🧧🀄Shanghai Immortal🀄🧧

(I received an ARC from NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton in exchange for an honest review.)

Half vampire and half fox spirit, Lady Jing is probably the sassiest B (and I say that lightly) in all Shanghai. This adult fantasy debut from AY Chao introduces us to an immortal world parallel to the mortal world where adventures and hijinks are clearly the norm.

Shanghai Immortal is a fast-paced comedic adventure, peppered with all kinds of language; feisty, sassy, hilarious, and everything all over again in Mandarin phrases. It is quite a delight having to read Lady Jing's mutterings.

Though she is pegged at almost a century old, for an adult fantasy Lady Jing still gives off a teen YA vibe with the way she thinks and talks. I recommend reading this when you're in a lighthearted mood and itching for some laughs.

The book feels very plot-centered despite the world it is set in, which I felt was not built up enough to fully reveal and understand it. If you are familiar with Chinese fantasy, or speak Mandarin yourself, most of the terms used would be easily understood as they are glossed over and only briefly described.

There are a number of characters present and introduced in the book but I feel like this is more of an introduction to Lady Jing and her narrow view of her world so we don't really get to see or understand the other characters as they could potentially be. Hopefully we get to see more of these issues addressed in future books.

I've been struggling to form an opinion on this. In my opinion this was much more of a YA novel than an adult - Lady Jing acted like a sulking toddler for most of the story, throwing hissy fits every few pages and using language like "piss farts" and solely referring to breasts as "tatas" made me uncomfortable throughout.

I loved the premise of this book and the last 10% especially was really engaging (even if there was a huge tonal shift from the rest of the book). I would have loved to see more of the fox-spirit, I feel like it was something that was brought up at the start and not mentioned again. Gigi was the best character and the most developed in the book and I'd like to explore her story more.

<i>Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.</i>

On paper, this book should have been everything I was looking for: an adult fantasy novel set in 1930's Shanghai featuring Chinese mythological elements. However, that initial promise didn't quite live up to my expectations.

I immediately struggled with this novel. The first person narration written in the present tense was jarring, although I did eventually get used to it. The main character, Lady Jing, was described as someone who was fierce and fiery, but I wasn't prepared for just how immature she would be. Frequent repetitions of "ta-tas" and "piss-fart" continually took me out of the moment and made it difficult to concentrate on what was actually being said.

The pacing, overall, was also a challenge. I found myself, at multiple points throughout the novel, wondering when I would finally reach the point of the plot. For me, that wasn't until about 80% of the way in, the rest having been dedicated to world-building and establishing characterization. When things finally started to come together, I found it difficult to really care about the stakes or the outcome. It was easier to settle in and enjoy my time reading once I began to think of the it as a mislabelled Young Adult novel, but that first impression was still a challenge to overcome.

Overall, if you're looking for a novel with a strong-willed, outspoken, insecure, and irreverent main character, <i>Shanghai Immortal</i> has that in spades. While I'm curious to see where the story will go in the rest of the planned trilogy, I'm not sure if I'll be sticking with it in order to find out.

🪻 ARC

I absolutely enjoyed this one!
I loved the setting and the characters.
Amazing wordbuilding and a really fun read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC!

I went into this book with high expectations, I've been seeing glowing reviews non-stop. For me, this book fell flat. The FMC fell a bit flat, seemed quite immature. The book didn't read like a an adult book whatsoever. It felt more YA. I also didn't like the use of the slur "imbecile" whilst yes, this comment was made by a hateful group in the book, it's not really corrected in the book or shown that it's wrong whereas another slur that is used at various points throughout the book, something is down about that. These are the sole reasons I rated this 3 stars.

That being said, I did quite like the world. It was a fairly enjoyable read. I got through it quite quick. I would recommend this book if you're interested in vampires, but don't go into the book thinking it's purely about vampires, because its not, which was quite refreshing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I think this book may have been one of my biggest disappointments this year. I eagerly anticipated it and when I finally read it, I found it incredibly underwhelming and cared very little for the story and characters. In fact I found the main character a little annoying, but maybe that’s just how I feel about most, if not all, “sasshole” characters.

I was given an Arc copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I absolutely loved this book! It had me laughing out loud in some parts!

I went into this book thinking it was something totally different than it actually was and I was so pleasantly surprised.

The main character, who is half vampire and half fox spirit, was funny and witty. However at the beginning her childish attitude kind of put me off for a bit!

I am pretty sure this is marketed as an adult but it very much reads like a YA. But don’t let that put you off of the book it was very well done!

All in all I couldn’t get enough of it. Will be recommending it and buying a physical copy for my shelf!

This book really took me by surprise! When I picked it up I was expecting (in typical fantasy fashion) a more serious but also lush writing style. However, this book starts off witty and sarcastic and truly hilarious. I absolutely love our MC and how, because she is immortal and has lived for so long, she doesn't worry about the same things us humans normally would such as propriety.

I really enjoyed all of the different creatures and how they were written. I have always LOVED vampires and in recent years I also found a love for the kitsune! They were both written so well but most importantly, so uniquely!

This story was such a wild ride and the MC truly had my whole heart. She is chaotic and has an unbreakable kind of strength.

I loved this book so much!

Thank you so much to A.Y. Chao, Hodder & Stoughton, and NetGalley for my e-ARC!

This is adult fantasy, and the first in a trilogy.

Our main character is half vampire, half fox spirit, and live in Hell as a ward of the king. She does not fit in with the nobility and is not well thought of by the guards as she kind of runs riot, but when she overhears plans to steal a dragon pearl from the king and no one will listen to her, she decides that she's going to be the one to sort this out.

And when she's tasked with guarding a mortal, that gives her the opportunity to secretly investigate while getting in various scrapes in both hell and in mortal Shanghai.

Plus there is maybe a chance for some romance with the mortal!

I really liked this, the tone is joyful and refreshing. This is adult fantasy and our main character is 100 years old (so flipping the standard age difference gender-wide with out young mortal man) , but at the same time, 100 is young for her people so she does sort of behave as someone in their late teens.

I just really liked the main character, I liked her approach to life, I liked that she was stroppy but upbeat and taking joy in new things (despite trauma in her past) that she comes across in mortal Shanghai.

The romance is sweet rather than spicy, she is very much clueless in that regard and doesn't see it coming, doesn't expect anyone to be interested in her.

4.5 stars!

The premise of this book seemed so interesting with Lady Jing being a half vampire, half fox spirit and the adventure she goes on. The idea for the book seemed like it would be the perfect read. However, this book fell flat for me.

The main thing for me is, that this book is marketed as an adult fantasy but reads very much like YA. As well, the main character continuously says words like piss-fart, dog-fart, turd-egg, and ta-tas which made her sound very immature. With the use of these terms it made me want to DNF the book but I pushed through as I did enjoy the writing style of the author and that's what made the book enjoyable. I just was not a fan of who Lady Jing was and her character.

In addition to this, the love interest developed out of nowhere. There was very lacklustre connection between the two and it just seemed out of place in the novel. The romance between the two was not developed well. As well, not much happened in this book. I really did want to enjoy this but it was not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this e-ARC!

I loved this book so much! It took me a little while to get into it because I had a hard time figuring out the lore, but I found Lady Jin to be endlessly charming (even if she's a little rough around the edges), and I finished the last half of the book in a near marathon sprint because I couldn't put it down! It's something I maybe wouldn't have ordered for the library before but definitely will now!

Ta-Tas. I tried to move past the use of the word. I failed. Not only the use of that word, but also the over describing of things leaving very little for the reader to absorb.

Shanghai Immortal by A. Y. Chao is an enchanting literary masterpiece that takes readers on an extraordinary journey through the captivating city of Shanghai. From the very first page, Chao's vivid storytelling and meticulous attention to detail transport you to a world where ancient traditions seamlessly blend with modern marvels.

The book explores the mystical allure of Shanghai, delving deep into its rich history, vibrant culture, and the enduring spirit of its people. Chao's descriptive prose paints a vivid picture of the city's bustling streets, majestic architecture, and the contrasting landscapes that make Shanghai a truly unique destination.

One of the book's most commendable aspects is the author's ability to effortlessly weave together multiple storylines and characters, creating a tapestry of narratives that converge and intertwine in unexpected ways. The diverse cast of characters adds depth and authenticity to the story, allowing readers to form emotional connections and experience the city through their eyes.

Moreover, Chao's meticulous research shines through in the book, as the historical accuracy and cultural nuances are impeccably portrayed. From the opulent lifestyles of Shanghai's elite to the everyday struggles of ordinary citizens, the author captures the essence of the city and its people with remarkable precision.

Shanghai Immortal is a literary gem that captivates readers with its lyrical prose, evocative imagery, and an intriguing plot that keeps you engrossed until the very last page. The book not only entertains but also educates, offering valuable insights into Shanghai's past, present, and the possibilities of its future.

In conclusion, A. Y. Chao's Shanghai Immortal is an extraordinary work of fiction that deserves high praise. It is a mesmerizing tribute to the city, a celebration of its timeless beauty, and a testament to the immortality of Shanghai's spirit. Whether you are an avid reader, a history enthusiast, or simply someone seeking an unforgettable literary experience, this book is an absolute must-read.

A Shanghai set fantasy adventure full of Chinese mythology stands out from the mythology market with it's high stakes adventure and breath taking ups and downs.

Review: 3.75 stars

Thank you to Hodderscape and Netgalley for a gifted e-ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

For debut fantasy set in the old Shanghai era with a dash of Chinese mythology thrown in, this is a solid read.

Growing up in Chinese culture with most of the glossary used in this book as part of my everyday life, I had no issue jumping straight into the book. Honestly, the vividness of Shanghai in the otherworld with its play of Chinese myth is such a fun read. This throws me back to my childhood where I grew up watching ancient historical dramas touching on the Jade Emperor, the gates of hell, celestial beings and the food (XIAO LONG BAO). It's so nice that the standard Asian terms are now found in books - I honestly love the representation!

This story touches on Lady Jing who was tasked with transporting a mortal, Tony Lee through Yin Shanghai (better known as the version of Shanghai in Hell). However, he was given a false protection token which resulted in the drastic measures Lady Jing had to go through to keep him safe! Fate keeps throwing them together. Lady Jing seeks to pay revenge to her fellow Huilijing (mystical fox clan) headed by her grandmother who desperately is seeking the dragon pearl rumored to be safeguarded by the King of Hell, Tony Lee on the other hand is tasked to help the King of Hell to build a banking system. As Lady Jing got herself into bucket loads of trouble, the King of Hell tasked Tony to take her to mortal Shanghai for the next 3 days to keep her out of trouble as a major conference to prevent major diplomatic trouble.

While I have no strong attachments to either main leads or side characters, I find the author is very consistent with the characteristics of Lady Jing and Tony Lee. I enjoyed reading their banter, especially how oblivious Lady Jing can be about her charm and how hard she tries. Tony Lee is a total cinnamon roll lead and is content to help Lady Jing in her quest. I also love how sneaky he is *coughs-theblood-coughs*

And, mafan y'all for getting to reading this long-beep review- Thank you!

An enjoyable debut from Canadian Chinese author A.Y. Chao. I'm a sucker for mythical and historical settings. This felt like a coming of age story geared towards young adults. I loved the setting of Jazz Age Shanghai. I can recall going to Shanghai and going to the bund and being very surprised at how at deco European it looked against the futuristic backdrop of the newer buildings and other traditional Chinese structures. At first I wasn't sure how I felt about the book, given Lady Jing or Little King had a MASSIVE chip on her shoulder and acted a lot like an impetuous child. That being said it was very action packed and the story flowed well. It was a good length for the story to unfold. I greatly enjoyed the secondary characters, especially Lady Gi, who is NOT a BFF but totally is... I appreciated seeing the vulnerability in Jing and her growth and self-love... Mr. Lee is such a lovely foil, and the Yin Shanghai portion of their trip was such a nice respite in between the action packed sections. I would say what prevented me from giving it 5 stars is that the characters seemed a bit too black and white...so it felt a bit too simple from a character development perspective though there were some minor twists. I'm also hoping this isn't the end of the story of Lady Jing and her friends because I felt like it ended a bit abruptly.

I'm looking forward to seeing what is next for A
Y. Chao.

This book is a glittering look into Shanghai at a divisive point in history. War, jazz, dancing and politics all swirl through both cities - mortal and immortal. Beyond our world, like a mirror to mortal Shanghai, lies yin Shanghai. City of the King of Hell, and centre to much of the politicking of the gods. Deals that make or break continents are made in the Mahong Halls of yin Shanghai. The niceties of court hiding the killing eyes of vipers waiting to strike.

Lady Jiang, ward of the King of hell, is tired of most of it. Ostracised from the court because of her heritage and her past, she acts like any scorned immortal 100ager, that is - a bit of a brat. She scrambles to keep a hold of her world.
Half Fox spirit and half vampire, Jiang fights to understand herself and the world around her. Fiercely loyal to her guardian, Big Wang, she guards his honour even when it isn’t needed.
As plots as plans swirl over Jiangs head, her frustration heightens at not being told, being included. She is tasked with helping a visitor from mortal Shanghai, presumably to keep her from trouble. But with cruel people walking her streets she will act alone if no one else will.

I loved the vibrant setting and the Chinese concept of the afterlife, but the character was so, so annoying. The character was meant to be approaching adulthood at 100 years of age, but half the time she acted like a five year old. It was a relief during the times when she actually decided to be responsible for stuff because we got a break from the brattiness.

Despite that though, I really enjoyed the book. The setting was just really interesting and I was invested in seeing how everything worked. I loved the idea of the roosters coming into hell because it was popular to burn paper roosters for the dead so that hell was just infested with wild roosters. That really spoke to me.

I enjoyed the stuff in the mortal world as well. It was nice to see Jing away from the pettiness of the court so that she could just relax and be herself. It didn't get rid of all of the brattiness, but it did help a lot.

Read for Chinese culture and traditions and a really interesting world.

Oh thank god I'm finally done with this.

This was such a disappointment because I was pretty excited to read it. The FMC is a half fox spirit, half vampire? Hell yeah! And the setting is in an underworld version of Shanghai? Oh, hell yeah, sign me the f up! AND it's an adult fantasy? Take my money!!!

This is one of those novels where it's all ~vibes, no plot. Well, there was a really loose plot. Something about a dragon pearl? And Lady Jing, the MC, was looking for info on it? There was also a romantic subplot? That was literally the extent of it.

Also, despite the adult fantasy label, this read like YA. Hell, I've even read YA novels that were much more mature than this. Jfc, why was this mislabeled?

The first few chapters were great as we get acclimated to the characters and the setting. I loved the audiobook narrator, Mei Mei MacLeod. Her accent was so lovely, and she sounded so enthusiastic. The voices she did for the male love interest and some of the other demons sounded kinda cartoony, but I'll forgive her for that.

But as the story went on, everything became more and more boring. Nothing big actually happened until the last ~20%. We're just dragged through the narrative reading/listening to Lady Jing wandering around Immortal Shanghai and Mortal Shanghai. She gets drunk on 3-day old blood a couple of times and makes a fool of herself. She eats a lot of xiaolongbao to recover. (And one time she even snuggles up to the love interest to recover. I think? And I should be happy about the one bed trope because it's one of my faves, but holy hell, it couldn't even save this mess.) Then she goes around bothering other demonic entities like a bored kid. The male love interest, Mr. Lee, was a straight up stage 5 clinger. I'm honestly not sure what his purpose was. He was literally just there.

Lady Jing is supposed to be a 100-year-old demon creature thing, but her personality sounded like a middle school/high school wannabe alt teen girl who tried way too hard to be ~not like other girls~ but ended up being like every other girl you went to school with. Her cursing is juvenile. Turd eggs? Ta-tas? Piss fart? Really? When I say, "I can't even," I really can't even.

Also, maybe it was just me, but the audiobook narrator sounded so bored as the story dragged on and literally nothing happened. I felt the same way, honestly. At least she tried her best with the different character voices, because in my head, I had already given up. I think this might be her first audiobook, so kudos to her, in all sincerity.

Thank you to Hodderscape and NetGalley for this arc. (I listened to the audiobook since it was already published when I got around to reading it.)

The world of Shanghai Immortal is incredibly intriguing. One the one hand, we have mortal Shanghai of the 30s, and on the other hand the dark, hellish world of demon Shanghai where Lady Jing spent most of her life growing up after being sold to the King of Hell. I know next to nothing about Chinese myths and folklore, so I can’t judge the accuracy of the fantastical elements that are explored in the story (the only familiar name was that of the goddess Chang-e), but I found it very fascinating either way.

The world building was done well but could have been developed even more in my opinion, as several elements were not explained very thoroughly - for example, the thing about fox forms and their tails was mentioned but then never referred to again. My favourite aspect about the world building was the way in which Lady Jing‘s narrator voice changed when she first went to the mortal realm, in accordance to how she experienced that world compared to her own.

The characters were all well chosen but I would have preferred, again, to get to know them a little better. It was easy to get to know Lady Jing very well due to the first person POV, and I adored Mr Lee whose character was developed remarkably well despite that POV - he’s an absolute dream of a love interest, a cinnamon roll (or a toffee, to stay in character). I just wish I had got to know some of the supporting characters a little better as well. Lady Gi in particular seemed to have such an interesting backstory, and I would have loved to learn more about that.

As for the plot itself, I felt like the pacing was a bit off towards the ending. It felt rushed and I would have liked for more things to be resolved and more loose strings to be tied up. Again, I would have also liked for some details to be developed a little bit better just in order to flesh out the characters and the world more.

What I do not understand about this book is why it is advertised as an adult fantasy. Lady Jing is supposed to be almost one hundred years old, yet she acts incredibly childish for the majority of the book. I would expect to see such a character in a YA novel, but not in something targeted at adults. In addition to that, there were no explicit or particularly gruesome scenes described in any detail.

All in all, I adored the idea of the story and would have loved if this were a real adult fantasy. As it is, the whole plot felt very YA to me and thus not as complex and nuanced as I had hoped and expected. Nonetheless, it was a quick, enjoyable read with unique characters.

3.5/5 stars.