American Nurses: The Angels of Bataan
- *Initial Deployment*: US Army nurses were stationed in the Philippines, preparing for potential war.
- *Retreat to Bataan and Corregidor*: Nurses retreated to Bataan and Corregidor Island, establishing jungle hospitals and treating wounded soldiers.
- *Captivity and Imprisonment*: Nurses were captured and imprisoned in Santo Tomas Internment Camp, where they continued to provide medical care despite harsh conditions.

American Soldiers: Bravery and Sacrifice
- *Battle of Bataan and Corregidor*: US and Filipino forces defended the Philippines against Japanese invasion, but were vastly outnumbered and outgunned.
- *Captivity and Imprisonment*: Soldiers were imprisoned in camps like O'Donnell, Cabanatuan, and Bilibid, where they suffered from malnutrition, disease, and physical abuse.
- *Liberation*: In 1945, US forces liberated soldiers from camps, and the islands were eventually secured.

Fort William McKinley and Nichols Field
- *Strategic Roles*: Fort William McKinley and Nichols Field played important roles in US military operations in the Philippines during WWII.
- *Nurse Deployment*: Some US Army nurses were stationed at Fort McKinley before the war, and later retreated to Bataan and Corregidor Island.

Legacy and Impact
- *Shared Sacrifice*: The experiences of American soldiers and nurses in the Philippines during WWII created a lasting bond between the two nations.
- *Recognition and Legacy*: The bravery and sacrifice of US and Filipino soldiers are still remembered and honoured today.

"Angels at War" is a powerful tribute to the courage and resilience of American nurses and soldiers who served in the Philippines during WWII. Their stories are a testament to the enduring spirit of sacrifice and bravery in the face of adversity.

In this brilliant new World War II historical fiction novel, Lana Kortchik brings the Pacific Theater to life in complex and brutal detail. Following nurse Rose Williams upon her arrival to Manila in 1941, readers follow her as she comes face to face with the horrors of war and the brutalities of battlefield medicine in a world totally different from her life in New England. Despite the learning curve and the arrival of Japanese bombs in Manila, Rose has never felt so close to her father, who worked in the Philippines before he died, and she makes friends with the other nurses and even falls in love with a soldier, seizing happiness where she can because life is so uncertain. Packed with powerful and occasionally visceral detail, readers will love this powerful and fascinating new World War II historical fiction novel from Kortchik, who brings her story to life with incredible atmospheric and historical details and brilliant characters. Rose is a fantastic and fascinating protagonist, whose character growth attracts readers, and her character development is absolutely fantastic because her backstory is so detailed. The other major and minor characters are also incredibly detailed and have brilliant backstories, and readers will love this powerful new book.

I thoroughly enjoy reading historical fiction books and especially those that take place during WWII. The focus on nurses who served in the Philippines was different than those I have typically read. The author does an excellent job in making you care about the characters and their lives. What a horrendous time in our history and to absorb the atrocities that the nurses and servicemen experienced will break your heart. I continue to be amazed at the many acts of bravery and sacrifice made by the individuals who endured such difficult treatment by the Japanese military. There was a delightful surprise in the book that brought a smile to my face. This is definitely a book to add to your to-be-read list if you appreciate books in this genre. I will definitely read more books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Digital for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Historical Fiction
War
WWII

For fans of Kristin Hannah's Nightingale and The Women, this was an incredibly touching, insightful and enlightening book that shone light on the real life nurses who were stationed in the Philippines in WWII. As an avid reader of this era of history, this really opened my eyes to the untold stories or horrors of what these women survived during that time as nurses and POW.

There were wonderful twists and turns I did not see coming and Lana's writing style was easily digestible even for those who don't traditionally love historical fiction.

There were some subtle plot holes when it came to Anne's reputation and her role dividing David and Rose that I would've loved a greater conclusion to but overall a read that literally kept me up at night and gave me well-earned peace in its riveting ending.

4.5 stars
Moving and full of surprises, this is everything a good historical fiction should be. I was immediately impressed with Rose, her resilience and determination to look after her patients and keep everyone safe. I adored her relationship with David and found myself heartbroken at the turn of events. I was rooting for her every step of the way, from the first evacuation to the tunnels and finally the camp. This book teetered perfectly between emotional and believable, it was clear that so much research went into this. A remarkable book, with strong characters and even stronger emotions. Highly recommend!

"Angels of War" gives an insight in to the lives of the nurses, military and civilians in the Philippines as they are attacked and occupied by the Japanese. There was a lack of preparation as most of the high command failed to realise how quickly and effectively the enemy would move in. This is another moving and insightful novel from Lana Kortchik, including friendship and love, both essential at a time of strife.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I'd already decided I wasn't going to read any more WWII books, it's all be done, all been said but this one was a little different in that you don't see that many books that relate the story of Japan's part in the war. As I'd read other books by this author I thought I'd give it a go. It's interesting in the story it tells of what it was like for the nurses working in such difficult circumstances and later the harsh treatment both nurses and patients suffered at the hands of the Japanese with little food and no medical supplies to treat the patients.

However for some reason, that I still can't put a finger on, but it must be down to the writing in some way, it failed to bring about much emotion in me. I kind of felt like I was reading a history book and didn't feel completely invested in the characters. I was the same when I read Sisters of The Sky, enjoyed learning about the women fighter pilots but I didn't find it emotive. Perhaps a little slow, maybe could have been shortened a bit and there were a lot of amazing coincidences too in relation to a couple of characters who seemed to pop up out of nowhere at a convenient moment. Perhaps not my favourite of this author's books. The Countess of the Revolution was the best for me, I loved that book.

Set in the Philippines in 1941 this is a moving story about a group of nurses. Rose is on her first assignment with the US Army, she is looking forward to having an adventure. War which was a distant possibility comes to soon and Rose faces daily threats against her life and that of her comrades. Will she survive the turmoil of war?

Another outstanding book from Lana Kortchik. This is the second book I have read recently about nurses in the Philippines and the hardship that both the Islanders and forces suffered under the Japanese. It is horrific to read about the way that human beings were treated and anyone who survived must have been both physically and mentally strong. The horrors must have lived with them for the rest of their lives.

The book is well written with characters that are easy to relate to. The storyline remains strong throughout the book and keeps the reader wanting to know more (several nights I read later than I normally would as I was engrossed). I did feel it was rather rushed at the end and would have liked to have had more about how everyone managed when they got back to the US and how their families reacted.

Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in historical fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and of course Lana for another fantastic read.

I really enjoyed this one. I was immediately hooked and loved the characters,
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this arc

When Rose Williams joins nurses Kate, Anne, Tess & Ida in Manila their idea of paradise is soon shattered when the bombing starts. Soon the nurses are tramping through the jungle to find safety from the Japanese soldiers.
Rose is liked by patients and staff for her caring nature, often putting others before herself (especially in matters of safety) .

I enjoyed the attention to detail, learning more about this particular war.
My favourite character was Rose for her kindness, followed by Hiroshi who proved not all were bad. I had mixed feelings about Anne

This was an excellent read even though the degree of hardship described tore at the heartstrings, making it difficult to read at times. The book tells the story of nurses in the American forces stationed in the Philippines during WW2. Of course, nursing 8n wartime was always going to test your resources to the limit, but then the country was taken over by the imperial Japanese army. The nurses find themselves in a PoW camp and many starve to death. While there are some harrowing moments, the story is lifted by extraordinary acts of kindness and self sacrifice that lead to the survival of the lead characters. For them it is a happy ending, although as rightly pointed out, for many this was not the case. A powerful, dramatic read..

My thanks to Net Galley, HQ Digital, and the personal invitation I received to review this arc.

What an excellent read!!! I loved reading about Rose s maturity growth as an excited young new nurse going to the Phillipines to facing love, death, and the horrors of war. I also found it interesting learning about the aspects of war in Manilla. Highly recommend!!

3,5* rounded up to 4*. I found the historical background set in the Philippines during the Second World War really interesting and gripping as I don't know much about it. The medical team did an incredible work everyone should be aware about. However, there were quite a few coincidences around the romantic part that rendered the storyline rather unrealistic. The romance fell flat to me, plain and utterly predictable. I wanted to read till though because I absolutely wanted to know what would happen to the nurses and doctors. Maybe not the best novel by the author, but still well worth reading!
I received a digital copy of this novel from HarperCollins through NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

A heart filled story of an American Nurse in the Pacific during WWII. I’m glad there was a happy ending!

this was a new take for me on that time in war. ive not read it from this location or view point. and i applaud Lana for ripping my heart in two! no no i mean that lol. because wow what a book. it was just so powerful and emotive and it felt like at times i was crying for them, amongst them and about them. i wasnt but it still hit hard. you know that funny feeling you get in your tummy when things really hit. good books manage that. really good books like this one.
it felt real and by that i mean well researched. and it led me to look further too. i went on to do my own finding out about that time and location and just what the nurses were up against. the bravery and courage of those fighting and those at home is something ill never stop being in awe of. and i dont think i shall be allowed by my own brain to forget this story in a very long time.
im so glad people still write these stories. we need to never stop reading and never forget them.

Fantastic read, loved every minute. Fabulously researched and had you hanging on. Emotional, realistic you felt like you were in the camps, heartwarming and challenging. Makes you think how people survived. Not to be missed.