Where The Forest Meets The Stars By Glendy Vanderah

I love this book. I really loved the Jo character in this book Yes I would recommend this book to my friends.

This is very simple writing with an interesting storyline and happy ending. There is only one plot throughout that gets a little tiresome, but overall it’s a good story.

A novel.that has many subtle twists and turns. It will.have you s!smiling and crying. Imaginative and beautifully written. You fall in love with all of the main characters instantly.

“Where the Forest Meets the Stars” by Glendy Vanderah is a captivating tale that seamlessly weaves together themes of grief, healing, and the magic of connection. From the very first page, I was drawn into a world where the ordinary and the extraordinary collide.

The story revolves around Jo Teale, an ornithologist who is grieving the loss of her mother to cancer, and Ursa, a mysterious young girl who claims to be an alien on a mission to witness five miracles. Their unlikely friendship forms the heart of the narrative, and it’s impossible not to become emotionally invested in their journey.

Vanderah’s writing is nothing short of exquisite. Her descriptions of nature are vivid and poetic, creating a rich backdrop for the story. The characters are beautifully developed, each harboring their own wounds and secrets, and their growth throughout the novel is both moving and believable.

As the story unfolds, it explores the themes of love, loss, and the healing power of human connection. It also delves into the profound idea of finding wonder and miracles in the most unexpected places. Vanderah’s storytelling skillfully tugs at the heartstrings, leaving you with a sense of hope and renewal by the end.

“Where the Forest Meets the Stars” is a literary gem that will resonate with readers who appreciate stories that are both heartwarming and thought-provoking. It’s a book that reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is light to be found, and sometimes, that light is as extraordinary as the stars themselves. This novel is a testament to the magic that can be discovered where the forest truly meets the stars.

A glorious book that brings smiles, tears and stars to your eyes. Very well written, especially for a first book. Can’t wait to see her next book!

This very unique and lovely contemporary fiction novel earns 4.5 Stars from me.

SUMMARY
Jo is a PhD candidate staying in a rural cabin in Southern Illinois for a summer while researching nesting patterns of birds. She mainly keeps to herself, working long hours each day, returning home in the evening to shower, eat dinner, sleep and start the whole process again the next morning.

Being away from the familiarity of her college town and friends, the only social interaction Jo has are phone calls with Tabby, her BFF (who is still in their college town) and occasional short conversations with the guy who sells eggs at an egg stand on the side of the road.

From the beginning, author Glendy Vanderah, draws the reader in, making Jo a slightly mysterious, yet very likable character. Vabderah alludes to some sort of a crisis from which Jo has recovered or is still trying to recovery. As the book progresses, the reader learns the source and details of Jo’s troubles and gains significant insight into her world.

One evening, after a particularly long day in the field, Jo arrives home to find a barefoot, scraggly little girl in her yard. When Jo questions the child about her identity, trying to figure out where she came from and why she is there, the girl gives her a crazy story about being an alien sent to Earth to study our planet. She claims to be earning a PhD and says after witnessing five miracles, she will to return to her planet to teach her people about Earth.

Jo tries to tell her to go home several times, but she keeps insisting she doesn’t have a home here on Earth. Finally Jo feeds the child dinner and sends her home. The next day, the girl is back again. Still sticking with her alien story, still barefoot and hungry.

Who is this girl? Why does she keep appearing at Jo’s house? Why is she refusing to tell anyone who she is and where she belongs? Why does nobody seem to be looking for her?

WHAT I LOVED
I don’t mind admitting that I was initially not planning to read this book. I wasn’t sure I was up for reading a super sensitive book that could possibly have science fiction elements to it. I tend not to have a ton of patience for anything related to aliens or books focused on people’s feelings. But the book kept getting rave reviews from my GR Friends and critics alike so I decided to give it a try and I am so glad I did! It sucked me right in!!!!

I love the characters in this story, they were well developed, complicated and each had some sort of mystery to uncover. I loved Jo, Ursa and Tabby so much!!! I could completely relate to the friendship between Jo and Tabby; they shared the kind of honesty and loyalty only true friends can share. And Ursa! I totally wanted to take her home with me!!!!

I found myself getting caught up in Ursa and Jo’s adventure. I know I said I am not into science fiction, but about half way through the book I was entertaining the possibility of aliens coming to Earth to study us and kind of hoping it was the case.

The plot was very unique. It’s hard to believe this is Glendy Vanderah’s debut novel! She must have a lot of fascinating ideas floating around in her head.

WHAT I DIDN’T LOVE
There were a few places in the book, particularly pertaining to Jo’s research that moved too slowly for me. I get that the research was a bit part of who Jo is, but I didn’t enjoy those details.

I know I was supposed to love Gabe, but I did NOT. He seemed like an emotionally stunted spineless man-child. I also didn’t love any of the characters in his family, and the changes in their feelings and opinions toward the end of the book didn’t seem authentic.

OVERALL
This story was not at all what I expected, I was happily surprised. It was so darn lovely, unique and well written. I cannot wait to see what Vanderah follows up with.