The Forest of Vanishing Stars
By Kristin Harmel
- Release Date: 2021-07-06
- Genre: Historical Fiction
Description
Parade “Best Books of Summer” pick * Real Simple pick * She Reads “Best WWII Fiction of Summer 2021” pick
The New York Times bestselling author of the “heart-stopping tale of survival and heroism” (People) 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.
Inspired by incredible true stories of survival against staggering odds, and suffused with the journey-from-the-wilderness elements that made Where the Crawdads Sing a worldwide phenomenon, The Forest of Vanishing Stars is a heart-wrenching and suspenseful novel from the #1 internationally bestselling author whose writing has been hailed as “sweeping and magnificent” (Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author), “immersive and evocative” (Publishers Weekly), and “gripping” (Tampa Bay Times).
Reviews
Couldn’t put it down!
5By HomeworthAnother spellbinding book by Ms HarmelThe forest of vanishing stars
5By sarafem17I loved the story. The characters were so real and engrossing. They felt like family members. So much in the story were things I was told about when growing up. Thank you I enjoyed the journey though it was bitter sweet.Beautiful and Touching
5By JannyJannersonsBeautifully written and incredibly emotional. I cried through much of this book because it was so heartbreaking to know that these terrible events really happened. Yona is an inspiring and admirable heroine, and I feel like I learned so much more about this period of history through the amazing story of this character.Loved this book
5By EmdanbenI cannot get enough of Kristen H’s books. This was another amazing story that once again taught me another sad but amazing story of living amongst so much evil. I hope she never stops writing. 💗💗💗💗💗Loved this book. Amazing!
5By HOQRI could not put this book down. On to the next one.Beautifully written
5By KdemetrisI loved this story.Greatest book
5By Jeanne C.One of the best books I’ve ever read.Kept me on the edge of my seat mostly through the whole book. Extraordinary story, great writer and so full of love and healing. Thank you Kristin Harmel for a beautiful masterpiece.Forest of vanishing stars
1By full book pleaseDid not download beyond chapter 3Amazing!!!
5By lumurphBy far, one of the best books I have ever read. I couldn’t put it down…. Finished it within a few days. It was all around fantastic!!!Best of WWII stories
5By LAMauiIncredible story. Beautifully told. Could. Could not put it down.Wonderful
5By LGWesWonderful moving story Could not put it down!A heart moving story of compassion of historical and fiction
5By Beetle Bug ReaderThank you Kristin Harmel for this historical novel. For your beautiful insights into the lives of the Jewish people be it truth or fiction. This book challenges our humanity to take a look at history and not repeat it.Captivating.
5By Rio. RitaI just had finished..unstoppable. True story of siggi wilzig and going in to this book was transformative. Yona was fabulous ..I just would have wanted more from the war til the end!!easy to commiserate with the characters.. All in all I got immersed with the charactersAmazing and Well-Wriiten
5By JurezeThis book is so well-written and keeps you engaged. A very sad yet powerful story with Yona and the lessons of the war and religion. I read this in one sitting because of how much it captured me; an amazing read.Enchanting
5By CastleWare BabyEnjoyed every minute of this story.Extremely Good read!
5By BabsFoxThis was an interesting and different side to all the WWII stories I have read. I did not know the vast amount of people who had to live and survive in the forest. Very good read!New Insight
5By meblair76I like reading historical fiction. I have read many stories about survival and bravery during WW II. This is the first that I have read about survival in the forests of Poland. I appreciate this insight into history.The Forest of Vanishing Stars
5By Finn and MiloLoved this book! Favorite of 2021.Wow.
5By Marti TimmerExcellent! That’s all I have to say.
