Where the Forest Meets the Stars

What an incredible read!! I can’t get over this book! So much happening and so intriguing I didn’t want to put it down! Ursa, Jo, & Gabe are incredible This story had more twists than I know how to handle but I loved it 😍 Be warned, there is an animal death Ursa believes she’s from another planet, but reality may not be exactly as it appears Jo is renting a cabin for the summer to work on a college project. She is also a breast cancer survivor who recently lost her mother to it. Gabe is a loner who lives with his mother as her caretaker and desperately wants to forget the rest of the world even exists. His life with anxiety has caused him to keep to himself. This trio comes together in the most unusual way and there is just so much happening it’s hard to tell what is reality, and what isn’t. Incredible journey filled with love, loss, horror, acceptance, & a little bit of magic

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.

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?

Cute story, but not worth remembering. It was okay. I probably won't read anything else by this author because all of her books are just too nature-based, family-based, and a bit naive. The storyline was decent, but it was just too soft a book for me.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," said Margaret Wolfe Hungerford in her book 'Molly Bawn'. I will dare to rephrase her quote, saying that the book is in the reader's experience. If we can, or we can't relate. I thought I am the perfect match for that book. I am an Illinoisan, a father of the kid who is the same age as the book's central character. I hiked Southern Illinois a lot, and all the toponyms used in the book are my regular destinations. Even worse, I do the birdwatching and I have an academic background. BUT... As a full-grown male, I rarely read the bestsellers marked as "#1 in Women's Fiction". It was an accident, I swear! Amazon Kindle is to blame. However, from page one, I was carried away by the slow-paced, delicate, intriguing plot. In the beginning, the book resembles the best works of the Grandmaster Clifford D. Simak. The fellow readers who treasure his "Way Station" or "All Flesh is Grass" might agree with me. That is a hell of a compliment from the hardcore SF fan. After half of the book, I felt that my overall impression reminds me of the daily coronavirus graph, fluctuating somewhere around 3.5 stars of 5. Up-down-up, masks on. Something was wrong, like the author got a bit of advice from the experience editor—and followed it meticulously. Ursa is the best character; she pulls the whole book's payload like the freight engine through the winter Rockies. I like the lack of details that describes her so that the reader can follow their imagination. Closer to the end of the book, she was the only character who wasn't the complete cliche. Seriously, why? The author is undoubtedly gifted; I hope she will continue her literary career. For Shakespeare's sake, why did she pulled all those levers simultaneously? Depressed, but handsome neighbor? Check. Childhood trauma? Double-check. Adultery? Check. Passed away parents? Check. Same-gender marriage? Check. Evil CPS people? Check. Cancer? Check. It's way too much for the single book, as its initially fresh, classy plot became a kaleidoscope of modern society's diecast models. I also can't buy some of the plot twists (the concealed father, for example, and Jo herself). Putting the highly educated, intellectual, self-sustainable people into the fool's shoes destroy the contrast between the mystery and the reality. Do I recommend the book? Yes, definitely. By reading that, you support the promising author and entertain yourself with a good page-turner. It would be 3.5 stars but the _quark thing_ made it a solid four. Mrs. Vanderah, thank you for your work. Illustration from my archive: Garden of the Gods, Shawnee Forest (did I said that I love these places?)

An out of this world story. Great read, great characters, interwoven in a complex yet relatable story. I do recommend.

Glendy Vanderah’s Where the Forest Meets the Stars is a breathtaking debut novel that effortlessly blends magic, mystery, and raw human emotion. The story pulls readers into an enchanting world where three unlikely souls—Ursa, Joanna, and Gabe—find each other and create an unbreakable bond. With its perfect balance of drama, heartache, and hope, this novel is a masterfully woven tale of love, loss, and healing. The story follows Joanna, a scientist conducting field research, who stumbles upon a mysterious little girl named Ursa. Claiming to be an alien from another galaxy, Ursa refuses to leave until she witnesses five miracles. As Joanna and her reclusive neighbor, Gabe, take her in, their lives become entwined in ways neither could have expected. The novel keeps readers engaged by slowly unraveling Ursa’s true origins, all while exploring deep themes of grief, trauma, mental illness, and resilience. The way Vanderah reveals the truth behind Ursa’s past is beautifully executed, holding back key revelations until the final act. This slow-burn storytelling ensures that readers remain emotionally invested, mirroring Joanna’s own journey of discovery. Each character is deeply layered, with personal struggles that make them feel real and relatable. Joanna is a strong yet vulnerable protagonist, carrying the weight of personal trauma, while Gabe’s battles with depression and isolation add further depth to the narrative. Ursa, with her whimsical and wise-beyond-her-years personality, is the heart of the novel—both a mystery to be solved and a beacon of hope. What makes this book truly special is how Vanderah uses these characters to highlight the power of human connection. Each of them carries significant pain, yet through love and trust, they find solace in one another. Vanderah’s writing is immersive and poetic, drawing readers into a world that feels both real and magical. She seamlessly weaves heavy themes like death, illness, and abuse into a story that ultimately feels uplifting. The novel’s emotional weight is balanced by moments of warmth, humor, and wonder, making it a deeply moving read. For a debut novel, Where the Forest Meets the Stars is astonishing in its depth and quality. It offers a Shakespearean-style comedy, delivering a profound message about love, resilience, and the unexpected ways in which people come into our lives. This is more than just a story—it’s an experience, one that lingers long after the final page. An absolute must-read.