I really loved natural beauty and so I was so excited to get this arc. This book deals with many different themes related to art and trauma and technology. Overall, I would rate this book for stars. I think that the concept of technology and art was very interesting and relevant, considering the rise of artificial intelligence that we are currently experiencing. The relationship between the two main characters was very interesting to read about. I do feel like I enjoyed the first half of the book a lot more than I did the second half. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who liked natural beauty, and who is interested in science fiction, trauma and art.

At its core, Immaculate Conception by Ling Ling Huang asks us to consider what is lost in our efforts to preserve what we value. The book is a dark and thought-provoking exploration of celebrity, obsession, friendship, grief and trauma, and the fine line between love and possession. It takes on a lot! Set in a speculative future where technology allows for clones, mind-merge, human genome editing, and more, the novel weaves a disturbing story of Enka and Mathilde’s codependent relationship as they navigate art school and their parallel careers afterwards. While it’s framed as a friendship, it teeters dangerously into a more insidious terrain, one that is obsessive, self-serving, and dishonest in ways that I found deeply unsettling.

There were some underdeveloped elements of the novel that made for a confusing reading experience at times. The ending was frustrating, a series of aphorisms that felt empty. The first third focuses heavily on a seemingly rigid caste system. By the second third, it is never mentioned again and further, characters ascend easily without any barrier (?). Some of the character relationships also felt shallow -- Enka and Logan in particular was a little confusing to me and a lot of Enka's words about their relationship fall flat because there is no exposition about their courtship really at all. Maybe this was the point (i.e. in some ways platonic love can feel more intimate than romantic love). Others have commented that they felt the same with Enka and Mathilde particularly with regard to the speed with which Enka and Mathilde become intense friends as first years in college, and here I disagree: that's girlhood bby.

That being said, this novel made me think. There were times that Mathilde's and Enka's relationship made me want to crawl out of my own skin. There were fleeting moments in Enka and Mathilde's relationship that made me reflect on my own female friendships, and the ways that I wish they could see themselves through my eyes. Enka's realization that every memory shared with Mathilde is only "half remembered" sent me into a momentary trance. There were numerous occasions where Ling Ling Huang leaned into the comedy of it all as well. The descriptions of the exploitative art that caught the media's attention and blew up Mathilde's career were a trite caricature. The snide commentary on art criticism, on 'genius', on wealth, even on the scientific and medical testing of the biotech industry were similarly funny! It was ultimately an immersive and quick read. I enjoyed the reading experience a lot even if it left some open questions.

Content warning: The novel addresses sensitive topics, including the loss of a child, trauma, self-harm, and SA of a child.

Thank you to Ling Ling Huang, Penguin Group Dutton, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was initially drawn to this book due to the ethereal and eerie vibe of the cover, and I can now say that the story itself definitely reflects what the cover presents. I really enjoyed the themes that were explored in this book, such as class division, the dangers of technology, and misogyny in the art world. The underlining concept speaks to the scientifically relevant ethical question of just because we are able to do something does not mean that we should do it. Mathilde's character was as enticing and fascinating to the reader as she was to Enka herself. The novel touches upon ideas of individual identity and personal autonomy--I like how Enka's inhabitation of Mathilde's consciousness served as a mirroring of the same violation and assault Mathilde experienced in her youth. Also, the ending was delightfully open-ended and allows for an array of interpretations of what may happen next. Overall, Immaculate Conception is definitely a book worth picking up if you want to be challenged and confront the many ugly realities of human desire.

WOW. An intense story about love, friendship, the beauties of authentic human expression and the ways we ruin it through selfishness and greed. This gave heavy “Black Mirror” vibes and while this is my first book by this author, I know it will not be the last.

I'm not sure how I feel about this book, it's too good to be a 2, but I'm not sure I loved it. 3.5 stars? Rounded down.

