This book really took "commit to the bit" seriously. I’m very impressed with the way things went so over the top. Very Chicago the musical.

I had a good time reading this, but because it was about influencers I do feel like the whole time I was skimming the surface. It there felt like there was more depth to be explored but I wasn’t privy to it. The ending was a bit rushed considering it was one of the most interesting parts. This was good overall but I wanted more.

3.5

Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang was just really, really fun! It definitely has Yellowface and Bunny vibes as others have mentioned, and it requires an attitude of just 'rolling with it', but what a reward for your effort. I loved this book and was definitely entertained and had a few moments of "what did I just read??"

If you want something engaging, satirical, and weird, Julie Chan is Dead is a fabulous choice. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Liann Zhang's 'Julie Chan is Dead' is a masterclass in suspense and character development. From the very first page, I was utterly captivated, turning pages with a desperate need to know what would happen next. There wasn't a single lull; the pacing was perfect. Zhang expertly crafts flawed, complex characters that feel incredibly real, and the unreliable narration adds layers of intrigue that kept me guessing until the very end. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a gripping, thought-provoking story. Five stars simply aren't enough!

This book was an absolute rollercoaster ride. It had such an intriguing premise and really grabbed my attention from the beginning. I loved how fast-paced it was and I can confidently say I had absolutely no idea where this plot was going. Even though I felt the pacing and premise were great, somehow the direction the plot took was a little too out there for me and I felt that some of the things that happened were just a little too strange. I would definitely be interested in reading more by this author and I felt it was a decently strong debut but maybe this plot in particular wasn't for me. As a side note - it really makes me cringe when a ton of internet slang is used in books and this book definitely had some of that; however, I did give it a bit more grace since this is primarily a book about influencers and social media.

4.5 stars
The way this story transformed 50% in-- the trip changed this story in the most disturbing way. I couldn't stop reading, I couldn't look away from it. The way Julie was sucked into this world, I was looking at her yelling at her to wake up. I mean the minute Julie was given the opportunity she joined what she insisted she hated and the entitlement that soon joined was scary. I'm going to be honest and say no character except for Iz is likable. I was screaming at them the whole time, but what an entertaining time it was. Thank you Atria Book and. NetGalley for this arc!

That was a wild, cultish, darkly humorous, horrifying ride!

I loved Liann’s writing style. It was hilarious, propulsive, and fun to read.

I normally don’t love books that have a heavy focus on social media, but it worked for this one. It really makes you think about social media’s effect on the world. People in this book are literally doing batshit crazy stuff for Internet fame and fortune… and that’s not very different from what is truly happening on social media in real life.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the E-ARC. 4 ⭐️

In JULIE CHAN IS DEAD, Liann Zhang joins the likes of Eliza Clark, Emma Cline, and Monika Kim. The R.F. Kuang comparisons will also be many, but this book doesn’t read like Yellowface; it has less of the overt satire (don’t get me wrong, it’s present) and delves deeper into horror the further through the book you get.

Overall I enjoyed the book. I thought Julie’s motivations were clear, and I thought the quick pace at which she fell into an absolutely insane lie is actually very believable. Who hasn’t just randomly lied about something and then gotten in too deep, pulling at their collar trying to remember the nuance of the lie, who they told what. Usually it’s not going so far as stealing your estranged twin’s life, but for Julie it is.

There are parts that get a little woo-woo, very The Girls coded. But that was part of the charm for me. The very unserious approach to the content seems appropriate given the unseriousness and hollowness of content creation, and the people who benefit most from it.

*Julie Chan Is Dead* is a sharp and thought-provoking novel that blends mystery, satire, and social commentary into a gripping read. The story unravels through a clever narrative that explores identity, media influence, and the consequences of our digital lives. The writing is engaging, with a darkly humorous edge that keeps the pages turning.

While some plot points feel slightly predictable, the novel’s strong character work and insightful themes make up for it. *Julie Chan Is Dead* is a compelling and timely read that lingers in your mind long after the final page.

Well, this thriller/dark comedy is absolutely riveting—an undeniably intriguing mystery I simply couldn't put down! I can confidently say that a brilliant new thriller author has arrived with an impactful debut that explores the addiction of voyeurism and the dark side of social media—pushing people to extreme lengths, from stealing the identity of an influencer to impersonating a very dead sister, and even more than you could ever imagine—all to stay at the top.

I especially loved the first half, which focuses on Julie Chan, who was separated from her twin, Chloe, after a tragic accident left them orphaned. While Julie was adopted by her manipulative and abusive aunt, Chloe was fortunate enough to be taken in by the wealthy and influential VanHuusen couple, who provided her with the glamorous lifestyle of her dreams—luxurious living in New York, the best education, summers in the Hamptons, and elite social connections.

As Julie struggles to survive, working as a supermarket cashier with no access to the privileges Chloe enjoys, her sister basks in the spotlight as a powerful influencer with millions of followers. Even when Chloe briefly reconnects with Julie at her workplace—offering her a rundown house in need of renovations just to create content and boost her online engagement—she soon ghosts her again, leaving Julie more hurt than she expected.

Then, out of nowhere, Chloe calls Julie with a cryptic message before abruptly hanging up. Concerned, Julie rushes to her sister’s New York apartment—only to find her dead. When the police arrive and mistake Julie for Chloe, a dangerous idea takes root. Resentment, ambition, and a deep desire to escape her own circumstances push Julie to step into her sister’s shoes.

After all, she’s watched enough of Chloe’s videos to imitate her perfectly. How hard could it be to post content, keep smiling, make paid collaborations, and hang out with socialites like Bella Marie—the ultra-rich queen bee eager to take "Chloe" under her wing?

But as Julie embraces her sister’s life, she grows suspicious about Chloe’s strained relationship with her adoptive family and her connection to a journalist with whom she was about to share a scandalous story before her death. What secrets was Chloe keeping? Was her death really an accident, or did someone want her gone?

Then comes the invitation—Bella insists that Julie join her and a group of influencers for an exclusive retreat on a secluded island with no phone reception. The retreat’s attendees are eerily secretive about their past visits, and as soon as Julie steps onto Bella’s family's island, she realizes that assuming Chloe’s identity may have led her somewhere far more dangerous than she ever anticipated.

Overall:
I absolutely loved the first half of this book—the mystery surrounding Chloe was gripping and deeply immersive. The second half, set on the exotic island, took a wilder, more mind-bending turn that was slightly over the top for my taste, but I still enjoyed the dark humor woven throughout. If you’re looking for something fresh, sharp, entertaining, thought-provoking, and completely unputdownable, I highly recommend this book!

Put this on your radar—don’t wait to read it, just dive in! This is one of those hidden gems that will absolutely captivate book lovers.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I got a mysterious email that just had the book title, an image of the book, and nothing else. I realized this is how you get me to click on a mysterious link…a great title and book cover. Thanks @atria for not being spam.

Julie Chan is Dead is a tale of estranged twins, one’s sudden death, and the other who decides to take over her sister’s life. What could possibly go wrong? I love a book where I think I know where it’s going and it takes me somewhere completely different.

Chloe Van Husen and Julie Chan were orphaned as children, one adopted by an affluent white family, the other raised by their aunt. Two separate lives are brought together when Julie receives a call from Chloe and rushes to her side. What would compel someone to enter their sibling’s life, and how would they even pull it off?

It is a story about family, security, social media, and influence.

Liann Zhang’s debut novel is a compelling read that I was not expecting.

This story is wicked, funny, and has a little bit of shock and awe. It’s been likened to Yellowface (which I’ve read twice and loved) and Bunny (which I haven’t read). I understand the comparison to Yellowface with the dark, biting humor and sly social commentary mixed in with snark and sharp observances that may sound over the top, except for those who have experienced it.

I also don’t know how to quite explain it but the book has the style of an A24 film. What starts as a stolen identity of a surviving twin turns into an influencers gone wild situation with horror elements and a look at the egregiousness of social media. Personally, it made me feel good about my usage because I could be doing SO much more.

It’s an impressive debut and the first book this year that I didn’t want to put down.

This book is a zany and fun. I wasn’t blown away by it, but for a thriller/literary fiction, it’s a solid read. There’s a lot of social media influence/commentary so if that’s something you’re not interested in reading then I would skip this. I like about sibling rivalry and this story definitely hit the spot. I had some problems with the writing style but overall I enjoyed it.

I was excited to read a book compared to "Yellow Face". Julie and Chloe are identical twin sisters who are raised separately after the tragic death of their parents and have had no contact with each other for most of their lives. Chloe becomes a successful influencer, while Julie works for minimum wage at a grocery store. After Chloe's death, Julie seizes an opportunity to take Chloe's identity, with all of her wealth and fame.

This book read like two different stories. I was grabbed by the first half and curious to see if Julie could truly fool others into thinking she was Chloe. But the second half of the book had a change in tone - and even writing style, going from funny and a bit slap-sticky to over the top drama - and I found myself skimming just to see what happened, but was less entertained.

Grateful for an advance read from the publisher and NetGalley.

I loved this. It was tense, well written and the characters were just stunning. The influencer trope so well done as well. And the twist was just chefs kiss

This book was amazing! So entertaining and fun to read. I was surprised to learn this was a debut because Zhang is a talented writer. I would recommend this book to a friend, and if Zhang publishes again I will be sure to check out their future books.


Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the copy of this book! I loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion!

This was definitely a fun debut novel that really explored the social media-focused society we live in, while also being batshit insane and super entertaining. I swear to god, some of the twists that were thrown in in the later half of the novel had me throwing my phone across the room (positive). I have a feeling this book is going to be a top pick of 2025 for so many people!

Seeing that this booked is pitched for those who liked “Bunny” I had to read it!! This was so much fun, huge thanks to NetGalley and publisher for early arc of this book!

Wow, that was a wild ride. Not an ounce of predictability in the second half of the book. It took me by surprise and by the end of it.. I actually said "what the f just happened??" There was a tasteful amount of thriller and horror that i didn't expect. The major theme revolves around influencers and their rise/falls to fame. It's a great depiction of how our current generation would do anything without a blink of an eye for followers, views and likes. There's something about this read that made me think of a combination of Uncanny Valley and Midsommar. Overall, i really enjoyed this read, it was fast paced and hard to put down! I would recommend it to others.
Thank you Atria books and Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

A quick read that doesn’t add much to the zeitgeist it lives in. You’ve read this one before. Thanks for the ARC.

I thought this book was fantastic! What a great debut novel. I can not wait to read more by this author. I loved her character development and how she ties everything up at the end of the book!