The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel

Hello readers!  I wanted to tell you about another great book to check out – The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel.  It’s already creating a buzz in the book world even before its July 6 publication date.

Kristin, a master storyteller through the historical fiction outlet, continues her exploration of the Jewish experience during WWII. She takes a fresh angle by setting the book in the forests where Jews are hiding, rather than in the ghettos or extermination camps.

Twenty-some years ago a woman kidnapped two-year-old Yona  from her German parents. (Don’t worry. This isn’t a spoiler. The kidnapping happens right at the opening of the book.) Since then they have lived together in the forest. Yona is taught survival skills – how to provide food, shelter and physical protection for herself. Just as the war closes in on them, her kidnapper dies leaving Yona on her own.

Russian partisans and German troops begin canvassing the forests for Jews who have escaped nearby occupied towns. Although Yona was taught to fear people, she feels the need to help the Jews she finds in the forest. She can teach them the skills they need to survive.

For a book set mainly in the forest, it covers many topics: love, family, betrayal, surprises, danger, sacrifice, evil, discovery of self, questioning of ancestry, leadership vs. power, and more. 

The story feels realistic because it has balance. Yona can help some of the groups she encounters; others she cannot.  Sometimes she feels like part of a family and sometimes she feels like the outsider. She makes mistakes and she makes wise decisions. Other characters aren’t simply good or bad; they are complicated like real people.

I cheered for Yona, wanting her to find her place in the world – a “family” she can completely feel part of, a true love, and survival in a horrific time in history.  You’ll need to read it yourself to discover if she gets those things.

In past blogs I shared how I loved Kristin Harmel’s novel, The Winemaker’s Wife (blog review link here), and her last book, The Book of Lost Names,  was the best book I read in 2020 (blog review link here).  I didn’t know if The Forest of Vanishing Stars could equal it, but I was, of course, pleasantly surprised.  It’s in the running for my favorite of 2021. Why, oh why Kristin, would I expect anything less from you?! (No pressure intended for your next book.)

You can learn more about Kristin Harmel and her books here at kristinharmel.com.

If you’re interested in picking up The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel, please remember you can help support the author the most if you 1) pre-order through your favorite bookstore or 2) buy it during its publication week – starting July 6. Of course all sales are helpful, but these sales help drive best seller lists which help get the word out about a great book.

Whether you buy or borrow, I hope you’ll come back and comment here after you’ve read it. And don’t forget to leave even a short review (like 5 stars) on places like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, etc. If you love to read, please tell others about books and authors you love!

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