Simply put - this book was beautiful. Was it ever heartbreaking as well. but so beautifully written and just a gorgeous story. Based on true events, as well! Make sure to read (or listen) to the authors note at the end for the full explanation of the events this book is based off.

This was my first book of Kristin Harmel's and I'm immediately looking forward to reading more. Her books felt so fresh and different than the plot lines most historical fiction novels take and her characters were incredible. If you are a fan of historical fiction at all, this is a must read.

THE FOREST OF VANISHING STARS is a poignant and deeply moving story that explores the complexities of identity, family, and the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. At the heart of the novel is Yona, a young girl who is kidnapped from her wealthy Nazi parents by an elderly woman named Jerusza and raised in the forest. As Yona grows older, she becomes increasingly aware of her unique position as both an outsider and an insider to the world around her, and she grapples with questions of identity and belonging that will shape the course of her life.

One of the central themes of the book is the idea of choosing between one's moral compass and biological family. Yona's journey is marked by a series of difficult choices, as she must decide whether to prioritize the safety and well-being of the Jewish refugees she encounters in the forest or to seek out the truth about her past and her biological family. Along the way, Yona confronts the traumas of her childhood and comes to understand the power of human connection in the face of tragedy.

Harmel's writing is both lyrical and evocative, capturing the beauty and brutality of life in the forest with equal skill. Her characters are complex and fully realized, each with their own unique struggles and motivations. Throughout the novel, the reader is drawn into Yona's world, experiencing her triumphs and setbacks, her joys and sorrows.

Overall, The Forest of Vanishing Stars is a stunning work of historical fiction that will linger in the reader's mind long after the final page has been turned. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a powerful reminder of the importance of choosing love and compassion over hate and fear.

Loved this well written novel by Kristen Harmel. The strength of the main character is incredible to follow as she fights for survival in the woods of Eastern Europe in WW II. Highly recommend this read! Thank you to NetGalley for the arc of this book.

The Forest of Vanishing Stars will live with me for a very long time. It will sit on my WWII favourite fiction list forever. I learned so much from this book and felt the author blended fact, fiction, faith, and a tad of mystic surrealism in such a way that the story flowed seamlessly and gripped me emotionally.

Kristen Harmel is a leading voice in historical fiction. This book was inspired by true stories, and Harmel handles these topics with care and authenticity. Highly recommend.

A book that provides hope, that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. A true telling of the kindness in the world. The found family aspect and survival was endearing, and moving. A new focus on the Jewish holocaust, with the Polish Jews and how they survived. A must read for an WWII fans.

I absolutely loved this book! I found it hard to put down. I highly recommend reading it! You won’t be disappointed.

I loved this so much.. Kristin Harmel does it again! I loved how the story interlaced history, true stories, and a magical element. I was invested in the characters and relationships and enjoyed every minute of this story.

Another amazing book from Kristin Harmel. She is definitely an auto-buy author for me.

So beautifully written.

This one is highly recommended for historical fiction lovers.

This is a fantastic story. I like to come away from a historical fiction book feeling as though I've learned something new, and this book really delivered, thanks to the extensive research by the author. It's an intriguing tale of survival and it really stands out as being unique among all the other WWII fiction available. It has great plot tension and character development, and the setting is perfectly detailed. I did find myself getting some of the secondary characters mixed up near the end, and I think the climax could have offered more detail to make a bigger impact, but overall this novel was really well written. I can absolutely picture it as a movie—it would translate so well to the screen!

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Canada, and Kristin Harmel for the ARC!

This was a beautifully written book and once again as with previous Kristin Harmel novels not only was this a heartbreakingly beautiful book full of endearing characters there were aspects of it that were true and without ever meaning too I learned more about the trials of those during world war 2 .: this is a 5 star book I would recommend to everyone especially fans of historical fiction

I was super intrigued by this one given how much I loved Kristin Harmel's last book, The Book of Lost Names. This one also gave off Where the Crawdads Sing vibes which was unique. It started off really well, I liked the premise and mystery behind it all. Yona was stolen as a baby and so the mystery of her parents and the woman who kidnapped/raised her was something I wanted to find out. The story started to repeat itself rather quickly. Yona helps people or a family and always the wife or one of the women in the group is jealous of Yona and accuses her of trying to steal her man...why did that happen more than once? The magical aspect of it all seemed to be forgotten rather quickly as well.

Unfortunately I did not manage to finish this book during the review period. I am looking forward to reading it soon. Thank you again for the opportunity.

My first Kristin Harmel read. A unique journey through the eyes of a young girl, who was taken from her home as a toddler and raised in the forest living off the land. Her instincts, survival skills and compassion drive her to help many Jewish refuges survive the Second World War in the forests of Poland.

This story was a beautiful tale, however I felt the plot jumped around a lot, and featured many “filler” subplots that made the main story lull at times, and the novel much longer than necessary. If only taking the main storyline into focus, this book was beautiful and different from the many WW2 novels that flood bookshelves currently.

Thank you NetGalley & Kristin Harmel for the advanced copy of this eBook, in exchange for my honest review.

This is historical fiction taking place during WW2 in Poland. The main character,Yona, has lived her entire life hiding in the forests. She uses her survival skills to help Jewish refugees escape the Nazis.A well written story of love, loss, and survival . Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

As someone who is a sucker for WW2 stories, I adored this book! would definitely recommend it.
Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for providing me with an Earc, in exchange for an honest review.

this was such a well-researched book, I felt like i was there in the forest with Yona.
The way she was kidnapped and then raised by the crotchety old Jeruska was fascinating. Her journey from apprentice to guide to teacher was well-paced, and the additions of characters, and the ensuing emotional growth, were sometimes gripping.
I felt very engaged with all the characters, and couldn't stop turning pages to see what happened next.
Even the acknowledgments were interesting!!
thanks to Netgalley for the chance to review this book.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Kristin Harmel tells a story full of compassion ,betrayal and bravery.
A story of sacrifice and survival.
I've read a lot of novels that deal with concentration camps and the lives of those that endured the horrors of such camps, as well as many with goodhearted people that choose humanity over destruction. This is the first I've read of people hiding in the depths of the forests and learning to live off the land to ensure their survival. The title of this book says it all, a group of people forced to identify themselves with a star upon their chests vanished into the forest to find a way to live.
Great book with great character development and a plot that drives you forward with hope, love and endurance.

This is the most unique WWII story I have read recently. I have learn a lot form this book, I respect author’s hard work for this book. This is the historical book I loved.
Highly recommend to historical fiction lovers. 5+ stars from me.

A story that drew me in from the start, it is well written with a believable storyline the story flowed smoothly across the pages. Yona was a strong, caring, brave woman to do what she did during the time of WWII and to bounce back from the kidnapping. I would recommend this book and if I could give it more than 5 stars I would. I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.