I unfortunately found this book a confusing mix of young adult storytelling and narration, mixed with adult language & childish character portrayals. I was unable to feel support for the FMC, and the mmc was lacking in any character. I was unable to get past around 20% of this book and had to DNF. It just wasn't a book I enjoyed unfortunately

*Shanghai Immortal* by A.Y. Chao is an intriguing mix of Chinese mythology and urban fantasy. The story follows Lady Jing, a half-vampire, half-hulijing (fox spirit), living in the supernatural underworld of Shanghai. While the world-building is rich and steeped in folklore, the pacing can feel uneven at times. Jing’s journey, as she grapples with her identity and uncovers dark secrets, has some compelling moments, especially her interactions with other supernatural beings. However, some of the twists feel a bit telegraphed. Still, it's a fun, atmospheric read with plenty of unique elements that set it apart from typical urban fantasy stories. If you're into mythology and complex characters, it's worth picking up.

Another example of a YA book labeled as an adult when everything about it screams YA. The main character was frustrating to read because of how immature and reckless she is; combining the immense and repetitive "piss-farts"s and "ta-tas" and the tantrums and immense whining, this does not look adult anywhere. the romance was awkward and forced, especially since there was no build-up. I think the ideas in this book were very interesting, but the execution fell short

This book was too difficult for me to finish. Although this book is labeled as adult, the writing style seems more appropriate for young adult. It just didn't work for me, even though I really tried to get into this book. I couldn't connect with the world-building and the characters. Also, it irritates me since the main character appears so immature. I suppose this book was just not meant for me.

In exchange for an honest review, I would like to thank Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the e-arc.

¿Qué mejor excusa para leer un libro que el hecho de que su autora haya pasado por el Celsius? Aprovechando esto, le eché mano a Shanghai Immortal un libro refrescante que puede ser una buena elección de lectura veraniega.


La protagonista de la novela es Lady Jing, medio vampiresa medio espíritu de zorro, que vive en un Shanghai asimilado al infierno y que recibe la misión de acompañar a un mortal en un peligroso periplo trufado de seres sobrenaturales.

Uno de los principales atractivos de la novela es la propia ciudad de Shanghai en los años 30, conocida como la París del este. Chao refleja muy bien tanto la dualidad de la ciudad en su parte mágica y su parte mundana como el ambiente cosmopolita y sofisticado, en ocasiones decadente.

La autora también nos hace llegar su claro mensaje de diáspora, de dificultad para encontrar tu lugar en el mundo cuando tu herencia es mixta, ya sea cultural o genéticamente, o incluso ambas. Una de las herramientas más interesantes de las que hace uso para transmitir esta idea es la utilización de palabras del acervo mitológico chino, para provocar la extrañeza del lector occidental pero a su vez despertar su curiosidad.

A pesar de estos puntos positivos, la novela no está exenta de algunos defectos. El primer tercio del libro adolece de exceso de exposición y A.Y. Chao se empeña mucho en hacernos creer que la protagonista es insufrible. Comprendo que el tono juvenil de la novela quizá tampoco sea muy de mi agrado, pero creo que hay formas de escribir novela juvenil sin necesidad de partir de la premisa de que al lector le falta un hervor. Tampoco es que la prosa sea especialmente atractiva, con ciertas palabras que parecen traducciones literales de otro idioma que suenan un tanto impostadas.

En resumen, se trata de un libro que crea sentimientos encontrados pero que acaba con una valoración positiva.

Phew, it has taken me so long to read this. Sadly, it was a disappointment.
The beginning was promising, but it went downhill quite fast.

The characters annoyed me the most. Lady Jing did not act like 100 years old but more like a teenager.
There were some promising aspects of the story, but the way it was executed it did not really resonate with me. I won't be continuing the series.

A witty and compelling paranormal/historical fantasy. I loved Lady Jing’s character, who self-describes as a “sasshole” and is very much that.

I was super excited for this half vampire half spirit fox fantasy story. I have been really into Asian mythologies and fantasy and retelling. I love hearing about a culture so different from what I grew up with. My biggest complaint about this is that I thought it was supposed to be adult fantasy and it comes off very immature and childish with the wording and writing style and even characterizations

My fantasy vibes have changed and I won’t read this anymore. That being said the reviews sound incredible.

DNF at 9%

Nope.

This is another case of the writing absolutely isn't for me. I struggled to believe this was a 100 year old character as she acted like a petulant toddler! With ta-tas.

I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's been out for ages, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3

I received this book in exchange for an honest review - for a full review check out my YouTube or Goodreads account

I received a copy of this from Netgalley last year and apologise for how long it has taken to finally read and review it.

This was a really easy and fun read for me and a great start to what I imagine is going to be an interesting series! I love when authors blend together unusual combinations of mythology, in this case a fox spirit and vampire. In this instalment we had more from the vampire side, so I'd like to explore more of her fox side in the future!

I had fun with the plot and character relationships. Mr Lee, though a character I sometimes struggled to really grasp and understand (I still have no idea of his age, height or features haha), was a good love interest and I loved the little group of friends as they evolved through the plot.

The storyline with the pearl kind of fell into territory of I've read this before, but there's enough elements there that I think it could end up being an interesting continuation on future books. I really loved the hell shanghai and want to know more later!

A lot of critique has come from people not liking Jing's immaturity and how a 90 year old deity should have more decorum. It's easy to forget that the immaturity from Jing is a front, that behind her childishness and petulance hides the sorrow of a child who has been told over and over that she is unwanted and unlovable. I found her more relatable than I like to admit and saw a lot of my own behaviours reflected in her. I found her someone flawed but also someone who has so much desperation for love she doesn't know how to act when she finally begins to receive it. Also, 90 years in the span of an immortal lifetime is literally NOTHING. Of course she's still going to behave like a teenager at times, because her life has barely even begun!

I will agree with one area of critique in that this reads as more YA than adult. Aside from one or two swear words, this really didn't feel adult at all. Please just say breasts or boobs or something other than ta-tas!

Overall this was a fun novel that had enough of a premise to keep me engages and a solid cast of characters that while at times annoying, at others were brilliant and formed a balanced group that I can't wait to see more of next time!

I'm a bit confused on the age range of this, because I thought it was adult but it read pretty YA. The main character is pretty immature which I can see people taking issue with, but that's definitely just part of her character and how she's forced to grow throughout the story.
I looooved that she was a vampire/deity hybrid, and thought her lineage was so interesting! The world building was exceptionally done, and I loved how their world mirrored the human world. I thought the overall plot and mystery was fun, and the slow burn romance was really well done! This was a really enjoyable read for me, and I'd read this author and hopefully this world again.

This book was amazing! The worldbuilding, with magic, gods and goddesses, demons and more is fabulous and intriguing!

This was a tedious book to get through for sure. It took me a while to actually get engrossed in the story, mostly due to the first person writing, I think. The first half dragged a lot but things got better in the second half and after that this was a good read (ha!). Overall, a decent one time read but not one I'd rave over.

DNF at 51%

I just cannot get into this book. The FMC is annoying and childish and even the interesting setting of jazz age shanghai cannot save it for me. I am dreading reading this and so I am just going to stop.

Shanghai Immortal is a debut novel by A.Y. Chao that is billed as Adult Fantasy. The blurb describes the FMC, Lady Jing, as "half-vampire, half-hulijing fox-spirit and all sasshole". That should have been enough for me not to try and read this. It read like young YA/older middle grade. The main character was obnoxious and unlikeable. I did not enjoy reading this.

Thanks so much to A.Y. Chao and Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC. Shanghai Immortal is available now.

dnf on page 30

trigger warning
<spoiler> familial rejection, grief </spoiler>

Having been traded in for a bauble, Lady Jing hates her place in life in hell. Literal hell.
One of her errands brings her into more intrigues than she'd like.

As you see, I did not get far. This book is marketed as adult fantasy - I checked before coming to this decision! - and I was here for that. The premise sounds interesting, and while I've read Chinese mythology inspired things before, mostly those were YA, and I can feel myself losing interest in stories for this target audience.
But it did not feel like adult fantasy. In my opinion, this book suffers from first person narrator. We're stuck in Lady Jing's head, and she's whiny, constantly complaining, and not like other girls. Look, she's edgy, she drinks blood!

I simply was too annoyed by the narrator's voice to continue.
If my review does not deter you, I urge you to check out some more, by other people. Preferrably by people who still like most ya they read.

The arc was provided by the publisher.

I feel so bad writing a negative review for this book, because I was anticipating this one to be one of my most favorite books of 2023. It really fell flat.
The first half was extremely boring, and I found it hard getting to the halfway point at all. It took me almost the entire time I had access to it in my Netgalley app to finish the book (54 DAYS). For me, that’s an astronomically long amount of time.
I needed things to happen besides watching Jing blunder around for the entire book. I empathized with her struggles, but I couldn’t understand why she was SO childish at that point in her life.
The last thing I’ll say is that the writing itself was extremely juvenile as well. It was too comedic, which is something I don’t personally enjoy. It made the whole book feel like a joke.
Even though I didn’t enjoy this book that much, I’m sure it will be someone else’s cup of tea!
Thank you for this ARC!

An interesting fantasy world but the writing style and the use of language didn't gel with me personally unfortunately! I do think the author has a great imagination so hopefully will gel with another book of theirs in the future.