Immaculate Conception follows Enka and Mathilde's friendship. Mathilde is an artistic genius, envied by everyone in their art school. Enka, who is also very envious, befriends her, and while her career tanks, Mathilde's rises to stardom. Enka works in art technology and gets the great opportunity to make art for the SCAFOLD project - a project that downloads someone's brain inside your brain.

The book is heavy on art and Huang manages to make the characters pretentious, but not her writing, which is a feat. This being said, this is mostly about artists trying to win against AI and thus art gets wacky.

Theme-wise, this is mostly about bizarre art, post-humanism, and toxic friendships. All of it was amazing, but the dystopic setting needed more chewing (it's got an IP-based caste system and that seems sort of silly since it's so easy to change IPs?). Aaaand the book featured something I *hate* in sci-fi books, won't say what because it's a twisty twist, but that sort of made me go from 'I'm not enjoying this book' to 'yikes I hate this' in one page.

I'm not as petty as to say "you added (blank) so I hate your book," the biggest reason I struggled with Immaculate Conception was the characters. The writing is good. But the relationships were so awkward and superficial. We're following two best friends, and later on, we have a woman with her 'loving husband', but it's all so... I don't know. Quick, simple, depthless? At first, I thought I just disliked Enka, but everything in the book character-wise lacked depth and richness.

It's a good read, not sure it was my cup of tea. Check trigger warnings.

This was everything I hoped it would be, and more. The story follows Enka Yui-Dahl, a struggling artist grappling with her identity and friendships, particularly with Mathilde, an extremely talented artist. Enka’s obsession with Mathilde—and the larger question of what makes art truly genius—is at the heart of this novel. The backdrop of their contrasting childhoods in "buffers" (socially engineered divisions between classes) adds layers that make you rethink how class affects art and access to culture.

I absolutely loved the complex themes of jealousy, greed, and saviorism woven into a toxic friendship that doesn’t feel overdone. Throughout the novel, you question whether true genius can really be taught or if it’s something you have to steal—or suffer for. If you’re looking for a book that’ll shake you, make you question your relationships, and leave you with a pit in your stomach (in the best way), this one’s for you.

A huge shoutout to NetGalley, Dutton, and Ling Ling Huang for the opportunity to review Immaculate Conception.

I read Huang's first book and my reactions to her new book are similar. I found the first 2/3 of the book interesting as she introduces a world sort of similar to the world we're in now, but just subtly different. Then the last third gets really kind of gross and creepy. The writing is wonderful but the story is just too dark and ugly for me.

This novel explores obsession, friendship, and the blurred lines between identity and codependence. The story follows Enka, an artist grappling with her sense of self, as she becomes entangled in a toxic bond with Mathilde, an enigmatic, rising art star. From the outset, the novel masterfully captures the intense emotional pull of their relationship, portraying Enka’s struggle to find originality while being irresistibly drawn to Mathilde’s talent and troubled mind.

The book takes a dark, unexpected turn when Enka marries a billionaire whose family funds a groundbreaking technology designed to heighten empathy. This unusual element gives the novel a psychological sci-fi twist as Enka explores the unsettling possibility of inhabiting Mathilde’s mind to absorb her trauma.

In exploring complex female relationships, the novel navigates the fine line between admiration and obsession, support and control. Both Enka and Mathilde are deeply flawed yet fascinating characters whose dynamic keeps readers on edge. The escalating tension in their relationship, coupled with the technological intrigue, ensures the book is impossible to put down.

This haunting, intense read will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers with a speculative twist. It is a powerful reminder of how the bonds we form with others can simultaneously build us up and unravel us.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

uniquely gorgeous work about the art world, AI, the way technology and social status plays into ones interpretation of art, and identity. I love Huang's work, and this one was fantastic

This novel was like nothing I've ever read, and nothing like I expected, and I am reeling from the intensity of emotion and questioning it evoked. I'll be thinking about this story and these characters for a very long time.

I owe a huge thank you to NetGalley, Dutton, and Ling Ling Huang for allowing me access to an ARC of Immaculate Conception in exchange for my honest review – thank you so much!

When I saw that Ling Ling Huang was publishing a new novel – I RAN (not walked) to get access to a copy. After being absolutely smitten with her debut novel, Natural Beauty, I knew that Haung would be one of my favorite authors.

Immaculate Conception did not disappoint. The novel revolves around our main character, Enka Yui-Dahl, as she navigates through her early adulthood and eventually into her forties. Desperate to make it as an artist, we first are introduced to her during her art education in university. She quickly befriends the effortless performance artist and fellow student, Mathilde, who Enka is enraptured by. Desperate to soak in the the artistic genius that is Mathilde, Enka goes to great lengths to care for and support her during their friendship. The friendship is rapid-moving, devoted, passionate, and all-encompassing, at least for Enka. Despite Enka’s surface-level success as a mother, wife, and artist, she is driven with a hunger to emulate the brilliance that shines off of her best friend. A key piece of this puzzle is their separate buffers in which they both grew up. The buffers were introduced during both girls’ childhoods – designed to keep upper-class, wealthier neighborhoods barred from lower class, working family inhabited neighborhoods separated. Thus, parts of the Internet is barred from specific individuals, certain museums become exclusive, and cultural understandings are dramatically different. Enka comes from one of lower division and Mathilde comes from one of higher division – a major difference in their understanding of art is born of these circumstances.

I am determined not to get too specific in this review as I do not want to spoil anything. BUT I will say that Huang is extremely gifted at taking a plot and winding it in paths you never expect. It is so refreshing to see a main character that does not fall into that tricky “good-for-her” trope that tends to pop up over and over again. (Don’t get me wrong, I love a “good-for-her” type beat, but it is so exciting to see something more sinister dwelling.) I know that the toxic best friend dynamic can feel a bit contrived in recent medias but Immaculate Conception takes the concept and reimagines its limitations. Huang is masterful in composing such a nuanced relationship in a way that feels real.

The themes of saviorism, sins, repentance, jealously, consumerism, greed, and punishment are potent in this novel and I am so here for them. These are layered in such a way that every moment of this novel packs a hard-hitting punch. The ending had me in a chokehold.

This novel’s expected publication date in May 13, 2025 and I highly recommend this book!

It's rare that I rate a book five stars-- and truthfully, this is probably a 4.25 as a whole, but I'm rounding up because even being on the fence means it's deserving, and while it's not perfect, there are so many things I did absolutely love about it.
First, <b>Ling Ling Huang's ability to write about art is in itself an art</b>. It's clear she's not just paying lip service, mimicking art critics, but truly understands the nuance of creativity and criticism. Her descriptives are simultaneously detailed and oblique, encouraging the reader to envision each piece. The language in general is beautiful, with so many thought-provoking passages that my whole book is now highlighted.
Second, the wide swath of themes explored is astounding, and furthermore, Huang's ability to weave them together so as to make them coexist in a coherent manner is incredible. Creation, motherhood, grief, memory, artistry, imagination, talent, loss, love, friendship, humanity, technology, nature, reality, consumerism, and the list goes on.
Third, the originality of the piece, both thematically and in its plotting, feels fresh and keeps you on the edge of your seat. There's a twist about 2/3 of the way through that I absolutely did not see coming.
Lest this be an unrealistically glowing review, I should point out that there were definitely some parts where I lost interest or became confused. I kept having to remind myself which characters Monika and Mathilde were, and then there's another woman introduced with an M name that made it even more confusing. There were definitely points where I struggled to follow what was going on, as the story line is complex, especially as the story progresses from the more grounded focus on art to the more science fiction focus on technology. I would say that the first third and last third were exceptional, with the middle becoming a bit swampy. But to anyone reading-- stick with this book!

5/5
Follows the codependent main characters through their growth in artistry and the use of new technology. This novel brilliantly delves into the complexities of friendship, ambition, and identity.

This is a phenomenal book that will leave readers pondering for a long time! Whereas Natural Beauty's horror was more direct and on-page, Immaculate Conception's horror resides in the mind of the readers as they consider the implications living in the world that has been brought to life. Enka is a flawed MC and it is difficult to be in her mind, especially when she makes terrible choices that lead to terrible consequences. Yet I have sympathy for Enka as I try to pinpoint where exactly she went wrong. Ultimately, I think the path that Enka embarked on was set for her once the buffers were erected and communities were separated into Better (Enclave) and Lesser (Fringe). Enka's art and (mis)actions in this book are informed by the trauma of being marked as Lesser, and I see every bad decision she makes as a result of her attempting to prove to herself and anyone that she can be Better.

I don’t even have a joke to make about this, it was SO good! I loved the author’s writing style, subtle humor, and subversion of expectations. I was truly surprised where this went and had my jaw on the floor the entire back half of this book. This story made several interesting points about art, AI, capitalism, classism, race, etc. If you remember my review of Yellowface, nothing excites me more than unhinged women cutting throats and stabbing backs to get ahead in the art world.

Thanks so much tNetGalley, Ling Ling Huang and publisher Dutton for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This is set to release May 13, 2025 and is absolutely worth the quick read time.

can people make good art without trauma? this is a simple question, yet this one question provides the foundation for huang's 2nd novel. like many people, natural beauty was one of my favorite reads of last year. however, here, the premise becomes muddied due to the large amount of exposition in the first 1/3 or so of the novel as well as the lack of character nuance. the characters who have interesting relationships just don't spend enough time together to warrant the emotional payoffs huang is going for. however, the ideas explored are interesting and shows good understanding of the issues around "good art".

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this arc! This is a great read. I devoured it!

I enjoyed Huang's second novel but her first was my favorite if I had to compare the two. The second novel is full of an exploration of the art world, and I found myself lost. I thought the character development of the two women's main characters took too much time to hook me. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

<b>If you don't want to spiral into an existential crisis or two (or five), don't read this book. But also, you suck then. Sorry, I don't make the rules.</b>

Is there such thing as an original thought? Do you <i>really</i> want to know the ones you love as fully as possible? What's the driving force in creativity, and how can it be harnessed? And at what point can - or better, should - that creativity be considered genius? Those are just a handful of the questions you'll be left to ruminate on thanks to Ling Ling Huang's Immaculate Conception.

Ling Ling Huang blows my mind, once again. I had been putting off reading this ARC because my hopes were so high I was afraid to be disappointed. Lemme tell ya, I wasn't. As in her first novel, Ling Ling Huang manages to write the hottest of takes beautifully. The clarity with which she described each piece, the imagery was unmatched. I read some of Sirens & Muses (also largely focused on the art world) and struggled at times with visualization. There was no such problem here.

To say I'm a layman in the art world would be an understatement; I was googling artist names, names of pieces, names of museums mentioned, more often than I'd like to admit. Yet I never felt left out or (very) intimidated by the author's immense knowledge on the topic, my comprehension of the whole wasn't hindered by ignorance of the finer details. My preference of Canva-made graphics to aged, fine art could remain intact.

Dare I say I prefer this to her debut novel, Natural Beauty? I'll be picking up a paper copy on pub day, 5/13/25!

{Thank you bunches to NetGalley, Ling Ling Huang and publisher Dutton for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!}

Huang’s debut was one of my favorite books of last year so obviously I’ve been eagerly anticipating this one, and it did not disappoint!

It starts off a little slow as we’re getting pulled into the art world with lots of exposition, but PLEASE stick around until the 25% mark where things start to pick up. it takes a <i>Black Mirror</i> type of route, with a really interesting sci-fi element. it becomes a fantastic and surprisingly emotional literary horror story with well written characters and unexpected twists along the way. Huang has quickly become an auto-read author for me!