I enjoyed reading this book. Unlike most WWII historical fiction, this was set in the pacific, which is lesser known. The author did a great job at capturing this harrowing time period while at the same time showing a message of hope and courage.

One thing that gets to me when I read a Heather Morris book is how realistic they are. I love the fact that they are based on real people and situations and that I learn so much from them.


Her book, The Tattooist of Auschwitz is my absolute favorite historical fiction book of all time. It’s just an incredible book.
Sisters Under The rising Sun is an unputdownable book. It’s heartbreaking, yet full of courageous moments and actions.

The women displayed such bravery in the face of adversity time after time. This was a very well researched book, and I enjoyed the author’s notes in the back of the book. We learn more about the characters and their life after the events at the end of the book.


Brave women are struggling to survive in Japanese POW camps in WWII. Their lives were a living hell, faced with starvation, abuse, deprivation of the most basic needs. A novel of sisterhood, bound together by chance and the need to survive the dark circumstances that their life has become. Let us remember these women and the many sacrifices they have given.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I really tried to like this, but I think I was an outlier in that I didn't love The Tattooist of Auschwitz, and then liked each of Morris' next books a bit less, leading to this one not liking it at all unfortunately. I DNF'd this, but will try again another time when I'm in a different headspace!

As the Japenese are invading Singapore. People are trying to escape. However while on the ships they are being bombed. THis is the story of how a bunch of nurses and other women work together to survive captivity,

THis was a great book. Seeing other parts of the world during the war is saddening, but this book was well written. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

"Sisters Under the Rising Sun" is beautiful, sad, powerful and ultimately uplifting story about sisterhood, friendship and the power of women. This story, set in World War II, is about the 3.5 years Australian nurses and civilian British women spent in a Japanese prison camp. They endured unimaginably hardships, but these strangers rallied together and became family. The role of music in this store was very interesting. This is a sad, tough read, but it is very good and very important.

Thank you to St. Martin's press and Netgalley for an advanced readers copy of this book for my honest review.

I am sorry to say I did not enjoy this novel. It took me a long time to finish this as I could not get over the writing style which I would describe as unrealistic with sanguine dialogue and overly cheerful writing during horrifying moments. Most people seem to like this so I am indeed in the minority so I would suggest giving this a chance and forming your own opinion. I did enjoy the ending but I would still rate this 2.5/5.

Heather morris is excellent at making the reader 'feel' as they read her books. The Tattoist was so good and I enjoyed this one almost as much too. Love when a book/author is able to convey messages, educate and make one think as well as just enjoy a good read . Thak you #netgalley for the ARC

Reading about Singapore in WWII in this book was a first for me. I found it intriguing to see how the Japanese army treated prisoners. I also have never read about Australian women in the war. Nesta and Norah are two incredibly strong women. Whether it’s Sister Nesta leading her nurses and doing everything to help the injured and sick, or Norah, doing everything she can to take care of her family, they will do anything they can to survive.

Heather’s stories always suck me in, and this story definitely did. Even though her books involve war camps, which I usually steer away from, I can’t do that when she writes them.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my ARC of this book.

"Sister Under the Rising Sun" appears to be a gripping tale of courage and resilience set against the backdrop of World War II. Heather Morris, known for her poignant storytelling in "The Tattooist of Auschwitz," crafts a narrative that follows the intertwined lives of Norah Chambers and Sister Nesta James as they navigate the horrors of war. The decision Norah faces to send her daughter away from the encroaching Japanese army sets the stage for heart-wrenching sacrifices and challenges ahead. The sinking of the Vyner Brooke and the subsequent capture by the Japanese add layers of tension and danger to their already perilous journey.

Morris seems to adeptly capture the strength and camaraderie of women thrust into extraordinary circumstances, highlighting their resilience, resourcefulness, and unwavering determination to survive. The bond formed between Norah and Nesta amidst the brutality of the POW camps promises to be a central theme, showcasing the power of sisterhood even in the darkest of times.

With echoes of historical truth and inspired by real events, "Sister Under the Rising Sun" is poised to be a compelling exploration of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Fans of Morris's previous works and readers drawn to tales of survival and resilience in wartime settings are likely to find this novel a captivating and moving read.

I was never much interested in reading historical fiction until I picked up my first Heather Morris book, The Tattooist of Auschwitz. The way Morris tells the unbelievable and shocking stories of those who lived through wars I cannot even imagine is moving and relatable. She turns far away stories into ones that feel like they’re in my backyard, happening to people I know.

In Sisters Under the Rising Sun, Morris paints a picture of nurses and mothers and daughters who are going through the unthinkable, all the while being selfless in sharing and caring for others, trying to stay positive with their signing and laughter l… I cannot imagine being in high spirits in the situations depicted in this book. I’m glad the story wasn’t bogged down with filler or backstory, we start the book right in the thick of things and continue to wade through that thickness the entire story. I felt like I was holding my breathe with each page just waiting to see what was coming next.

