This is a powerful and moving tale of courage and female resistance during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong. It’s the kind of book that draws you in to the stories and the characters, and without realising, I finished reading in one sitting. I loved it.

This novel follows the extraordinary journey of three women - Mingzhu (the first wife of a wealthy Chinese man), Qiang (her daughter) and Biyu (her maid who has been loyal to her for so long). Mingzhu and her family fled Shanghai during the Japanese occupation and moved to Hong Kong, hoping for the protection from the British, but as they’re rebuilding their lives in their new home, the Japanese start invading. The three women are separated from each other, with Mingzhu becoming a translator to survive, whereas Qiang and Biyu escape to Sai Kung and work in a clothing factory. Qiang eventually joins the East River Column Resistance.

It’s actually really heartbreaking to read about how Mingzhu is treated in her own family - in spite of her intelligence and resourcefulness, her husband prefers the second wife who has bore him a son. It’s even more heartbreaking to read about what happened during the occupation and what women had to be subject to, but I like the stories that outline that bravery and strength, and that women aren’t always victims.

“…Because once she knew her strength, and her will, there was nothing that could stop her. And it wasn’t just her. It was every other woman that defied the occupation and fought for her home. The old saying held true and would remain so for the rest of time.

When sleeping women wake, mountains move.”

Love a good historical fiction!

In "When Sleeping Women Wake," the Tang family's lives are shattered by the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong in 1941. Mingzhu, Qiang, and Biyu face coercion, forced labour, and separation, but find strength in their determination to resist and hope for each other's survival.

_Historical Context_
- *Hong Kong Under Occupation*: Fell to the Japanese on December 25, 1941, and remained occupied until August 1945, with civilians facing harsh conditions, forced labour, and food shortages.
- *Internment Camps*: Civilians were interned in camps like Stanley, Sham Shui Po, and Argyle Street, facing poor food, inadequate shelter, and disease.
- *Sai Kung*: Base for the East River Column, a Chinese resistance group that employed guerrilla tactics and received local support.

_The Chinese Resistance_
- *East River Column*: A guerrilla force that operated in Guangdong province, disrupting Japanese supply lines and communication, and consisting of diverse members, including peasants, workers, and intellectuals.
- *Life Under Occupation*: Forced labour, food shortages, and disease were rampant, with civilians facing brutal conditions.

_Chinese Literature_
- *The Four Books for Women*: Classic texts emphasizing virtues like filial piety, chastity, and obedience.
- *The Four Great Classical Novels*: Include "Dream of the Red Chamber," "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," "Water Margin," and "Journey to the West," exploring themes of love, family, and social status.

_"When Sleeping Women Wake, Mountains Move"_
- *Empowerment*: Women awakening to their power and potential can bring about significant change and movement in the world.
- *Feminist Themes*: The novel explores female resistance, bravery, and empowerment, highlighting women's strength and resilience in the face of adversity.

When sleeping women wake, mountains move.

Throughout history, the story of revolution is often told through the perspective of men and I’m glad Yin centred this story about the East River Column’s resistance to the Japanese forces in occupied Hong Kong around women who played an invaluable part to it. A mother, daughter and a maid start life together and are separated once the Japanese forces invade but find their own way to endure and fight back in ways which only they could, and that kind of message is inspiring to women all around the world.

I enjoyed reading about Mingzhu, Qiang and Biyu’s perspectives as it drove the plot and story on really well. Each POV was crafted well enough to be distinct from each other and I was looking forward to seeing what happened next in each of them. There are some upsetting moments in this book, as expected in times of war, and I thought this was handled with the due care and respect by Yin to display it as visceral as intended without being gratuitous.

Even though I got through the story quite quickly, I would put this down to the writing style. It was straight to the point and I can’t say it evoked much emotion from me as I was reading. I was invested in the story and seeing it through to the end, but I didn’t feel as emotionally connected to the characters as I hoped to be in a story such of this. Essentially, I wanted to feel more joy, hope, sadness and longing from each of the characters but it just missed the mark for me.

However, this story was great in bringing attention to the efforts of the East River Column during WWII and is a valuable voice to remembering the history everyone should learn from

When Sleeping Women Wake by Emma Pei Yin was such an easy, absorbing read—I probably would’ve finished it in 48 hours if life (work, chores, and all the rest) hadn’t gotten in the way. It’s that compelling, the kind of historical fiction that pulls you in without ever feeling heavy or slow.

Emma Pei Yin’s debut takes us to 1940s Hong Kong during the Japanese occupation, and follows three women - Mingzhu, a wealthy First Wife; her headstrong daughter, Qiang; and their devoted maid, Biyu - as war tears their lives apart and forces them onto different paths. What unfolds is a story about survival, sacrifice, and the unbreakable ties between women.

I was especially drawn to how distinct and fully realized each woman felt. Their voices, struggles, and choices all hit in different ways, and yet their shared resilience ties them together. The writing is elegant and quietly powerful - never overdone, but always emotionally precise.
As a reader who loves historical fiction, this is exactly the kind that speaks to me - rich in character, emotionally honest, and grounded in well-researched detail. You can feel the accuracy and care in how the history is woven through the narrative without ever feeling heavy-handed.

To sum up, When Sleeping Women Wake is a beautifully written, deeply human story about women’s strength in the face of war and loss. If you love character-driven fiction that stays with you, I can’t recommend this enough.

A fantastic debut by Emma Pei Yin

Unfortunately this one wasn't for me. Lots of telling and little showing, I found the characters a bit flat and there was something missing. Not the tyoe of historical fiction I usually enjoy. I am sure others will enjoy it more, probably is just a me problem.

EXCERPT: 'As I said, Mr Nakamura,' I have seen many broken things.'
'I believe you.'
'And so you should. I may not care so much for a broken vase or a broken chair. But I do care for the broken families, homes and land your Imperial Army has so ruthlessly stripped from my people. So, tell me, Mr Nakamura, are those things lacquer mixed with gold can fix?'
Hiroshi blinked, as if taken aback by her sudden outburst. Even she didn't know quite where to look after her heated words. What had got into her? Where did such boldness to speak to a Japanese stranger like this come from?

ABOUT 'WHEN SLEEPING WOMEN WAKE': Hong Kong, 1941. Following the Japanese occupation of Shanghai, the wealthy Tang family flee to Hong Kong.

As the First Wife of the family, Mingzhu leads a sheltered - if lonely - existence overseeing her daughter Qiang and managing the household alongside her devoted maid, Biyu.

But when the Japanese army invade, the three women are scattered. Mingzhu is coerced into working for a Japanese captain. Qiang and Biyu escape the island, only to be forced into factory work then separated after an encounter with the East River Column Resistance fighters.

The longer the brutal occupation lasts, the more determined the women are to resist. And as war rages around the world, each is holding onto the hope that the other is alive.

MY THOUGHTS: A sweeping story of family, love, resilience and survival.

The beauty of Emma Pei Yin's writing belies the brutality, fear, violence and atrocities of war that she writes about. Impeccably researched, Pei Yin has infused her story of the occupation of Hong Kong with the loyalty and determination of the women of the Tang family, chronicling not only their fight to stay alive but their fight for freedom.

I had never before heard of the children that aided the resistance by carrying messages - 'little ghosts' - able to move around almost unnoticed. They play a very important role in this story. The author mentions them in her notes at the conclusion of the book.

I appreciated the contrast between the oppression of being "First Wife" in a traditional, wealthy Chinese household and being oppressed by an occupying force. I also appreciated that Pei Yin has demonstrated that like any race, not all Japanese were bad.

There is a lot more to this novel than it first appears, and I was immediately drawn in by the quality of the writing, the strength of the characters and the captivating and thrilling storyline. There is a romantic thread running throughout the story which adds a little sweetness, a little poignancy, but it is not a dominant one and serves only to enhance the reading experience.

I am impressed by Emma Pei Yin's debut novel and will be eagerly picking up her next.

#WhenSleepingWomenWake #NetGalley

⭐⭐⭐⭐.4

MEET THE AUTHOR - EMMA PEI YIN: Emma is a British-born Hong Kong-Chinese writer and editor. She is the author of When Sleeping Women Wake and contributes to Mekong Review, The Hong Kong Review, Being Asian Australian, HerCanberra, Aniko Press and Books + Publishing.​

In 2023, Book People and Penguin Random House Australia nominated her as Bookseller of the Year. That same year, her manuscript, Chasing Echoes in the Rain, was shortlisted for the Allen & Unwin Voices from the Intersection Mentorship Programme.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Quercus Books via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of When Sleeping Women Wake by Emma Pei Yin for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Mingzhu Tang is the First Wife of Wei she’s expected to follow his strict rules and run the household and look after his children and she does this with help from her long time maid and secret friend and confidant Biyu. Mingzhu might be the First Wife, but she failed to give him a son and unlike his concubine and they all live together. Mingzhu has a daughter Qiang and she doesn’t want her to have to put up with the inequality and be forced into an arranged and loveless marriage like she was.

The family have already fled Shanghai, her husband is certain they will be safe in Hong Kong and the Japanese army will be stopped by the British. The Japanese invade easily, with very little warning they arrive, and the women are separated. To survive Mingzhu is as a translator, Qiang and Biyu escape to Sai Kung and work long hours in a uniform factory and Qiang joins the East River Column Resistance, their aims are to ambush and attack the Japanese and some members doubt her ability to do this and fight for the cause.

I received a copy of When Sleeping Women Wake by Emma Pei Yin from Quercus Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and it’s told in five parts and the debut author did extensive reading on the occupation of Hong Kong which took place from 1941 to 1945 and you can tell.

A story about the brutality of war and cruelness of the Japanese army, the atrocities they carried out on Chinese people and especially women, how the Tang family’s money didn’t save them, and they endured years of suffering and hardship, not knowing who they could trust and spies and traitors were everywhere.

For me the friendship, strength and resilience of the women was the three positive aspects of the narrative and this grew at the war dragged on, Mingzhu, Qiang and Biyu were inspirational characters and so were the children or little ghosts who carried messages and helped the resistance.

Five stars from me, not an easy read but an important and well written one and the Japanese were barbaric.

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.