I loved this book so much! It took me a little while to get into it because I had a hard time figuring out the lore, but I found Lady Jin to be endlessly charming (even if she's a little rough around the edges), and I finished the last half of the book in a near marathon sprint because I couldn't put it down! It's something I maybe wouldn't have ordered for the library before but definitely will now!

Ta-Tas. I tried to move past the use of the word. I failed. Not only the use of that word, but also the over describing of things leaving very little for the reader to absorb.

Shanghai Immortal by A. Y. Chao is an enchanting literary masterpiece that takes readers on an extraordinary journey through the captivating city of Shanghai. From the very first page, Chao's vivid storytelling and meticulous attention to detail transport you to a world where ancient traditions seamlessly blend with modern marvels.

The book explores the mystical allure of Shanghai, delving deep into its rich history, vibrant culture, and the enduring spirit of its people. Chao's descriptive prose paints a vivid picture of the city's bustling streets, majestic architecture, and the contrasting landscapes that make Shanghai a truly unique destination.

One of the book's most commendable aspects is the author's ability to effortlessly weave together multiple storylines and characters, creating a tapestry of narratives that converge and intertwine in unexpected ways. The diverse cast of characters adds depth and authenticity to the story, allowing readers to form emotional connections and experience the city through their eyes.

Moreover, Chao's meticulous research shines through in the book, as the historical accuracy and cultural nuances are impeccably portrayed. From the opulent lifestyles of Shanghai's elite to the everyday struggles of ordinary citizens, the author captures the essence of the city and its people with remarkable precision.

Shanghai Immortal is a literary gem that captivates readers with its lyrical prose, evocative imagery, and an intriguing plot that keeps you engrossed until the very last page. The book not only entertains but also educates, offering valuable insights into Shanghai's past, present, and the possibilities of its future.

In conclusion, A. Y. Chao's Shanghai Immortal is an extraordinary work of fiction that deserves high praise. It is a mesmerizing tribute to the city, a celebration of its timeless beauty, and a testament to the immortality of Shanghai's spirit. Whether you are an avid reader, a history enthusiast, or simply someone seeking an unforgettable literary experience, this book is an absolute must-read.

A Shanghai set fantasy adventure full of Chinese mythology stands out from the mythology market with it's high stakes adventure and breath taking ups and downs.

Review: 3.75 stars

Thank you to Hodderscape and Netgalley for a gifted e-ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

For debut fantasy set in the old Shanghai era with a dash of Chinese mythology thrown in, this is a solid read.

Growing up in Chinese culture with most of the glossary used in this book as part of my everyday life, I had no issue jumping straight into the book. Honestly, the vividness of Shanghai in the otherworld with its play of Chinese myth is such a fun read. This throws me back to my childhood where I grew up watching ancient historical dramas touching on the Jade Emperor, the gates of hell, celestial beings and the food (XIAO LONG BAO). It's so nice that the standard Asian terms are now found in books - I honestly love the representation!

This story touches on Lady Jing who was tasked with transporting a mortal, Tony Lee through Yin Shanghai (better known as the version of Shanghai in Hell). However, he was given a false protection token which resulted in the drastic measures Lady Jing had to go through to keep him safe! Fate keeps throwing them together. Lady Jing seeks to pay revenge to her fellow Huilijing (mystical fox clan) headed by her grandmother who desperately is seeking the dragon pearl rumored to be safeguarded by the King of Hell, Tony Lee on the other hand is tasked to help the King of Hell to build a banking system. As Lady Jing got herself into bucket loads of trouble, the King of Hell tasked Tony to take her to mortal Shanghai for the next 3 days to keep her out of trouble as a major conference to prevent major diplomatic trouble.

While I have no strong attachments to either main leads or side characters, I find the author is very consistent with the characteristics of Lady Jing and Tony Lee. I enjoyed reading their banter, especially how oblivious Lady Jing can be about her charm and how hard she tries. Tony Lee is a total cinnamon roll lead and is content to help Lady Jing in her quest. I also love how sneaky he is *coughs-theblood-coughs*

And, mafan y'all for getting to reading this long-beep review- Thank you!

An enjoyable debut from Canadian Chinese author A.Y. Chao. I'm a sucker for mythical and historical settings. This felt like a coming of age story geared towards young adults. I loved the setting of Jazz Age Shanghai. I can recall going to Shanghai and going to the bund and being very surprised at how at deco European it looked against the futuristic backdrop of the newer buildings and other traditional Chinese structures. At first I wasn't sure how I felt about the book, given Lady Jing or Little King had a MASSIVE chip on her shoulder and acted a lot like an impetuous child. That being said it was very action packed and the story flowed well. It was a good length for the story to unfold. I greatly enjoyed the secondary characters, especially Lady Gi, who is NOT a BFF but totally is... I appreciated seeing the vulnerability in Jing and her growth and self-love... Mr. Lee is such a lovely foil, and the Yin Shanghai portion of their trip was such a nice respite in between the action packed sections. I would say what prevented me from giving it 5 stars is that the characters seemed a bit too black and white...so it felt a bit too simple from a character development perspective though there were some minor twists. I'm also hoping this isn't the end of the story of Lady Jing and her friends because I felt like it ended a bit abruptly.

