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The Young Will Remember
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Expected 5 May 26A sweeping novel about a correspondent trapped behind enemy lines during the Korean War, and the women who help her find her way home, from the national bestselling author of Daughters of Shandong
“When I found the courage to lift my head, I expected to stare down the barrel of a gun, but instead there was a woman in front of me, the back of her white skirt embroidered with columns of yellow chrysanthemums.”
1950. It’s the coldest winter in decades, and twenty-eight-year-old Chinese American journalist Ellie Chang is on a military flight to cover a battle in the mountains of North Korea when her plane is shot down.
As she emerges from the fallen aircraft onto an icy field surrounded by the enemy, Ellie is sure it’s the end, certain she’ll never make it home to her parents…until a woman pushes her way through the crowd and claims Ellie as the lost daughter that she’s been searching for since the last war ended. Never mind that Ellie doesn’t speak a word of Korean.
Ellie is taken in by her rescuer—a woman who calls herself “Emma”—and the Paks, a pastor’s family. She knows she can’t stay and yet there’s no way she’ll survive on her own.
As the war intensifies, the sky alighting with bombs overhead, Ellie convinces Emma and the Paks to travel south towards an elusive promise of safety, and where Ellie insists they are more likely to find Emma’s real daughter, stuck on the other side of the frontlines.
Emma’s decision to claim Ellie, and Ellie’s choice to take her hand will connect their lives forever.
Moving and triumphant, The Young Will Remember sheds light on a “Forgotten War,” the resilience of love within our darkest histories, and the indefatigable determination of mothers to protect their children.
“When I found the courage to lift my head, I expected to stare down the barrel of a gun, but instead there was a woman in front of me, the back of her white skirt embroidered with columns of yellow chrysanthemums.”
1950. It’s the coldest winter in decades, and twenty-eight-year-old Chinese American journalist Ellie Chang is on a military flight to cover a battle in the mountains of North Korea when her plane is shot down.
As she emerges from the fallen aircraft onto an icy field surrounded by the enemy, Ellie is sure it’s the end, certain she’ll never make it home to her parents…until a woman pushes her way through the crowd and claims Ellie as the lost daughter that she’s been searching for since the last war ended. Never mind that Ellie doesn’t speak a word of Korean.
Ellie is taken in by her rescuer—a woman who calls herself “Emma”—and the Paks, a pastor’s family. She knows she can’t stay and yet there’s no way she’ll survive on her own.
As the war intensifies, the sky alighting with bombs overhead, Ellie convinces Emma and the Paks to travel south towards an elusive promise of safety, and where Ellie insists they are more likely to find Emma’s real daughter, stuck on the other side of the frontlines.
Emma’s decision to claim Ellie, and Ellie’s choice to take her hand will connect their lives forever.
Moving and triumphant, The Young Will Remember sheds light on a “Forgotten War,” the resilience of love within our darkest histories, and the indefatigable determination of mothers to protect their children.
448 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication May 5, 2026
7633 people want to read
About the author
Eve J. Chung
5 books472 followersEve J. Chung is a Taiwanese American lawyer and women's human rights specialist. She has worked on a range of issues, including torture, sexual violence, contemporary forms of slavery, and discriminatory legislation. Her writing is inspired by social justice movements, and the continued struggle for equality and fundamental freedoms worldwide. She currently lives in New York with her husband, two children, and two dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 17, 2025
3.5 stars
Unfortunately, this story relied so heavily on showing rather than telling that it became difficult to read. Despite being set in the 1950s during the turbulent Korean, Chinese, and Japanese war, I never felt fully immersed in the time period. I also agreed with another reviewer who mentioned the forced dialogue, as it often pulled me out of the story and made it harder to stay engaged. By the end, I found myself skimming just to finish.
That said, none of this takes away from the importance of the subject matter. The history of comfort women, essentially sex slaves used by armies worldwide, is an incredibly important and necessary story to tell.
