The Forest of Vanishing Stars

A Novel

By: Kristin Harmel

Narrated by: Kristin Harmel - author's note, Madeleine Maby

Length: 11 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's Summary

Parade “Best Books of Summer” pick * Real Simple summer reading pick * SheReads “Best WWII Fiction of Summer 2021” pick

The New York Times best-selling 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 number one internationally best-selling author whose writing has been hailed as “sweeping and magnificent” (Fiona Davis, New York Times best-selling author), “immersive and evocative” (Publishers Weekly), and “gripping” (Tampa Bay Times).

©2021 Kristin Harmel Lietz. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Meh

I liked the historical aspect of the book, and am always interested in the plight of the Jewish people in WWII, so I appreciate the effort here. The book just had too many unbelievable aspects such as the protagonist running into her father and identifying him though she hadn’t seen him since she was a toddler. And the love stories were unnecessary distractions and not well written. The narrator over enunciated her words and made the book sound like an instruction manual.

Well written historic fiction

I had a little difficulty with the beginning when it seemed like something supernatural was moving the story along. The rest of the book was a really well researched historical fiction story. That had me at times on the edge of my seat.

great binge book

I couldn't put it down - so good! like other books by this author, you get lost in the story and can't put it down until the end.

Fantastic read!

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. The characters and storyline is very unique within the historical fiction WWII genre. Highly recommend.

Did not want this to end

What's moving book. It held my attention as I followed the events along .felt like I knew the char actors and was sorry to end the book?!

Captivating

This writer has outdone herself with this story and believe me her other listens were outstanding so you can guess where this lies in the storyline, characters and the excellent narration. Awesome story. Get out the tissues!

What an outstanding, inspiring book!

Does Kristen Harmel keep getting better and better? Yes! This un- put- downable book based on real history had compelling characters, horrible moments in history and is so readable, I give it my highest recommendation. Read this book! You won’t life will be richer for it.