5/5 stars! This book is hilarious, dark, witty, and extravagant all at once. Lady Jing was such a stunning character and I couldn't get enough of her. She truly is a 'sasshole.' This story weaves mythology, fantasy, and satire together into a story as gorgeous as its cover. I will be impatiently waiting for the next book by this author.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

I read an eARC of this book so thank you to Net Galley, the author and the publisher for allowing this.

This book was so much fun! It’s fast, it doesn’t take itself too serious, it’s amusing. I had such a great time reading this book.

It’s also a wonderful blending of Chinese mythology and Jazz Age Shanghai. It’s such a rich and beautiful blend of subjects but in a way that never feels confusing.

Our protagonist Lady Jing is half vampire, half hulijing fox spirit and she’s just brilliant. I absolutely loved her sassy personality and I was so invested in seeing her succeed. She’s irreverent and raging against people around her, but as you learn more about her past, you really understand why and empathise with her. There is some sensitive content when we learn what happened to Lady Jing as a child and there is violence throughout the book. It is adult fantasy. I didn’t feel the violence was gratuitous and all the subject matter made sense within the narrative. I loved Lady Jing’s journey as she opens up, let’s down her shields and starts to understand more about the motives of others around her.

I just loved this book, I loved the setting, the fantasy elements, the characters, the pace and action of the story. This was a fascinating, fun and brilliant read. I’ll definitely buy it and I’ll be looking out for more by this author!

"Words aren't the only way people lie."
Shanghai Immortal includes many great quotes but this line cuts deep. And I think it describes this book quite well. Yes, we got vampires and hulijings, Chinese mythology, jazz-era Shanghai (the 30s to be accurate), the sassy main character, and humor, nevertheless, the story is mostly carried by dialog.
The MC Lady Jing is young, and inexperienced with the normal world and relationships, she is still finding herself. She uses sarcasm as her shield and doesn't trust anyone but in her heart, she is brave and strong. I love scenes when she gets tipsy and become walking sunshine. Her dialogues with Mr. Lee are interesting because we can see how she grows thanks to him.
I admire how A. Y. Chao combines sarcasm, humor, and a badass MC with poetry and politeness. It's a strange combination although it worked. I learned some new phrases and new words. As a non-native speaker, I sometimes struggled with words such as piss-fart and stink-eye. But it was fun. This book is a really good debut and I highly recommend it.

Thank you Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC!

Came for the sass and humour and hijinks, did not expect it would become a new comfort book of mine to pick up when things are rough. There's a cinnamon roll of a LI, learning to open your eyes to the love around you in all its forms, healing from trauma, and all the Chinese puns thrown in for good measure.

I loved it, I loved it, I loved it.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Shanghai Immortal by A. Y. Chao is an adult fantasy set in 1920's Shanghai. The story revolves around Lady Jing a half-vampire and half fox-spirit who is a Ward to the King of Hell. One day, Jing overhears a plot to steal form the King, and she embarks on a quest. Along the way, she meets a mortal who she despises at first. But as the pair go on adventure after adventure, could their unlikely partnership turn into something more?

Here is a captivating excerpt from Chapter 1:

"The steaming Shanghai night drapes heavy over my bare shoulders. I lean against the door of a decrepit warehouse, gums aching, stomach grumbling, and wait on Big Wang's secret delivery. Cicadas scream all around me. With a title like Lady Jing of Mount Kunlun and ancestry that includes that great goddess Queen Mother of the West, running errands at 3 a.m. in this rotted heat might be considered below my station."

Overall, Shanghai Immortal is an adult fantasy that will appeal to fans of American Gods or These Violent Delights. One highlight of this book are the moments of humor. Another highlight of this book is the slow-burn romance. It was so slow-burn that at first, I wasn't sure there was going to be a romance. One last highlight of the book are the hidden Easter eggs for Chinese speakers, which I especially appreciated. For example, I loved how she named her sword Mafan. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of fantasy books in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in June!

This book was a blast! So fun and voicey, with a gorgeously rich world behind it, and a surprisingly tender heart. Lady Jing is a great character, dripping in snark but in some ways still child-like and seeing the awe in the world, and I loved watching her worldview develop through her adventures. This was a hugely fun read and a great addition to the growing canon of ESEA fantasy literature.

Shanghai Immortal starts off with our main character, Lady Jing explaining what’s she’s doing waiting for a delivery at 3am in the morning. The story is told in first person so we find out straight away just how much of a sasshole she can be, but she does this mostly by describing who she is and how she came to live with the King of Hell, ‘Big Wang’ as she calls him.