Unfortunately, this story relied so heavily on showing rather than telling that it became difficult to read. Despite being set in the 1950s during the turbulent Korean, Chinese, and Japanese war, I never felt fully immersed in the time period. I also agreed with another reviewer who mentioned the forced dialogue, as it often pulled me out of the story and made it harder to stay engaged. By the end, I found myself skimming just to finish.
That said, none of this takes away from the importance of the subject matter. The history of comfort women, essentially sex slaves used by armies worldwide, is an incredibly important and necessary story to tell.
Want to read
August 30, 2025anything this author writes, i will read. this book is probably gonna break my heart and i’m ready for it
November 26, 2025
If you are tired of reading the same WWII historical fiction about Europe and the Holocaust but still want to get lost in a story from the past, READ THIS. Eve Chung excels at bringing characters to life. The Young Will Remember was hard to put down and I devoured it. Fans of historical fiction will love this book that focuses on regular, everyday people during war, specifically women. It asks the question, who pays the true price of war?
This book looks at the Korean War and the main character is an American journalist whose plane goes down in North Korea in enemy territory. She barely escapes with her life when a local woman takes her to her village. All she can think about is how to get back to her work and the American soldiers/lines.
The woman that saves her is searching for her daughter who was conscripted by the Japanese when she was 14 during WWII. Many girls were taken for comfort stations and factory work and she is holding out hope that she survived the war. Chung addresses head on the atrocities of war and the problematic narrative surrounding "comfort stations." Despite these heavy topics, I found that there was a good balance of information without being overly descriptive/traumatic surrounding these topics. Another fantastic book I haven't stopped thinking about since I finished it. This would make a great bookclub book!
Thank you to netgalley for an ARC to enjoy.
This book looks at the Korean War and the main character is an American journalist whose plane goes down in North Korea in enemy territory. She barely escapes with her life when a local woman takes her to her village. All she can think about is how to get back to her work and the American soldiers/lines.
The woman that saves her is searching for her daughter who was conscripted by the Japanese when she was 14 during WWII. Many girls were taken for comfort stations and factory work and she is holding out hope that she survived the war. Chung addresses head on the atrocities of war and the problematic narrative surrounding "comfort stations." Despite these heavy topics, I found that there was a good balance of information without being overly descriptive/traumatic surrounding these topics. Another fantastic book I haven't stopped thinking about since I finished it. This would make a great bookclub book!
Thank you to netgalley for an ARC to enjoy.
November 27, 2025
This in-depth chronicle of the Korean War follows Chinese American correspondent Ellie Chung, who becomes trapped behind enemy lines after her plane is shot down. She's rescued by Emma, a woman who initially mistakes Ellie for her own daughter. Beyond its vivid depiction of the war, the novel weaves in a powerful secondary narrative: Emma's heartbreaking search for her daughter, who was forced into service as a Japanese comfort woman.
My only criticism—one I've noted in reviews of other books as well—is the inclusion of foreign words without definitions or context. I find this distracting and wish authors would provide translations to help readers stay immersed in the story.
My only criticism—one I've noted in reviews of other books as well—is the inclusion of foreign words without definitions or context. I find this distracting and wish authors would provide translations to help readers stay immersed in the story.
Want to read
September 1, 2025One of my most anticipated reads!!!
Want to read
August 24, 2025pre-release: i'm so excited for this book! daughters of shandong was one of the best debuts ever & i still think abt it almost every day. i've been waiting for this book since and it can't come fast enough.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Young Will Remember by Eve J. Chung, the latest novel from the author of Daughters of Shandong, is a haunting and ambitious work that blends historical fiction with moral inquiry. The story follows Ellie Chang, a Chinese American war correspondent covering the Korean War, whose professional determination leads her into peril when she secures passage on a flight into North Korea. The mission ends in catastrophe when the plane is shot down, killing the pilot and leaving Ellie certain she will not survive.
