I have read about the internment camps during WWII by the Japanese in Indonesia. It was brutal, as depicted in this book.. I found it difficult to believe much of the dialogue among the nurses and women. It felt stilted and unnatural to me. Living in such abhorrent conditions, starving, watching many waste away from illness and malnutrition and disease and die and still such civility among the captives. This was a distraction for me. I did not feel this way reading Three Sisters and Cilka’s Journey. I did, however, like the fact that the author told us about some of the main characters, in the end of the novel. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Heather Morris’s ‘Sisters Under the Rising Sun’ is all about sisterhood...be it sisters by blood, sisters in Christ, or a broader sisterhood of women brought together by circumstance. She has written with compassion and sensitivity. The story is emotive, thought provoking, awe inspiring and puts your everyday problems into perspective.

Considering the book is a based on true events, it is very compelling. It's definitely one of only a few books that will stay with me a long time. The story is unforgettable and keeps you thinking about it well after you've put it down.

Although upsetting and saddening, there is such a beautiful story at the heart that makes me envious of the power and optimism the women have.
This is the fourth book I’ve read by Morris and I continue to appreciate the attention to detail. I immediately was able to picture the characters as they were excellently portrayed and I could imagine the whole story with clarity.

This book wasn't as brutal and as hard hitting as some of the prisoner of war books I've read although equally saddening, therefore I feel this could be read by slightly younger readers without offending or upsetting.

I can't recommend this book highly enough, it a definite must read and gets 5 stars for a heart wrenching, empowering, and unforgettable read.

This story begins in 1942 as Japan enters World War II, intending to take over the islands of the Pacific. In December of 1941, Guam, Wake Island and Hong Kong had already fallen, followed by the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaya, Singapore, and Burma.

As evacuees were being carried away from Singapore on the ’Vyner Brooke’, it wasn’t long before they were attacked by the Japanese Air Force, and the ship they were on was destroyed. Desperate to save their lives, many, but not all, made their way to Sumatra, Indonesia through sheer determination to survive. Many others, however, didn’t survive. This is the story of those who did manage to survive, but who were also captured by the Japanese. Men, women, and children were separated, then sent to prisoner-of-war camps, and were moved frequently, treated horribly, fed occasionally, but not enough to survive on. Most who died in the time that they were there, died of starvation, cruelty, or disease brought on by their living conditions.

This is based on the stories of real people who shared their personal stories, the horrors they witnessed, the brutality they endured, the friends they made as time passed, and how the death of so many that had been their friends affected them.

I’ve read a lot of stories of this era, of this war, but this one moved me to the point of tears. This heartbreaking story of war, loss, friendship, love, and memories that will haunt these women throughout their lives is one I will not forget any time soon.



Pub Date: 24 Oct 2023

Many thanks for the ARC provided by St. Martin’s Press

This historical fiction novel, based on a true story and real people, was better than average.
The Sisters are the Australian nurses who signed up to work with the military during WWII.
There are other characters as well. Norah and Ena are 2 of them and they really are sisters.
The thing these women have in common is being ship-wrecked off the coast of a Japanese-held island.
The deprivations and tragedies they suffer are the meat of this book.
I read this book right after reading another historical fiction novel based in Germany during WWII.
This was much better, and it kept me turning the pages to see what would happen.
And, I learned a great deal as well.
Yes, I recommend this book. I would give it 4-1/2 stars if I could.

Oh my gosh. What can I say about this book? It's heartbreaking and beautiful and inspiring. It's the story of women persevering in horrific conditions while somehow becoming more compassionate. The truth of the women and children held in Japanese POW camps during WWII deserves to be told and Heather Morris has done it justice. A must read.

5 stars! Heather Morris has written another incredible novel and I highly recommend it!

This compelling story details the bombing of the HMS Vyner Brooke off the coast of Singapore and depicts how the survivors spent 3.7 years in 5 different POW camps during World War II. Many of the survivors were Australian nurses who continued to sacrifice and care for others even in the worst of circumstances. The women were subjected to incredible neglect and suffering by the Japanese, but they remained defiant against their oppressors. The women came together to support one another, sharing their resources, endeavoring to maintain morale, and care for each other no matter the consequences. They used the power of song to lift their spirits and keep their hope alive.

Heather Morris shines a light on a horrific event in the Pacific and it is a story that is worthy of being told. When I finished the book what most resonated with me was the resilience of the women and the forever friendships that were forged amidst a backdrop of war. Their story is one that will stay with me for a long time.

I received an advance digital review copy of this book; all opinions are my own.

Heather Morris has written another enlightening historical fiction about atrocities caused by imprisonment as the result of the second world war. Little did I know about Japanese camps and their prisoners especially women. This is an excellent novel of faith, resistance, heartbreak, and self-sacrifice of many for the well-being of many.

Heather Morris adds another inspiring story of real WWII survivors to her others which include The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Cilka’s Journey. Based on interviews and historical records, Morris tells the stories of a group of women, including a group of Australian nurses and two sisters, Norah and Ena, who are captured by the Japanese as they attempted to escape the attacks on Singapore. The women spend over 3 and 1/2 years being moved from prison camp to prison camp, but in the midst of everything they find reason to survive, even forming a voice orchestra to lift spirits. This is a story of determination and perseverance, and dedication on the part of the nurses who despite being denied their rights as nurses continued to minister to those in need. It is also a story of the atrocities of war and the war crimes that were committed upon innocent civilians and nurses.
Heather Morris states that these women need to be remembered by name so she has given them voice in this story—sister Nesta James, Norah and Ena Chambers, Mrs, Hinchi, and so many others.
Recommended for readers of historical fiction, especially WWII.

Sisters Under the Rising Sun by Heather Morris Ms Morris says that she has not told the story so the women internees of the Japanese prisoner of war camps in Indonesia will be remembered, she has told it so they will be known. An excellent telling of their stories. They will be in my thoughts for a long time. A courageous, inspiring and exceptional group of women. Nesta and Nora, Ena and little June, Vivian, Mrs Hinch and many more. “Know now of them. Remember them.” Highly recommended.

Thank you to Austin Adams, St. Martin's Publishing Group for recommending the book, and to the publisher, Heather Morris and NetGalley for opportunity to preview the book.

I received a free e-arc of this book from Netgalley. This is an account of the wonen internees of the Japanese POW camps in Indonesia during WWII. I was astounded at the conditions these women and children lived in for more than 3 years. Simple things like water and toilets have never been so appreciated by me. I read this book in an afternoon because it was so hard to put down. I was a bit teary by the end and then reading the biographies of some of the main characters was emotional too as sometimes we forget these were real people and not just characters in a book.