I'm a sucker for social media books. Sure it's all look at me and a fight for attention and likes and follows and I find it all an indulgent, entertaining read. The premise of this books was fun, until you about half way and then it takes a way different turn, that I wasn't expecting and honestly, I didn't like it. It bordered on dark, but more weird than anything.

That said, the book kept me turning the pages.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the gifted e-ARC.

What. A. Whirlwind.

It has been such a long time since I was so immediately drawn into a story. Julie Chan is Dead gripped me in a borderline obsessive way; even when I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about the book—what might happen next, where Julie would spiral to, how things could possibly be resolved. This doesn’t feel like a debut novel—Liann Zhang is remarkable.

Julie Chan is everything I know I am and wish I wasn’t. Her relatability was frankly alarming; every time I thought to myself “yeah, I understand why she did that” I had to pause and consider how that probably wasn’t good. But it was true—so much of Julie’s character is based in realism, based around the question of what would you do if you suddenly had everything you’ve always longed for? Half the time, the events weren’t exactly realistic, but I didn’t even care. Julie’s reactions to things and her descent into influencer culture just felt so accurate that I could look past when things felt less than real.

I was constantly left guessing, and found myself mouth-agape shocked more than once. There was one scene near the end that had me reeling so much while reading on the train I actually had to put my Kindle down. I loved this book, and even the parts I didn’t think I liked, I realize just fit so well with Julie’s character that I couldn’t even dislike them. I just loved it. I’m definitely going to get myself a copy of this and read more from Zhang in the future! Now I just need everyone else to read this so we can discuss the crazy drama!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

(4.5 stars) This book fills an unusual prompt in my 2025 reading challenge – Title is a spoiler. I had thought this category would be hard to fill, but I didn’t realize how often thrillers were/are named in this way. I have tired of typical thrillers, but this promised more, being labelled literary fiction by NetGalley. And it WAS different, not a traditional rift on whodunnit, but more an exploration of how the featured death (and subsequent identity swap) played out amid a series of lies.

This book gave me serious Mona Awad vibes. I love a story that forges its own direction and Awad’s works, most notably Bunny and Rouge, are among my favorite books. Julie Chan is Dead is a worthy addition to Awad’s list. The book thrills like a traditional thriller, but also thoroughly explores the lives of those most affected by the book’s featured death. And what different lives these are, being made up of top female social media influencers. It’s a group I have not read about before…a fascinating group whose public lives are known to all, but whose private lives may hold some craziness. I highly recommend what is Zhang’s debut, but which feels like the work of an accomplished author. There are pieces of the book which will affect me for a long time…scenes that I can’t get out of my head. I am eager to share these with those who appreciate a little weirdness in their reading.

Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC. The premise really pulled me in, and I enjoyed the beginning of the novel, but once the protagonist took over the influencer role, I lost interest and connection with the character. I felt like her motives changed from seeking more about her identity to making money in compensation for anger at her past. Once the characters are on the island, the plot also begins to shift and some of the scenes were on the edge of feasible/believable. I did finish the novel but wished the focus in the beginning had remained through the storyline.

This one was definitely one of my more anticipated reads this year - and it didn't disappoint! While I felt some areas predictable and also slow paced, others were completely gripping and kept me glued to the page to try to figure out what was going to happen. Definitely enjoyed this novel and was a great thriller!

The story of identical twins, separated after their parents passed away. Chloe was adopted by white rich folks and lived a life of privilege and as a certified influencer. Julie, our protagonist, was raised by her biological aunt, under less than kind circumstances. They have zero contact until one day Chloe bursts into Julie's workplace to make a reunion video that goes viral. After that, it was back to zero contact again. This fills Julie with more resentment, and rightfully so.

After a strange phone call from her twin, Julie decides to seek out Chloe but instead finds her dead for days in her apartment. She makes the split decision to assume her twin's identity and take over her life as a popular influencer. Julie found out that Chloe was a member of the Belladonnas, a group of young influencers under the leadership of Bella Marie, the it-girl everybody aspires to be.

This premise was what appealed to me. The start of a mystery thriller, maybe a whodunit. But after Julie becomes Chloe, the story becomes a bit muddled with lots and lots and LOTS of description of what influencer life contains and a lot of analytics numbers. Numbers of views, reach and sponsorship money, etc.

