Where the Forest Meets the Stars

Favorite Quote: “Maybe saying that will be magic that protects it.” Synopsis: Where the Forest Meets the Stars, by Glendy Vanderah, introduces you to an Indigo Bunting researcher whose study and life are turned upside down when a strange child with a stranger story shows up at her door. I devoured this novel. It captivates you when you meet Joanna Teale, a dedicated doctoral candidate using her research as a shield from life. Shortly after meeting Joanna, you meet Ursa, the unusual child who randomly shows up at Joanna’s home, followed by Gabe, the neighbor farmer down the lane. Gabe and Joanna are written so well that they feel real. Neither is perfect; both are a little broken, and you feel like you’d encounter them in real life. Thoughts & Feelings: Not only were the characters complex and personal, but the story also kept me guessing. I honestly didn’t know what could happen or how things would resolve. I laughed, cried, and was left wanting more but satisfied with the ending. Ultimately, there wasn’t anything I disliked about Where the Forest Meets the Stars. It was a quick read but full of emotion, lovely characters, and a plot that feels like it could happen. Maybe it did?

It has been a long time since a book gripped me so tightly that I couldn't put it down during the climax of the story - this one did. This is a story of of three broken people (four if you count the dog) that fate brings together to make whole again. It is very well written in that the reader becomes emotionally invested in the story. The characters are well developed and believable. The plot is also well put together and believable. This is actually a departure from my usual genres of books and stories - and I'm very happy I ventured outside of my boundaries this time. One of the things I liked most about the writing style is how Glendy Vanderah refers to the little girl in the story as the alien (at least until she is given a name later in the book). This despite the fact that he reader knows from the very beginning that this is a very troubled little girl and the book is not a science fiction story. This simple technique helps pull the reader into the story that is being woven together. As for the little girl herself (the alien) I have to think for an author developing and characterizing a child, especially a troubled child, has to be a very difficult task. Nevertheless, Ms. Vanderah gives us a very believable character in the alien. A character that you simply want to reach through the pages and hug because you know something bad has happened to her. On that point Ms. Vanderah does an excellent job at developing her plot without revealing very much of it at all. Ms. Vanderah stays on the fringes of the plot secret only giving the reader enough information to know that some tragedy has occurred to this little girl but not enough to help the reader come up with a theory of what that tragedy may have been. And speaking of tragedies, the other two main characters Jo and Gabe have both had their own individual tragedies in Jo's case recently and in Gabe's case for his entire life. Their stories are such that one could be forgiven if they never believed these two would hold much of a conversation with each other. But the alien becomes a catalyst that brings these two broken lives together - and in the end those two broken lives become instrumental in saving a third broken live - the alien. At it's core this is a love story. But not necessarily a sappy romantic love story - I would have lost interest in that quickly. But a love story that demonstrates just how powerful and magical love can be and how love truly can conquer all. This is most evident at the very end of the book and again Ms. Vanderah kept the ultimate ending well hidden. I have so much more I could say about this book. But I may end up revealing too much. Suffice to say that this is one of the best books I've read in a long time and I enjoyed my time with Jo, Gabe, the alien, and Ms. Vanderah. Ok, so why four stars. Ms. Vanderah, while writing a beautifully woven tale chose to interject colorful adult euphemisms into her dialog. In this particular story this added nothing to the story and exemplified my belief that the use of this language is a writer's "lazy tool". That is, I belief the author thinks to themselves, "I want to make a strong point here" and rather than come up with a more literary manner of doing this they fall back to guttural language. This particular story did not need this guttural language and I'd have preferred it not be there. Ms. Vanderah was demonstrating what a masterful author she is so I don't think it would have been overly difficult for her to eliminate this language and find another way to make her strong points.

A Favorite Quote: “Thunder growled. Rain clawed at the window. Joe held Ursa in her safe nest, and all the while fate sat watching.” Self-written Blurb: Two strangers who have both handled grief and trauma in completely different ways, must navigate through their colliding worlds to help a little girl through her own trauma. Jo is just trying to get her bird research done. Gabe is just stuck in a daily repetitive routine. Ursa is an alien living in an 8 year old’s body and was sent to Earth to witness 5 miracles. Faced with the impossible situation of trying to do the right thing by Ursa, Jo and Gabe wade their way through tough decision after tough decision. Who is Ursa, if not a lost and trauma ridden child? And what 5 miracles could send these three on an, at best, nontraditional and at worst, unethical journey? Perhaps love is the best miracle of all. What I enjoyed: Glendy Vanderah is a masterful storyteller. This book has the perfect blend of humor, heartache, mystery and life lessons. Ursa immediately captured my heart. The way I could relate to both Jo and Gabe was enigmatical. The author does a splendid job at making you feel as if you are right there with Jo, Gabe and Ursa. Told completely in the third person, this story has everything you want in literary fiction. It highlights how everyone handles grief and trauma differently but most importantly that sometimes friendship and a found family can give you the greatest power of healing. Such a heart-warming story that will likely stay with me through the years. Any struggles?: I didn’t have any struggles with this book. Will I recommend and to who: To everyone. To absolutely everyone. If you have triggers with thoughts surrounding child abuse though, I would recommend to proceed with caution.

This book kept me intrigued from the beginning until the end! I loved how intelligent the little girl was and the idea of the miracles. This should be read by adults and teenagers! I will read it again!

I really liked how this book started—it pulled me in right away with a unique story and interesting characters. I loved that it was clean but still intriguing, and I was honestly hooked for most of it. But the last quarter really lost me. It started to feel like the author had an agenda—very anti-law enforcement and anti-justice system. There were also some random comments about being anti-gun and little jabs at political beliefs that made it seem like being conservative was a bad thing. It just didn’t feel necessary and took away from the story for me. No matter what your personal views are, stuff like that doesn’t belong in a book like this. It distracted from the heart of the story and made the ending fall flat. I think it could have been a lot better without all that.

It’s a very sweet heart warming story. Not super complicated or hard to read, simple and sweet. It’s a nice read if you want a feel good story. It may be triggering for some as some aspects may be disturbing for some.

Book club selection. Fantasy, or is it? Great read.

Loved this book! Also arrived quickly and has a beautiful cover design.