i don’t even know where to begin, this may one of the best books i read this year.

this novel demonstrates the fine line where friendship and envy often blurs, ebbs, flows, and transforms. as the reader, we’re caught in the delicate suspension between love and hate that so often defines friendships between creatives and artists. companionship can either serve as the mirror you so desperately need or a glass pane portraying the success you’re afraid will forever remain out of reach.

huang expertly explores the terrifying intersection between art, technology, intellectual property, and the lack of humanity and morality that we may find ourselves in. while boundaries may be the distance between where two people can love both themselves and the other, what happens once those boundaries are broken?

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC of this book! It had so many twists and turns in it I was not expecting. Immaculate Conception is a multi-layered sci-fi novel that packs in every emotion, including grief, jealousy, and love. I don’t want to give too much away regarding the plot, but if you enjoy science fiction I would recommend picking it up when it releases!

Art or Artificial? In a world where technology can manufacture connection and even inhabit another’s mind, what does it mean to create something authentic?

Immaculate Conception delves into the complexities of friendship, art, and technology in ways that feel eerily real and unsettlingly plausible. They say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer—but what happens when your friend is also your competitor? When admiration and obsession blur, when creativity and identity become commodities, where do we draw the line? Friendship isn’t always about support—sometimes, it’s a quiet battlefield where success, happiness, and even struggles become points to be measured, compared, and outdone.

Set in the high-stakes world of contemporary art, the novel pulls back the curtain on the relentless struggle for originality—the endless brainstorming, the desperation to stand out. Mathilde’s brilliance is undeniable, but Huang shows that great artists aren’t just born talented; they are shaped by their wounds, their pasts bleeding into their work. Meanwhile, Enka, in her desperate bid to stay close to Mathilde, begins to blur the boundaries between inspiration and possession. And when technology enters the picture—offering the ability to inhabit another’s mind, to absorb their very essence—the ethical and personal consequences become impossible to ignore.

Would you choose to extract the mind of someone else and insert it into your own? And if you did, would you still be you?

Immaculate Conception forces us to confront our insecurities, the ways they warp our relationships, and how sometimes, our greatest enemy isn’t another person—it’s ourselves.

With the rise of AI, how do we define artistic authenticity? Will we become mere caricatures of technology? And in a world where our expressions can be replicated, altered, and commodified, how do we reclaim what makes us human?

Ling Ling Huang is a genuis for masterfully weaving all these questions into a gripping, deeply tender read.

This is hands down one of my top reads of 2025. Set to publish on May 13–mark your calendars because this is not one to sleep on.

Thank you @netgalley and @duttonbooks for the e-ARC!

I was thrilled to be invited this month onto the Bad On Paper podcast to share two of my most anticipated 2025 releases, and Immaculate Conception is the first of those two recommendations that I shared. Ling Ling Huang’s debut novel, Natural Beauty, was a favorite read of mine early last year and I was so thrilled to discover this sophomore novel, coming out later this year. While her debut follows a young woman mixed up in a Black Mirror-esque story about a sinister Goop-y wellness start up, Immaculate Conception takes us into the life of a young art student. Enke is attending an elite art school on scholarship, in a world where the class structure is so stark that it’s actually divided by physical barriers. As she realizes that maybe she doesn’t have anything that makes her art special or original, she meets Mathilde, a privileged and prodigiously talented student who is successful without even trying. We see the pair in dual timelines, from the inception of their friendship through the later years of their lives. Huang is skilled at writing nuanced literary horror, incorporating light sci fi and body horror elements that take you to a surrealist place while still providing very real commentary on issues that exist in our day to day. Through Enke and Matilde’s friendship, she ponders what it means to create anything truly original in our digital world, smartly incorporating the competition between and intersection of creativity and AI. Add in a big tech corporation that has created a way to commodify empathy through cutting-edge technology, Immaculate Conception also delves into envy, codependence, bodily autonomy, and exceptionalism.

3.5 stars
Disturbing and thought-provoking, exploring the lines of love and obsession. I really enjoyed this. I loved the blend of sci-fi and horror. What I didn't enjoy was the pacing. The whole book just felt extremely slow.

In Immaculate Conception, ambition and identity collide in a world that demands artists produce brilliance on command. Enka wants to be taken seriously—to be seen, recognized, and revered as a true artist. But in the shadow of Mathilde, whose genius seems effortless, Enka struggles with self-doubt, fear of failure, and the weight of expectations placed on her by her upbringing. A once-exceptional student enters an environment with other geniuses only to realize they are no longer the smartest person in the room, Enka does not take this realization in stride. Instead, it festers, gnawing at her sense of self-worth and driving her deeper into insecurity.

The novel deftly explores the complexities of friendship built on insecurity and jealousy. Enka gives and gives, convinced that her usefulness is what keeps her tethered to Mathilde. But when admiration turns into resentment, their relationship becomes a push-and-pull of need, competition, and dependence. They both crave attention, validation, and love, even as their desires manifest in conflicting ways.

Class divides, societal expectations, and the pressure to create art that is both personal and marketable all simmer beneath the surface. There’s a sharp critique of a system that strips away humanity in the name of productivity, that reclaims personal pain for critique and consumption. Technology looms as an ever-present threat, automating creativity and reshaping the landscape of artistic value. The fear that art is becoming just another product, one that can be generated and optimized by machines, adds another layer to Enka’s desperation to prove herself as uniquely irreplaceable.

At its core, Immaculate Conception is a character study of Enka, a woman consumed by the fear of mediocrity in a world that prizes effortless genius. The book also examines the tension between originality and influence, and whether true artistry comes from within or is shaped by external forces.

As the story unfolds, Immaculate Conception forces us to question who we become when we push past our limits, and whether ambition ultimately consumes more than it creates. It is a novel about creation and destruction, about taking and being taken from, and the fragile, sometimes destructive, balance between the two.

4 1/2 stars rounded up to 5

January has been my month of wild futuristic dystopian books. Immaculate Conception is one that actually feels like it could quite plausible, especially in terms of art and AI.

The book begins at a prestigious art gala where well-known artist Enka is grieving over the disappearance of her friend Mathilde. From there, we go back in time to learn that Enka and Mathilde met in art school where they formed a very close friendship, seemingly mainly due to Enka's desire. We also learn about Enka's younger years and why this new world didn't allow her to have the same art education as most her other art school peers. The two women grow incredibly close, but in a codependent sort of way and though she loves and admires her, it's also clear Enka is a bit jealous of Mathilde's natural artistic creativity and easy popularity. But now, where has Mathilde gone and what will happen when Enka finds her?

About midway through the week, we learn just that. I don't want to spoil anything, but we dive into all kinds of technology developed by the wealthy that on its surface is meant to help people... but does it really? We also get to ponder what advancements in technology and AI mean for the art world. I found the book to be really thought-provoking as well as entertaining. The characters are all very flawed, but in a way that made me want to read on.

Honestly, AI and advancing technology is exciting in many ways, but it's also incredibly scary and this book highlights things I hadn't yet thought about, especially in terms of art. And that alone, I think, is a good reason to read it.

It’s evident after reading this and ling ling Huang’s debut Natural Beauty that she has a penchant for writing female friendships and the unhealthy dynamics that can develop within them. But something about her writing feels so detached that I had a hard time feeling any connection for these characters. Regardless, she will always be an auto-read author for me and I’m excited for her future works <3

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this book :)

3 stars.

Erika meets Mathilde, a talented but tortured artist while both are in art school. They develop a deep friendship. Mathilde becomes famous and Erika is determined to keep herself in Mathilde’s life.

Erika then meets and marries a billionaire whose family company is funding technology that could inhabit brains. Meanwhile she and Mathilde become even more codependent. The book is about society, technology, betrayal and the nature of friendship.

I liked the book but I think taking on all four of those topics is a lot. The whole Enclave/Fringe thing really wasn’t explored much at all; there were just too many other threads to unravel. However I do love a book about complicated female friendships.

GENRE: horror, sci-fi, fantasy
Yellowface meets a Black Mirror episode about AI gone wrong...

Themes of jealousy, obsession, class, art, identity, ethics, toxic friendship, competition, technology....

This one is simply twisty and fun-- you'll be wondering where it's headed and just how far off the rails it can go.

Overall, well-written, thought-provoking, slightly confusing, but always engaging-- lots to talk about here-- perfect for a book club.

4.25

Setting: USA
Rep: Asian-American author & protagonist

This was a great sophomore novel, and I way preferred it to Huang's first book! I love anything set in the art world and I love an obsessive protagonist with questionable morals.

are you someone who obsessed with the tv show Black Mirror or just someone who’s spent way too much time spiraling over how technology is basically gaslighting us all? maybe you’re an artist battling imposter syndrome in a cutthroat world where even AI is out here flexing its creative chops. If so, buckle up—because IMMACULATE CONCEPTION is about to ruin (and enhance) your life.

the premise: a surgery lets you jack into someone else’s brain. that's right, full access. want to experience their greatest highs? go for it. rob a bank? sure thing. binge movies, eat pizza, make love? it's all yours. oh, and you also get their memories, emotions, and deepest secrets in high-definition detail. what could possibly go wrong?

EVERYTHING!

this story isn’t just a sci-fi fever dream; it’s a symphony of chaos. set in a future where technology has gone completely unhinged, this book dives headfirst into themes of envy, obsession, toxic ambition, and what happens when you mix artistic insecurity with literal mind-melding. it's part warning, part existential crisis, and fully binge-worthy. think consent horror meets AI panic meets motherhood gets a Black Mirror makeover.

at its core, this is the story of best friends (or are they frenemies?) Enka and Mathilde. they're art students navigating a hypercompetitive world, and their friendship is like a ticking time bomb of insecurity, admiration, and just a sprinkle of lowkey obsession. over the first 25%, we get to know them—and then, BAM, the story sucker-punches you, and you’re too hooked to stop. by the end, you’ll be questioning your own identity, debating originality, and side-eyeing your phone like it’s planning to betray you.

here's why it 5 ⭐️ for me: the writing? chef's kiss so easy to read. the world-building? terrifyingly believable. the themes? so raw and relevant they’ll have you texting your group chat at 3 a.m. with “omg we’re all doomed lol.” and Enka and Mathilde? they're messy, morally ambiguous, and absolutely magnetic. their relationship is so real it hurts, and their choices will have you yelling, “GIRL, DON’T DO IT!” while secretly hoping they do lmfao

this book feels like watching a trainwreck in 4K slow motion—beautiful, horrifying, and impossible to look away from. It’s the kind of speculative fiction that makes you laugh, cry, and contemplate deleting all your apps. it's an instant obsession, and i'd sell my soul to read it again for the first time. (i'm kidding, please whoever is watching don't take it)

If you’re into AI, art, messy human drama, or existential dread disguised as entertainment, run—don’t walk.

INFINITE STARS!!!!!!!!!!!

I was so excited to receive an ARC of this novel; Natural Beauty was one of my favorite reads of 2024, so this was at the top of my list of books to look forward to this year. I am happy to say, Immaculate Conception did not disappoint!

As society uses AI more and more, I think the themes explored in Immaculate Conception become more relevant - the idea of a Scholastic Archive may not be as far off as we think. This book successfully explores themes from the ideas of wealth inequality and separation, the evolving use of technology and AI and its effect on art (and people), and complicated personal relationships. I love how Immaculate Conception is able to meld discussion of these themes with a Black-mirror type sci-fy story.

As someone who has had close, co-dependent (and at times toxic) friendships, the portrayal of the relationship between Mathilde and Enka struck a chord with me. Huang really illustrates what it is like to be in that kind of relationship - the complexity of having a deep unconditional love accompanied with the toxicity of jealousy and anger.

I look forward to reading more of Huang’s works in the future. She doesn’t fail to tell a riveting story that keeps you engaged till the end.

