When Sleeping Women Wake, the debut novel by Emma Pei Yin, is a historical fiction novel that is significantly different than most that I have read. It covers that 3 ½ year period during WWII during which the Japanese military occupied Hong Kong. It’s a story mostly about women who are attempting to deal with the cultural values of the Japanese and the Chinese that devalues women. In the face of hardship of war and the brutality of the Japanese, the Chinese misogyny seemed to have sufficient flexibility after all. The Japanese perspective was women were to be seen but not heard, that women had nothing to contribute intellectually or militarily beyond providing “comfort” to the male warriors. Chinese women were expected by the Japanese to bow to their expectations.

Mingzhu was the mother of a successful Hong Kong businessman. Qiang was their daughter, and Biyu was their maid. Biyu was hired specifically to attend to Qiang shortly after her birth, and a deep affection developed between them, much more like sisters than anything else. In the occupation, Mingzhu’s husband was killed, so the women were mostly left to fend for themselves. Ms. Yin detailed their interaction with the forces in Hong Kong that resisted the Japanese aggression and the many brutal deaths with which they had to manage. It was the war that led to the women being painfully separated from one another, and in turn, how they managed their challenges individually and heroically.

The characters and plot were all skillfully developed. Just as the author talked of the love that the women had for each other, she also told of their attempts to find love of a more classical nature. I thought the author brought the various themes together when she completed the sentence which started with the title of the book: “When sleeping women wake, mountains move.” If historical fiction is of interest to you, especially the war in the Pacific, and especially with parts of the populace that was impacted by the war you may not have previously considered, then this book is for you. It gets my strong recommendation.

1941 Shanghai. In 1941 when the Japanese invaded Shanghai, the Tang family escaped and settled in Hong Kong. It was the belief that Master Wei Tang felt the Japanese would not harm the island as the British would protect them. The family consisted of Mingzhu, the First Wife, Biyu her maid, Qiang the daughter of Mingzhu, Cai the Second Wife and Concubine of Master Wu and their baby son. Wei Tang was the ruler of the family and demanded obedience from the family, especially Mingzhu. With the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong, we read about the journey of Mingzhu, Qaing and Biyu as they take part in the resistance. It is then that Mingzhu finds the inner strength and becomes brave leaving the past behind. It is during the occupation that the three women are split up...with Biyu and Qaing escaping to a friend's house for refuge and Minghzu becoming a translator for the Japanese. This was an incredible story of love and emotion during a horrific time; While you may learn about this history in school, when you read a HF book such as this, you become involved with the emotions of the characters. I would definitely recommend this novel and wish to thank NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book of historical fiction centering on the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong is a tremendous and fascinating novel. I absolutely loved it. It is a page turner but also a beautiful story about three women: mother Mingzhu, her daughter Qiang, and their long-time servant and confidante, Biyu.

After the Japanese occupation, the women are separated and follow their own paths in terms of their interactions with the Japanese army. This, for me, is when the book became unputdownable.

This kind of book is not really my thing but I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it to others. For a beautiful, engaging story, this one can't be beat.

A solid page turner! Historical fiction is a deviation from what I usually read, but I couldn’t put this down. I wouldn’t say I enjoyed every part of the story, but it was certainly engaging. I am Chinese, so it was like a happy little easter egg every time a word or phrase was said in pinyin.
The author did a wonderful job at conveying the horrors of war – when I finished the book, I felt a strong sense of heaviness that remains with me today, days later. Indeed, I even felt devastation and unjustness at the cruel end that befell the story’s first antagonist (before the arrival of the much-worse Japanese), Cai, who I hated (and still strongly dislike).

The three protagonists were all strong and unique – something I expected from the start. What I was pleasantly surprised by was the strength of the supporting characters as well. Sato, Mr. Gok, I’m looking at you. Of the three mains, Mingzhu was definitely my favorite. I loved how she advocated for women (and eventually for herself) and how her experience taught her to raise the bar for her daughter.

The romance was very predictable. It wasn’t what I came here for, and it’s also not what made me stay. The writing style itself also wasn’t the easiest to read, feeling a bit stiff at times. If not for the super-engaging plot and my intense desire to see the three women reunite, I feel I would’ve struggled a lot with the style of prose.

I received an advance reader copy of “When Sleeping Women Wake” from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I thought this was a beautiful story. I love historical fiction, especially when I learn something. This story took place during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong and I knew nothing about that time. I also appreciated the women in this story: Mingzhu, her maid Biyi, and Mingzhu’s daughter, Qiang. Their stories separate with the Japanese occupation but each rise to the occasion and display their bravery. It was a story that pulled me in and made me want to keep reading.

This historical novel takes place in and around Hong Kong during WWII. We don't normally read about this particular time and place, and the author has taken pains to make it accurate as to what happened to one Chinese family when the Japanese invaded the territory, and how they joined the resistance to fight back. The characters are engaging and realistic, and the only complaint that I have is that parts of this novel are violent, because, well, wartime.
Still, the women rise to their dire circumstances and lead the way towards defending their families and other refugees that are trapped in the various battles. There are various real people woven throughout the novel which adds to its excitement and interest. Even if you know little about the period or Hong Kong in general, this novel will interest you for the strong female leads and how they handle themselves in face of adversity.

ARC REVIEW: Historical fiction takes place in occupied Hong Kong.

This is a powerful story of three women finding their path and making choices that will forever change their lives.

Mingzu - first wife to a businessman who does not see her for who she truly is. Mingzu lives to follow the script written by her ancestors until the war begins and she is forced to work with the enemy to survive with the hope of one day living the life she has dreamed of.

Qiang - the daughter of Mingzu, was a disappointment since birth (as she was born a woman and not the boy her father wished for), but with her mother's love and wit. Born into privilege, then stripped away from everything she knows and separated from her mother, Qiang becomes a fighter in the war.

Biyu - a maid since she was eight years old, caring for Mingzu since birth and later Qiang. Biyu is loyal and loving and learns to survive in the shadows during the violent years of the Japanese occupation.


These three characters portray the complexity of being a woman and the many roles that come with the title. The book is full of emotion, and hope.

I went into this book not knowing anything about the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong. The author creates such a vivid narration that you can feel the heartbreak and despair as well as the heroism each character shows.

Received this digital copy for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine Books

This debut novel, written by Emma Pei Yin, takes place in occupied Hong Kong during the three years and 8 months that Japan held it from 1941 through 1945. What a novel! I loved that Ms. Pei Yin dedicates it to her ancestors...! The women in this story are the heroes. There is "Mingzhu - wife to a man she never chose and mother to a daughter she would die for.... Qiang - Born into privilege, Mingzhu's daughter. There is Biyu - Separated from Mingzhu and Qiang, she learns to survive in the shadows". The strength of these women is the backbone of this incredible book! The horrors of the occupation of Hong Kong by the Japanese were hideous, cruel and disgusting! Ms Pei Yin does not hold back...vividly descriptive, she tells it all. From rape to murder to incarceration, the incorrigible way the Chinese were treated by the Japanese was a humanitarian sin!
....There is love in the book and tenderly told.
I will be thinking about this book for a long time. Thank you Ms. Pei Yin for writing it...this is highly recommended to all readers! @emmapeiyin @ballantinebooks

Three women - a mother, her daughter and their maid - are swept into drama, trauma and survival mode when the Japanese invade 1st Shanghai then Hong Kong during WWII. Monumental and intimate, this family saga pulled me in and held me tight as the story unfolded. Evolving beyond their tightly prescribed roles, the women struggled to find their places in a rapidly changing world. Emma Pei Yin's novel When Sleeping Women Wake ultimately shows us the inner strength of the three women as each responded to the terrors and atrocities of a brutal war, while never losing their love for each other and their fight to survive.

