Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest historical fiction novel by Heather Morris and wonderfully narrated by Laura Carmichael - 4.5 stars rounded up!

In the midst of WWII, English musician, Norah Chambers, places her young daughter Sally on a ship leaving Singapore, desperate to keep her safe from the Japanese army Norah remains to care for her husband and elderly parents, knowing she may never see her child again. Sister Nesta James, an Australian nurse, has enlisted to help Allied troops. But as Singapore falls to the Japanese, she joins a group of people, including Norah, on a merchant ship. Only days later, they are bombarded and the ship is sunk. After surviving a day in the sea, Nesta and Norah reach a remote island, and are immediately captured by the Japanese and held in a POW camp. They are starved and abused, but Norah and Nesta fight to help whoever they can.

This is another one of those heartbreaking stories that open your eyes to war atrocities, but also highlights the resiliency of people; in this case, incredibly strong women putting others first at all costs. This is a book that is made much better by listening to the audiobook - the voice orchestra is not to be missed. I love how these women found such a unique way to brighten all of their days and stand up for themselves. This is powerful, especially when you read the afterword and gain further information about the real women in this story. Highly recommended!

Sisters Under the Rising Sun is one of the best historical fiction books I’ve read recently. We follow a group of women and children who are captured by the Japanese and held in a POW camp in the Pacific during WWII. The conditions in their camp are poor at best, but the women make the most of their situation by putting on concerts, writing a camp newsletter and more.

I loved the characters, and what’s even more is that many of them are real-life people and the book is based on a true story. I really like the different perspective on WWII historical fiction and feel it’s important to tell stories outside of just Europe.

I was really excited about this book and it didn’t disappoint as it’s one I couldn’t put it down. Thank you to NetGalley, Heather Morris and St Martins Press for the advanced reader copy of this book.

This is tough to read at times but focus on the incredible strength of this disparate group of women who work together to survive being held as prisoners by the Japanese during WWII. There are the Australian Army nurses, notably Nesta, sisters Norah and Ena, little June, Margaret, the Dutch nuns and so on, all led by Mrs. Hinch, an American. Know that there's very little back story given for any of the large cast of characters but that won't matter- everything that went before is gone and these women must do their best as a team. One of the most fascinating things was the orchestra of voices put together by Margaret and Norah which not only buoyed spirits but gave purpose. This is unfortunately atmospheric- conditions at the various camps were awful. The storytelling is superb and you will find yourself wrapped up in their horror and struggle, as well as the small bright spots. Do not miss the afterword which provides information on the lives of the very real women in the story. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Great read.

Another fabulous story by Heather Morris! Did I regret finishing this book on the airplane as it made me cry happy tears? Not one bit. What a beautiful story! I loved the characters and it was so very interesting to me that none of the interned ladies were anything but lovely...not one was nasty or selfish. The music was beautiful and the way the ladies took care of each other and then maintained relationships once released. I injested this story and was just waiting until 1945 arrived because I just knew the ladies would be released.

Thanks so much to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the chance to read this book. It was fabulous!

I loved this one and felt it captured a little known period of history with heartbreaking honesty.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this amazing book

Thank you NetGalley for an Advanced copy of Sisters Under the Rising Sun.

I, like many others would ready anything that Heather Morris writes. Like The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Sisters Under the Rising Sun is based on the true story of the women and nurses attempting to flee Singapore to safety during WWII. Singapore was a stronghold for the British army during World War II with many British families living there, along with a large port for both merchant and army ships. When Singapore fell to the Japanese, many families attempted to flee along with Australian nurses from the Red Cross....and unfortunately fleeing straight into the hands of the enemy when multiple ships are sunk in bombings. This story tells of the survival of these amazing women imprisoned in the jungle for over 3.5 years.

This book focuses heavily on characterization and descriptions of events. Although the number of characters is many, Morris develops them so well that it is not overwhelming. It is also hard not to become super invested in each of them.

The narrative was also very interesting. I have read many stories about WWII from a variety of sides, however, this story is not one I had heard or ever read about before. I had never heard of the Vyner Brook (the ship which many of the characters originally sailed on), nor have read anything about Japanese POW camps for prisoners other than soldiers, so this was a very fresh perspective of the atrocities of war.

The main theme of this story is hope in the darkest of times, and how hope above all else is the key to survival. These women were so inspiring in how they banded together to keep both themselves and their friends/neighbors alive.

That being said, there were a couple things I wasn't so keen on in this book. The writing at times seemed impersonal and disjointed. Some of the sentences at the end of paragraphs seemed almost thrown in to summarize, but read as detached and choppy. It was not my favorite book by Morris.

In all, this was overall an incredible story and I would recommend it to anyone that loves a WWII saga- especially one rarely told.

As a fan of historical fiction and a frequent reader of WWII novels I was drawn to this book because it offered a unique perspective on that time period. I also really liked this author's previous three book series, starting with The Tattooist of Auschwitz. And, I loved the stunning artistic illustration on the cover of this book.

I truly expected to enjoy this book much more than I did. Many, many stories must have turned up during the research for this book; important stories that needed to be told. However, in bearing witness to this atrocious period of the war and attempting to cover the numerous lives and stories of these indomitable women, the narrative seemed to juggle the truth with the thread of fiction throughout the story, leading to a lack of fluidity and focus at times. I felt that the way that the different scenes played out in each chapter gave a choppy feeling to the story, as well as insufficient depth to the characters and the places they inhabited.

On the other hand, the author's notes at the end of the book covering the information about the lives of many of the main characters and what happened to them before and after the war was fascinating and greatly appreciated.

My sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the DRC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The harrowing story of POWs in Indonesia during WWII. There were a lot of characters and it was hard to keep them straight at first but it became easier after the first few chapters. I loved how at the end of the book the author wrote about the real life people who inspired the characters and told how their lives turned out.

2.5 Stars. Having enjoyed Heather Morris's informative historical novels in The Tattooist of Auschwitz series, I was excited to receive this ARC. I regret to say that I was disappointed in this story of women POWs detained in Japanese Prison Camps. The story begins with the fall of Singapore and the Malay district to the Japanese army in 1942 and continues until the end of WW2 in 1945.

A ship evacuated Residents and Australian nurses, but the Japanese bombarded and sank the ship. Among many onboard the sinking ship, there were deaths and injuries. The story focused on two women who survived, Nesta and Norah, who spent 24 hours in the water clinging to debris. They and other survivors ended up on a remote island, captured by Japanese soldiers and forced into a prison camp. The camp included Dutch nuns, Dutch and English civilians, and Australian nurses. The men were immediately separated from the women prisoners and interred in a different base. Norah's husband, ill with typhoid, was taken away. The women were moved from one camp to the next. These camps were filthy, disease-ridden, and lacked sufficient food and water. Conditions worsened, and punishments became more brutal when the Japanese guards knew they were losing the war.

The structure and flow of the story were choppy, and the narration was dialogue-heavy. Minor conversations covered some events without additional context. The narration was by telling rather than showing through basic, rudimentary dialogues.

I admired that the author based her characters on real people for us to get to know them so they would be remembered. There is a list at the book's end detailing what is known about the actual characters who form the basis of the story. Learning how the women banded together in sisterhood, sharing, nursing, and caring for one another with encouraging words or hope is uplifting. The survivors of the ship disaster had only the clothes on their backs, while others had money and suitcases full of clothing. This divided the prisoners into have and have-not groups. Petticoats were torn to provide bandages. When a food vendor was allowed into camp to sell healthy food, some could not purchase the much-needed food without the help of others.

The women raised spirits through music concerts, a voice orchestra and a newspaper. I became bored with all the lengthy descriptions of the music. At one point, everyone was sad and mourning the death of a woman who had never been mentioned before, so there was no emotional connection.

Having watched the wonderful TENKO on TV years ago and read about some POW camps, I found a few things hard to believe, such as prisoners cutting the grass with scissors and knives. I wonder if the frequent confrontations with the camp commanders about rule changes and the defying of guards would result in punishment. I wanted more description of the camps and the surrounding Sumatran jungle.

Norah and Nesta became the two main characters. Norah was an English musician, and Nesta was an Australian nurse. They were similar in words and actions, and it wasn't easy to distinguish them. Both women were dedicated to caring for others, raising hope and morale, and volunteering for the most unpleasant jobs. Too many background character names detracted from Norah's and Nesta's stories and caused me to fail to connect with the individuals on an emotional level. As they were moved from camp to camp, new names for camp captains and guards were added. There was never a lack of volunteers to do the filthiest jobs, such as cleaning sewage drains, clearing well bottoms, and patching the roof. Four women volunteered as 'comfort women' for the guards so their companions would be left alone and not harassed or punished.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. Despite my misgivings, I will watch for the author's next book. October 24 is the date of publication.

Sisters Under the Rising Sun takes place during WWII on an island off the coast of Indonesia. The novel seemed to be well researched, and I always love learning about parts of WWII that I’m not as familiar with. Unfortunately I had a hard time differentiating between the different characters. They felt so similar to me, it was hard to keep track of their stories.

It seems like a lot of others have loved it, so maybe it just wasn’t a book for me.

It is painful for me to give this yet to be released book by Heather Morris only two stars after the critical acclaim of The Tattooist of Auschwitz series. This is a story of the brave English and Australian men, women and children who were internees in the Japanese POW camps during the time period 1942-1945. The camps were places of extreme brutality and starvation and the acts of service and heroism delivered by the captured nurses were extraordinary. The disjointed storyline and the abundance of characters that for me were not fully developed, was ultimately the downfall of the story. I do appreciate the research that Ms. Morris undertook to tell this story as well as her previous ones. Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Enjoyed it, but it wasn't my favorite book by the author. I felt disconnected from the characters, like there was something missing. There were so many women mentioned in the book and I never got to know them, that there was more to their stories, especially Vivian Bullwinkel. My favorite part of the book was learning about events that I had no idea happened. Usually I read WWII historical fiction that centers around Germany and the Nazis. It's hard to imagine what these women and children endured in the Japanese POW camp. I loved the author's notes at the end and seeing what happened to the real life people.

Definitely recommend the book. I enjoyed the characters, story and writing style. I definitely shed some tears throughout the book. These women did whatever they could to survive. Look forward to reading more books by the author. Loved the cover.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Sisters of the Rising Sun is the untold story of WWII in the South Pacific. At the beginning the author has a note telling you what you are about to read. At the end of the book the author details each of the real life women, which makes what I just read so much more powerful. This is a story everyone should read to learn about what happened so it does not happen again.

Survival and friendship.

Women being held in a notorious Japanese POW camp during WWII is another frightening example of brutalities that occur/occurred during wartime. I had both the book and the audiobook versions which made a fully enjoyable reading experience. I recommended the audiobook as the female characters form a chorus during their time in the POW camp and their singing/orchestra voices is played during at one point during the audiobook.

During the war, many tried to escape and find a safe refuge not only for themselves but for those that they loved. Some of the women enlisted as nurses to help the allied cause. One of which was Sister Nesta James, a Welsh Australian nurse, who boarded the Vyner Brooke as Singapore fell to the Japanese. Also on board was Norah Chambers, an English musician and mother. Two days into their voyage, their ship was hit and sank. Nesta, Norah and others survived in the sea for 24 hours and once they found a remote beach, were taken prisoner by the Japanese and put into a POW camp. There they met other prisoners of war and formed strong bonds and friendships.

Their plight is a hard one and many did not survive. What shines was their bonds, their determination, their bravery, their singing, and their sacrifices. I enjoyed how the women used their voices to form an orchestra which lifted their spirits and entertained others.

This book, like Heather Morris's other books, is well written, well thought out, and depicts a horrific time in history. I appreciate that she based this book on the real life Nesta James and Norah Chambers, along with 500 hundred other women who were kept in POW camps in the jungle. Parts of this book may be difficult for some to read but know that the scenes are not graphic.

While this was not my favorite book by Heather Morris, I still found it to be impactful, moving and gripping. Knowing that this is based on real people and events in history, makes it even more powerful.

Well written, moving and depicting deep female bonds.

Received as a free ARC from NetGalley.

Heather Morris has done it again. She tells us a story based on true facts and then adds her magic. The book takes readers to Asia. She tells the suffering, dreams, and hopes of Australian nurses taken as Japanese POWs. I fell in love with the characters who although strangers eventually became more than friends, but sisters. I love the narrator of the book and the cherry on top is the music added that the nurses sang/played/heard and the author's note. The author's note explains the true story the book inspired Heather Morris to write.

I listened to the audiobook and also read the ebook. I wish history in high school were taught through novels. I would've learned so much more! I find that Heather Morris does so much research and listens so well that she tells the story that the people involved feel heard and respected. The story of Norah and Nesta and the nurses and women with whom they were imprisoned is both heartbreaking and empowering. This book tells how kindness, courage, and determination can affect lives for generations.

I've read all of Heather Morris's books, including the popular "The Tattooist of Auschwitz," but I have to say that "Sisters Under the Rising Sun" is my favorite. It is the truly inspirational story of life in a Japanese POW camp in the middle of the jungle in Indonesia. The descriptions of life in the camp are at times difficult to read, but the strength and resilience of the women, as well as their love for each other, outshine the horrors of camp life.

This is a book that will haunt me for quite some time. While the market is a bit saturated with historical fiction set during World War II, this is the first book I've read about women POWs. The characters. who are based on real people, came alive to me and my heart was touched by their will to survive appalling conditions while still retaining their humanity.

From the author: "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...alongside those of all male prisoners of war, their suffering no less." The subject of this book was new to me and I thank the author for educating me about an aspect of World War II about which I knew nothing. In an world where we are so quick to desire conflict, it is important that stories of the actual consequences of these conflicts be told.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Heather Morris for the privilege of reading an advanced digital copy of this book.

During World War II, Singapore is attacked by the Japanese. Attempting to flee to safety, a group of Australian nurses and civilian families board a ship that is bombarded before clearing the islands. The survivors are soon taken by the Japanese as POWs. Their story is heartbreaking but also filled with hope, strength, love, and compassion.
Heather Morris is one of my favorite authors. This book shows the strength and courage of the women and children in the POW camps. They form a sisterhood during the horrors of war. This story is filled with sadness and beauty and music. The many women in the book can be confusing at times but they are truly heroic. I recommend this book if you like to read WWII historic fiction.

I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an early copy of this book.

Heather Morris does it again. The amount of research she does for her books is unmatched. I also love how she incorporates real people as her characters. The writing was so detailed that I could imagine myself in the camp with the women. My only suggestion would be to narrow down the time period at the beginning of the chapters. It was confusing to have chapter after chapter with the same year timeframe. The author’s notes at the end was one to not miss! This is a book I will be recommending!

Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have read all of Heather Morris's books and I have to say that this one is probably the one I liked the least.
The story is about a group of women and children held in a Japanese prisoner of war camp for three and a half years; among these women are a group of Australian nurses. The prisoners are moved many times to new camps, with changes in the commanding officers and living conditions
There are a lot of different characters in this story as we follow along in their torments and triumphs of their survival.
I had a harder time connecting with the characters of this story then with her other books, I'm not really sure why. I did enjoy this novel and I'm sure others will as well, I just didn't love it.