At exactly halfway, this story took a turn. While up onto this point, it was about Julie and how she felt about her middle-class life, then got thrust into the limelight of an influencer, wherein she magically knew how to pose, set up a scene, just what to do to make a popular post. Recognizing she needed a fix of attention from her adoring fans, who had no clue she switched places with her twin, so she does everything an influencer does, despite having no experience as an influencer. Whilst juggling her past and wanting to know more about who Chloe was and how she became the person who Julie thought she had become.
At some point, this story turns from mystery/thriller into semi horror or plain weird territory, with descriptions put in for shock value. While I have no trouble reading gory descriptions, the way this story went had me scratching my head for a little bit and made me check more than once if I was still reading the same book.

Conflicted is maybe the best way to describe how I feel after I finished this. I felt the mix of genres wasn't as clear or blended as I preferred. I felt a lot of story threads weren't as explored as I wanted them to (i.e. the aunt and the blackmail) and some plot points were a little too convenient to my liking (i.e. the ending part of the story)

This e-ARC was provided by Atria Books via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review

The Craft meets Model Behavior meets Ingrid Goes West—what an irresistible millennial mashup.

I couldn’t stop reading this. Julie Chan got stuck with the short end of the stick: her twin sister was adopted by a wealthy couple while Julie was left behind with her bitter, hateful aunt. And let me tell you, her aunt wasn’t just Julie’s problem; she was mine, too. Every scene with her had me grinding my teeth.

Can you really blame Julie for wanting what her sister has? For wondering if her life would be better if things had gone differently? Those questions hooked me, and I couldn’t help but root for her, even when her choices made me pause.

I flew through this book, and when it was over, I was saddened to realize it’s the author’s debut. In the acknowledgments, she mentions keeping her writing a secret out of embarrassment, which honestly hit me in the feels. It’s like she and Julie are both looking for validation in their own ways.

I hope she receives all the encouragement she deserves, I’ll be first in line for whatever she does next!

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

“There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it."-Oscar Wilde

Julie Chan is Dead by is a dark and gripping exploration of identity, fame, and the dangers of parasocial relationships. At its surface, the novel presents a mystery: Chloe, the estranged twin sister Julie Chan, has died under suspicious circumstances. Julie didn’t kill her sister, but she did steal Chloe's identity, stepping into the spotlight that once belonged to her twin. As Julie unravels the secrets behind Chloe’s death, readers are pulled into a world where nothing is quite as it seems, and the allure of influencer culture is revealed to be both shallow and dangerous.

Beyond the mystery, the novel delves deeply into the disturbing nature of parasocial relationships, where the boundaries between online personas and real lives blur. In this world, influencer culture has cultivated a cult-like mentality, where followers and fans idolize individuals they barely know, while the influencers themselves are often lost in the performance of their own lives. Julie Chan is Dead offers a stark commentary on the superficiality of social media fame and its potential to replace genuine human connection with a faceless, exploitative online persona. The book’s sharp observations and unexpected twists make it a thought-provoking read that will stay with readers long after they’ve turned the last page.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and Atria Books for providing an ARC of this novel.

This book is a shocking, genre-bending mystery that takes readers on an unpredictable journey, culminating in an ending I could never have imagined. From the very first page, I was completely hooked, unable to put it down. I devoured it in record time, and it turned out to be the perfect companion for my vacation week—fast-paced, engaging, and surprising. It felt like candy in book form: addictive and satisfying, yet with unexpected parts.

The story delves into the complex dynamics of twin sisters separated in childhood, weaving a narrative rich with themes of identity, sibling bonds, and the challenges of rediscovering a connection that maybe never existed. At the same time, it provides a dark exploration of the mental health struggles and relentless pressures faced by those living the extreme influencer lifestyle. Through its vivid portrayal of this world, the book balances its thrilling plot with commentary on the dangers of seeking validation through curated personas and the toll it takes.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys twisty thrillers, unlikeable characters, or the drama of reality TV. Its unique blend of suspense, psychological themes, and all placed in a social media world makes it a story that will linger in your mind long after you’ve finished.

Thanks for the review copy. This book started out great and then once they got to the island it got wild and twisty. I look forward to reading more books by Zhang.

First half of the book was entertaining/lightish (as light as a thriller could be) but then the second half just got dark. I didn't dislike it, just a warning to others. All in all a good read and one I'd read again.

Thank you to NetGalley and the published for an ARC of Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang. The premise of this book was much better than the execution. I was drawn to the influencer murder/twin impersonation description, but what I got was that plus an additional weird element that I won't describe here to avoid spoilers. The biggest problem I had with Julie Chan is Dead is that the author clearly disdains almost all of her characters. Besides one side character that has a couple redeeming qualities, the rest of the bunch (including the protagonist) are portrayed as vain, vapid, and extremely greedy. I know influencers don't have a great collective reputation; however, the author seems to wholly despise the entire industry. It's hard for me to enjoy a book when the characters are written by someone who hates them.

I was entertained through some of the story, and I did finish the book. I just wanted so much more from the story and needed someone to connect with to give it a higher rating.

I loved the first half and it was so good and witty. Super clever and fast paced. However the second half really took me out, because at that point I had some difficulty seeing where Julie’s head and mindset was at. Suspension of disbelief became increasingly difficult. Maybe it just wasn’t what I expected, and it felt almost like two different books. 5 stars first half, 2 stars second half?

OKAY FUN FACT, i’ve been following this book since zhang posted about it on the pubtips subreddit. i’m not usually a thriller gworl but i was so excited for this one & its concept i could not help it. influencer commentary books are hit or miss for me but smth about this one was so NYOMMY like i’m obsessed. this is exactly the kind of book i want every time i open a thriller: a page turner that keeps you on the edge of yr seat wanting to know the answers to the questions posed, with NO pause to be bored. oh liann zhang u ate this one up so bad

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Julie Chan Is Dead.

First, I'm not on social media and I despise influencers. I can't stand that word.

But the premise sounded mysterious minus the standard cliche.

The MC, Julie Chan, is a nobody. A loser stuck in a loser job, no friends, no social life, no ambition, and no future.

Unlike her more interesting twin sister, Chloe, who had it all. HAD. Now she's dead but Julie is alive. It's obvious what's going to happen next.

If you can suspend disbelief, and I mean REALLY suspend disbelief, the narrative is enjoyable, at least the first half where Julie learns what it takes to be her sister.

I did learn a lot about stats, data, sponsorships, ad revenue, and my mind is still whirling. The amount of $$ influencers can make is mind boggling. That's hard to suspend disbelief for even though its real.

Then, the narrative makes a random detour into Albuquerque and the tone becomes woo-woo cult horror I wasn't prepared for.

If the setup had hinted in this direction, that this was going to turn into Midsommar or Ready or Not, then I would have accepted it or suspend disbelief in this area.

The writing was good; I liked the tone and writing style and the first half of the narrative kept me engaged.

My attention waned once they arrived at the island.

I didn't like anyone except Iz. I wanted to like Julie but I didn't; maybe I'm not supposed to.

I understand she had a difficult childhood; no love, support or understanding so she lacks confidence and healthy self-esteem.

When she steps into her sister's shoes, she's easily seduced by the love and support from 'her' fans but also notes how none of these people are her 'real' friends.

I thought this was a more straight-forward thriller/mystery, Julie figuring out who killed her sister so the cult aspect was unusual.

It wasn't terrible, but I wasn't a fan.

Liann Zhang is an author to watch this year, bringing a lot of frothy fun to our book stacks with her debut thriller exploring the darker secrets of influencer culture.

Julie and Chloe are identical twin sisters whose lives veered into very different paths after their parents tragically died in a car accident. Julie is sent to her penny-pinching aunt and is unhappily working a minimum-wage job at a supermarket. Chloe is adopted by a wealthy white family and has become an influencer with a rabid following. These estranged sisters only interact when Chloe uses Julie's unfortunate life for a video, gifting her sister a house, when she realizes philanthropic work is trending, and her sponsorships could be lucrative.

Despite their complicated relationship, Julie can't help but answer the phone when Chloe reaches out in a bewildering call that indicates she could be in trouble. Trouble is putting it mildly because Julie finds her sister's cold, dead body in her high-rise apartment with few clues as to what could have happened. When confusion ensues on the case, and the cops believe it is Julie who has died and not the infamous Chloe, she decides this could be reparations for all her life's hardships. She swiftly takes over her sister's world in a classic con story moment filled with fun revelations on what it would be like to suddenly be inundated with love and scrutiny by your fandom.

But the second half develops into an unusual influencer excursion on a private island where she uncovers dark secrets about what it took for her sister to rise on the influencer food chain. Zhang takes the reader on surprisingly diabolical and sometimes grotesque turns as a cult horror subplot develops, reaching a fevered pace until the story's final page. Readers should be prepared for Bunny meets Yellowface as these two halves of the puzzle come together in sometimes farfetched ways that still offer sharp commentary on race, class, and privilege. I enjoyed this story immensely.

"Julie Chan is Dead" is a novel that follows Julie, the twin sister of a famous influencer Chloe, who was separated from her twin as a child following a tragic accident. Julie, broke and stuck in life, travels to NYC to unexpectedly find Chloe lying dead in her apartment. As identical twins, Julie sees the opportunity to step into Chloe's life of fame, privilege and ease and takes it.

Wow, what a wonderful debut novel. Zhang's impressive writing is highlighted not only in her ability to tell a cohesive and interesting story where ever single detail mentioned is important, but also in her ability to make me laugh out loud while doing it. I love anything that is dark and satirical, but especially when it involves a takedown of social media and the way it has completely fractured our way of thinking and communicating. The ways in which we become commodified simply by being able to exploit and market ourselves online is explored in a really interesting, and tragic way in this novel.

The second half of this book is really what took me from a 4-star rating to a 5. I've actually seen a lot of critique that the later half is "too dark and weird" which I think is funny, because what did you expect? There was no way for this novel to wrap up as well as it did without things getting really, really dark and really, really weird. The aspect of the girls trip was super reminiscent of Mona Awad's "Bunny" in the way all of the girls thought and communicated as a hive-mind. This type of push really put me in the place of thinking a lot about what people will do for acceptance and love, and the crazy things people will do to have acceptance and love from a mass audience -- even if it's not entirely genuine.

My only critique for this book would be that a thematic thread of "religion" was introduced and I wasn't entirely sure what the author was trying to say about that. Is social media Gen Z's modern day religion? Are people just so desperate, still, to find something to believe in? Are the sacrifices we make for a higher belief worth it? All of these thoughts broached my mind towards the end of the book but I felt the author just skated by this major theme that was introduced in a way that was extremely pivotal to the story. Would've loved to see her take a stronger stance!

Highly recommend this book, I can see why it's one of the most anticipated reads of 2025. Cheers to Zhang, looking forward to what she will write in the future!

This book started one way and then turned into something else - not in a bad way, I was just not expecting it to go the way it did.

Gave me Yellow Face vibes but then add a horror aspect.

DNF at 58%
This book started off really, really good. It made me laugh out loud, the first few chapters were intriguing, I didn’t want to stop reading, all I wanted to do was find out what happened next! And it was still good after that, and then it was okay, and by 50%, I was throughly annoyed and literally rolling my eyes at all of Julie’s choices. Julie felt like the stupidest protagonist I’ve ever read. How many times do I have to read about her being shocked and amazed by all the crazy stuff rich people do? At first, it’s understandable, but it got repetitive so quick. Julie’s reactions and plans (or lack thereof) also annoyed me greatly.
There was one part I found offensive, and honestly that is what pushed me over the edge of the DNF line. After all of Julie’s stupidity, I couldn’t deal with this book anymore.
I did think this book was funny in the beginning, but it quickly lost its charm for me. And it annoyed me, as a Christian, and annoyed me as a reader, when God is not capitalized. It’s offensive and also just not grammatically correct!

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the ARC. I am not being paid, I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you again!

To say that I read this book would be a wild understatement because the truth is that I DEVOURED it in a single day, a feat which I thought I wasn’t capable of anymore. This book is fast-paced, gripping (would not let me go), and well-written. The messaging is poignant and the execution is satisfying. There’s so much here to love.