The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Chan, Vanessa. The Storm We Made. Marysue Rucci Books, 2024.

Vanessa Chan's novel The Storm We Made is set in British- and Japanese-occupied Malaya before and during World War II. The novel spans roughly a decade in time as it traces the experiences and points of view of the Alcantara family members, toggling between past and present throughout. For the sake of clarity, the following summary relies upon the present tense and a streamlined mode of explanation.

In 1934, Cecily Alcantara meets General Fujiwara at Bintang's British resident's house party. Initially, Cecily believes that Fujiwara is a Chinese man named Bingley Chan. However, when he starts paying Cecily and her husband Gordon house visits, she soon discovers that Bingley is in fact an esteemed general from the Japanese Imperial Army. Over the course of the following weeks and months, Cecily and Fujiwara grow closer and start working together. Although most Bintang residents do not support their Japanese occupiers, Cecily is inspired by Fujiwara's ideas about a future Asia just for Asian people. She therefore agrees to become Fujiwara's informant.

For several years, Cecily's espionage work with Fujiwara makes her feel happy and satisfied. She no longer feels angry or pent up at home. She feels more invested in her relationships with Gordon and her two children, Jujube and Abel. However, when Fujiwara disappears from Bintang without warning or explanation, Cecily feels crushed.

In 1936, Fujiwara returns to Bintang married to the former Mrs. Yap, Lina. Cecily resents Lina and feels betrayed by Fujiwara. However, over time, she and Fujiwara restore their old working relationship and start sleeping together. Meanwhile, Cecily develops a close friendship with Lina.

Cecily and Lina get pregnant at the same time. Shortly before Lina gives birth, Fujiwara disappears to China, abandoning his wife and unborn child. After Cecily gives birth to her third child, Jasmin, Lina goes into labor. However, the midwife distorts the baby's face during delivery, and Lina dies shortly thereafter. Instead of taking in Lina's baby, Cecily tells the midwife to deal with the child.

Cecily does not see Fujiwara again for the next several years. Even when he does return to town and takes up residence in the former British resident's home, he and Cecily do not reestablish their relationship.

In February of 1945, Abel disappears. Cecily is convinced she is being punished for her sinful involvement with Fujiwara years prior. Meanwhile, Japanese soldiers take Abel to a labor camp on the border of Burma and Thailand. Abel becomes the subject of ridicule and abuse, and develops an alcohol dependency to survive his trauma.

Meanwhile in Bintang, the Alcantara family home begins to fall apart. Cecily retreats into anxious silence, while Jujube tries to keep the household clean and orderly. However, her father is ill and her sister, Jasmin, will not obey. One day, after Jujube shoves Jasmin in the basement to keep her out of harm's way, Jasmin runs away from home. She encounters Fujiwara in town, and he takes her back to his palatial house. For the next two weeks, Jujube stays here with the general. Meanwhile, she sneaks out at night to see her friend Yuki, an orphan girl who also has a difficult life.

Cecily goes to Fujiwara's house and demands that Jasmin come home with her. Jasmin refuses and runs away with Yuki to Yuki's hideout in the woods. When airstrikes begin, Cecily and Fujiwara try to find the girls but do not get to them in time.

Abel escapes the camp and returns home. In the wake of Gordon's and Jasmin's deaths and the end of the war, Abel, Cecily, and Jujube attempt to restore their family life together.