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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
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 very much to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for the advanced digital copy!
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 very much to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for the advanced digital copy!
This book was so fun! With a fast-paced plot and main character with such a distinct and strong narrative voice, I could hardly put it down. I’m interested to see where the next two books in this trilogy go, since this one almost had a standalone feel, but left enough avenues open for us to explore later on.
“Accept the Cosmos, and you become accepted. Clear your vision, and you will see. Open you heart, and you will be loved.”
3.5⭐️
Shanghai Immortal is a dazzling fantasy debut set in Jazz Age Shanghai We follow Lady Jing, half-vampire and half-fox-spirit, who is also the ward of the king of Hell. Tian, this realm they live in, and the Chinese mythology was interesting to learn about. One thing I loved was how rich the descriptions were in making yin and yang Shanghai come to life.
Lady Jing was a sassy character and I didn’t mind that, but what got on my nerves was how immature she seemed. Maybe it was just the writing style, but considering this was meant to be an adult novel, the plethora of toilet humour felt childish. Also, I get why she was acting out so much at the start but it was kind of annoying. She did grow on me by the end though and I liked her coming to terms with her past.
Like I said, this didn’t really read like an adult fantasy novel but I did enjoy it nevertheless. The plot didn’t go the way I expected it to from the synopsis but I liked how the characters bonded in this way - I wish they’d spent more time in yang Shanghai doing that.
I’m assuming there will be a sequel because there are some loose ends and it’s too rich of a world to leave now. But alone, I think this book stands up well in itself.
CW: child abuse
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.5*…maybe…
If I was rating it as an adult fantasy 2* or even 1*
When I started it because I was expecting an adult fantasy it fell short and I almost dnf it…it was very much a YA book or a young, young NA. It was a coming of age story, complete with first time experiences and kisses.
But when I switched my expectations from adult to YA I went on to enjoy it and I both loved and kind of hated Jing with her sometimes overly spoilt bratty behaviour. And I forgave the use of some terribly annoying language - pissfart, tatas, to name a couple.
I liked it. But I don’t think I will be reading anything more by this author in the future.
If I was rating it as an adult fantasy 2* or even 1*
When I started it because I was expecting an adult fantasy it fell short and I almost dnf it…it was very much a YA book or a young, young NA. It was a coming of age story, complete with first time experiences and kisses.
But when I switched my expectations from adult to YA I went on to enjoy it and I both loved and kind of hated Jing with her sometimes overly spoilt bratty behaviour. And I forgave the use of some terribly annoying language - pissfart, tatas, to name a couple.
I liked it. But I don’t think I will be reading anything more by this author in the future.
I was excited to read this book based on its description.
A fantasy novel taking place during the Jazz Age of Shanghai peaked my interest. I enjoy reading fantasy books with historical elements to it. The world-building this novel had a lot of potential but I found it fell flat in a couple areas.
In the first half of the novel, the author created a rich and vivid description of Hell where are main character lives. As the reader is given a tour of this underworld, they are able to discover a unique world.
While I enjoyed the world building in this novel, I felt that the plot was weak and over done. The characters help guide the reader through this book but I found the second half of the novel to drag on. There is a lot of banter between characters and introductions of new settings to distract the reader from the lacking plot.
The novel’s main character Jing is an over the top character. Her behaviours were amusing at first but I found her to be exhausting as I read the book. However, the secondary characters are charming and I enjoyed the scenes when they called Jing out on her behaviours.
Overall, as I contemplate the novel as a whole, I had to rate this book lower. I really wanted to enjoy this book and I may still give this author another chance.
Thank you so much Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc.
A fantasy novel taking place during the Jazz Age of Shanghai peaked my interest. I enjoy reading fantasy books with historical elements to it. The world-building this novel had a lot of potential but I found it fell flat in a couple areas.
In the first half of the novel, the author created a rich and vivid description of Hell where are main character lives. As the reader is given a tour of this underworld, they are able to discover a unique world.
While I enjoyed the world building in this novel, I felt that the plot was weak and over done. The characters help guide the reader through this book but I found the second half of the novel to drag on. There is a lot of banter between characters and introductions of new settings to distract the reader from the lacking plot.
The novel’s main character Jing is an over the top character. Her behaviours were amusing at first but I found her to be exhausting as I read the book. However, the secondary characters are charming and I enjoyed the scenes when they called Jing out on her behaviours.
Overall, as I contemplate the novel as a whole, I had to rate this book lower. I really wanted to enjoy this book and I may still give this author another chance.
Thank you so much Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I had a really hard time with this, which is a shame because I thought the premise sounded really good. For a book that is meant to be Adult, it felt very YA. Especially with how much the main character whined, the tantrums she threw and the language used. I.E. 'ta-tas'. I also think that the MC did not help in terms of the flow of the story. The lack of explanation throughout this back was another thing I found difficult to grapple with. There wasn't really a build up to the romance so it just felt forced. I didn't think any of the characters were particularly likeable however I would say the most interesting character was the Dragon King. The attempts at humour didn't quite land either. I'm so disappointed because I was looking forward to this but unfortunately the lack of development, lack of growth, juvenile language and the childish nature of the MC let it down.
I had a really hard time with this, which is a shame because I thought the premise sounded really good. For a book that is meant to be Adult, it felt very YA. Especially with how much the main character whined, the tantrums she threw and the language used. I.E. 'ta-tas'. I also think that the MC did not help in terms of the flow of the story. The lack of explanation throughout this back was another thing I found difficult to grapple with. There wasn't really a build up to the romance so it just felt forced. I didn't think any of the characters were particularly likeable however I would say the most interesting character was the Dragon King. The attempts at humour didn't quite land either. I'm so disappointed because I was looking forward to this but unfortunately the lack of development, lack of growth, juvenile language and the childish nature of the MC let it down.
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.
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.
Fantasia, mitologia cinese, amicizia, non troppo romance, città parallele.
Un libro molto promettente.
E in cui riponevo molte speranze.
Ho amato l'ambientazione, molto particolare, con riferimenti mitologici e descrizioni che mi hanno ricordato i film dello studio Ghibli. Ho sentito di essere a Shanghai anche se non ci sono mai stata e ho respirato l'atmosfera di una Cina degli anni 20-30 (o almeno c'è scritto che è ambientato in quel periodo), con i loro i modi di vivere e di vestire.
Quello che mi ha colpito di più è stata, in particolare la descrizione della Shanghai m0rtale, in cui c'è un breve spiraglio di vita quotidiana di alcune persone che è degno di nota e di riflessione.
La trama è tutto sommato abbastanza originale, anche se non mi ha trasmesso molti sentimenti; quel poco che che accade ha una sua unicità, per questo credo che si distacchi un pochino dal mainstream.
Tutto sommato il romance è sopportabile ed è anche abbastanza in secondo piano.
Unico aspetto negativo, l'utilizzo di un linguaggio troppo scurril3.
Vedo ora che è primo di una trilogia ma al momento non saprei neanche come potrebbe continuare la storia; potrebbe essere benissimo uno standalone.
In seguito a tutte queste considerazioni, ho dato 3⭐.
Un libro molto promettente.
E in cui riponevo molte speranze.
Ho amato l'ambientazione, molto particolare, con riferimenti mitologici e descrizioni che mi hanno ricordato i film dello studio Ghibli. Ho sentito di essere a Shanghai anche se non ci sono mai stata e ho respirato l'atmosfera di una Cina degli anni 20-30 (o almeno c'è scritto che è ambientato in quel periodo), con i loro i modi di vivere e di vestire.
Quello che mi ha colpito di più è stata, in particolare la descrizione della Shanghai m0rtale, in cui c'è un breve spiraglio di vita quotidiana di alcune persone che è degno di nota e di riflessione.
La trama è tutto sommato abbastanza originale, anche se non mi ha trasmesso molti sentimenti; quel poco che che accade ha una sua unicità, per questo credo che si distacchi un pochino dal mainstream.
Tutto sommato il romance è sopportabile ed è anche abbastanza in secondo piano.
Unico aspetto negativo, l'utilizzo di un linguaggio troppo scurril3.
Vedo ora che è primo di una trilogia ma al momento non saprei neanche come potrebbe continuare la storia; potrebbe essere benissimo uno standalone.
In seguito a tutte queste considerazioni, ho dato 3⭐.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes