Córki słońca i księżyca

by Lisa See, Ewa Ratajczyk (Translator)

Los Angeles, rok 1870.

Do niewielkiego miasta, w którym królują bezprawie i uprzedzenia, przybywają trzy Chinki – Dove, Petal i Moon. Każda z nich niesie ze sobą inną przeszłość i inne marzenie: miłość, wolność lub sprawiedliwość. Choć ich losy potoczyły się odmiennie, wszystkie muszą zmierzyć się z okrucieństwem świata, który nie zamierza dać im szansy. Gdy narastająca wrogość wobec chińskich migrantów prowadzi do tragicznych wydarzeń znanych jako Noc Grozy, kobiety stają do dramatycznej walki o przetrwanie. Dzięki wzajemnemu wsparciu i sile kobiecej przyjaźni udaje im się odzyskać należną godność, wywalczyć wolność i ocalić siebie. Razem są córkami słońca i księżyca.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, China, Audiobook, Asia, Adult

544 pages, Paperback

First published June 9, 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

[Canadian Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa See takes us back through time to 1870. A time when young Chinese women were given up by their families in China and sold to come to America. Many of them being forced to work in bawdy houses. All against their will.
Early on we meet Moon, who is now 80, and recounts how she met Dove & Petal. Moon, was the Chinese doctor’s wife; Petal, brought in to work in a brothel’ aka the 'wife of a thousand men'; Dove, hand-picked to be the second wife to a 60 year old man. All from different classes and backgrounds but somehow they manage to form a connection- a friendship.
Many of these Chinese were treated with hostility and discrimination. Women treated as chattel; concubines; all known to be ‘worthless’.
Lee captured the abandonment and shame these young women no doubt experienced, but she also captured their strength, bravery and resilience.
I appreciate Lee’s ability to weave in the Chinese women’s history in America. How there were 47 Chinese females who arrived in 1870. How The Night of Horrors - which was the Chinese Massacre of 1871 - impacted all the Chinese who resided in the L.A. area. The policies that existed which were brutal for the Chinese women.
A shameful time in American history.
4.5 ⭐️

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

Someone just asked if I've read this, and indeed I have! I just haven't had time to write a review. While not See's best work, I love the historical fiction of Los Angeles in the 1870s, a time where rampant racism and anti-Chinese sentiment ran true. It definitely has correlations to how we view immigrants today, and where their place in the world are knowing there is so much hatred...simply because they're not born here.

Told from the perspective of three Chinese women, who have all come to the U.S. to make a better life for themselves, some being sold by their families, the three struggle to assimilate, becomes forced into prostitution, loveless marriages, and so forth.

My only caveat, I felt like it wrapped up a little too...nicely. This wasn't an easy time to live until much later, especially well after the Chinese Exclusion act ended. Regardless, the story is an important one, and every AMERICAN, should learn about it.

[Teres [on hiatus] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Los Angeles in 1870 had 5,000 inhabitants, 110 saloons, six policemen, and no laws about drunkenness or sex work.

Into this dust-blown pueblo arrive three Chinese women, none of whom chose to come.

Lisa See's Daughters of the Sun and Moon braids the stories of Dove, Petal, and Moon, who live within the same adobe block.

The novel unfolds in a three-tiered narration: Moon speaks in first-person past tense from 1926, looking back across 55 years with the candor of a woman in her 80s; Petal tells her story in first-person present tense, raw and immediate; and Dove appears in third-person present.

The phrase that recurs throughout Daughters of the Sun and Moon is "eating bitterness," the Cantonese expression for swallowing hardship without complaint.

Each woman eats her own variety and plenty of it.

The novel builds toward the Chinese Massacre of October 24, 1871, when an angry mob attacked the pueblo and killed 19 Chinese residents.

The author’s note at the back is essential reading and is honest about what See compressed and combined, drawn from court records, newspapers, and contemporary accounts.

Readers who love historical fiction grounded in archival rigor, who appreciate friendship novels where the friendship is hard-won, will find a great deal to savor here.

Perfect for your next book club read.

[Jaime Fok · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

4.25

SUCH a tough read mentally. We're following the stories of these characters that are heavily based on real humans as they experience a very real historical event. The horrifying things they go through are made harder to stomach when you know how based in reality this book is.

That being said, Lisa See does an incredible job at telling these stories. She has decided to use different narrative styles for each of our 3 women and while I know some readers have difficulty with books that shift perspective styles from chapter to chapter - I think it worked PERFECTLY here, where the choices of the shifts worked so well and were so intentionally matched to each character.

The only reason this isn't a 5 star is there were just a few issues with the pacing feeling a little bit disjointed and perhaps a little repetitive at points. I made a similar observation when reading The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah and it might just be a result of the nature of these types of stories. Some parts are very day to day, and it's very realistic so I understand it - but perhaps just not as compelling storytelling-wise for me personally.

All in all, this is a really important read, please don't skip the author's note!

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa See continues to be the queen of Asian literature. She is the ultimate champion of Chinese women in history, sharing their stories with readers everywhere. I definitely enjoyed this historical fiction book, and fans of this author will too.

This is a story about three Chinese women who meet by chance in Los Angeles in 1870. They are very different from one another, but they soon form a friendship that will bond them together for their entire lives. They all searched for either love, freedom, or justice.

Dove was sent to America at the age of seventeen to be the second wife to a store owner in the new town of Los Angeles, while his wife and children stay home in China to fulfill their filial duty to their ancestors. Dove's duty was to serve her older new husband, follow his every command, and be a symbol of his wealth.

At 18 years old, Petal is sold by her parents in China and sent to California to live a hard life of prostitution. Her dream is to one day return to China and be happy again.

Moon's narrative takes place when she is 82 years old, but she shares her memories of her life in Los Angeles with her loving Chinese husband who is a local physician, and how her life changed when she met Dove and Petal, when she was twenty-six.

All these women arrived in Los Angeles when there were very few Chinese people. Women were bought, sold, and owned. Even though slavery had been abolished, it didn't change things for these immigrant women. They had little value, were hidden away, and had absolutely no control over their bodies or their lives. The Chinese immigrants were vilified and persecuted.

A large part of this book centers around a significant, but little-known historical event. In October of 1871, a large group of rioters and vigilantes in Los Angeles rounded up all the Chinese people they could get their hands on and with the mayor and police turning their backs on the scene, the Chinese were brutally attacked and murdered. This became known as the Chinese Massacre of 1871 or the Night of Horrors. A night of violence brought on by hatred, jealousy, and rivalry.

How the three main female characters survived, saved each other, and moved on with their lives is a beautiful portrait of strength, solidarity, and love.

The Author's Note at the end of the book was greatly appreciated. It contains numerous interesting facts, including information on the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.

My sincere thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a DRC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daughters of the Sun and Moon uses the stories of three Chinese women in 1870s Los Angeles to explore the Chinese society in that city - the tongs, the dehumanization of women, the racism. Moon is the wife of a doctor of Chinese medicine, and lucky to be in a good marriage. Petal was sold by her family in China and sent to LA to be the “wife of a hundred men”. And Dove, a daughter of a scholar with bound feet, has been sent as the second wife to a Chinese merchant. The three women intersect in what was then a small pueblo compared to the likes of San Francisco. It had the distinction at that time of being known as the most violent city in America.
It’s a well done and well researched historical fiction, giving the reader a real feel for the time and place. Yet it was also an unevenly paced story and I felt could have been edited into a tighter story. The strength of the story was in the characters. All three women were fully developed. Their strength and resilience shine through despite the horrors they encountered. Be aware this isn’t an easy read. There’s a lot of violence including lynchings and violence against women. What I didn’t realize until the end was how much of the story was based on real events and real people, including the kidnapping and torture of Petal and Mrs. Grassey’s role in the lynching. It was amazing to realize what’s considered the largest mass lynching in the US was of Chinese, not Blacks.
I listened to this and felt the narrators did an ok job. Jennifer Lim didn’t really attempt to hide her British accent.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man's inability to see the worth of a woman is the downfall of civilization at large.

Lisa See is a renowned author of Asian-based novels. Her books always encompass strong, effective women seeking to change their pre-destined circumstances in life. See taps into her own great-grandparents' experience of residing in the early years of Los Angeles where mixed race couples were shunned by society. Nevertheless, they went on to open a store that withstood the test of time for over forty years.

Daughters of the Sun and Moon reflects that inability of recognizing the worth of a woman. That is unless it came to bartering women in arranged marriages or simply a father selling his own daughter for servitude in the Gold Mountain (America) in order to feed his remaining family. Mothers stood stoically with no voice knowing that they would never see their daughters again.

We'll meet our three heroines aboard a ship bound from China to America. The voyage usually took months and allowed women to view one another with compassionate eyes. There was a kindred spirit knowing that each and every one of them was destined for a dire fate. Some even brought little bags of soil with them from their homeland......a sad reality.

Dove is a beauty with her styled hair and her bound feet. She is looking for love and to be cherished by her husband in this arranged marriage. Petal comes from a poor farming community. She is shocked when her father abandons her aboard this ship. They will both come in contact with Moon, a very Westernized Chinese wife of a doctor in Los Angeles. Dr. Gene is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and herbs. They will find themselves in the same orbit of existence in Los Angeles by fate during highly tumultuous times.

Lisa See introduces us to the very beginnings of the streets of Los Angeles in 1870 where there is deep anti-Chinese sentiments. The majority of the Chinese were men working on the transcontinental railroad. There were only a handful of women. These men visited Chinese women in designated houses. That was the future of these Chinese women coming from mainland China.

And at the core of all this located in this particular section of Los Angeles was the deep impact of the Chinese tongs. The tongs were incredibly powerful and that power was held by ruthless men leaning toward bloodshed and violence. Chinese women were allowed to buy their freedom from the tongs but only after excruciating years of service to the tongs.

And that boiling cauldron of events leads to the Night of Horrors in which the tongs battled one another and the white population became involved. Lisa See shines a light on a very impactful event in history. The brutalities were unspeakable. And our three formerly introduced women will find themselves in a life threatening predicament of immeasurable proportions. Their fate will be cast in the hands of one another. Brilliantly done, Lisa See. Bravo, simply bravo.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Scribner Books and to the talented Lisa See for the opportunity.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

DAUGHTERS OF THE SUN AND MOON
By Lisa See
Narrated by Jennifer Lim, Quanna Luo Masterson, Emily Loo Zeller, and Lisa See

Another forgotten—and ugly—chapter in American history.

Set against the backdrop of the 1871 Chinese Massacre in Los Angeles, this historical fiction novel is layered with stories of survival and belonging. It follows three Chinese women—Dove, Petal, and Moon—whose lives intersect in late nineteenth-century Los Angeles.
Coming from vastly different backgrounds, each faces hardship, sacrifice, and the limitations placed on women as they navigate life amid growing anti-Chinese sentiment.

I appreciate Lisa See’s commitment to uncovering history that has been lost, forgotten, or deliberately overlooked—particularly the stories of women. The characters in Daughters of the Sun and Moon are inspired by real women and men who lived in Los Angeles during the early 1870s. Petal was the most emotionally compelling character for me, and I admired her remarkable courage and resilience.

Extensively researched and richly detailed, this character-driven novel transports readers to nineteenth-century Los Angeles. The tone is reflective, emotional, and at times heartbreaking, yet balanced with moments of strength, perseverance, and hope.

Themes of immigration, prejudice, friendship, family, resilience, and belonging run throughout the story.

After finishing this moving novel, I found myself reflecting on the treatment of Chinese immigrants in nineteenth-century America, particularly during the Night of Horrors in Los Angeles, and considering how those events echo the experiences of many immigrants today. I knew very little about this horrifying event and found myself researching it after I finished the book. The novel raises an important question: Have we learned from the past, or are we destined to repeat it?

The narration by Jennifer Lim, Quanna Luo Masterson, and Emily Woo Zeller gave Dove, Petal, and Moon distinct voices, making it easy to connect with each woman’s story. I’ve enjoyed several of Lisa See’s previous novels, and Daughters of the Sun and Moon is another memorable read. Be sure to listen to the author’s note, where she shares the historical research and real-life events that inspired the novel.

I combined my Goodreads Giveaway copy with the audiobook, which made for an even more immersive reading experience.

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 5 out of 5]

California, United States. 1870, three Chinese women move to and live in a rough and violent post-Civil War town of Los Angeles.

Moon is married to Gene a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and she longs to have a baby. Moon's educated and can speak English, left with a permanent limp due to a failed foot binding when she was a little girl and is in pain every day.

Dove leaves China with her brother as a chaperone and her parents have arranged her marriage to a shop owner and has no idea he's an old man. Aboard the same ship and in the hold is Petal, she left Moon Pond Village, because her parents are poor peasants, their crops have failed and has no clue she's been sold to be an adventured servant and to work in a brothel.

The dual time line story is set from 1870 to 1920, about the three women living in a place where anti-Chinese sentiment and racism is rife, the transcontinental railroad has finished, most American’s think they should return home and of course this isn’t an option.

Moon helps her husband with his medical practice, Dove is an ornament for her husband and is made to sit in his shop all day and Petal works at the Midnight Garden, it will take her four years to repay her boss, that’s if she manages to live long enough and not break Headman Sam’s long list of rules.

The three women know the Chinese are not liked and have no idea to what extent, until the 24th of October 1871, when an angry mob in Los Angles sets out to degrade, damage, loot, harm and murder, in an attack known as the Night of Horrors.

I received a copy of Daughters of the Sun and Moon from Simon & Schuster Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The three ladies were surrounded by what should have been a safe paradise, vineyards, orchards and ranches and it’s not.

Based around true facts, authenticity, extensive research and her own links to Chinese culture, Lisa See delivers a powerful story about strong women, love, loss, hardship, bravery, sorrow and the quest for justice and freedom. This is the first book I have read by Ms See, it won’t be my last and I now understand why she’s a bestselling literary fiction author and I highly recommend.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looks like August is going to be a fantastic reading month!

Lisa See is one of my absolute favourite authors whose titles have been increasingly irresistible to me. Daughters of the Sun and Moon is no exception, as my family and I headed out on a road trip to Lac St Jean; this historical fiction, narrated by three Chinese women, held me captivated. It also taught me about the Los Angeles Chinese Massacre of 1871. A mob of 500 descended upon the Chinese quarter and murdered at least eighteen ethnic Chinese male residents, making it one of the largest mass lynchings in U.S. history. Through the eyes of Dove, Petal, and Moon, readers travel across China to the United States, into a society that does not wish them well. As the novel progresses, we reach that fatal night and its aftermath.


The best type of historical fiction novels are those that teach me about something I couldn't find in a history textbook. I felt it was a clever technique that, while Dove and Petal take us to the 19th century, the character of Moon is much older and reflects on how those events changed her and her friends forever. It kept me very invested in the storyline. The material is heavy; the author's note is insightful, and it is easily one of my favourite reads of the year.


Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada | Scribner for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date 09/06/26
Goodreads Review 01/08/26

[⋆ ☾ mia ❀ ⋆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a powerful and beautifully written book with vivid characters and a strong emotional atmosphere. The subject matter was much heavier than I expected, and the reading experience became difficult for me personally. Readers who are comfortable with very dark themes may connect with it more than I did.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance digital copy.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again, I’ve been reminded of why reading historical fiction is so important. My eyes were opened to an event in our country’s history that I had never even heard of before!

🤔This story centers around “The Night of Horrors” in 1871 Los Angeles, on which angry mob attacked and killed Chinese immigrants.

❤️I loved the historical context of this story and how it was told from the perspectives of three Chinese women. Unfortunately, what had the potential to be a great story wasn’t well-executed.

🤷‍♀️Why not five stars?
Events leading up to the massacre covered 75 percent of the story. I agree that some of these details were important for setting the stage, but the pacing felt slow and repetitive to me. We finally get to the night in question, and then the aftermath is poured out with a barrage of information in the final ten percent.
I wish that the Night of Horrors had happened earlier in the story so that the impact could have been explored in a lengthier manner.

🤔Bottom line: I have seen several stellar reviews for this book, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt. Even though this is my least favorite novel by See, it could still be worthwhile for historical fiction lovers.

⚠️Profanity: none that I recall

Sexual: 2/5 (A main character is a sex worker, and many chapters are devoted to her experiences, although not in great detail.)

Other: Sexual exploitation, sexually transmitted diseases, miscarriage, lynchings, racism, gun violence

🫶🏼Thanks to @scribner and @netgalley for my ARC.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my third Lisa See novel and another 5 star. If she writes it, I'm going to read it.

The three main characters, Dove, Petal and Moon stole my heart. Each of their povs alternated throughout the story and I found myself equally connected to each of them. I love a strong female character!

I was unaware of this time in history and absolutely horrified by the Los Angeles Chinese massacre of 1871. The scenes in the book where this takes place were so hard to read.

I highly recommend Daughters of the Sun and Moon!

My thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada for the gifted copy.

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Lisa See. This one spans the Lives of three Women and Starts in 1870 as they journey to Los Angeles with dreams of a new life. California was not exactly welcoming to Asian Immigrants. Much Violence is to coming.

Petal, Moon, and Dove each live very different lives, but their friendship sustains them.

With Lisa See, I always learn so much history I was unaware of. The Night of Horrors and all the Chinese killed was awful, yet rarely documented. It was a hard life in Los Angeles during this time period. This story was exceptional moving and felt for the three women characters and all they had to endure. It was Wonderful to See each find Their Voice in a Time it was so Difficult to Do. Yet, love for each other gets them through. Lovely Book.

Thank You NetGalley and Scribner for a copy of this book. I always leave reviews of books I read.

[~☆~Autumn]

I won this book and it arrived today. I am so excited. How can I post that I am reading it?

[Bam cooks the books · Rating 5 out of 5]

1870 Los Angeles, California. This is the story of three Chinese women who come to America to begin a new life: one as the beloved wife of a doctor, one to become the second wife for a wealthy old man, and one who has been sold into sexual slavery by her own father. The three form an unlikely friendship that will see them through some truly terrible life experiences.

Based on historical events, the book details how Chinese immigrants were treated in those years following the Civil War. But most importantly we see how poorly women have been treated: either as worthless whores or as prized possessions, with few rights of their own. The Chinese doctor was the one exception--he loved his wife and valued her as a worthy assistant in his medical practice.

Once again, Lisa See has written a remarkable story of three unforgettable women. A book not to be missed.

[Mari Mileham · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ⭐️ It pains me to write this review ( I’m obviously in the minority here) because Lady Tan is one of my favorite books. I could not connect with these characters and I was just plain bored. I felt like nothing happened for 250 pages. Sorry- still love you Lisa See

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daughters of the Sun and Moon, as the author Lisa See states, was inspired by real women: Moon—a doctor’s wife who speaks in retrospect as an old woman; Petal—a peasant girl who tells her story as she lives it in the present; and, Dove—a young wife, seen in the present as an object but from afar. In 1870, these three Chinese women arrive in the small, dusty, and violent Pueblo of Los Angeles on the shores of Gold Mountain. Each woman has her own desires but together they face a ruthless society, devoid of goodwill and increasingly hostile to all three women, despite their different backgrounds. This haunting story is set during a period of rampant anti-Chinese sentiment growing to a fever pitch and culminating in the Night of Horrors, a long-forgotten but bloody episode in American history. Dove, Petal and Moon are brought together by hardship and heartbreak as they, together, discover their voices, find freedom and connect through friendship. Together they are daughters of the sun and moon.

“. . . .the three of us were daughters of the sun and moon—connected, but different in many ways.”

Many years ago, I read the first published book by Lisa See, On Gold Mountain. This was a nonfiction book about her great-grandparents when they first came to Los Angeles. Lisa See’s great-great grandfather came to America to work on the transcontinental railroad. And her great-grandparents—Fong See and Letticie Pruitt—moved from Sacramento to Los Angeles in 1897 as a direct result of the 1871 massacre. I loved that book and the writing of Lisa See, never missing a book of hers and often having the privilege of seeing her at book readings at my local bookstore. What is interesting and tying On Gold Mountain with her latest book, Daughters of the Sun and Moon, is that within a few years Fong See and Ticie opened a shop, the F. Suie One Company, at the corner of Los Angeles and Marchessault Streets, where it remained for decades—just a stone’s throw from where the Night of Horrors unfolded. Lisa See said that what she learned then about the riot and massacre never left her and she wanted to know more. On Gold Mountain is a book that I will certainly have to read again soon.

[Clarissa Labue-Pham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daughters of the Sun and Moon is a stunning novel about female friendship and how women can thrive in the face of adversity.

In 1871 Dove becomes a young wife to a 60-year-old business owner, Petal becomes a prostitute after being sold by her parents, and Moon is the wife of a local doctor. Through hardships and devastation, these women form an unbreakable, lifelong bond. Set against the backdrop of a massacre of Chinese in California, we watch these women endure a traumatic event and learn to make their way in a world torn apart by racism, sexism, and violence.

I loved the three characters. I admired Petal's adaptability and drive, loved Dove's femininity and perseverance, and Moon for her quiet strength and resilience. Each woman has a completely different story and background, but they come together within the bonds of sisterhood. All three characters have such depth and dimension that they feel real.

This novel is a masterful work of historical fiction that is poetic and beautiful. I couldn't get enough of Lisa See's writing style. I felt a gamut of emotions while reading this, from joy to horror, trauma, and hope. This is a work that is so human you walk away feeling like you lived a lifetime through these three women.

If you like historical fiction at all this novel is one you need to drop everything for. I patiently waited this books release for months once I found out See was coming out with a new work. All I can say was this novel was worth every moment I waited and every dime I paid.

[بثينة العيسى · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

كنتُ أعتقد بأنني اكتفيتُ من عوالم ليزا سي، لكنها على ما يبدو ما زالت قادرة على التنوُّع.
في «بنات الشمس والقمر» تحديدًا، كما في سابقتها «فتاة الشاي»، تجاوزت الكاتبة ثيماتها المعتادة عن المرأة الصينية حبيسة التقاليد، القابعة في قاع الهرم الاجتماعي، ومحاولاتها الدؤوبة لاستعادة إنسانيَّتها، لتذهب بنسائها إلى ذلك المكان الشائك، الذي يتقاطع فيه السياسي بالاجتماعي، والتاريخي بالراهن، والصيني بالأبيض.
الرواية مبنية ومستوحاة من وقائع تاريخية، وتعتبر «ليلة الرعب» التي وقعت في لوس أنجلوس سنة 1871، عندما ثار السّكان ضد الجالية الصينية، وبدأوا في نهبِ البيوت وفي تنفيذ إعدامات ميدانية للصينيين في الشوارع، ذروة هذا العمل وركيزته.
لا تحاول ليزا سي هنا تبرئة المجتمع الصيني من أمراضه ووحشيته، ولا تخفف عن القارئ شناعة خطف وبيع واسترقاق الصينيات لأعمال البغاء في ولاية «حرة»، ولا تتورع عن الخوض عالم العصابات الصينية بكل ما ينطوي عليهِ من آثام. لقد كُتبت «بنات الشمس والقمر» بقلبٍ شجاع، في مواجهة المؤلفة لمجتمعها أولا، وللإنسان الأبيض ثانيًا.
لقد شككتُ أحيانًا بأن الكاتبة أرادت «رواية كبيرة» فملأتها بالأحداث، لكن قراءة الملحق الخلفي للعمل جعلني أنظر لهذا العمل بشكلٍ مختلف. إذ بنيت هذه الرواية بالكامِل، وحتى في شخصياتها الثانوية، على أحداثٍ وأشخاص حقيقيين، وكانت الكاتبة بارعة في تطويع الدراما لخدمة الحقيقة عوضًا عن أن تفعل العكس، وهو الأسهل.
رواية موجعة، بترجمة أنيقة للحارث النبهان، أدعوكم لقراءتها.

[Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read by Lisa See. This time the setting is Los Angeles at the turn of the century. The storylines revolve around three young Chinese women immigrants from China & how their lives evolves through very tough trials & tribulations. I love how the author included fascinating characters (Three Finger Lee, Worthless Girl, Headman Yo, etc.) and descriptive storytelling, to paint a very interesting landscape for this novel. The climax of this book was the “Night of Horrors” where the majority of immigrants of Chinese descent in Los Angeles got randomly murdered. The author’s vivid descriptions of the murders were truly horrifying. After the events of the murders, the lives of the three Chinese’s women were completely changed from before. I thought the ending of the book was relatively happy & quite satisfying to read… Overall, a pretty good read.

[Mitzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this newest book by Lisa See is based on real events (such as The Night of Horrors, which I knew nothing about) and inspired by real people of Chinese ancestry that endured almost unimaginable racism and treatment, particularly in Los Angeles in 1870 when anti-Chinese sentiments were high. The 3 main female characters come from very different walks of life, each with a unique challenge, and each yearning for something. One desires to be truly loved, another desires freedom and the third seeks justice. Over time, they are brought together as they discover their individual voices. As is typical with Lisa See books, Daughters of the Sun and Moon was thoroughly researched, emotionally charged and there is again a See family connection.

In many ways it deserves a 5-star rating, yet it was so heart-wrenching that I decided on 4 stars. I realize the difficult stories that are so hard to stomach are important to know, otherwise how can we prevent history from repeating itself if we don't know the story? But be prepared because this book, with its beautiful cover, is so very hard to hear. But there is also an inspirational aspect and 2 quotes that I particularly loved are:
* "Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall."
* "A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live."

[Alanna Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a four star read for me. Books I rate 4 stars are books I will continue to recommend! It was an enjoyable read. If this author writes another novel,I will pick it up! I will be over on my social channels discussing this book and all the others!

[Ellery Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, Ms. See has made fictional characters from the past so vivid that they practically leap off the page. This is the immigrant story of three women who would not have been friends in China, but in a violent, often lawless America, Dove, Petal, and Moon form an unbreakable bond. Their lives are irrevocably chaged by the Night of Horrors, but they survive by their strength, ingenuity, and love for one another. I learned things I hadn’t known about the history of Los Angeles and was angered and saddened by the treatment of the Chinese. Ms. See’s author’s note deepened my connection with this story and I highly recommend you start the book by reading it. This one’s for fans of

🪭 Powerful historical fiction
🪭 Sisterhood
🪭 Women’s roles
🪭Eastern medicine
🪭Immigrant stories
🪭Los Angeles history

[Donna Everhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent historical fiction!

I listened to this, and there were times, b/c of the unusual names, I wanted to see the words, but that definitely didn't detract.

The intertwined lives of Moon, Petal and Dove is fascinating. Their social statuses were uniquely different, and it was interesting to see them level out. By that, I felt each had achieved an equal amount of respect. Each woman's story is interesting and holds its own.

This is a brutal read. See doesn't spare the reader from the true to history treatment of Chinese immigrants. To underscore the truth behind that history, many chapters begin with the local paper write-up of the day. See says in her Author's Note that we've always heard about Tombstone (and there was another - Dodge City, maybe?) for being lawless with lynchings of immigrants, and other horrific crimes. What she says that isn't as well known is that Los Angeles was the worst of the worst. Given what was in this story, she's absolutely right.

Highly recommend!

[JemeryInPrint · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daughters of the Sun and Moon by Lisa See is another five-star read from an author who continues to impress me. I was absolutely enthralled by Lady Tan's Circle of Women, and this novel captured me in much the same way.

One of See's greatest strengths is her ability to create rich, memorable characters while exploring the complexities of women's lives with nuance and compassion. The relationships between women with the support, rivalry, sacrifice, and understanding they offer one another, feels deeply authentic. I was completely invested in the characters and their journeys from beginning to end.

What elevates this to a five-star read is how effortlessly See combines meticulous historical detail with an emotionally compelling story. The setting feels vivid and lived-in without ever overwhelming the narrative, and every challenge the characters face is grounded in the social realities of their time. See has a remarkable talent for illuminating the constraints placed on women while also highlighting their resilience, intelligence, and agency.

Beyond the historical setting, the novel succeeds because of its emotional depth. The triumphs felt earned, the hardships genuinely affecting, and the central themes of family, community, and female solidarity resonated long after I finished the book. Beautifully researched, immersive, and deeply human, Daughters of the Sun and Moon is exactly the kind of historical fiction I love and another reminder of why Lisa See remains one of my favorite authors.

Thank you Lisa See, Simon & Schuster Canada | Scribner, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Ellen Shaffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐️'s. I liked this book. I learned about a part of history that I wasn't aware of which was informative. However, I wasn't immersed in the storyline like I was in her other novels.

[Stephanielikesbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

“From birth we are taught that a girl is a worthless branch on the family tree…”

Absorbing historical fiction read about three women in 1870s Los Angeles where anti-Chinese sentiment was rampant, rival Chinese gangs controlled parts of the city, and women were treated as property to be bought and sold at will. Many ended up in brothels.

The author notes that this story was inspired by real women: Petal and Dove, recently arrived from China - one sold to servitude by her impoverished parents, the other via an arranged marriage with a man three times her age. Mary, the third woman, was the wife of a local Chinese doctor of traditional medicine. The plot unfolded through their eyes in both 1871 and 1926.

Theirs is a story of a life of hardship, survival, and abuse but also of resilience - getting back up after each fall, and of how the women formed a connection and gave each other the strength to survive.

All of this happens against the backdrop of a racist society with open calls to send the “inferior” and “immoral” Chinese immigrants back to China. This racism culminates in the Night of Horror (the Chinese Massacre of 1871), a racially-motivated riot of looting, violence, and lynchings, that affects the lives of Pearl, Dove, and Moon.

With its relatively short chapters and compelling writing, this was a fast read that engaged and informed me about a time and place that I hadn’t heard of before.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️ = Average.
Hardback.

I know you shouldn’t really compare an author’s other books, but I’m going to!😂 This was nowhere near as enjoyable as Lady Tan’s Circle Of Women, which I thought was absolutely fabulous. I think I would’ve liked to have followed one character, rather than three. At times I had to remind myself who was who.
This was heavier on the political history- which of course was horrendous and I’m sure Lisa had to do an awful lot of research before writing this book.
This was well written but not a huge hit in the storyline department, for me.

[Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone y’all need to be reading this story.

It is graphic. It is sickening. It is an American embarrassment.

What I have found though on my 4th of July holiday reading is that the pursuit of freedom is worth every ounce of everything; that we need community to help us along; that being kind is greater than everything; that we are all in this together.

But now, let us learn from three Chinese women who survived it:

“I’ve suffered thousands upon thousands of mistreatments. For too long my belly has been filled with grudges, frustrations, and grievances. So many times I’ve wondered what I must have in a past life to deserve such debasement. Everything always turns to the opposite.”

“I’ve been so focused on physically escaping this life that it isn’t until this moment that I understand there are other means of escape—with my mind and with my heart.

I envision for myself the four great gifts of happiness, prosperity, longevity, and peace.”

“We are only women—

When did that stop you from trying to find freedom? When did that keep you from going forward? When did that prevent you from being a decent women, even when you’d been brought low?”

“Always remember your value….Dont let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do….If she can stand on those tiny feet and do all the things she does, then you can do anything on those big feet of yours.”

“We each had weaknesses to overcome, but we also faced a larger society that wished us not one ounce of goodwill. We shared the experiences of having little choice, little power, and little opportunity. We unearthed within ourselves bravery, endurance, and the ability to eat bitterness. We discovered our voices, found freedom, and changed our destinies. If not for Petal and Dove,I would not be the woman I am today. My heart overflows with gratitude.”