This was totally off the rails and I loved it. I didn’t know this was a horror novel before I dove in and I might not have gone for it if I would have known, but I’m glad I did. Do not read this if you are squeamish! There is one shocking scene that is stolen straight from Orange is the New Black, and I’m wondering why the author was so blatant about that, but otherwise a crazy, wtf ride.

This book was so good. I hate the ambiguous ending because I felt so attached to the character and want to know what happened. Maybe she turned into an evil version of herself? She seemed worse than the villainous influencers that she tried to take down. Maybe this is the point that she morphs into what she hated the whole time. Love a good grifter narrative.

Listen when I tell y’all I was not ready for this book lol I really had no idea what I was expecting when I requested it. I saw it was a thriller and I saw people were talking about it, so I got a mean case of FOMO. And let me just say I probably should have left this book there lol That one scene gave me the heebie-jeebies lol

Y’all, this was UNHINGED. She took the life of her deceased twin. I thought it was weird, but she seemed to justify it because they didn’t really know each other and they grew up separately. They both were jealous of the other, but they didn’t have to be. Both of them had it bad. But jealousy moves you to do some crazy things. However, Julie doesn’t find out how crazy they are until she’s already living as Julie.

I thought this put an interesting light on Influencers. This is definitely the scary side of it. I DO wish it went a bit more in-depth on some of the things like the algorithms and the way some people get so offended when people of color point it out. But I get it. She was made to seem brain washed. But I just wish it was discussed more. That always deserves a bigger conversation.

The only thing I didn’t care for was the pacing. It started with a BANG and then it was so slow. If I hadn’t been listening I think I would have skimmed it. But because I had it on audio I just sped it up a bit. And I’m so glad I did. Because when I made it to the end I sat there stunned like WTF. I still don’t know how we went from 0 to 60 so damn fast lol It was a lot in a short amount of time. I just wish it was spread more evenly throughout the book.

And let me just say, the ending is what made this book. If I had missed this because I skimmed or DNFed I would have been pissed. I almost woke my kid up when that ONE SCENE happened and I kept repeating OMG OMG OMG as soon as they got on that plane. Idk, this whole thing was a mess and I really enjoyed this mess lol

This was a crazy ass story that left me with my mouth open in shock. The first thing I said after I was finished was, “WTF.” This was a good time and I hope there’s more from Zhang to come. I can’t wait to see what her twisted mind comes up with lol

3.75 stars | This was a fun read, but also a little all over the place for me! I enjoyed the beginning and was interested to see where it was going to go, but about 40% - 50% in, it kind of started going in a weird direction. Things started to get a little unhinged, which don't get me wrong -- I ENJOY -- but here, it just veered a little too far off the path and <spoiler>went a little too Lottie Matthews for my taste (Yellowjackets IYKYK)... </spoiler>Things got weird in a way that I wasn't expecting and it took me out of the book for a little while.

I was also hoping for a smidge more humor in this "dark humor" thriller. It did have some funny moments and commentary from main character Julie, but I was hoping for a couple more laugh out loud moments. When promising "dark humor", I really expect it to be a bit funnier and not just a little smirk, but maybe that's just my taste! It definitely does have some lighter moments, poking fun at a few things, and while things do get dark, it's not as wildly suspenseful and tense as some other thrillers.

I LOVED some of the ending, and that really brought me back in the story. I was listening to the audiobook in my car with my jaw dropped, and I loved how wild things got! The pacing after all of the crazy action got a little slow, though. I don't love when books take too long to wrap up after the big climactic moment, so this one took just a little too long for me and then... it was over! I could have used just a touch more closure, but I can also appreciate why the author left it the way she did.

Without that "OMG moment" in the end, I probably would have rated it a touch lower just because things went a little more off course for my tastes, but it will definitely appeal to others!

AUDIOBOOK THOUGHTS: Yu-Li Alice Shen was the narrator for this audiobook and this was the first I've listened to her. I really enjoyed her narration! I liked her voice and performance for this audiobook and thought it really fit. Considering at one point that Julie was with 7 other women, I think she did a really good job at making them sound different and unique! I never had the thought that they all blended together (even though I didn't really pick some of them apart), but I really thought she did a great job and would definitely listen to more from her!

This was a really interesting book. It was quite unique and I like how it used modern technology to move the plot along. This one is sure to be talked about!

When struggling cashier Julie Chan discovers her estranged influencer twin sister Chloe dead, she steps into her glamorous life. But as Julie takes Chloe’s place during a luxurious island retreat, she realizes her sister’s world was full of secrets.

First things first, I did not expect the sinister turn this book took. What starts as a story about identity and envy slowly morphs into something much darker.
It felt like a more twisted, more dangerous take on R.F. Kuangs Yellowface, full of commentary on ambition and social classes, but with a deadly edge that made it truly unsettling.
It was an eerie look into the "Influencers world" and a chilling look at how far someone will go to claim a life they think they deserve, but once the curtain is pulled back, nothing is what it seemed, and the truth behind the perfect image is dark and dangerous.

"Julie Chan Is Dead" by Liann Zhang kicks off with a fascinating premise: a woman steps into her deceased influencer twin's life and starts to uncover some seriously dark secrets. I read an ARC of this, and the initial setup, contrasting Julie's ordinary world with Chloe's glamorous online facade, was really intriguing and had me hooked.

However, the direction the book takes in its second half, especially when Julie joins the influencer group on their private island getaway, was… unexpected, to say the least. It felt like the story took a sharp left turn into territory that was quite different from the initial mystery. Elements started creeping in that involved things like drug use, some really strange group dynamics that felt almost cult-like, animal sacrifice and maybe something supernatural? The shift was so jarring that it felt like two completely different stories awkwardly stitched together.

★★★☆☆

#JulieChanIsDead #LiannZhang #Thriller #BookReview #ARC #Mystery #DebutThriller #Identity #Deception #SocialMedia #DisjointedNarrative #GenreShift #UnexpectedTurn #Bookstagram

Book to Screen? Let’s Talk Julie Chan Is Dead.

Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

A supermarket cashier steps into her dead twin’s influencer life. And let’s just say, the ring light casts long shadows. This razor-sharp thriller is packed with dark comedy, eerie glamour, and social commentary that bites. If it were a limited series, think Swarm meets Gone Girl with a White Lotus-style influencer retreat from hell.

Julie’s story dives into the slippery identity of online fame, the ugly side of “aspirational” aesthetics, and what it really costs to go viral. There’s sibling jealousy, dead girls with secrets, and followers who turn on a dime. Honestly, I’d binge it.

📸 Influencer culture? Check.
💰 Rich people behaving badly? Check.
🖤 Dark humor, culty vibes, and a killer twist? Check, check, check.

Would love to see this twisted debut on screen. Bonus points if they keep the open-ended finale just to keep us guessing.

Would you watch Julie’s story unfold or swipe left?

3.75 stars.

This book is kind of bonkers, but I thought it was fun if you're looking for an unhinged influencer world summer read with a bit of social commentary.

The story is that the eponymous character and her twin, Chloe are separated after their their parents die in a car crash. Julie goes to live with an abusive aunt and her sister is adopted by an affluent white couple. The twins don't interact a lot after that, but Chloe becomes a well-known influencer and after various circumstances, Julie goes to Chloe's apartment in New York, finds her dead and decides to take her place. From there she takes on her twin's life. There are some mysteries and a group of influencer mean girls who are all kinds of messed up. Can't say much else without getting into spoiler mode but there were certainly a lot of surprises and it felt like a great dishy kind of summer thriller.

A lot of suspending disbelief has to happen for this book to work, but it was fun and twisty and I devoured it. If it sounds good, get into it.

