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.

I have never read any books by this author. This was my first. I think the author is an amazing researcher. I loved the history behind the story but I feel like I was struggling to keep up with the storyline. I think she provided so much detail to the settings that the storyline got lost. There were just as many places that I got absorbed as there were places I lost connection in the book. I’ll say my favorite thing is the cover of the book. I will always be willing to read her next book. When that time comes. If you like stories built around history then this book is for 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!

I've read a lot of stories about WWII but this one was a little different than the typical refugee story. The research was well done and I liked several of the characters but some elements didn't sit well for me. (The magical aspects of Jerusza for one.) Yona is a complicated heroine. Her skills no doubt saved lives but I had a hard time believing that she could go from isolation to leading large groups to discovering her birth father and back again.

Kristin Harmel has done it again!! LOVED this novel about WWII. I've read so many books with this as the backdrop, but this beautifully written book captured pieces I've never read or learned about before. It is so well written, so heartfelt, so moving and will keep you turning page after page. Highly recommend!
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

An amazing story about a little known piece of WWII; that of the thousands of Jews who managed to survive by living in the forests of Eastern Europe. It is a skillfully woven tale intertwining the story of Yona, a young woman who was kidnapped as a child from Berlin and raised in isolation in the forests of Eastern Europe, and the people she comes to know and help in her beloved forest. It is hard to describe the plot without giving away spoilers so all I will say is that the characters are richly drawn, the writing top notch and the story one that tells not only of the loss and suffering of war but also of the light that can shine in the darkness.

The Forest of Vanishing Stars is incredibly powerful. I found myself transported back in time - I was there, hiding in the woods. I could smell the blood and the swamp. I really enjoy historical fiction, especially set during this time frame. The Forest of Vanishing Stars is one of the best. It will stick with me for a long, long time.

Everything circles back. Stolen as a child, Yona must overcome the hurdles as well as the advantages of her childhood to find a life outside of the forest.

Just before Inga celebrated her second birthday, she was taken from her crib, renamed Yona, and raised in the deep forests of Germany. She was well educated and spoke four languages. In addition, she was trained to survive in the forests.She knew what herbs could be used for medicine, and what plants were safe to eat. She had hardly spoken to another person until after her teacher died in the early part of WWII. Then Yona ran across a group fo Jews trying to survive in the forest after escaping the ghetto. The Forest of Vanishing Stars, by Kristen Harmel tells the story of how Yona worked to insure the survival of these Jews who had escaped the Nazis. Yona has to learn to assimilate into a society with other people. She also finds her father, a high-ranking Nazi officer, but after trying to save a group of nuns, she runs away from him back to the forest.

It is a story full of tragedy, love, and survival during the worst of times. I read this on #NetGalley. It is scheduled for release on July 6, 2021.