I'm looking forward to seeing what is next for A
Y. Chao.

This book is a glittering look into Shanghai at a divisive point in history. War, jazz, dancing and politics all swirl through both cities - mortal and immortal. Beyond our world, like a mirror to mortal Shanghai, lies yin Shanghai. City of the King of Hell, and centre to much of the politicking of the gods. Deals that make or break continents are made in the Mahong Halls of yin Shanghai. The niceties of court hiding the killing eyes of vipers waiting to strike.

Lady Jiang, ward of the King of hell, is tired of most of it. Ostracised from the court because of her heritage and her past, she acts like any scorned immortal 100ager, that is - a bit of a brat. She scrambles to keep a hold of her world.
Half Fox spirit and half vampire, Jiang fights to understand herself and the world around her. Fiercely loyal to her guardian, Big Wang, she guards his honour even when it isn’t needed.
As plots as plans swirl over Jiangs head, her frustration heightens at not being told, being included. She is tasked with helping a visitor from mortal Shanghai, presumably to keep her from trouble. But with cruel people walking her streets she will act alone if no one else will.

I loved the vibrant setting and the Chinese concept of the afterlife, but the character was so, so annoying. The character was meant to be approaching adulthood at 100 years of age, but half the time she acted like a five year old. It was a relief during the times when she actually decided to be responsible for stuff because we got a break from the brattiness.

Despite that though, I really enjoyed the book. The setting was just really interesting and I was invested in seeing how everything worked. I loved the idea of the roosters coming into hell because it was popular to burn paper roosters for the dead so that hell was just infested with wild roosters. That really spoke to me.

I enjoyed the stuff in the mortal world as well. It was nice to see Jing away from the pettiness of the court so that she could just relax and be herself. It didn't get rid of all of the brattiness, but it did help a lot.

Read for Chinese culture and traditions and a really interesting world.

Oh thank god I'm finally done with this.

This was such a disappointment because I was pretty excited to read it. The FMC is a half fox spirit, half vampire? Hell yeah! And the setting is in an underworld version of Shanghai? Oh, hell yeah, sign me the f up! AND it's an adult fantasy? Take my money!!!

This is one of those novels where it's all ~vibes, no plot. Well, there was a really loose plot. Something about a dragon pearl? And Lady Jing, the MC, was looking for info on it? There was also a romantic subplot? That was literally the extent of it.

Also, despite the adult fantasy label, this read like YA. Hell, I've even read YA novels that were much more mature than this. Jfc, why was this mislabeled?

The first few chapters were great as we get acclimated to the characters and the setting. I loved the audiobook narrator, Mei Mei MacLeod. Her accent was so lovely, and she sounded so enthusiastic. The voices she did for the male love interest and some of the other demons sounded kinda cartoony, but I'll forgive her for that.

But as the story went on, everything became more and more boring. Nothing big actually happened until the last ~20%. We're just dragged through the narrative reading/listening to Lady Jing wandering around Immortal Shanghai and Mortal Shanghai. She gets drunk on 3-day old blood a couple of times and makes a fool of herself. She eats a lot of xiaolongbao to recover. (And one time she even snuggles up to the love interest to recover. I think? And I should be happy about the one bed trope because it's one of my faves, but holy hell, it couldn't even save this mess.) Then she goes around bothering other demonic entities like a bored kid. The male love interest, Mr. Lee, was a straight up stage 5 clinger. I'm honestly not sure what his purpose was. He was literally just there.

Lady Jing is supposed to be a 100-year-old demon creature thing, but her personality sounded like a middle school/high school wannabe alt teen girl who tried way too hard to be ~not like other girls~ but ended up being like every other girl you went to school with. Her cursing is juvenile. Turd eggs? Ta-tas? Piss fart? Really? When I say, "I can't even," I really can't even.

Also, maybe it was just me, but the audiobook narrator sounded so bored as the story dragged on and literally nothing happened. I felt the same way, honestly. At least she tried her best with the different character voices, because in my head, I had already given up. I think this might be her first audiobook, so kudos to her, in all sincerity.

Thank you to Hodderscape and NetGalley for this arc. (I listened to the audiobook since it was already published when I got around to reading it.)

The world of Shanghai Immortal is incredibly intriguing. One the one hand, we have mortal Shanghai of the 30s, and on the other hand the dark, hellish world of demon Shanghai where Lady Jing spent most of her life growing up after being sold to the King of Hell. I know next to nothing about Chinese myths and folklore, so I can’t judge the accuracy of the fantastical elements that are explored in the story (the only familiar name was that of the goddess Chang-e), but I found it very fascinating either way.

The world building was done well but could have been developed even more in my opinion, as several elements were not explained very thoroughly - for example, the thing about fox forms and their tails was mentioned but then never referred to again. My favourite aspect about the world building was the way in which Lady Jing‘s narrator voice changed when she first went to the mortal realm, in accordance to how she experienced that world compared to her own.

The characters were all well chosen but I would have preferred, again, to get to know them a little better. It was easy to get to know Lady Jing very well due to the first person POV, and I adored Mr Lee whose character was developed remarkably well despite that POV - he’s an absolute dream of a love interest, a cinnamon roll (or a toffee, to stay in character). I just wish I had got to know some of the supporting characters a little better as well. Lady Gi in particular seemed to have such an interesting backstory, and I would have loved to learn more about that.

As for the plot itself, I felt like the pacing was a bit off towards the ending. It felt rushed and I would have liked for more things to be resolved and more loose strings to be tied up. Again, I would have also liked for some details to be developed a little bit better just in order to flesh out the characters and the world more.

What I do not understand about this book is why it is advertised as an adult fantasy. Lady Jing is supposed to be almost one hundred years old, yet she acts incredibly childish for the majority of the book. I would expect to see such a character in a YA novel, but not in something targeted at adults. In addition to that, there were no explicit or particularly gruesome scenes described in any detail.

All in all, I adored the idea of the story and would have loved if this were a real adult fantasy. As it is, the whole plot felt very YA to me and thus not as complex and nuanced as I had hoped and expected. Nonetheless, it was a quick, enjoyable read with unique characters.

3.5/5 stars.

If you like the word “fart”, you might like this book too.

Lady Jing hates her life. After being sold to the King of Hell to pay for her parent’s debts (thanks Mom), her life has been reduced to fulfilling random tasks for him for the past ninety years. While being tasked to “babysit” a mortal banker, Lady Jing picks up on a plot by some courtiers to steal a dragon pearl. Determined to prove her worth, Jing takes matters into her own hand, working with the mortal to take down the courtiers and win the respect she wants.

This book was a mixed bag for me. I went in expecting an adult novel and got something more YA with middle-grade humor. Jing sure has a lot of energy to waste on tantrums for being ninety years old. She routinely defies authority the way toddlers scream when their favorite toy is taken away. While her antics were humorous, they were also very childish. Among her favorite insults are the words “turd” and “fart.” I was thrown off by how openly disrespectful she was. I grew up in Asia, and nothing was more important than saving face. I cringed every time she pouted and whined when things didn’t go her way.

1930s Shanghai in Hell is so fascinating, but it was not well-executed. So many terms and different creatures are introduced without being explained. For the first thirty percent, I kept having to relook up different words and what mythological creatures they were. While the idea of a Jazzy Shanghai was fascinating, I never fully appreciated the world. It was built so quickly and without a lot of details. I was working with the bare minimum and cheated on the gorgeous world that could have been created.

Despite these qualities, I did enjoy the book. Maybe it’s because at my grown age, I still have a twelve-year-old boy’s sense of humor. I think the plot was interesting, and Lady Jing was a unique main character, even though it wasn’t always for the best of reasons.

If potty humor isn’t your thing, wipe this off your TBR.

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Shanghai Immortal was an absolute delight that exceeded my expectations and made me feel like I was in the dazzling world of jazz-era Shanghai with a snarky and hilarious main character, coupled with a vivid depiction of the era, and a sweet love story, and a little bit of a mystery to uncover.

The story follows Lady Jing, a half-vampire, half-hulijing fox-spirit who finds herself pawned to the King of Hell as a child. Lady Jing's sass and fiery personality make her an incredibly endearing and entertaining protagonist. Her witty and sarcastic remarks had me howling with laughter throughout the book. Chao has truly crafted a memorable and lovable character in Lady Jing, whose unique blend of supernatural abilities and relatable flaws make her journey captivating and enjoyable.

What sets Shanghai Immortal apart is its vivid depiction of jazz-era Shanghai. The author's attention to detail and atmospheric descriptions bring the setting to life, immersing readers in the vibrant world of 1920s Shanghai. From the glitzy nightclubs to the bustling streets, the novel captures the essence of the era, painting a rich and colorful backdrop that adds depth and authenticity to the story.

