I can't express how much I absolutely LOVED this book! This book was thrilling and horrific and fun and unpredictable and ALL of the things. The FMC was diabolical in the best way possible and I grew to love her. I felt like this book felt highly unlikely while also feeling entirely possible at the same time. I loved the way influencers and young people today were portrayed in this book because most would do anything within reason to become famous - but this was the opposite of that - think what is the worst thing you would ever do for fame times 100 and then do that! This book kept me on my toes, I thought at the beginning it was so predictable and I'd have it figured out halfway through, but by that point it went dark and I couldn't predict a thing. Overall, I loved it and think anyone who loves a horror/thriller will too!

Thank you to the author, Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book!!

3.5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review.

Okay the premise was wild but the last few chapters were WILDER! I didn't expect that to be the ending. It was a good and satisfying ending to me. I did wish we learned a bit more but still. I enjoyed the book. I did get a bit bored during the middle of the book and skimmed some parts. I got kind of annoyed with Julie and especially her aunt. Her aunt is horrible ! What Julie did was obviously not great but also like the Belladonnas was def a cult.

Spoilers below:
Julie gets a call from Chloe and this causes Julie to go find Chloe. In Chloe's apartment, we find that Chloe is dead and then Julie decides to take Chloe's identity since they are twins. Julie starts becoming a influencer and takes on sponsorships due to her aunt's extortion over knowing she's not actually Chloe. She finds out that Chloe's parents had gotten into a HORRIBLE car accident. We later find out the Belladonnas at the island are kind of like a cult. They pray to Eto and theirwishes come true. Bella actually killed Chloe because Chloe had wanted to expose the Belladonnas and the cult. Julie ends up killing Bella and the other girls in a fire. She does get arrested, but Viktor helps her and so people rally behind julie and think she did the world a favor. I didn't expect the cult and the gore and the murder.

Where to begin.. this book had me absolutely hooked! Missing hours of sleep kind of hooked, and honestly thank god because I was dealing with anxiety and this book distracted me sooo hard I forgot to be anxious 😂😂

“Razor sharp” is definitely an accurate description, the main plot of the book follows the every day life of social media influencers but I promise it isn’t shallow, there’s lots of deeper subtext and relevant / truthful subject matter in here, And it’s also just a lot of fun to read!

The ending had me nervous, I wanted to have faith in Julie and Eto because I’m rooting for her to succeed but it is left to the interpretation of the reader and I’m
Just going to leave it with positive vibes and wishful thinking 😂

Thank you to Atria Books, Simon & Schuster Canada and Liann Zhang for the EARC! I’ll definitely look forward to more from this author

Publish date : April 29th 2025

Julie Chan Is Dead is a story about two estranged twin sisters, Chloe and Julie, who have lead vastly different lives since the death of their parents. Chloe is an influencer, while Julie is working at a grocery store, struggling to make ends meet. When Julie receives a mysterious phone call from her sister, she heads to New York to investigate, leading her to discover her sister is dead.

After being mistaken for her sister, she decides to assume her identity. The book takes you through her journey of becoming Chloe, but around the halfway mark, starts to transform into something darker. I won’t say more to avoid spoilers, but it shows you the dark side to attaining fame and fortune.

I enjoyed the book quite a bit and read it in less than a day. It was a quick, easy read, with characters made for you to hate them. I did enjoy the first half more than the second, which is why I dropped it down to 4 stars.

Thank you to the publisher for an early copy of this book for review! All thoughts expressed are my own.

<i>Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.</i>

3.5 stars rounded up

This was a ride! The first half was incredibly interesting, sad, and truly made you actually feel for Julie. The second half was surprising to say the least. I did not expect it to go where it did, and while it kept me on the edge of my seat, it felt a little kooky to be honest.

Julie Chan is struggling to pay her bills. She works as a cashier at a grocery store where is is often in trouble for stealing a deli sandwich or something else to eat. Julie has an identical twin sister named Chloe who is a successful influencer. The two sisters were separated at the age of four when their parents were killed in a car accident. Julie was sent to live with an aunt who was unkind and took Julie’s savings whenever she could. Chloe was adopted by a wealthy couple, the VanHuusens. The sisters have not kept in contact over the years except when Chloe buys Julie a house which she posts on her social media sites to garner attention and more followers. Julie had hoped it would be the start of being closer to her sister but is only disappointed when the whole thing just seems to be a publicity stunt. Time goes by and then a mysterious call from Chloe comes that sounds distressed and Chloe says “I’m sorry”. Julie goes to Chloe’s condo to find out what’s going on and is shocked to find Chloe dead. Julie calls the police but rather than tell the truth that Chloe is dead, Julie takes advantage of the misconception that she is Chloe and it is Chloe’s sister Julie that has died. So Julie decides to take over Chloe’s life and be the successful influencer. I thought this was a very good premise for a book and I enjoyed seeing Julie take on being Chloe. I had a more difficult time enjoying the last part of the book when Julie, as Chloe, travels with a group of influencers known as the Belladonnas to a private island for a week of bonding and being off the grid. The book just goes way out there - it was a bit too much for me - very dark and creepy. The author keeps things moving at a good pace, I just didn’t care for the dark turn of events and the characters were very unlikable. I’m kind of torn how to rate this book since I enjoyed the first part but not the second. I’m going to give the book 2.5 stars which I’ll round up to 3 because as I said, I liked the first part of the book but the last part really left me with bad feelings and images.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on April 29, 2025.

