This is a phenomenally written historical fiction. I have to confess that I knew very little about the Japanese occupation in Hong Kong during WW2. A lack of knowledge that this novel inspired me to rectify. The journey of the three strong female characters was both gripping, haunting and deeply moving. Emma Pei Yin has a beautiful writing style that was also commanding and held me captivated. I experienced a variety of emotions while reading. There were times I was smiling, times I could feel my heart pounding and times I was left in tears. The authors' research and subject knowledge was evident throughout and enriched the storytelling.

My sincere thanks to Hachette Australia & New Zealand for the eARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for a review. This is one I'll be purchasing for my physical library in the future.

‘When sleeping women wake, mountains move’. And did the author move me with this one, it’s so heart shattering yet heart warming and beautiful that you will need quite a few tissues! One of the top historical fiction books I’ve ever read, how is this a debut book? I absolutely loved it. The complexity of the characters, the way the author has described the struggles of women in a delicate and caring way and the way she depicts key pieces of history all through the book, is just incredible. I love historical fiction and this has just hit the nail!

A beautiful story of a mother and a daughter set during the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong. A time where women were just seen as something to posses and someone to extend the family line, the fierce Mingzhu was born in the year of the Fire Horse. And just like horse she was fierce, stubborn, intelligent and independent. And like they say strong women give birth to stronger women, she had Qiang. Even though Mingzhu dedicated her life to serve her husband before the war, she instilled all the independence she could in Qiang. And then the war hit, and their lives were changed. They were separated from each other and Biyu who was in name her Mingzhu’s maid, but in reality her soul sister. Mingzhu finally found an avenue to do something for her people and Qiang embraced her true nature to join the resistance. Through hardships and war the three women give their everything to end the war some men started, and through their journey you would learn how resilient and capable women are and how much they are underestimated.

In another masterpiece of a historical fiction, the role played by women in key pieces of history and war which is always overlooked, is shown brilliantly. I couldn’t help but compare this book to The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah which is another of my favourites and if you like that one, you would love this one! Cannot recommend this book enough!!!!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Hachette Aus for giving me a chance to read this ARC!