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Red Seal: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 6 Oct 26A Korean mother and son navigate wars, displacement, and identity across decades and continents in a moving multigenerational saga by the author of White Mulberry.
In 1943 Japan, the Pacific War rages on. Miyoung, a Korean-born single mother and nurse, defies an order to serve in the Imperial Japanese Army and instead flees with her six-year-old son, Ko-chan, who is leaving everything familiar behind, including the grandparents he loves. Miyoung hopes Ko-chan will finally claim his heritage and that she can reclaim her own as well.
Miyoung promises her anxious son an adventure. Their life-changing trek to Miyoung’s homeland takes them first to Japan-occupied Manchuria, where Miyoung’s brother offers shelter and Ko-chan, coming of age, begins to question where his future lies. When Japan’s defeat in World War II forces them to escape again, it triggers a decades-long odyssey of survival, sacrifice, and—for the generations to follow—a search for identity across three nations.
A powerful tribute to the endurance of family bonds, Red Seal explores the struggle to define oneself when torn between multiple worlds and by cultural upheaval, and the resilience it takes to find a place to call home.
In 1943 Japan, the Pacific War rages on. Miyoung, a Korean-born single mother and nurse, defies an order to serve in the Imperial Japanese Army and instead flees with her six-year-old son, Ko-chan, who is leaving everything familiar behind, including the grandparents he loves. Miyoung hopes Ko-chan will finally claim his heritage and that she can reclaim her own as well.
Miyoung promises her anxious son an adventure. Their life-changing trek to Miyoung’s homeland takes them first to Japan-occupied Manchuria, where Miyoung’s brother offers shelter and Ko-chan, coming of age, begins to question where his future lies. When Japan’s defeat in World War II forces them to escape again, it triggers a decades-long odyssey of survival, sacrifice, and—for the generations to follow—a search for identity across three nations.
A powerful tribute to the endurance of family bonds, Red Seal explores the struggle to define oneself when torn between multiple worlds and by cultural upheaval, and the resilience it takes to find a place to call home.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 6, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First of all I thank you to Rosa Kwon Easton and publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for a honest review.
4.5⭐
I wasn't expecting this book to affect me the way it did. Red Seal is one of those books that slowly breaks your heart. It isn't an easy or fast paced read, but it's a deeply emotional story about survival, identity, motherhood and sacrifice.
Set in 1943 during the final years of the Japanese occupation of Korea and continuing through the Korean War, this was beautifully written. Rosa Kwon Easton is incredibly talented at building atmosphere and integrating Korean culture and history naturally without ever feeling like an exposition dump.
The story follows Miyoung, a Korean widow who escapes Japan with her son, Soonho, to avoid being drafted as a nurse. What begins as an escape for a better life soon becomes a lifelong journey through war, poverty and hard choices.
One of my favorite aspects of this novel was the dual POV. Seeing the same events through Miyoung's and Soonho's eyes gave the story so much emotional depth. Miyoung constantly faces impossible decisions for the sake of survival and her son's future. She is the definition of sacrifice. No matter how many times life forced her to start over, she never stopped fighting to give Soonho an education and a better future.
Soonho, on the other hand, struggles to understand the reality imposed on him by those same choices. Following him from childhood into adulthood was heartbreaking as he constantly wrestled with loss, identity, and the feeling that he never truly belonged anywhere.
That quote completely broke my heart because it perfectly captures what this story is about through a child's eyes.
Something that really stood out to me was how much Miyoung valued education and how she did everything she could to make sure her children received one.
The novel beautifully explores how love can be experienced differently. Miyoung believed providing for her son was the greatest expression of love. Soonho, as a child, simply wanted his mother's presence. That difference became one of the most heartbreaking parts of the novel for me.
My biggest struggle was part two of the novel, where the pacing slowed down and some emotional beats in Soonho's narrative started to feel repetitive. However, once he reached adulthood, the story completely picked up again.
