“Julie Chan is Dead" is a triumph of darkly comedic storytelling, a novel that has firmly cemented itself as the most audaciously funny and disturbingly compelling read of my year. Its brilliance lies in its daring fusion of sharp social commentary, reminiscent of the incisive racial satire of "Yellowface," with a palpable sense of foreboding and ritualistic horror that echoes the unsettling paganism of "Midsommar." This unlikely yet seamless blend creates a narrative that is both intellectually rigorous in its examination of race and socioeconomic disparities and viscerally gripping in its unfolding mystery.

The author doesn't shy away from dissecting the complexities of identity, privilege, and the insidious ways power operates within society, often using dark humor to underscore these critical points. The Belladonnas, with their almost uncanny and consistently hilarious echoing dialogue, serve as a brilliant comedic device, adding a layer of the bizarre and unsettling that perfectly complements the novel's overall tone.

While the initial chapters adopt a more deliberate pace, strategically building character and laying the groundwork for the increasingly bizarre events to come, the shift to the island marks a dramatic acceleration. Once immersed in this isolated and increasingly sinister setting, the narrative becomes utterly captivating, a descent into a world where the unsettling parallels to real-world exploitative power dynamics, particularly the implied nature of Eto and the disturbing echoes of "Epstein's island," create a deeply unsettling undercurrent.

Furthermore, Julie's initial, albeit brief, immersion in the island's bizarre rituals and the fleeting consideration of potential sacrifices added a fascinating layer of psychological vulnerability to her character. While her rational mind consistently reasserted itself, particularly evident in her disbelief in Eto's existence, the uncanny ease with which events seemed to align for a potential "sacrifice" of the Belladonnas did create moments of unsettling doubt, a subtle crack in her skepticism. This internal conflict, between her ingrained logic and the island's pervasive influence, heightened the tension and complexity of her experience. Ultimately, Julie's climactic decision to "take control" of her narrative in the final moments of the novel can be interpreted as a compelling, and perhaps deliberately ambiguous, cliffhanger, leaving the reader to question whether her calculated manipulation might, in some way, have inadvertently opened her up to the possibility, however remote, of Eto's reality.

Adding to the novel's comedic brilliance was the character of Viktor. His utterly absurd and unwavering obsession with the Olympics provided consistent bursts of laugh-out-loud humor that served as a welcome, albeit jarring, contrast to the increasingly dark narrative.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

This was unhinged and I couldn't put it down. Julie Chan's parents passed away when she was young and she was separated from her twin sister. Julie went to live with a grumpy aunt and her sister went to a wealthy family. Now her sister is a influencer and everything goes completely off the rails.

I had no idea where this was going to go but I couldn't look away. Rich people behaving badly, cults, influencer culture all the things.

Thank you for the advanced reader copy Atria Books & Netgalley.

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

Julie Chan has never reached her full potential. She tells herself this as she works another shift at her local grocery store as a cashier, she whispers it to herself as she swipes another packet of gum from work, she promises she'll do better as she goes home to a crumbling and moldy home gifted to her. And how, you may ask, does this young woman know she's destined for more? Well, you only have to look at her twin sister.

Separated after a car accident killed their parents, Julie was taken in by an abusive and manipulative family member, while Chloe was adopted into the illustrious Van Huusen family. While Julie had her money and childhood stolen, Chloe lived in the lap of luxury-- a brownstone in New York to call home, summers in the Hamptons to work on a base tan, and, not the mention, the fame of being a successful influencer.

Shoved to the side and destined to live in squalor, Julie is unable to resist the opportunity to take over her sister's life. Soon she's thrust into the bizarre and shimmering world of the elite, and her new life as Chloe Van Huusen begins.

If I tried to describe this book it would be this: the aesthetics of White Lotus, the social commentary of Knives Out, with the twists of Midsommar. The first half of this book was intriguing, a more approachable version of Yellowface interwoven with an interesting mystery to unravel with Julie/Chloe. Who was her sister? What were the secrets she was keeping? How long could Julie pretend to be Chloe, and how alone was the woman with over a million subscribers?

The second part of this book had me reeling, slightly confused, but ultimately hooked. There's a good message at its core: a criticism of influencers and the society that has allowed their formation, but oh boy did Zhang take it to a whole new, and weird, level.

I think readers will have to think about the two parts of this book separately, and there will probably be one part you like more than the other. However, as an overall experience, JULIE CHAN IS DEAD is unforgettable.

Yes, Julie is dead….well, her unremarkable past life as the struggling separated twin who went to the mean, blackmailing aunt (after their parents died) instead of the rich white New Yorkers looking for a second chance adoption after a PR disaster that branded them as anti-Asian (but only wanted one kid) is dead. That Julie is gone. And so is her identical twin, Chloe Van Huusen, because Julie found her estranged influencer sister in her high end apartment dead. And since the doorman, the paramedics, and Chloe’s shallow friends don’t realize they are talking to Julie, Julie pretty quickly slips into her sister’s life without much regret. At least at first.

When Julie slowly suspects that maybe Chloe didn’t intentionally overdose and realizes that there are also a lot of threatening DMs among all the adoring Insta and TikTok Chloe Crew posts….maybe she’s in over her head. But Julie isn’t going to confess anything until she gets to go to mega-influencer Bella Marie’s annual secretive “Belladonna” friends’ getaway and tries to figure out why Chloe’s supposedly supportive parents are AWOL as well.

Author Zhang writes the Julie character so well that it’s hard to totally dislike her. There’s constant talk about algorithms, engagement, sponsorships, branding, follower counts, and click-throughs. The second half of the book, when Julie is trying to keep up her impersonation with the elite influencer Belladonnas, is a bit bonkers. What exactly would you do as a “show of devotion”? (Don’t ask). “Midsommar for influencers” would be an apt description of this book. Anyway, after a little? a lot? of wariness (warning: ethical boundaries are pushed), I decided to love this very weird novel, although it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. It’s definitely a guilty pleasure. 5 stars!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES The famous healing-thru-baking influencer has hazel-green eyes as does reporter Jessica Peters.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO We do get reminded that white chrysanthemums and lilies are traditional Chinese funeral flowers.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

Engaging story. Was pulled in from the beginning. Relatable characters. Would definitely pick up other works by this author!

Julie Chan is a supermarket cashier who encounters her twin sister separated at a young age, the popular influencer Chloe Van Huusen. When Julie discovers Chloe’s lifeless body, she sees the chance to live the life she’s always envied and 'steals' her life.

Julie's life is upended from making ends meet to adopting a glamorous lifestyle - this book makes a witty commentary on race, identity, privilege and social media, the first half reminiscent of 'Yellowface' from R.F. Kuang. The mystery surrounding Chloe's relationships delves into the theme of mental health and, even deeper, the rotten world of influencers highlighted by the absurdity and obsession, which is captured realistically while it follows a more weird, wilder and a bit over-the-top path in the second half of the book.

With straightforward narrative, the plot feels addictive that I flew through in one sitting. The dark humor adds dynamism to the story populated by unhinged characters. The author does a great job at emphasizing the allure/danger of power and toxicity of performance, yet the second half, that can feel like a fresh spell, might not work for everyone while suitable for the narrative.

I would recommend JULIE CHAN IS DEAD for those seeking an entertaining and propulsive mystery thriller with sharp commentary. Regardless of my complaints, I am eager to see what Zhang writes next.

3.5 ⭐️ This was a roller coaster of a story! Fast paced and engrossing! Loved the characters of Julie Chan and the Belladonna influencers. Dark, mysterious, and funny, sometimes over the top.

Julie Chan is in a stagnant job and living with an abusive Aunt after she and her twin were orphaned. Her twin Chloe was adopted by the rich Van Husens and enjoys a luxurious life as a successful influencer.

When Julie finds Chloe dead under mysterious circumstances, it becomes obvious to her what must be done. She takes her twins identity and her rich life. But all is not what it seems and Julie finds herself In a real mess!

I enjoyed the twists in the story, great writing, and the escapades of Julie Chan and the group of Chloe’s friends the Belladonnas.

My one critique is I felt it ended a bit abruptly. I wanted more!

Thanks NetGalley and Atria books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the arc in exchange for an honest review! Y’all what a wild ride this was! I tore through the whole thing in just two days. Just like Julie I was addicted to my screen, wanting more and more. And I was right along there with her as she dug herself deeper and deeper into her lie, as she fell into the preying hands of her fellow influencers, and spiraled into a notifications and dopamine fueled addiction. The first half went as expected but the second half was a total trip. It was like the Ready or Not and Midsommar movies got together and had a baby that became an influencer. While the book isn’t exactly a groundbreaking new insight into how toxic influencer culture and social media can be it was fun as hell! I look forward to seeing what Liann Zhang comes up with next!

Liann Zhang's "Julie Chan Is Dead" follows Julie, a quiet supermarket cashier, who discovers her glamorous twin sister Chloe has died under suspicious circumstances. She impulsively decides to take over her sister's life and her carefully curated online persona by pretending to be Chloe. As Julie fumbles through her sister’s picture-perfect world, she uncovers a web of secrets, lies, and dangerous alliances.

Zhang gives us a compelling protagonist in Julie, whose outsider status brings both biting commentary and unexpected vulnerability, making her a protagonist readers will want to root for. Chloe, though dead, remains a magnetic force, and the cast of influencers surrounding her crackles with tension and duplicity. Setting the story at an island retreat also imparts a sinister sense of dread, in the vein of traditional "locked room/isolated location" mysteries.

This is a sharp thriller that skewers influencer culture while delivering an engaging page-turning mystery that is equal parts social satire and suspense, hooking readers from the first chapter. While some genre tropes do surface, Zhang’s smart prose and keen eye for the performative absurdity of being chronically online elevate the story, with well-plotted twists and scathing commentary. "Julie Chan Is Dead" is a dark and unsettling thriller that takes on the overly-filtered world of online influencing with a gripping and satisfying narrative.

Julie never has really known her twin sister, Chloe. They were raised apart but she has followed her popular influencer accounts. When she discovers Chloe’s dead body, she takes over her life and accounts.

This was a fun, but pretty wild and at times dark, story. It gets a little out there towards the end and reminded me a bit of Bunny so I think many will love this one. It’s a truly dark look at the world of influencers, to a satirical point. I loved how we saw how quickly Julie got wrapped up into the world.

“All I wanted was a new life as an influencer. And now… god, what did I get myself into?”

Julie Chan is Dead comes out 4/29.

What a FUN read! The first half of the story delivers some really interesting satirical commentary on consumerism, influencer culture, and social media addiction. Then...the plot goes off the rails. Some points were unhinged in a super entertaining way, and others were just plain ridiculous.

This book has a bit of an identity problem. It's not horror, nor is it a mystery. But it is also a little too gory and "out there" to be classified as lit fic. As a result, the overall message of the story came across as unfocused. Parts of this book were really strong. For example, the writing style and character development were executed quite well. However, the plot could have used some refinement and depth.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

I LOVED this book. The depth of commentary on social media influencers, impersonation, cultural identity enveloped with humorous situations was amazing. Reminded me of some of the themes from Kuang's Yellowface, but a little less dark.

I was lucky enough to win an ARC of JULIE CHAN IS DEAD by Liann Zhang in a Shelf Awareness giveaway. Thank you for the early look, and try to stay safe, sane and happy out there.

After Julie and Chloe's parents die in a car crash when the twin sisters are young, Chloe is adopted by a wealthy white family, while Julie is sent to live with her miserly aunt. Chloe grows up to become a successful social media influencer, while Julie is struggling in her minimum wage job. But when Julie discovers Chloe has died under mysterious circumstances, and realizes that everyone assumes she is Chloe and the dead woman is Julie, she seizes the chance to step into Chloe's glamorous life. But although Chloe's life seemed glittery and exciting from the outside, there's something sinister lurking beneath the glitz and glam of the social media lifestyle.

This was an extremely compelling book that I really loved like 80% of, and (as other reviews have alluded) the last bit goes off the rails a little in a way you are not expecting. The first portion of the book reminded me a lot of Yellowface, with a lot of commentary/critique on influencers, social media, how race and privilege intersect with all that. The ending got a little weird but that mostly didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book and I was pretty satisfied with how it ended overall. There are NO likeable characters in this book, but they are all very compelling and you can't help reading anyway. Reading Julie's perspectives and justifications for her actions was like watching a trainwreck--you can't look away. Definitely a recommended title.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was not my cup of tea. It was way too absurd. The wealthy influencer lifestyle is just not my thing - it feels fake, overdone and unrealistic. I thought that these influencers going to a secluded island when they barely know one another just seemed off the rails. The characters were fine, nothing amazing, but intriguing enough to keep me reading. Julie Chan and her sister Chloe were adopted to separate homes after their parents tragic death. They spend their childhood apart, until Chloe, a famous influencer, gets in touch and buys her poor sister Julie a house. That is where their relationship begins and ends. When Julie finds Chloe has died from an overdose, after a mysterious call, she decides to switch identities with her dead sister. Julie finds herself living Chloe's life of the rich and famous. An interesting idea, I just don't think that I was the target audience.

Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

Julie Chan is Dead is a twisty, binge-worthy read that had me hooked from the start. Julie, the “down on her luck” twin, was adopted by her aunt while her sister was taken in by a wealthy family and grew up to be a high-profile influencer. Their paths couldn’t be more different—until tragedy strikes and Julie decides to step into her sister’s seemingly perfect life.

I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, and I’m so glad I didn’t read too much beforehand—this book is packed with surprises. Every time I thought I had a handle on what was happening, another twist hit. Despite the dark premise of assuming her dead sister’s identity, Julie remains a surprisingly sympathetic and complex main character. You can't help but root for her, even as the lies stack up.

If you're into messy family dynamics, identity swaps, and stories that keep you guessing until the end, definitely add this one to your TBR!

I loved the first half of this book! Very Yellowface by Kuang vibes with someone stealing the life/fame of another person which is such a great premise for an amazing unlikable narrator. Lost me in the second half, unfortunately; I wish it had stayed more grounded in realism and not gone in the kind of odd direction it did. Still a decent read!

6.5/10 i didn’t know where this book was going to go, and i wasn’t expecting cult?? the book was good, but i thought the building of who killed chloe should have been much much more climactic. it felt like the book built well 50% of the way through, because you didn’t know where it was going to go, but then it went off the rails. i think it wanted a touch of mystery, touch of horror, touch of modern comedy, but it just kind of went balls to the walls everything at the end. the introspective aspect of social media and influencers was good, talking about how much and how quickly you can lose your soul and your grip with reality. but it definitely went too far into unbelievable territory. the development wasn’t super throughout, it started with developing julie really well, but then it fell off.

This was such a fun ride of a read. Everytime I thought I knew what was going on, I didn’t and I loved every page of it. If you liked the storytelling style of Yellowface but wanted higher stakes, then by god this is the book for you. Because, the stakes have never been higher for impersonating a dead woman like it is in Julie Chan is Dead.

I picked this up as an ARC because the cover and the premise of a twin stealing her rich influencer twin’s life after discovering her dead sounded like the kind of thrilling fun I needed. And I did need it. With everything going on in the world, this is such a fun exploration into the lives of influencers. It both meets and challenges the reader’s expectations of what they think goes into the life of an influencer, while at the same time challenging it’s own narrative of how we should think before we consume and the dangers of parasocial relationships.

I actually really enjoyed the economics on the waste of mass consumption and the sheer volume of stuff that is sent to influencers for brand deals and sponsored posts. I came into this book expecting to absolutely throw away all of the supposed ‘struggles’ of rich influencers. But I really enjoyed how this subtly and slyly tackles the issue of our need for mass consumption and validation through marketing. I did enjoy the way this discusses the ways in which people become completely addicted and reliant upon social media for their validation and how a person may fall victim to very unsavory things if they’re not careful all in the sake of belonging and stability. The strongest portions of this book were definitely in the addressing of social media as another footsoldier for white supremacy and white beauty standards, as in the way algorithms intentionally suppress and ignore BIPOC content creators in favor of rich white women who don’t actually add any value into other’s days beyond mindless consumption of the fantasy of being wealthy.

The voice and narrative style is extremely engaging and down to earth. Normally I don’t enjoy such laid-back styles of addressing a reader and using conversational writing styles as a narrative, but I found Zhang’s tone to be engaging and witty. It made this a hilarious and nail-biting read at the same time. The only reason this book does not get a 5/5 is because it used unalive as serious dialogue where a character is having an offline 1:1 discussion with another character. Petty hill to die on, but, I hate it even offline and I have someone say it to me with their chest. Please. Don’t censor yourself offline. You won’t be demonetized. Just. Say the words. You’re killin me smalls.

Anyways I think you should read this because it is a great and lighthearted read. So if you need a laugh and you’re stressed out pick up Julie Chan is Dead and have yourself a lighthearted laugh.

When you define your worth by the number of followers you have, what wouldn’t you do to continue making that number grow?

Described as Yellowface meets Bunny, which is a spot on description, this book is a critique on influencer culture. How fake social media can be, how white privilege plays into internet fame, and how fleeting it can all be. But add in a mystery with some mistaken identity, and it’s a stand out thriller.

I really enjoyed this. It was fast paced with interesting characters and a fun premise. Julie Chan might not be dead, but someone is. And it will change Julie’s life forever.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

PS even though his description was very much the opposite, I pictured Mr Milchick from Severance for Victor