What do you think?
Rate this book
Shanghai Story #2
Shanghai Dreams
On the eve when the Empire of the Rising Sun arrives to scorch all in its path, one man must sacrifice all to keep alive the glimmer of hope. Follow this saga and watch the brightest city in the East take its last stand at the dawn of WWII.
In the face of horror, his country stands alone. Japan's hunger for power shows no signs of retreat. Pushed to the edge, the Kuomintang turns to the Kremlin as its last hope for help.
To help his country succeed, Clark Yuan has to make a choice.
Follow his heart and pursue the woman he loves?
Or give cover to a Russian princess as her paramour in a plot to sway the Soviets behind their cause?
What should a man do when protecting his country means abandoning his dreams?
Shunned by the community for defending an innocent Nazi, Eden Levine begins the new year friendless and alone. Determined to go on, she immerses herself in work. Her singular goal to expose the Japanese navy's sordid secret and save the comfort women trapped in a living hell.
All that changes when she catches the eye of Neil Sassoon, nephew of Shanghai's most powerful tycoon.
A chance of a lifetime unfolds before her.
As the threat of war in China comes near, should she grasp the prize and promise of safety, or should she stay true to the voice within?
- - -
"When I look at all the devastation that has shattered my dreams, the one dream I will always lament losing is a chance to fall in love with you."
- - -
If you like Herman Wouk, Winds of War, and War and Remembrance , then don't miss this.
In the face of horror, his country stands alone. Japan's hunger for power shows no signs of retreat. Pushed to the edge, the Kuomintang turns to the Kremlin as its last hope for help.
To help his country succeed, Clark Yuan has to make a choice.
Follow his heart and pursue the woman he loves?
Or give cover to a Russian princess as her paramour in a plot to sway the Soviets behind their cause?
What should a man do when protecting his country means abandoning his dreams?
Shunned by the community for defending an innocent Nazi, Eden Levine begins the new year friendless and alone. Determined to go on, she immerses herself in work. Her singular goal to expose the Japanese navy's sordid secret and save the comfort women trapped in a living hell.
All that changes when she catches the eye of Neil Sassoon, nephew of Shanghai's most powerful tycoon.
A chance of a lifetime unfolds before her.
As the threat of war in China comes near, should she grasp the prize and promise of safety, or should she stay true to the voice within?
- - -
"When I look at all the devastation that has shattered my dreams, the one dream I will always lament losing is a chance to fall in love with you."
- - -
If you like Herman Wouk, Winds of War, and War and Remembrance , then don't miss this.
454 pages, ebook
Published November 16, 2018
244 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 25, 2018
While the first book of the series closes with a promising future for Clark and Eden, the second book opens with an obstacle. Clark faces the dilemma of obeying KMT's wish and taking on a fake girlfriend, or pursuing a relationship with Eden. Clark makes a heartbreaking choice, but there seems to be endless opportunities for Eden in Shanghai, and soon she finds herself another suitor. Neil is the heir of the wealthy Jewish business man Victor Sassoon, he is handsome and generous, and he is smitten with Eden. In the meantime, Eden, with the help of Clark, is also back to China Press and busies herself with uncovering secrets of wartime Shanghai. Her controversial articles would once again threaten her own future, including her relationship with Neil. The book is full of twists and turns until the very end, and the characters have to make difficult choices constantly.
Besides the gripping plot, the writing is beautiful and confident. The author maintains a perfect balance between serious, historical events and tender moments. The characterization is also well done. It’s impossible not to like Clark and Eden, who are noble and righteous and always put the greater good of humanity first. But I also like the minor characters such as Isaac, who refuses to yield to material temptations, and the beautiful and mysterious Russian Princess. What I admire the most is the author’s exploration on the complexity of human relations. Should you turn against a loved one in order to do the right thing? Should you defend a friend whose country is at war with yours? The author can be merciless with her powerful writing, and there are times I feel sorry for the characters who find themselves in these quandaries.
The author’s courage to touch upon so many sensitive issues in the story is commendable. There are grisly details of the war I can’t bring myself to read. But then, I enjoy the overall positive tone, conveyed by the characters’ optimism for the future and their undying love for each other. I can’t wait to see them finally get through the horrific war and be together.
Besides the gripping plot, the writing is beautiful and confident. The author maintains a perfect balance between serious, historical events and tender moments. The characterization is also well done. It’s impossible not to like Clark and Eden, who are noble and righteous and always put the greater good of humanity first. But I also like the minor characters such as Isaac, who refuses to yield to material temptations, and the beautiful and mysterious Russian Princess. What I admire the most is the author’s exploration on the complexity of human relations. Should you turn against a loved one in order to do the right thing? Should you defend a friend whose country is at war with yours? The author can be merciless with her powerful writing, and there are times I feel sorry for the characters who find themselves in these quandaries.
The author’s courage to touch upon so many sensitive issues in the story is commendable. There are grisly details of the war I can’t bring myself to read. But then, I enjoy the overall positive tone, conveyed by the characters’ optimism for the future and their undying love for each other. I can’t wait to see them finally get through the horrific war and be together.
July 29, 2019
In the first book in this series, I first met the major characters, Yuan Guo-Hui, known as Clark Yuan, a citizen of Shanghai from a wealthy Chinese family. In book 1, he was recently returned from attending college in the United States. The other major character is Eden Levine, a Jewish refugee living with her family in Shanghai, one of the few places in the world that accepted Jews fleeing the increasing persecution in Nazi Germany.
I loved how the author wrote her characters. Bu having him go by a name he was called when a student in America, and creating him as a character pulled into a job where he interacted with Americans in behalf of Chinese interests, made him easy to like. I fell in love with him in the first book simply because Clark is such a decent, ethical man interested in serving his people, but also doing the right thing by everyone, no matter their nationality.
In this book, for the good of his country, Clark is asked to set aside any personal relationships in order to pose as a lover for an agent working for Chiang Kai-shek’s government. He agrees, knowing it meant telling Eden Levine he could no longer escort her to an important social function and cutting off social contact with her. This complication, plus the other possible love interests that are introduced, left me guessing whether or not the budding romance between these two would continue.
Much of the story dealt with the growing animosity of the Japanese towards the Chinese. The author explained in the novel how Japan had been able to get such a toehold in China. I particularly enjoyed the author’s description of the Japanese attack on the Chinese sector of Shanghai. I was not familiar with this region or its history, so it was an eye-opener.
This book was extremely interesting and a must-read.
I loved how the author wrote her characters. Bu having him go by a name he was called when a student in America, and creating him as a character pulled into a job where he interacted with Americans in behalf of Chinese interests, made him easy to like. I fell in love with him in the first book simply because Clark is such a decent, ethical man interested in serving his people, but also doing the right thing by everyone, no matter their nationality.
In this book, for the good of his country, Clark is asked to set aside any personal relationships in order to pose as a lover for an agent working for Chiang Kai-shek’s government. He agrees, knowing it meant telling Eden Levine he could no longer escort her to an important social function and cutting off social contact with her. This complication, plus the other possible love interests that are introduced, left me guessing whether or not the budding romance between these two would continue.
Much of the story dealt with the growing animosity of the Japanese towards the Chinese. The author explained in the novel how Japan had been able to get such a toehold in China. I particularly enjoyed the author’s description of the Japanese attack on the Chinese sector of Shanghai. I was not familiar with this region or its history, so it was an eye-opener.
This book was extremely interesting and a must-read.
July 12, 2019
Much better than book 1, and actually a good account of WWII in the Chinese theater.
Book 1 had me struggling through copious pages and pages of bdragging narratives and two goody-two-shoes falling in love.
In Book 2, Eden Clark spent nearly no time at all together, which did wonders for their respective character developments. Clark was much less dull with Ekaterina, and Eden also benefitted from her research as well as her relations with the Sassoons.
Many very important subjects are touched upon in this book, such as "comfort womrn" (sex slaves forcibly recruited to service the Japanese occupation army), Nazis and collaborators made appearances.
Alexa Kang did a very good job juggling her themes. And - having read her previous Rose of Anzio series - I have to say her plotting and writing improved as well.
While this book didn't blow my mind (Clark running off with Ekaterina could have done that) it was definetely good, and because of the setting AND the author's considerable knowledge of Chinese culture and WWII history, it was also very entertaining and readable.
I really liked it! And I will of course be reading the spin off novella ...
Book 1 had me struggling through copious pages and pages of bdragging narratives and two goody-two-shoes falling in love.
In Book 2, Eden Clark spent nearly no time at all together, which did wonders for their respective character developments. Clark was much less dull with Ekaterina, and Eden also benefitted from her research as well as her relations with the Sassoons.
Many very important subjects are touched upon in this book, such as "comfort womrn" (sex slaves forcibly recruited to service the Japanese occupation army), Nazis and collaborators made appearances.
Alexa Kang did a very good job juggling her themes. And - having read her previous Rose of Anzio series - I have to say her plotting and writing improved as well.
While this book didn't blow my mind (Clark running off with Ekaterina could have done that) it was definetely good, and because of the setting AND the author's considerable knowledge of Chinese culture and WWII history, it was also very entertaining and readable.
I really liked it! And I will of course be reading the spin off novella ...
November 25, 2018
Secrets revealed
The Shanghai story continues in Shanghai Dreams. Clark and Eden split ways just as they start to fall in love with each other. They each believe the other is in love with someone else. As the conflict between the Chinese and the Japanese intensifies and breaks into war Eden almost marries Neil but a letter to her from Clark changes her mind hours from her wedding, I loved the book and the realistic content to the time period. I also appreciated the descriptions and notes written by the author at the ending of the book describing why she wrote certain parts as she did. I would recommend this book and this series.
The Shanghai story continues in Shanghai Dreams. Clark and Eden split ways just as they start to fall in love with each other. They each believe the other is in love with someone else. As the conflict between the Chinese and the Japanese intensifies and breaks into war Eden almost marries Neil but a letter to her from Clark changes her mind hours from her wedding, I loved the book and the realistic content to the time period. I also appreciated the descriptions and notes written by the author at the ending of the book describing why she wrote certain parts as she did. I would recommend this book and this series.
March 18, 2019
Excellent historical fiction!
This second book of the trilogy is a fascinating on-the-ground look at the pre-WWII attack by the Japanese on Shanghai. Great writing!
It is hard to imagine the absolute lack of support by the international community doing business in China as the country was being ravaged. How shameful!
The unrequited love between Clark and Eden takes an interesting turn. Although, a kiss would have been nice!
A definite recommendation to readers of historical fiction.
This second book of the trilogy is a fascinating on-the-ground look at the pre-WWII attack by the Japanese on Shanghai. Great writing!
It is hard to imagine the absolute lack of support by the international community doing business in China as the country was being ravaged. How shameful!
The unrequited love between Clark and Eden takes an interesting turn. Although, a kiss would have been nice!
A definite recommendation to readers of historical fiction.
November 24, 2020
In this second book, you can witness the vibrant time of China and Shanghai, rocked by the foreign powers. I know of those historical incidents related Japan, but mostly only names and causes of them. This book illustrates the real people's lives vividly under the harsh circumstances. It's always good to see things from different angles. The afterword by the author is fantastic. As a fiction and popular book writer, she contemplated how she should describe those sensitive events, which might offend some readers. After reading the afterword, I understood her intention and I think it is right, even though some words were in fact a bit uncomfortable to read for me. By using real words people spoke, you can understand how they felt at that time.
Read
August 15, 2021Gripping story of history involving the Nazis, the Japanese and the Chinese.
A most interesting book on our history with characters that keep your interests. But, don't forget that this is also reminding us of a time in history when things were not so pleasant. A brutal knowledge of how things unfolded with the Germans regarding the Jews, the Japanese and how brutal they could be and the courage of the Chinese people who tried to save their country from the Japanese. The writer keeps your interest to the end.
A most interesting book on our history with characters that keep your interests. But, don't forget that this is also reminding us of a time in history when things were not so pleasant. A brutal knowledge of how things unfolded with the Germans regarding the Jews, the Japanese and how brutal they could be and the courage of the Chinese people who tried to save their country from the Japanese. The writer keeps your interest to the end.
April 2, 2022
A roller coaster
Part 2 of the saga and matters come to a head in Shanghai. Clark puts his fight to save his country and the reputation of Eden before his personal desires. Eden thinks Clark is lost to her and she allows herself to be perused by one of the most prestigious men in Shanghai, Nei! Sassoon. Loyalties and love are tested to the limit in this well researched and written book.
Part 2 of the saga and matters come to a head in Shanghai. Clark puts his fight to save his country and the reputation of Eden before his personal desires. Eden thinks Clark is lost to her and she allows herself to be perused by one of the most prestigious men in Shanghai, Nei! Sassoon. Loyalties and love are tested to the limit in this well researched and written book.
February 16, 2019
Shanghai Falls
Though unprepared for the Japanese Occupation, the patriots pool their resources to move forward. Having learned about the Pacific Theater and the European Theater, the writer provides knowledge of the turmoil in China. These battles have less print than the others. Much better than the first book of the trilogy.
Though unprepared for the Japanese Occupation, the patriots pool their resources to move forward. Having learned about the Pacific Theater and the European Theater, the writer provides knowledge of the turmoil in China. These battles have less print than the others. Much better than the first book of the trilogy.
November 11, 2019
Immersed in the world of 1930s Shanghai
This story is so powerful. Kang is a talented author whose storytelling is so vivid I felt like I was right there living in Shanghai during this period. This is a story I have never heard told before and she does an incredible job telling it.
This story is so powerful. Kang is a talented author whose storytelling is so vivid I felt like I was right there living in Shanghai during this period. This is a story I have never heard told before and she does an incredible job telling it.
November 14, 2019
A great read...
Alexa Kang clearly puts her all into her novels, and the result is always a beautiful written, compelling, hard-to-put-down, read. I am anxious to read book three of this trilogy.
Alexa Kang clearly puts her all into her novels, and the result is always a beautiful written, compelling, hard-to-put-down, read. I am anxious to read book three of this trilogy.
March 21, 2022
2nd book in their series continues the story of Clark and Eden and the paths their lives take as China and Japan I check closer to war. There is Intrigue, love and heartache as their lives continue to take twists and turns. Moving onto the final book now!
October 19, 2019
Clark is a great main character..He is so proper and interesting...
November 7, 2019
Great trilogy of China and Japan issues and a love story of a Jewish girl and a Chinese man !
Well written and suspenseful!
Well written and suspenseful!
October 15, 2023
Dramatic Thriller
The book kept moving - never a dull moment. A bit of romance a lot of intrigue. A Great read
The book kept moving - never a dull moment. A bit of romance a lot of intrigue. A Great read
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews