Daughters of the Sun and Moon

by Lisa See

Beloved New York Times bestselling author Lisa See draws on the vibrancy and turmoil of post-Civil War Los Angeles to tell the story of three Chinese women who managed to survive and, eventually, thrive, despite all odds.

In 1870, three Chinese women arrive in the small, dusty, and violent pueblo of Los Angeles. Dove, the bound-footed daughter of an imperial scholar, is entrancing and innocent. These characteristics should bring her great rewards, beginning with her arranged marriage to a much older merchant. Petal, the big-footed daughter of peasants, has grown up hungry and with dirt between her toes. In a moment of desperation, Petal’s father sells her to buy money for rice seed, and she is loaded onto a ship to the Gold Mountain—America—where she is once again sold. Moon is married to a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine. She is educated, speaks fluent English, and has been endowed with a face of great beauty, yet her failed footbinding as a child has left her with a limp that lessens her value in the eyes of many.

Each woman has her own desires. Dove wants to love and be loved, Petal desires freedom, and Moon seeks justice. Together they face a larger society that wishes them not one ounce of good will. Anti-Chinese sentiment is strong in Los Angeles, and this eventually leads to the Night of Horrors during which all three women are challenged in ways they could not have imagined. Brought together by hardship and heartbreak, they must use their bravery, endurance, and ability to “eat bitterness” to discover their voices, find freedom, and connect through solace and friendship. Together they are daughters of the sun and moon.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, China, Historical, Adult Fiction, Literary Fiction, Adult

384 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication June 2, 2026

About the author

Lisa See is the New York Times bestselling author of Lady Tan’s Circle of Women, The Island of Sea Women, The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, The Island of Sea Women, Peony in Love, Shanghai Girls, China Dolls, and Dreams of Joy, which debuted at #1. She is also the author of On Gold Mountain, which tells the story of her Chinese American family’s settlement in Los Angeles. Her books have been published in 39 languages. See was the recipient of the Golden Spike Award from the Chinese Historical Association of Southern California and the History Maker’s Award from the Chinese American Museum. She was also named National Woman of the Year by the Organization of Chinese American Women. You can learn more about her at www.LisaSee.com. You can also follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Reviews

[Stephanie]

If Lisa See is associated with it, I’m in.

[♥︎quinn *editing reviews & shelves* · Rating 5 out of 5]

so excited ! ^-^

[Kristine]

Just Found Out Lisa See’s Latest Book is Coming out June 2, 2026. I love her books. This one really interesting as it Spans the Lives of 3 Women and Starts in 1870. Three women go to Los Angeles and this starts in 1870. California was not exactly welcoming to Asian Immigrants. The Women also must deal with the Asian Expectations of Foot Binding and whether one had it or not greatly influences their Future. More Violence is to come. Hopefully, happiness shines through.

Let me know if you are looking forward to this one, too?

💖💖💖💖

[Dottie Resnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to thank NetGalley, Lisa See and Simon & Schuster for providing me with an ARC of this book, for my honest opinion. First, I am a big fan of historical fiction and Lisa See's writing and her newest book, did not disappoint! She writes in such a way that one can visualize the scene, feel the pain, frustration, excitement, and every other emotion, and those emotions are so visceral one is horrified, sheds tears, laughs, pouts and cheers. This book is about three Chinese women in the late 1870's into the 1920's, when Chinese workers have finished the transcontinental railroad, living in what is now the Los Angeles area. These women are vastly different and the story is told from each of their viewpoints and what they want in their lives, love, freedom and justice. The research Ms. See did is very evident (she even includes some pictures), in the descriptions of the areas, the events, fashions, and attitudes of the people. If I was not already a fan, after reading this book I certainly would be!

[Amanda]

Very excited for See's new book! She's easily one of my favorite contemporary writers, and she introduced me to some fascinating eras of history!

[Bernadette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa See has long been a major voice in Asian historical fiction, and "Daughters of the Sun and Moon" is a powerful reminder of her strengths as a storyteller. While "Lady Tan’s Circle of Women" did not resonate with me as strongly as some of her earlier work, this novel once again showcases See’s ability to create an immersive and emotionally rich reading experience.

I adored getting to know Petal, Moon, and Dove. Each woman’s life unfolds in a distinct way, shaped by circumstance, tradition, and opportunity, yet their stories ultimately come together in meaningful and moving ways. The time period felt especially refreshing, as it is rarely explored in today’s historical fiction. The Night of Horrors, is an event that, as See explains in her author’s note, has largely been erased from the historical record. Reading about it through fiction was both sobering and illuminating.

One of Lisa See’s greatest strengths has always been her ability to fully transport readers into another time and place, and she does so beautifully here. The cultural detail, emotional depth, and care with which she approaches her characters make this a standout novel. I will be enthusiastically recommending "Daughters of the Sun and Moon" to patrons who love immersive, character-driven historical fiction that brings overlooked histories to life.

Thank you to Lisa See, Scribner, and Edelweiss for providing me with the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa See writes such amazing and powerful stories and this one is no different. One of the hardest books I have ever read but such a powerful and important story

[Paola Karmina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my most anticipated novels of 2026. Lisa See did not disappoint! Learning about the main event of this book, I was shocked Id never heard the details surrounding it. Especially considering I have lived in California for the entirety of my adult life.
Without saying too much, this book is about three unlikely friends. Each of the women have incredible yet differing strengths while also remaining ignorant and innocent. They learn to lean on each other in order to survive and move forward from each obstacle they are forced to face. Set in post-civil war California, this story magnifies the most vulnerable voices of the time, women. These women were considered “worthless” in their culture, due to their genitals, and “worthless” in California due to their race. Still they manage to rise together to become pillars of their community in a story ending with hope and resolve

Thank you Lisa See for all of your hard work, the detail and research that went into writing this book was worth the wait! I look forward to hearing more at the book event for this one!

[Annabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

As in past books I've read by Lisa See, the characters drive the story. They are both narrators and the points on which the plot revolves, but more than that they have a great humanity and the compassion, even personal connection, that the author feels for them is clear. The depth of these characters and the way that we are able to see the story unfold from their perspectives makes it easier to empathize and observe without judging in modern day values and views. In this book, the author has three central characters, each with a viewpoint that is relayed from a different perspective: Moon, recounting events of the past; Petal, giving her viewpoint in the present; and Dove, who's view is told in the present by a third-person narrating. At first, I thought it merely a clever exercise in storytelling but by the end the way that is was laid out was very much part of the story, and how it way relayed was as impactful as the tale. From their shared story we get a view of late nineteenth century California in a light that I have not seen explored before. It is an era that I have explored through American authors of the time, as well as other historical fiction and yet this tale feels very different. But beyond learning something new about history, I was touched by the depth of characters and enjoyed getting absorbed in their lives.
I received advanced digital access to this book thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Scribner) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

[Katie Urban · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a massive fan of Lisa See’s writing. Lady Tan’s Circle of Women and The Island of Sea Women are two of my all-time favorite novels. Her historical fiction is immersive and relatable, and I always come away having learned so much, yet completely swept up in the story. This novel is no exception. It is a gripping, beautifully told story that follows three vastly different Chinese women: Petal, Moon, and Dove. All three are living in what is now the Los Angeles area in the late 1870s. Lisa See is a master of character development, and I found myself deeply invested in each of these women and their journeys.

The research behind the novel is impeccable. I knew very little about the lives of Chinese immigrants during this period, and almost nothing about “The Night of Horrors,” an event that, as the author explains, has largely been erased from the historical record. Bringing this forgotten history to light makes the novel all the more powerful.

This story also feels made for the screen. We’ve seen countless Westerns, but rarely from the perspective of Chinese immigrants living in the American West. This book fills that gap beautifully and urgently. I HIGHLY recommend this one! Thank you, NetGalley, for the early digital arc.

[Jifu · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Note: I received an advanced reader copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley)

In a country whose history is unfortunately all-too-rich with hardships and horrors endured by many of its minority and immigrant populations, it feels like the numerous injustices that Chinese immigrants faced in the American West consistently manages to get oddly swept under the rug. Or at least, that’s how it feels to this reader who has spent nearly all his life on the opposite end of the country on the eastern coast. So I am glad for any read that gives me an opportunity to learn more about this chapter of experience. And Daughters of the Sun and Moon> didn’t merely give me the opportunity to learn about a particularly sordid episode that until now has escaped my notice (the Los Angeles Chinese massacre of 1871) but I actually got to experience it, plus a decent amount of the Asian immigrant experience in California at the time through the bonding of See’s characters Moon, Petal, and Dove .Overall, I found this to be read that was simultaneously heartbreaking, uplifting, and frankly quite educational all at once.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa See has written another exquisite novel, this time based on her own family history during the Los Angeles Chinese Massacre of 1871. I was completely immersed in the beautiful yet tragic story of Moon, Dove, and Petal, who endure hardship, abuse, and tragedy, yet ultimately find freedom and strength together. This novel may be See’s best yet! Completely unputdownable.

Publish date: June 2, 2026

After reading this novel, I began researching the actual events that inspired it. Having lived 50+ years in Southern California (at one point, less than 20 miles away from the location of the tragedy), I had never heard of the Chinese Massacre of 1871 before this novel. Daughters of the Sun and Moon is historical fiction gold. Steeped in fact, infused with true-to-life fictional characters, I hung on to every page.

[Linden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moon is the wife of a doctor. Petal has been sold by her father to work in a brothel. Dove has also been sold, but to a rich old man as his second wife. These women come to Los Angeles in the latter part of the 19th century, a lawless city teeming with violence and racism. It’s a hard book to read: if you are triggered by sexual assault, domestic violence, enslavement, cruelty, lynching-- it’s all here. Lisa See is one of my favorite writers, but this book, which is well written and undoubtedly well researched (hence the 4 stars) was incredibly dark, and made its way into my nightmares. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.

[RavenNoir]

giveaway entered.