I really struggled with the first half of this book mostly due to cultural references, however after some research into definitions and history, I really enjoyed the second half of this book. I wish I had done my research right at the beginning as I feel it would’ve helped me enjoy the start more. I began to connect with the protagonist towards the end and was emotionally involved eventually. I feel the language was quite modern for the time period it was set in, but I overlooked this as the main character referenced that they don’t like formal talk. I will definitely be reading more if this becomes a series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review,

In Shanghai Immortal, fantasy meets chinese mythology and historical fiction with a touch of orphaned heroine and a smidgen of mafia vibes. Jing is alone. Always alone, unless the King of the Afterlife needs her for something, or her two torturous tutors find her manner lacking. When she overhears a plot to steal from the King and he won't listen to her, she can't keep herself from getting involved. And it doesn't matter what (or who) is in her way.

I loved nearly everything about this book. The main character had huge personal growth and the storylines concerning her personal life and the court politics of the immortal realm are intertwined and written immaculately. I thought the implied commentary on how we think others perceive us versus how they actually do that her personal growth storyline highlighted was really well done. I really enjoyed most of the characters, they were well-characterized and I got invested in them and their struggles quickly.
As mentioned, the book is influenced by chinese mythology. Because I (Sadly!) don't know much of anything about it, I can't tell you how much of the worldbuilding is original but I can tell you that the setting and description of the world the story takes place in is vivid and rich. I especially loved the placement of the story in the 1920s, the industrialization. This is generally an age I haven't seen all that much in fantasy novels, but I also appreciated how that allowed for commentary on the aftermath of colonialism and the opium wars, even years after.
The plot was twisty and dramatic but also fun and action-packed, hitting a sweet spot balace between the two. Once I got into it, I could barely put the book down.
That was the issue: once I got into it. I would've given this book 5 stars easily, if I hadn't nearly DNFd at 40%. The language and writing in the first part of the book was atrocious. The King of the Afterlife is named Big Wang and in the beginning of the book, the phrase piss-fart appears on nearly. every. page. She kept talking about showing everyone her butt. Turd-eggs appears multiple times. I just, one of those things, once or a few times? Okay, whatever, I might even laugh. But it was CONSTANT. And the thing is, it stopped. I'm pretty sure it was supposed to illustrate Jing maturing and seeing beyond her little bubble of perception. But it made her so unlikeable, it was hard to read for way too long. I swear she was an asshole for more than half of the book. Even to her tutors, whom she gives horrible nicknames that make fun of their looks. Later in the book, it's easy to understand Jing's perspective, but it can be difficult to look past while reading.

Overall, just give it a shot! It is worth it for the amazing characters, plot and worldbuilding. Especially if that last part of the review sounded not bad at all to you. Then definitely read it, I promise, you'll love it.

3.5 stars! I really appreciated the world of this novel, I truly felt transported into Immortal Shanghai and the world of Lady Jing. The idea of a fox-spirit/vampire lady who is equal parts fiesty and strong really drew me in, and I kept wanting to escape into this novel over and over again!

The only reason I brought down my rating so significantly was because oftentimes, it read like the author didn't trust the reader to know what was happening, so they kept mentioning/explaining the same point multiple times.

Without spoilers, the first chapter follows a man who gets a fake 'token' into hell; the token isn't made of a specific material, so it won't mask his human scent, which means spirits of hell will be drawn to him. The author first explains that the token is fake in Lady Jing's narration, then explains to the man that the token is fake (which is understandable, because she's explaining it to him). But then, she explains it to him a second time, and then goes over it in her narration again, saying that the man will be free buffet. at the end of chapter one, she explains—one more time— that the hungry spirits of hell will devour him. It felt as if the author didn't fully trust the reader to pick up on plot points or context clues after the first mention of them, which felt out of place in an adult historical fantasy novel.

This pattern would keep repeating over and over again throughout the novel:

Similarly, in the first chapter, Lady Jing waited for a package on a warm day. The author would use similar metaphors/descriptions to show the reader that it was a hot day. The pattern would often go description —> lore exposition—> description again, but using the same metaphors —> repeat. I often found myself skipping over such paragraphs, even though I am a huge fan of description in novels. To me, it felt as if the author wished to place us within a scene while also giving us exposition of the lore of the world, but felt the need to remind the reader that they were, in fact, in Shanghai on a warm day waiting for a package. While the repetition of plot elements felt like they didn't trust the reader, the repetition of the same description over and over again often took me out of the story, rather than place me in the world.

I still adored Lady Jing's snarky characterization and the entire narrative structure felt extremely exciting and like a truly unique fantasy, but slight edits in the writing style would've allowed me to enjoy the book a lot more! I'll definitely be checking out the author's future works.

This book was unique and irreverant, which makes it stand out from so many other adult fantasy novels this year. Sometimes adult high fantasy can feel like it is taking itself too seriously, and I appreciated that it never felt like this book was doing so.

However, for me, the action and the voice never quite successfully synced up to a completely well0rounded story, and because so much is happening, I almost felt strangely disconnected from the action of the book.

Overall I think this is just a case of wrong reader, wrong book and many will love this one.

Shanghai Immortal is a dazzling fantasy debut set in Jazz Age Shanghai We follow Lady Jing, half-vampire and half-fox-spirit, who is also the ward of the king of Hell. Tian, this realm they live in, and the Chinese mythology was interesting to learn about. One thing I loved was how rich the descriptions were in making yin and yang Shanghai come to life.

Lady Jing was a sassy character and I didn’t mind that, but what got on my nerves was how immature she seemed. Maybe it was just the writing style, but considering this was meant to be an adult novel, the plethora of toilet humour felt childish. Also, I get why she was acting out so much at the start but it was kind of annoying. She did grow on me by the end though and I liked her coming to terms with her past.

Like I said, this didn’t really read like an adult fantasy novel but I did enjoy it nevertheless. The plot didn’t go the way I expected it to from the synopsis but I liked how the characters bonded in this way - I wish they’d spent more time in yang Shanghai doing that.

I’m assuming there will be a sequel because there are some loose ends and it’s too rich of a world to leave now. But alone, I think this book stands up well in itself.

2.5 Stars

Thank you, Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Shanghai Immortals is a fantasy novel set in 1930s Mortal and Immortal Shanghai. Lady Jing is a half-vampire, half-fox spirit who is traded by her mother to Big Wang, the King of Hell/Immortal Shanghai, in exchange for her debts to be cleared. Her mother dies before she can take Jing back, and because of that, she ends up running errands for the king now. Lady Jing overhears a conversation between two women who may be plotting to steal the dragon pearl from Big Wang while escorting Lee, a mortal, through Immortal Shanghai

Although this is an adult fantasy, it read more like a young adult fantasy due to Lady Jing acting immature for her age. Lady Jing is fiesty and has anger issues. She's quick to get mad and comes off cold, and I liked that at first, but it got old very fast when I realized that was her entire personality. I love an angry/hateful FMC, but they need to have some redeeming qualities for me to like them. She's almost 100 years old and acts closer to a 16-18 year old.

The writing took me a while to get into. The structure and flow felt a bit stilted, and I kept taking breaks while I was reading. I found myself checking out quite frequently in the beginning. There are long blocks of text, and breaking some of that up would have helped me stay engaged. There were certain phrases that also made me feel like the writing was juvenile, such as "piss-fart" and "shit sticks."

The characters are one-dimensional, and I desperately wanted them to have more depth. Overall, I felt like this book had a lot of potential, but it didn't know what it wanted to be. It didn't have a clear plot and sort of ambled through the story, and by the time I got to the end, I didn't hate it, I just didn't exactly like it either.

This was a lot of fun! the story was great but the real star of the show was the FMC! First person POV is my preference and Shanghai Immortal definitely delivers on that front. Though I am reviewing the ebook, I feel as if this book were to be paired with the right narrator it would be even better in audiobook format! it felt a little muddy in the middle but it grabs your attention at the beginning and holds it well. This was a very impressive debut!

I received a free ARC from NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Lady Jing is a half-vampire, half-hulijing fox spirit, a ward of the King of Hell, and soon to turn 100 years old. She doesn't act her age. Lady Jing is impulsive, angry, bitter. Characterization wise, she reminds me a lot of the MC from the Elemental Assassin series by Jennifer Estep (though it's been years since I last read that series).

Lady Jing chafes against the expectations, her duties, her title. She just wants to prove that Lady Soo is out to steal the dragon pearl that Jing's mother gave to Big Wang (the king of hell) in the same trade that involved Jing becoming his ward.

Despite the rough start (Jing's personality chafed against me a bit, and I found it a bit tiring, particularly from a character that's nearly 100 years old), I found myself enjoying the adventure and reading into the early hours of the morning. I think anyone that is looking for a quick read with magic, a spicy MC and action mixed with political intrigue would enjoy Shanghai Immortal.

Shanghai Immortal is Asian fantasy set in 1930s Shanghai and its counterpart, Immortal Shanghai, where the demon king Big Wang rules over ghosts and demons. Lady Jing is his ward, a half-vampire, half-fox spirit with anger management issues. Her hundredth birthday is coming up and with that she’ll finally take her place in the council governing the otherworld. Only, she doesn’t want to.

Neither does her maternal grandmother, the queen of fox spirits. She failed to kill Jing when she was a child and she’ll do everything to stop Jing now. But Jing is onto her plot. If only she could make Big Wang believe her instead of being sent to the human Shanghai like a rebellious child, with a human man who owes Big Wang a favour.

This debut novel was a good try. A good try at fantasy, a good try at historical novel, and a good try at romance. None of it really worked though, and the result was a mishmash with a hasty feel and no proper plot.

The Asian elements didn’t feel entirely Asian, as Jing was such an independent spirit who didn’t respect anything or anyone, and because the beings of Chinese folklore were made to behave like ordinary humans with no clues to what they were, Jing’s blood drinking aside. The historical elements of mortal Shanghai consisted of trivial facts with a lot of American things in the mix that made them feel inauthentic even if they had been genuine. And the romance was very unromantic. Partly it was because Mr Lee was a boring character, but mostly it was because of Jing.

This is marketed as an adult fantasy and Jing is turning a hundred. But she behaves—and is being treated—like a sixteen-year-old who’s never seen a man or heard of sex. It wasn’t cute; it was just aggravating. No matter how sheltered a person has lived, they’ve learned everything there is to know about human relations and everything else besides in a century. But Jing showed no signs of a life lived.

Making her behave like a clueless twit ruined the romance and didn’t do any favours for the book either. If you want an adult heroine, make her behave like one. Basically, this reads like a young adult fantasy with all the tropes that go with it, so treat it as such.

Thank you Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC of this book.

Shanghai Immortal was a magical read. It was very good and i really enjoyed the story. I loved seeing Lady Jing's growth throughout the book, though for being almost 100 years old, she was a little immature.

Shanghai Immortal is a book about a girl that is half fox- Spirit and half vampire. She lives in Immortal Shanghai, which is almost identical to mortal Shanghai. It's about friendship, found family and mystrieries.

The book felt a little slow, and i didn't really know where this was supposed to go, but it wasn't any less enjoyable because of that. In the last part of the book, a lot more was happening, and it was even more exciting and fun.

If you love a fantasy story full of magical lands and one hell of a sassy female vampire then this is the book for you. I found this book impossible to put down. Full of humour, wonderful characters and a storyline that had me gripped and reading late into the night. An adult fantasy which has left me wanting more. The start of a new fantasy series that has so much more than what I was expecting. Highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

A main character who's half vampire, half hulijing fox spirit, trying to uncover a plot to steal a dragon pearl from the king of Hell? If I hadn't already been sold on the stunning cover, the blurb would have definitely drawn me in.

Shanghai Immortal is an Adult Fantasy with elements of Chinese mythology and a jazz-age feel. The world-building was vivid, and I loved the opposition of Yin and Yang Shanghai, mortal and immortal versions of the city separated a veil. Lady Jing lives in Yin Shanghai, the glittering capital of Hell, and its mortal counterpart is set in 1930s Shanghai.
Lady Jing's irreverence, sass and disdain for 'courtly piss-fart' were hilarious. Insult by means of cocktail should definitely be a thing IRL. Mr Lee introducing Lady Jing to caramel toffees and other favourite foods in mortal Shanghai was a sweet touch and showed a softer side to Lady Jing. The romance was very drawn-out, and its tenderness and hesitancy stood in stark contrast to the attitude Lady Jing showed other characters. It was palpable that she wasn't used to kindness, having been treated as a 'mongrel' outcast and felt like a servant all her life.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and one to pick up if you love elements of Chinese mythology, a strong female MC, found family and slow-burn romance. If you're not a fan of expletive language, you may struggle with Lady Jing's voice. Personally, I loved her creative insults (and am still immaturely snickering over the king of Hell being named Big Wang)

With thanks to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have rounded it up from 3.75 because irreverent as Little Jing may be she won me over. I genuinely couldn’t tell of the mortal Mr Lee was a love interest or a very well guarded trap (you’ll have to read it to find out which). Little Jing works for the Lord of Hell (in yin Shanghai) and against his orders goes to great lengths to ask questions and get her answers, hoping to get back at her grandmother’s court. She’s supposed to be having fun in yang Shanghai - our Shanghai (1930s I think - I appreciated the reference to swing dancing! Even in an alternate world where Celestials go the dance halls…)

Things to know: Little Jing is half hulijing (fox spirit) and half vampire. European vampire, which caused a bit of a stir. There’s an interesting moment when she meets foreigners in living Shanghai. What starts off as a hundred year old immortal (still immature, still arguably being sheltered in more ways than having her blood served in a glass rather than feeding herself) showing an adult mortal around her turf is flipped and we get to see Jazz Age Shanghai complete with sunsets. It’s partly about our narrator learning to grow up and be happy as well as a side order of revenge although she thinks she’s in a different story to the one she ultimately finds herself in.

This book was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed it from start to finish.

I'll admit I thought I'd get annoyed with Jing, her edgy angst and sass and her talk of bums and boobs. It actually made her really fun in a way.

The story really picks up in Yang Shanghai and it was brilliant experiencing 1930s Shangai as she did. It had all the little feels of someone's shinging excitement at new things. That said, I will be dead and in the ground before I accept anyone likes Tootsie Rolls.

Gigi was a fun character and I'm glad we got to see more sides of her than the initial scene introducing her character. Also I'm a sucker for the Cow Herd and Weaver Girl so *chef's kiss* for that.

There was so much pulled from actual, factual history, Chinese legends and myths and general culture. It really brought more levels to the book than what it seems like on the surface.

I hope we're not done with Lady Jing or at the very least, Yin Shangai. Maybe something about the dragons or Big Wang becoming the King of Hell. It's such a world I want to revisit somehow.

As a finishing note: 谢谢，A Y Chao. 我很喜欢你的书，还有我也学了＂大便＂哈哈

I would like to begin by thanking NetGalley for allowing me early access to this novel. Shanghai Immortal follows a young lady battling the demons of her childhood (physically and metaphorically) in the realm of hell. The mixture of fantasy, love, friendship, and Chinese folklore creates a spell-binding and incredibly engaging read. I must confess, to begin with, it took me a while to get into the story - however I quickly became obsessed with the characters and storyline. This is the perfect story for anyone who loves fantasy with a splash of romance.

I do want to thank the author A. Y. Chao, and the Publisher; Hodder& Stoughton, Hodderscape. For giving me a free arc copy of this book for an honest review.

This book was marketed as an adult fantasy but I definitely feel it felt like it was for a younger audience. I found the main characters very unlikable and I think that's what stopped me funny enjoying this book.

The premise was really interesting and I did finish this book, I didn't hate it but I didn't love it either. I still will read the next book in the series as I am intrigued to see how the story will continue.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodderscape for the arc!

1.5 stars.

this was the most bland and boring book I've read so far this year.

The concept of this truly sounds fascinating, the execution, however, was trash. Lets talk first about the writing. why was the author writing in such short, simple sentences? Like oh my god it was so annoying to read. I wish I could quote a few paragraphs to show how it was, but you'll just have to take my word for it. the writing got better at around 40%, and thats one of the only reasons I managed to push through.

Second, what was with the awful phrases? The main character was constantly repeating such terrible, nonsense phrases. It literally felt like the author was trying to be different and made up a few phrases. examples: shit sticks, piss-fart, turd-eggs. THESE WERE REPEATED EVERY OTHER PAGE IT WAS SO ANNOYING I WANTED TO GAUGE MY EYES OUT. There was also one moment when one of the characters was exasperated and said, "'oh my moon,' lady chang-e moans". Like what??? that feels like the wrong choice of words for that moment. there were so many similar lines where I physically cringed, it was so bad.

Third, what was with the awful names? If I'm not wrong, this is marketed as an adult fantasy, but there was absolutely NOTHING adult about it!! The main character acted like some spoiled teenager who just didn't want to listen to anyone, threw tantrums like a little kid, and named creatures the most childish names. like, okay, I understand that you want it to seem lighthearted and a little funny, but it was just dumb and ridiculous. Horsey? Cutie? Puffy? Like come on.

The characters had no personality whatsoever, they were completely one-dimensional. The romance??? I felt nothing for them. When one of them got seriously injured and it was supposed to be an emotional scene but I felt nothing. Not one thing.

I am not going to lie when I say I skimmed through 70% of this book. The details were horrible I just couldn't bare the writing, and there was so much unnecessary info dumping. Also why were the dialogues written with a single apostrophe? Like normally I've seen " used but in this book ' was used. was there a reason? Please explain to me if there was.

Overall, this was the most bland, empty, and boring book I've read. There were a few scenes of Lady Jing and Mr lee that were cute, but as a whole, I am so let down because i was really looking forward to this book but it disappointed so hard. I didn't hate this book, I just felt literally nothing.

Using myth and supernatural themes to explore complex themes of belonging and family, Shanghai Immortal is an interesting mix of coming into your own and quest narratives with a good sprinkling of personal vendetta too. Lady Jing is hard to warm up at first but that understandable as you learn more about her past. As she tries to catch the hulijing, who treat her poorly, in their crimes, Jing finds herself paired up with a mortal and headed away from the only place she’s ever felt safe. I would recommend to those who enjoy grumpy / sunshine mild romances with a supernatural edge and a couple dragons for good measure.

Sadly, I did not love this book. The premise was interesting and so was the world. Points for those things! However, it was really difficult to enjoy the main character. I know she was supposed to be a feisty character, but she often comes off as just plain mean. It was also cringey when the words “piss-fart” were used on more than one occasion as derogatory name calling. The first 30% was a bit too much of an info dump for me and then the pacing just seemed off where I would lose interest. The world that the author built was the best feature to me. I think it had a lot of potential and maybe others will enjoy it more than I did!

This book has a very excellent concept and interesting world building. I loved the historical view of Shanghai melded with the ancient myths. What took me out of the story however was Jing’s personality. I felt like it was more show than tell with her sarcasm and strong personality. It overtook the main plot of the story and budding romance.