I combined physical reading with audio and was so glad I did because the singing that was incorporated into the audiobook was both moving and haunting. My favorite part of this book was, as it always is with Morris, is how much care and detail she put into researching to get the stories right. She really does justice to the people who lived these lives and continued to persevere through all life through at them. It was heartbreaking and enlightening, yet still motivating in the way the woman in this story took charge and helped themselves as well as everyone around them.

If Heather Morris wasn’t already an auto buy author for me, this book would’ve made her one. I am always in awe of the spectacular writing, story telling and history that fill her books.

Heather Morris does it again with this captivating story of sisters. I highly recommend adding this book to your list. You won’t regret it. Her words come to life and have you wanting more.

Extraordinary! There is much to say about these characters and their stories. Heather Morris has crafted a true, yet tragic tale of courage, perseverance, friendship and love. Strong, determined and defiant women, representing the best of Great Britain and Australia, held their ground for three years, despite inhumane conditions at the hands of their Japanese captors. The truth behind the story is heartbreaking. Through illness, starvation, filth and death, these women remained strong, bolstered by friendship, music and hope. These formidable women will long live within me.

Full 5 ⭐️
Highly recommend the audio experience

Thank you to Netgalley for the Ebook ARC of this title, which I read in conjunction with the audiobook from my local library.

Heather is phenomenal at plucking the stories of brave men and women, out of historical tragedies, and shining a light on the goodness and hope that they brought and/or continue to bring to the world around them.

The women from this book, featuring nurses and church sisters, along with civilian women and children, endured unimaginable circumstances as Japanese POW in the Pacific during WW2. Many of these people remained captive for years, witnessing/surviving brutal assault, starvation, disease, and death. And yet, they carried on, taking care of the women and children in the camp around them, the best they could. The systems they organized with little-to-no resources were remarkable, and ultimately led to the survival and rescue of hundreds of people that would have otherwise died.

Music played a major role in this story. I loved the symbolism of women of all backgrounds coming together in harmony to spark hope and comfort amongst the camps. This particular story illustrates the power music has to bring people together and uplift them in even the darkest times.

As a nurse myself, and lover of music, this group of women claimed a special part of my heart. Nurses, and women in general, truly are incredible!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review. I absolutely loved Heather Morris's The Tattooist of Auschwitz series but this one fell flat for me. I struggled to get through this and did not really get into it until about 70%. It then picked up and I ended up enjoying the end. That is the only reason I gave this 4 stars, otherwise it was a solid 3. I do not think I would recommend this book and I know I wouldn't read it again.

It always feels weird to say I enjoyed a historical fiction novel, but I did with this one. I have never read a WWII novel set in the camps for women captured in Japan. The strength these women had to get through being POW's was unbelievable. The sisterhood of the women working together to take care of the other prisoners was beautiful. The Tattooist of Auschwitz has stuck with me throughout the years, and I hate to compare, but this didn't quite live up to that. I would still recommend reading this if you are a historical fiction fan because the story is one that should be talked about and remembered throughout time.

So many moves between camps- so many lost women with sickness- so much strength and resiliency in the women. Another beautifully written novel from Heather Morris, SISTERS UNDER THE RISING SUN is one that approaches World War II from a different perspective.

Set initially in Singapore, there are many Allies living in the area, including Nesta, a Welsh sister that has signed up to support the war effort as a nurse. In the midst they survive a shipwreck, as well as run ashore and are captured by the Japanese. The women endure so much without faltering. They stick together in the most extreme of situations and follow through with a profoundly beautiful theme of inspiring music composed by the women.

If you enjoy historical fiction stories with strong FMCs, beautiful musical themes (as well as true singing on the audiobook!). As well as a unique perspective on WWII, then you will enjoy this story.

Was really excited to get to read a book by this author enjoyed all her other books. I couldn’t get into this book I tried reading it tried the audio version for me I think it was topic and couldn’t get into this story would still read more by author just wasn’t my kind of book

This book really just took me for a ride. I loved the build up, the character development, and the writing. I would definitely read more from this author because her research is unbelievable and I love the end of the book where I can see the actual main character what happened to them after the time where the book leaves off. Amazing.

Sisters Under the Rising Sun by Heather Morris is a new area of World War II historical fiction for me. This story takes place on an island in Indonesia where the main characters are POWs of the Japanese, living in their terrible prisoner camps. The story is tragically, yet beautifully, told with the author doing an excellent good job of immersing the reader in the camps, which are smelly, dreadfully hot, lacking food, and full of disease. The book is based on real people and real events. One thing I really appreciated are the afterwards and author's note at the end of the book for the additional insight they give the reader.

Another beautifully moving historical fiction story based on the lives of real women who survived WWII.

This time bestselling author Heather Morris highlights the bravery of the women held in Japanese POW camps and the courage it took to survive the harsh conditions, starvation and abuse there. This was uniquely excellent on audio as music plays a key part of the story, with the women using songs to bolster their spirits and several are included on the audiobook. There is also excellent narration by Downton Abbey actress, Laura Carmichael. I highly recommend listening to this book.