I enjoyed this book, which is the story of two women from the same family and their experiences during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong World War II
The family prior to war are wealthy and part of a historical Chinese dynasty. They’ve had to escape from Shanghai after Japanese invasion and they’ve e moved to make a new life in Hong Kong. After the occupation the mother of the family who has been having a an emotional affair with a British teacher is taken to become an interpreter to a Japanese official. Her daughter who escapes by hiding in a hole in the ground runs to one of the islands of Hong Kong to hide and subsequently becomes involved in the resistance fighters fighting against Japanese.
There is a sweet love story in the middle of it all with a will they won’t they element which is teased out for quite some time.

I’ve read quite a few novels set in a similar time period and therefore felt knew what I was going to expect. Whilst this novel is interesting from a historical perspective. There is nothing particularly unique about it. I did feel a bit like I’ve read the story before.

The author has a clear easily read writing style. The novel was an easy relaxing read.
I’d recommend this novel for those who enjoy a primarily female based historical novel.
I read copy of the novel on NetGalley UK in return for a unbiased review. The book is published in the UK on the 17th of June 2025 by Quercus books.

This review will appear on that gala UK, StoryGraph, Goodreads, and my book blog bionicSarahSbooks.wordpress.com
After publication, it will appear on Amazon UK/Waterstones

Gripping, heart-shattering, and deeply inspiring, When Sleeping Women Wake is an extraordinary portrayal of survival, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of love during one of the darkest periods of history. Emma Pei Yin weaves a stunning, multifaceted story of three women whose lives are torn apart and reshaped by the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during the Second World War.

Mingzhu, the elegant First Wife of the Tang family, finds herself forced into impossible choices. Her daughter, Qiang, once full of youthful promise, must learn quickly how to survive with little more than her wits. Their long-time maid and confidante, Biyu, is drawn into a fight that tests every fibre of her strength. Though their journeys diverge in harrowing ways, it is love, hope, and the fight for dignity that connects them across the chaos.

Pei Yin’s prose is powerful yet intimate, pulling the reader into the daily horrors and small triumphs of life under occupation. The depiction of Hong Kong in this era is richly detailed and utterly immersive. What struck me most was how Pei Yin captures the immense courage of ordinary women and the impossible decisions they must make, often with no right answer, only survival.

I found this book profoundly moving and eye-opening. There is so little widely available literature that focuses on the Chinese experience of the Second World War, particularly from a female perspective. Pei Yin addresses this gap with nuance and emotional intelligence, shedding light on both the brutality and the small acts of resistance that kept hope alive.

When Sleeping Women Wake is a monumental achievement, offering an unforgettable exploration of love, sacrifice, and the fierce will to endure. Easily one of the best books I have read this year.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

When Sleeping Women Wake by Emma Pei Yin is the kind of book that quietly gets under your skin. From the start, I was drawn in emotionally and found myself fully invested in the lives of Mingzhu, Qiang, and Biyu. Their struggles, their strength, and their moments of quiet defiance hit me hard.

This book made me feel a mix of heartbreak and admiration. There were scenes that left me breathless, others that made me pause just to take it all in. The women felt real, flawed but fierce, and their resilience stayed with me long after I turned the last page.

It’s not just a story about war, but about survival, identity, and the strength women carry even when no one is watching. Powerful, moving, and beautifully told, this one left a mark.

4.5 ★

Stunning debut!

This novel follows three extraordinary women during the brutal Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in World War II—Mingzhu, the First Wife of a wealthy family; her strong-willed daughter, Qiang; and their loyal maid, Biyu.

When war descends on their home, their lives are torn apart, each forced down a separate path—yet through fear, violence, and impossible choices, they hold on to the hope of finding each other again.

This is a story of resilience, love, and survival. Well written and researched. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with strong, inspiring characters.

A fascinating and heartbreaking historical fiction novel exploring the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. This was a bit of history I was unfamiliar with and I’m glad I had the opportunity to learn more about these events. Emma’s research shines through and her writing is so vivid. You felt like you were transported back in time and could picture everything going on.

The story unfolds over four parts. Mingzhu, the primary wife of a wealthy family, her daughter Qiang and maid Biyu who is like a sister to her have escaped Japanese occupied Shanghai for Hong Kong. I enjoyed getting to know all three characters and see their storylines play out, the characters development was fascinating. I loved learning all about the family dynamics and culture of the time.

Hong Kong then falls to the Japanese and the three women end up in very different paths. Mingzhu is saved by her English tutor and ends up working as a translator for the Japanese, Biyu and Qiang both escape and Biyu looks after the elderly father of the friend who gave them refuge and Qiang joins the resistance. It was eye opening to learn of the Japanese brutality during the time and I was cheering for the resistance network. All three women were incredibly brave as they stood up to the Japanese. The storylines come together at the end and whilst they perhaps didn’t play out how I wanted them to it all wrapped up nicely. I enjoyed the authors notes, finding out about the connections to her family, the real life inspiration of the characters and learning more about the Classic Chinese works featured in the novel. A wonderful debut novel.

Absolutely mesmerising. It held everything. Such a powerful story of the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in World War II. It was mainly told through the eyes of three very inspirational women.
Each of their stories was about survival in the harshest times and trying to find their way back to each other. It was certainly hard to put down. It was also a story of great love, strength and heartbreak So well written. I have not read anything by Emma Pei Yin so I will certainly be looking for more by her.

Thankyou Netgalley and Quercus books for providing an advance copy for my review

🌿 ARC REVIEW 🌿

Title: When Sleeping Women Wake
Author: Emma Pei Yin
Release Date: 17 June 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

**Thankyou to Quercus Books for sending me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review**

First of all, I am a little biased because I've been a fan of Emma's for a while (a few years, I think?) now, but all of my thoughts are true.

I'm not usually much of a historical fiction person (depends on the day), but I was sucked into this novel so quickly! The Japanese occupation of Hong Kong is something I knew (really, know) very little about, so it felt like this book was a long time coming.

It was so wonderful seeing women's stories being at the forefront, especially at a time when they are so often used and/or overlooked, as shown in the book. The complexity of each woman's relationship made everything feel so authentic and genuine.

Of course, there were many parts of this novel that were quite difficult to read. The Nam Koo Terrace scene hit me especially hard, and it, among many others, needed to be written very carefully because of the sensitive material. It stood out to me what a great job Emma did of that while still not hiding the reality of the Occupation.

I'm feeling quite emotional after reading this and can't wait for it to be out in the world. I'm even more excited to get my hands on a physical copy because every single cover is absolutely stunning!

5 stars.

Beautiful. Powerful. Heartbreaking.

My only issue with this book is that there isn’t more of it.

“One day, when I become the person I am meant to be, I will find you again”

The plot:
Mingzhu, her loyal maid Biyu and her daughter Qiang are Chinese residents of Hong Kong during the Japanese occupation in World War II. The women are separated in the occupation and must find their way back to each other as well as survive.

My thoughts:
This book was so powerful. I laughed, I cried (a lot) and highlighted many beautiful quotes. This story taught me so much about the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in World War II as well as what life was like there during that time. The strength and resilience of women in this time impressed me so much. What impressed me most of all was the writing the beautiful descriptions of the land and of people and their interactions with each other. Mingzhu, Qiang and Biyu are very strong women and I found them very inspirational. My only issue with this book is that I wish there was more of it. Even at only 20% through the book I was stressing about it ending too quickly. I loved hearing the story of these women and I would read another book about them.

Themes of: Invasion, occupation, war, resistance, gender equality, love, friendship.

Thank you Quercus Books for providing this advanced reader copy for review. When Sleeping Women Wake is expected for release in June 2025.

Thank you Emma Pei Yin for writing such a beautiful book.

Superb and full of life and loss. Set in 1940's Hong Kong during the Japanese invasion. I learnt new information about the Japanese occupation of SE Asia during WW2. Interesting characters and a great read.

4⭐️

[a copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher from netgalley. thank you!]

an enthralling tale about three women during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong. not a period of history I am super familiar with, so it was really fascinating to read about

I know very little of the Japanese occupation, so this was somewhat enlightening.
An interesting tale with strong female characters, each taking their own path through those days.
Takes its time to get going, but uses the time to set out each of the characters and their social standing.
Enjoyable.