The Forest of Vanishing Stars: A Novel

Written by Kristin Harmel

Narrated by Kristin Harmel and Madeleine Maby

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).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Jul 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9781797123318

Kristin Harmel

Kristin Harmel is the New York Times bestselling author of more than a dozen novels including The Forest of Vanishing Stars, The Book of Lost Names, The Room on Rue Amélie, and The Sweetness of Forgetting. She is published in more than thirty languages and is the cofounder and cohost of the popular web series, Friends & Fiction. She lives in Orlando, Florida.

Reviews for The Forest of Vanishing Stars

[amy fowers · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A little slow start but wow what a great and powerful book.

[Leah Miller · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent! Love that it is based (loosely) around a true story. History comes to life in this book. Loved the author’s notes at the end of the book and read by her in the audible book. (I wish she would have read the whole book). It was the icing on the cake. And such simple but wise advice from one who lived this story, “Be nice whenever you can!”

[TrishBC · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As a WWII historical fiction enthusiast, this sits among the best. I found the opening plot line somewhat implausible but having enjoyed the author’s previous work, I went with it and allowed the world to develop and the story to carry me. I found it to hold together throughout, if a bit too far fantasy-leaning.

I appreciated the author’s note at the end and her prolific, intricate research.

[Andrea Bontrager · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The bones of the story were good. There were too many anticlimactic moments for my taste. Too many details made the book stretch on too long.

[Lisa Doyle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In most books I want to hurry to the end. I wanted this one to never end.

[andy Jimenez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It holds you and won’t let you go. Worth the listen or read.

[susan · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Good book about true events. Well done and we’ll narrated.

[Kris Olafsen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best books I’ve read for a long time...perfect for the fans of Kristin Hannah and the nightinggale....I LOVE,LOVE,LOVE it...

[S T · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was good, but not as good as some of her other ones.

[marina pirozko · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Moving. Heart beat stopping. Sad and triumphant all at once.

[EG · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Despite the topic of this being tragic the backgound of the forest and life there totally captivated me. Living in Latvia, a country next to Poland with similar forests I was instantly sucked in. Thank you for the enormous research and life you breathed into this book. So well written and beautiful despite the sadness. And the message of life overcoming and becoming stronger in hard times is so inspiring for right now. Thank you!

[Nadine Deveraux · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely wonderful!!! Historical, fiction.based on some true facts, at its finest. One of the best books I have read in. many years.

[Mandy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very helpful glimpse into the lives of Jews who escaped into the forest during ww2

[suzywells · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fabulous book about such a tragic time in our lives! The information she presents is amazing & shows us what brave people these survivors were!

[Brianne FJ · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really good book! It was nice to hear a different type of WW2 story…. One of my favorites!

[Becki Basley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The forest of vanishing stars by Kristin Harmel . (Scribd autobook)

In 1922, an old woman who lives in the forest feels she is called by higher power to go to a specific place and steal the child that lives there from her wealthy parents.

She then is to bring her back to the forest to teach her all she knows about living in the forest with no help from anyone. She teaches her several languages, to read, and all the skills she feels the girl will need to survive her destiny

Next comes 1941, the girl now named Yona is alone now that the old lady has died. She begins to teach Jews running away from the Nazis everything she has been taught so they can survive as well. But at the same time, she learns the lessons her isolation didn’t teach her about being with other people and being accepted as a member of a group.

At times this book is very sad but the endurance, perseverance, and grit to survive is inspiring. I really liked this book and I feel it was also very aptly titled. I’d recommend it.

[Carolyn Hightower · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very well researched and written harrowing tales. Great book and so worth reading.

[Nathan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Could not put it down. Probably the best book I’ve read in my life. Worth every second.

[Julie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am still crying! The strength and courage of every person who lived during and through this war will always Amaze me.

[Marie Nachman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There aren't enough stars for this book. Amazing author notes shed the light of reality on what seams to be an impossible story of survival.

[Rachael Scheinman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fabulous book!!! I have listened to at least 100 WW2 historical fiction books, and Kristin Harmel is in my top three. She may even be number 1.

[Alex Larsh · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Overall I really enjoyed this novel. The mystical description of the forest coupled with a strong female heroine results in a magical, memorable tale. I appreciate the author’s thoughtful research blended with fictional characters based on real people and events. I was disappointed in the abrupt ending which felt as if the author was meeting a deadline. It was jarring to me, as so much care had been taken to describe the emotional and physical characteristics of the protagonist. I felt as though more detail was needed to neatly conclude such a compelling story. Finally, I am not a big fan of the narrator. Though her voice is pleasant, her rhythm and pace felt robotic when narrating men’s voices and dialogue between characters.

[Betty Bennett · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Rey well researched historical fiction tells of Jewish men, women, and children who survived years living in the woods of Poland and Belarus during the Nazi invasion. While the characters in the novel are fictional, their actions, the descriptors, and dialog are believable. I certainly would not think of braiding nettles into rope. The story is crisp and engaging.

[Diane Pater · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well done,Many historical facts I never knew about World War II and Poland Woven in an unforgettable story.

[candi0parshall · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a great read! Amazing historical fiction book. Would love to se e this a s a movie,

[Kimberly Brown · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really loved the authors note at the end. This book kept me going all the way through. Thank you!

[Angela Soltan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Kristin Harmel did it again l! A poignant and incredibly beautiful piece of history about the horrors of WW II and extraordinary people who supported each others and overcame it all without losing humanity.

[Terry Crawford · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I’d give it 10 stars if I could. A must read!

[rwdorsey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book set in a large forest. I learned so much about surviving in the forest during g WWII. I didn't want the book to end. I wanted to follow the characters for the rest of their lives!

[AJ Davis · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The whole book seemed like one cheesy line after another. Every conversation was the most meaningful conversation. It was long and after many eye rolls it was fine.