The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! π
kelly_e's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Title: Sisters Under the Rising Sun
Author: Heather Morris
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 3.50
Pub Date: October 24, 2023
I received a complimentary finished and eARC copies of this book from St. Martin's Press, as well as ALC from Macmillan audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad
T H R E E β’ W O R D S
Harrowing β’ Inspirational β’ Valuable
π S Y N O P S I S
In the midst of World War II, an English musician, Norah Chambers, places her eight-year-old daughter Sally on a ship leaving Singapore, desperate to keep her safe from the Japanese army as they move down through the Pacific. Norah remains to care for her husband and elderly parents, knowing she may never see her child again.
Sister Nesta James, a Welsh Australian nurse, has enlisted to tend to Allied troops. But as Singapore falls to the Japanese she joins the terrified cargo of people, including the heartbroken Norah, crammed aboard the Vyner Brooke merchant ship. Only two days later, they are bombarded from the air off the coast of Indonesia, and in a matter of hours, the Vyner Brooke lies broken on the seabed.
After surviving a brutal 24 hours in the sea, Nesta and Norah reach the beaches of a remote island, only to be captured by the Japanese and held in one of their notorious POW camps. The camps are places of starvation and brutality, where disease runs rampant. Sisters in arms, Norah and Nesta fight side by side every day, helping whoever they can, and discovering in themselves and each other extraordinary reserves of courage, resourcefulness and determination.
π T H O U G H T S
I had previously read and enjoyed Heather Morris' other novels, and while I understand there is controversy surrounding them, I still appreciate her brining to life WWII stories and consider her worth reading. Her newest release Sisters Under the Rising Sun explores Japanese prisoner-of-war camps from a female perspective. I've read books from the male POW perspective, but this was the first from a female perspective..
The strong and resilient woman in this story were created based off the stories of women who lived and survived the Japanese prisoner-of-war camps. These women lived through horrific situations, yet the real focus of this book is on their characters, their unbroken spirits, and the friendships that blossomed.
Unfortunately, the easy-to-read writing style lacked the deeply personal level of emotion I'd been anticipating. There are so many characters that it didn't allow me as the reader to really get to know any of them that well. Additionally, because the timeline spans 3.5 years in such a short amount of time, it's no surprise I didn't get the depth I really wanted. It's certainly emotional, but I wanted so much more.
The audiobook, narrated by Laura Carmichael, is incredibly well done. The voice characterization of each woman is distinct. As music plays a significant role throughout the story, I particularly appreciated the inclusion of the Sydney Women's Vocal Orchestra performing the prison songs that helped uplift the POWs. It was this level of personal connection I'd been craving throughout the entire book.
I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention the absolutely stunning cover artwork. Just wow! As well, the extras - including an author's note detailing where she drew her inspiration from, a bibliography for further reading, excerpts from family members of which some of the characters were based, and a collection of photographs - at the end of the book added value to the story that wouldn't have been there without them.
Overall, an incredible story of women during the war that needs to be told, yet lacking the real emotional depth and connection I desperately wanted. While not my favourite of her books, the immense research that went into creating this novel is eye-opening and I'll definitely be interested in what story she chooses to tell next.
π R E C O M M E N D β’ T O
β’ fans of the female perspective historical fiction
β’ WWII historical fiction enthusiasts
π F A V O U R I T E β’ Q U O T E S
"I have not told this story so the women internees of the Japanese prisoner-of-war camps in Indonesia will be remembered. I have told this story so they will be known. How can you be remembered if you've never been heard of? Their stories should stand alongside those of all male poisoners of war, their sufferings no less; their courage to care for their fellow sisters who perished and their own survival should be acknowledged and honored."Β
Author: Heather Morris
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 3.50
Pub Date: October 24, 2023
I received a complimentary finished and eARC copies of this book from St. Martin's Press, as well as ALC from Macmillan audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad
T H R E E β’ W O R D S
Harrowing β’ Inspirational β’ Valuable
π S Y N O P S I S
In the midst of World War II, an English musician, Norah Chambers, places her eight-year-old daughter Sally on a ship leaving Singapore, desperate to keep her safe from the Japanese army as they move down through the Pacific. Norah remains to care for her husband and elderly parents, knowing she may never see her child again.