Thank you to Atria Books for an advance review copy for unbiased review.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC of Julie Chan is Dead. Julie Chan is just trying to survive life when she learns she has a twin, Chloe VanHuusen. Chloe is a super famous influencer who once used Julie for clout. But when Julie finds Chloe’s dead body in her lavish apartment after a strange call, she quickly takes her identity. What starts as a rash decision spirals into a full descent into the elite world of curated perfection, viral fame, and the ultra exclusive Belladonnas. Sticking with the Belladonnas as if they are her life support, she starts to uncover the dark truths. This book is a murder mystery with sharp critique of influencer culture and the shallow love of followers. It explores how easy it is to get addicted to validation, to lose yourself in a filtered life that isn’t really yours. I was screaming at some of the plot twists and unhinged moments. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Julie Chan and her sister Chloe were separated when their parents died. Chloe was adopted by a well-to-do family and Julie was left with her angry aunt. Julie flounders in life while Chloe flourishes and becomes a big social influencer. Julie gets a strange call from her sister, who she hasn't talked to or seen in a long time, and it bothers her enough to go to see her in New York. When she arrives, she finds Chloe dead in her apartment. Her mind moving a mile a minute, she steps into Chloe's place and becomes her, acting as if Julie is dead. She is swept up into the world of influencing. When she goes on a weeklong trip with the Bellas, that is where things went crazy! We are in a world of demon worshipping and sacrifice.

Talk about going off the rails! I was not expecting that at all! It is an interesting look inside social media and influencing. Their world revolves around likes and views. Crazy.

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria for a copy for review.

"Julie Chan is Dead" by Liann Zhang is not what I expected at all. Though I'm definitely older than the target audience, at 45 and sans TikTok I know virtually nothing about internet influencers, I was quickly drawn into this story about one twin assuming the other twin's identity. The story is clever and original and Zhang was able to make a highly unlikely scenario seem like it could really happen. Its between-the-lines social commentary regarding influencer culture creates a plethora of discussion worthy topics for book clubs and yes, BookTok. Though I found the story to be a bit over the top, especially during the second half of the book, which got really weird really fast, I was quite entertained throughout the whole book. "Julie Chan" is not mind-blowing literature by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a creative and easily readable thriller, perfect for a day at the beach.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy of this sure-to-be popular book.

Zhang’s debut novel is a twisty thriller with a wackiness that highlights the absurdities of modern influencer culture. It’s satirical, dark, funny and fast-moving. The main character is unlikeable and the story is unbelievable, but that’s not the point. Zhang is exploring the lengths we go to for love and acceptance and the power of social media. I had both the audio and ebook version and found that I preferred reading; the narrator’s voice didn’t click for me. This one is a completely ridiculous and entertaining ride!

Thank you, Atria Books and NetGalley, for my eARC of Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Holy moly, this had me on a roller coaster!

We follow Julie Chan, twin sister of Chloe VanHuusen, who has had a rough life. After getting a cryptic phone call from Chloe, Julie heads to New York to check on her sister, only to find her dead. Julie decides to take over Chloe's life, but what Julie doesn't realize is that behind Chloe's glamorous influencer life hides sinister secrets.

I absolutely loved this one. Zhang did a great job with the mistaken identity trope. There were so many times that made me think "what the..." and then other times I was empathizing with a character or scene. It was written well and though there were some characters that I kept mixing up, they were recognizable and I loved to hate them.

If you're into reading about mistaken identities, cults, or satire, Julie Chan Is Dead is for you.

Thanks, Atria!

**Originally posted on Instagram**

JULIE CHAN IS DEAD is a debut thriller about a woman who steps into her deceased sister's life. It's fast-paced and chock full of secrets. It gives some nods to YELLOWFACE with the main character's personality and taking something that isn't hers.

I always find myself gravitating towards books about influencers. I love how they poke fun at influencer culture while also feeling not too far from reality.

JULIE CHAN IS DEAD is full of unhinged characters and truly SHOCKING moments. I needed a lot of time to process some of the events that took place!!

✌🏼Two for Tuesday✌🏼
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There are so many beauties coming out this month! I’m doubling down on reviews to squeeze them all in! I loved both of these ones and highly recommend them!
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Julie Chan is Dead- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. This was such a fun debut thriller! Totally unique and loved the twin swap, I was rooting for Julie so hard throughout this whole book! Throughly enjoyed the toxic character, it was a great commentary of the lives of influencers outside of the internet. This was SO much fun, can’t recommend it enough. Thank you @netgalley and @atriabooks
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QOTD- what are you currently reading ?! I’m reading Summer in the City and listening to What Happens in Amsterdam !

Julie Chan lives a very mediocre life as a grocery store clerk. One day she gets a phone call from her estranged sister who is a well-known influencer. The call was unclear, but Julie was able to hear the word “mistake”. Concerned for her sister, Julie travels to NYC to find her sister dead. The paramedics mistake Julie for her sister and the situation spirals. Julie takes on her sister’s identity to find out what happened to her.
I really enjoyed this book! Julie’s character development portrayed the skepticism and addiction people have to social media. She showed how easy it is to get caught up in the likes and instant gratification of the influencer world. I found this book to be relatable because it is so relevant in today’s world.
The book was well-written, but I felt that the pacing was a little off with all the excitement packed at the end of the book. So this thriller was more of a slow burn for me, but the short(er) chapters allowed me to fly through it. Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for the e-arc!

I found this book to be a very interesting commentary on influencer culture. As an identical twin myself, the concept of stealing your identical twin's identity after her death drew me in right from the start, and the first half of the book did not disappoint. Watching Julie navigate life as Chloe was so interesting - the way she studied her old videos and relied on other people. She was such a sociopath in everything she chose to do, but I found myself fascinated by her - almost like I was a psychologist studying her,

The first half of this book was definitely the strongest. I thought that the beginnings of Julie's influencer life with the events and meeting the Belladonnas was so interesting. The plot kind of instantly lost me when they went off to the island for the annual trip and it turned more cult-y. I know that it was social commentary on how cultish influencers can be, but it felt like it came out of nowhere and it didn't really match the rest of the tone of the book in my opinion.

This thriller is explosive and throws influencer culture under the microscope with a Midsommar flair! There isn't a single book influencer who won't find this enthralling to read. Julie Chan is relatable in the most embarrassing of ways because she reflects the selfish parts of ourselves we cannot deny but hate to own up to.

Julie and Chloe are twins who were separated in the foster system after their parent's death. Julie went to live with her strict (borderline abusive) Aunt while Chloe was adopted by a wealthy white couple in need of a PR miracle. All grown up, Julie agrees to reconnect with Chloe but her sister is a mega influencer now and turns the reunion into a youtube sensation. As Chloe's star rises, Julie's life continues to fall apart. But when she gets a distressing call from her twin, Julie comes running only to find her sister dead.

Julie makes the bizarre choice to take up Chloe's identity, claiming that the dead girl is her instead. Reading as Julie hacks her way into the influencer realm was fascinating! She mimics Chloe's aesthetic and brand deals and starts raking in the cash. The author did not shy away from the nitty gritty mechanics of it all and I loved it! She nails the feeling of instant adoration as Julie leans on the love from Chloe's fans.

But there's darker corners of Chloe's life that begin to emerge and launches the thriller into another stratosphere. Chloe is a part of an elite friend group of influencers and their super secret annual getaway is a lot more than selfies and strategies. You're terrified that Julie's secret will get out, and even more terrified by what she would do to keep it safe. It had the eeriness and delusional behavior of "White Lotus" with the freaky cult mentality of "Midsommar". Aka absolutely fantastic!

I don't remember the last time I was this addicted to a book. I literally didn't want to do anything but read this. This book is such a fun ride, and at no point did I know where it was going. Highly recommend.

Thank you to Atria books for the early copy to review!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7089882131