4.5 rounded to 5

Having been immersing myself in Asian (Chinese especially) historical media and literature for the past eight years, I was so excited to grab this vivid, cheerfully irreverent homage to Chinese mythology, especially the fantastical tales. This is A.Y. Chao's debut, first of a series, and I am so looking forward to more!

Our narrator is Lady Jing, ward of Big Wang, the King of Hell--who rules the mythic world that overlies thirties Shanghai. I've now seen enough series and films (including film clips from the actual period) set in thirties Shanghai, to salute the research that went into evoking an amazing period in China's very long history. Thirties Shanghai was a meeting and amalgam of different cultures, each gleefully borrowing from the others to try them on, resulting in an exhilarating period that, unfortunately was all too soon overshadowed by world war.

This is a perfect setting for a story that borders the mythic world with a trip across the river.

Lady Jing is nearly 100 years old, and, typical for Xianxia, that means she's a young thing teetering on the verge of adulthood. In Xianxia, a cosmos full of gods and demons and weird spirits, time measure is in centuries and millennia. She's a "mongrel," or so her horrible relations insist, which is why she's the ward of the King of Hell. She's half huli, or nine-tailed-fox, and half vampire. She's been raised by a couple of venerable mythic figures in Big Wang's Court. ("Wang" by the way, means "king") She's feisty and mischievous and burgeoning with nascent power, but like many adolescents on the verge of adulthood, she's too impatient to sit for lessons. Especially as it seems everyone in Hell's court hates her guts, and there are powerful figures related to her who go out of their way to be cruel. With the emotional fallout you'd expect.

Lady Jing is requested by Big Wang to meet a mortal who is proposing a bank for the undead. Big Wang is interested in modernizing Hell, which means creating a bank. So Jing meets Tony Lee, a mortal who is clearly (except to inexperienced Jing) smitten with her, pretty much from the start.

Adventures ensue, with plenty of earthy observations by Jing, as she painfully comes to terms with aspects of her birth and early years. Perhaps symbolic, she fights hard against wearing the qipao, the gorgeous silk gown of the period--skin-tight, it looks spectacular on the right body, at the cost of moving. Or even breathing freely. And Jing, trained in martial arts, needs to be able to move.

I won't say any more than that. I galloped through the book, delighting in Jing and her adventures, and her slow, wary approach to growing up and into her powers. Along the way we get a thorough grounding in Chinese myth; what I loved most, I think, was Mr. Lee's reason for coming to Big Wang in the first place. That resonated with so many of the Chinese stories I've been inhaling over these past few years. Likewise, I loved the scattering of Chinese vocabulary through the story, exulting in the fact that I recognized all these words.

The result was a satisfying immersion in a world I want to revisit, leaving me looking very much forward to Lady Jing's further adventures.

4.5 because the copyediting could have been much better.

I tried really hard to enjoy this book but struggled hard. The writing was not really at a standard or level I am used to, especially with immature terms being thrown about every other page. I may still try to pick this up later on and give it another go but for now I'm having to DNF it. Maybe it's that I'm just not I'm the right mindset for this right now. If my opinion changes in the future after reading it I will definitely be updating my review on goodreads to reflect it.

Shanghai Immortal is a captivating story that is also unlike anything you've read before.
There is never a dull moment and you'll be constantly laughing. The characters are witty and well developed as well.
I really really enjoyed this book and how it integrated supernatural aspects into a sort of historical setting in 1920´s Shanghai.

This book had some great moments, but ultimately wasn't my favourite.

The book is based in shanghai but the immortal version. I liked the Chinese Mythological aspects and the way they were incorporated into the world building. I also enjoyed that there were two versions of shanghai coinciding and that you got to understand how each impacted the other.

I don't believe this book fits in the adult genre, it definitely felt more YA. The underlying story is about the FMC discovering herself and coming to terms with her life and how although she is different she is still loved by those around her. There was a lot of interesting uses of words such as 'ta ta's' 'Piss-Fart' and 'egg-turd' which brought the writing to YA in my opinion.

I really wanted to like Lady Jing, but she was just as a bit to whiny. The love aspect fell a little flat, it felt forced and the characters had little chemistry.

One thing I did really enjoy were the side characters. I could very clearly see that each of them had a unique personality and it really added to the story especially when this interacted with Lady Jing.

Overall I wouldn't be put of reading more from A.Y. Chao in the future I just feel like this book was missing something.

*Thank you to NetGalley & Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with the ARC to review.

A cheeky traipse in Hell. Shanghai Immortal is a fun and enlightening adventure that blends Chinese myth with a modern aesthetic. A. Y. Chao's attention to detail brings Shanghai and her characters to life. Also, Lee provides Lady Jing an earnest and worthy Jiminy Cricket.

A fantastic, addictive and hilarious debut that will take readers on a wild ride! Buckle up!

Meet Lady Jing, a half vampire, half fox spirit that was pawned by her mother to the King of Hell as a child. With a very short fuse, bad temper and absolutely no filter, she has spent the past ninety years running errands and trying to survive the constant attacks from spiteful hulijing courtiers.
When the King requests that she escorts a human guest to meet him, she has to make sure no one or something eats him. Things get complicated when she overhears the courtiers planning to steal the dragon pearl from the King's treasury. With the help of the mortal guest, Jing embarks on a journey to prove herself, expose (or get revenge against ) those responsible for her pain and trauma, and maybe... fall in love in the process. What can possibility go wrong?

I absolutely loved Lady Jing as a protagonist. She has absolutely no filter, saying and insulting without discrimination, and speaking her mind no matter who is in front of her. Her snarky, sarcastic comments and insults made me laugh multiple times. But beneath the string front she puts on, it's a young woman unable to let go of her pain and of everyone's opinion of her. I also enjoyed her most vulnerable moments, her growth, and the growth of the relationships with those around her close circle. The secondary characters are so complex and well-explored that I know the story wouldn't have been the same without them, their strengths and their unwavering love for Jing. Gigi is a particular favourite of mine.

The world-building is simply fantastic. I loved the idea of Hell being a close-copy of Mortal Shanghai, and how the two are connected. The description of all the foods and cocktails made me want to just eat Asian for a week! All those dumplings...

The ancient Chinese myths and legends are integrated beautifully into the story and the little drops of historical and social history, made this book that much better and immersive.

I can't recommend it highly enough!

Shanghai Immortal is a successful, funny, ironic and mysterious debut, which mixes Chinese mythology and culture with fantasy elements such as vampires and demons but also with a very nice romance and a magical and enchanted setting like the city of Shanghai in the 1930s

The protagonist, Lady Jing, half vampire / demon and half fox spirit was given by her mother to the King of the underworld when she was little and now she lives in the immortal Shanghi, doing menial errands for the king.
The book centers around her journey to seeking the truth about a plot to steal a highly coveted dragon pearl from the king. Through her adventures accompanied by a banker from the world of the living, she will find friendships, love and even herself!

Lady Jing is a really strong, funny, immature, impulsive and cheeky protagonist, but during the novel she will also experience moments of vulnerability and above all of growth, while the male protagonist, Mr Lee, is a very reserved, kind, thoughtful man and a bit goofy... it's a cinnamon roll! Indeed it is a Baozi :) I loved their relationship, the love story is really cute and I liked how it was developed.

I loved the setting and the historical aspect! Chinese culture, traditions, food, especially food!!

The only criticism I can make is the ending: in fact I didn't like how it was handled and how the book ended, but I can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy to find out how the story continues and meet my beloved characters again!

Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder&Stoughton for providing me with this ARC!
Immortal Longings is out everywhere June 1, 2023!

Thank you to @hodderbooks and @netgalley for my e-ARC of Shanghai Immortal by A.Y. Chao.

I want to preface this review by saying that I know for a fact that this book will not be for everyone. If you have delicate sensibilities and are easily offended by words like "piss-fart" and "ta-tas," as a matter of fact, you might hate this book. I, however, have the mouth of a sailor and am not offended by profanities. In fact, I found them hilarious. You see, Lady Jing, our FMC, is an absolute sasshole, and I love her for this. I love that Chao didn't shy away from developing Lady Jing's sassiness because she felt colorful and full of life.

Lady Jing is half vampire, half fox spirit, and a ward of Hell. The book was full of hijinks and chaos in the best possible way, and I truly happened upon it at the best possible time, since I've been reading mostly dark, heavy, complex fantasy. And that's not to discount the world that Chao built, but giving credit to the levity that was baked into the story. It's rare that a book hits my mood just right, but this one definitely did.

The plot wasn't particularly fast-paced, but I really didn't mind it because of how much I loved the characters. Obviously I would die for Lady Jing, but I loved Mr Lee and Gigi as well. All around, this book was a damn good time, but one where heading in you need to know you're reading for the ~vibes~ and those vibes are that you need something magical, and funny, and light-hearted. I loved the story in and of itself, but the author's note at the end was just *chef's kiss.* All the stars. I can't wait to add this one to my shelf!

I was so excited for this book after reading the synopsis but unfortunately it was a letdown.
I loved the idea of this book, the chinese mythology, and its setting but that was it.
It was advertised as a "richly told adult fantasy" but tbh it read as a YA or even a middle grade. The writing style was very juvenile, & our main character is supposed to be an immortal 100yr old but she acts like a kid which was so annoying.

Even though I didn't enjoy this book, I would still recommend it to people that are starting to transition from reading YA to Adult books.


Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review

I was initially a little sceptical of Lady Jing. I understood why she was so defensive but her behaviour was annoyingly juvenile at times. She ended up growing on me. The story had a great plot and I liked a lot of the characters. Everything was described in such a way that I could picture it in my head and I appreciate when an author can do that. It allows me to fully immerse in the book. I’m already looking forward to the next instalment.

Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy.

I expected to like this one since I read another Chinese mythology, but it was kind of hard for me to enjoy following the story, the worldbuilding. I think it could've used more development. The romance was bland, and it was definitely not for me. I wish I could talk to some people about this book, perhaps it may change my perspective.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC

Oh. My. God. I'm not kidding when I say 100/5. This was incredible. I love how the MC thinks; she's so hilarious and caustic, it's wonderful. I couldn't stop laughing at her inner monologues. She was a bit childish for her age, which I appreciated at times but found a bit annoying at others. While reading this, I learned a lot about all the different creatures in Chinese mythology. As well as the names of traditional Chinese attire that I may have seen before but couldn't name. Plus, all that talk of xiao long bao has made me extremely hungry, and I desperately need to go get some to satisfy my cravings. I absolutely enjoyed reading this, and the tale kept me entertained throughout. I really liked the mystery and adventure elements in this book, especially those hidden secrets, which brought the unfolding story together in the end. I really enjoyed the pure and slow burn of a romance that brewed between Lady Jing and Tony Lee. I really encourage you to check out this; it's one of my absolute favourites from 2023!

‘Lies are the broken planks that keep me from drowning in all the shite that gets thrown my way.’

I received an advance review copy from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I was provided an eARC of this book by the publisher/NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.

I enjoyed the easy writing style that Alice has. Unfortunately, the book was a letdown in every other aspect. Nothing much happened in the book and it was more a YA than NA story.

The main character was extremely insufferable and I couldn’t stand her using words like ‘piss-fart’. She was very shallow in behavior too. The love interest developed out of nowhere. The liked the other characters but I can’t comment on it more since characters were well developed.

In general, I’d say this book was a pass for me. However, given the easygoing writing style, I’d like to see what Alice does in the future.

Lady Jing, half-vampire and half-hulijing, has spent the past ninety years running errands for the King and trying to fit into the court life. She teams up with a mortal, Mr. Lee, to find evidence that courtiers are plotting against the King.

I hear historical fantasy and I run. I like how the historical aspect blended with the fantasy and even the romance aspects. I also loved the differences between immortal and mortal Shanghai, which were both explored so well in my opinion. I will definitely be reading more from this author!

In an underworld parallel to 1930s Shanghai, the King's ward, a half vampire half hulijing spirit spends her days creating mayhem and struggling with her identity and powers. When she overheards a plot against her guardian by her estranged maternal family, Lady Jing sets out to uncover their secrets and prove her mettle. With her mission complicated by the mystery of the human banker Tony Lee, Lady Jing sets off on a trail of mayhem throughout the mortal and immortal worlds.

I was looking forward to this book since I first saw it announced, and it definitely lived up to expectations. Authors of asian mythology have been hitting it out of the park consistently for the past few years and this was no exception. I didn't expect the comedic aspect of it, but Lady Jing's irreverence and her friendship with Gigi were the true highlights of this book.

I liked Tony Lee well enough, although I was pretty ambivalent before his backstory and their journey to mortal Shanghai. Jing was a treasure, exasperating at times but always for good reason and like Big Wang, you just can't stay mad at her.

I wish that Jing's powers and how she came into them had been more detailed, but I'm hoping the fact that it wasn't means that this could evolve into a series.

The world building was spectacular, rich in history of what Shanghai might have been like, with enough glitz and glamour to dazzle without sweeping very real issues under the rug. I like my fantasy grounded in a touch of reality, magic doesn't cure all ills after all.

Overall this was a really enjoyable read, with a world I'd love to dive back into.

First I want to thank NetGalley and Hodderscape for allowing me access to an arc of this title in exchange for my honest review.

I love Shanghai Immortal. A. Y. Chao does an amazing job of transporting the reader to the immortal realm of Yin Shanghai. This vision of Hell as the arrival place for souls to either pass on to their reincarnation or work off their karmic debts incurred during life in the mortal realm comes to life from the very first page.

I love novels that mingle the modern with the ancient. Weaving the myths of ages past into the tapestry of modern, or relatively modern, life. The book takes place in 1930's Shanghai and weaves between the mortal and immortal realms. This story has something for everyone; forbidden romance, teen angst, dragon magic, vampires, hopping jiangshi, fart jokes, and Xiaolongbao. I personally have a soft spot for all things dumpling, but I have a distinct lack of knowledge with regards to the Chinese myths and legends. Some of the references I was able to catch, but others sent me down rabbit holes of amazing stories I had yet to explore. I am so grateful to A. Y. Chao for introducing me to a whole new world of fantastic myths and creatures.

I'm sure if I took some more time and really put my head to it I could find a few little details that were less than perfect, but I don't even think that would detract much from the other success of Shanghai Immortal. Jing is curious and creative but with a strong dose of chaotic energy. I immediately felt myself cheering for her while begging for her to try and trust in the love and good nature of those that care for her. She may have been a little overly impetuous early on, but that just shows her growth through the novel.

If you like myth stories like American Gods or Spirited Away this is right up there. Even if you're not familiar with the full scope of myths and legends this is a really great story to dip your toe in. I hope you enjoy the book and I appreciate you taking the time to read this review. Happy Reading.

Shanghai Immortal was filled with magic, crude humour, and profound sentiment. The backdrop was based on historical facts and Chinese mythology, making up an intriguing premise. To highlight intriguing social structures, geographical features and historical occurrences of the era, the author made considerable use of a variety of mythological realms. The world-building was interesting and atmospheric components can be found. I liked how Chao incorporated social commentary into this action-packed fantasy adventure and how real history informed this fictitious rendition. It was written in a very unique kind of first person which took some time to get used to but Lady Jing’s perspective provided a compelling and entertaining voice and a very sentimental and frequently critical commentary to the story. Despite the high rank Jing was born with, she was seen as being overly hasty, uncivilised and worthless. Jing was a feisty and sarcastic character, she was unusual to her world because she was descended from both the vampire and nine-tailed fox lines. She fought for what she believed in and had a big heart. She was impetuous, opinionated, and rebellious, which frequently got her into difficult situations for both herself and the people who care for her. Jing was familiar with loneliness, finding it challenging to blend in since she feels torn between two worlds and the different parts of her heritage and it was great to see her heal from that and her trauma. Her journey towards friendship and family reunion contributed to great character development. I adored the sensitive moments underneath her quips as she learned to trust and rely on others. We watched Jing overcome her pain and anguish, learning how to love and be loved throughout the course of the narrative. Mr Lee, the mortal Jing meets along the way, had a golden heart, additionally bringing about some amusing encounters and strange antics. He personified optimism and exhibited courage despite having every reason not to. The romance between Jing and Mr Lee was charming and wholesome. The conclusion was a bit sudden and left me with questions and a few new people and backstories I'd like to learn more about.

I blame myself for not liking this book. I was drawn in by the gorgeous cover and didn’t pay as much attention to the synopsis. I should have know when the main character was described as a “sasshole” that this book wouldn’t be for me. I’m not typically a fan of humor in my fantasy books unless it’s a cozy fantasy, and this book was definitely trying to be humorous.

DNF at 10%

I had really high expectations for this read. This book was really hyped up to me, and sadly, I didn't feel like it lived up to all the hype.

Everything about this book just missed the mark with me. The main character was very juvenile and immature. I felt like she acted like a typical YA main character, not like an MC from an adult fantasy novel. Everything about her character kind of confused me, and I found it hard to connect to her character because of that.

Another issue I had with this book was that it felt very YA instead of adult. I think this is what threw me off the most at times was that I wasn't sure why it was tagged as an adult book. Overall, it read very YA, and there was really nothing about it that made it seem like it should be in the adult genre. I think if it was marketed as a YA book that would've helped a lot with my thought process while reading.

I also wasn't a huge fan of the slow burn romance which at times felt completely nonexistent. So fair warning to other readers out there, I wouldn't classify this book as a romance at all. It is definitely a secondary plot at best. I was not aware that the romance wasn't really a main focal point until I was reading, so that threw me off a little as well.

Overall, the concept of this book was interesting, and I found myself wishing I could get into the idea. But overall, I found myself bored throughout majority of the book. I think the biggest knock for me was the YA vibe this book gave off. I think this book has potential, it just didn't work for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

This was on of my most anticipated reads of the year and sadly it just didn't quite hit the mark for me! I LOVED the setting and the overall concept of the book itself was very interesting, but that's kind of were it all ended for me in terms of positives.

My main gripe about the book is it is marketed as an adult fantasy however it reads very VERY YA. Our main character Jing is an immortal 100year old vampire/kitsune hybrid but acts like she is 16 (at best). She stomps her feet, calls people piss-farts (A LOT) along with a plethora of other ridiculous names and continuously references her 'ta-ta's, now, I am all for an unlikable MC but she really pushed this.

I think the book was trying to go for quirky humour? but it just fell a little flat. The 'romance' is also very underwhelming (and I don't need romance in every book!) it could maybe have done with not even bothering with this addition as it was not believable at all given the context of everything else happening in the book.

Despite not enjoying this book this is just my personal opinion and I am sure others out there will absolutely love it!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!