Her life is spared in an unexpected and deeply human moment: a grief-stricken woman mistakes Ellie for her long-lost daughter and claims her amid the chaos. Though the woman is tragically mistaken, she shelters Ellie and brings her to the home of a pastor and his rebellious wife, who nurse her through the injuries she sustained in the crash. This woman’s story soon emerges as one of the novel’s emotional anchors. She fears her real daughter was taken by the Japanese as a “comfort woman” and has devoted her life to searching for her while documenting the testimonies of Korean women who were raped and enslaved during the war.
The novel’s central arc traces Ellie’s arduous journey south, as she and her protector navigate bombed-out cities, hunger, and the constant threat of death. As Ellie struggles to find her way home, she also confronts a more complicated truth about war: decency, courage, and compassion exist on all sides of the conflict—a perspective that clashes with the simplified narratives promoted by the press.
Upon returning home, Ellie dedicates her life to the same mission as the woman who saved her, ensuring that the voices of comfort women are neither erased nor forgotten.
My response to the novel is ultimately mixed. While I was initially captivated by its premise and emotional gravity, the prolonged journey toward safety grew repetitive and, at times, lacked narrative tension, diminishing its impact and momentum. Nevertheless, Chung’s exploration of the suffering of comfort women, the resilience of women in wartime, and the enduring power of familial love addresses a vital and often overlooked history. Despite its flaws, The Young Will Remember remains an important and sobering read.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review
Her life is spared in an unexpected and deeply human moment: a grief-stricken woman mistakes Ellie for her long-lost daughter and claims her amid the chaos. Though the woman is tragically mistaken, she shelters Ellie and brings her to the home of a pastor and his rebellious wife, who nurse her through the injuries she sustained in the crash. This woman’s story soon emerges as one of the novel’s emotional anchors. She fears her real daughter was taken by the Japanese as a “comfort woman” and has devoted her life to searching for her while documenting the testimonies of Korean women who were raped and enslaved during the war.
The novel’s central arc traces Ellie’s arduous journey south, as she and her protector navigate bombed-out cities, hunger, and the constant threat of death. As Ellie struggles to find her way home, she also confronts a more complicated truth about war: decency, courage, and compassion exist on all sides of the conflict—a perspective that clashes with the simplified narratives promoted by the press.
Upon returning home, Ellie dedicates her life to the same mission as the woman who saved her, ensuring that the voices of comfort women are neither erased nor forgotten.
My response to the novel is ultimately mixed. While I was initially captivated by its premise and emotional gravity, the prolonged journey toward safety grew repetitive and, at times, lacked narrative tension, diminishing its impact and momentum. Nevertheless, Chung’s exploration of the suffering of comfort women, the resilience of women in wartime, and the enduring power of familial love addresses a vital and often overlooked history. Despite its flaws, The Young Will Remember remains an important and sobering read.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
If you love historical fiction with a focus on women's war efforts, The Young Will Remember is absolutely for you. Through Ellie's experiences, I learned an unbelievable amount about the Korean War and its effect on young women especially.
The Young Will Remember follows Ellie, an Asian American journalist in the 1950s covering the Korean War, when her plane is shot down. She's left stranded in enemy territory, until she's rescued by a woman, Emma, who has been searching for her daughter since the last war. And Ellie has to find her way back to the American stronghold, but bonds with those she encounters along the way shed a light on the true meaning and effect of the war.
I absolutely loved the variety of female characters and their resiliency. The contrast among Emma, Imo, and Ellie's personalities and reactions made for intriguing characters and relationships. And the emphasis on the strength of women during war was excellent. While I could make an educated guess as to the effect of war on Korean women, I had no idea the extent to which they were abused. The stories of comfort women were absolutely heartbreaking and so good on the author for bringing to attention to this topic.
I also enjoyed the focus on the effect of war on everyday citizens and how Ellie had to live directly through American war actions, where she experienced the destruction coming from her own country. It forced her to question what was right and wrong, and she experienced firsthand the stark difference in what the American government was telling its citizens. And I liked how the author emphasized Ellie's reflection on what it would be like for her if her parents never emigrated from Taiwan to California and how easily she could be in a war torn situation like the women around her.
