I discovered When Sleeping Women Wake through NetGalley and am so glad I did. The historical fiction novel chronicles the life of three women during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during WWII. I am not as familiar with the Pacific Theatre of WWII as I should be, so this novel was a great jumping off point for wanting to learn more about the history. The three leads in this novel are all strong and empathetic while being very different from one another. The setting is of course a very dark one, but When Sleeping Women Wake focuses on the personal growth of these three women and does not get too dark, for the most part. I look forward to reading more from Emma Pei Yin!

Fine historical fiction. Set primarily in Hong Kong during WWII, it's the story of Mingzhu, her nanny/maid/friend Biyu and her daughter Quiang as they cope with the Japanese occupation. These were privileged women before the war, women who had been educated and had wealth. Now all of that is gone as Mingzhu finds herself coopted to work for Sato, a Japanese Army officer, and Biyu and Quiang are struggling to stay alive while working in a factory. But there is also an underground resistance movement that Mingzhu and Quiang find themselves working for. Know that there is graphic violence and disturbing activity but that it is true to the harrowing reality these women faced. There are also good people whose compassion is touching. This is atmospheric, emotional and propulsive- it became a page turner for me. I cared for these women, who leapt off the page. Yin's a great storyteller. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Great read.

"When Sleeping Women Wake, Mountains move"

I am awe struck... This book is absolutely STUNNING.

I have only read one other book about the Japanese occupation of Shanghai/Hong Kong but I learned so much out of this!

Mingzhu, Qiang and Biyu are such well written characters. I expected them to walk right out of the pages of the book. Each of their voices are so strong and all from different walks of life. I have a hard time believing just one person wrote this book with how different each character is and how full of life they are!

From page 1 I was hooked, Emma has such a beautiful way with words. I had no trouble imagining the library that was Mingzhu's sanctuary, the beautiful gardens of Hong Kong that the characters would stroll along, or the devastation that lay amongst the occupied territories.

I understood Biyu and Oiang's POV and but Mingzhu is such a TIGER! So fierce, spitfire character. Mingzhu was my favorite by far. Her ability to adapt and persevere throughout the horror's she encounters, the strength of her survival and capability to admit not all Japanese are bad. Her character has such a tremendous arc and I felt her story through the pages.

She said a quote in the book that stuck with me, "Race was just a weapon evil forces used to split societies apart". I think this is such a wise line and incredibly pertinent in today's world. Emma writes with such beauty but her words pack such a punch as well. Scenes of the abuse the people of Shanghai and Hong Kong endured were devastating but I think that brings the reality to the story. I am shocked to learn more through these historical fiction books than I ever did in school and for that I widely encourage everyone to pick this book up.

If you enjoyed The Tiger Queens you will most definitely love this book as well. Absolutely phenomenal book, I finished within 24 hours.

Thank you NetGalley, Ballantine Books and Emma Pei Yin for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of When Sleeping Women Wake.
This is an inspiring, heart wrenching story of strong women who make a difference in the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong in 1941. The history is fascinating and the treatment of women so sad. These women gain extraordinary strength to fight for themselves, their families and their country. I was immersed in the plot and characters from start to finish. Thief journey was difficult but showed strength, perseverance and love of family -all equally important.
I wanted a bit more storyline concerning the downfall of Japan. It felt a bit rushed while all the loose ends were being tied up.
I thoroughly enjoyed this impressive debut novel and I look forward to more from this author.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Beautiful debut novel that is as much about resilience and the grief of war, as it is about becoming who you are when who you were set up to be is stripped away.

When Sleeping Women Wake Is set in Japanese occupied Hong Kong of the early 1940’s - and follows the first wife of a wealthy man thriving under the current British rule, their daughter and their attendant. When the invasion comes - they are thrown into much different directions and we get the privilege of following their journeys.

This is the best kind of historical fiction read - bringing you to a time that is often covered, but a place that is not. Definitely recommend looking for it when it publishes next week!

Thanks to Ballantine / Random House Publishing and Net Galley for the advanced reader copy!
.

