Book Review: Forest of the Vanishing Stars

The Forest of the Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel

I received an ARC from NetGallery for an honest review.

The Forest of the Vanishing Stars is a story about family, survival, love, and discovering your place in the world. Set in World War II, a young woman named Yona, who was kidnapped and brought to the woods as a baby, is forced to make decisions in her life that she never expected to make.  At least, that is what she tells herself in the beginning.  Yona’s knowledge of nature, the woods where she lives, and religion help Yona help others.

I don’t want to say much more about the story and the plot because I don’t want to give any hints that may lead to spoilers.  I really liked this book, and I think everyone should read it when it comes out.

I enjoyed the well-thought-out characters. I appreciated that all the characters were not totally good and not totally bad.  Yona is brave, naïve, worldly, and stronger in mind and body.  She is a character that will most likely stay with me for a very long time.

The story’s events were based on real events during World War II in Poland and authentic places. The author, Kristin Harmel, did thorough research for the book.  Her descriptions of the woods and surviving the forest for long periods of time were so in-depth, I felt like the woods were right outside my house.

The story is both heartbreaking and triumphant and well worth the read.