The title ‘Shanghai Immortal‘ still fits, but it’s the hell version of Shanghai we’re first introduced to. Chao takes us on a little trip to ‘mortal Shanghai’ as well, which is basically 1930s Shanghai as it would have known historically. This worked really well in terms of helping to get engrossed in the story, as it was Jing’s first trip too, and Chao did a great job at describing the world; it’s clear a lot of research went into the story.

So, hell, the mortal world… and we also get to know the celestial lands! Home to the likes of Chang-e and dragon lords. This is just a little part of the large amount of world-building Chao has put into Shanghai Immortal, and everything fits together just so perfectly. I won’t delve into this element, but I absolutely loved how roosters were used in the overall world.

In terms of the characters, I love sassy characters. I love them because normally it’s an absolute front and there’s so much more to them, and Lady Jing was no exception to that! She spends her days as, what she thinks, is kind of more of a slave to Big Wang (he says differently to her, time and time again, but hey everyone has at least a little bit of self-doubt). He wants her to live up to her title, to wear nice dresses and excel in her lessons so she can take her place in court. Lady Jing has other plans though, she wants to wear trousers and be comfortable whilst avoiding the court for as long as possible!

Where Jing is a rule breaker who doesn’t really care for traditions, she’s tasked with taking care of a human in Hell, Tony Lee, who is pretty much the antithesis of Jing, at least for the most part. He’s a super sweet yet absolutely terrified person, but the blooming friendship between him and Jing is so endearing; especially during the times when he ends up chuckling at her.

Relationships, whether romantic, friendly or familial, play an important part in the story throughout and yet Jing can’t seem to shake those self-doubts. There’s a wonderful found family aspect to Shanghai Immortal and if you’re a fan of those kinds of stories then this will definitely be a book for you! Every one of the “good” characters has something incredibly endearing about them.

The story isn’t all sunsets and cocktails though, and with the time period of 1930s Shanghai Jing does come across some unsettling situations in mortal Shanghai. Added to that, the story revolves around her trying to stop the hulijing (fox-spirit) clan she’s part of from stealing something from Big Wang. It isn’t something Big Wang wants her to have any part of (hence having her whisked away to mortal Shanghai), but she wants to try and show her past abusers’ true nature to all.

In essence, I loved this. And I’ll be snapping up any further stories from A. Y. Chao as soon as I can!

This was so fun, Gosh, but I loved everything in this book.
Lady Jing is half fox spirit and half vampire, and she was apparently sold by her mother to the king of hell to buy diamonds.
I love how vulgar, unapologetic and stubborn Jing is. She is one of the most well built, interesting and real characters I've read. And she made me laugh so much, it also made my heart hurt with all she had lived and I felt the sentiments were very relatable, and connecting with her and loving her is so easy ❤️
This book has the perfect balance of romance and plot, of quiet fun and action and of irreverence and seriousness.
I couldn't put it down.
The ending is a little blunt, it suddenly ends and for a bit I thought my copy was missing pages. And to be honest, I am still unsure if it isn't. I am not a fan of large epilogues and lots of "after" details, but this one was a little too short and still with lots of things hanging, without being completely clear if there will be another book after. I Just hope the author will write the next one soon because I just need more about these characters

Lady Jing is truly an exceptional MC in a downright entertaining book.
The author obviously enjoys the concept of mortal and immortal Shanghai existing side by side and even throws in Hell as another plane of existence. And so the story unravels throughout all of these realms, and you'd do good to just be along for the ride and enjoy it as well.
Lady Jing is a Celestial in the making (so to speak) und gets paired up (not entirely by accident 🤫) with a human who is the cinnamonest roll you can ever imagine. And their interactions do not annoy me at all (contrary to Lady Jing).
I couldn't help but root for these kids while totally despising the b****es that make their life miserable.
The author states that they're interested in exploring the interplay between self-perceived versus imposed identity and this is exactly what the book is about. And then throw in some dragons and you have a nearly perfect book.

4,5/5 stars
Thank you so much @netgalley and @hodderbooks for the eARC!

I want to thank Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 4/5'5

This was a really fun read and I devoured it over a few days. I love a sarcastic main character and Lady Jing made me laugh throughout the entire book. Oftentimes it seems authors include sarcastic, arrogant characters without giving them any other personality and thankfully A.Y. Chao avoids that trap. Lady Jing is sarcastic but grows as a character in the book without losing her charm. I also quite liked her side characters with Horsey being my favourite.

Where this book really shines though, is the worldbuilding. We get to experience two really interesting settings- immortal Shanghai aka hell that is ruled by Lord Wang and abundant with mythology and real Shanghai in the 1930s. Mortal Shangai feels like a clash of cultures from both the West and East and was so fun to explore.

Where this book lost points for me was the constant bathroom humour and spitting. I don't think I came across the word "piss-fart" ever in a book, and the amount of times it's used gets annoying. There are other ways to make a character crude without being gross. I'm hoping with Lady Jing's development in the book, that hopefully this will die down in the next two in the series.

The book is set to be the first in a trilogy, but the first one can definitely be read as a stand-alone. I'll definitely be picking up the next two and can't wait to see

SHANGHAI IMMORTAL was refreshing to read, not only because the main character was half Vampire and Fox Spirit, but it was also because she was a unique and feisty person with a mind of her own.

Despite her outwardly rude and unladylike manners, at nearly a century old (young in immortal years) she has a huge heart and fights for what she believes in. Her heritage also makes her an outcast in Immortal Shanghai’s Hell and it also made me feel for her as she experiences strongly like everyone else and is more of a independent spirit due to her lack of friends (or so Jing believes)

Affectionately known as Little Jing to Big Wang, the King of Hell and also his ward, Jing doesn’t take no for an answer and oftentimes gets into trouble. I liked her love-hate relationship with Big Wang’s guards who were like her uncles.

The world building and mix of Chinese mythology in 1930s Shanghai with mandarin phrases Romanized throughout the book was a fantastic and funny move. I loved how funny Jing could be in her inner thoughts and insults.

As a person of Chinese descent, it was fascinating to read about popular Chinese mythological figures. It was interesting to me as I only knew a few from tradition and the novel made me appreciate my culture even more. The plot was simple and quick and took place within a span of a few days. I liked the side characters and Jung’s backstory, together with her trauma and fears which made her a well-rounded character.

The slow burn romance between Jing and Mr Tony Lee, a human from Mortal Shanghai who was a balm to her fiery nature. He is the epitome of hope and was also brave in partaking certain responsibilities.

SHANGHAI IMMORTAL was an invigorating novel and I can’t wait to get myself a physical copy of the book.

What an awesome read! Loved it! Shanghai Immortal was a rollercoaster of emotions from page 1 to the very end. I loved the way the book combined magic, hell, Chinese mythology and jazz-age fun. The world-building was fantastic, it felt effortless yet elaborate. The author created an intricate picture of two worlds - yon and yang Shanghai. I adored all the demons, mythical creatures, vampires and dragons that took a central part in the story. Everyone had such a distinct personality.

My favourite character was undoubtedly Lady Jing. Her bluntness was so entertaining, I kept laughing throughout the book. I loved the growth she experienced as a character.

Shangai Immortal was a story of adventure. self-discovery, heartbreak and finding love. I adored it. I cannot wait to read more from the author.

I was given early access through NetGalley and the Author, Thank you so much for the Advance Reader's Copy

Wow... I am honestly speechless as to how amazed I was throughout the book!! Despite being a five-star read for me, because I honestly resonated with Little Jing the entire book, I understand that some people might not resonate with her, which might impact another person's reading experience of this book.
But honestly, I enjoyed, devoured and loved this book. Although I'm ashamed to say I was unable to read it in one sitting because of my schedule being too tight because of college, I do believe I had a chill, nothing-to-do day, I would have definitely sat on my couch and read this thing from start to finish in one sitting!!
Little Jing or Lady Jing, is a very feisty character, and I love that about her. Despite this strong facade, it is very evident that she struggles with an identity crisis, predominantly because she is half vampire and half huli jing or fox spirit!! You follow her through a story of action and drama and find out her origins. You read through secrets that slowly unfold and reasons being given for various mysteries of Jing's life and character.
I recommend this book to people looking for a Chinese Mythology Fantasy read, with a romance subplot.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was not what I thought it was going to be in a delightfully unexpected way. It is full of humor and mischief.

Our protagonist, Lady Jing, is a fiery, quick-tempered, half-vampire/demon and half-hulijing fox spirit. She was traded by her mother to the King of Hell when she was young and is now living in immortal Shanghai, running 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, she finds friendships, love, and herself.

To me this book was a cozy fantasy with low stakes. You will love the story if you’re a fan of the found family troupe. I enjoyed reading Jing’s character journey and felt she had a lot of growth from the beginning to the end. She also has a unique voice and says a lot of quirky things that may not be for everyone’s tastes, but I liked it. The love story was unexpected and endearing, and I loved the friendship she formed with the character of Gigi.

I don’t have much to critique. If anything, I would say this book came off to me more in the YA genre, but this could be just Jing’s character quirks giving off that energy. I also thought the ending, while satisfying, felt a little abrupt, and I was left wanting more, so hopefully there is a sequel. Other than that, I didn’t have much to critique, and I enjoyed my reading experience.

This is a amazing devout novel, the world , the connections to the Chinese culture, definitely one to have your eyes on , totally worth it and i can wait to have a physical copy on my hands.

This was so imaginative and so engaging. The MC felt very real and relatable. I loved that she was allowed to be herself on the page and wasn't constricted by how a "girl MC" is supposed to act. The world was so rich, and I loved the mechanics of the world-building. I will definitely be keeping this in my arsenal of books I recommend to aspiring writers.

Also, it has VAMPIRES!

Absolutely adored the idea of vampires and demons set within Asia!
I adored our MC Lady Jing and the amount of Chinese mythology that was weaved throughout the book!
This is definitely a book that I’m going to need to re-read to be able to fully appreciate!
Absolutely cannot wait for the rest of the books on the trilogy!

Many thanks to Hodderscape for my gifted advanced reader copy through Netgalley! This has no influence on the honesty of this review.

5 stars

Oh My God ! That was a fun one with a prickly and sassy heroine!

When the synopsis depicts Lady Jing or Jing as “half-vampire, half-hulijing fox-spirit and all sassh0le”it’s exactly our heroine!

So we have Lady Jing, an immortal of soon to be hundred years and considered as a child not so long ago (the aging and adulting of immortals are different I guess).
We learn early on that her mother “pawned” her to the king of Hell, Big Wang and she had the audacity to die soon after, leaving Jing in Hell.
And Hell is what Jing will raise. As I wrote in my notes early on: “Jing is prickly, abrasive insolent and has anger management issues”. But honestly, as many sees her as a “mongrel” and treat her as an outcast, I guess she wants to give them a run for their money! She was all alone and so often humiliated. My heart hurt for her.

It’s too bad I can’t quote some parts of the book, as this is an ARC because there are priceless quips from Jing that had me snickering!
Jing lives in Yin Shanghai, the Shanghai for deities and half demons, mirror of Yang Shanghai. The mortal Shanghai.
And the king of Hell wants to establish a bank, hence enrolling the aid of a mortal specialized in finance: Mr Lee.

From the moment Jing will be charged to retrieve Mr Lee in a mad dash around Yin Shanghai because of a faulty talisman, she’ll describe the human as having “doe eyes”. He even reminds her of an overgrown puppy. What a pair these two will form in that’s story! She certainly was the grumpy to his sunshine! She was a little minx and loved ruffling Mr Lee’s feathers, leaving him all flustered! That was so good to read!

Accustomed to being lied to, being humiliated especially by her grandmother’s handmaiden , Jing didn’t know what to do with Mr Lee and his kindness. His sweetness was disarming.

And we’ll see that slowly but surely, Jing will mellow thanks to Mr Lee and other acquaintances that will prove being her friends, to Jing’s utter astonishment.

Jing’s growth was very interesting to witness but I also loved how the author mixed Chinese folklore and deities with the “modern” Shanghai from the 1930ies. It was clever to have Jing keeping her calm thanks to too see rolls and caramels, discover saxophone in a nightclub but also realize all the foreigners who wanted to claim Shanghai.
Said deities were also very quirky characters, with a dragon loving to talk cryptically, bodyguards dead set on teaching Jing some decency since her childhood, the conniving Lady Soo… every character had his own personality and painted a very colorful and vivid story.

And of course, let’s not forget that I wanted to know if the plot against Big Wang would be stopped and the villains punished!

Jinx was an irreverent character and her story certainly entertained me a lot!

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)

I loved everything about this book which, from the summary, I knew I would. I went into this expecting a sort of dark comedy, combined with a lot of things I like AKA mythology, vampires and badass heroines, and this book didn't disappoint. The writing style is witty and filled with personality, and the characters are so bright they shine with life of it's own. The worldbuilding is incredible and I couldn't help but fall in love with it. I'm so happy this is going to be a series, and I can't wait to see what else is in store!

Thanks so much to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC copy of this book!

I have scheduled promotional posts around release day for this book and I will provide a full review on my Instagram once I am able to get to this read.

Rating 5 stars on Netgalley as a placeholder for me to update later once the review is complete.

Will also complete a review on Goodreads once read.

Thanks again!

{AD|GIFTED} I admit I had a little trouble getting used to the writing style at first but then I was swept away by the richly layered worldbuilding and memorable characters. Jing is half-vampire, half-hulijing fox-spirit, and such a prickly character. She's irreverent, immature and mischievous but so much fun to read about.

