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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really hate giving this book such a low rating when it’s clear that the author put a lot into it, but I have to be honest with myself. This book was not for me. Any book that frequently uses the phrases ‘ta-tas’ and ‘turd egg’ is not for me, and it should definitely never have been marketed as an adult fantasy. It’s young adult at best - the nearly-one-hundred-year-old half-vampire is going on twelve. I didn’t like the main character, I didn’t like the love interest, I didn’t like the other characters, I didn’t understand the world and I struggled with the lack of plot in the first half of the book. I just… didn’t like it. There was potential with the writing, which is probably why I stuck with it and didn’t DNF it, but everything else made it fall apart.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was an alright story, charmingly irreverent though I'd probably place it firmly in the Young Adult category, irrespective of the main characters being adult.
It fits the vision of godly creatures being somewhat immature so that's OK, though the romance between Lady Jing and Mr. Lee was a touch uncomfortable on account of that perceived maturity gap. I think I'd have been more comfortable if the hero was another immortal with the same... maturity level?
Overall, alright, but I don't see myself continuing the series.
It fits the vision of godly creatures being somewhat immature so that's OK, though the romance between Lady Jing and Mr. Lee was a touch uncomfortable on account of that perceived maturity gap. I think I'd have been more comfortable if the hero was another immortal with the same... maturity level?
Overall, alright, but I don't see myself continuing the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Physical abuse, Violence, War
"Shanghai Immortal" takes readers on a thrilling ride through Hell and mortal Shanghai with Lady Jing, a half-vampire, half-hulijing fox-spirit with a sharp tongue and a penchant for mischief. The story unfolds as Jing, the King of Hell's unconventional ward, discovers a plot to steal a dragon pearl, setting off a chaotic adventure.
The author weaves a tale filled with sass, humor, and supernatural elements, making it a delightful read. Lady Jing's explosive temper and relentless pursuit of justice add layers to her character, making her both endearing and exasperating. The inclusion of a mortal tasked with setting up the Central Bank of Hell adds an unexpected dynamic to the narrative.
However, the world-building falls short in some aspects. While the depiction of Hell and the blending of supernatural and mortal realms is creative, there are instances where the rules governing this universe feel inconsistent. The hulijing courtiers and their taunts provide a colorful backdrop, but a more nuanced exploration of the world's intricacies would have enriched the storytelling.
Despite these criticisms, "Shanghai Immortal" remains a captivating read, blending fantasy, humor, and a touch of romance. It's a rollercoaster of emotions that keeps you hooked until the very end, wondering if Lady Jing will choose revenge or embrace a chance at tenderness and love.
The author weaves a tale filled with sass, humor, and supernatural elements, making it a delightful read. Lady Jing's explosive temper and relentless pursuit of justice add layers to her character, making her both endearing and exasperating. The inclusion of a mortal tasked with setting up the Central Bank of Hell adds an unexpected dynamic to the narrative.
However, the world-building falls short in some aspects. While the depiction of Hell and the blending of supernatural and mortal realms is creative, there are instances where the rules governing this universe feel inconsistent. The hulijing courtiers and their taunts provide a colorful backdrop, but a more nuanced exploration of the world's intricacies would have enriched the storytelling.
Despite these criticisms, "Shanghai Immortal" remains a captivating read, blending fantasy, humor, and a touch of romance. It's a rollercoaster of emotions that keeps you hooked until the very end, wondering if Lady Jing will choose revenge or embrace a chance at tenderness and love.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Annoying characters, feels very childish
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I thoroughly enjoyed this! As an Asian American I am always looking for Eastern inspired fantasy novels like this. It draws on a lot of the beliefs, lore, and superstitions that I grew up hearing about from my parents and seeing in Chinese movies. It was light and fun but with a dash of danger and darkness.
Summary for myself:
The story is about Jing who seems like she might be half vampire and half fox spirit? She lives in hell and is “owned” by Big Wang - who doesn’t treat her poorly, actually he does treat her as a daughter. She believes that her mother sold her to Big Wang for some jewel (pearl or diamond) and is generally a sour little tomboy in the beginning.
Wang tasks her with taking care of some mortal dude, Mr Lee, who came down to Hell. I think he is trying to serve Wang in exchange for his sister’s soul to not be committed to a life in servitude in Hell. They go up to the mortal realm and some shenanigans happen in 1920s Shanghai with them and someone that Jing knows, a Celestial named Gigi, and some kind of mission.
People are following Jing and when they finally apprehend her it sounds like it’s because of her grandmother who seems to have always hated her. Or maybe some other evil demon thing in Hell. She has status and power and wants the pearl that she thinks Lady Jing has. She doesn’t.
Towards the end it’s almost curtains for Jing but she is visited by a dragon of the lake and he bewstows the jade upon her. In the last chapter everything seems to go right. She learns she was not sold by her mother. Big Wang was always fond of her. She hold special powers because the pearl was gifted or bestowed upon her and everything is right in the world. 🤷🏻♀️
There’s also an Author’s note at the end that makes a nod to Joy Luck Club and Mulan.
Summary for myself:
The story is about Jing who seems like she might be half vampire and half fox spirit? She lives in hell and is “owned” by Big Wang - who doesn’t treat her poorly, actually he does treat her as a daughter. She believes that her mother sold her to Big Wang for some jewel (pearl or diamond) and is generally a sour little tomboy in the beginning.
Wang tasks her with taking care of some mortal dude, Mr Lee, who came down to Hell. I think he is trying to serve Wang in exchange for his sister’s soul to not be committed to a life in servitude in Hell. They go up to the mortal realm and some shenanigans happen in 1920s Shanghai with them and someone that Jing knows, a Celestial named Gigi, and some kind of mission.
People are following Jing and when they finally apprehend her it sounds like it’s because of her grandmother who seems to have always hated her. Or maybe some other evil demon thing in Hell. She has status and power and wants the pearl that she thinks Lady Jing has. She doesn’t.
Towards the end it’s almost curtains for Jing but she is visited by a dragon of the lake and he bewstows the jade upon her. In the last chapter everything seems to go right. She learns she was not sold by her mother. Big Wang was always fond of her. She hold special powers because the pearl was gifted or bestowed upon her and everything is right in the world. 🤷🏻♀️
There’s also an Author’s note at the end that makes a nod to Joy Luck Club and Mulan.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated