right after Kristalnacht, these stories always strike a nerve. The sadness, the struggles, the survival is written about clearly and often heartbroken with a new story that gnaws at your gut. I liked the book but preferred some of her earlier ones.

Historical fiction, at its best is based on real events. Kristin Harmel hit that mark in "The Book of Lost Names", she has again found a writing niche that secures her place as one of the best in World War II historical fiction. Her latest book, "The Forest of Vanishing Stars", tells the story of a young woman raised in the forest of Poland by an unlikely parent after being removed from her home in Germany. Thru the tutoring of her adoptive parent our heroine learns the secrets of the woods that provide food, medicine and shelter thru the harshest of seasons and the worst of war. She uses her skills and knowledge to assist a group using the woods to escape the Germans. The young woman comes face to face with her past and must choose between her past and her destiny.. This is truly a coming of age story in one of the world's harshest times. Due to be published in July of 2021, it should be put on the list of any lover of World War II history and historical fiction. This novel is based on historical events and real settings. It is entertaining, engaging, and a learning experience. The work of a master story teller. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book #NetGalley#TheForestofVanishingStars.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. A young woman was kidnapped at a young age. She grew living a very hard life in the wilderness. When the woman that kidnapped her dies, she was not sure what she should do. She ended up meeting some jews who were fleeing the Nazi's. She decided to help them hide. This book was well written and engaging.

This book is quite brilliant! I haven’t read anything quite like it. The author weaves a tale so captivating that you feel as if you are there along side the characters. This is a story that will stay with me for a very long time. I’m grateful to the author that she researched and wrote this stirring story based on history that we may never have known about otherwise. Thank you.

What a very compelling WW2 novel The Forest of Vanishing Stars is! Kristin Harmel has another amazing book about survival, bravery, family and hope. Yona was raised in the wilderness of eastern Europe by Jerusza who stole the young child from German parents. Learning from Jerusza how to survive in the wilderness by hunting, knowing what to eat that is found in the forest, and how to protect herself, Yona finds herself alone after the woman dies. She encounters a group of Jews fleeing the Nazis She teaches them what she knows about surviving in the forest and forms a lasting relationship with the group. She learns of her past, discovers her father, a Nazi officer, and sees the horrors firsthand. Inspired by true stories of the Polish Jews and their incredible survival. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this remarkable book!

Yona...such a complex and simple woman. Her journey from cradle to the grave is incredible. The author allows you to feel what Yona feels, see what she sees and make her your friend. Such a tragic time in our world, the 1940s, much like today...a tragic time. In the author’s notes she says “They found community, and they survived the war because they found trust, life, and hope in the darkness.” That is what this book is about!

This was easily the best book I've read in a long time. The writing was so good that I felt like I was there in the forest with Yona and the rest! I could picture everything so clearly. This author is one of my favorites and one of the best

Harmel is a master craftswoman in WWII historical fiction! As with her other novels, she weaves a wholly original tale full of compassion, grit, and love.

This is a mystical story about choices, redemption, and the power of love.

Please read my full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3749923860

This captivating novel is based on the history of Polish Jews hiding from the Nazis in the depths of the local forests. Some were guerrillas and others were just trying to survive. Yona was taken from her German parents as an infant by wisewoman Jerusza and raised in the forest, away from people. Jerusza teaches her the secrets of nature and shares her powers of sight. But after Jreusza's death, Yona finds her quiet solitary home invaded by Jews escaping the ghettos, and she feels obligated to use her knowledge of the forest to save their lives.
Part love story, part mystical fairytale, part WWII history, the book shed light on an lesser-known side of the Holocaust.
I did find one character and his interactions with Yona to be somewhat forced. They share a history, and although he guides certain key events in the story, I didn't feel that the personal connection needed to be there. But a minor quibble with an otherwise absorbing novel.

I received an ARC through NetGalley and this story was a beautiful tale of survival and love. Set during the Nazi regime it’s about survival - helping others against all odds, sacrifices, love, and family. It is a heartbreaking story with an amazingly beautiful ending. Amazing writing and story!

This unique WWII story is full of unimaginable heartbreak and valiant survivors who manage to find hope in the darkness. As I was reading this book, I kept thinking of the movie Defiance and was gratified to read that the author used the movie and the book of the same name for inspiration and research. The Forest of Vanishing Stars was beautifully written and inspiring. I loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for access to this arc.

Oh my beautiful goodness! I just finished reading and my mind is blown. I’m honestly a bit wrecked by this WWII epic. It is an artistry of words and history that literally took my breath away multiple times. The stunning and vivid imagery in the last three chapters alone give one much to digest. And I encourage everyone to read the history that is provided after the novel is done. I’m truly left with a resounding statement from that section that connects quite elegantly to living in 2021 - however I will add that after the publish date. HUGE thank you to NetGalley for this early epic read, and of course to Kristin Harmel for being the phenomenon that she is.

That an interesting and unique story! On one hand, I wish I'd known more about this part of history before reading it - but on the other hand, I'm thinking not knowing that much let me read it with fresh thoughts.

The story starts almost with a fairytale beginning - Jerusza seems part mythical. She sees things and feels "called" to take Inge, from her German parents. She lives in the forest and teaches Inge, renamed Yona, how to survive on the land. Yona grows up in the forest and is left alone when Jeruza passes away. With the war getting worse, Jewish refugees take to the forest for protection and Yona is led to help them. It's crazy knowing Yona's story is based on true life. All the suffering, struggling, and incredible bravery of this story will linger with you!

Thank you to NetGalley for a digital ARC in return for my review.

Oh my goodness was this book good! A worthy addition for WWII fiction fans everywhere due to the strength of the story-telling, the "realness" of the characters, and the history behind this incredible book! Kristin Harmel pens a WWII story full of drama, romance, and courage. A real treat!