Determined to get revenge on the hulijing immortals who constantly belittle her, Jing tries to foil their plan to steal a dragon pearl from her guardian, the King of Hell. Alongside this, she is charged with protecting a mortal man. However, she soon finds herself distracted by the handsome Tony Lee as they travel across immortal then mortal Shanghai. Jing's inability to believe herself worthy of love and friendship is explored throughout the book and some of the revelations about her childhood abuse and trauma are devastating. I love that she's shown gradually realising her self-worth thanks to Tony Lee's outsider perspective.

This is the first in a planned trilogy but it doesn't end on a cliffhanger. Instead, the author has established a world with so much potential for more stories that a sequel feels inevitable. I really need to know if Jing ever gets her tails (and how many!) and what changes Tony Lee might be facing after the events at the end of this book. Highly recommended.

Wow. What a book. I know this doesn't release until June 6th, but this is such a perfect read both for AAPI month and for mental health awareness month. Lady Jing was such a good character. I didn't like her at all at first; I hated her, in fact. She was very childish and self-sabatoging. She had no control at all over herself and was verbally abusive to anyone who seemed to care about her even a little bit. But there's so much more to her than that.

I don't think I really felt connected to Lady Jing until she arrived at mortal Shanghai and started experiencing panic attacks, as well as realizing that there were gaps in her memories of childhood. As someone also only recently trying to come to grips with PTSD from childhood, I related with Lady Jing so much it hurt. Her anger, confusion, and emotional immaturity felt like desperate coping mechanisms instead of indications of childishness. From this point on, I was so engrossed in the story I had to finish the rest of the book in a single day. I loved the setting, the relationships Lady Jing developed in the course of her growth, and the rich mythological background entwined throughout the story. I was caught by surprise with this heart-wrenching debut fantasy novel, and I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

I was pleasantly surprised by how humorous this book was! It follows Lady Jing, who is half vampire and half fox spirit and Mr. Lee, a mortal who is setting up a bank system for the King of Hell. I loved Jing, she was incredibly immature for her age but I totally got why she acted that way, and I loved her character development and the realizations she makes along the way. The pacing was great, never once was I bored and I found that when I got to the end I flipped the page expecting there to be more because I just wanted to stay in this world with these characters! This is definitely a character driven story, which is not usually my cup of tea, but I just found everything so fascinating, and the trauma Lady Jing had really tugged on my heartstrings. This is an adult fantasy standalone, and I'm so excited to see what this author comes up with next!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Shanghai Immortal is everything I love wrapped up in one delightful, enthralling, hugely hilarious package.

I love c-dramas and reading about ancient Chinese culture and history. And I knew this book was the one for me when I read its summary, but I was also afraid that I wouldn't love it as much as I wanted to love it. Well, Little Jing came with her outspokenness, beguilingly witty and hilarious yet soft personality, and she made me fall in love with her and the book.

Little Jing is a powerful (in social status, in mental and physical abilities) deity but she's been bullied and looked down on since she was a child. She's traumatized, and the author doesn't sugarcoat things. Everything she's experienced, everything she's felt then and now, and the consequences on her character are all on the page to see. I'm not an immortal deity, but I could relate to Little Jing so much. I always felt like an odd duck not fitting in anywhere and being torn to two sides. I love Little Jing so much that I don't think words can describe it. She's hilarious and beguiling, and for an immortal with a temper, she can be such an innocent cutie. Little Jing is one of my all-time favorite characters, becoming the Queen of All Female Characters.

Mr. Lee is a very interesting male protagonist. I like firm people who don't change their values yet don't remain stagnant, either. I kind of feel like he's still some of a mystery because he himself adapts to his environment and according to the circumstances--and what trouble Little Jing is in. We love to see committed and dedicated love interests!

Lady Gi, girl, I love you. Can you be my friend, too?

Big Wang, Lord Ma, Lord Nioh, and Old Zao are all fabulous side-characters, with their own personality and quirks. They made me love them more and more as the story progressed.

The plot was amazing! Always filled with adventures yet we still had time to drink tea--and other things--and eat xiao long bao. I personally need this balance because to me, this is what makes the story even more real.

The worldbuilding was so beautiful and immersive. Every detail was there, and yet, the book didn't get wordy nor did it have lengthy descriptions.

Gorgeous book in all aspects, from the characters to the plot and worldbuilding and the writing. Shanghai Immortal is one of my all-time favorites. 5 stars are not enough!!!!!!!

And look at that cover!

I do believe it's part of a series but the book is a beautiful standalone with no cliffhanger. Just the promise of more things to come.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC.

oh my what an adventure this was.this was so witty and hilarious. some of the antics had me in stitches. i absolutely loved it. would definitely recommend. can't wait to get my special edition of this book with some artwork. going to be stunning.