Sister Nesta James, a Welsh Australian nurse, has enlisted to tend to Allied troops. But as Singapore falls to the Japanese she joins the terrified cargo of people, including the heartbroken Norah, crammed aboard the Vyner Brooke merchant ship. Only two days later, they are bombarded from the air off the coast of Indonesia, and in a matter of hours, the Vyner Brooke lies broken on the seabed.
After surviving a brutal 24 hours in the sea, Nesta and Norah reach the beaches of a remote island, only to be captured by the Japanese and held in one of their notorious POW camps. The camps are places of starvation and brutality, where disease runs rampant. Sisters in arms, Norah and Nesta fight side by side every day, helping whoever they can, and discovering in themselves and each other extraordinary reserves of courage, resourcefulness and determination.
π T H O U G H T S
I had previously read and enjoyed Heather Morris' other novels, and while I understand there is controversy surrounding them, I still appreciate her brining to life WWII stories and consider her worth reading. Her newest release Sisters Under the Rising Sun explores Japanese prisoner-of-war camps from a female perspective. I've read books from the male POW perspective, but this was the first from a female perspective..
The strong and resilient woman in this story were created based off the stories of women who lived and survived the Japanese prisoner-of-war camps. These women lived through horrific situations, yet the real focus of this book is on their characters, their unbroken spirits, and the friendships that blossomed.
Unfortunately, the easy-to-read writing style lacked the deeply personal level of emotion I'd been anticipating. There are so many characters that it didn't allow me as the reader to really get to know any of them that well. Additionally, because the timeline spans 3.5 years in such a short amount of time, it's no surprise I didn't get the depth I really wanted. It's certainly emotional, but I wanted so much more.
The audiobook, narrated by Laura Carmichael, is incredibly well done. The voice characterization of each woman is distinct. As music plays a significant role throughout the story, I particularly appreciated the inclusion of the Sydney Women's Vocal Orchestra performing the prison songs that helped uplift the POWs. It was this level of personal connection I'd been craving throughout the entire book.
I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention the absolutely stunning cover artwork. Just wow! As well, the extras - including an author's note detailing where she drew her inspiration from, a bibliography for further reading, excerpts from family members of which some of the characters were based, and a collection of photographs - at the end of the book added value to the story that wouldn't have been there without them.
Overall, an incredible story of women during the war that needs to be told, yet lacking the real emotional depth and connection I desperately wanted. While not my favourite of her books, the immense research that went into creating this novel is eye-opening and I'll definitely be interested in what story she chooses to tell next.
π R E C O M M E N D β’ T O
β’ fans of the female perspective historical fiction
β’ WWII historical fiction enthusiasts
π F A V O U R I T E β’ Q U O T E S
"I have not told this story so the women internees of the Japanese prisoner-of-war camps in Indonesia will be remembered. I have told this story so they will be known. How can you be remembered if you've never been heard of? Their stories should stand alongside those of all male poisoners of war, their sufferings no less; their courage to care for their fellow sisters who perished and their own survival should be acknowledged and honored."Β
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, War, Physical abuse, Blood, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, and Confinement
Moderate: Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death, and Genocide
drowningjeehernandez87's review
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wow. This book was heartbreaking, powerful, moving, and affirming. I really did not know much about the Japanese POW camps during the time of WWII. This book not only shifted my perception of what was happening in places other than Europe during that time, but also made me painfully aware of the atrocities that have been committed but go unknown. I am so grateful that i was given the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book prior to its publication. I want to sincerely thank Heather Morris for sharing the stories of these heroic women, men, and children. I also would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher St. Martinβs Press for allowing me the opportunity to have a small glimpse into the dark world they faced during this time. This was more than words, this was their lives, and this will stay with me for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Gun violence, War, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Murder, Death, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Torture, and Violence
More...