I love historical fiction and WW2 fiction in particular, but I didn’t know anything about the invasion of Hong Kong. This was a stunning book, so readable and impactful. The characters were great, and I appreciated the focus on women’s stories: their relationships and their resistance.

Thank you NetGalley and Quercus Books for this eCopy to review

From the moment I stepped into the world of When Sleeping Women Wake, I was completely enthralled. Emma Pei Yin delivers a monumental and intimate historical novel that explores the resilience of women during one of the darkest periods in Hong Kong’s history.

Set in 1941, the novel follows three extraordinary women, Mingzhu, Qiang, and Biyu as they navigate the brutal Japanese occupation of Hong Kong. Mingzhu, the First Wife of the wealthy Tang family, has lived a privileged yet lonely life, overseeing her daughter Qiang’s education and managing their household alongside her trusted maid, Biyu.

But when the Japanese invade, their lives are violently upended. Mingzhu, fluent in multiple languages, is coerced into working for the enemy to survive. Meanwhile, Qiang and Biyu endure gruelling factory labour, constantly on the run from new dangers until an encounter with the East River Column Resistance fighters separates them.

As war rages on, each woman must decide how far she is willing to go to resist oppression and whether she can ever reunite with the others.

Pei Yin’s storytelling is rich, immersive, and deeply emotional. The novel’s exploration of female agency, survival, and quiet rebellion is beautifully woven into the narrative, making each character’s journey both heart breaking and inspiring.

The historical detail is impeccable, painting a vivid picture of wartime Hong Kong without ever feeling overwhelming. The relationships between the women especially the evolving bond between Mingzhu and Biyu are poignant and deeply affecting.

The pacing is expertly balanced, with moments of quiet reflection interspersed with high-stakes drama. The novel’s themes of love, sacrifice, and resilience resonate profoundly, making this a standout in historical fiction.

I wholeheartedly recommend When Sleeping Women Wake to anyone who loves historical fiction with strong female leads and gripping emotional depth. Pei Yin delivers a compelling, beautifully crafted novel that lingers long after the final page.

When Sleeping Women Wake is a powerful and emotional story of three women and their survival under the Japanese occupation. I loved the writing and the story and the characters too.

When Sleeping Women Wake completely swept me away. I was so invested in the three women at the heart of the story—their strength, pain, and quiet resilience were incredibly moving. Emma Pei Yin’s writing is beautiful and immersive, and the historical setting felt vivid and real without ever dragging the pace.

My heart broke for Mingzhu—I kept hoping she would one day live freely with the love of her life. Her storyline was so powerful and tragic, and it’s one I won’t forget.

The ending was satisfying and brought everything together in a way that felt complete.

When Sleeping Women Wake by Emma Pei Yin (e-ARC)
Pub Date: 17th June 2025

Short Synopsis:
Set during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in the 1940s, When Sleeping Women Wake follows three women, Mingzhu, a noblewoman, her daughter Qiang, and their loyal servant Biyu as they are torn apart by war and drawn into a world of resistance and survival. Despite their different roles and paths, their shared resilience and unbreakable bond form the emotional heart of the story. Through heartbreak, sacrifice, and courage, the novel explores how women endure and resist in times of unimaginable hardship.

My Thoughts:
This was such a compelling and beautifully written story. I was hooked from the beginning, especially by how it centres on three strong female characters, each with her own voice and challenges. Emma Pei Yin’s writing is immersive, and I felt deeply connected to the emotions and struggles of each woman as they navigated love, loss, and survival.

The book is set during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, a part of history that I rarely find in fiction, which makes it feel even fresher and more unique. Even though I’d learnt a bit about this period at school, the novel offered a much deeper understanding and a more intimate perspective. It’s thoughtful, well-paced, and full of quiet strength. I also loved the subtle hints of a love story woven throughout, adding depth and hope amid the hardship. In general, I could hardly find any flaws in this, everything seems so well written and executed.

As someone who enjoys historical fiction, I might be a little biased, but trust me, this book truly deserves to be read. The themes of resilience and womanhood will stay with you long after the last page. This is truly a fantastic story, and if you’re a fan of historical fiction, this is an absolute must-read!

Overall Rating:
⭐️: 5/5

Thank you to @netgalley and @quercusbooks for the eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts on the book.

When Sleeping Women Wake is a powerful, poetic piece that speaks to the experience of waking up—not just from sleep, but from silence, oppression, and inherited trauma. Emma Pie Yin weaves together personal and collective memory in a way that feels both intimate and universal. The language is lyrical, but every word carries weight. It doesn’t shout, but it burns quietly, with purpose.

The emotional shift throughout the piece—from stillness to movement, from silence to speech—feels like witnessing a slow, unstoppable rise. It captures that moment when someone begins to see themselves clearly after being hidden or held back for too long. The characters and voices resonate deeply, especially for anyone who’s felt unseen, unheard, or erased.

It’s not just a story—it’s a call. A reminder that when women wake, they don’t just rise—they transform.

im always captivated by world war novels. and recently ive been coming across a few more of moments of that time i havent read too much into before. and this was another one of those. and it did what i love about all war stories of the time. it intrigued me, it addicted me and it also broke me a little at times. i was taken in by these woman's journeys. their cost, their bravery, their ability to just be bad ass woman when i think about the moments they faced i simply want to curl up in a ball!
this novel follows three woman during the Japanese occupation of Honk Kong in WW2. we have three very different woman. three woman that have faced and will face differing objectives or risks throughout the war because of their standing. they have to balance their beliefs with their need to either act or survive. we have our wealth first wife Mingzhu and her daughter Qiang. but also with them and just as important is their every loyal maid Biyu.
their lives are torn apart when war descends in them and their home. it separates them. with horrific circumstances, choices to be made and danger all around they never stop their sheer bravery and courage and yes hope, that they will rejoin each other again.
love really can conquer anything. it definitely trumps evil.
this book felt very real. the knowledge behind it for me showed and gave me great understanding. although this is fiction it felt like i was learning realities of that time. it never fails to bring me to unshed tears when i read books such as this. but what a book.wow

A very interesting view of Chinese suppression by the Japanese during the Second World War. Also, the subjugation of women in Eastern culture, which saw women as inferior and the property of their husbands and in the case of servants, their owners. It is a complicated story of a clash of circumstances and the old and modern ways of life, and developing love stories which challenge the status quo. A mother, daughter and servant all have their own stories in this beautifully written tale of strength and courage in the face of adversity.

I know very little about Japan's occupation of Hong Kong during World War II, which is why it was important for me to read this book. We get to experience the Japanese occupation through the eyes of three very different women: Mingzhu, a woman born into an elite family from the Qing dynasty trapped in a loveless marriage with an abusive, wealthy man; Qiang, her headstrong daughter; and Biyu, their servant.

The three women are surviving the oppression taking place in their own household when the occupation breaks them apart and changes the trajectory of each of their lives. I don't want to give too much away but I loved the character development and depth in this story, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in historical fiction.

3 stars. i didn't love this one; while the plot was engrossing and interesting (and I learnt a lot!), it was written in quite a "tell" way, rather than a "show" way. i found a lot of the dialogue exhausting too. fans of historical fiction will really enjoy this one, though -- i just don't think it was for me!

DNFd at 14%

Unfortunately this wasn't for me. I found the characters a bit flat but mainly I didn't like the developing infidelity storyline. I didn't feel drawn in and I could see I was going to struggle.

I'd like to thank the publishers and Netgalley for kindly providing me with an advance copy. I really appreciate it.

This is a sweeping historical saga that follows the experiences of three Chinese women, as their lives are uprooted by the Japanese occupation.

Fascinating and insightful, this story will be cherished by lovers of historical fiction. Well worth checking out if you like the genre. It gets 3.5 stars.

Thank you to Emma Pei Yin, Quercus, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

A well researched and beautifully written historical fiction novel following three women during the WW2 Japanese occupation of Hong Kong. Rich characterisation and gorgeous prose.

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!