This book is about to be a new obsession. Half-vampire, half-fox spirit Lady Jing's irreverent voice, the lush setting filled with unique details of the vibrant Shanghai of the 1930s and its immortal mirror, and a fresh take on Chinese lore makes this book a standout. Fans of c-dramas, fantasy that isn't afraid to be fun and sarcastic, twists on history, and voicey, character-driven writing will all find something to love here. The fast pace makes for a quick read, and A.Y. Chao is an author to watch.

You had me at half vampire and half fox spirit. I was drawn in by the gorgeous cover and the title piqued my interest. I was not disappointed. I loved every word.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy.

<u>*Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy of Shanghai Immortal by A.Y. Chao*</u>

<i>I am a degenerate mix of unfortunate genes and circumstances.</i>

Shanghai Immortal is the adult fantasy debut of A.Y. Chao. A great story about Chinese folklore where deities and demons coexist in a 1930s Shanghai full of jazz, humans, and candies. The first part of this trilogy is a love letter to Chinese culture. A fun and magical ride that will make you laugh out loud and fall in love with the characters.

It’s a <b>fast-paced book</b> that will keep you hooked from the beginning. An easy and fun reading where the author presents a fantasy setting with great worldbuilding but that is close enough to the real world to make it relatable and natural.

One of the things I really enjoyed about this book were the <b>action scenes with demon swords</b> (I don’t want one, I need one NOW), because they were really entertaining and well explained

As I mentioned, <b>the worldbuilding is complex, full of Chinese folklore and magical creatures</b>, which was definitely my favourite part! I want my own Pixiu so I can call them cutie. The gods, demons, swords, and creatures are amazing. The fact that <b>Lady Jing, the main character, is half-vampire and half-deity</b> adds insight to the story. She feels misunderstood and that she doesn’t belong in her own world which makes her relatable.

<u>Her inner voice is such a fun part of this book</u>. She’s <b>irreverent, hilarious, and completely badass</b>. She’s 99 years old, however for an eternal life that’s not much. She’s immature, passionate, and impulsive. The author portraits her “teen years” perfectly. She’s also broken and a bit lost in her life, as many of us are too. However, if you are expecting a serious, fully developed adult character, this is not your book. But if you like unserious characters and you relate with her personality and mood, Lady Jing will be the perfect choice to make you laugh.

<b>Her relationship with Mr. Lee</b> is cute, sweet, and real. They like each other but must learn to understand each other too. I’m not a big fan of <b>romance</b> in fantasy books but this one was well-written, and it fits perfectly in the story.

Of course, this book includes the <b>found family trope</b>, my favourite one! The friendship between Lady Jing and Gigi is great and they are a fantastic duo. Their dynamic is amusing, and their scenes together made me laugh a lot. The <b>side characters</b> are an important part of this book and I’d like to know more about them in the next installments of the story.

<u>My least favourite part was the mystery that moves the plot forward</u>. I forgot about it often as I was more invested in Lady Jing’s journey. I think the mystery works well within the book and makes sense at the end, but sadly I was expecting a bigger plot twist at the end of the book.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading more books by A.Y. Chao!

<b>If you love books with Asian folklore, fantasy, romance, dragons, and cheeky characters, you’ll love Shanghai Immortal</b>, a great book to enjoy a few hours of fun while drinking a mocktail. I’m sure it will make you laugh as loudly as I did reading it.

<b>5*/5*</b>

Rep: This book doesn’t have queer representation

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for an advanced copy of this novel for an honest review. The release date is slated to be in October/November of 2023. This novel centers around a young woman who is half vampire, half hulijing (fox spirit) named Jing. Adopted by the King of Hell for the price of a dragon pearl, she can’t find a place to that allows her to be accepted for who she is. Often called a mongrel for her heritage, she adopts an attitude and a 3 foot concrete wall to protect herself from hurt and pain and being killed for who she is. Enter a mortal Tony Lee, who has his own reasons for entering Immortal Shanghai and begins to break down some concrete walls…. 😉 I loved this book for the character bonds and for the theme of acceptance and the need to be loved. The quiet but determined Mr. Lee is one of my favorite characters. He does the little things that are the big things that just tug at your heart. 5 🥭 because everyone needs a village and a Mr. Lee. 😁 I recommend the read and give it a minute… it’s worth it.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

I’m in love with Shanghai Immortal and I’ve only recently just found out about the book. I hope people don’t sleep on this. Why did I fall for Shanghai Immortal? There is simply this charm to the writing, characters, and setting. Also, I loved all the Chinese mythology and lore embedded into the plot and locations, but they had twists to them.

Lady Jing of Mount Kunlun aka Grand Princess Overflowing with Sagacity aka Noble Lady Hu Xian Jing of the Turquoise Hills is born of a hulijing (fox spirit) mother and vampire father. Because of this, Jing is constantly bullied by her fellow fox relatives and shunned by the rest because she has to sustain on blood. Yes, even though she’s in Hell, the yaojing (demons) are wary of her. Of course, this has to do with her explosive temper which got her into hot waters multiple times, especially when it concerns the rest of the hulijing court.

At first, I thought I would be annoyed by her behavior but Lady Jing grew on me. Since her vampiric father is absent and her hulijing mother was killed, Lady Jing was sent to Yan Luo Wang for protection. However, Lady Jing assumed that she was pawned by her mother to the King of Hell to repay shopping debts. With resentment and hidden disappointment growing, Lady Jing hides her true feelings behind her rebellious actions and impatient personality. In actual fact, she just wants to be friends with others and live a normal life without people looking at her for being different.

Shanghai Immortal started off with Lady Jing picking up a parcel, for Big Wang, which turned out to be a human being named Tony Lee. He’s there to help develop the bank system in Hell. Even in Hell, things are being modernized. When Lady Jing overheard that she hated hulijing courtiers are planning to steal a dragon pearl from Big Wang, she was determined to use this chance to take her revenge for all the things they had done to her in the past. Mr. Lee will be there every step of the way.

One thing about Lady Jing is that she didn’t believe that people are her friends or are her support. Her protective layer hardened at every curse, accusation, and abuse that the hulijing court had thrown her direction. This is why she didn’t believe that Big Wang was truly looking out for her or that Lady Gi is her friend or that her mother loved her. I’m glad that it changed and she no longer felt as alone in the world as she thought.

A.Y. Chao incorporated Chinese lore into Shanghai Immortal brilliantly. Meeting familiar mythical creatures like Bullhead and Horsey (牛头马面), gods of the three stars (福禄寿), the Goddess of the Moon (Chang’e), hopping vampires (jiangshi), and the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl (牛郎织女) was incredibly fun. The descriptions of the food and the settings were so real too. I can picture the setting and characters vividly in my head. This can be attributed to A.Y. Chao’s writing and maybe my many years of Chinese drama watching.

For the romance, I was fully invested in Mr. Lee and Lady Jing’s development. The entire time I was just rooting for them to be together even though one of them is a human living in yang Shanghai while the other is a fox spirit/vampire living in yin Shanghai. BUT WHO CARES. They need to be together. Also, the interactions between Gigi and Ah Lang were overtly romantic which made it funny in some scenes, especially when they had the drinking competition.

Overall, I had so much fun reading Shanghai Immortal. I wasn’t expecting to meet Lady Jing as the main character. She was brazen and loud and interesting. She’s unapologetically herself and I loved each time she made Mr. Lee blush because she’s just showing her ass or talking about boobies. Also, I think nostalgia played a factor because I knew of Chinese folklore. It’s just very charming.

Such a fantastic read.

I was over excited about this book and it did not disappoint at all.
the setting, the character, the humor, the plot

Just amazing

This year, I read incredible ARCs having female protagonists who embark on an adventurous journey. Shanghai Immortals is one of those ARCs. This novel has several interesting aspects.

First this novel is based on the unique Chinese mythology of yang and yin about the cosmos. It contains celestial bloodthirsty immortals, hell, fox and vampire concepts. I mean if you have watched a series like Tale of the Nine Tailed or Avatar then you might understand what I’m saying 😉.

The way Chao describes these mythological characters is really amazing. I absolutely loved the concept behind the story.

Next, the novel is set in 1930’s Shanghai. There are yin and yang Shanghai. Thus, you’ll not only see immortals in this book but also the normal people. I really enjoyed the tour of yang Shanghai with Lady Jing. The writer beautifully describes each and every detail of Shanghai at that time. My most favorite scenic beauty of yang Shanghai is the sunset.

The characters in the novels are all amazing. I love all the characters besides Lady Soo and Lady Jing’s grandmother. This novel not only features immortal characters but also a mortal man named Tony Lee. I love the relationship between Lady Jing and Mr. Lee. Although they both are from a different world, so there will be some clashes and misunderstandings between them. But I can assure you things will turn out well for them.

This novel along adventure is also filled with humor. Lady Jing’s character itself is funny. She tries to control her anger but still it causes her problems. Yan Luo Wang aka Big Wang, the king of hell is also funny and caring at the same time. I love his sarcastic side.

If we talk about the pacing of the novel, it contains too much description that isn’t required in my opinion. This issue only happened to me in the first half of the novel. Later, i found myself lost in the Shanghai Immortals and couldn’t put it down.

In the end I’ll say read this novel if you love

Found Family
Unexpected cinnamon rolls
Vengeance
Awkward crushes
Feeling like you don’t belong

I had a lot of fun in reading this book; it's fast paced, well plotted and there a lot of humour. The world building is fascinating and Lady Jing is a character you cannot help loving.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Set in the jazz age of 1920s in mortal and immortal Shanghai. We follow Lady Jing who is half-vampire, half-hulijing fox-spirit. Her boss big Wang.
The mortal - mr. Lee is sent to immortal Shanghai to help with the banking system.
Jing’s biggest foe is her grandmother Lady Sue.
The worldbuilding is amazing, both mortal and immortal Shanghai feel very vivid. No one ever thinks of hell as being better than earth, but I think the writer has made a very beautiful hell.
The amount of cursing lady Jing does is fantastic and the amount of groveling mr. Lee does with flowery language is also amazing.
I love that lady Jing is a strong, feisty deity.
As lady Jing gets into a lot of trouble, Big Wang sends her to mortal Shanghai with mr. Lee. Adventure ensues. The book I first read as an ebook, then listened to the audio version read by Mei Mei Macleod. She is a fantastic narrator and I was happy to hear the correct pronounciations of the Chinese.
I will absolutely read anything else she writes and recommend this for fantasy / historical fiction lovers.

This book is amazing! It's funny, packed with action, but very emotional! Lady Jing has spent a hundred years thinking no one cared for her because she was half-vampire, but through the stroy, she learns that she has been loved for a long time.
I really enjoyed the emotional moments at the end, when she realized she wasn't sold, but adopted! Big Wang really cared for her, he knew she was afraid of water way before she told him, he always kept her safe. It's a very sweet parent-daughter relationship.
Her friendship with Gigi is also really nice! Gigi comes running whenever she's in trouble and kinda keeps her grounded.
Mr. Lee and Jing falling in love was so funny. Neither of them wanted love, but they couldn't resist each other. Their energies are complementary, making them a balanced couple.
Jing is a very strong character, who faced a century of insults and abuse from her aunt and her minions, but she was always sure of herself and fought back. She was also very progressive, fighting for her right to wear pants in a sexist society. She grew up, and became a minister like she was supposed to, but on her own accord. No one forced her to choose what her path was.
I'm really fond of this story, it speaks about finding out where you belong and learning to love and be loved. The elements of chinese-mythology as well as the idea of both Mortal and Immortal Shanghai cohexisting are very entertaining, so if you're a fan of Chinese Mythology, you don't want to miss out on Shanghai Immortal!

TW:death, violence, child abuse, drowning, drinking, getting drunk, reference of prostitution and drug use.

Its a vampire romance! A genre that has never before stirred me in any way. Luckily its hidden inside a period Shanghainese immortal kingdom fable where frankly being a vampire is both unusual and a bit of an embarrassment. So whilst our heroine Lady Jing does hanker after blood, she very rarely encounters (living) people in the Shanghai Land of The Dead, and most of her being and personality is much more tied up with being a three-tailed fox spirit. Nevertheless being part vampire means she has been ostracised, mercilessly bullied and she bears a grudge towards her parents, her guardian, her teachers and pretty much everyone.

There is a lot going on in Shanghai Immortal, not least the coming of age (which here is 100 - young for an immortal) or a spoiled, petulant brat who has certainly been bullied but has raised so many defenses that she doesn't even know she has friends. She is part of a grand prophecy, and the subject of much derision (often due to her own actions), so when she has to chaperone a human banker (there to set up a Central Bank Of Hell - this is 1930's Shanghai after all), she takes it on as the worst burden in the world. But as is the way in such romances, the barriers slowly thaw and she realises with his help that actual people are looking out for her, she does have friends and if she was just nice every now and then, she might make more.

A Y Chao has written a sprightly mythological adventure, mixing Eastern and Western folklore into a very fun setting. We get to see the Shanghai version of the afterlife, we get to see Concession-era Shanghai through her eyes too (there is a lovely running motif about her wanting to watch sunrises - which did remind, and make me watch one myself. Its an adventure more than romance (or even I guess horror - there is a vampire after all), but Chao creates a great sense of place for both the mythological and real environments, and in Lady Jing has a wonderfully petulant narrator, who retains plenty of bite even when she softens.