Elise Hooper does an excellent job of picking people or events for her historical fiction novels that are a little off the beaten path, so writing a story with fictional characters during World War II is an interesting subject choice for her - as so many authors are writing about this period right now. Thankfully, Hooper sets her sights on the Pacific and bases her book in the Philippines, a country that was occupied by Japan, but that very few authors have chosen to write about. The story alternates between Tess, an American nurse and one of the Angels of Bataan, and Flor, a Filipina whose plans to study in the United States are upended by the occupation. Tess and her unit are working to treat those wounded, and are later interred in Santo Tomas. There she and Frances, a young, smart and resourceful girl help run a resistance from inside the camp that was built and is sustained by Flor and her chaperone on the outside in Manila. The more Flor expands the network sustaining the resistance the riskier it gets, until the threat of Americans gaining ground makes the Japanese more reckless and ruthless than ever. This story is really well done, and in doing so, doesn't hesitate to delve unflinchingly into the violence, starvation, torture and murder of characters in the book. If you are looking for light WWII, this isn't it, but it is an excellent new addition to the genre in a part of the war rarely written about. Once again Hooper surprises and impresses and leaves me eager to find out where she'll go next! A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was a fascinating WWII historical fiction set in the unique location of the South Pacific. Tess (a US Army nurse) and Flor (a Filipino accountant) courageously work through challenging times overcoming the horrible injustices inflicted upon the city by the Japanese soldiers occupying Manila. This novel was so well researched. Even the language used seemed very characteristic for that particular period of time and help bring these wonderful characters to life. There was one obvious error stating “the Philippines are now in full possession of the Japanese.”Hopefully that will be fixed before the final printing. Overall I really loved this book and all the characters in it that quickly transport you right into this wonderful unique historical fiction.

Very high 4 stars for this emotional and gripping novel about the Japanese occupation of Manila.

I am an avid historical fiction reader, and WWII books are easy to come by, but honestly I don't think I've ever read one about the war in the Pacific before. Angels is told from 2 viewpoints, Tess, a nurse from America who spends much of the novel captive in a POW camp, and Flor, a Filipino woman who helps Tess and others as part of the resistance.

This novel is clearly well researched and well written, with a few minor editing errors that I'm sure that will be cleaned up before final printing. Tess and Flor are realistic and sympathetic heroines, both strong in their own ways, overcoming the injustices inflicted upon them by the Japanese soldiers occupying Manila. There is realistic and heartbreaking depictions of violence and death, which I appreciated. I dislike when a novel feels unrealistic because nothing bad happens.

I recommend this novel to lovers of historical fiction like myself, who might also be interested in a new setting over the typical European front.

Thank you to Book Club Girls and NetGalley for the electronic ARC copy of the novel for review.

3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. I enjoyed reading about WW2 in the Philippines, as there aren’t that many books that take place in the pacific and out of all the WW2 books I’ve read (and there are many!) this is the first in that country I’m even aware of. The story itself was very interesting and informative.

That being said, I didn’t really care for the writing style - it had very little character development and was more event-oriented, which I’m not a huge fan of in a novel. It was put together well as far as describing what was taking place but I didn’t feel invested in the characters or like I even was being brought along with them in their experience, emotions, etc, the majority of the time. A lot of it felt like documentary-ish or an observing narration more than anything.

There were also a couple weird gaps at the end in the last chapter or so that I was trying to follow and were confusing. A couple things repeated and then a few more pieces, I couldn’t quite figure out what was happening, as if the ending was sort of put on paper and then not edited.

That being said, I felt like it was better than a 3 star, but shy of 4 because of the style and vagueness at the end.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A moving and eye opening look that sheds a light on the Phillipines during WWII through the eyes of two women and those they associated with. There are not a lot of South Pacific WWII novels, mostly they are set in Europe, and Angels of the Pacific showed the bravery and conditions nurses and resistance workers had to face during the war and internment. A very good read that will keep your interest.

I love historical fiction and particularly the WWII era and this book hits the mark, I could not put it down. I am a daughter of a WWII veteran who had spent time in the Pacific so I was interested in the well researched history that the book covers.
The book is based around the true story of a group of US Army nurses The Angels of Bataan. We are introduced to Tess Abbott and her group of nurses who are captured during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. Tess meets Flora, a Filipina university student who joins the local resistance. Tess and Flora work together courageously through challenging and uncertain times.
There is so much to love about this book despite the intense subject matter and the sadness that is always part of a story about any war. A must read for historical fiction readers in 2022!

Angels of the Pacific is an emotional,, gripping historical novel set in the Philippines during World War II. The third and now the most favorite book I have read by Elise Hooper. Should be on everyone’s reading list for 2022!

December 7, 1941 Japan attacked Hawaii bringing America into WWII. December8, 1941Japan attacked the Philippines setting the stage for what was to be a horrific war in the Pacific. This story centers around the brave women, the Angels of Bataan who were American Army nurses. Tess Abbott and her group of nurses were definitely the heroes of that war. as they served bravely as front line nurses caring for the injured and the dying. Courageous under circumstances that would render many helpless, but not these women. Captured and imprisoned by the Japanese, they were held behind the high stone walls of Manila's Santo Tomas Internment Camp for four long years.

Flor Dalisay a Filipina university student up until that fateful day, lived a secure and charmed life. With MacArthur announcing that Manila would be an open city hoping Japan would leave that city unharmed, many of the different nationalities ran from the Philippines leaving only the native citizens to stay. Marching into Manila the Japanese Army quickly and with rapid speed occupies the city. Flor was immediately drawn into the underground resistance discovering things about herself she never knew. Suddenly she was no long fearful or apprehensive as within herself she finds the courage, resilience, and leadership she never knew she possessed.

Tess and Flor both work together, not only to save lives, but to win the battle and their freedom.

I have read Ms. Hooper's other books before and know she is an amazing author. From the first page to the last you are there in the heat of the battle, with the wounded, with the nurses and with those who stand up for their country.. You share their feelings, their fears and most of all you are witness to these brave souls. There is sadness to the story, there always is when it comes to war, but you feel the exhilaration when the story is complete. Your emotions are on a rollercoaster ride! Ms. Hooper is an amazing author, her writing draws you in and before you know it you are deep into the novel.

My thanks to NetGalley for this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 big HUGE stars! Many thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.

I count myself as a seasoned historical fiction reader… so it goes without saying that anytime a WWII HF book can knock my socks off means something! This was such a beautiful look into the lives of such brave, courageous, sacrificial women that served as nurses (both of the body and spirit) during the Japanese takeover of the Philippines. I adored the characters, and thoroughly enjoyed the pace at which the story was recounted.

Such a happy reader!

A devastating but hopeful novel of the wartime experiences of a team of American nurses serving in the Philippines during World War II. Based on the true story of a band of Army nurses and Filipina members of the resistance against the Japanese Imperial Army’s brutal occupation of the Philippines, author Elise Hooper introduces readers to American nurse Tess, and Filipina student Flor as they navigate these incredibly challenging circumstances. A welcome entry into the popular World War II historical fiction genre, with a focus on the war in the Pacific. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read and review this novel.