Daughter of Hong Kong

by Siobhan Daiko

Based on a true story, a tale of love and survival against all the odds set in Hong Kong at the start of the Pacific War. Can love conquer all?

Spring 1939 - dashing young William Burton and the beautiful Constance Han set sail from London on the same ocean liner to Hong Kong.

Connie is intrigued by Will’s talent for writing poetry, and as romance blossoms she offers to give him Cantonese lessons to help him with his new job — a cadet in the colonial service.

But once in Hong Kong, Connie is constrained by filial duty towards her Eurasian parents, and their wish for her to marry someone from her own background.

When war breaks out, Connie and Will find themselves drawn into a wider conflict than their battle against prejudice. Can they survive and achieve a future together? Or will forces beyond their control keep them forever apart?

A sweeping tale of love and perseverance, perfect for readers of Dinah Jefferies, Fiona Valpy and Ann Bennett

Previously published as The Flame Tree

'Five stars without a moment’s hesitation, highly recommended if you enjoy historical romance.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

'Wow! Just WOW! What a completely absorbing read... I absolutely lapped up every single word.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

'It was a real page turner, and so engrossed was I, that I read it in one sitting! A good read!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

'This is a wonderfully rewarding read with vivid characters and settings. I'd give it more stars if they were available.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

'A convincing and very moving romance, a fascinating slice of history. Coupled with the most wonderful story-telling, this book delivered everything I could have possibly wanted.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

PRAISE FOR SIOBHAN DAIKO

'Reading Siobhan's Daughters of Tuscany was like meeting an old, dear friend after a long absence. What a poignant, emotional, thoroughly enjoyable read this was! ... such beautiful prose and such a brilliant story that completely transported me.' Renita D'Silva

'... wonderfully fast-paced and readable... I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to be transported to a different place and time and wants a thoroughly absorbing read, Ann Bennett

'A fantastic story, so evocative of both time and place,' Jo Bartlett

Genres: Historical Fiction

318 pages, Paperback

Published December 11, 2024

About the author

Siobhan Daiko is a British historical fiction author. A lover of all things Italian, she lives in the Veneto region of northern Italy with her husband, a Havanese dog and a Siberian cat. Siobhan was born of English parents in Hong Kong, attended boarding school in Australia, and then moved to the UK — where she taught modern foreign languages in a Welsh high school. She now spends her time writing page-turners and living the dolce vita sweet life near Venice. Her novels are compelling, poignant, and deeply moving, with strong female characters and evocative settings, but always with romance at their heart. You can find more about her books on her website www.siobhandaiko.org

Reviews

[Marilyn Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

We know so much about the American involvement in WWII in both the European and Pacific theaters. What I was unaware of was that Japan invaded Hong Kong on the same day it attacked Pearl Harbor and occupied the island for the next four years.

[Christine Sherwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have loved every book by this talented author. However I’m 2/3 if the way through and getting a little tired of the plot. Military reports firing around amongst everyone, the romance is so repetitive, even the conversations between the two main characters. Wondering if I’ll finish it, up to now, I’m finding this a disappointing read and can’t wait to get to the end so I can start the second book in this two book series. Bought the two together as I get so into her books, but sorry to say…… I don’t find the passion in it and the war is boring me, do hope the follow o is an improvement on this one. Was looking forward to being lost in this novel especially I’d it’s location, but I don’t like not to finish a book, but I’m now starting to skip a few paragraphs to get to next chapter, never thought this would happen in Siobhan’s novels. It’s just missing something, what happened? The war was a shamble mess, like it was run by untrained officials, and so much use of crazy names through out, and all the abbreviations used if the utilities used, it was like reading some sort of code, obviously done research in types of boats used but to most readers I would think they, like me probably wanted to stop reading and google up so to know what military craft was being used in the mission being carried out. I certainly didn’t know what type of boats were being used….. I felt there was a Lack of description on the missions carried out, some felt like they were carried out by Laurel And Hardy, if you get my understanding. And for everyone to actually wash and change most evenings for a social get together or meal just didn’t seem fitting, then the next day to go on another mission, again with minor details about it, it was like off to work in the morning see you tonight scenario, like a day at the office. Sorry Siobhan, I was looking forward to starting this series…. But it’s the first of your novels I’m just not connected to, all your other novels I couldn’t turn the pages quick enough to follow the characters, desperate to read the outcome, filled with feelings, but this one, I’m turning the pages at the moment as it’s boring and repetitive, I really expected to escape to this part of the world, be transported there as I’ve never been there. a little exotic input based on its location would have been wonderful, but When you did describe a few locations, I was there briefly, just for a moment taking in the aromas, the sights that were either if beauty or slums, wish there’d been more of this
In the story. I May come back when or if I finish the book to close up my review.
The books you wrote on the war based in Italy have remained with me long after, fantastic reading, powerful storyline and characters, written with great passion so descriptive, brought me to tears I couldn’t put any of them down. This one…. Don’t know what happened, like a totally different author had written it.

[LindyLouMac · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel was recommended to me by a friend, due to my connections with Hong Kong.

'Daughter of Hong Kong' starts with the protagonists, William Burton and Constance Han meeting on an ocean liner bound for Hong Kong in the spring of 1939. Their shipboard friendship makes them determined to continue to see each other in Hong Kong, despite knowing that any relationship between them would be fraught with difficulties. As the inevitable outbreak of war draws closer, Will and Constance both become involved in the defence of Hong Kong. Their lives become ever more intense as danger increases and their survival looks unlikely.

Although fictional it is based on historical events that happened during WWII when the Japanese invaded Hong Kong. I found the descriptions to be very evocative of Hong Kong, despite being set in an era well before any time I have spent there. A moving story of determination that love will overcome, recommended to readers who enjoy romantic novels set in WWII.

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[Angela Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this one. It is based on a true story about a side of World War II. We don’t often hear about. Sadly the dialogue between characters was just so artificial that I could never get into it.

[Chris Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting in History of WW2, HONG KONG, Japanese invasion but very repetitive with romance. Audio Book

[Peggy Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

First historical fiction on Hong Kong’s part in WWII that I’ve read. Full of facts and culture but the story was a little weak and predictable.

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted more history and less romance:)

[Moe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook. It was an ok story

[Carol]

Did not finish. Was more love story than historical fiction to me.