Where the Forest Meets the Stars - Glendy Vanderah - A Short Summary & Review

 Where the Forest Meets the Stars - Glendy Vanderah - A Short Summary & Review

By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures

A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review

An alien, an ornithologist, and an egg seller unite in a search for miracles, healing, and truth.

A short summary:

At its heart, Where the Forest Meets the Stars is a quiet, hopeful story about broken people finding one another in unexpected ways. When an ornithologist grieving both personal and physical loss encounters a mysterious child who claims to be an alien on a mission to witness human miracles, her carefully isolated world begins to open. Joined by a gentle, wounded neighbor, the three form an unlikely constellation, bound not by logic but by shared pain, curiosity, and a longing to heal. What begins as a puzzle slowly becomes a meditation on trust, connection, and the possibility that miracles sometimes look like kindness.

My favorite quote from the book:

Lots of crazy people are smart.

-Glendy Vanderah, Where the Forest Meets the Stars

Questions to ponder while reading:

How do you find a miracle?

How do you find hope?

My review:

The premise is undeniably strange: an alien child, an academic recluse, and an egg seller forming a family of sorts, but it works far better than it has any right to. The story unfolds gently, drawing you in before you realize how emotionally invested you’ve become. While parts of the plot stretch belief, the emotional truth underneath is solid and sincere. This is a comforting, engaging read that balances grief with wonder, offering just enough mystery and warmth to keep turning pages. It’s thoughtful without being heavy, and surprisingly satisfying in the way good “brain candy” sometimes is.

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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life

She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.

You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.

✨ #TakeTheBackRoads

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