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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
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
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-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
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
It was a nice change of pace to the immortal realm to have all its demons and celestials be in a more modern setting. The backdrop of the 30s with its decadence and flair provided for the most vivid descriptions.
The characters gave me a nostalgic feeling for that old kdrama "My Girlfriend is a Gumiho" but told from the Gumiho's perspective. Lady Jing was fiery and brash and Mr Lee was so nice.
I did find the end a bit too rushed and a little too neat but overall I had a great time with the characters
The characters gave me a nostalgic feeling for that old kdrama "My Girlfriend is a Gumiho" but told from the Gumiho's perspective. Lady Jing was fiery and brash and Mr Lee was so nice.
I did find the end a bit too rushed and a little too neat but overall I had a great time with the characters
Dnf around 50%.
Main character being an annoying child, just for the sake of it. Actions like catching chickens didn't maintain my attention. Also I can't take names like Big Wang seriously ngl.
If I have to read a sentence with "piss fart" in it once more I might just throw up.
It felt YA at best, instead of adult.
Main character being an annoying child, just for the sake of it. Actions like catching chickens didn't maintain my attention. Also I can't take names like Big Wang seriously ngl.
If I have to read a sentence with "piss fart" in it once more I might just throw up.
It felt YA at best, instead of adult.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
This is everything my sarcastic, broody, improper, impertinent, secretly romantic virtuous peaches could have ever asked for. All the magic of Chinese mythology mixed with an incredible amount of wit and little sprinkles of romance. The customs of proper society (aka courtly piss-fart) are wielding in such a hilarious manner I was laughing out loud, the entire book is filled with humorous self-deprecation and a blatant disregard for manners that is so hard to do, but is pulled off in a spectacular way that endears you from the first page. Lady Jing’s character is beautifully nuanced and imperfect - a black cat in perfect harmony with the sweet, slightly blundering, surprisingly funny golden retriever that is Mr Lee.
The world building is phenomenal. Sometimes reading a book set in a culture and time period you’re not in great understanding of can make you feel a little lost and overwhelmed, but A.Y. Chao holds your hand firmly in hers throughout and keeps you on track. We get not one, but two amazing cities that come alive on the page. Our side characters are perfect for helping you understand immortal Shanghai and its history, but feel flushed out and full of personality in their own right. The plot is medium to low stakes but never boring - it’s cosy and mystical with perfectly placed action. A work filled with to the brim with hope, charm and family.
Personally I would’ve loved embracing the romance a little more, it simmers the whole time but never really explodes or dazzles. That being said I loved this book and I’m very excited to see where A.Y. Chao’s career takes us.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
🧧🀄Shanghai Immortal🀄🧧
(I received an ARC from NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton in exchange for an honest review.)
Half vampire and half fox spirit, Lady Jing is probably the sassiest B (and I say that lightly) in all Shanghai. This adult fantasy debut from AY Chao introduces us to an immortal world parallel to the mortal world where adventures and hijinks are clearly the norm.
Shanghai Immortal is a fast-paced comedic adventure, peppered with all kinds of language; feisty, sassy, hilarious, and everything all over again in Mandarin phrases. It is quite a delight having to read Lady Jing's mutterings.
Though she is pegged at almost a century old, for an adult fantasy Lady Jing still gives off a teen YA vibe with the way she thinks and talks. I recommend reading this when you're in a lighthearted mood and itching for some laughs.
The book feels very plot-centered despite the world it is set in, which I felt was not built up enough to fully reveal and understand it. If you are familiar with Chinese fantasy, or speak Mandarin yourself, most of the terms used would be easily understood as they are glossed over and only briefly described.
There are a number of characters present and introduced in the book but I feel like this is more of an introduction to Lady Jing and her narrow view of her world so we don't really get to see or understand the other characters as they could potentially be. Hopefully we get to see more of these issues addressed in future books.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton in exchange for an honest review.)
Half vampire and half fox spirit, Lady Jing is probably the sassiest B (and I say that lightly) in all Shanghai. This adult fantasy debut from AY Chao introduces us to an immortal world parallel to the mortal world where adventures and hijinks are clearly the norm.
Shanghai Immortal is a fast-paced comedic adventure, peppered with all kinds of language; feisty, sassy, hilarious, and everything all over again in Mandarin phrases. It is quite a delight having to read Lady Jing's mutterings.
Though she is pegged at almost a century old, for an adult fantasy Lady Jing still gives off a teen YA vibe with the way she thinks and talks. I recommend reading this when you're in a lighthearted mood and itching for some laughs.
The book feels very plot-centered despite the world it is set in, which I felt was not built up enough to fully reveal and understand it. If you are familiar with Chinese fantasy, or speak Mandarin yourself, most of the terms used would be easily understood as they are glossed over and only briefly described.
There are a number of characters present and introduced in the book but I feel like this is more of an introduction to Lady Jing and her narrow view of her world so we don't really get to see or understand the other characters as they could potentially be. Hopefully we get to see more of these issues addressed in future books.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes