I have been deep in a romance mode and was a little nervous to start a historical fiction that I knew would hurt my heart. From page one, Morris tells a tough story. This is her gift. She finds real humans and shares their stories so that we know them. She should be proud.

This is the story of women in a Japanese internment camp in WW2. A band of nurses and a pair of sisters and the friends/family they make over their time interred by the Japanese is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. This is history that I did not know and I am so thankful that she shared it with the world. Morris's research is flawless and her ability to create a story from her interviews is top notch. She will always get my reading minutes.

I was really excited when I saw that Heather Morris had written a fourth book, being such a huge fan of her previous work with the Tattooist of Auschwitz series. The premise of the story is fascinating, following ex-pats living in Singapore who are trying to escape the Japanese, but when their ship is hit and sinks, they make it to shore where they are rounded up and become Japanese POW. The story focuses around sisters Norah, and her nurse sister, Ena and the host of women they are set to live with on this island.

I really enjoyed the themes around sisterhood, courage and bravery. These women worked together, stuck together, and cared for each other so deeply. They also found joy in music and singing, and had a shared belief that they would survive this and get back to their families.

However, the amount of characters, and format of this book made it extremely hard to get to know each of them, and become attached to their stories. The POV’s shift quite a bit, and I had a hard time remembering which POV I was reading. The format is also as if you’re listening in on a bunch of conversations, with a variety of characters without much additional context. Because there are so many characters, it feels like you’re getting to know a lot of them at a surface level.

Overall, I felt like this book had so much potential but it fell a bit flat for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Norah Chambers, an English musician, and Sister Nesta James, a Welsh Australian nurse, become Sisters in Arms after the boat they were escaping Singapore on during World War II is sunk by the Japanese. The captured women and children are held in a notorious POW camp and must fight daily to survive against illness, starvation and beatings. I knew a little about this story from the movie "Paradise Road" but this extremely well written historical fiction put you right in the camp with these incredibly brave and resourceful women. Heather Morris does an incredible job making the stories of these women known when they had been forgotten for so many years. The friendships these women shared are extraordinary, heartbreaking and full of courage in the face of evil. I highly recommend this amazing book!

Sisters Under the Rising Sun is based on the true story of women who were Japanese prisoners of war on a remote island. The story focuses primarily on Norah Chambers, a trained British chorale conductor, and on Sister Nesta James, a Welsh Australian nurse. Along with others, these two women could bring hope and even some joy to their fellow prisoners during the three years and seven months they were held captive. Chambers was able to form a voice orchestra to perform for the camp. James and other Australian nurses were devoted to the care of everyone in the camp. The conditions were often grueling. The prisoners were often barely fed, given little water, had to endure infestations, punished for the smallest infraction, and forced to move camp numerous times.

The author has done an excellent job of telling this story of endurance, bravery, and resilience.

Historical fiction, especially based on WW2, is one of my favorite genres. I especially like a book that explores different locales, like this one. Set in Singapore and Malaysia, it tells the story of real nurses, nuns, and real women and children that were fleeing Japanese occupation. As the women were leaving Singapore, their ship was sunk and they were captured by the Japanese and taken to Malaysia. There they were interned in numerous prison camps, as they had to move camps multiple times. At camp, the nuns and nurses helped run a hospital and keep everyone as healthy as humanly possible. The other women and children learned to do their part in cooking, cleaning, etc. to make the camps run with some order. The living conditions were horrific, food was scarce and contaminated, and the guards were far from hospitable. The nuns tried to keep up Sunday services with a small choir. One woman had formal musical training and created a voice orchestra. Each person's voice became an instrument to create and perform the music she remembered. The music created was beautiful and touched everyone who heard it.
Nesta and Norah, just 2 of the many women in the book, were incredibly strong characters and since they were real people, it is hard to wrap your head around what they had to endure for 3 years and 7 months. I found myself crying at different times when they had to say goodbye to one of their own due to malnutrition and disease and then at the end when they were repatriated back home.
The author's notes at the end explain who the people were in real life and a bit about what happened to them after the book time period ended.
I read this in a few days because I had a hard time putting it down. Whenever I had a few minutes or more, I had to return to the story to see how these characters were getting along and what would happen to them next. If you are looking for a quick-paced book about unknown women doing the hard things during WW2, I recommend this book.

#StMartinsPress #SistersUndertheRisingSun #SMPInfluencers
Thank you St. Martin's Publishing Group and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Wow! I had no idea about what was going on in this part of the world during WWII, to the British, Australians and Americans captured by the Japanese in the Pacific. Sisters Under the Rising Sun, by Heather Morris (which I am a big fan of all of her novels), is an incredible, powerful, dignified historical fiction novel, based strongly on true characters and events, depicting in an incredible manner the horror, brutality, deprivation and the strong human spirit of women, rising above their terror to offer kindness and save one another. Just MAGNIFICENT. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the Advance Reader Copy for review. All opinions are my own.

After reading this book, I am speechless. This is the first WWII book from the Japanese angle I've read and won't be the last. I loved reading about the teamwork and resourcefulness of the women as they try to survive while still having moments of peace and happiness. I also appreciate the biographies of the real people in the book at the end. It truly is a profound testament of the resilience of human nature. Highly recommend.

Heartbreakingly beautiful story

This book of historical fiction is rooted in history. The major characters existed and endured the horrors of Japanese internment for 3 years and 7 months, from 1942 to 1945. The prisoners were mainly from Australia and England, with a small number of people from other countries. I selected this book because I don't know much of the history of that area, and because my sister-in-law is from Banka. I wanted to learn more.

In reading of the atrocities, I had to remind myself these things happened in the 1940's, not the 1700's. Imprisonment in terrible conditions, torture, lack of food and medicine and tyrannical prison leaders, I simply cannot imagine how the survivors managed to live through it all. They used all their strength and creativity, calling on power they didn't know they had, until the liberation.

Highly recommend for history buffs and people who admire the perseverance of strong women.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

I’m not sure if it was my heart wasn’t in it or the story. This did not grab me like the author’s previous books. It was a good story but not the level of great I am used to.

I found the story line hard to follow. I did enjoy it overall.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

Not much is known about women who were held in Japanese POW camps during World War II, and this fictional telling of the story of these women helps open the readers eyes to the conditions and strength that these women endured.
Singapore is falling to Japan during the war, and many people board a merchant ship to escape. Passengers included many Australian nurses. The ship is attacked and sinks two days after its departure. Some of the passengers are able to get themselves to shore, but quickly find themselves captured by the Japanese. The journey is long as the women are moved from camp to camp, deal with hunger, disease, and death, and as they miss and wonder about what has happened to their loved ones. This is an eye-opening read about what the real women likely experienced during this time in the world's history.

This book was absolutely fantastic. The Tatooist of Auschwitz is one of my all time favorites and this one was just as good. It was part of the war that I wasn't as familiar with. The women in this story were strong, brave and heroic. I loved the ending and am recommending this to anyone who enjoys the historical fiction genre.

Sisters Under the Rising Sun is yet another WWII historical fiction but this one takes place on an island in the Pacific at a POW camp. It is based on a true story.
I struggled with this one a bit. Look, I'm grateful to the author for introducing me to these women and their heroism but it wasn't all that interesting as a novel. I can't tell you how many times I actually said out loud, "wait... who is this now?" There were so many characters. And most had similar names. I understand that historically many women DID have the same or similar sounding names but the author should have consolidated them.
Characters were also plopped into the narrative out of thin air and readers were expected to just know who they were (and they were NOT historical figures). At 66% a death is written in a way that I guess was supposed to make readers feel shocked and saddened but I just felt confused... Who the heck is this person? They were NEVER mentioned beforehand.
I also had a hard time believing that the women never fought amongst themselves. Really? Everyone was friends and got along perfectly? The only instance of arguing I found was when they were discussing pavlova and who "invented" it.
I listened to the audiobook while following along with the kindle version and I will say that helped keep a few characters separate. The narrator did a decent job with accents (Australian, Scottish, English, American, and English with a Dutch accent) as far as I could tell.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Having devoured all of Heather Morris’s books, I was very interested in this latest historical fiction novel. The story revolves around women (British, Australian and Dutch) who are imprisoned by the Japanese after bombing of their ships in an attempt to flee from Singapore during the early days of World War II through to the liberation of the survivors when the war ended. The writing is superb and filled with many poignant and emotional moments. The resilience, stamina and courage under unbearable conditions (including starvation, punishments of standing in excruciating sunshine for hours and forced subjugation to Japanese officers) of the women is remarkable. It would be fascinating to have heard the music made by these women.
I thank NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and especially Ms. Morris for the opportunity to read this memorable novel.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is such a well researched story that I did not know a lot about. Based on the true story of the internment of women and children by the Japanese during WWII. This is the story of 2 sisters, their children and a group of Australian nurses who are basically ship wrecked and confined during the war. The conditions and treatment of the women was deplorable.

Such a heart wrenching tale of survival and strength!

Norah Chambers and a group of other women become prisoners of war when their escape ships from Singapore are bombed and they are taken hostage by the Japanese. They are kept in the jungle for the duration of World War II. During this time, they deal with all manner of challenges from four of the women amongst them being chosen to "entertain" the Japanese soldiers to hunger and the death of their fellow hostages. By war's end, these women have formed a sisterhood that will remain with them always.

This was a half-and-half book for me. While the true story is compelling and I am glad that I read it and can now speak of and celebrate these women, I found the writing at the start of the book to be sophomoric. While I have no doubt that there was a strong camaraderie between the women, Morris, at times, especially at the beginning of their imprisonment, makes it seem as if the women are at a long-term pajama party. The writing does improve some in the last part of the novel which makes for a fast read. One of the best parts of the book is the brief description of the women mentioned throughout the story. It was wonderful to learn a little about them. The roles women played in World War II are often diminished or never discussed but it is so important that their stories are told.

This is a book that has you reflecting on your own life and hoping you can leave behind even a fragment of the courageousness and fortitude of these brave women. It is one of the best historical fiction novels I have ever read.

For three years and seven months, several hundred women and children were held captive in the jungles of Sumatra during World War II. They suffered starvation, brutal heat, disease-carrying mosquitos and abuse at the hands of the Japanese. Many died of illness and starvation, and those who were able, heroically kept the camp going, whether it be from putting on productions of emotionally charged musical concerts or nursing the ill back to health.

This book is well researched and beautifully written. It portrays the best and worst of human nature. I honestly have no words to describe how much I enjoyed this book. Many, many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy of this 5-star book. Publication date is October 24, 2023 and I urge you to grab yourself a copy.

Women in war—Internment by the Japanese 1942-45.

A fitting tribute to the women interred by the Japanese in Indonesia and Malaya during 1942 until liberation in 1945.
Amongst the internees are a group of Australian Army nurses who were not given recognition by the Japanese as members of the armed forces and therefore not prisoners of war according to the Conventions of war. Sister Vivian Bullwinkle is the only survivor of the massacre of a group of soldiers and nurses on Radji Beach, Bangka Island near Sumatra in 1942, after the sinking of HMS Vyner Brooke.
There are a number of civilian prisoners in the camps like Norah Chambers and her sister Ena.
Combined, the story of these women interred under terrible conditions, their struggles and achievements are monumental. Their gifts to their fellows beyond speech. Music plays an important part in uplifting the prisoners’ spirits.
It’s truly a privilege to read about their plight, their vows to each other, and their bravery.
This book charters the human dimension of these women’s strengths, their relationships, the hardships endured, and their hopes, even as they fought to survive.

A St. Martin’s Press ARC invite via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher

Wow. Heather Morris has done it again! I first read her debut The Tattooist of Auschwitz while flying home from the UK when it first came out there and hadn’t yet released in Canada yet. One again she has captivated me with her retellings of little known stories of survival during World War Two. I’ve read very few stories from the Asian Front and found it extremely fascinating. The women she writes of pull such strength through not just their faith during the most awful circumstances. I appreciate the detailed back ground of each character in real life at the end of the novel it is important to know their names and their story so they are not forgotten.

Thank you to Heather, St Martins Press and Netgalley for the eARC

This book was unique in its location and its occupants; the POWs are British, Dutch and Australian (one American) civilians and nurses (all women) on a remote island off the coast of Indonesia and captured by the Japanese. The story of friendship, love, resilience and survival is inspiring and heartbreaking. The nurses helped heal and created a makeshift hospital wherever they went (the camp was moved several times) and with the civilians (including sisters who “adopted” a parentless child) these women worked together to form a semblance of a life while being starved and worked to death by their captors.

I do have some issues with this novel and those issues may be tied with the fact that I am the granddaughter of a WWII POW. From my research POW camps were far more awful than what was presented in this novel, and even with her descriptions I feel that the author was catering to a more sensitive reader. While much is alluded to, I would have preferred things had been more directly addressed. I believe Morris was trying to present a story where the women maintained their kindness and dignity throughout a time of pain and deprivation, but she definitely focused on the kindness and dignity more. This being said, I did enjoy the story and the women and I am glad that I read/listened to it.

3.75
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this ARC for review

One of the best things about historical fiction is learning about a time in history you may know nothing. Such was the case with the experience of the women who were held captive in Japanese internment camps during world war 2. Morris yet again masterfully tackled the stories of the brave women in a way that kept me wanting to learn more. I loved at the end she put the background of the women, making the story of these women even more special. Being a nurse myself I couldn’t imagine the courage these women had and what they had to go thru. I look forward to reading more from this amazing author.
Thank you to Netgalley and to the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy. #netgalley #sistersundertherisingsun