In addition to the engaging characters and vivid setting, the love story in Shanghai Immortal adds a delightful touch of romance. The relationship between Lady Jing and Mr Lee is beautifully developed, filled with tender moments and heartfelt emotions. Their connection is as sweet as a Celestial peach, and their interactions provide a welcome balance to the humor and darker themes in the story.

Chao's writing style is engaging and immersive, allowing readers to easily become swept up in the fast-paced plot. The story is filled with intrigue, as Lady Jing unravels a plot to steal a priceless dragon pearl from the King of Hell. The narrative is packed with twists and turns, keeping readers on their toes and eagerly turning the pages.

A.Y. Chao has created a world filled with laughter, adventure, and romance. If you're looking for a book that will transport you to a bygone era and leave you with a smile on your face, Shanghai Immortal is the perfect choice. Prepare to be enchanted by the sassy Lady Jing and the vibrant world she inhabits.

I have big expectation with this book. It's unique, with deity and all demon. But the book is so slow. For 30% of the book I didn't find anything to engage me to the story. It has a good way to describe the world but I can't bear just knowing their world. I want to know what happen, what is the conflict and what will they do with the conflict. But I can't find it. Even after read 60% of the book, I just got a glimpse of the conflict, still too focused how the MC dressed. This is so disappointed for me.

actual star 2.5 ⭐

Thank you NetGalley for Shanghai Immortal!!! I rate this book 4 stars because I love the world building and incorporation of Asian mythology. The beginning was challenging to get through, but once the story picked up pace, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can’t wait to own a physical copy of this book and extra brownie points for a beautiful cover!!!

This was a whole lot of fun and high jinks! I loved this romp through Shanghai despite feeling the plot got a bit lost in all the detail. I loved Lady Jing and her rebellious exploits and learning about the Chinese underworld and its inhabitants. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

This is a super fun, fast paced story with demons, vampires, spirits, deities, immortal roosters, jazz dancing, non binary rep, romance - I loved it!

We meet Lady Jing, a half fox spirit, half vampire who lives in the immortal side of Shanghai, which is also the capital of Hell. One day she is tasked with protecting a visitor from mortal Shanghai, and the two of them discover a conspiracy among the celestials in Hell, taking it upon themselves to intervene.

The plot aspects of this are often quite confusing, which docked a star for me. The book makes up for it however with the fun, foul mouthed, unladylike character of Lady Jing, and the wonderfully immersive multi-sensorial world of 1930s Shanghai, both immortal and mortal.

Highly recommend, I’ll definitely read the sequel.

"The yellow ones you said looked like the sun and sparkled like the stars"

Lady Jing is half-hulijing (fox spirit) and half-jiangshi (vampire) who is the ward of the King of Hell but not accepted by the the courtiers who constantly mock her which doesn't help her keep hold of her short fiery temper. When she hears of a plot to steal the dragon pearl, she is determined to keep it safe, even by putting a quiet mortal, Mr Lee in harm's way. As she is drawn deeper into the plot, she travels to mortal Shanghai and then onto other lands where she is forced to face the root of her deepest fears in order to survive.

This is a richly woven tale with both historical and contemporary references which left me wanting to desperately taste a "too sie roll". For an adult novel, I found that the way Lady Jing spoke very childish - "ta-ta's" being repeated frequently. I also struggled with the literal translations of insults which also didn't quite fit the flow of the novel. I loved the friendship that developed between her and Gigi and the romance between Lady Jing and Mr Lee was sweet especially as he supported Lady Jing.

Overall this was a quick, well-paced read that was entertaining once you adapt to the pacing.

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.

The best part of this book was the world. It was masterfully written. The premise of the story (part fox spirit part vampire? Yes please!) was excellent, but it didn't really deliver. It had a lot of potential and it wasn't bad, but it left a lot to be desired. I still enjoyed it, but it won't go in my top books of the year.

Jing is half hulijing fox spirit, half vampire, and all bad attitude. The ward of Immortal Shanghai's biggest crime lord, Jing runs his errands and picks fights with the well-behaved lords and ladies who spurn her for her mixed heritage. A plot to prevent one of Wang's plans thrusts her into the life of a mortal, and from there into mortal, Jazz Age (and Japanese occupied) Shanghai. Excellent for fans of Chloe Gong's Violent Hearts series, Shanghai Immortal drops readers into a world of classic Chinese mythology mixed with sarcasm and spite. Jing isn't an easy protagonist to like - childish and rude, she pushes away everyone, even the reader - but her adventures are gripping and fun to read. Some classic YA tropes make this a harder sell for adult readers, but teens will enjoy it.