My gratitude and thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the privilege of receiving an eARC of this beautiful book. I highly recommend it for historical fiction fans, especially those who want to learn more about the WWII Pacific Theater.

What a great book! I’m so glad I was given the opportunity to read an advance copy of it thanks to the publisher and NetGalley. I had been unaware of much of the history of the Japanese occupation of Shanghai and Hong Kong and the Chinese resistance movement against them. The author did a great job bringing this period to life through the story of three women. It was fascinating to read about their lives before the occupation and how they evolved during it. I found the book very atmospheric and I was engrossed in the story. I couldn’t put it down. Very highly recommended!

Very interesting rea d! How women had to fight to be Women, I've never thought of Hong Kong being over taken by Japanese. Guess we never think of myself as a position. But women were all threw history have been viewed that way! Fight to get education, not owning property, and never having money.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC copy of this book.

This book follows three women during the Japanese invasion in Hong Kong during World War II and the different perspectives kept me hooked to keep reading. The book was written so beautifully and the story was so emotional and will stick with me forever. I really enjoyed seeing the character development with the main characters as well as the side characters. I felt like each chapter kept me at the edge of my seat and I felt attached to all of the characters, leaving me feeling so many emotions throughout this story. I also appreciated the historical notes at the end of the book that the author included.

When sleeping women wake is written about the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong. It has 3 main characters that at the beginning are together, middle separated due to circumstances, and end reunited.
This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. The author wrote it very well, easy to read. It is divided into 3 sections.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
Be sure to look for this book on the best sellers list in August!

What a fascinating story. I knew nothing of the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong and found this book to be a revelation of that island’s time during WW II. I found the story fascinating, the characters interesting and the historical background educational. A must read.

Review of Advance Reader’s Copy

When she was eight, Biyu became a servant in Yue household and was soon was the personal maid for newborn Mingzhu. Over the years, Biyu and Mingzhu grew close; Biyu accompanied Mingzhu to her new home following her marriage to Wei Tang.

The 1941 Japanese invasion of Shanghai was the impetus for their move to Hong Kong, but when the Hong Kong is invaded, what will happen to Mingzhu, her daughter, Qiang, and Biyu?

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Set during wartime, the unfolding story is one of heartbreak, courage, and bravery. Despite the cruelty of war, the love and friendship between the three women never wavers. At the same time, the women struggle as they seek their purpose and duty as the invasion destroys the lives that they once knew.

When the women are separated, their stories become ones of survival even as they hope to find each other again. Their enduring strength and perseverance as they face of horrific actions of the enemy. Readers who enjoy historical fiction will find much to appreciate in this unputdownable tale of heroism and courage.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine / Ballantine Books and NetGalley

Gripping, heart shattering, inspiring and insightful. There are so many words going through my head right now that I cant even pick. When Sleeping Women Wake has been my best read so far this year. We see the journey of three women with vastly different roles and one connection, love. Each woman must navigate a Japanese controlled China during World War 2. I have not learned much about the point of view of the Chinese through WW2 and this provided so much information. This tops The Nightingale by far. I want to read it again and recommend it to all who love historical fiction.

Anything historical is everything to me. This book had all of what I was looking for. I definitely would read it again. 100 percent. Highly highly recommend this to anyone. 11/10

This story is set in Hong Kong before and during the Japanese invasion and occupation. The story centers around a mother and daughter whose lives are turned upside down as one becomes the secretary to a Japanese officer and the other joins the resistance. Servants, who are truly friends, also play a role. The book has some brutal moments. We understand the cruelty of the war and of the Japanese soldiers but the author doesn't make that the focal point of the book. There is also love and friendship and a desire to remain human in the midst of struggle. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC book. It's Excellent!

fantastic book. i really loved the writing about the lives of the three characters. it took a bit of time to get into it, but that worked to set their identities up. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

Going into this book I was not sure how this book would flow. However, after staying up late and getting up early just to find out what happens. Oh; the emotions that came alive from the 3 main characters! Be prepared to cry and rejoice with them.