Thank you Dutton and NetGalley for the early ARC in exchange for an honest review!

are you a fan of BLACK MIRROR? or loved the movie THE SUBSTANCE? or are you an artist who understands the competitive cut-throat world? does technology scare you as much as it intrigues you? do you love speculative fiction?

imagine you have a surgery that connects your brain to someone else’s. meaning, you can switch into their mind— you can experience new things as them: movies, films, you can even paint and make love from their perspective. now imagine you would be able to see every single one of their memories, feelings, emotions, and encounters. nothing could possibly go wrong…. right?

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION explores a society in a sci-fi future that has created [terrifying] advanced technology. it dives into themes of motherhood, envy and obsession, the importance of human expression and consent, selfishness and greed within competition, toxic insecurity, identity and conservatorship, the depth of human nature, AI art, genetic editing, and what it really means to be an individual. it makes you question how you are perceived and wonder how far people will go in the face of jealousy.

this story follows best friends and art students, Enka and Mathilde, over the course of a decade. we experience the blooming of their relationship and a glimpse of how their world works, all within the first 25%— then shit hits the fan and you won’t be able to put it down. it’s a deliberate build that leads you to twists and turns that i will leave you to find out for yourself.

this was *compulsively* readable, and quite frankly, my roman empire. i wish i could read it again for the first time. this was masterfully crafted, the descriptions were vivid and i felt extremely immersed within their world. Enka and Mathilde’s relationship felt raw and real, tumultuous, flawed and morally ambiguous. i was obsessed with them. the world and relationship was believable, leaving me frightened at the thought of AI and technology progressing for the worst in our own world. it’s a true warning about the ethicality of AI technology and challenges you to think about “originality” profoundly.

thank you so much @netgalley and @duttonbooks for an advanced reading copy of this work, it’s truly an honor to behold. i can’t wait to get my grubby little hands on a physical copy. IMMACULATE CONCEPTION by Ling Ling Huang, to be published on May 13th, 2025.

This was a book that would have worked for a multiple POV but instead only follows Enka. However, this doesn't detract from pulling you in. It was hard to predict what directions this book was going to pull you in and was absolutely heart rending at points.

I was beyond thrilled to see that Ling Ling Huang had a new book hitting the shelves. Her work is some of my favorite that I've discovered in the past two years and I cannot get enough. Immaculate Conception is a stunning investigation into the complicated friendship of two women, made all the more complicated by a competitive art landscape that is rapidly inundated with unprecedented technological advancements. This is a book I will read multiple times, as I excitedly await more words from the author.

I am somewhat conflicted about this one?? I think the plot and story overall are very successful. We follow Enka and her codependent friendship with Mathilde as they both strive to become renowned artists in a future version of the US. I think the worldbuilding is deft, the relationship is compelling, and the story grabbed me... But I wasn't 100% satisfied with the writing style. For a book that is so entrenched in intense jealousy, a feeling that is so visceral and so embodied, I struggled with how detached much of the writing felt. This is still an incredibly smart and enjoyable book, I just can't help but think a more visceral writing style could have elevated.

I love Huang’s writing, but Immaculate Conception took me a bit to really get into. Some aspects of the storyline were a bit confusing, but they were offset by so many poignant, beautiful moments that really shone through at the heart of the story. I will definitely be recommending Immaculate Conception to all of the Black Mirror fans in my life.

Oh my gosh, this is my first book by Ling Ling Huang, but it will certainly not be my last. I simply could not put this book down since the very beginning! I truly don’t think I’ve ever read a book like this before or ever will again. I loved how the plot progressed into such chaos & madness but also sadness & empathy at the same time. I will think about this book and these characters for a very, very long time.

Wow, seventeen days in and we have a contender for my favorite book of the year?! This was creepy, unsettling, and surreal. But also a book that makes you consider the state of the world, technology, the internet, global community…how you see yourself and how others see you. I am so wildly impressed with how the author manages to fit so much thought and emotion in so few pages! I’ll be surprised if I’m not thinking of this all year!