Holy $*!#. What the heck did I just read?! I did not expect that.....so obviously I highly recommend.

Julie and Chloe Chan, orphaned in childhood, were raised in very different circumstances and have been estranged throughout their lives. Until Chloe, a well-known influencer, makes a great gesture on Julie’s behalf. Julie mistakenly thinks there is an opportunity for a new start. When she later gets a mysterious phone call from Chloe, then can’t reach her, she travels to New York to find out what’s wrong. She finds her twin dead in her condo, and seizes on a misunderstanding to become Chloe and take over her good life. She gets involved with a similar group of influencers called the Belladonas and that’s where things get weird.

There are many facets to the story and it went into a direction I did not see coming. There was a lot to learn about social media, its ‘seductive power, ambition, and privilege” and “the biggest thief of time but a impossibly addictive form of escape”. It was a challenge for me to find characters to like and the turn the book took was tough to buy. Having said that, it was well-paced and the story moved along. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance review copy.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books!
I loved this book. It was so interesting I couldn’t put it down. Julie Chan was an antihero of a main character. I couldn’t predict what happened next, I loved the twist and turns.

I was beyond thrilled to receive my first ever ARC and I’m happy to say it did not disappoint!

Julie and her twin sister Chloe were separated at just four years old after their parents died in a car accident. While Chloe rises to fame as a wildly successful influencer, Julie struggles to make ends meet at her grocery store job. But everything changes when Julie discovers Chloe dead in her upscale New York apartment and makes the decision to assume her identity. As she steps into Chloe’s world and meets her influencer friends, she uncovers a web of secrets and sinister connections that are chilling and totally unexpected.

This book was incredible—I flew through the pages, completely unable to put it down. The first and second halves of the book are pretty different, but I loved them both. With a lot of thrillers, I often hit a lull where the pacing slows and I lose interest for a bit—but that never happened with this book. It was like an ongoing adrenaline rush. I also really liked that it centred on influencers and the dark side of social media—while it’s a bit exaggerated, it also feels really real and unsettling.

This was such an unexpected pleasant surprise—don’t skip out on this one!

3.5 stars. What an absolutely WILD ride this book was!

It started off tame. I was totally intrigued by the storyline that seemed a bit like the book Yellowface. I was digging it and excited to see where it would go.

The second half of the book was a total mindf*** and I have no idea how I feel about it.

I was confused when I was still in the first half of the book and read some reviews that talked about this book being in the horror genre. However, I get it. I wouldn’t classify it as horror, but it definitely had some horror-like elements. There were a few scenes in which I put down the book, took deep breaths, and walked away.

This book is totally unique. Again, I am so torn on my rating. Its originality should be praised but it definitely takes some seriously dark and unexpected turns.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for a free eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be perfect for fans of multiple genre books, who love a side of whack-a-doodle in their reading (and I mean that in the best possible way). This book releases on April 29, 2025.

This book really took "commit to the bit" seriously. I’m very impressed with the way things went so over the top. Very Chicago the musical.

I had a good time reading this, but because it was about influencers I do feel like the whole time I was skimming the surface. It there felt like there was more depth to be explored but I wasn’t privy to it. The ending was a bit rushed considering it was one of the most interesting parts. This was good overall but I wanted more.

3.5

Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang was just really, really fun! It definitely has Yellowface and Bunny vibes as others have mentioned, and it requires an attitude of just 'rolling with it', but what a reward for your effort. I loved this book and was definitely entertained and had a few moments of "what did I just read??"

If you want something engaging, satirical, and weird, Julie Chan is Dead is a fabulous choice. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Liann Zhang's 'Julie Chan is Dead' is a masterclass in suspense and character development. From the very first page, I was utterly captivated, turning pages with a desperate need to know what would happen next. There wasn't a single lull; the pacing was perfect. Zhang expertly crafts flawed, complex characters that feel incredibly real, and the unreliable narration adds layers of intrigue that kept me guessing until the very end. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a gripping, thought-provoking story. Five stars simply aren't enough!

This book was an absolute rollercoaster ride. It had such an intriguing premise and really grabbed my attention from the beginning. I loved how fast-paced it was and I can confidently say I had absolutely no idea where this plot was going. Even though I felt the pacing and premise were great, somehow the direction the plot took was a little too out there for me and I felt that some of the things that happened were just a little too strange. I would definitely be interested in reading more by this author and I felt it was a decently strong debut but maybe this plot in particular wasn't for me. As a side note - it really makes me cringe when a ton of internet slang is used in books and this book definitely had some of that; however, I did give it a bit more grace since this is primarily a book about influencers and social media.

4.5 stars
The way this story transformed 50% in-- the trip changed this story in the most disturbing way. I couldn't stop reading, I couldn't look away from it. The way Julie was sucked into this world, I was looking at her yelling at her to wake up. I mean the minute Julie was given the opportunity she joined what she insisted she hated and the entitlement that soon joined was scary. I'm going to be honest and say no character except for Iz is likable. I was screaming at them the whole time, but what an entertaining time it was. Thank you Atria Book and. NetGalley for this arc!

That was a wild, cultish, darkly humorous, horrifying ride!

I loved Liann’s writing style. It was hilarious, propulsive, and fun to read.

I normally don’t love books that have a heavy focus on social media, but it worked for this one. It really makes you think about social media’s effect on the world. People in this book are literally doing batshit crazy stuff for Internet fame and fortune… and that’s not very different from what is truly happening on social media in real life.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the E-ARC. 4 ⭐️

In JULIE CHAN IS DEAD, Liann Zhang joins the likes of Eliza Clark, Emma Cline, and Monika Kim. The R.F. Kuang comparisons will also be many, but this book doesn’t read like Yellowface; it has less of the overt satire (don’t get me wrong, it’s present) and delves deeper into horror the further through the book you get.

Overall I enjoyed the book. I thought Julie’s motivations were clear, and I thought the quick pace at which she fell into an absolutely insane lie is actually very believable. Who hasn’t just randomly lied about something and then gotten in too deep, pulling at their collar trying to remember the nuance of the lie, who they told what. Usually it’s not going so far as stealing your estranged twin’s life, but for Julie it is.

There are parts that get a little woo-woo, very The Girls coded. But that was part of the charm for me. The very unserious approach to the content seems appropriate given the unseriousness and hollowness of content creation, and the people who benefit most from it.

*Julie Chan Is Dead* is a sharp and thought-provoking novel that blends mystery, satire, and social commentary into a gripping read. The story unravels through a clever narrative that explores identity, media influence, and the consequences of our digital lives. The writing is engaging, with a darkly humorous edge that keeps the pages turning.

While some plot points feel slightly predictable, the novel’s strong character work and insightful themes make up for it. *Julie Chan Is Dead* is a compelling and timely read that lingers in your mind long after the final page.

Well, this thriller/dark comedy is absolutely riveting—an undeniably intriguing mystery I simply couldn't put down! I can confidently say that a brilliant new thriller author has arrived with an impactful debut that explores the addiction of voyeurism and the dark side of social media—pushing people to extreme lengths, from stealing the identity of an influencer to impersonating a very dead sister, and even more than you could ever imagine—all to stay at the top.

I especially loved the first half, which focuses on Julie Chan, who was separated from her twin, Chloe, after a tragic accident left them orphaned. While Julie was adopted by her manipulative and abusive aunt, Chloe was fortunate enough to be taken in by the wealthy and influential VanHuusen couple, who provided her with the glamorous lifestyle of her dreams—luxurious living in New York, the best education, summers in the Hamptons, and elite social connections.

As Julie struggles to survive, working as a supermarket cashier with no access to the privileges Chloe enjoys, her sister basks in the spotlight as a powerful influencer with millions of followers. Even when Chloe briefly reconnects with Julie at her workplace—offering her a rundown house in need of renovations just to create content and boost her online engagement—she soon ghosts her again, leaving Julie more hurt than she expected.

Then, out of nowhere, Chloe calls Julie with a cryptic message before abruptly hanging up. Concerned, Julie rushes to her sister’s New York apartment—only to find her dead. When the police arrive and mistake Julie for Chloe, a dangerous idea takes root. Resentment, ambition, and a deep desire to escape her own circumstances push Julie to step into her sister’s shoes.

After all, she’s watched enough of Chloe’s videos to imitate her perfectly. How hard could it be to post content, keep smiling, make paid collaborations, and hang out with socialites like Bella Marie—the ultra-rich queen bee eager to take "Chloe" under her wing?

But as Julie embraces her sister’s life, she grows suspicious about Chloe’s strained relationship with her adoptive family and her connection to a journalist with whom she was about to share a scandalous story before her death. What secrets was Chloe keeping? Was her death really an accident, or did someone want her gone?

Then comes the invitation—Bella insists that Julie join her and a group of influencers for an exclusive retreat on a secluded island with no phone reception. The retreat’s attendees are eerily secretive about their past visits, and as soon as Julie steps onto Bella’s family's island, she realizes that assuming Chloe’s identity may have led her somewhere far more dangerous than she ever anticipated.

Overall:
I absolutely loved the first half of this book—the mystery surrounding Chloe was gripping and deeply immersive. The second half, set on the exotic island, took a wilder, more mind-bending turn that was slightly over the top for my taste, but I still enjoyed the dark humor woven throughout. If you’re looking for something fresh, sharp, entertaining, thought-provoking, and completely unputdownable, I highly recommend this book!

Put this on your radar—don’t wait to read it, just dive in! This is one of those hidden gems that will absolutely captivate book lovers.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.