Book description
The Forest of Vanishing Stars - an audiobook that pulls you into a world of shadowed forests, whispered courage, and the quiet power of untold stories
From the first page, Kristin Harmel's voice invites listeners to step into a landscape where the trees seem almost alive, holding secrets as old as the war itself. The narrator's warm, steady tone carries each line with intimacy, making the protagonist's journey feel both personal and universal.
The story follows an orphaned young woman who has grown up in the harsh wilderness of eastern Europe, her only companions the wind and the night. When she encounters a group of Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi terror, she becomes their unlikely guide, teaching them how to read the forest's signals and survive where others would give up hope. In exchange, they open her heart to love and community after years of isolation.
What makes this audiobook truly compelling is Harmel's blend of historical detail with emotional depth. The narration captures the tension of hidden camps and the quiet moments of shared laughter among strangers. Each pause feels deliberate, allowing listeners to absorb the weight of a world in crisis while also enjoying the simple joys of human connection.
Critics have praised the book for its "sweeping and magnificent" scope and its "immersive and evocative" storytelling. The audiobook lives up to those accolades: it's not just about survival-it's about resilience, friendship, and the stubborn hope that even in darkness, stars can still vanish and then reappear.
Listeners will be drawn into the lush soundscape of rustling leaves and distant gunfire, feeling as if they are walking beside the characters through dense forest and quiet villages alike. The climax-when past and present collide in a German-occupied village-delivers a heart-stopping moment that stays with you long after the final note fades.
If you're looking for an audiobook that combines gripping suspense, rich historical context, and a story of human endurance, The Forest of Vanishing Stars is a must-listen. It reminds us that even in the most unforgiving places, stories have the power to light up the night and guide us toward hope.
DARK HQ
CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app!
Acid Queen
This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Voodoo Queen
π Simplifying my reading routine β this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. πβ¨ Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook! ListenBookβs support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go.
Scare Stone
The voice actors are incredible β they make the characters come alive. I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
MindfulMingle
ποΈ This app's user-friendly interface has transformed my daily walks into immersive storytelling sessions. Kudos to the developers! πΆββοΈπ Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like having a personal reading guide.
Disco Thunder
πΆββοΈπ Strolling through stories on a lazy afternoon β this app is my relaxation buddy! ποΈπ§ π§ββοΈ Finding zen in the art of listening β this app takes mindfulness to a new level! π§ββοΈπ§ The versatility of this app is mind-boggling. It's like a one-stop solution for audiobooks. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. Itβs so convenient.
Roadblock
I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. π§ββοΈ Finding zen through storytelling β this app makes meditation even more calming. π§ββοΈπ§ ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent audiobook experience is evident in its smooth and silky playback. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me.
ShadowDancer
This app's convenience has turned me into an avid audiobook listener. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends, sparking engaging conversations and connections that transcend boundaries. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access.
Old Man Winter
Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator. I love the car mode. Itβs so convenient for listening while driving.
Lava Nibbler
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a portable audiobook library that I can carry everywhere. I'm amazed at how this app's features cater to audiobook enthusiasts' every need. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my workouts and downtime more engaging and insightful.
WanderWord
I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! I love how this app allows me to enjoy books even when I'm on the move. Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking. Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now.
Voluntary
This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment.
Hitch Frenzy
This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. ππ ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
Pepper Prada
This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. ππ± The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus. The statistics tracking is a nice touch. ListenBook helps me keep track of my audiobook habits.
Indigo Red
I'm addicted to this app β it's a non-stop journey through captivating tales. CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently.
Midnight Bat
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures I never miss out on any audio gem. ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks! This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
Lady Fantastic
ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family. This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. π Indulging in soothing bedtime stories β this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. ππ
IceDog
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. π‘ Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder β thank you, this app! π±π ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze. The customer support is amazing. They responded to my query within hours.
Tornado Maker
ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. My study sessions are more efficient than ever, thanks to the looping playback and bookmark features. I'm impressed by the app's performance β it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts. Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
DuckDuck
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience