4.5/5 Stars

Oh my, this was a fun one.

Shanghai Immortal is a sarcastic, character-driven story about the half-fox spirit, half-vampire Lady Jing, who spent most of her almost hundred years of life in the spirit realm of Immortal Shanghai upset with the people and non-people around her. By chance, she hears of a plot by the court of fox spirits (or rather huljing) to steal the very dragon pearl that the King of Hell gave her mother to have Jing become his ward. Jing seizes this chance to expose the spiteful huljing who rejected her from their court due to her mixed heritage once and for all, and embarks on a journey from Immortal to Mortal Shanghai and, with the help of a charming mortal, sets out to reveal their plot.

It took me a while to get used to this narration. In first person, we get a very emotional and oftentimes sarcastic commentary by Lady Jing herself. It's fast-paced, easy to read, and the story and characters continue to be interesting and entertaining. We follow Jing through her ups and downs in this spectacular world that Chao has crafted and narrated with this book - from her thrillingly dark Immortal Shanghai, a mirror world based on real counterparts of historical Shanghai, to the actual Mortal Shanghai of the time. I truly enjoyed the influence of the author's culture: how much we learned through her Fantasy story alone, and how we actually felt the influence that the real history had on this fictional version.

What keeps me from giving this book 5 stars are the following aspects:
- The narration: while witty and later on enjoyable, is not going to be everybody's cup of tea. It's very sarcastic, deeply emotional and at times self-depricating, and conveys Jing's anger and fear in a way that is not always pleasant. It took me a good 20% of the book until I was able to enjoy it.
- The romance: I have to preface this by saying that I'm generally not a romance person, but the biggest issue I had with it was mostly that it felt like a third of the book was mostly only romance, and the rest was the actual plot. It felt oddly separate to the plot to me, almost as though it put a kind of halt to it. This might just be me personally, but it didn't feel as connected as it could have been.

All in all, I truly did love this, ESPECIALLY as a character-driven standalone. An intriguing world, unique narration, wholesome romance, and all the feelings!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The author weaves an amazing story full of magic and mythology. It is full of twists and turns. I really loved Jing's sass. There's also a lot of personal growth as she grows as a person. She's a funny character who's not afraid to speak her mind. I can't wait to read more of this series.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In short, I’ll say that this book was rich in mythology, traditional Chinese culture and values, and descriptions of the time period. But, it suffered from way too much exposition. Moreover, I find that the main character simply wasn’t as engaging as she could have been given she’s half fox demon and half vampire... Cmon? A unique premise that fell short of proper execution and a book whose density diminished the impact of its interesting mythos and worldbuilding.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

While the premise of this book, the world setting and a lot of the characters were fantastic, I found myself really tiring of the constant snarky dialogue and it slowly started to wear away at my enjoyment of the story. I think if you're a fan of extremely snarky and sarcastic characters then you'll probably find this a lot more fun than I did, but it just wasn't my thing.

The writing itself was great, the descriptions of Immortal Shanghai were vivid and really made me visualise the whole place well. The pacing was a bit off for me. The romance plot, I could give or take. Again, this is more a 'me problem'.

Overall, I'd say dive in if you're not put off by heavy sarcasm and you want a bit of a fun romp against a backdrop of Chinese mythology.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for and honest review.

This book is incredible. The imagery is detailed without being tedious and repetitive, there is humor, and characters with depth.

Lady Jing is a young Chinese vampire in 1935 who was sold to the King of Hell Big Wang to pay her mother’s debts. As Big Wang’s ward she is expected to fulfill a
council role that supports her guardian. Lady Jing is a warrior at heart, and fights her way through self discovery while encumbered with a mortal man she finds both infuriating and fascinating.

This adult fantasy book is full of humor, heart, and true diversity of gender and culture. A.Y. Chao is able to make the Hell version Shanghai sound like a place a mortal might actually want to visit despite the creatures (and roosters) that dwell there.

Do not pass up this book if you are a lover of vampires, strong female characters, and magical lands.

half vampire, half fox spirit and a whole lot of badass and hijinx. I loved this so much. Our main character is sassy and roguish and set in a really beautifully built world
a really exciting adventure with witty and fun characters
loved the worldbuilding so much, and id love more books set in this universe
took a little while for the plot to build up but it was worth it in the end
could easily be read as a standalone but im really glad there will be sequels

Lady Jing is half-vampire and half-hulijing (a fox spirit), sold by her mother to Big Wang, the King of Hell. For ninety years, Jing is raised as the King's ward in Hell, living amongst the hulijing courtiers, who regularly torment her. Now, Jing runs errands for Big Wang.

When tasked with bringing a mortal, Mr Lee, into Hell, Jing spies on the courtiers' plotting. She overhears their plans to steal a dragon pearl from the King. Suddenly, Jing sees her opportunity to expose them as the liars they are.

Jing embarks on a journey to hunt for the pearl, first through Hell and then into 1930s mortal Shanghai, assisted by Mr Lee and her Celestial friend, Lady Gi. Jing explores the sights, sounds and tastes of Jazz-aged China.

Shanghai Immortal includes some of my favourite storytelling tropes. Firstly, that of an outsider in their world, as Lady Jing is only half fox-spirit, so she is ostracized by her fellow huiljing. Secondly, the relationship between a mortal and an immortal, the friendship between Mr Lee and Jing. Finally, the two worlds within one space, as we discover both Shanghai and the immortal counterpart.

I adore the descriptions in this book, both the world-building and especially the explanations about food. From the descriptions of xiao long bao to "too see" rolls, even the taste of blood!

Rating: 3.5 rounded up

Honestly I think this might be the hardest book I have ever reviewed, I kept on flitting from 3.5 to 4.5 continuously throughout the story.

I absolutely adore the premise and the setting of the book, I mean jazz age Shanghai with a half-hulijing (fox-spirit), half vampire MC what’s not to love! The main character is super sassy and very snarky but if I’m honest personally I would have preferred this a bit more toned down as it got a bit much - which is did definitely do towards the end of the book!

The ending left a lot open and more in the world could be explored, and would love to read the sequel if there ever was one. Would also LOVE to see more of the Jazz age vibes brought into this.

Shanghai Immortal is the first book I read which features a half-fox spirit half-vampire as a main character who was under the protection of King of the Hell in the yin Shanghai. This book takes place in 1920-1930 Shanghai, so the words and conversations used in this book are a little bit difficult for me to digest. However the way A.Y. Chao delivers the story gives off the cozy vibes (yes, you'll have some sightseeing in Shanghai, staying at a hotel, xiao long bao, macarons and sunset in this book).
I love the world building! It's cool, two different types of Shanghai in 1920-1930s, even though the blurb can make you expect a more adventurous and complex story from this book (so yeah, read the blurb, but don't expect the high fantasy adventures and plots)
As for characters, I love Big Wang, Lord Ma and Lord Nioh, from the very beginning of this book and I need another book about them only. However the romance aspect needs a few more parts to show the relationship and chemistry between the two characters. The ending has more characters summoned into one chapter which can be assuring and crowded at the same time.
This book is perfect for you who want to read a book inspired by Chinese mythology, infused by family, friendship, a little bit romance and identity themes, but in a lighter way.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'Shanghai Immortal' by A. Y. Chao.

I was so excited for this book, I picked it up purely based on that beautiful cover and the blurb. However it fell short on me. As other reviewers state, the world building by Chao is spot on. I could read that for hours and hours. But my issue was just with the pacing and writing style. As much as I adored the worldbuilding, that couldn't redeem it for me. It wasn't my cup of tea and that's fine, I still think everyone should read this book because the concept is such a beauty.

Found this too confusing, felt like the second book in a series when you’ve not read the first book.

Really thought I would like it from the synopsis but just too much going on for me to understand the plot.

The romance is not well developed and the attempt to make the main character a “badass” didn’t work.

Lady Jing will knock your socks off. She's hysterical and yet...there's definitely more than humor going on with her. This book was so fresh. It's unlike anything I've ever read. Chaos and Yin Shanhai. I loved every page. Read for character growth, change, and overcoming one's demons. You won't regret it. Vivid and rich and fast-paced.

Really well written, with fantastic characters and an intriguing plotline, but unfortunately this one just wasn't for me. The more humorous moments and dialogue just didn't land for me, and I failed to connect with any of the characters. Although it wasn't for me, it's obvious the author is incredibly skilled and I think this book will quickly become a favorite for many! Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in advance of its release.

I opened this book because the main character is a half vampire half-hulijing fox-spirit expecting wild shenanigans and I ended up staying because it was actually a very heartwarming story. Not that Lady Jing doesn't deliver, she's all the sass promised by the blurb, but this book is so much more!!

The first half of the book is pure fun: I was enjoying myself so much, I loved every crazy line and stunt by Lady Jing. And then I started falling in love with all the secondary characters. I was so distracted by the sassiness that I didn't take them seriously until they said hey hi, this story is also about us. The found family trope is my weakness and Shanghai Immortal hit me hard. There's even a bit of romance and it's so well done.

But not only the characters are very well developed, the world building is amazing and I need more of it!! It's such a rich world with a lot of potential that I hope there's a sequel. This is a very impressive debut that left me wanting for more, I was not even finished and I knew it would instantly become a cozy reread.

Shanghai Immortal follows Lady Jing as she seeks to expose a plot to steal a dragon pearl from the king of Hell. Her escapades take her through both Hell and mortal Shanghai in search of information to prove the hulijing courtiers are behind the plot.
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Chao has crafted a tale that will grip you from the first page and will keep you enthralled long after the conclusion. Lady Jing will put you through the emotional wringer. One minute you’ll be laughing out loud at Lady Jing’s antics and the next you’ll be tearing up when you realize what all she has experienced in life. I love the comedic edge Chao has woven throughout Lady Jing’s investigation. I equally love how Chao manages to bring a softer edge to Lady Jing through her choice in books to purchase during her shopping excursion and love of sea salt caramels. One of my other favorite aspects of Shanghai Immortals is the friendship between Lady Jing and Gigi.
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If I had to find one fault with Shanghai Immortal it would be some of the language is repetitive. However, it isn’t to the point where I would find it distracting.

An adult fantasy novel that is set in the 1930s but mostly takes place in the heavenly, hellish and supernatural realms.

One of the novel's main topics is the concept of assumed vs ascribed identity in relation to Lady Jing's heritage as half-hulijing (fox spirit) and half-jiangshi (vampire/zombie) as a major plotline revolves around her finding her place. Combined with Lady Jing's personality as a brash and carefree spirit, her actions cause her to get into plenty of trouble, frustrate many, many deities in Hell and the Huijing Court and build a reputation that grates her and gave her a character to lead into.

Speaking of her personality: I (greatly) enjoyed her distinctive character voice, but it will not be for everyone. Think Joan He's Zephyr and her overconfident personality from Strike the Zither. So reader, beware. The Chinese concept of saving face is no stranger to me so her motivation is completely valid, but might be for foreign audiences. So, to those readers: keep an open mind.

Anyways: I enjoyed the supporting characters, the mythology, the slow burn, and Lady Jing's development. I didn't have any issue with the way the expositionary details were interweaved with the story and I was satisfied with the climax. I was left scrounging for more romantic crumbs at the end but it *was* tied up so it's all good.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a stunning debut from A.Y. Chao!

Shanghai Immortal follows the story of Lady Jing, half-fox spirit, half-vampire, who is driven by her well-fed hatred and anger against those who wronged her. Moreover, you will grow fond of her snarkiness and sassiness.

The plot centers mostly on avenging herself, buoyed by her cunning schemes and clever lies. It is heavily accentuated with court politics, while also discussing the concept of belongingness and sensitive past traumas. Her most tender and raw thoughts were crafted delicately, too precious to hold, too fragile to be burdened with.

Now, the plot itself was good, but the buildup of the story was a rather bit dull. There were no excitements or any thrill in the first 70% of the book (but then again maybe that's just me). However, the 30% was the one that got me hooked to the story, in which it became intense and captivating. I couldn't stop reading and the pages flew by so fast. I was totally immersed with the story and how until the end of the story, I was silently applauding Lady Jing. And if you're wondering about the romance, yes, there's plenty of that. It's a midnight and sunshine, callous and soft duo. And, also a found family trope.

I was satisfied by the ending, and it can be considered as a stand-alone really, for how the author concluded it well. But, since it's a trilogy, I will absolutely watch out for more of Lady Jing's escapades and blood slurping.

Massive thanks to Netgalley and Hodderscape for the eARC!!!

Thank you Netgalley and Hodderscape for the e-ARC in exchange of an honest review .
Actual rating - 3.5/5
This was quite a fun read! I'm always hungry for stories inspired by mythology, and the gorgeous cover immediately drew me in. First of all, the world-building is fantastic. I really liked the concept of yin or immortal Shanghai and yang or mortal Shanghai.
Lady Jing is a unique character and I liked her. However, the snark and sarcasm which I initially enjoyed felt quite forced and unnecessary at some points. It was as if the author was writing those dialogues just for the sake of making Jing a 'sasshole'. The romance between Lady Jing and Mr Lee was quite cute, but certainly not the best I've read.
My favourite aspect of the book was the inclusion of various gods, goddesses and mythical creatures from Chinese mythology. If you like sarcastic dialogues and snark, you'll love this book!

Fun. Authentic. Extremely snarky.

A little mixed feelings on this one as banter and snark isnt really my thing, especially not to this level. Lady Jing is sarcastic and feisty, allowing some fun moments which for me often slips into childishness. Im still unsure why this book is considered adult, as I feel the snarkiness and the way characters behave is more YA.

The good points, however, there were plenty, hence the rating. The writing is great! Easy, flowy prose and snappy dialogues prove a real page turner and the lushness of the worldbuilding makes Shanghai Immortal extremely fun to read. It is nice to see softer men like Mr Lee who are genuine, nice, if a little cowardly. Definitely cleansed that sickening array of mindless, one dimensional alpha males Im used to in literature. And despite my annoyance at Lady Jing, there is actually character development! Yay, people evolve like idk REAL people (im looking at you violet made of thorns).

So all in all, a fun read, would recommend, especially for people who enjoy sarcastic humour the most.
(Silly but extra points to this book for the british spelling used UwU)

Special thanks to NetGalley and Hodderscape for the arc of this highly anticipated book!

3.5/5 stars!

what a great little book! this is such a promising debut and i am so glad to have been able to read this before the publication date in june. this book has incredible world building inside of it and i was able to follow the story along nicely because of Chao’s lovely writing style.

however, i did have to take a little bit of a break from the book for a few days because it was taking a little while for me to get into. But as soon as i picked it up again, i was FLYING through. I wasn’t a fan of some of the language in the book, it felt like some phrases were added to create a comedic effect when it wasn’t really needed.

I loved Lady Jing, she was such an incredible character and loved how sassy she was. was it a bit forced at times? yes, but i didn’t mind that - i felt like she was trying to prove herself throughout the entire book so this mirrored that. this book was a lot of fun and i would love to get my hands on a physical copy of the book when it releases.

i do wish there was a little bit more action in the book, but that is just a personal preference.

thank you SO much to netgalley, hodderscape and a.y. chao for allowing me early access to this book. i. ant wait to see what chao does next!