The Forest of Vanishing Stars
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- Create Date：2021-07-16 10:52:11
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Kristin Harmel
- ISBN：1982179708
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Summary
The New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Names returns with an evocative coming-of-age World War II story about a young woman who uses her knowledge of the wilderness to help Jewish refugees escape the Nazis—until a secret from her past threatens everything。
After being stolen from her wealthy German parents and raised in the unforgiving wilderness of eastern Europe， a young woman finds herself alone in 1941 after her kidnapper dies。 Her solitary existence is interrupted， however， when she happens upon a group of Jews fleeing the Nazi terror。 Stunned to learn what’s happening in the outside world， she vows to teach the group all she can about surviving in the forest—and in turn， they teach her some surprising lessons about opening her heart after years of isolation。 But when she is betrayed and escapes into a German-occupied village， her past and present come together in a shocking collision that could change everything。
After being stolen from her wealthy German parents and raised in the unforgiving wilderness of eastern Europe， a young woman finds herself alone in 1941 after her kidnapper dies。 Her solitary existence is interrupted， however， when she happens upon a group of Jews fleeing the Nazi terror。 Stunned to learn what’s happening in the outside world， she vows to teach the group all she can about surviving in the forest—and in turn， they teach her some surprising lessons about opening her heart after years of isolation。 But when she is betrayed and escapes into a German-occupied village， her past and present come together in a shocking collision that could change everything。
Reviews
Kay
，
This book is so good！ It tells the story of a young woman who is stolen as an infant and grows up in the forest being raised by the special woman who stole her。 She teaches her the ways to survive alone in the forest， and then Ava teaches a group of Jewish people to likewise survive and escape the Nazis taking over their countries。 Very well- developed characters that you want to survive their great losses and love again， becoming almost a new family。
Terri Gillespie
，
Kristin Harmel’s The Forest of Vanishing Stars is an inspiring and heartbreaking novel set in World War II。 This is my first book by this author， and I’m looking forward to reading more of her work。 This was a page-turning story of survival with nuances of folklore and legend。 The wonderfully researched survival information reminded me of Jean M。 Auel’s The Clan of the Cave Bear。 Knowing there were real life stories of survivors/partisans in the forests of Europe during humanity’s foray into the Kristin Harmel’s The Forest of Vanishing Stars is an inspiring and heartbreaking novel set in World War II。 This is my first book by this author， and I’m looking forward to reading more of her work。 This was a page-turning story of survival with nuances of folklore and legend。 The wonderfully researched survival information reminded me of Jean M。 Auel’s The Clan of the Cave Bear。 Knowing there were real life stories of survivors/partisans in the forests of Europe during humanity’s foray into the pit of cruelty， makes Harmel’s novel even more plausible。While there were sensual moments in the book， the story focused on Yona’s journey of discovery and how her strong sense of justice and integrity came shining through。 A very worthy read。 Thank you to #GalleryBooks and #NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my review。 。。。more
Mary Pat Lambert
，
Once again Kristin Harmel doesn't disappoint with her new book， The Forest of Vanishing Stars。 I was skeptical that a book about a woman who was raised in the forest， with little interaction with people other than the woman who raised her， could be very interesting。 I was so wrong。 The characters were well developed and the story had me constantly worried about everyone's safety and survival。 I would strongly recommend that you read this amazing book by this fabulous author！ Once again Kristin Harmel doesn't disappoint with her new book， The Forest of Vanishing Stars。 I was skeptical that a book about a woman who was raised in the forest， with little interaction with people other than the woman who raised her， could be very interesting。 I was so wrong。 The characters were well developed and the story had me constantly worried about everyone's safety and survival。 I would strongly recommend that you read this amazing book by this fabulous author！ 。。。more
Jennifer Kyle
，
4。25 Stars ⭐️
Marie Miller
，
I loved this book， but my only irritation remains: editing。 I have a curse， in which I see all the itty bitty errors of grammar， spelling， context， etc。。。。I read really fast， but that doesn't mean I miss details。。。。so don't have a predictor in the first 30 pages that a character will die on the first new moon after her 100th birthday， and then end the book by saying she died as foretold， under the first full moon after she turned 100。。。。。so annoying。 The story， however， was delightful。 Would hig I loved this book， but my only irritation remains: editing。 I have a curse， in which I see all the itty bitty errors of grammar， spelling， context， etc。。。。I read really fast， but that doesn't mean I miss details。。。。so don't have a predictor in the first 30 pages that a character will die on the first new moon after her 100th birthday， and then end the book by saying she died as foretold， under the first full moon after she turned 100。。。。。so annoying。 The story， however， was delightful。 Would highly recommend！ 。。。more
Carol Perreault
，
This is the remarkable story of a young woman who uses her knowledge of the wilderness to help Jewish refugees escape the Nazis during WW2。 This girl was kidnapped from her German home at a very young age and grew up with a woman in the forest。 After her kidnapper dies， she is left alone until she meets up with refugees on the run from the Nazis。 She teaches them how to survive in the forest， and elude the Nazis。
Beatrice Followill
，
Amazing， Beautifully written。 This author has a unique voice and telling of these haunting stories that happened so long ago， a true voice for these unsung hero's of war 。 Amazing， Beautifully written。 This author has a unique voice and telling of these haunting stories that happened so long ago， a true voice for these unsung hero's of war 。 。。。more
Lisa
，
This is the sixth book that I’ve read by this author。 I absolutely LOVE her books and her storytelling， but。。。。。I didn’t love this book， and I hate to say that。 There were poignant parts of the book， somewhat suspenseful parts of the book， but i just never connected completely with it。
Jacqueline
，
"Whoever saves a life， it is considered as if he saved an entire world。" Quoted from the Talmud by Sister Maria， soon to become a martyr。Yona was kidnapped at age 2 and raised in the forest by a non-denominational woman， eccentric to put it mildly。 At age 20 she finds herself saving people， killing some， and wanting to save everyone。 Jerussza had prepared her for this and for told some of it。 Yes， WWII and Nazis and Jewish people， but it's about survival and fighting back。 It also gives detailed "Whoever saves a life， it is considered as if he saved an entire world。" Quoted from the Talmud by Sister Maria， soon to become a martyr。Yona was kidnapped at age 2 and raised in the forest by a non-denominational woman， eccentric to put it mildly。 At age 20 she finds herself saving people， killing some， and wanting to save everyone。 Jerussza had prepared her for this and for told some of it。 Yes， WWII and Nazis and Jewish people， but it's about survival and fighting back。 It also gives detailed life of flora and fauna of the Naliboki Forest from a zoologist and doctor of biology。 Research was done here， and very well。 Quite an interesting read。 I read it in a day。 The author provides a detailed author's note on sources and interviews with real survivors。 Their message to us for today？ "Be nice if at all possible。" Simple， right？ Great book！ Recommend it。 。。。more
Ashley
，
I always enjoy a unique perspective to a WWII setting。 This one was truly fascinating to me。 Vivid details made it easy for me to follow along and picture the story as it unfolded。 One of my favorite parts was finding the title and its meaning/discussion within the story。 Another great book by Kristen Harmel！
Andi
，
Once again Kristin Harmful takes an aspect of World War II， Jews seeking shelter in the forest to evade being rounded up， and personalized it， breathes life into it。 As always， meticulously researched with the attention to detail she's become known for， Yona， Zus and company capture our hearts and imaginations。 Hard to put down， harder to forget。 Strongly recommended。 Once again Kristin Harmful takes an aspect of World War II， Jews seeking shelter in the forest to evade being rounded up， and personalized it， breathes life into it。 As always， meticulously researched with the attention to detail she's become known for， Yona， Zus and company capture our hearts and imaginations。 Hard to put down， harder to forget。 Strongly recommended。 。。。more
Shannon Rasimas
，
Great book， not my favorite WWII book， but loved the connection to nature。 Maybe a little too prescriptive， but nice。
Mary B。
，
Yup， it’s another WW2 book。 A German girl is stolen from her home by a clairvoyant old woman， who raises the child in the forest—teaching her a plethora of survival skills。 Later， the girl’s destiny is fulfilled when she encounters a group of Jews fleeing Nazi persecution。 I was fully engaged in the book， devouring it in a day。 Kristen Harmel did a good job researching the topic of WW2 forest refuges， and it shows。 She weaves in themes of pain， loss， resilience， rebirth — and what it means to ha Yup， it’s another WW2 book。 A German girl is stolen from her home by a clairvoyant old woman， who raises the child in the forest—teaching her a plethora of survival skills。 Later， the girl’s destiny is fulfilled when she encounters a group of Jews fleeing Nazi persecution。 I was fully engaged in the book， devouring it in a day。 Kristen Harmel did a good job researching the topic of WW2 forest refuges， and it shows。 She weaves in themes of pain， loss， resilience， rebirth — and what it means to have a home。 I give it a 4+。 。。。more
Alyson
，
3。5 This was so interesting。
Katie
，
Loved it。 Highly recommend。
Sue Waymire
，
Although this is a WWII book it is unlike others I’ve read。 Most of the book takes place in the forest， with Jews being helped by a woman who grew up in the forest and was able to use her unique abilities to help others。 Yona was able to help others and those she helped provided her with social， emotional， and familial connection。 Based on true events
Debbie Mitchell
，
SurvivalThis is a truly amazing book about the survival of Jewish people in Polish forests during WWII。 I realize it is fiction， but it is sadly， based on facts。 "Be nice if at all possible" and lighting a candle in the darkness to let your light shine are philosophies to incorporate into our lives。 We must never forget。 SurvivalThis is a truly amazing book about the survival of Jewish people in Polish forests during WWII。 I realize it is fiction， but it is sadly， based on facts。 "Be nice if at all possible" and lighting a candle in the darkness to let your light shine are philosophies to incorporate into our lives。 We must never forget。 。。。more
Anne
，
The Forest of Vanishing Stars was captivating， heartbreaking， and absolutely brilliant。 Yona's character was filled with strength， resilience， and honor。 She believed in following your heart and doing what is right。 When her world collided with fleeing Jews， she did not run and hide。 Instead， she helped them to survive in the wilderness she had known as her home since she was only a small child。 The Forest of Vanishing Stars is a must read story of courage and hope。 The Forest of Vanishing Stars was captivating， heartbreaking， and absolutely brilliant。 Yona's character was filled with strength， resilience， and honor。 She believed in following your heart and doing what is right。 When her world collided with fleeing Jews， she did not run and hide。 Instead， she helped them to survive in the wilderness she had known as her home since she was only a small child。 The Forest of Vanishing Stars is a must read story of courage and hope。 。。。more
Linda McCutcheon
，
The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel is a WWII historical fiction novel like no other I have read。 The author has taken this genre and strayed from the usual theme and creatively taken the plot and definitively turned it sideways。 The story is based on Polish Jews who fled into the forests of Europe to escape death。 Many perished by not having outdoor survival skills。 Yona is kidnapped by an elderly woman who may have mystical powers。 She believes she is rescuing Yona from evil。 Yona The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel is a WWII historical fiction novel like no other I have read。 The author has taken this genre and strayed from the usual theme and creatively taken the plot and definitively turned it sideways。 The story is based on Polish Jews who fled into the forests of Europe to escape death。 Many perished by not having outdoor survival skills。 Yona is kidnapped by an elderly woman who may have mystical powers。 She believes she is rescuing Yona from evil。 Yona will grow up to help the people hiding in the forest survive。 But they will also help her learn about socializing， prejudice and most importantly love。The narrator Madeleine Maby brought such heart into Yona's voice。 The character's innocence， fears and convictions were fiercely present in her performance。 The author tells us of the real life events that influenced this heartfelt novel。 They are more harrowing than any fictionalized book。 The chapter about the nuns sacrifice will stay with me always。 Mysticism aside， this is a unique perspective and should be read by all historical fiction fans。I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publisher for a fair and honest review。 All opinions are my own。 。。。more
Eileen
，
The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel is a very powerful story， that takes place during WWII; an unforgettable time period in our history。 It is a story about conflict， war， love， sacrifice and strength of character that will be very hard to put down and will stay with you after you turn that last page。 There is much to learn in this book and it is heartbreaking to read。 This story is told from a different viewpoint than many others; basically about the ones who were not afraid to go o The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel is a very powerful story， that takes place during WWII; an unforgettable time period in our history。 It is a story about conflict， war， love， sacrifice and strength of character that will be very hard to put down and will stay with you after you turn that last page。 There is much to learn in this book and it is heartbreaking to read。 This story is told from a different viewpoint than many others; basically about the ones who were not afraid to go on their own to help the Jews survive。 A great deal of research about the thousands of Jews who survived the war hiding in the forest was done to make this story credible。 There are terrible atrocities that are hard to read no matter how many stories I read。 The human spirit is truly resilient。 Jerusza is sent a sign that she must steal a young child from her parents; a child she names Yona。 Living in the forest with Jerusza， Yona is taught how to survive by learning how to hunt， protect herself， and gather the right berries and mushrooms。 When Jerusza dies， Yona is left to survive in the forest by herself。 She runs into a group of Jews who are fleeing from their city to avoid death and joins with them， to teach them about the forest。 Yona is content with helping them until she is betrayed and runs to a nearby town that is controlled by the Nazis。 This is where she runs into her past and must make a decision that will impact the rest of her life。This book is not your typical book about the fleeing of Jews from the Nazis during WWll。 It is so much more and it is just incredible。 This book will evoke many emotions from you; I cried， was angry at characters， was cheering for certain characters and did not want the book to endThe extensive research that Ms。 Harmel does shines through in the detailed descriptions of the forest， plants and the herbs to use for medicinal purposes。 I could vividly see the swamp and was transported there with Yona。 I highly recommend this book to other readers。I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book。 。。。more
Margaret Stewart
，
What an incredible story！ This reminded me of a combination of a few stories: The Lost Apothecary， The Nightingale and The Invisible Life of Addie Larue。 If you love those books， I think you'll love this one。 This is such a deep and inspiring book on survival， love and grief。 The characters were so complex， and felt very much real in the moment。 What an incredible story！ This reminded me of a combination of a few stories: The Lost Apothecary， The Nightingale and The Invisible Life of Addie Larue。 If you love those books， I think you'll love this one。 This is such a deep and inspiring book on survival， love and grief。 The characters were so complex， and felt very much real in the moment。 。。。more
Jill
，
I don't often give 5 star ratings， but I really did like this book， so perhaps I would say a 4 1/2 stars。 Starting in Berlin and ending in the forests of Eastern Europe。 I have heard Kristin Harmel speak about the book several times so was eager to read it。 Being raised in the woods， Yona， knows nothing about being around other people or what is happening in the world Jerusza， took Inge/Yona away from her parents when she was only 2 years old。 jerusza teaches Yona the ways of the forest and teac I don't often give 5 star ratings， but I really did like this book， so perhaps I would say a 4 1/2 stars。 Starting in Berlin and ending in the forests of Eastern Europe。 I have heard Kristin Harmel speak about the book several times so was eager to read it。 Being raised in the woods， Yona， knows nothing about being around other people or what is happening in the world Jerusza， took Inge/Yona away from her parents when she was only 2 years old。 jerusza teaches Yona the ways of the forest and teaches her how to collect food， use herbs for healing and how to survive on her own。 When Jerusza dies， Yona must go on alone。。。。。。。。。。。。at least until she meets a group of Jews who are trying to survive in the forest when WWII starts and the Jews are being hunted。 The group really needs her help to survive， Yona needs to learn to be around people。 The entire book is good， but I really liked the ending。 It explained what happened to Yona in the years after the war。 。。。more
Nora St Laurent
，
I’ve read many WWII books， but nothing remotely similar to this one。 The beginning reminded me of a fairy tale story where an old woman does something that changes the course of a small child （like what happened to Sleeping Beauty， Hansel and Gretel） Then things change and young Yona is being educated by the older woman who lives under the stars。 Yona does not mind being in the woods and is eager to learn anything the woman wants to teach her。Then WWII happens and the Jews head into the woods。 I’ve read many WWII books， but nothing remotely similar to this one。 The beginning reminded me of a fairy tale story where an old woman does something that changes the course of a small child （like what happened to Sleeping Beauty， Hansel and Gretel） Then things change and young Yona is being educated by the older woman who lives under the stars。 Yona does not mind being in the woods and is eager to learn anything the woman wants to teach her。Then WWII happens and the Jews head into the woods。 That is where Yona meets people for the first time。 She is not sure what to do。 The old woman said not to talk to anyone， help anyone because they will hurt her。 The book is told in first person， which makes this tale a very up-close and personal adventure。 I was captivated by Yona and how she has soaked up all the languages and survival skills the old woman taught her。 She is a smart， courageous young lady learning to navigate the terrors of WWII and the desperate people fleeing into the woods。 Yona faces the challenges ahead of her with determination and respect。 I liked how the author had Yona examine her own feelings， thoughts， and motives as she navigates the world without the old woman by her side。 This story has a strong sense of place as the woods come alive and make the story unique on many levels。This is a wonderful read and one that would work well for your next book club pick。 I enjoyed the author's note to readers about her research and all that was true and what she changed to make the story work。 This is the first novel I have read by this author; it won’t be the last。 It is a book you won’t soon forget。Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley。 I was not required to write a positive review。 The opinions I have expressed are my own。 I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR， Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”Nora St。 LaurentTBCN Where Book Fun Begins！The Book Club Network blog www。bookfun。org 。。。more
Helayne Lefland
，
An excellent story。
The Book Distiller
，
One of my favorite books I’ve read this year。 Absolutely beyond fantastic
Jamie
，
I would maybe even give this book 4 1/2 stars。 This was a great read with many twists。 This book had me from the beginning。 It’s starts quickly and goes to the very end。 Be sure to read/listen to the authors note at the end。 It made me love this book， that much more。
Eileen
，
I read five historical fiction novels set in WWII in May and then decided to give myself a break。 But when I saw this ARC， I was intrigued by the description and figured enough time had passed。 I started this today and I was immediately struck by the uniqueness of this story。 There is almost an element of magic in it， but it's more of a heightened senses type of magic， and very believable。 I loved this story and absolutely could not put it down。 The heroine is Yona， who was taken from her German I read five historical fiction novels set in WWII in May and then decided to give myself a break。 But when I saw this ARC， I was intrigued by the description and figured enough time had passed。 I started this today and I was immediately struck by the uniqueness of this story。 There is almost an element of magic in it， but it's more of a heightened senses type of magic， and very believable。 I loved this story and absolutely could not put it down。 The heroine is Yona， who was taken from her German parents as a little girl by Jerusza， an old woman who secretly lives in the woods of Poland。 Without revealing too much， she basically teaches Yona survival skills （including self-defense/combat）， various languages， medicine/healing， religions over the course of 20+ years。 The story really begins in 1941 when the war begins， Germany invades Poland， and Jerusza passes away。 She lives a solitary existence for a time when she comes across a Jewish family fleeing the Jewish Ghettos and the story really takes off。 The author incorporates many true stories of Jews who survived the war hiding in the woods， which is something she explains at the end。 Throughout the story， Yona teaches the Jews about how to survive， while they teach her what it is to open your heart and have relationships with one another。 One thing I particularly liked about this story was the single timeline and POV; many of the WWII novels I've read recently have had multiple POV and timelines， and I really appreciated not having to adjust my perspective with each chapter。 It honestly made it harder for me to put the book down when I had to take care of one thing or another。 Overall， this was a beautiful story and one full of heartache and pain， but also beautiful。 Poignant would be the right word for this one。 I loved the epilogue and it really made me close the book with a smile。 Highly recommended。I received an advance review copy for free， and I am leaving this review voluntarily。 。。。more
~*Bhook-Junkhie~
，
So Unique Amazing！ Loved it！！
Lori Belford
，
4。5 stars。 I’ve read many WWII novels and each of them are the sad harsh truth of the unimaginable suffering of the Jews by the Nazis and there is always something I learn。 I didn’t realize that there were families who escaped capture by hiding/living/moving in forests， even during the harshest winters。 This story tells of Yona who is stolen at age 2 from her ‘loving’ German parents by a Jewish woman who lives in the forest。 Yona spends the next 20 years with the woman （in the forest） learning h 4。5 stars。 I’ve read many WWII novels and each of them are the sad harsh truth of the unimaginable suffering of the Jews by the Nazis and there is always something I learn。 I didn’t realize that there were families who escaped capture by hiding/living/moving in forests， even during the harshest winters。 This story tells of Yona who is stolen at age 2 from her ‘loving’ German parents by a Jewish woman who lives in the forest。 Yona spends the next 20 years with the woman （in the forest） learning how to live off of the land。 When the woman dies at age 102， Yona must fend for herself。 Eventually， Yona meets a group escaping from the Nazis and the story gets really good。 Who is Yona really？ It’s suspenseful， sad， happy and heartwarming all at the same time。 I liked it a lot！ 。。。more
Rachel Askew
，