Daughters of the Sun and Moon ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Daughters of the Sun and Moon by Lisa See

NetGalley About Summary

In 1870, three Chinese women arrived 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.

Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, China

The Why/How: I was super excited about this one. Lady Tans Circle of Women by Lisa See was one of my five star favorites last year. (Review here ). I liked it so much that after I listened to it I bought the hard copy.
I saw this one on NetGalley and put in my request. I was happy to see my request was approved by the publisher (Scribner)  and available for download. 

Day 3: I'm only at the 32% mark. I'm adding  t0rturɇ to the Triᵷᵷer Warning list. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ <<<<< February 16-2026 Review Pending per publishers request

🎉 Overall Storytelling? 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

🎣 Did it grab and keep my attention? 🎣🎣🎣🎣🎣

🗣️Would I recommend it to anyone? Yes ➕But check triᵷᵷer warnings

🕮 Would I want a sequel? No ➖not necessary

📚 Would I want to read more books by this author? Yes ➕

💣💥 📢 Content Warnings? Google says: Graphic Vi0lɇncɇ  & MaŞ$acre, Rąciąl & S0cietal Dïscrïmïnatï0n, Trɐumɐ & LoŞ$, Abusɇ & Humån Tråⓕⓕickinᵷ
I'm adding T0rturɇ

🌶 Spice? Not spicy, but references to Sɇx work in a br0thel.

🌪 Plot Twist? No

👟 Pace? Good

💻 Tidbits ~ UPDATED Two weeks prior to release date:

Lisa writes in a way that puts me right by their sides. The sights, sounds, and smells of the environment. The pain and suffering they endured, both physical and mental. The fear and dread they felt. It was heart wrenching.

This book is packed full of historical significance. In the late 1800's their culture believed "an educated woman is a worthless woman". All three women are suffering through what was to become their destiny in different ways (as outlined in the About Summary). Having been sold, they arrived against their will. America is not exactly the promised land nor the land of opportunity for them. They had to do whatever was necessary to survive. They form a bond and lean on each other throughout their journeys for strength and perseverance.

The character development draws you into their lives from each one's point of view.

NOTE Reader Be Aware - Be sure to check Content Warnings. I'm adding t0rturɇ.

📚 e-book 

🎧xx.x hours 🕮 384 pages

Not yet published. Expected June 2, 2026 June 9, 2026

Thank you NetGalley and Scribner/Simon & Schuster for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.