In general too, I appreciated reading about Ellie's experiences as an Asian American and as an Asian American woman in the 1950s. And the ending was absolutely perfect. Such an enlightening read!
Thank you so much to Berkley Pub for sending me an ARC of The Young Will Remember. As always, my reviews are one hundred percent voluntary and all opinions are my own :)
The Young Will Remember follows Ellie, an Asian American journalist in the 1950s covering the Korean War, when her plane is shot down. She's left stranded in enemy territory, until she's rescued by a woman, Emma, who has been searching for her daughter since the last war. And Ellie has to find her way back to the American stronghold, but bonds with those she encounters along the way shed a light on the true meaning and effect of the war.
I absolutely loved the variety of female characters and their resiliency. The contrast among Emma, Imo, and Ellie's personalities and reactions made for intriguing characters and relationships. And the emphasis on the strength of women during war was excellent. While I could make an educated guess as to the effect of war on Korean women, I had no idea the extent to which they were abused. The stories of comfort women were absolutely heartbreaking and so good on the author for bringing to attention to this topic.
I also enjoyed the focus on the effect of war on everyday citizens and how Ellie had to live directly through American war actions, where she experienced the destruction coming from her own country. It forced her to question what was right and wrong, and she experienced firsthand the stark difference in what the American government was telling its citizens. And I liked how the author emphasized Ellie's reflection on what it would be like for her if her parents never emigrated from Taiwan to California and how easily she could be in a war torn situation like the women around her.
In general too, I appreciated reading about Ellie's experiences as an Asian American and as an Asian American woman in the 1950s. And the ending was absolutely perfect. Such an enlightening read!
Thank you so much to Berkley Pub for sending me an ARC of The Young Will Remember. As always, my reviews are one hundred percent voluntary and all opinions are my own :)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This historical novel about a fictional Chinese-American journalist, Ellie Chung, who becomes trapped behind enemy lines early in the Korean War after her plane is shot down near the Chosin Reservoir is also a story about the history of the Japanese occupation of Korea in the first half of the 20th century. Ellie is rescued from Chinese soldiers fighting for North Korea by Emma, a woman who initially thinks Ellie is her own daughter, who was, at age fourteen, taken by the Japanese toward the end of WWII as a sex slave in one of the Japanese “comfort stations.”
The resiliency of the characters in this novel, particularly the women, was remarkable—and totally credible. All of the main characters were beautifully rendered, with story lines that perfectly matched the personalities that Ms. Chung expertly gave them. I only recently learned about the Korean “comfort women” in another ARC, Honey in the Wound by Jiyoung Han, and I was glad that this novel did not dwell in the horrors associated therewith, even though the fact of that horrific practice was a central part of Emma’s story.
Ellie’s saga, as she tries to make her way at least to the 38th Parallel, while helping the new friends that saved her, is a compelling read, particularly as the United States carries out its almost nightly bombing raids on North Korean villages where she has been hiding as she makes her way south.
Having read and loved Ms. Chung’s debut novel, Daughters of Shandong, I was very much looking forward to this book. It did not disappoint. As the daughter of a veteran of the Korean War, I was happy to get a small glimpse of what it was like during that “police action;” my dad never spoke about his time in Korea. For people who are interest in learning about the Korean War, particularly its impact on the people who lived there generally and women specifically, I highly recommend this novel, which has the candor of a memoir and the lyrical prose of a classic.
Thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Ms. Chung, for providing me with an ARC of this book, due to be released on May 5, 2026.
The resiliency of the characters in this novel, particularly the women, was remarkable—and totally credible. All of the main characters were beautifully rendered, with story lines that perfectly matched the personalities that Ms. Chung expertly gave them. I only recently learned about the Korean “comfort women” in another ARC, Honey in the Wound by Jiyoung Han, and I was glad that this novel did not dwell in the horrors associated therewith, even though the fact of that horrific practice was a central part of Emma’s story.
Ellie’s saga, as she tries to make her way at least to the 38th Parallel, while helping the new friends that saved her, is a compelling read, particularly as the United States carries out its almost nightly bombing raids on North Korean villages where she has been hiding as she makes her way south.
Having read and loved Ms. Chung’s debut novel, Daughters of Shandong, I was very much looking forward to this book. It did not disappoint. As the daughter of a veteran of the Korean War, I was happy to get a small glimpse of what it was like during that “police action;” my dad never spoke about his time in Korea. For people who are interest in learning about the Korean War, particularly its impact on the people who lived there generally and women specifically, I highly recommend this novel, which has the candor of a memoir and the lyrical prose of a classic.
Thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Ms. Chung, for providing me with an ARC of this book, due to be released on May 5, 2026.
December 1, 2025
I was so surprised! How often do the books you hype up in your head really live up to the same expectations afterwards? The Young Will Remember surpassed them.
By the end, it had me in tears, and not when I expected it to.
I felt trapped in the Korean War with the main character, Ellie, a Chinese American journalist. I fell in love with the amazing women she lived and fought with along the way.
I felt seen in the details. It unlocked the most random childhood memories for me. Being Asian American and finding pieces of myself in a historical fiction was such a unique experience.
Most of all, I felt the weight of what Eve was trying to portray here in this beautifully, intentionally crafted book. The Young Will Remember “is a story about women activists, and the impact of war on women”.
Ellie is a brave, passionate journalist who makes one decision that changes the trajectory of her life and intertwines her story with the lives of the enemies. It makes you question what is right and wrong. It brings hope and heartache.
If you are a fan of historical fiction who wants to learn more about the Korean War, to question the decisions of entire countries, or wants a sneak peak of what is ongoing today across other countries…this is for you.
Thank you to the author and @berkleypub for the ARC! Thank you to @netgalley for making this possible!
All opinions are honestly and my own. This book exceeded my expectations!
By the end, it had me in tears, and not when I expected it to.
I felt trapped in the Korean War with the main character, Ellie, a Chinese American journalist. I fell in love with the amazing women she lived and fought with along the way.
I felt seen in the details. It unlocked the most random childhood memories for me. Being Asian American and finding pieces of myself in a historical fiction was such a unique experience.
Most of all, I felt the weight of what Eve was trying to portray here in this beautifully, intentionally crafted book. The Young Will Remember “is a story about women activists, and the impact of war on women”.
Ellie is a brave, passionate journalist who makes one decision that changes the trajectory of her life and intertwines her story with the lives of the enemies. It makes you question what is right and wrong. It brings hope and heartache.
If you are a fan of historical fiction who wants to learn more about the Korean War, to question the decisions of entire countries, or wants a sneak peak of what is ongoing today across other countries…this is for you.
Thank you to the author and @berkleypub for the ARC! Thank you to @netgalley for making this possible!
All opinions are honestly and my own. This book exceeded my expectations!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Young Will Remember is an immersive and grand story that is a must read for any historical fiction fan
Set in the 1950's, Ellie Chang is an Asian American journalist who is covering the Korean war. Early on in her journey, her plane is unexpectedly shot out of the sky and she is left trapped in enemy territory. She is then rescued by a woman named Emma, who claims Ellie is her lost daughter. As the battles continue and after finding out her daughter was taken during the last war, Ellie convinces Emma to set out with her to find her missing family and get back home
This book reminds me of why I love historical fiction. It teaches you something about a point in time while also making it feel personal. I knew very little about the Korean war and what people went through, but I felt like I was a fly on the wall watching Ellie's journey unfold
As per usual with the genre, it does have its fair share of sensitive topics. I feel that the author handled these very respectfully. She gives us just enough description of them to tell us what's going on without making it feel crude
Do not skip reading the author's note at the end
The Young Will Remember is a fantastic read. I have not read Eve J. Chung's other published novel, but now I definitely will
Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing, and Eve J. Chung for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review
Set in the 1950's, Ellie Chang is an Asian American journalist who is covering the Korean war. Early on in her journey, her plane is unexpectedly shot out of the sky and she is left trapped in enemy territory. She is then rescued by a woman named Emma, who claims Ellie is her lost daughter. As the battles continue and after finding out her daughter was taken during the last war, Ellie convinces Emma to set out with her to find her missing family and get back home
This book reminds me of why I love historical fiction. It teaches you something about a point in time while also making it feel personal. I knew very little about the Korean war and what people went through, but I felt like I was a fly on the wall watching Ellie's journey unfold
As per usual with the genre, it does have its fair share of sensitive topics. I feel that the author handled these very respectfully. She gives us just enough description of them to tell us what's going on without making it feel crude
Do not skip reading the author's note at the end
The Young Will Remember is a fantastic read. I have not read Eve J. Chung's other published novel, but now I definitely will
Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing, and Eve J. Chung for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review
December 10, 2025
In 1950, a young, female, American correspondent is trapped behind enemy lines during the Korean War. Her life is entwined with the women who help her find her way home.
READ THIS BOOK!
Eve J. Chung has created exceptionally real characters that made me feel like I was reading Ellie's memoir rather than a fictional novel. Through these characters, she showed how military decisions made over 6,000 miles from North Korea affected the everyday lives of its citizens. This book opened my eyes to the "comfort stations" and the abuse of young Korean women. I did not know much about the Korean War before I read this book, but now I will remember, too.
Do not forget to read the Author's Note at the end of the book.
Thank you, Berkley Publishing Group and Net Galley for the advanced copy of this outstanding book. The comments expressed are my own.
READ THIS BOOK!
Eve J. Chung has created exceptionally real characters that made me feel like I was reading Ellie's memoir rather than a fictional novel. Through these characters, she showed how military decisions made over 6,000 miles from North Korea affected the everyday lives of its citizens. This book opened my eyes to the "comfort stations" and the abuse of young Korean women. I did not know much about the Korean War before I read this book, but now I will remember, too.
Do not forget to read the Author's Note at the end of the book.
Thank you, Berkley Publishing Group and Net Galley for the advanced copy of this outstanding book. The comments expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Well written book about the Korean War, written from the perspective of a Chinese-American war correspondent who ends up in North Korea fighting for her life and desperate to get back to South Korea so she can find American troops who can take her back home. Through her experiences I learnt so much about the Korean war that I didn't know about such as Japan's and China's involvement and how close America came to using atomic weapons. It also covers the topic of comfort women and how there has yet to be an official apology from Japan which is so shocking. The fact that the main character is a woman (rare in the 1950s) and an Asian in an Asian war zone makes the story even more interesting.I think this would make a great book club read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This sweeping historical novel follows Chinese American correspondent Ellie Chang who finds herself stuck in North Korea during the Korean War. With the Soviet Union, Korea, and China hating Americans, and Koreans hating anything Japanese, Ellie was forced to hide her ability to speak Japanese and couldn’t let anyone find out she was American. Read more on my blog about this amazing ARC I was sent by the publisher in exchange for an honest review: https://shouldireaditornot.wordpress....
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This novel is not your average WWII historical fiction about Europe and the Holocaust. If you want to get lost in a story from the past, READ THIS. Eve Chung excels at bringing all of thecharacters to life. The Young Will Remember was hard to put down and I loved it. Fans of historical fiction will love this book that focuses on regular, everyday people during war, specifically women.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is as good or even better than Eve. J. Chung’s first book, “Daughters of Shandong”. This book will teach you what you did not learn in your history class about the Korean War; along with all of its atrocities. Chung is a brilliant writer, passionate about history. History that needs to be told and remembered.
February 18, 2026
A really fascinating perspective!
The story dragged in the middle and i struggled with the amount of miscommunication between characters
The story dragged in the middle and i struggled with the amount of miscommunication between characters
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews