Me: Alexa, define unhinged.
Alexa: Julie Chan is Dead by Liann Zhang.
SHEWWWW 😮‍💨 this was a great fkn read. Writing style kept my attention. Plot line kept me "GIRL WUT"-ing left and right. I still can't figure out where I stand with the end.. 😅 and I. love. that. Enjoyed this one a lot!


Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Date of publication expected April 29th, 2025.

Book Review: Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang

This book had me. I was completely hooked—immersed, entertained, and happily strapped in for a ride that felt equal parts edgy and addictive. The story is bold and twisty, with sharp commentary on influencer culture, identity, and the performative nature of social media. I loved the twin angle (always juicy), the influencer cult vibes (deeply unsettling in the best way), and the smart, satirical tone that made everything feel fresh and compelling.

For about 75% of the book, I was all in.

But then… the story took a sharp turn—and not the good kind. The plot started veering too far off the rails, to the point where I found myself blinking at the page like, Wait, what? And not long after that, I hit my one hard stop: animal cruelty. It came out of nowhere and overwhelmed me emotionally. I know some readers can push through things like that, but for me, it’s an immediate disconnect. From that point on, I had to speed read just to make it to the end, but the magic was gone. My whole perception of the book shifted.

It’s frustrating, because there is so much to appreciate here. Zhang’s voice is sharp, the concept is original, and the first three-quarters had me completely enthralled. But that turning point changed the experience for me—and not in a way I can shake off easily.

So would I recommend it? With caution. If you’re okay with darker turns and can stomach graphic content involving animals, there’s a lot here to dig into. But if that’s a trigger for you like it is for me, I’d say proceed carefully or maybe steer clear.

Overall, the book is 4/5. I enjoyed the premise and felt that the story had a strong start. There are a lot of social media references, which is to be expected. Most of the references are for the current social media climate, with a few throwback references. I do worry that this will pigeonhole this book and make rereading or future reading difficult. I do wish that more time was spent under the cult's influence. I feel like Julie breaks out of it too quickly. The reason it is not a 5-star read is because the story just ends. I wanted to see what happened with the trial.

This was one of those books that sucked me in almost immediately, and kept me intrigued down to the last page.

Julia Chan is a 24-year-old grocery cashier. Raised by her borderline abusive aunt after her parents died in an accident as a small child, she is broke and longs for a different life. But it’s not hard for her to imagine what that life could look like - her identical twin sister is living it. Following their parents death, while Julie was adopted by their aunt, Chloe was adopted by a wealthy family in New York. In recent years, Chloe has achieved fame as a social media influencer, leaving her sister behind without a second thought or contact - except, of course, for a single performative “reunion” video on her YouTube channel.

When Julie receives a concerning out of the blue call from Chloe and then is unable to reach her, she heads to New York to make sure she’s okay - only to discover that Chloe is in fact dead. What then begins as a case of mistaken identity turns into an opportunity - what if Julie was the one who “died” and Julie goes on living Chloe’s life?

As Julie slides into Chloe’s world of content creating, personal assistants, sponsorships, and a glamorous group of friends, she begins to realize that something isn’t quite right. She is thrilled to be invited to join a group of fellow influencers for a top secret week long trip to a private island - but something is “off”. Are these women who they seem to be? And was Chloe? And what is the price of their fame?

I flew through this book (for me - any time I finish a Kindle book in less than a month it is a testament to my enjoyment of it, and I read this one in a week) and absolutely loved the first half of this book. Watching Julie navigate the contrast between her new world and old one, while trying to maintain her cover as Chloe, was entertaining and eye opening. It lost me a little once they got to the island - things took a bit of a weird turn (and there was a particularly horrifying scene involving mice) but I still couldn’t wait to see what happened next. The ending, though unsurprising, was satisfying and I truly enjoyed the entire book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVE this book! Highly recommend for a book club pick and would make a very interesting discussion. I loved the characters and thought it was comical while also deep and enlightening.

2.5

Oh my! This one went from good to bad quickly. A bit much with the horrific things the story dove into.

Just not for me. I had to quit before I finished.

But I do appreciate the e-book from Net Galley and Atria Books.

I devoured this book in a day—it’s that fun. The voice is fresh, modern, and addictive, with a story that feels like scrolling through Instagram in the best way possible. It gives the exact dopamine hit as doomscrolling. Yes, the plot is absolutely silly, but sometimes, that’s exactly what you need: a juicy, escapist read.

Julie and Chloe are twins who were separated when their parents died. They live wildly different lives—Julie stocking shelves in a supermarket, Chloe as a popular influencer. Growing up, they didn't have any communication until Chloe decided to reunite with Julie for content. When Julie gets a strange call from Chloe, she hops on a bus to check on her… only to find Chloe dead. What follows is a whirlwind decision to step into her sister’s very curated shoes. And somehow, she pulls it off.

Of course, it’s a stretch to believe a regular person could convincingly become a very polished social media star overnight, but the fun of this book lies in suspending reality.

So glad I got to read it before the hype hits!

Twins and Belladonnas and Viktor and Eto, oh my!

Think book is bonks in all of the best ways and I was there for it.

What if you and your twin were both adopted to different families at age 4 because your parents died horrifically ? Your sister went to an affluent family and you went to a hideous aunt and as such your lives turned out as predicted. Then your twin dies and you are the only one who knows. Would you slip into her life? What if her life is a bigger cluster than yours? This was GLORIOUS.

Thank you to Atria for gifting me a copy. It is my pleasure to write an honest review.

What an interesting concept! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will look forward to more books by this author! Thank you for the arc!

4⭐️

This started out strong with twins you were separated as children after their parents died. Between the nature vs nurture aspect of separated twins, the over the top lives on influencers, and the way Julie almost immediately took over Chloe's identity, I was hooked right of the bat. Watching the way Julie used her obsessive stalking of her sisters social media to her benefit and easily slid into Chloe's life was wild. It was obvious that all of her social media 'friends' really didn't know Chloe that well if none of them noticed something was different. The way Julie so easily took over the influencer life showed she could have had that life on her own had she worked for it. It's clear that Julie doesn't have high expectations of her sisters morals or her intelligence and she thought everything she had uncovered supported that belief. It was great to see Chloe's old videos and where she started.

While this book started strong for me, about halfway through we took a detour into some weird girl shit. I usually love cults and thought the social media aspect would make the cult stronger. But the brainlessness of the girls on the trip took on a Bunny-like vibe and I hate that. At least in Bunny they punished men. In this they're just trying to go viral. I wanted more from the cult, but I'm glad the world gets to see just how unhinged Julie is by the end.

Thanks Netgalley and Atria Books for providing this ARC to me!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Julie Chan Is Dead sounded right up my alley, with its promise of darkly satirical elements in a similar vein to Yellowface, not to mention a somewhat similar premise. And the influencer angle definitely allowed for it to lean into all the wackiness, especially with all the juicy online drama, jealousy, and backstabbing.
Liann Zhang clearly has a finger on the pulse of influencer culture and the vapidity of it all, with the focus on one’s social media numbers and whatnot being a major facet of the book. The fictionalized brand deals and how they’re presented with a sense of faux-sincerity in particular made me laugh, especially the thinly veiled jabs at the controversial Better Help (made even more ironic by watching a video from an otherwise trusted creator who featured a sponsored segment from them during a break from the book).
As for the characters, they’re all pretty unlikable, but I can empathize with Julie, and eventually, Chloe, too. The twins were separated at a young age when their parents died, and Chloe was adopted by a wealthy white couple, while Julie ended up being taken in by their aunt. Julie is struggling to make ends meet in a dead-end job, and has only seen her sister once or twice as an adult since being separated, and their reunion was used for clicks on Chloe’s socials. So, while I wouldn’t do what she did, I don’t blame her for choosing to take the opportunity given her to pose as Chloe and kill off her old life, although she was a bit short-sighted in doing so without considering any loose ends.
And despite her seemingly vapid and shallow persona, Chloe had a lot more going on beneath the glitzy and glamorous exterior, like the impact of racism as a transracial adoptee, as well as the challenges of life as an influencer, particularly in how it impacts your mental health, the latter of which Julie experiences for herself somewhat in assuming Chloe’s life and identity.
This book engaged me, even as Julie made some increasingly questionable choices in order to try to keep her life together. The book did kind of jump the shark a bit at the 50%, and the pacing was a little uneven. However, the ending did more or less satisfy me, providing answers as to what happened to Chloe, and giving me a sense that, for all her flaws, Julie did grow and learn from her experiences.
This is a solid debut, and I’m excited to read more from Lianne Zhang in the future! I’d recommend this to readers interested in satirical thrillers in a similar vein to Yellowface, especially if you happen to be interested in influencer culture.

Thank you Atria Books & NetGalley for the eARC!

3.75 ⭐️
Unhinged, chaotic, and utterly addictive.

Julie Chan Is Dead is one of those books where you know things are spiraling out of control, but you cannot look away. It’s messy in the best way - a fever dream of social media toxicity, sisterhood gone sour, and influencer culture taken to its most absurd, twisted extreme.

Julie’s descent into her twin sister Chloe’s glamorous, curated world is totally unhinged, and I mean that as a compliment. There’s a cult subplot that veers straight into bonkers territory (suspension of disbelief required), but honestly, I was so strapped in for the chaos that I didn’t even care. It’s not realistic, but it’s a ride.

Julie herself is an absolute wildcard. She’s impulsive, morally gray, and constantly toeing the line between “girl, what are you doing?” and “yes, burn it all down.” I didn’t exactly root for her, but I couldn’t stop watching her unravel. Every decision felt like lighting another match, and I devoured it.

That said, the writing style was a mixed bag. At times it felt a bit too try-hard and like it was desperate to sound modern, sharp, and TikTok-quote-ready. And while that tone kind of works for a story so steeped in influencer culture, it occasionally undercut the darker emotional beats. The prose leaned simplistic in places, and the chaos occasionally came at the expense of cohesion.

Overall, this one’s not for everyone, but if you love morally questionable protagonists, messy women, and stories where the vibes are as unstable as the plot twists, you’ll have a blast. Just embrace the mayhem and don’t expect to come out clean.

I am a sucker for the influencer/social media trope, so I needed to read this book. I also really liked the cover. The first half was really interesting as you learn the very different paths the twins lives went. I was so invested in this book and loved every moment of it. I definitely recommend this book and can’t wait to see what else this author will come out with.

Wow! As expected this is good yet insane.

I finished this in one sitting since the plot is interesting and promising, this is more like yellowface upgrade with crazy alternate. I love this book! I cant wait to read upcoming book from author in the future!!!

Anyway thank you NetGalley and Atria books for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

What a BIZARRE and far-fetched, yet truly fun read this novel is. A bit ridiculous at times, it kept my interest to the end. Debut author, Liann Zhang, brings a fresh voice to the diabolical world of social media and its rise (and fall) of influencers. It’s a cautionary tale about how addictive the importance of being in the public eye can lead to nefarious behaviors all in the name of popularity. It’s a recipe of one part thriller, one part mystery, one part dark, DARK humor, and one part shock and disbelief—culminating into a world built on lies. As the story unfolds, we see what the importance of fame can do to people, and how quickly their mores and scruples can be sold for something so minuscule and paltry as increased viewership, or a simple “like” from viewers. This is a story that exhorts social media and the lives of influencers, specifically, that it is a world filled with lies. Just a pure fun novel, as the reader, quite literally, becomes voyeur, immersed in the inability to look, or walk away. It’s deliciously entertaining and due to be published for all to read on April 29th, 2025.

Thank you to author, Liann Zhang, publisher, Atria Books, and Netgalley for providing me with the ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are wholly my own.

When supermarket cashier Julie discovers her estranged influencer twin sister Chloe dead, she impulsively steps into her glamorous life - only to discover it's not nearly as picture-perfect as the filtered Instagram posts suggest. I loved the bitchy, snarky voice of Julie throughout - her outsider perspective on influencer culture is both hilarious and cutting as she navigates Chloe's superficial friendships and brand deals. The tension builds when Julie joins a retreat with Chloe's fellow influencers on a secluded island, where it becomes increasingly clear that someone might know her secret - or worse, had something to do with Chloe's death. The second half kicks the story up into weird territory that I really appreciated. While I didn't necessarily connect with any of the characters (they're all pretty terrible people), the absurdity of influencer culture and the emptiness behind their carefully curated personas made for an entertaining read with some genuinely funny moments.

Wow! I absolutely love this book. This is on of the most interesting social commentaries I’ve ever read . I enjoy this book from the very beginning when the Twins switch places and I thought that was already going to be an interesting storyline. Then when the book switched to this influence cult story I was horrified in the best way. And I think adding in this supernatural horror element of these big sacrifices people made to be social media famous. Really does speak to how much people are willing to give up for this kind of fame.

3.75 stars! 🌟 Huge thanks to Atria Books for the eARC via Netgalley! 💌

OKAY, SO—this book??? Was ABSURD. Kinda UNBELIEVABLE. Completely unhinged. AND I ATE IT UP.

☠️ A girl finds her dead influencer twin.
💰 Takes over her life.
🎭 Plays the ultimate game of pretend.
🏝️ Gets invited to a secluded influencer retreat (aka Cult Island™).
🔪 And then… CHAOS.

DO Y'ALL KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE BOOKS ABOUT UNHINGED WOMEN???
Because let me tell you, JULIE. WAS. UNHINGED. And yet, I weirdly respected her hustle?? Like, girl saw an opportunity and RAN with it.

First half??? BANGER. I was flipping pages like my life depended on it.
Second half??? Uhhh. WHAT. THE. HELL. It was like the book chugged three Red Bulls and went on a conspiracy theory rant at 3AM.

🔥 THE GOOD 🔥
✔️ The influencer satire was chef’s kiss. So much commentary on social media, validation, and the cult-like world of rich people with no real job.
✔️ The tension was top-tier. Every scene felt like Julie was one mistake away from EXPOSURE.
✔️ The writing was SO bingeable. I barely blinked.

💀 THE UNHINGED 💀
✔️ That ISLAND. Cult vibes? Horror movie? Elite socialite death trap? ALL THREE???
✔️ Listen, I personally believe cults like this exist. Rich people are WEIRD. And if y’all don’t think certain celebs are deep in some secret societies… well, I’m just saying.
✔️ The ending??? Left me so conflicted. Did I love it? Did I hate it? Who am I?

TROPES:
✔️ Unhinged Female Lead
✔️ Fake Identity
✔️ Cult Vibes
✔️ Secluded Retreat
✔️ Bingeable Writing
✔️ Tension/Exposure
✔️ Absurd Plot
✔️ Dark Humor

🎭OVERALL:
Would I recommend it? HELL YEAH . It’s messy, it’s fun, it’s a little too real, and it will have you side-eyeing influencers forever.

Put this on your radar, besties. And when you read it, DM me because I NEED TO SCREAM ABOUT THAT ENDING WITH SOMEONE.

I’ve been on an influencer storyline book kick, and this fit right in. It took me a little bit to get into this book, but I’m so glad I kept going. The story was interesting and I loved all of the details.

Julie Chan is Dead is one of the best books I’ve read this year. This searing commentary on influencer culture wrapped up in a murder mystery thriller is both fast paced and smart. Grown-up Parent Trap meets Mean Girls with Mona Awad undertones, this book was seemingly written for me (and readers like me)