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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, War
Very, very disappointed in the book. Boring, one-dimensional characters who act and speak like grade schoolers, from plot point maybe 5 pages were interesting for me. And such a wrong marketing! This is definitely no adult book and judging from other reviewers I am not the only one who thinks like that and because of it the book will get more low ratings. And I am sad for the time wasted on this one as I usually finish the books I started. If it was marketed for the right audience then things like this could be avoided.
In an underworld parallel to 1930s Shanghai, the King's ward, a half vampire half hulijing spirit spends her days creating mayhem and struggling with her identity and powers. When she overheards a plot against her guardian by her estranged maternal family, Lady Jing sets out to uncover their secrets and prove her mettle. With her mission complicated by the mystery of the human banker Tony Lee, Lady Jing sets off on a trail of mayhem throughout the mortal and immortal worlds.
I was looking forward to this book since I first saw it announced, and it definitely lived up to expectations. Authors of asian mythology have been hitting it out of the park consistently for the past few years and this was no exception. I didn't expect the comedic aspect of it, but Lady Jing's irreverence and her friendship with Gigi were the true highlights of this book.
I liked Tony Lee well enough, although I was pretty ambivalent before his backstory and their journey to mortal Shanghai. Jing was a treasure, exasperating at times but always for good reason and like Big Wang, you just can't stay mad at her.
I wish that Jing's powers and how she came into them had been more detailed, but I'm hoping the fact that it wasn't means that this could evolve into a series.
The world building was spectacular, rich in history of what Shanghai might have been like, with enough glitz and glamour to dazzle without sweeping very real issues under the rug. I like my fantasy grounded in a touch of reality, magic doesn't cure all ills after all.
Overall this was a really enjoyable read, with a world I'd love to dive back into.
Thanks to Hodderscape and Netgalley for this advanced copy.
I was looking forward to this book since I first saw it announced, and it definitely lived up to expectations. Authors of asian mythology have been hitting it out of the park consistently for the past few years and this was no exception. I didn't expect the comedic aspect of it, but Lady Jing's irreverence and her friendship with Gigi were the true highlights of this book.
I liked Tony Lee well enough, although I was pretty ambivalent before his backstory and their journey to mortal Shanghai. Jing was a treasure, exasperating at times but always for good reason and like Big Wang, you just can't stay mad at her.
I wish that Jing's powers and how she came into them had been more detailed, but I'm hoping the fact that it wasn't means that this could evolve into a series.
The world building was spectacular, rich in history of what Shanghai might have been like, with enough glitz and glamour to dazzle without sweeping very real issues under the rug. I like my fantasy grounded in a touch of reality, magic doesn't cure all ills after all.
Overall this was a really enjoyable read, with a world I'd love to dive back into.
Thanks to Hodderscape and Netgalley for this advanced copy.
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.
‘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.
"'Mr Lee was my birthday present?' She nods. I blink at Lady Ay. Her smile is sweet and innocent. 'To eat or to kiss?'"
In all honesty this book only lost a star because I've been in a massive reading slump this month and I've struggled to get into any book! If I'd read this at a different time with less outside pressures it would easily be a five-star read for me!
I adored the main character, Jing. Her anger issues, PTSD and anxiety just really resonated with me, and I loved how imperfect she is! I need more books that feature strong, but flawed, main characters!
I also loved the fact that, whilst it is an adult fantasy, there was no spice! I enjoy spicy books but I truly admire authors that can write an adult targeted book with little to no spicy scenes in it - it's a skill that A.Y. Chao has mastered beautifully.
Overall, it was a whirlwind of emotions. There's an undertone of humour that had me physically laughing out loud at points, but by the end I was balling like a baby! (If you own the Fairyloot edition, make sure you have tissues at the ready for the bonus content at the end!)
In all honesty this book only lost a star because I've been in a massive reading slump this month and I've struggled to get into any book! If I'd read this at a different time with less outside pressures it would easily be a five-star read for me!
I adored the main character, Jing. Her anger issues, PTSD and anxiety just really resonated with me, and I loved how imperfect she is! I need more books that feature strong, but flawed, main characters!
I also loved the fact that, whilst it is an adult fantasy, there was no spice! I enjoy spicy books but I truly admire authors that can write an adult targeted book with little to no spicy scenes in it - it's a skill that A.Y. Chao has mastered beautifully.
Overall, it was a whirlwind of emotions. There's an undertone of humour that had me physically laughing out loud at points, but by the end I was balling like a baby! (If you own the Fairyloot edition, make sure you have tissues at the ready for the bonus content at the end!)
Oh boy. Okay. So, it was not a *bad* book. But the main character was incredibly annoying and immature and unfortunately for me, it’s written in 1st person so I had to live in her head for 340 pages. Which was like living in the head of a 12 yo boy instead of a 100 year old vampire. Terms like “turd for brains” “dog-fart” “turd-egg” or “piss-fart” don’t need to be in a book written by an adult FOR adults and yet these were on nearly every page and it really detracted from the reading experience for me. But so did her personality if I’m being honest. I really needed to see her have some kind of reckoning and some emotional maturity develop through the story, which in the final 10ish pages we did kind of get and it was sweet and left me finishing the book on a good note, buuuuut…much of what we have here is a story of an adult who is more like a petulant child who throws temper tantrums, gets annoyed there are consequences and acts like the world is unfair to her, and continues to be, in her terms, a “shit-bag” to everyone who is trying to help her, yet somehow everyone really seems to care for her? It was a bit of a frustrating read the majority of the time. Too bad too, because the premise itself was intriguing, the world was interesting and all the other characters I quite liked. To echo what I’ve read in other reviews, this is an “adult fantasy” that feels more like “middle grade”.
Rating: 2.75 stars, rounded up simply because I did enjoy some aspects and the ending worked for me
Fat-friendly rating: 2.5/5, definitely some commentary on “well-fed bellies” that I could have done without.
Recommend? I likely will not. Tbd on if I read the second one when it comes out, and if I do, it will be only with the hope of leaving the preteen boy humor behind.
Rating: 2.75 stars, rounded up simply because I did enjoy some aspects and the ending worked for me
Fat-friendly rating: 2.5/5, definitely some commentary on “well-fed bellies” that I could have done without.
Recommend? I likely will not. Tbd on if I read the second one when it comes out, and if I do, it will be only with the hope of leaving the preteen boy humor behind.
DNF’ed. I got 3 chapters in and realised. I don’t care about there main character and her “sasshole” nature. This is not the ADULT fantasy I was promised. So sick of books like this being marketed as “adult fantasy” when what they actually mean, is young adult fantasy with a few more swear words
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.
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eARC provided by netgalley and Hodder Books in exchange for an honest review
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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.
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eARC provided by netgalley and Hodder Books in exchange for an honest review
I really struggled to get into this, I thought that the entire concept was so cool and so filled with rich culture but the story fell flat.
Terrible MC felt like a 12 year old boy wrote it