A brilliant, vibrant world with a joyous, irreverent and chaotic cast of characters. Absolutely rooting for Lady Jing forever * Hannah Kaner, Sunday Times bestselling author of Godkiller *
Shanghai Immortal is the must-read debut of 2023, both intensely fun and heart wrenching. A wild ride through a Shanghai you've never seen before * Tasha Suri, award-winning author of The Jasmine Throne *
A delightfully wild ride through a fantastical Shanghai filled with rich mythology, endearingly snarky characters, and laugh-aloud mischief. Entertaining from start to finish! * Chelsea Abdullah, author of The Stardust Thief *
A thrilling adventure packed to the hilt with attitude, Shanghai Immortal will have you laughing, cheering, and screaming along with the inimitable Lady Jing. From the glittering settings and vivid characters to the thoughtful exploration of family and sacrifice, this is a story you won't soon forget * Vaishnavi Patel, New York Times bestselling author of Kaikeyi *
The most fun you'll ever have in hell! With her debut, Chao takes you on a high-octane, snark-filled adventure through the underworld, where the celestials are bloodthirsty and out for a good crime time. Lady Jing is a hot-headed triumph of a leading lady, with a wicked sense of humour that never fails to delight. If you're looking for your next fantasy obsession, look no further than Shanghai Immortal * Kate Dylan, author of Mindwalker *
Shanghai Immortal is a gritty, glittering tale of gods and monsters in a reimagining of 1930s China. The fearsome half-vampire half-deity Lady Jing swaps anger management lessons for a crash course in the mortal realm and you can't help but root for her and the chaos she leaves in her wake. 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 * Saara El-Arifi, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Final Strife *
A love letter to Chinese mythology, Shanghai Immortal is a compulsive read that will have you laughing and gasping at once. Lady Jing is delightfully irreverent and charming as she takes us on a wicked, exciting adventure through hell. With skillful worldbuilding and attentive prose, Chao has crafted the delectable fantasy feast you've been waiting for! * Tanvi Berwah, author of Monsters Born and Made *
This outstanding debut grips you from the first page and doesn't let go. With characters that leap off the page and a compelling story filled with fantastical creatures, Chao has crafted something so utterly original and delightful I couldn't help but fall in love. Shanghai Immortal is a stellar start to what should be an incredible series * T.L. Huchu, author of The Library of the Dead *
A wildly inventive and moving romp that goes through the mortal and immortal realms of China, with an endearing and tumultuous main character * Aliette de Bodard, award-winning author of the Dominion of the Fallen Series *
Thrilling to the very last page, Shanghai Immortal is an immersive and exuberant journey through the dazzling realms of the wicked and the divine. And there's no better guide through worlds both mortal and immortal than Lady Jing-her razor-sharp wit and tongue is sure to captivate any reader, by force if necessary! * Victor Manibo, author of The Sleepless *
An absolutely delightful romp of a book. It's impossible not to be charmed by Lady Jing as she gets up to shenanigans in mortal and hell Shanghai. I was entranced from start to finish * Judy I. Lin, New York Times bestselling author of the Book of Tea duology *
Charmingly irreverent and led by a protagonist bursting with personality, Shanghai Immortal brings a hilarious fresh spin on the deep lore of Chinese mythology, tinged with a dash of unexpected sweetness * Xiran Jay Zhao, author of Iron Widow & Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor *
A sparkling new voice in fantasy! Chao captures the imagination from the first page with a snarky heroine you'll fall in love with, immersive and inventive worldbuilding, and most of all, a lot of heart * June CL Tan, author of Jade Fire Gold *
This novel is a glitzy, fast-paced and fun-filled joyride. Vividly imagined and packed with family drama and a charming romance, Shanghai Immortal is a light and entertaining read, assuring us that A.Y. Chao is here to stay * Locus Magazine *
A high-spirited, romantic romp that will appeal equally to fans of Fonda Lee and Hong Kong action films! * Elizabeth Bear, Hugo award wInning fantasy author *
Sparking Joy * Locus *
A wildly inventive and moving romp that goes through the mortal and immortal realms of China, with an endearing and tumultuous main character * Aliette de Bodard, award-winning author of the Dominion of the Fallen Series *