Everything she's experienced, everything she's felt then and now, and the consequences on her character are all on the page to see.

Relationships, whether romantic, friendly or familial, play an important part in the story throughout and yet Jing can’t seem to shake those self-doubts. Jing’s growth was very interesting to witness but I also loved how the author mixed Chinese folklore and deities with the “modern” Shanghai from the 1930ies.

One last highlight of the book are the hidden Easter eggs for Chinese speakers, which I especially appreciated.

First I want to thank NetGalley and Hodderscape for allowing me access to an arc of this title in exchange for my honest review. I think the mystery works well within the book and makes sense at the end, but sadly I was expecting a bigger plot twist at the end of the book. Finally, the two worlds within one sp Thank you to the team atHodderscape for sending mean advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. We follow Jing through her ups and downs in this spectacular world that Chao has crafted and narrated with this book - from her thrillingly dark Immortal Shanghai, a mirror world based on real counterparts of historical Shanghai, to the actual Mortal Shanghai of the time.I loved Lady Jing’s journey as she opens up, let’s down her shields and starts to understand more about the motives of others around her. AD|GIFTED} I admit I had a little trouble getting used to the writing style at first but then I was swept away by the richly layered worldbuilding and memorable characters. It's fast-paced, easy to read, and the story and characters continue to be interesting and entertaining.

Thrilling to the very last page, Shanghai Immortal is an immersive and exuberant journey through the dazzling realms of the wicked and the divine. Perhaps symbolic, she fights hard against wearing the qipao, the gorgeous silk gown of the period--skin-tight, it looks spectacular on the right body, at the cost of moving. I liked the side characters and Jung’s backstory, together with her trauma and fears which made her a well-rounded character. Chao said: “I am thrilled Shanghai Immortal found a home at Hodder and so excited to be working with trailblazing editor Molly Powell. Do not pass up this book if you are a lover of vampires, strong female characters, and magical lands.Full of fury, passion, and beauty, this is a debut that will grip you in its fangs and make you bleed-all the while wanting more.