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.

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!

“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.”

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