Intrigued? Read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from The Young Will Remember by Eve J. Chung, which releases on May 5th 2026.

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.

EXCERPT

“The orders were ‘no flight nurses,’ right?” I said, flashing my most persuasive grin. If I strained, I could get a dimple to dot my left cheek. “Not ‘no women,’ or ‘no correspondents,’ right, George? In any case, I’m a civilian, so military orders don’t apply to me. Right?”

His stride was longer than mine, and I had to pump my arms to keep up with him. “No, Ellie, you can’t come either,” he said. “And I’m not a dog. You can’t bribe me with food.”

“But I waited in line for these all morning!” I had been betting that George would succumb to these snacks. Like me, he was from the Bay Area and loved the chewy combination of red bean and sticky rice flour. “They’re fresh, from our favorite stand—the one by the bathhouse. Come on, George. California solidarity. No one else from the Global Tribune made it to the Chosin. If I can get there, my boss will go wild. The entire team back home will. Please, George. I need this!”

“Go away, Ellie!” George snapped, swatting at the mochi that I dangled by his nose. “I know you think you have to prove your-self, but this is ridiculous, even for you.”

Barbara had caught up to us, her boots thudding as the plane’s cargo door clanged shut. The other nurses pattered angrily behind her.

“Oh, good Lord,” said Barbara. “If you won’t take us, at least take Ellie. Let her get her story!”

George whirled around to face us, the bags beneath his blood-shot eyes pronounced. “What is wrong with you all?” he demanded. “Do you have any idea what’s happening at Hagaru-ri? The Chinese have the airstrip surrounded. When I fly in, it’s going to be with an escort of fighter jets. When I fly out, it’s going to be through fire. You should just be grateful that you have the day off. Get some rest. Curl your hair and take a bath.”

Barbara flushed so deeply that her freckles faded into her ruddy skin. “Damn you, George. We can help. We want to help!”

I leaped between George and the ladder and stretched my arms out. At five feet two, I barely reached his chin, but I clenched the mochi in my fist and let my typewriter dangle from its shoulder strap. “I thought we were friends, George. I always tell you when there’s beef jerky at the commissary. I always get you extra mochi at the market, because I know you’re too scared of the mochi obasan to buy them yourself.”

George snatched the mochi bag from me, ripping the top. “I’m not scared of the mochi granny,” he said. “And we are friends—good friends. That’s why I want you to stay here. You, of all people, should not be at the Chosin right now. You know what I mean, don’t you?”

The nurses’ outrage dwindled to a hush, and Barbara cocked her head, uncertain. They might have been confused, but I knew exactly what he meant. Of course I did.

If anyone else had referenced my ethnicity, I might have gone ballistic, but George was Japanese American. During World War II, our government had sent his family to an internment camp even though George’s father was fighting for us in France. The Miyashitas didn’t get released until the last camps closed—just four years ago.

“They’re really bloody mad at China over there,” George continued. “If I were you, I’d lie low for now. MacArthur’s foaming at the mouth. Rumor has it, he’s pushing to bomb Manchuria. If it were up to him, we’d go nuclear.”

A chill shivered down my spine.

As a woman in this field, I always had to be brave, to work harder and smarter for every scrap and bone—never complain, and above all, never cry. I kept my fear in a box and labeled it opportunity, but it was still a slippery beast. Courage and madness were different shades of the same color, and I couldn’t tell which I had painted myself with when I said, “I’m willing to take the risk, George. I won’t put my life on hold because some jerks can’t tell the difference between me and a Red.”

I stood my ground, holding my head so high that I had to tilt it back. That was the only way I could look down at someone taller than me.

George rolled his eyes and threw his hand up. “Fine, Ellie. But only because I’m starving, and I need you to feed these to me while I keep my hands on the controls. I swear to God, if you cause any trouble—”

“I won’t cause trouble,” I cried, bouncing with adrenaline while Barbara and the other nurses cheered. “I’ll feed you like you’re my firstborn child. Let’s go!”

Though I wasn’t a flight nurse, when the next pilot came around Barbara was going to argue that George had taken a woman on his plane, so why shouldn’t the others too? I couldn’t help feeling sorry for George, who was probably going to get an earful upon his return, but I grabbed the rungs of the ladder like it was a lifeline for my career.

George pulled my arm. “Get yourself a thicker jacket. It’s cold enough over there to freeze hell over.”

The post Read An Excerpt From ‘The Young Will Remember’ by Eve J. Chung appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Get ready to look forward to some great fiction book releases in 2026! We’ve rounded up just a few fiction books releasing between January and June from thrillers and historical fiction, to stories of friendship and family, and more. With new releases from Jennifer Niven, Simone St. James, Claire Heywood, Catriona Ward, CG Drews, Natalie Haynes, Megan Lally, Xochitl Gonzalez, Emma Straub, Kylie Lee Baker, Nick Cutter, Catherine Adel West, Jennifer Saint, Rob Hart, and more, plus debut novels, you’ll be sure to find quite a few exciting new reads within this list!

Be sure to check out our other 2026 round-ups too, including our Most Anticipated, Romance, Fantasy and Sci-Fi, and Young Adult lists!

JANUARY 2026 FICTION BOOK RELEASES

Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Funny, big-hearted, and deeply moving, Meet the Newmans is a rich family story about the dual lives we lead. Because even when our lives aren’t televised weekly, we all have a behind-the-scenes.

Is This A Cry For Help? by Emily Austin

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A luminous new novel following a librarian who comes back to work after a mental breakdown only to confront book-banning crusaders in an empowering story of grief, love, and the power of libraries.

Women of a Promiscuous Nature by Donna Everhart

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Based on the long-buried history of the American Plan, this powerful and shockingly timely story of resistance and resilience exposes the real government program designed to regulate women’s bodies and sexuality throughout the first half of the 20th century.

Dandelion Is Dead by Rosie Storey

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With sparkling wit and aching tenderness, debut author Rosie Storey gives us a modern love story about the courage it takes to live again after loss and finding hope in the most unexpected places.

Skylark by Paula McLain

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The New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Wife weaves a mesmerizing tale of Paris above and below—where a woman’s quest for artistic freedom in 1664 intertwines with a doctor’s dangerous mission during the German occupation in the 1940s, revealing a story of courage and resistance that transcends time.

You’ll Never Forget Me by Isha Raya

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In this captivating cat-and-mouse thriller, a struggling actress is only just beginning to enjoy the life sheʼs always wanted after inadvertently killing her rival—but now she must contend with the woman who threatens to take it all away.

Burn Down Master’s House by Clay Cane

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Inspired by long-buried true stories of enslaved people who dared to fight back, this powerful novel offers a searing portrayal of resistance. 

The Midnight Carousel by Fiza Saeed McLynn

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The Night Circus meets Water for Elephants in this enchanting, darkly glittering story of grief, obsession, revenge, and enduring love.

The Briars by Sarah Crouch

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The USA TODAY bestselling author of Middletide returns with a lush and atmospheric novel of suspense following a young woman whose job as a game warden puts her in the path of a murderer in a small town eager to protect its own.

Just Watch Me by Lior Torenberg

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Fleabag meets Big Swiss in this bold debut about a charismatic misfit who livestreams her life for seven days and nights to raise money to save her comatose sister—a poignant and darkly funny exploration of grief, forgiveness, and redemption.

A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James

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Simone St. James, the New York Times bestselling author of The Sun Down Motel, returns with her scariest, most shocking novel yet in this pulse-pounding story about siblings who return to the house they fled 18 years before, called back by the ghost of their long-missing brother and his haunting request: Come home.

The Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise Williams

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From the two-time Emmy Award–winning producer and host of the Black and Published podcast comes a sweeping multi-generational epic following seven generations of Dupree women as they navigate love, loss, and the unyielding ties of family in the tradition of Homegoing and The Love Songs of W.E.B. DuBois.

FEBRUARY 2026 FICTION BOOK RELEASES

The Exes by Leodora Darlington

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Who hasn’t wanted to murder an ex—figuratively, at least? In this explosive debut thriller, a woman’s seemingly perfect romantic life is on the verge of collapse as she uncovers a hidden history surfacing dark secrets that have deadly consequences.

A Crown of Stars by Shana Abe

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A sumptuously vivid and poignant account of the Lusitania’s fateful last days, drawn from the true story of an extraordinary young actress who survived the unthinkable—for fans of Marie Benedict, Louis Bayard, Fiona Davis, Kate Quinn, and HBO’s The Gilded Age.

The Wandering Queen by Claire Heywood

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An epic and fiercely imaginative retelling of the story of queen Dido, the legendary founder of Carthage, from the author of the national bestseller Daughters of Sparta.

Where the Wildflowers Grow by Terah Shelton Harris

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From acclaimed author Terah Shelton Harris comes a poignant story of survival and redemption that questions what it means to stop existing and start living.

The Fourth Princess by Janie Chang

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From the internationally bestselling author of The Porcelain Moon comes a haunting Gothic novel set in 1911 China. Two young women living in a crumbling, once-grand Shanghai mansion face danger as secrets of their pasts come to light, even as the mansion’s own secret threatens the present.

Out of the Loop by Katie Siegel

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The Seven Year Slip meets Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers in this wholly original time loop mystery.

Superfan by Jenny Tinghui Zhang

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From National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 honoree Jenny Tinghui Zhang, a novel about a pop idol and his superfan, whose stories shockingly collide

The Midnight Taxi by Yosha Gunasekera

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When the last fare of the night turns up dead in her backseat, a Sri Lankan American taxi driver works off the clock to clear her name in this mystery novel by debut author Yosha Gunasekera.

Adrift by Will Dean

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A high-tension thriller about a family’s descent into darkness that is perfect for fans of Dennis Lehane and Lisa Jewell.

A Sociopath’s Guide to a Successful Marriage by MK Oliver

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A whip-smart and darkly funny crime novel—perfect for fans of My Sister, the Serial Killer and The Maid—that follows a wife and mother with a deadly secret that she must suppress if she wants to maintain her picture-perfect façade.

Bad Asians by Lillian Li

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From the acclaimed author of Number One Chinese Restaurant comes an affecting novel about an unforgettable group of friends trying to make their way in the world without losing themselves, or one another.

Nowhere Burning by Catriona Ward

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Nowhere Burning is a harrowing tale of survival that places the dark fairy tale of Peter Pan and the ruthless dangers of Lord of the Flies into the unforgiving maw of the Colorado Rockies.

MARCH 2026 FICTION BOOK RELEASES

No Friend To This House by Natalie Haynes

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No Friend to This House is an extraordinary reimagining of the myth of Medea from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Stone Blind, Natalie Haynes.

Wretch by Eric LaRocca

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From rising horror star and award-winning author of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke comes a nightmarish, haunting, tech-Gothic thrill ride about sorrow, memory, and the unabashed complexity of love as a transgressive act.

You Did Nothing Wrong by C.G. Drews

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Domestic suspense meets haunted house horror in this adult debut from the New York Times bestselling author of Don’t Let the Forest In.

Strangers In The Villa by Robyn Harding

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From the international bestselling author of The Drowning Woman, a psychological thriller about a couple rocked by infidelity who moves to a villa in Spain’s Costa Brava to rebuild their relationship, only to welcome a pair of visitors who have no intention of leaving.  

How Simi Got Her Groom Back by Sonali Dev

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Two sisters face the real consequences of a fake marriage scheme in an emotional yet hilarious novel about immigration, healing, and family from USA Today bestselling author Sonali Dev.

Bloom by Robbie Couch

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From the New York Times bestselling author of If I See You Again Tomorrow comes a delightful and heartwarming novel about family, love, grief, and one precocious houseplant, that reminds us of the beauty of living a life in full Bloom.

Dig by J. H. Markert

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J. H. Markert returns with a surreal horror novel, perfect for fans of Graveyard Shift and What Moves the Dead.

This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum

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Best friends Benny and Joy like to say they’ve been saving each other’s lives since the moment they met. Until the day Joy disappears and Benny is suspected of murder . . .

Turn Off the Light by Jacquie Walter

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Two women living centuries apart are bound by the same dark secret in this haunting novel that “upends everything you think you know about ghost stories” (Jennifer McMahon, author of The Winter People).

Sweetbitter Song by Rosie Hewlett

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Perfect for fans of The Song of Achilles and from the award-winning author of The Witch of Colchis comes a profoundly moving story of two women on the shores of Ithaca, in the shadows of a legendary war, who must face their own battle – one of sisterhood, survival, and a forbidden love that could destroy them both.

What We Did To Survive by Megan Lally

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A vacation in paradise turns deadly when four teens’ sailing charter hits stormy seas in this propulsive new thriller from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Megan Lally!

Finlay Donovan Crosses The Line by Elle Cosimano

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From New York Times bestseller Elle Cosimano comes Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line—the highly anticipated next installment in the beloved Finlay Donovan series.

APRIL 2026 FICTION BOOK RELEASES

Last Night in Brooklyn by Xochitl Gonzalez

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
New York Times bestselling author Xochitl Gonzalez delivers a captivating story about a young woman whose life becomes ensnared in her glamorous neighbor’s secret past

A Murder Most Camp by Nicolas DiDomizio

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The Guncle meets Every Time I Go On Vacation Someone Dies in this fun, twisty mystery following a spoiled nepo baby forced to work at a struggling summer camp who stumbles into a real-life murder mystery he has no choice but to solve.

We Would Never Tell by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A high-glamour, high-stakes thriller trailing three ambitious women as they navigate Hollywood’s secrets, sins, and scandals during 12 days at the Cannes Film Festival. 

American Fantasy by Emma Straub

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From New York Times bestselling author of This Time Tomorrow, an irresistible story about what happens when your teenage fantasy comes true after you’re already an adult.

The Girls Trip by Ally Condie

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the author of Reese’s Book Club Pick and instant USA Today bestseller The Unwedding, a novel of suspense and friendship about three friends who decide to disappear from their lives for a few days while on a trip to a national park—only to have one of them vanish.

The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke

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Fans of Agatha Christie’s locked-room mysteries and modern tales like Knives Out will fall for The Ending Writes Itself, which masterfully blends classic mystery elements with genre-bending tropes. Crafted with razor-sharp wit and a meta twist, this satirical take on the publishing world ensures readers will hang on every word, right up to its breathtaking finale.

The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer

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Come along with the Book Witch in this magical and inspiring love letter to reading from the USA Today bestselling author of The Wishing Game.

The Caretaker by Marcus Kliewer

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From Marcus Kliewer, a new “titan of the macabre and unsettling” (Erin A. Craig, #1 New York Times bestselling author), comes a supernatural horror about a young woman who accepts a caretaking job from Craigslist, only to discover the position has consequences far greater—and more dangerous—than she ever could have imagined.

Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker

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In this lyrical, wildly inventive horror novel interwoven with Japanese mythology, two people living centuries apart discover a door between their worlds.

The Island Club by Nicola Harrison

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Set against the sun-drenched beaches of Balboa Island, with its prim and proper 1950s facade, The Island Club is a story of love, loneliness and the lies we tell ourselves―and what can be gained when the truth is finally revealed.

Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block by Jesse Q. Sutanto

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A nearly divorced trophy wife enrolls in culinary school to win back her husband, only to find a fresh start in the unlikeliest of places in this new novel from the USA Today bestselling author of Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers.

Go Gentle by Maria Semple

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The New York Times bestselling author of Where’d You Go, Bernadette returns to form in her most exuberant and life-affirming novel yet with the story of one woman’s cheerful determination to live a life of the mind only to have the heart force its way in.

MAY 2026 FICTION BOOK RELEASES

The Library After Dark by Ande Pliego

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A bookseller must escape the infamously haunted library that holds her darkest secrets, but with a murderer in her tour group, escaping alive is not as simple as it seems, in this twisty locked-room thriller from bestselling author of You Are Fatally Invited.

The Dorians by Nick Cutter

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The all-new novel of terror from “one of the hottest horror authors on the planet” (Paste) and writer of the #HorrorBookTok sensation The Troop!

Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
How far would you go to rescue your child? A mother races against the clock—and finds herself on the wrong side of the law—in a desperate fight to save her teenage daughter in this pulse-pounding thriller.

The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett

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The Calamity Club will make you laugh, cry, and cheer—an epic testament to underestimated women who know that calamity can be the spark of new beginnings. This is Kathryn Stockett at her most confident, heartfelt, and hilarious—the triumphant return of one of the most beloved storytellers of our time.

The Anniversary by Alex Finlay

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Twisty, high-concept, and emotionally charged, this novel is an utterly compelling story of the hunt for a serial killer. But it’s also a heartfelt―and heartrending―novel about fate, innocence lost, and two souls who find that sometimes being broken is the only way for the light to get in. 

The Young Will Remember by Eve J. Chung

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A 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.

Villain by Natalie Zina Walschots

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The Boys meets Assistant to the Villain in the electrifying, sharp, violent, and hilarious sequel to the highly acclaimed novel, Hench. Filled with a queer and neurodiverse cast, Villain asks the question: what happens when a diabolically brilliant henchperson looks back at their already storied career and thinks, I can be so much worse.

The One Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh

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From the New York Times–bestselling author of Ghosted and The Love of My Life comes an unmissable emotional thriller: an up-all-night, page-turning love story with a very dark secret at its heart.

Homebound by Portia Elan

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Five interlocking lives. One beloved story. A dazzling adventure across centuries and continents in search of the things that hold us together.

Lady X by Molly Fader

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The search for a notorious vigilante exposes the secrets among three generations of women in this propulsive novel of female resistance and rage, sweeping from contemporary L.A. to gritty 1970s New York.

The Hope Keeper by Heather Webb

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Set in Jazz Age D.C., the story of possession and obsession, and the ever-looming curse of the legendary Hope Diamond, comes to life as the socialites scheme and the jewels glitter in the evening light. 

The Players Club by Rachel Mills

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For fans of Lessons in Chemistry and Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, a bold, big concept debut about a secret club of women who risk everything to ask the question: If you could be anyone…who would you dare to become?

JUNE 2026 FICTION BOOK RELEASES

Tell Your Friends by Lauren Wilson

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A former child star and an envious fan collide in this cat-and-mouse psychological thriller about obsession, self-invention, and the dark side of internet fame.

There’s Only One Sin In Hollywood by Rasheed Newson

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A cinematic, razor-sharp novel following a backlot fixer’s daring investigation into the suspicious death of a closeted Black actor within the glamorous world of Hollywood, from the bestselling author of My Government Means to Kill Me.

A Pair of Aces by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

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A gripping novel about two trailblazing women on opposite sides of the law—a prosecutor and a madam—who team up to bring down notorious mob boss Lucky Luciano in 1930s New York, from the New York Times bestselling authors of the million-copy bestseller The Personal Librarian.

Strangers Behind Closed Doors by Catherine Adel West

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A twisty thriller about a woman who vanishes from a luxury hotel, and the detective who believes the case is tied to the unsolved disappearances of other Black women in the city.

The Break-Up Retreat by Camilla Sten

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An undercover journalist goes to expose an exclusive psychological wellness clinic where women go to recover from heartbreak, with dire consequences, in this creepy thriller from The Bachelorette Party author Camilla Sten.

A Fortune of Sand by Ruta Sepetys

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The daughter of an automotive magnate escapes to an artistic retreat that holds more secrets—and more intrigue—than she could have ever imagined, in this Prohibition-era novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Salt to the Sea.

Girl’s Girl by Sonia Feldman

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From a dazzling new talent, a sensual and spellbinding novel about one summer that shatters the balance between three best friends, forcing them to confront the line between friendship and desire.

This Immortal Heart by Jennifer Saint

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The epic, captivating tale of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, who must reconcile her mind and heart when she is drawn against all odds to Ares, the god of war, from the internationally bestselling author of Ariadne and Hera.

Our Sister’s Keeper by Jasmine Holmes

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A gripping blend of historical fiction and Southern gothic psychological horror, Our Sister’s Keeper is a fierce exploration of Black sisterhood, rage, and resistance.

Three Hitmen and a Baby by Rob Hart

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Welcome back to Assassins Anonymous, where family is everything and danger lurks around every corner.

Pool House by Mary H.K. Choi

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Bestselling young adult author Mary H.K. Choi debuts a brilliantly observed adult novel about mothers, daughters and the complexity of family set against the backdrop of Hollywood.

The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson

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An ambitious young woman insinuates herself into a tight-knit social set, shaking up friendships and marriages in a small seaside town.

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EXCERPT
One frigid morning, I was with Mom in the kitchen preserving root vegetables, with big clay jars on the tables and the smell of vinegar potent in the air. In the morning silence, a soft knock on the door startled me like a shotgun. Someone called, “Miss,” for Mom. Mom quickly wiped her hands on her apron, her brow furrowed since we were not expecting anyone.

As she opened the door, the winter wind swirled its way in gleefully, blowing flour into the air like fine snow. Three of our long-term workers, Mr. Hu, Mr. Zhang, and Mr. Wang, stood before her. I had known them all my life—Mr. Zhang had been with the Angs for decades. Mom said that he reminded her of her father, and often gave him extra food or special items. Most recently, she had slipped him a bit of white flower oil for his inflamed arthritic fingers. “Please come inside,” Mom said, “it’s so cold!” She ushered them in hurriedly and they bowed, wiping the snow off their boots. I shivered as I closed the door behind them.

Something was wrong. Normally the workers greeted Mom boisterously and warmly, laughing and joking with each other despite the hard day ahead of them. Their silence was louder than any alarm could be.

Mom cleared her throat and asked, “Have you eaten yet?”

“Yes, we have,” Mr. Wang insisted, the other two nodding in agreement. “Thank you, we are very full.”

Mom reached for a basket of freshly steamed mantou that she made that morning and handed one to each man anyway. “I’ll get tea,” she said, scurrying for some cups, snapping her fingers at me to indicate that I should help her.

“No thank you Miss,” Mr. Wang said, tucking the mantou in his pocket. “We cannot stay long. And if anyone asks, we were here to talk about adding work hours for spring.”

Mom paused, having never heard such a request before. She gestured at me for the tea anyway, so I went to boil some water, making as little noise as possible so I could hear the men’s low voices.

“Miss,” said Mr. Hu, who was the man whose sick son Mom had given pork buns to. “You must leave town. The Communists are coming for you.”

Mom froze, as did I, my arm still extended towards the kettle. “What do you mean, Mr. Hu?”

“Did you know Shandong is under Communist control now?” Mr. Hu asked, his hands clasped together tightly, anxiously. Beside him, Mr. Wang shifted back and forth.

“Yes, I know the Nationalist army has left.” Mom said, hesitant. She didn’t want to seem stupid, but that was all the information that she had. “They will be back though. The Communists can’t possibly hold the North.” From what we knew, the Communists were not organized—they were like bandits, appearing occasionally, never lingering because they feared Nationalist persecution. I couldn’t imagine what their government would be like, and had overheard Yei Yei say that they would not be unified for long. He was convinced that they would splinter into factions, like warlords, and nothing would change.

Mr. Wang’s dark eyes were solemn as he said, “That might be true eventually, but there are Communist cadres in Zhucheng now. They are asking people about the landowners and the wealthy families, so they can make a list of enemies. The Angs are already on it!”

“Why would we be their enemies?” Mom asked. “Is it because of Jian?” I was just as confused as she was. Why should the Communists want to fight us? We weren’t competing with them for power. Wouldn’t they want to focus their efforts on conquering the rest of the country? Shouldn’t they worry about capturing Chiang Kai-Shek?

Unnerved, Mr. Hu added, more bluntly, “The Communists want a revolution. They are killing all the landowners so they can redistribute everything. They are coming for you, and they will not be merciful. You need to take your children and leave as soon as possible!”

I had never seen our workers so agitated, aggressive in their warning. They looked at us urgently, as though we should drop our vegetables and pack our bags immediately.

Mr. Wang lowered his voice, his face so taut that creases formed in his dry, red skin. “They will torture you at best, kill you at worst!”

Mom gasped, alarmed. We were isolated in our shiheyuan, but the men’s eyes were like telescopes, bridging the distance between us and rest of the countryside. Their words sounded extreme, but it was clear that they had witnessed something horrible. Yet, I didn’t think the Communists could kill every landowner in China…but we also didn’t think that they could win this war. Underestimating them seemed to be our greatest downfall—along with the corruption and incompetence that Yei Yei said was poisoning the Nationalists from within.

“Where can we go?” Mom asked, her face pale as she wondered aloud. “If the Communists control Shandong, is there any city here that would be safe?”

Mr. Hu shook his head, his expression softening to pity, and said, “I don’t know. Maybe Qingdao, since it is still under Kuomintang control. It is larger, and people won’t recognize you easily. Here every person and animal knows the Ang family—and where you live.”

Mr. Zhang added, “You need to get out before the cadres see your faces and can recognize you. Please Miss, I know it’s not easy to leave but you will have no life to live otherwise.” The other two men nodded fervently in agreement.

“You need to be quick!” Mr. Hu insisted.

“Leave during the day,” said Mr. Zhang. “Not at night or you will draw suspicion.”

“You must act like you know nothing, suspect nothing,” said Mr. Wang. “Don’t look nervous. Act as though you are leaving on a simple shopping or trading trip.”

My head was spinning as the men all started talking at once, pushing their suggestions. Our family was so large—how could we possibly leave Zhucheng unnoticed? If the Communists caught us on the road, would we be punished for trying to run?

Mom held up her hands, as though she was surrendering. “All right, I understand. Thank you for thinking of us and for warning me. However, I cannot do anything until I discuss with my husband and father-in-law.” Mom bowed to the three men to show her gratitude. Both of us knew that none of them liked Father or Yei Yei, and notoriously hated Nai Nai, but they cared enough about Mom that they were willing to spare the Angs on her behalf.

Mr. Zhang’s face broke into a sad, tender smile. “You don’t need to thank us,” he said gently. “It is the right thing to do. I’ve known you since you married into this family as a young girl. I could not live in good conscience if I stood by and allowed you to be murdered.”

Mom’s lip trembled, touched, understanding that the three of them were taking an enormous risk to warn her. She gathered three empty sacks, and said to me loudly, “Hai, fill these bags with fresh mantou to thank these three men for agreeing to fix the stables once the snow eases up.” Turning back to them, she said, “Thank you for taking on these extra hours, I know it’s hard, especially when it’s so cold.”

I tied the bags, the mantou still warm, so that the men could tuck them under their coats for extra heat on their way home. Mom also grabbed a few jars of pickled cabbage, boiled eggs, and bags of dried yams and pushed them into their arms, even as the men kept protesting. They bowed their heads before opening the door, another blast of icy wind heralding their departure.

Excerpted from DAUGHTERS OF SHANDONG, published by Berkley, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC. Copyright ©2024 by Angela Chung.

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