We follow Enka and Mathilde, two art students, over the course of a decade. In a world of near future, sci-fi technology, the pretentious art world, grief, motherhood, an incredibly unhealthy, obsessive 'friendship' rife with competition and power struggles, we get a glimpse into the slow destruction of two women's lives.

I loved a lot of this book, but I thought the horror aspects took a little long to get going. When it did get there, I was truly horrified and I needed to take breaks because I got so frustrated with Enka. Ling Ling Huang remains one of my all time favorite literary horror authors.

Great social commentary on AI art and when medical technology goes way too far.

This book includes lovely prose and a mystery that hooks the reader early on. I also enjoyed the element of obsession and the underlying question of what it takes to create outstanding art that reaches the core of the human spirit.

Ling Ling Huang has cemented herself as an auto-buy author. Immaculate Conception follows Enka and Mathilde and a friendship full of both love and intense jealousy. Add in some speculative technology that allows us to feel another’s pain and then a dash of social criticism and commentary about the art world. The characters were grey and morally flawed, but so real. Also, there were a couple of twists I could see coming, but others that caught me entirely off guard. This is a book that you will think about for days on end.

Some “If you liked” style comparisons: Being John Malkovich and A Separate Peace (with a dash of Mean Girls)

Warning: If you have any sensitivities while reading, I would recommend checking the content warnings as there are some things that I know will be upsetting to some readers. (I found these issues well done and handled, but everyone is different!)

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for the advanced reader copy.

I absolutely loved Ling Ling Huang’s second novel, which basically sticks literary fiction, tech dystopia, the modern art world and deep female friendship into a blender and ends up with a beautifully written and deeply unsettling story that feels futuristic yet so of-the-moment.

Going in, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this one, because while the writing in her first novel was excellent, the story was too body horror-y for me. (It’s just not my thing.) While this one does have some horrific elements, it’s more like intellectual horror rather than body horror. And the ending! Stellar work all around. I’m going to skip a plot summary and wrap up this review by saying just go read it as soon as you can.

Thanks so much to Dutton and NetGalley for providing me with a review copy!

Release date: May 13, 2025 🗓️

I thought this was very interesting and beautifully written. There were moments where I was utterly confused, and had to reread portions of the book to fully grasp what was going on. (The genre of sci-fi is not my go to) and I did wonder many times if I should continue. Having said that, I was quite captivated in this friendship between Enke and Mathilde and the ideas surrounding AI, technology, who owns an idea and art. Unique reading most definitely.

“Is there anyone who knows a young woman's body better than her closest friends? By way of love or comparison or some combination of the two?”

Ling Ling Huang’s sophomore novel is an ambitious science fiction that tackles themes of identity, economic inequality, friendship, envy, and bodily autonomy. It examines the intersection between technology and art, highlighting the humanity entrenched in creation in an age where artificial intelligence is also capable of it.

Ownership and originality are also two aspects of art that Huang explores in this novel — specifically through the lens of the main character, Enka. She is jealous and insecure about her own art, always comparing herself to her best friend Mathtilde. Envy seeps from Enka from chapter one, clouding her thoughts and influencing her actions.

It’s fascinating to experience the narrative through her perspective. Enka is complex, being both sympathetic and despicable at times. Huang’s character work truly shines here. As an author she has managed an enormous feat by giving Enka such strong motivations and emotions that she springs to life from the words written on the page.

Thank you to Netgalley for proving me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review posted to goodreads on 1/8/25.

Brief review to be posted in my January reading wrap up on Instagram at the end of the month — full review to be posted on Instagram on release week.

Ling Ling Huang has done it again. I wish I could spend a day exploring her brain (thanks to new SCAFFOLD technology I can do exactly that)! The only part that I wish were more fleshed out was the fringe vs. enclave thread of the story. I feel like that was introduced for convenience to make Enka seem more like an outcast, but was quickly forgotten after the first half of the book.

Ling Ling Huang does it again! I was absolutely stunned by this artistic, cerebral book about obsession, envy, and originality had me sitting in stunned silence upon reaching the end. I love this contemplative writing style combined with some of the horrific twists! Huang is an autobuy author for me at this point, I'm fascinated by what her brain might think up next.

“Yellowface” meets “Black Mirror” meets “Never Let Me Go” in the best way!!!

Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton and NetGalley for the ARC.

Our MC Enka meets talented Mathilde at art school in a near-future dystopian America. The two form a deep and complex friendship, and as their careers and lives grow in different directions, Enka becomes desperate to keep her friend close. Technology and art intertwine in an amazingly creative narrative where we see how far someone might go to grasp onto love, trauma, empathy and inspiration.

I loved the pacing and structure of this story. Every question I had about the world building became clear later in the chapters in a very satisfying way. The intricate details of the technology and the artistic exhibitions made them so easy to imagine and digest, keeping the book so compulsively readable.

I love a morally ambiguous narrator and Enka was such an interesting MC. I haven’t stopped thinking about this book since I finished it, and highly recommend this one.

Thanks to Dutton and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed Natural Beauty, so I was really excited to get this ARC! To me, this is a 4 ⭐️ read. All the parts of the book were interesting, but the story didn’t flow very smoothly in my mind.

The futuristic setting was creative and I loved that it was entrenched in the world of art. The software that creates art and made artists afraid of becoming obsolete is a clear and needed commentary on using AI for artistic pursuits.

I loved the beginning of the story when the girls are in college and Enka is such a supportive friend even though she is extremely jealous of Mathilde. She feels as though just being around such a great artist and getting to be her friend is a privilege. I loved the way she lifted Mathilde up when she clearly needed support.

The juxtaposition of this in the back half of the book is stark as Enka begins using Mathilde under the guise of lifting her up. This was such a difficult character development to witness, how Enka was no longer able to be satisfied in her own life and body alone.

Ling Ling Huang has once again written a story I’ll be thinking about long after finishing the book and I can’t wait to see what else she comes up with in the future. I’m a forever fan!

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.

This was a confusing book to me. First off, I went in blind, having no idea what to expect. And at about 20% in, I was pretty convinced this story was a parody about the inanities of the art world. Wrong. This is a science fiction story, written in a speculative future world much like ours, and as such, I enjoyed the tale about friendship from the future gone wrong.

The cover was striking. Would I read more from the author? Yes, but I'll read the blurbs a little closer first.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

Thank you to Netgalley and Dutton for this ARC in exchange for feedback.

At literally zero point in this story did I have any idea where it was going. I caught myself frequently re-reading paragraphs to make sure that I understood what was happening correctly.

I read this book on my phone during a tattoo session, and completely locked in to the point that at times I didn’t even feel the needle going into my skin anymore.

It was unsettling, raw, and at times very frustrating. I was very upset with Enka over all as the story progressed, but at the same time it was a very well done metaphor for just how tight the confines of envy can be on a person.

Admittedly, I had no idea going into this novel that it was science fiction, and the science fiction, surrealist elements just continued to build and build until they swallowed up the story whole.

I think I will have to sit with my thoughts on this book for a while before I can properly assess. I am excited to read the author’s other work now. This was very different from what I usually read, and even though it had me utterly confused at parts and came off overly (and certainly intentionally) pretentious at parts, I enjoyed it.

even more intense and deeply felt than Natural Beauty. i can’t wait for more people to read this one.

many thanks to penguin, dutton, and netgalley for the advanced reader copy.

Summary: Enka is a fringe and Mathilde is an enclave, but class cannot keep these two apart. After meeting in art school, Enka develops an obsession with Mathilde’s creativity and mind. Even when their paths take them to different corners of the world, Enka and Mathilde reunite after tragedy occurs. Enka attempts to relieve Mathilde of the trauma in her life by using new technology developed by her husband’s family. However, neither Enka nor Mathilde are prepared for what this entails.

Review: The concept of this book is absolutely incredible. I was hooked on Enka’s envy and obsession with Mathilde. I am leaving out spoilers here, but Enka is exactly who I wanted her to be. This character is a true social climber, demonstrating the depth of human nature. Similarly, Mathilde is raw and real, and she serves as a reminder of the effects of trauma, especially in relation to art. Huang has created a masterpiece of a novel that sparks contemplation in the reader: who really are my friends? Does technology improve these relationships?

Themes: sci-fi/futuristic, toxic friendship, classism, art, technology

This was my first book from this author, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Immaculate Conception is a thought-provoking read that will appeal to fans of Black Mirror. (I say that, being a fan of Black Mirror.)

Its story centers Art and technology, following two artists as they navigate the art world, artificial intelligence, originality, greed, jealousy, and friendship.

Warning: The contents of the story are heavy and dark; most of the later half of the book centers around trauma.

Ling Ling Huang’s characters are who shine the brightest here. You have Mathilde, who many see as a prodigy artist, who is mysterious, alluring, and paving the way with new ideas in an area where originality is hard fought in a world of AI.

Then you have Enka. Mathilde’s best friend who has fought tooth and nail to prove to herself and to her parents that she has what it takes to be an artist. I found her character to be the most interesting, and I appreciated the subtle shift in character that Ling Ling Huang gives her.

Overall, this was a disturbing (in the best way) examination of envy, the fragility of self, societal greed, and friendship.


Rating: 3.5 stars
Days took to read: 2 days

I'm a new fan of Ling Ling Huang and totally in love with the surreal suspense her work creates! Natural Beauty was my first read, and I was immediately hungry for more. Immaculate Conception was just as good, contained lots of surprises, and I was all in. I loved this book and the eerie representation of the friendship. It felt so realistic and creepy at the same time. I can't wait to read more of Huang's work!

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This novel masterfully crafts a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is unsettling, delving into the intricacies of toxic friendship—where admiration blurs into envy, empathy mingles with fear, and betrayal is just a step away. The story's artistic backdrop is rendered in stunning detail, with descriptions so vivid that you feel immersed in the creative struggles and triumphs of the characters.

What sets Huang apart is her ability to keep readers guessing. The plot unfolds with a slow, deliberate build, drawing you deeper into its world before the final 20-30% bursts into an unrelenting, fast-paced crescendo that leaves you breathless. By the end, my jaw literally dropped.

At the heart of the story lies the SCAFOLD technology, a chillingly plausible invention that allows one person’s consciousness to be transferred into another’s mind. This concept raises profound ethical questions and adds a layer of tension and depth to the narrative.

This is more than just a story about art and ambition; it’s an exploration of identity, morality, and the lengths people will go to achieve their desires. Ling Ling Huang’s writing is gripping, haunting, and profoundly human—a testament to her ability to merge emotion and intellect seamlessly.

I recommend "Immaculate Conception" to anyone who loves stories that push boundaries and challenge conventional thinking. If you enjoy books that weave social commentary with compelling characters and unpredictable twists, this is one you can’t miss. An unforgettable five-star read that will linger in your mind long after the last page.

After falling in love with "Natural Beauty" by Ling Ling Huang earlier this year, I had high expectations for "Immaculate Conception" , and it did not disappoint. Huge thanks to the publishers, Dutton and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Immaculate Conception dazzled as much as Ling Ling Huang’s debut, Natural Beauty. Immaculate Conception could be described as a marriage between Rouge by Mona Awad and Yellowface by R.F. Kaung. The story is part horror, part thriller, part sci fi, and part literary fiction all in one. Because Huang embraces all of these elements so well, I feel like Immaculate Conception will satisfy an array of readers. Much like how Natural Beauty was a leader in books published about the wellness industry, Immaculate Conception will be a leader in books published about technology and artificial intelligence. Unsurprisingly, the writing was excellent and Huang’s characters were deeply layered and interesting. Thank you to Ling Ling Huang, Dutton, and Netgalley for advance access to Immaculate Conception.

Ling Ling Huang's debut, Natural Beauty, was so weird and original and one of my most memorable reads of 2023. Her sophomore novel, Immaculate Conception, is therefore one I was eagerly anticipating. I devoured it. I already want to discuss and maybe read again before its release date in May 2025.

Immaculate Conception doesn’t retread any old ground for readers of Natural Beauty; it’s set in the art world and concerns a friendship between two women who meet at art school: Enka, ambitiously striving to establish herself through her art focusing on human engagement with emerging technology, and Mathilde, withdrawn and eccentric but seemingly imbued with a natural vision and brilliant originality that brings her immediate fame. The plot follows their intertwined lives and experiences and goes to some definitely weird, and sometimes very dark, places.

Ling Ling Huang writes in a way that is absorbing and eerie, unsettling but beautiful like the literary equivalent of an A24 film. I really liked this one.

This is a fast, impactful novel, told in breathless bursts and divided into three sections. Like an artists's statement, the sections are Early Style, Middle Style and Late Style, followed by a Retrospective.

This book is the story of two artists, creating work in a world that is heavily divided between the have and have-nots. The rich have cordoned off the world using "buffers" - immense screens that keep the poor out and the wealthy protected. Those that are inside are "enclave" citizens and those outside are "fringe." Our two characters, Enka and Mathilde meet in art school. Enka is a fringe student, on scholarship, while Mathilde has been given every privilege, but has also lived a life of unspeakable tragedy. The two form a strange bond of envy and trust.

Enka rises to fame and power through the means of aligning herself with the wealthy, while Mathilde's fame creates art that is original and stunning. Their stories take us through a world where technology is shaping the art world, the greater world, and even our own consciousness. The book brings up questions about originality in a world with AI, plagiarism and empathy.

I found this book fascinating, and at time horrifying. Huang is a master of the futuristic macabre, similar to Natural Beauty, she uses body-horror to showcase the desperation humans have to avoid death. If you enjoy speculative fiction that explores feminism, art and the morals of technology, you'll love this one.