THE FOREST OF VANISHING STARS by Kristin Harmel

 

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).

MY THOUGHTS: 

In each historical fiction book I read I learn something new. In all I learn the atrocities that the Jewish people had to live with. The horrors of seeing the ones they love murdered. How they see each other in starvation. And how strong their faith is. I wish mine was one hundredth as strong. If only. What these people went through is beyond horrible. Beyond the scope of my human brain. I can't begin to comprehend what possessed a group of haters to do what they did to these people who were just busy living their lives. Until they weren't. Until they had to flee. By any means possible. It's just so sad. So horrible. I'll never understand hatred and racism.

Two quotes from this book that really stuck to me. Touched my heart. The second, longer one, is from the author's note. Be sure and read it all at the end of the book. And have tissues handy. Lots of them...

"It's the cracks in us that make us who we are, and you.. you are stronger than anyone I have ever met, I think."

"Let's not forget the past. Let's not forget the heroes who fought so that others could survive. Let's not forget to be kind to our fellow man. 

Be nice if at all possible. It's such simple advice, but if we can all do that, every day, maybe we can be the change. Maybe we can stand together. Maybe we can build the world a better future. Her's to lighting a candle, or a piece of wood, in the darkness-and to letting that light carry us through."

This is a story of a child taken from her parents at the age of two. Taken and raised in the woods. Taught how to survive. How to live alone. Yona was this little girl. She grew up to be a strong young woman. With strong opinions and feelings. To love the world and its beauty. But most of all she is a strong young woman with a heart. She wants to save people. To be a part of a family and be accepted. She saves a whole lot of innocent people in this book too. So I do believe that she was taken for a reason. A very good reason. You'll learn that. You'll understand why she was taken. 

This story is very heartbreaking and also very uplifting. Heartbreaking in all that brought this story together. All that the people in this story went through to just survive. Uplifting in that they cared for each other. Even with all the loss and all the deaths. All the horrors that they saw and endured, they still found love. They still had faith. They still stood strong together. And they accepted a young woman, without question, who only wanted to help. Who only wanted to be a part of their lives. What Yona saw in her years was not all good. Some was very very sad. Death of so many innocents. 

This book made me literally weep big huge ugly tears. Made me so sad and sorry. I felt so sorry for the characters in this book. They were innocent and hopeful. Trusting. Why do people want to be so cruel. What is in man's heart that can make them do these awful things? I will never understand it. From any race. From any country. It's just wrong. This is just one of many stories of how the Polish people survived. My dad's people are Polish and it makes me wonder if they went through anything like this. Or like any of the historical books I've read. Most likely, just as this author said, they did. I'm so sorry that these things happened. Do not ever let it happen again. Do not think it couldn't either. If you forget, it can. If you stop remembering, it can. 

Thank you to #netgalley, #kristinharmel, #gallerybooks for this ARC. This is my own true feelings about this book. 

5/5 HUGE stars and the highest recommendation. Read it. Learn from it. Don't ever forget!