The ending completely won me over. Watching Soonho finally understand his mother's choices after becoming a father himself brought the story beautifully full circle.
More than anything, Red Seal gave me a deeper appreciation and respect for everything Koreans endured during the occupation and the Korean War. It's not just a story about surviving. It's about rebuilding a life over and over again while never losing hope for a better future.
One quote that will stay with me is:
4.5⭐
I wasn't expecting this book to affect me the way it did. Red Seal is one of those books that slowly breaks your heart. It isn't an easy or fast paced read, but it's a deeply emotional story about survival, identity, motherhood and sacrifice.
Set in 1943 during the final years of the Japanese occupation of Korea and continuing through the Korean War, this was beautifully written. Rosa Kwon Easton is incredibly talented at building atmosphere and integrating Korean culture and history naturally without ever feeling like an exposition dump.
The story follows Miyoung, a Korean widow who escapes Japan with her son, Soonho, to avoid being drafted as a nurse. What begins as an escape for a better life soon becomes a lifelong journey through war, poverty and hard choices.
One of my favorite aspects of this novel was the dual POV. Seeing the same events through Miyoung's and Soonho's eyes gave the story so much emotional depth. Miyoung constantly faces impossible decisions for the sake of survival and her son's future. She is the definition of sacrifice. No matter how many times life forced her to start over, she never stopped fighting to give Soonho an education and a better future.
Soonho, on the other hand, struggles to understand the reality imposed on him by those same choices. Following him from childhood into adulthood was heartbreaking as he constantly wrestled with loss, identity, and the feeling that he never truly belonged anywhere.
Would he always have to leave people he liked... Did anyone want him?
That quote completely broke my heart because it perfectly captures what this story is about through a child's eyes.
Something that really stood out to me was how much Miyoung valued education and how she did everything she could to make sure her children received one.
The novel beautifully explores how love can be experienced differently. Miyoung believed providing for her son was the greatest expression of love. Soonho, as a child, simply wanted his mother's presence. That difference became one of the most heartbreaking parts of the novel for me.
My biggest struggle was part two of the novel, where the pacing slowed down and some emotional beats in Soonho's narrative started to feel repetitive. However, once he reached adulthood, the story completely picked up again.
The ending completely won me over. Watching Soonho finally understand his mother's choices after becoming a father himself brought the story beautifully full circle.
More than anything, Red Seal gave me a deeper appreciation and respect for everything Koreans endured during the occupation and the Korean War. It's not just a story about surviving. It's about rebuilding a life over and over again while never losing hope for a better future.
One quote that will stay with me is:
No one is going to give me a trophy for how I live my life. There's no winning—there's only life.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Red Seal by Rosa Kwon Easton (e-arc)
Pub date: 6 Oct 2026
My thoughts:
WOW! This was such a mesmerising read. In fact, Red Seal completely exceeded my expectations. Before I get into my review of Red Seal, I should mention that this book is the sequel to White Mulberry. To be honest, while reading White Mulberry, I found it quite predictable because the synopsis revealed several major plot points. Its ending also felt incomplete, although its themes of sacrifice, resilience, and perseverance were truly compelling. Looking back now, however, I realise White Mulberry was simply setting the stage, while Red Seal brought the story to its powerful climax. Following Minyoung and her son, Ko-chan/Soonho, through the Japanese occupation and the Korean War, the dual POV makes their journey heartbreakingly raw. Minyoung’s choices are driven by survival and her determination to prioritise education, while young Soonho simply longs for his mother’s physical presence, highlighting how love can be experienced so differently. Neither perspective feels wrong, perfectly capturing the complexities of the mother-son relationship, where there are no true villains. As life rarely goes according to plan, this reality defines their struggle. Although the pacing slows at times, it allows the emotional moments the space they deserve. The novel brilliantly explores identity, displacement, and the immense toll of starting over. White Mulberry feels like the foundation, but Red Seal is where everything truly blossoms, deepening the emotional stakes and making me appreciate the first book so much more in hindsight. If you love historical fiction like Pachinko, don’t miss this. And if this story continues with Soonho’s journey, I will definitely be picking it up, I am not ready to say goodbye to this family yet. Overall, this was such an unforgettable read, and I wholeheartedly recommend it!
Overall rating:
⭐️ 4.5/5
Thank you to @netgalley and @lakeunionauthors for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub date: 6 Oct 2026
My thoughts:
WOW! This was such a mesmerising read. In fact, Red Seal completely exceeded my expectations. Before I get into my review of Red Seal, I should mention that this book is the sequel to White Mulberry. To be honest, while reading White Mulberry, I found it quite predictable because the synopsis revealed several major plot points. Its ending also felt incomplete, although its themes of sacrifice, resilience, and perseverance were truly compelling. Looking back now, however, I realise White Mulberry was simply setting the stage, while Red Seal brought the story to its powerful climax. Following Minyoung and her son, Ko-chan/Soonho, through the Japanese occupation and the Korean War, the dual POV makes their journey heartbreakingly raw. Minyoung’s choices are driven by survival and her determination to prioritise education, while young Soonho simply longs for his mother’s physical presence, highlighting how love can be experienced so differently. Neither perspective feels wrong, perfectly capturing the complexities of the mother-son relationship, where there are no true villains. As life rarely goes according to plan, this reality defines their struggle. Although the pacing slows at times, it allows the emotional moments the space they deserve. The novel brilliantly explores identity, displacement, and the immense toll of starting over. White Mulberry feels like the foundation, but Red Seal is where everything truly blossoms, deepening the emotional stakes and making me appreciate the first book so much more in hindsight. If you love historical fiction like Pachinko, don’t miss this. And if this story continues with Soonho’s journey, I will definitely be picking it up, I am not ready to say goodbye to this family yet. Overall, this was such an unforgettable read, and I wholeheartedly recommend it!
Overall rating:
⭐️ 4.5/5
Thank you to @netgalley and @lakeunionauthors for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC REVIEW ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing the ARC for an honest review.
"Red Seal" by Rosa Kwon Easton is a beautifully crafted historical novel that tells the heartfelt story of Mi-young, a Korean mother, and her son, Ko-chan, as they navigate the complexities of identity and belonging amid the backdrop of war and migration. Spanning several decades and locations, the narrative really draws you in and gives a profound look at the struggles faced by Korean immigrants.
What I particularly enjoyed was the dual perspective; we get to see how Mi-young’s sacrifices and Ko-chan's longing for his own path create a dynamic and sometimes tense relationship. Their journey toward understanding each other is both realistic and moving, making you really root for them.
While the pacing is a bit slow at first, the emotional depth of the characters and the evolution of their relationship make it all worthwhile. By the end, I felt a strong sense of closure and a deeper appreciation for the themes of family and resilience. Overall, this novel is a touching exploration of love, sacrifice, and the quest for identity that I would recommend to anyone looking for an engaging and thought-provoking read!
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing the ARC for an honest review.
"Red Seal" by Rosa Kwon Easton is a beautifully crafted historical novel that tells the heartfelt story of Mi-young, a Korean mother, and her son, Ko-chan, as they navigate the complexities of identity and belonging amid the backdrop of war and migration. Spanning several decades and locations, the narrative really draws you in and gives a profound look at the struggles faced by Korean immigrants.
What I particularly enjoyed was the dual perspective; we get to see how Mi-young’s sacrifices and Ko-chan's longing for his own path create a dynamic and sometimes tense relationship. Their journey toward understanding each other is both realistic and moving, making you really root for them.
While the pacing is a bit slow at first, the emotional depth of the characters and the evolution of their relationship make it all worthwhile. By the end, I felt a strong sense of closure and a deeper appreciation for the themes of family and resilience. Overall, this novel is a touching exploration of love, sacrifice, and the quest for identity that I would recommend to anyone looking for an engaging and thought-provoking read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Resilience is the key component in Rosa Kwon Easton's sequel, Red Seal. Using dual POV, Easton explores the relationship between a mother and son, picking up the story (from White Mulberry) in 1943 Korea. The choices Miyoung makes as a mother are centered on improving her son's life but the obstacles and challenges she encounters continue to test their relationship and her strength. The history surrounding this diaspora is rich, complicated, and often horrific, compelling mother and son to remain on the move through war-torn Korea, raising the tension throughout the novel.
Miyoung's choices are few and, though it's clear she loves her son Ko-chan/Soonho, survival overtakes love, in the most painful way. Hearing Soonho's voice gives this novel added dimension and invokes empathy for the young boy who finds his way through his trials to regain his true identity. Knowing the events are based on a true story crushed my heart, thinking of the young boy who has to navigate a circuitous path that most of us are lucky enough to never have to set foot on. These characters will stay with me.
Miyoung's choices are few and, though it's clear she loves her son Ko-chan/Soonho, survival overtakes love, in the most painful way. Hearing Soonho's voice gives this novel added dimension and invokes empathy for the young boy who finds his way through his trials to regain his true identity. Knowing the events are based on a true story crushed my heart, thinking of the young boy who has to navigate a circuitous path that most of us are lucky enough to never have to set foot on. These characters will stay with me.
July 10, 2026
e-ARC courtesy of NetGalley!
This book was a bit of a slow start, but every piece of it does its job of informing the story as a whole. By the time I was finishing it, I appreciated every bit of context that was given as you watch the relationship between Miyoung and her son, Soonho unfold. Told in two perspectives, you can see and understand the thoughts and intentions behind every choice, even if you find yourself disagreeing. I’m a sucker for a story with a complicated family dynamic, where there’s no true villain outside of larger, uncontrollable forces at play. No matter how frustrated these characters may have made me feel, you can understand their perspective and why they made the choices they did. Being a parent isn’t easy, and sometimes neither is being a child. A beautiful story where the pace picks and slows down as needed. I definitely would recommend!
This book was a bit of a slow start, but every piece of it does its job of informing the story as a whole. By the time I was finishing it, I appreciated every bit of context that was given as you watch the relationship between Miyoung and her son, Soonho unfold. Told in two perspectives, you can see and understand the thoughts and intentions behind every choice, even if you find yourself disagreeing. I’m a sucker for a story with a complicated family dynamic, where there’s no true villain outside of larger, uncontrollable forces at play. No matter how frustrated these characters may have made me feel, you can understand their perspective and why they made the choices they did. Being a parent isn’t easy, and sometimes neither is being a child. A beautiful story where the pace picks and slows down as needed. I definitely would recommend!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As a fellow country that was also once occupied by Japan, this story truly touched my heart. The writing was so vivid that I could picture everything happening right before my eyes. Minyoung’s strength, sacrifice, and determination to protect her children were incredibly moving. I loved learning a different perspective of Korean history that felt more personal and emotional than what I had known before. While following such an emotional family journey. And honestly, I’m not ready to say goodbye yet and now I’m hoping to read more about Soonho’s journey in America. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Did Not Finish
August 6, 2026I won’t be rating this one. I gave up at 35%. Despite loving books set around Korea and Japan and the history that comes with both this just for not hold me at all. I found paragraphs and chapters to be very repetitive, same wording, same scene. Stilted. I really wanted to love it. That era of war when Japan and the USA were at war and then North and South Korea got chopped in half is something usually of great interest to me. Others so far have loved it. A DNF for me sadly.
Many thanks to the publisher for my ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the publisher for my ARC via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC. Rosa Kwon Easton does it again! Another one of her books I couldn’t put down. I was so excited once I finished White Mulberry to see that she was writing a sequel. And it exceeded my expectations. Not only did the dual perspective add another dimension to the story, but the different ages of each POV navigating the war was an incredible contrast. I would love to see a third book about this family some day.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews