What do you think?
Rate this book
Stone Angels
In this extraordinary novel, a forty-year-old woman journeys to her cultural homeland—and uncovers a harrowing secret that makes her rethink everything she thought she knew about her mother.
"An unforgettable story about mothers, daughters, and sisters reaching inward for solace and strength when society has failed them, ultimately triumphant in love." ―Jimin Han, author of The Apology
Angelina Lee feels like she doesn’t belong. Newly divorced and completely unmoored by the sudden, tragic death of her mother, she hopes studying Korean will reconnect her to her roots. But nothing about Seoul feels familiar. Further complicating matters is the resurgence of an alluring man from Angelina’s past, and fellow classmate Keisuke Ono, an irritatingly good-looking Japanese American journalist who refuses to leave her alone.
Angelina is reluctant to admit the true reason for her trip—trying to understand her mother's suicide. A shocking conversation with an estranged relative proves her suspicion her mother had an older sister, Sunyuh, who disappeared under the Japanese occupation of Korea during WWII—a secret the family buried for over sixty years.
Angelina knows, deep down, her mother’s fateful decision must be linked to Sunyuh. To find answers, Angelina embarks on a journey that takes her across oceans and continents, and challenges everything she believed about herself and her heritage.
Told through the bold, determined voices of three women, this poignant family drama explores love, grief, healing, and the complicated love that exists between mothers and daughters. It’s about the questions we wish we had asked lost relatives, the lives we could have lived had we made different choices, and, above all, second chances.
"At turns lyrical and raw, Stone Angels is a haunting novel that will stay with the reader long past the final page, perfect for fans of Min Jin Lee’s Pachinko or Jing-Jing Lee’s How We Disappeared." ―A.H. Kim, author of A Good Family and Relative Strangers
"An unforgettable story about mothers, daughters, and sisters reaching inward for solace and strength when society has failed them, ultimately triumphant in love." ―Jimin Han, author of The Apology
Angelina Lee feels like she doesn’t belong. Newly divorced and completely unmoored by the sudden, tragic death of her mother, she hopes studying Korean will reconnect her to her roots. But nothing about Seoul feels familiar. Further complicating matters is the resurgence of an alluring man from Angelina’s past, and fellow classmate Keisuke Ono, an irritatingly good-looking Japanese American journalist who refuses to leave her alone.
Angelina is reluctant to admit the true reason for her trip—trying to understand her mother's suicide. A shocking conversation with an estranged relative proves her suspicion her mother had an older sister, Sunyuh, who disappeared under the Japanese occupation of Korea during WWII—a secret the family buried for over sixty years.
Angelina knows, deep down, her mother’s fateful decision must be linked to Sunyuh. To find answers, Angelina embarks on a journey that takes her across oceans and continents, and challenges everything she believed about herself and her heritage.
Told through the bold, determined voices of three women, this poignant family drama explores love, grief, healing, and the complicated love that exists between mothers and daughters. It’s about the questions we wish we had asked lost relatives, the lives we could have lived had we made different choices, and, above all, second chances.
"At turns lyrical and raw, Stone Angels is a haunting novel that will stay with the reader long past the final page, perfect for fans of Min Jin Lee’s Pachinko or Jing-Jing Lee’s How We Disappeared." ―A.H. Kim, author of A Good Family and Relative Strangers
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 4, 2024
18 people are currently reading
14337 people want to read
About the author
Helena Rho
2 books99 followersWriter. Doctor. Korean green tea aficionada.
A devoted fan of the haenyeo of Jeju Island.
A devoted fan of the haenyeo of Jeju Island.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
March 13, 2025
A beautifully written historical fiction. As Angelina embarks on a solo trip to Korea after her tumultuous divorce and the tragic loss of her mother, she uncovers a family secret. While searching for her long lost Aunt, Angelina also rediscovers herself and begins to understand her strengths and rebuild her confidence and support network.
July 31, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-galley! I really enjoyed this: I've been into historical fiction and non-fiction lately and have not delved much into Asian history, as I've been focusing more on my own heritage. The incredibly important and not often talked about issue of Korean "comfort women" the Japanese enslaved for decades was something I knew about, but I'm not that well versed on Asian history of the last century or two. This tells the story of Angelina, a Korean-American woman visiting Korea to discover more about her mother's family and kind of find herself, I guess I'd say. The story goes back and forth between her mother and aunt in the past, and Angelina in the present. Angelina is a recently divorced mom who's struggling with her mother's suicide and her life choices, mostly of men: she has two affairs while traveling, one with an old best friend who she "should have married", and with a younger Asian American man she meets. She eventually opens up to the younger, completely non-toxic man and discovers/deals with some sore family history as she searches for traces of her elderly aunt, who was a "comfort woman" kidnapped and enslaved by the Japanese. This bogged down a little for me in some of Angelina's parts and I got a little tired of the men and affairs-stuff, but her story was cohesive and I enjoyed it, especially the history!
January 12, 2025
4.5 stars
Angelina Lee, an Korean-American is trying to come in terms with her mother, Gongju 's suicide. She is one of the four daughters of Gongju, where she sets out to find answers to her mother's actions and buried family secrets, all the while tangled with her divorce and heart breaks. Jumping between Angelina's timeline and her aunt Sunyuh's, we see the women grappling with abuse, social/cultural pressure in modern and WWII era, side by side.
It was a great story of family, love, loss, grief, healing and strong women. It gives a strong message on moving on and self acceptance. No matter what we do, the path is ridden with mistakes and regret and never let these you from doing what you want to do next.
I thank Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Happy Reading!!
Angelina Lee, an Korean-American is trying to come in terms with her mother, Gongju 's suicide. She is one of the four daughters of Gongju, where she sets out to find answers to her mother's actions and buried family secrets, all the while tangled with her divorce and heart breaks. Jumping between Angelina's timeline and her aunt Sunyuh's, we see the women grappling with abuse, social/cultural pressure in modern and WWII era, side by side.
It was a great story of family, love, loss, grief, healing and strong women. It gives a strong message on moving on and self acceptance. No matter what we do, the path is ridden with mistakes and regret and never let these you from doing what you want to do next.
I thank Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Happy Reading!!
July 26, 2024
Almost sixty revolutions around the sun and you think I'd know myself better than this. Every now and then, I like to step outside my normal genre because apparently I think I'm more cultured than I really am or that I should be. So I try, but I don't have many successes. This was a perfectly lovely story told in a perfectly lovely way. I think many will enjoy it. Me, I think I'll just stick with my thrillers, contemporary romances, and some occasional historical fiction when I'm feeling the need to get some much needed culture street cred.
Read
March 28, 2025Stone Angels is fascinating and skillfully written. The engaging and ambitious story was difficult to read at times due to traumatic experiences displayed yet has a vivid sense of period and place.
December 11, 2024
The vibrant art on this stunning book cover grabbed our attention immediately. I’m excited to grab this hardcover to add to my shelves! It was so refreshing to read a WWII era book that wasn’t set in Europe with multiple POV! We hear from three generations of women from a Korean family. This book really takes you through so many emotions as our MC Angela, travels to Korea, her mother’s home, after her mother’s death. Learning that her mother had a sister, Sunyuh! Angela suddenly is desperate to find her Aunt Sunyah! (Sunyuh was abducted by the Japanese army during their occupation of Korea and used as a "comfort girl" for the army.) Spoiler….they do find Sunyuh and let me tell you Sunyahs story is soo riveting… it was my personal favorite part of the book! This is a fantastic HF that you don’t want to miss!
2025
October 3, 2025ANHPI TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing
March 5, 2025
4.5/5
With expertly crafted storytelling, Stone Angels by Helena Rho draws us into the lives of three women: Angelina, Gongju, and Sunyuh. Touching on the struggles of motherhood, cultural obligations, and the often complicated relationships between mothers and daughters, Rho leads us on a journey of family trauma and the ripples it leaves for generations.
When her mother makes the ultimate life-altering decision, Angelina is left searching for a reason why. In her quest for answers, she rekindles her connection to her homeland and finds herself in more ways than one. I love when a story helps me gain understanding of complex characters through their growth and realizations.
I applaud Rho for bringing one of history's greatest tragedies to the forefront in Stone Angels. Lifting the cloak of shame these women endured and giving them the respect they deserve, Stone Angels is a must-read for everyone!
Read this if you like:
• Multigenerational sagas
• Exploring mother/daughter relationships
• Asian literature
• Historical fiction
• Bookclub reads
With expertly crafted storytelling, Stone Angels by Helena Rho draws us into the lives of three women: Angelina, Gongju, and Sunyuh. Touching on the struggles of motherhood, cultural obligations, and the often complicated relationships between mothers and daughters, Rho leads us on a journey of family trauma and the ripples it leaves for generations.
When her mother makes the ultimate life-altering decision, Angelina is left searching for a reason why. In her quest for answers, she rekindles her connection to her homeland and finds herself in more ways than one. I love when a story helps me gain understanding of complex characters through their growth and realizations.
I applaud Rho for bringing one of history's greatest tragedies to the forefront in Stone Angels. Lifting the cloak of shame these women endured and giving them the respect they deserve, Stone Angels is a must-read for everyone!
Read this if you like:
• Multigenerational sagas
• Exploring mother/daughter relationships
• Asian literature
• Historical fiction
• Bookclub reads
May 2, 2025
This is a great story about strong women, grief, family and love. The story has multiple points of view and my favorite was Sunyuh's story. This was a story that needed to be told! But get ready, it's an emotional one! It has a powerful message of acceptance of self and learning to move on and let go. Great read! Thank you Book Sparks and Helena Rho for sharing this book with me!
March 16, 2025
I was especially excited to read this book because I lived in South Korea for several years and married into an Asian family. Our FMC's descriptions of her travels across Korea and the incredible food brought back so many memories, making this an immersive and nostalgic read.
Angelina Lee feels raw after her divorce and the sudden loss of her mother, hoping that studying Korean in Seoul will help her reconnect with her roots. Instead, she finds herself more lost than ever, entangled with a man from her past and an infuriatingly charming journalist, Keisuke Ono. She believes the key to understanding her mother’s suicide lies in Sunyuh, the aunt she never knew existed until recently, who vanished during the Japanese occupation of Korea. Determined to uncover the truth, Angelina embarks on a journey across continents that forces her to confront buried family secrets, reevaluate her identity, and redefine love, loss, and the ties between mothers and daughters.
The novel unfolds through multiple points of view across different timelines, gradually revealing the family’s story. The household dynamics for this place and era are infuriating like so much of history, particularly for women. The pressure is relentless, and no choice seems to lead to true happiness. If you conform, you sacrifice yourself. If you choose personal happiness, you risk being cast out. Through generations, we see how this toxic system continues to shape the women in this family’s fate.
Angelina, as a character, frustrated me at times. She pushes people away and often leans into pessimism. While her reasons are valid, it was gratifying to see her growth throughout the novel.
This book also sheds light on the awful history of “comfort women” during WWII, women who were sex trafficked and endured unimaginable suffering. Those parts of the novel were particularly heartbreaking but so important to acknowledge.
If you enjoy stories about family legacies, Asian culture, historical fiction, and a touch of romance, I highly recommend Stone Angels.
Thank you, NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing, for this eARC!
Angelina Lee feels raw after her divorce and the sudden loss of her mother, hoping that studying Korean in Seoul will help her reconnect with her roots. Instead, she finds herself more lost than ever, entangled with a man from her past and an infuriatingly charming journalist, Keisuke Ono. She believes the key to understanding her mother’s suicide lies in Sunyuh, the aunt she never knew existed until recently, who vanished during the Japanese occupation of Korea. Determined to uncover the truth, Angelina embarks on a journey across continents that forces her to confront buried family secrets, reevaluate her identity, and redefine love, loss, and the ties between mothers and daughters.
The novel unfolds through multiple points of view across different timelines, gradually revealing the family’s story. The household dynamics for this place and era are infuriating like so much of history, particularly for women. The pressure is relentless, and no choice seems to lead to true happiness. If you conform, you sacrifice yourself. If you choose personal happiness, you risk being cast out. Through generations, we see how this toxic system continues to shape the women in this family’s fate.
Angelina, as a character, frustrated me at times. She pushes people away and often leans into pessimism. While her reasons are valid, it was gratifying to see her growth throughout the novel.
This book also sheds light on the awful history of “comfort women” during WWII, women who were sex trafficked and endured unimaginable suffering. Those parts of the novel were particularly heartbreaking but so important to acknowledge.
If you enjoy stories about family legacies, Asian culture, historical fiction, and a touch of romance, I highly recommend Stone Angels.
Thank you, NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing, for this eARC!
March 3, 2025
Stone Angels by Helena Rho. Thanks to @booksparks #wrc2025 for the gifted copy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Angelina is newly divorced and trying to reconnect with her Korean roots to understand her mother’s suicide. She uncovers a secret about an unknown aunt during ww2.
This was a fascinating historical fiction tale with layers of female family relationships. It really showed how trauma is passed down generationally and how culture plays into our responses to trauma. I did wish that more of the past and Sunyuh’s time was shown, but the scenes about this were so traumatic and difficult to read. It is an important event in history to read about, as many are not aware.
Stone Angels comes out 3/4.
Angelina is newly divorced and trying to reconnect with her Korean roots to understand her mother’s suicide. She uncovers a secret about an unknown aunt during ww2.
This was a fascinating historical fiction tale with layers of female family relationships. It really showed how trauma is passed down generationally and how culture plays into our responses to trauma. I did wish that more of the past and Sunyuh’s time was shown, but the scenes about this were so traumatic and difficult to read. It is an important event in history to read about, as many are not aware.
Stone Angels comes out 3/4.
December 25, 2024
Five stars based on exquisite writing and devotion to the historical necessity of preserving the story of “comfort women”.
Before and during WWII, the Japanese forced thousands of young girls and women into sexual slavery to serve the “needs” of their armies. This novel, based on fact, explores the atrocities forced on these women and the irreparable harm done to them and their families. A fictional niece that serves as the main character in the present day supplies some of the book’s tension and romantic conflict.
The book was well written, characters were superbly developed, and this was definitely a story that needed to be told. My only criticism is the current day love story tended to overshadow the much more important historical one.
Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing/The Hatchet Group for the ARC to read and review.
Before and during WWII, the Japanese forced thousands of young girls and women into sexual slavery to serve the “needs” of their armies. This novel, based on fact, explores the atrocities forced on these women and the irreparable harm done to them and their families. A fictional niece that serves as the main character in the present day supplies some of the book’s tension and romantic conflict.
The book was well written, characters were superbly developed, and this was definitely a story that needed to be told. My only criticism is the current day love story tended to overshadow the much more important historical one.
Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing/The Hatchet Group for the ARC to read and review.
March 10, 2025
A moving and emotional account of three women in a Korean family, in the timelines of WWII and 2006. Gongju was young at the beginning of the war, when her older sister went missing. That loss impacted her for the rest of her life, as they were very close. Leaving Korea when she was unable to provide her husband with a son, the family moved with their daughters to America. In 2006, Angelina is reeling from her divorce and the death of her mother, Gongju. Although 40 years old, Angelina is enrolled in a university program in Korea, where her outlook on life changes as she finds out she has an aunt she didn’t know about. Sunyuh’s story is heart wrenching, describing her experiences as a victim of the military sexual slavery by the Japanese of Korean women. The horrors she went through are vividly described, an important part of history highlighted in this well written, absorbing novel. I highly recommend this work of historical fiction. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
March 5, 2025
What a book! I will most definitely be thinking and talking about this one for a very long time.
Angelina Lee, recently divorced, has decided to return to South Korea to learn Korean in depth. While there, she wants to connect with her mother, GongJu's, family. Her mother recently committed suicide, and she hopes to find some answers. After speaking to her mother's family, she finds out that her mother had an older sister named SunYah. SunYah disappeared under the Japanese occupation of Korea during WWII. Everyone believes SunYah is dead, but Angelina is convinced she is still out there and is determined to find her. With the help of her classmate, Keisuke Ono, a Japanese journalist, she embarks on a journey to learn the truth.