War will not break the bonds which unite three women

Mingzhu is raised in Shanghai by her parents with affection and is given many opportunities not offered to most girls. Her father overcomes his disappointment in her not being a son and encourages her passion for the written word, arranging for her to be schooled in reading and calligraphy. Biyu is a young orphan girl taken in by Mingzhu's family and becomes Mingzhu's personal maid, learning alongside her over the years. When the time comes for Mingzhu to marry, a match is arranged for her and she is sent to her new husband Wei Tang's home with Biyu at her side. She bears Wei a child, a daughter Qiang rather than the desired son; he later installs his concubine Cai in the household when she is successful in bearing him a son, although Mingzhu remains First Madame within the household hierarchy The Tang family flees Shanghai and heads to Hong Kong for safety when the Japanese invade the mainland. Wei is certain that they needn't worry, but within a few years he will be proven wrong when Hong Kong too falls to the Japanese forces. In the wake of that occurrence the three women are separated...Mingzhu, refined and accomplished in many languages, is forced to work for a Japanese officer, while Qiang and Biyu escape only to find themselves doing physically demanding factory work and struggling to find food and other supplies. Qiang was, like her mother before her, raised to have an independent spirit and strong will, which she will need to escape or at least survive the many dangers that await the Chinese in general and Chinese women in particular during the occupation. Each will find themselves becoming a part of the resistance to the oppression to which the Japanese are subjecting those whom they have conquered as they struggle to survive and hope to reunite with one another when the war has ended.
Three strong women who represent different strengths...Mingzhu, her intellectual skills; Qiang, her passion to take action; and Biyu, her loyalty to the women she served and her country.....form the core of this novel of historical fiction. There are elements of romance as well, primarily with the arrival of Henry Beaumont, hired as a tutor for Qiang before the invasion, who awakens feelings in Mingzhu she has never felt for her husband. As the story unfolds with short chapters, the reader learns more about life in Hong Kong during the Japanese occupation and the role that women played in the resistance effort. The title references a proverb, "When sleeping women wake, mountains move", which illustrates how powerful a force these women and others like them would become when they are put into untenable positions. Each character is well developed and the settings in which they find themselves are rendered in great detail. The writing is lovely and evocative even when what is being described is anything but. I wish that the romantic storylines were less of a focus and more weight given to the actions taken to undermine the Japanese, but that is just a personal preference. When Sleeping Women Wake is an engrossing novel overall, one likely to appeal to readers of Lisa See, Eve J. Chung and Kristin Hannah. My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for allowing me access to this novel whose striking cover hints at the beauty to be found within its pages in exchange for my honest review.

An atmospheric and stirring novel about the little known Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Told through the eyes of three Chinese women living in Hong Kong, this is a gut wrenching story of the women who survived untold horrors and found inner strength and resilience. Mingzhu, her daughter Qiang, and their servant, Biyu's stories are told with specific detailed intensity by the author, as if there is a personal emotional significance to these stories. Qiang's story of fighting in the resistance was particularly moving, as we watch her transform from a wealthy landowner's daughter to a resistance fighter. These women's stories deserve to be told, and I'm glad I picked this one up.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

When Sleeping Women Wake by Emma Pei Yin is a third person multi-POV historical set during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong. Mingzhu is the first wife of a member of the Tang family. The family is made up of Mingzhu, her husband, their daughter Qiang, her husband’s concubine, and her son. The family fled Shanghai to escape the Japanese and have been living in Hong Kong, surrounded by British culture and English. But the occupation is getting closer and closer and everyone is going to have to make choices sooner rather than later.

One of the major themes is that there are good and bad people on every side and the dangers of indoctrination. There is no mistaking Mingzhu’s husband for a good man as he is abusive and sexist towards his wife, concubine, and daughter on a very regular basis. But some of the members of the Japanese military are actually working to help the Allies and end the Japanese occupation as soon as possible. Where it gets even trickier is a young woman named Hana who has obviously bought into Japanese propaganda but is actually liked by Mingzhu for the most part.

There are a lot of complicated dynamics going on. Biyu is technically a servant of Mingzhu but the two are so close in age and have known each other for so long that they are practically sisters, with the both of them caring deeply about the other’s safety. Qiang has a complex relationship with Hiroshi, a Japanese soldier who is hiding secrets of his own. Mingzhu and Cai, her sister-wife, do not like each other and yet Mingzhu will defend Cai from their husband. Nothing is truly black and white in this book, from people to relationships to situations, and it reflects the messiness that is real life especially in war time. It is easy to put people into neat little boxes, but humans can’t be categorized so easily.

Of the POV characters, my favorite was Mingzhu. She’s very elegant, well-read, and is searching for who she is after she’s had her daughter and is past the age of thirty. I love it when women who are past young adulthood are still exploring what they want from life and realizing that they are allowed to choose happiness, even if it’s only for a moment. Mingzhu finds herself attracted to Henry, a British man seven years her junior who is tutoring Qiang and the pair have their potential happily ever after constantly being derailed by their circumstances. When they’re separated, Qiang and Biyu are rarely far from Mingzhu’s mind and she does everything she can to get back to them and Henry.

Because this book takes place during the Japanese occupation, it should come as no surprise that certain topics, such as sexual assault, are going to come up. There are depictions of assault, murder, mentions of human experimentation and more. There is nothing I would call truly explicit on the page, but the threat of these things is still something that is constantly wearing on the narrative and the characters much like it would have for the people who lived through the occupation.

Content warning for brief depictions of sexual assault, murder, and mentions of torture

I would recommend this to fans of books exploring the complexities of war and readers of historicals set during the Japanese occupation looking for something with themes of motherhood

Thank you Netgalley & Ballantine Books for an eARC ♥️♥️♥️

Set during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in WWII—a chapter of history I shamefully knew nothing about—this story follows three fiercely resilient women whose lives intertwine in ways that had me sobbing, raging, and occasionally needing to just stare at the wall for a minute to process.
The writing is *stunning*—lyrical but unflinching, with these quiet, knife-twist moments of humanity that wrecked me. One second, I’d be furious at the injustices they faced; the next, my heart would shatter over a single line about sacrifice or sisterhood. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to hug it when you finish (or maybe throw it across the room, in a respectful way).
Now, fair warning: The timeline jumps between past and present can feel abrupt—like, *Wait, are we in 1942 or 1945?*—and I had to flip back a few times to reorient myself. But honestly? Even with that small hiccup, I couldn’t put it down. The characters’ journeys are just too gripping, and the history feels urgent and alive. ♥️

I’ll preface this review with the fact that I was born in Nanjing—the capital of China before Beijing, but most known for the atrocities committed by the Japanese during WWII. (Iris Chang wrote “The Rape of Nanking” if you’d like to learn more about this history.)

The Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, however, was not something I was as familiar with. This book felt equal parts inspiring and emotionally devastating—it’ll probably stay with me for quite some time.

“When Sleeping Women Wake” follows three women during this period: Mingzhu, Qiang, and Biyu. Their paths violently diverge when the Japanese invade Hong Kong.

Words feel inadequate to describe the journey this book took me on because the range of emotions was vast. Sometimes historical fiction can teach more than a history book—you get to feel exactly what someone is experiencing rather than just reading facts about it.

When Sleeping Women Wake is a compelling work of historical fiction that follows three women—Mingzhu, her daughter Qiang, and Biyu, Mingzhu’s loyal servant—living in patriarchal China on the eve of World War II. When war breaks out, their lives are upended, and each must find her own way to survive.

The story sheds light on Japan’s occupation of Hong Kong—a chapter of history I wasn’t aware of, even though my parents spent part of their childhood there.

It’s an easy read with good pacing, engaging characters, and I was immersed in the historical setting. Some plot points wrap up a bit conveniently, but overall it’s a satisfying and memorable story.

Thank you to Ballantine Books for providing this ARC via NetGalley for an honest review.

The blurb: "...a mother, her daughter, and their maid—are each forced on a journey of survival during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in World War II, 1941."

I love historical fiction, and this one tells the rarely told story of the Chinese resistance fighters. The story doesn't start with the war; there's a slow buildup. The descriptions are visual and sometimes a little over the top, using two or three adjectives per sentence. The characters were not emotionally engaging, but they were interesting, especially the daughter and the Chinese resistance fighters.

I found the romance between the mother and Henry to be melodramatic and not engaging. However, the relationship aspect with the daughter and those who fell in love with her was much more interesting.

What may put some readers off, and it did me too (I wish there were content warnings), was the intense violence, both physical and sexual.
Overall, this read is a mixed bag of good writing and average character development, with too much graphic violence.

A fascinating and dramatic look at the Chinese Resistance against the Japanese during WWII. However, the author and the editor should be aware that the American Army Airforce didn’t have jet planes until they got the technology from the Germans at the end of the European war in 1945.

When Sleeping Women Wake is a heartbreaking tale of resilience and hope, set during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong. We follow three women navigating this horrifying new world, and their attempts to survive and find their ways back to each other.

Biyu has served Tang Mingzhu since the lady was born, their age difference only being about ten years or so. As such, the two are like sisters rather than servant and mistress, and there is no one Mingzhu trusts more.

Mingzhu’s life has never been her own. The daughter of a wealthy scholar who was married off to a wealthy man, her only escape has been that through books. Being trapped in a loveless marriage and shamed for having a daughter instead of a son, she feels unnoticed. Upon meeting her daughter’s new tutor, she forges a connection that she knows she should ignore, but can’t.

Qiang is Mingzhu’s strong willed daughter, with a heart of gold. She teaches one of their servants and her close friend English, and she can’t stand her father’s treatment of her mother.

When the Japanese invade Hong Kong, they are separated. Each woman has to make her own choices for survival, holding onto her wish to survive this. I adored all three of our protagonists and loved cheering them on! I think this is a fantastic read, and especially important due to this being a period of history that Japan tries to hide.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for my thoughts! When Sleeping Women Wake releases on June 17!

Review will be up on socials in a few days!

4.5 / 5.0 Stars

Three women bound through birth, separated in war, and united in mission and hope.

This novel follows three extraordinary women during the brutal Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in World War II. Mingzhu is the First Wife within a wealthy Chinese merchant family. Qiang is her strong-willed and courageous daughter. They are both served by Biyu, their most loyal maid. All hell breaks loose as the Japanese descend upon their Shanghai home slaughtering many, and imprisoning others. Through all the violence, fear and extraordinary decisions made by these women and for them, they never lose hope of their eventual reunion.

I was stunned to discover that this is Ms. Pei Yin's debut novel. The writing is exquisite and the character development deep and rich. The mise-en-scène is equally rich and cinematic in scope. Overall, this is a story of love, hope, and shear endurance. If beautifully written and well researched historical fiction appeals, then I highly commend this book to your reading list.

I am grateful to Ballantine Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Publisher: Ballantine Books
Publication date: June 17, 2025
Number of Pages: 336
ISBN-13: 978-0593975565

Thank you Ballantine Books & Netgalley for the ARC!

This is a haunting, beautifully told novel that swept me into a chapter of history I knew shockingly little about: the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Despite being familiar with many WWII narratives, this one felt wholly new and disturbingly relevant, especially in light of Hong Kong’s more recent political struggles.

The story follows three women Mingzhu, born into Qing dynasty privilege and trapped in a gilded cage of a marriage; her fierce and spirited daughter, Qiang; and Biyu, their loyal servant and Qiang’s closest confidante. Through their alternating perspectives, the book explores not just the horrors of war but the quieter, insidious forms of violence that preceded it inside the Tang family estate.

The first half of the book brims with tension and melancholy: the cold luxury of the Tang household, the icy rivalry between Mingzhu and her husband's concubine, and the tender, forbidden romance between Mingzhu and her daughter’s English tutor, bound by poetry, brisket lunches, and unsent letters. And just when you think you understand the worst of what these women endure, the war arrives and reshapes everything with devastating force.

This is a novel that lingers. It’s heartbreaking, yes but also luminous, defiant, and full of quiet hope. A must-read for fans of historical fiction that doesn’t shy away from emotional complexity or moral grayness.

“When Sleeping Women Wake” is by Emma Pei Yin. The title of this book refers to a Chinese proverb which states that when a woman realizes her inner strength, she beings to be/use it. The historical parts of this book - as it deals with the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in the early 1940s - was very well done. I liked the Author’s Notes about what she took from history, what she changed, how she got her information, and her reference sources. While I liked parts of this book, at times this book felt more like a romance book - who likes who, as two of the three women had romantic interests. I found this an easy read - meaning that the author’s style was comfortable and enjoyable. I also found a book about this event from a female viewpoint very interesting.

After the Japanese invasion of Shanghai, the Tang family relocated to Hong Kong, believing they were safe under British protection. First Wife, Mingzhu, struggles to deal with her husband’s concubine, while fighting boredom and loneliness. Slowly, Mingzhu begins to develop a relationship with her daughter’s tutor, finding excitement in their shared love of poetry. When the Japanese invade Hong Kong, the family is split.

This book was a bit slow moving at times. For a book centered on three female characters, none of the characters seemed particularly developed or engaging. I would have loved to have read more from Biyu’s point of view. However, she largely felt like an afterthought. I did enjoy reading about the resistance, particularly how the teenagers. Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

When Sleeping Women Wake is a heartbreaking story of the atrocities faced by three ladies who lived in Hong Kong during the Japanese invasion. They lived and loved passionately and suffered for their beliefs. Engrossing to read and educational to learn about these terrible experiences.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story follows three women in Japanese occupied Hong Kong as they navigate the situation and figure out their places. The reader follows the stories of a mom, daughter, and the mother’s maid as they encounter tribulations, rebel, and fall in love. Historical fiction, romance, rebellion, women’s strength, and tragedy… what is there not to love?