The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel

Unlike many readers of historical fiction, books set during World War II have never been books I’m attracted to.  Perhaps this is because my Grandfather spent five years fighting with the allied forces during this war and I’m sensitive to what he had witnessed and gone through. Having said that, I really enjoyed the author’s 2020 release The Book of Lost Names set in this same time period and so decided to give The Forest of Vanishing Stars a read.  This book is excellent for those who enjoy stories of survival during WWII and publishes July 6/21.

Plot Summary

Yona is only a toddler when she is kidnapped from her wealthy German parents and raised in the forests of Eastern Europe by Jerusza.  Jerusza is an old woman who imparts extensive wisdom to Yona, including how survive in the forest.  When Jerusza dies in 1941, Yona is a young woman now totally alone.  With only vague recollections of her parents, she chooses to remain in the only world she has ever really known.

Yona’s solitary existence is suspended when she happens upon a group of Jews fleeing persecution by the Nazis.  When she learns of what is happening in Europe outside of the forest, she knows she needs to share her survival skills to keep this group safe and healthy.  In turn, the group shares with Yona the importance of connecting with others.

Book Review

This book is beautifully written. Where the book excels is in the character development and the interpersonal relationships between Yona and others.  Despite only socializing with Jersusza most of her life, Yona’s motivation and drive to help others, despite this being out of her comfort zone, truly captivated me.  Yona feeling that helping the Jews was her destiny was inspiring.  I truly appreciated the kindness of Yona and others as humanitarians at a time when they had lost so much.

The author’s extensive research into the creation of this book was clearly evident.  This was, however,  an emotional read for me.  There are numerous moments which recount horrific things that the Jews experienced under Hitler’s rule which almost prevented me from finishing the book.  I would therefore caution those readers who are sensitive to these atrocities before they decide to read this book.

What I Liked About The Forest of Vanishing Stars:

• The extensive research which went into creating this story.  I learned so much!
• The character development and interpersonal relationships.
• The moments of kindness and humility from Yona and her group

I Recommend The Forest of Vanishing Stars to:

Those that enjoy historical fiction set during WWII and/or stories of survival.

My Rating:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5 stars.

Add The Forest of Vanishing Stars to your Goodreads shelf

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC of this book in exchange for the honest review provided here.

Similar Books I’ve Reviewed:

The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen

Band of Sisters by Lauren Willig

The Paris Model by Alexandra Joel

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