This was such a riveting, emotional, and thought-provoking read. Told in the POVs of Angelina, GongJu, and SunYah, and in multiple timelines, I was completely immersed! The author covers a topic you don't really hear about, and I really appreciate that she did. I learned about the "comfort women" of WWII and definitely went down the Google rabbit hole. It is an extremely devastating part of history that is not really discussed, and I do think it needs to be. Some of them were not even women yet but girls who were either taken or went under false pretenses of getting a job, then forced into sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces. It was incredibly heartbreaking to read about! I do wish there were more chapters in SunYah's point of view. But this was a great book about family, loss, grief, and love. I would HIGHLY recommend this one!
Angelina Lee, recently divorced, has decided to return to South Korea to learn Korean in depth. While there, she wants to connect with her mother, GongJu's, family. Her mother recently committed suicide, and she hopes to find some answers. After speaking to her mother's family, she finds out that her mother had an older sister named SunYah. SunYah disappeared under the Japanese occupation of Korea during WWII. Everyone believes SunYah is dead, but Angelina is convinced she is still out there and is determined to find her. With the help of her classmate, Keisuke Ono, a Japanese journalist, she embarks on a journey to learn the truth.
This was such a riveting, emotional, and thought-provoking read. Told in the POVs of Angelina, GongJu, and SunYah, and in multiple timelines, I was completely immersed! The author covers a topic you don't really hear about, and I really appreciate that she did. I learned about the "comfort women" of WWII and definitely went down the Google rabbit hole. It is an extremely devastating part of history that is not really discussed, and I do think it needs to be. Some of them were not even women yet but girls who were either taken or went under false pretenses of getting a job, then forced into sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces. It was incredibly heartbreaking to read about! I do wish there were more chapters in SunYah's point of view. But this was a great book about family, loss, grief, and love. I would HIGHLY recommend this one!
March 7, 2025
Thank you so much @BookSparks #WRC2025 for my complimentary copy of this lovely book and for choosing me as a Winter Reading Challenge Ambassador! All opinions expressed are my own.
Recently divorced, Angelina travels to her cultural homeland to learn the language and seek her deceased mother’s family. She uncovers a buried family secret: her mother had a sister, Sunyuh, who vanished during the Japanese occupation of Korea in WWII. As Angelina digs for the truth, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery. The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of Angelina, her aunt, and her mother, and explores themes of grief, guilt, sacrifice, love, and forgiveness, with trigger warnings for rape and infidelity.
This gripping story captivated me from the start, featuring well-rounded characters and highlighting Angelina’s path to healing after her divorce. I appreciated the insights into Asian culture and the harrowing history of Japanese soldiers forcing women into sexual slavery during WWII—stories that must be shared. I highly recommend this for historical fiction readers who will find this narrative compelling.
Recently divorced, Angelina travels to her cultural homeland to learn the language and seek her deceased mother’s family. She uncovers a buried family secret: her mother had a sister, Sunyuh, who vanished during the Japanese occupation of Korea in WWII. As Angelina digs for the truth, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery. The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of Angelina, her aunt, and her mother, and explores themes of grief, guilt, sacrifice, love, and forgiveness, with trigger warnings for rape and infidelity.
This gripping story captivated me from the start, featuring well-rounded characters and highlighting Angelina’s path to healing after her divorce. I appreciated the insights into Asian culture and the harrowing history of Japanese soldiers forcing women into sexual slavery during WWII—stories that must be shared. I highly recommend this for historical fiction readers who will find this narrative compelling.
January 7, 2025
*received ARC in a giveaway, thanks to Grand Central Publishing & Goodreads for the book!*
5 stars - Stone Angels was an incredible read. A heartbreaking portrayal of how family trauma affects all generations, even if the youngest generation doesn't know that a trauma took place at all.
*trigger warning for mentions of sexual abuse & suicide*
Throughout the 3 POVs of this book, you see how the kidnapping of Sunyuh into sexual slavery during WWII and her family's insistence to never speak of her again led to Gongju closing herself off and isolating herself in her despair/anger, leading to her suicide. You see how Angelina blames herself for her mother's choices, and how her past causes her to push ppl away for fear of getting hurt again. My heart ached at the tragedies these women faced and I cried so much at the end during the family reunion, and from one character's advice about having the courage to leave the pain in your past behind and live your life despite it.
Thank you Helena Rho for sharing the stories of the halmoni through this beautiful novel
5 stars - Stone Angels was an incredible read. A heartbreaking portrayal of how family trauma affects all generations, even if the youngest generation doesn't know that a trauma took place at all.
*trigger warning for mentions of sexual abuse & suicide*
Throughout the 3 POVs of this book, you see how the kidnapping of Sunyuh into sexual slavery during WWII and her family's insistence to never speak of her again led to Gongju closing herself off and isolating herself in her despair/anger, leading to her suicide. You see how Angelina blames herself for her mother's choices, and how her past causes her to push ppl away for fear of getting hurt again. My heart ached at the tragedies these women faced and I cried so much at the end during the family reunion, and from one character's advice about having the courage to leave the pain in your past behind and live your life despite it.
Thank you Helena Rho for sharing the stories of the halmoni through this beautiful novel
February 27, 2025
I love historical fiction stories when I learn about events that are impactful!
Learning about the young women/girls stolen from their homes and sold into sexual slavery as “comfort women” and knowing that it has taken decades for the stories to come out is heartbreaking. I did so much research on my own while I was reading and the author included multiple research articles and resources.
The pacing is done well and the multiple viewpoints were well placed and kept relevant information flowing. Trigger warnings: There are graphic descriptions of rape, assault, violence, and murder.
I appreciated the slower moments of the story as we see Angelina process her own trauma and how to understand her own cultural identity. The diving women were a fascinating subplot and I also looked into their culture and history! I felt transported to Korea throughout the entire story.
Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an ARC of this novel. I truly enjoyed it and would recommend it to my historical fiction reading friends :)
Learning about the young women/girls stolen from their homes and sold into sexual slavery as “comfort women” and knowing that it has taken decades for the stories to come out is heartbreaking. I did so much research on my own while I was reading and the author included multiple research articles and resources.
The pacing is done well and the multiple viewpoints were well placed and kept relevant information flowing. Trigger warnings: There are graphic descriptions of rape, assault, violence, and murder.
I appreciated the slower moments of the story as we see Angelina process her own trauma and how to understand her own cultural identity. The diving women were a fascinating subplot and I also looked into their culture and history! I felt transported to Korea throughout the entire story.
Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an ARC of this novel. I truly enjoyed it and would recommend it to my historical fiction reading friends :)
February 25, 2025
Angelina Lee, newly divorced and grieving her mother's death, travels to Seoul to reconnect with her roots and uncover the mystery behind her mother's suicide. She discovers her mother had a hidden sister, Sunyuh, who disappeared during WWII. This revelation leads Angelina on a journey across continents to uncover family secrets. The story, narrated by three women, explores themes of love, loss, and the complex bonds between mothers and daughters, highlighting the power of second chances.
It's been a while since I read a true historical fiction book, and Stone Angels reminded me why I love them. The raw emotion and powerful journeys of the women, especially Angelina, were captivating. While I've read many books about WWII in Europe, this was my first set in Korea during that era, and it did not disappoint. The last 30% of the book truly sold me, but the entire story was exceptionally well-written.
Angelina's character growth was phenomenal. Her quest to uncover her family's truth was powerful and gave her a new perspective. I loved the multiple POVs, the deep dive into Korean culture, and the realistic portrayal of how our inner thoughts and upbringing influence our actions. Highly recommend this book!
Rating: 5/5
Spice: 1/5
Thank you Grand Central Publishing and Helena Rho for a chance to read this ARC. All thoughts are my own.
It's been a while since I read a true historical fiction book, and Stone Angels reminded me why I love them. The raw emotion and powerful journeys of the women, especially Angelina, were captivating. While I've read many books about WWII in Europe, this was my first set in Korea during that era, and it did not disappoint. The last 30% of the book truly sold me, but the entire story was exceptionally well-written.
Angelina's character growth was phenomenal. Her quest to uncover her family's truth was powerful and gave her a new perspective. I loved the multiple POVs, the deep dive into Korean culture, and the realistic portrayal of how our inner thoughts and upbringing influence our actions. Highly recommend this book!
Rating: 5/5
Spice: 1/5
Thank you Grand Central Publishing and Helena Rho for a chance to read this ARC. All thoughts are my own.
November 26, 2024
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I love a story of a family that spans time and historical events. That's the historian in me, so I was excited to read this story of a Korean/Korean American family. Unfortunately for me, I really did not connect with the primary MC, Angelina, a 40 year old recent divorcee. She travels to her mother's home, Korea, after her mother's death, to take a Korean language course, but also to reconnect with her mother's family. When she arrives at her grandmother's house, she learns from a cousin about a family secret, that her mother had a sister she never mentioned, an aunt that Angelina is named for, Sunyuh.
So while I did have some issues with the book, I'm still giving it a 4 stars, because there's so much good in here, in particular the story of Angelina's aunt, and it is really well written. It's clear the author did a lot of research for this book, that comes through for me, and gives a feel of authenticity. I also appreciate a WWII era story that isn't set in Europe, and one where I learn something new. And I appreciated the sources she lists at the end, in case one wants to read up more on the issues brought up in this novel.
I love a story of a family that spans time and historical events. That's the historian in me, so I was excited to read this story of a Korean/Korean American family. Unfortunately for me, I really did not connect with the primary MC, Angelina, a 40 year old recent divorcee. She travels to her mother's home, Korea, after her mother's death, to take a Korean language course, but also to reconnect with her mother's family. When she arrives at her grandmother's house, she learns from a cousin about a family secret, that her mother had a sister she never mentioned, an aunt that Angelina is named for, Sunyuh.
So while I did have some issues with the book, I'm still giving it a 4 stars, because there's so much good in here, in particular the story of Angelina's aunt, and it is really well written. It's clear the author did a lot of research for this book, that comes through for me, and gives a feel of authenticity. I also appreciate a WWII era story that isn't set in Europe, and one where I learn something new. And I appreciated the sources she lists at the end, in case one wants to read up more on the issues brought up in this novel.
April 2, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette/Grand Central Publishing for the advanced reader copy! This one is available today (04 Mar 2025).
Stone Angels was a beautiful story. Following 3 separate POVs through different timelines, you get insight into the Korean culture and how culture and family forms one's feelings towards their own identity. This was heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time. This story really is about how culture and familial relationships do not have to define you and how to create a live worth living in the midst of tragedy. My only constructive criticism is regarding the pacing at times. I felt some areas were a little drawn out and then others were rushed. However, I think this could have been intentional thematically as relationship dynamics are not a smooth, cut-and-dry experience either. A solid 3.5 stars rounded down for Goodreads.
Stone Angels was a beautiful story. Following 3 separate POVs through different timelines, you get insight into the Korean culture and how culture and family forms one's feelings towards their own identity. This was heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time. This story really is about how culture and familial relationships do not have to define you and how to create a live worth living in the midst of tragedy. My only constructive criticism is regarding the pacing at times. I felt some areas were a little drawn out and then others were rushed. However, I think this could have been intentional thematically as relationship dynamics are not a smooth, cut-and-dry experience either. A solid 3.5 stars rounded down for Goodreads.
March 13, 2025
Fascinating, riveting, instructive novel about a woman’s return to Korea where she finds answers to family secrets and insight into her mother’s suicide. Very informative about the Japanese occupation of Korea and the history of the “comfort women.”
March 3, 2025
Stolen Angels by Helena Rho is the perfect book to start Women's History Month with. It shines a light on a part of history that many people, myself included, may not know much about. Interwoven with Angelina’s journey, Sunyuh’s story is one of survival, strength, and courage.
Angelina was born in Korea, but her parents moved to America soon after. Her mother was estranged from her family, so Angelina never knew her Korean relatives. After her mother’s tragic passing, she travels to Korea, hoping to uncover her past. What she finds is a history that could change everything, helping her understand her mother, find closure, and heal.
I’ll be honest. I didn’t love Angelina. She repeatedly makes choices without much thought, which makes sense given her need for acceptance, but some of her actions were frustrating and even harmful. Sunyuh, however, completely stole my heart. The horrors inflicted on hundreds of thousands of girls and women during this time in history by the Japanese were devastating to read about, but what’s even more unsettling is how this history has been buried and rarely spoken about. I’m grateful that authors are bringing these stories to light before they’re lost behind bureaucracy or erased altogether.
The author does an incredible job of exploring themes of identity, othering, and intergenerational trauma. The final part of the book broke me. I couldn’t read it without tears. Sunyuh’s journey of healing, supported by her community, resonated deeply with me because of my own experiences.
A huge thank you to Grand Central Publishing for this book.
CW: This book contains difficult and potentially triggering content, so please read with care.
Angelina was born in Korea, but her parents moved to America soon after. Her mother was estranged from her family, so Angelina never knew her Korean relatives. After her mother’s tragic passing, she travels to Korea, hoping to uncover her past. What she finds is a history that could change everything, helping her understand her mother, find closure, and heal.
I’ll be honest. I didn’t love Angelina. She repeatedly makes choices without much thought, which makes sense given her need for acceptance, but some of her actions were frustrating and even harmful. Sunyuh, however, completely stole my heart. The horrors inflicted on hundreds of thousands of girls and women during this time in history by the Japanese were devastating to read about, but what’s even more unsettling is how this history has been buried and rarely spoken about. I’m grateful that authors are bringing these stories to light before they’re lost behind bureaucracy or erased altogether.
The author does an incredible job of exploring themes of identity, othering, and intergenerational trauma. The final part of the book broke me. I couldn’t read it without tears. Sunyuh’s journey of healing, supported by her community, resonated deeply with me because of my own experiences.
A huge thank you to Grand Central Publishing for this book.
CW: This book contains difficult and potentially triggering content, so please read with care.
March 15, 2025
This is an extremely powerful book that focuses on the Japanese occupation of Korea during WWII. I am extremely grateful to authors who explore these amazing events involving women during history that I never learned about or was aware of from a historical perspective. If you are unaware of Korean women being forced into sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces, be prepared to learn about the horrific and unimaginable suffering and exploitation of these women. Also, in these instances, these women, if they survived, were not allowed to rejoin their families if they survived due to the desire for the family to protect its honor. (This is something I am still unable to wrap by brain around this and it made me extremely angry during the story.)
The story is told through the perspectives of three different female characters, Angelina, her mother Gongju, and her aunt Sunyuh. Angelina is on a quest to determine if her aunt Sunyuh is still alive after her mom, Gongju commits suicide. The reader will learn about the emotional abuse that Sunyuh experienced and her will to survive. It also exposes the impact of war and exploitation of individuals and how it has far-reaching consequences for generations. Throughout the story, you will find elements of love, loss, grief and the healing power of forgiveness.
If you enjoy historical fiction, have a strong desire to expand your knowledge of significant events that impacted women during history, want to expand your knowledge of different cultures and are interested in family drama, you must read this book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
#StoneAngels, #HelenaRho, #NetGalley
The story is told through the perspectives of three different female characters, Angelina, her mother Gongju, and her aunt Sunyuh. Angelina is on a quest to determine if her aunt Sunyuh is still alive after her mom, Gongju commits suicide. The reader will learn about the emotional abuse that Sunyuh experienced and her will to survive. It also exposes the impact of war and exploitation of individuals and how it has far-reaching consequences for generations. Throughout the story, you will find elements of love, loss, grief and the healing power of forgiveness.
If you enjoy historical fiction, have a strong desire to expand your knowledge of significant events that impacted women during history, want to expand your knowledge of different cultures and are interested in family drama, you must read this book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
#StoneAngels, #HelenaRho, #NetGalley
February 27, 2025
3.5⭐️ rounding up to 4⭐️
Thanks BookSparks for the gifted copy of Stone Angels!
Stone Angels is a blend of literary and historical fiction. I would say it leans more on the literary side. It is beautifully written. Helena Rho has a way with words!
This story follows Angelina on her journey to Korea to study the language, but while she's there, she wants to find her grandmother who she's never met and see who her Korean family is after her mother's untimely and tragic death. While she's there, she discovers something she never knew about her family.
I liked how this book was told with multiple POVs spanning over many years. We have Angelina in the present - 2006 in this case, and Angelina's mother in the 1940s up until her death in 2005. There is a third POV in there but I won't spoil anything with that one ;)
The reason I say this is more literary fiction is because we have a character driven story following decisions these characters are making that impact their lives. The writing reads more like prose. Sometimes it takes a lot of brain power to interpret what's happening. Don't let scare you off from this book, though. If you enjoy reading character driven books, you'd enjoy this one!
I wasn't a huge fan of our main character Angelina. I felt some of her decisions were rash. Can those decisions be justified? Maybe. Her life is complicated, and we get to see how being Korean-American impacts her life, too. It made me sad at times. I found myself wanting the best for Angelina, and I want Americans to do better.
The first half of this book moved a bit slow for my taste. I felt some of the anecdotes of Angelina's life could have been condensed. The second half towards the end moved so quick, though, and I loved that third POV.
Overall, if you're a fan of literary fiction, you'd enjoy this book! While the pacing does seem disjointed at times, the story ends up being wholesome and wrapped up nicely.
Thanks BookSparks for the gifted copy of Stone Angels!
Stone Angels is a blend of literary and historical fiction. I would say it leans more on the literary side. It is beautifully written. Helena Rho has a way with words!
This story follows Angelina on her journey to Korea to study the language, but while she's there, she wants to find her grandmother who she's never met and see who her Korean family is after her mother's untimely and tragic death. While she's there, she discovers something she never knew about her family.
I liked how this book was told with multiple POVs spanning over many years. We have Angelina in the present - 2006 in this case, and Angelina's mother in the 1940s up until her death in 2005. There is a third POV in there but I won't spoil anything with that one ;)
The reason I say this is more literary fiction is because we have a character driven story following decisions these characters are making that impact their lives. The writing reads more like prose. Sometimes it takes a lot of brain power to interpret what's happening. Don't let scare you off from this book, though. If you enjoy reading character driven books, you'd enjoy this one!
I wasn't a huge fan of our main character Angelina. I felt some of her decisions were rash. Can those decisions be justified? Maybe. Her life is complicated, and we get to see how being Korean-American impacts her life, too. It made me sad at times. I found myself wanting the best for Angelina, and I want Americans to do better.
The first half of this book moved a bit slow for my taste. I felt some of the anecdotes of Angelina's life could have been condensed. The second half towards the end moved so quick, though, and I loved that third POV.
Overall, if you're a fan of literary fiction, you'd enjoy this book! While the pacing does seem disjointed at times, the story ends up being wholesome and wrapped up nicely.
January 31, 2025
In Stone Angels, author Helena Rho introduces her main character, Angelina, against a back drop of present and past. We meet Angelina in her present, a modern American woman, moved from her Korean birthplace as a child: highly educated, sophisticated, citizen-of-the-world divorcee with two children who is riddled with self-doubt. Angelina’s past comes in the guise of family secrets, an unexplained suicide, and her family’s chosen estrangement from her. It takes place during a World War II era when China, Japan and Korea were significantly different countries. The pace between present and past quickens, like a mystery, and the reader keeps up, eagerly absorbing clues while unsure what Angelina will do at each shocking turn.
Rho renders setting with such appeal, as in Korea’s mountain light, its abundant flowers, its dramatic change of seasons, that one can easily see this book appearing on the silver screen.
By contrast, Rho’s exhaustive research into the horrific savagery of “Comfort Women,” reveals to the reader what war can emblazon on families for generations.
Readers are rewarded by Angelina’s quest. Her obsession with an impenetrable past cracks open truths and a budding serenity. Like Michaelangelo, she saw the angels in the stone, and set them all free.
Rho renders setting with such appeal, as in Korea’s mountain light, its abundant flowers, its dramatic change of seasons, that one can easily see this book appearing on the silver screen.
By contrast, Rho’s exhaustive research into the horrific savagery of “Comfort Women,” reveals to the reader what war can emblazon on families for generations.
Readers are rewarded by Angelina’s quest. Her obsession with an impenetrable past cracks open truths and a budding serenity. Like Michaelangelo, she saw the angels in the stone, and set them all free.
March 3, 2025
This historical fiction novel delivered all the emotions with its intricately woven, alternating timelines following three women—connected as mother and daughter, sisters, and aunt and niece. It tells a powerful story of the love between mothers and daughters, the heartbreak of choices made, and the lasting impact on future generations. The novel sheds light on a heartbreaking chapter of history, revealing the fate of young Korean women who disappeared under Japanese occupation during WWII, forced into sex trafficking. It also explores the cultural expectations that complicate family dynamics and the journey toward healing and self-love. Beautifully written and deeply moving, this book opened my eyes to historical events I hadn’t known before. It’s a poignant exploration of love, loss, grief, and the complexities of relationships. I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it!
March 6, 2025
“I know you’d be okay without me. I know, eventually, I could go on without you. But our lives would be less. Less full, smaller, and fainter. I want so much more for us. I will choose to love you every day. Every single day.”
After her mother’s passing and a painful divorce, Angelina finds herself struggling to make sense of both her past and her future. With a desire to reconnect with her mother’s memory and to understand the secrets she left behind, Angelina embarks on a journey to Korea—her mother’s homeland, a place she has never truly known.
In an effort to bridge the distance between herself and the woman who raised her, Angelina begins studying Korean, immersing herself in the language and culture that once defined her mother’s world. As she reaches out to extended family, long-buried stories begin to surface, revealing a history of pain, resilience, and sacrifice. Among these revelations is the heartbreaking truth about her aunt—a mystery that unravels into a darker chapter of history Angelina never expected to confront.
Beyond the weight of grief and discovery, Angelina also navigates personal crossroads. She misses her two children back in the U.S., struggles with the idea of moving forward after divorce, and unexpectedly finds herself facing echoes of her past—an old love resurfaces and new possibilities emerge. Though she resists the idea of love, believing it to be fleeting, her journey forces her to question what she truly wants and who she is meant to become.
Told in multiple timelines—from the 1940s and 1960s to the early 2000s—the novel weaves between Korea and New York, unraveling generations of choices, sacrifices, and untold truths. Ultimately, Angelina’s journey is not just about connection; it’s about forgiveness, resilience, and reclaiming a future she always wanted but never imagined for herself.
March 5, 2025
⭐️ REVIEW & HAPPY PUB DAY ⭐️
📖 STONE ANGELS by @helena.rho 📖
Thank you to #NetGalley (@netgalley) and @grandcentralpub for the opportunity to read this eARC and provide my honest thoughts.
🌟Rating: 4/5 stars 🌟
Emojis: 🇰🇷🇺🇸⛰️🍵📝😇🪽💔➡️❤️
Synopsis: In this multigenerational, multi-point of view novel, a forty-year-old woman journeys to her cultural homeland—and uncovers a harrowing secret that makes her rethink everything she thought she knew about her mother. Told through the bold, determined voices of three women, this poignant family drama explores love, grief, healing, and the complicated love that exists between mothers and daughters. It’s about the questions we wish we had asked lost relatives, the lives we could have lived had we made different choices, and, above all, second chances.
Genres/Themes: Historical Fiction, Multicultural Interest, Women, Family
My thoughts: Helena Rho does a beautiful job of exploring the impact of generational trauma, cultural beliefs, and the relationships between familial women. I really enjoyed the multiple points of view and interwoven timelines. The parallel lives of these women share common themes, including shame, grief and struggling to find self-acceptance and love. Through Angelina’s search to find her family and learn more about her ancestors, she finds out a lot about herself. The ending is hopeful, leaving readers with powerful messages about self-love and breaking the cyclical nature of history.
I would highly recommend this read if you are interested in stories of women and historical fiction. If you give this one a read, let me know your thoughts!
((Trigger Warnings: war, sexual assault, violence against women, suicide))
📖 STONE ANGELS by @helena.rho 📖
Thank you to #NetGalley (@netgalley) and @grandcentralpub for the opportunity to read this eARC and provide my honest thoughts.
🌟Rating: 4/5 stars 🌟
Emojis: 🇰🇷🇺🇸⛰️🍵📝😇🪽💔➡️❤️
Synopsis: In this multigenerational, multi-point of view novel, a forty-year-old woman journeys to her cultural homeland—and uncovers a harrowing secret that makes her rethink everything she thought she knew about her mother. Told through the bold, determined voices of three women, this poignant family drama explores love, grief, healing, and the complicated love that exists between mothers and daughters. It’s about the questions we wish we had asked lost relatives, the lives we could have lived had we made different choices, and, above all, second chances.
Genres/Themes: Historical Fiction, Multicultural Interest, Women, Family
My thoughts: Helena Rho does a beautiful job of exploring the impact of generational trauma, cultural beliefs, and the relationships between familial women. I really enjoyed the multiple points of view and interwoven timelines. The parallel lives of these women share common themes, including shame, grief and struggling to find self-acceptance and love. Through Angelina’s search to find her family and learn more about her ancestors, she finds out a lot about herself. The ending is hopeful, leaving readers with powerful messages about self-love and breaking the cyclical nature of history.
I would highly recommend this read if you are interested in stories of women and historical fiction. If you give this one a read, let me know your thoughts!
((Trigger Warnings: war, sexual assault, violence against women, suicide))
June 15, 2025
I’m wavering between giving this 3 and 4 stars. It is an important story for people to hear. I had no idea about comfort women and the atrocities that were inflicted on preteen and teenage girls in the Pacific Theater. I am grateful to this book for raising my awareness.
However, I found myself often annoyed with the protagonist—a 40 year-old who often acted like a 20 year-old. But I clearly devoured this book, and have no regrets about reading it.
However, I found myself often annoyed with the protagonist—a 40 year-old who often acted like a 20 year-old. But I clearly devoured this book, and have no regrets about reading it.
September 30, 2025
crying at work over the hurt and pain the korean people have felt and the loss of family and the loss of ones culture and i ache so painfully for the things my mother lost and the things my grandmother endured
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews