Julie Chan Is Dead

Julie Chan is a supermarket cashier living a small, bitter life, constantly recognized as the twin of her famous sister Chloe VanHuusen — an influencer with millions of followers, luxury everything, and a wealthy white adoptive family. The sisters were separated after their parents died in a car accident: Chloe got the good deal, Julie got the abusive aunt. The only time Chloe ever made contact was to film a viral "Finding My Long-Lost Twin And Buying Her A House" video for content — and then immediately disappeared from Julie's life again. So when Julie gets a frantic, garbled call from Chloe and shows up at her apartment to find her dead, she makes the completely reasonable and not-at-all-chaotic decision to not call the police show more and instead steal her sister's entire identity. In the resulting confusion, first responders assume the dead woman is Julie, which means Julie Chan is officially dead and Chloe is still alive — just mysteriously different. Julie slides into designer clothes, a devoted following, and a skincare routine she cannot keep up with. Comparisons are to Yellowface and Bunny. Written by a Chinese Canadian author who briefly worked as a skincare content creator herself, so she knows exactly what she's skewering.

[May contain spoilers]
The first crack is Julie's aunt, who immediately clocks that the "Chloe" on screen is actually Julie and begins blackmailing her for over a million dollars. Julie keeps piling up sponsorships to cover it. Then she's invited to the annual secret retreat hosted by Bella Marie, the queen of the Belladonnas — an elite clique of influencers who are, it turns out, a full cult. On a private island. With a communal male sex worker named Viktor, initiation rituals involving eating live mice (skip chapter 50, apparently), and a mystical deity called Eto whom they sacrifice to in exchange for internet fame. When a new member named Isla starts asking reasonable questions about privilege and influencer ethics, she gets imprisoned in a locked villa. Julie drugs the Belladonnas with gummies, grabs Isla, and sets the compound on fire. Bella Marie — awake and furious — confesses that she killed Chloe by secretly dosing her with drugs that interacted with her prescriptions, because Chloe had been helping a journalist expose the Belladonnas. Julie kills Bella with an axe. The island burns. Julie is charged with murder. Viktor testifies on her behalf, she's exonerated, becomes a cult hero, and writes a book about it. This book, presumably.
What I think: This would absolutely be a one-sitting read for you and you would cackle through most of it. The influencer satire is sharp, the premise is absurd in exactly the right way, and Julie as a protagonist — morally bankrupt but completely relatable in her bitterness — would be your kind of chaos. The pivot to full cult island horror in the second half might feel like it jumped several lanes of traffic, but you'd probably respect the audacity. Solid 4.5 stars just for the sheer commitment to the bit. show less

Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang is a highly recommended thriller that takes an entertaining trek into the world of influencers but, and this is a warning, later turns down a dark road.

Julie Chan and twin sister Chloe VanHuusen were separated at age 4 when their parents died in a car crash. Chloe was adopted by a wealthy couple while Julie was raised by her grumpy, pilfering aunt. Now Julie, 24, works as a supermarket cashier while her twin is a very successful influencer. a few years earlier Chloe reached out to Julie, gave her a rundown house, and filmed the whole event to boost her online engagement, which subsequently went viral. Then she ghosted her.

When Julie receives a garbled message from Chloe saying she was sorry, she tries show more to call back but can't get through so she decides to go to her apartment in NY. She finds Chloe dead and calls the police. When they arrive, they mistake Julie for Chloe, which inspires Julie to take on her sister's identity and influencer lifestyle. It seems to be working out well since Chloe was organized, had sponsorships in place, and a large following. The only question is how will Julie fit in at the secretive, annual “Belladonna” friends’ getaway hosted by wealthy socialite mega-influencer Bella Marie.

The first part of the novel had me totally immersed and deliciously entertained as Julie entered into the, vapid, self focused influencer culture. Sure, Julie is a grifter taking on Chloe's identity, but it soon becomes quite clear that all the big influencers are also grifters. I actually like Julie despite her obvious character flaws. It was humorous to read about the influencers claiming how hard they worked compared to those who worked in fast food, etc. It can be exhausting filming yourself telling people what to think and do while promoting products.

The second part of the book when she goes to the Belladonna friends getaway veers off into unexpected horror/cult novel territory and was disturbing. The whole novel requires setting disbelief aside, but this part of the plot requires a huge commitment to accepting the preposterous. This turn in the plot dropped my rating. I really enjoyed it until the getaway. I initially stuck with it, with some trepidation, and then said, nope, not enjoying this.

In the final analysis, the first part of the novel was definitely a five star read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The last part was maybe a two as it became increasingly absurd and horrific. Adding to my dilemma is the fact that the writing is excellent throughout, even in the part I thoroughly disliked, so I'm going with a cautious four star.
Thanks to Atria Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2025/04/julie-chan-is-dead.html show less

Identical Chinese-American twins Chloe and Julie were separated after their parents' death: Julie went to their biological aunt, while Chloe was adopted by a white couple. They had drastically different upbringings with no contact, except for when influencer Chloe surprised Julie at her workplace (a grocery store) and gave her a house, only to disappear from her life again. When Julie gets an out-of-the-blue phone call from Chloe, she goes to her Manhattan apartment - and finds her dead.

*Spoilers*

In a state of shock, Julie takes her wealthy sister's place, but almost immediately discovers that Chloe's life wasn't as perfect as it looked on social media (duh) and that the group she belongs to - the Belladonnas - is cultish, toxic, and show more will go terrifyingly far to increase and maintain their influence (up to and including eating live baby mice and making unspeakable sacrifices to a god).

Icky from start to finish; not my cup of tea. I don't need every main character to be likable, but there was hardly anyone to root for here, from the cooing rich influencers to Julie's blackmailing aunt.

See also (instead): The Likeness by Tana French; So Over Sharing (middle grade)

Recommended by Meghan R

Quotes

If I had all these little tablets, the support of doctors, the ability to pay for help, could I have lived with more purpose? (57)

Fuck being yourself; being someone else is so much better. (85)

I've spent the entire day trying to grasp at answers, but all I've been able to hold on to is the dreadful feeling that everything is wrong. I'm in over my head, drowning. (131)

Technology is crucial to my existence. I'm not even sure if I have an identity outside of the internet. (175)

But I have this sinking feeling that everything I receive here is false and shallow, as inauthentic as a sponsored post. (246)

Everything would be so much simpler if I could shut myself off from the truth and live happily in their toxic bubble of positivity. (247)

But the promise of connection and power is corrupting, can push us to do terrible things when we're lonely and desperate. (263) show less

One of the most bizarre and engrossing books I’ve read recently. Good read for when you want something dramatic and messy.

Julie Chan and Chloe Van Huusen are twins separated after the death of their parents and live very different lives. While Julie lives a humble life working at a supermarket, Chloe lives a charmed life as an influencer. When Julie discovers Chloe’s body in her apartment, she steps into her sister’s place.

Not by design but this is the second or third new release I’ve read on someone stepping into another person’s life who they are envious of, so trying to keep my expectations tempered. Julie is such a whiny, acrimonious, and vindictive narrator, and reading from the perspective of someone who is seething show more from jealousy, anger and entitlement is not easy. Somehow, it totally works for this book and it makes more sense considering the author Liann Zhang, has a background in criminology and psychology.

Special thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest, independent review. show less

[3.75] Having spent the first half of the summer overdosing on non-fiction, including books that grappled with such heavy topics that included human smuggling, political coverups and fatal illnesses, I was overdue for an outlandish thriller sprinkled with satire.

Zhang showcases a timely topic as she delves into the underbelly of social influencers. Even though it’s a fictional tale, I sense it might help me to chat with my communication students during lively discussions about social media. It could be considered a primer on the influencer culture, profiling the rise and fall of people who are obsessed with tracking and monetizing hot trends.

In a 2025 interview at the Vancouver Public Library, the Canadian author said she was a show more “small-time” social media influencer for a brief period. She added that she has a “love/hate relationship” with social media and worries about its long-term impact on the brains of those who have been online since their toddler years.

The tale is engaging as long as you are able to suspend belief in certain over-the-top spots (no spoilers here).

The book seems to underscore the dangers of confining ourselves to toxic echo chambers — something that is all-too-easy to do in the Internet era.

One telling line in the book’s second half also captures an age-old theme: “The promise of connection and power is corrupting.” show less

The Short of It:

An accurate depiction of social media and its impact on society.

The Rest of It:

Julie Chan is dead.
Not really.
Her sister Chloe is.

Chloe, a high profile social media influencer is found dead in her kitchen. The shock of the moment takes Julie by surprise, but not for the reason you think.

Chloe and Julie were never close. Chloe was raised by a white, privileged family. Julie, raised by their ruthless mother. Two very different upbringings. Never close. Julie, resenting Chloe’s charmed life 98% of the time.

So in that moment, the moment where Julie discovers Chloe’s lifeless body, she decides to BE her. To become her. Their resemblance allows it and no one is the wiser. Why not enjoy the limelight for once? Why should her show more twin be the charmed one?

As Julie steps into Chloe’s world, it quickly becomes apparent that this ruse may take a bit of effort. Perhaps, more effort and skill than Julie anticipated.

I found this part of the story to be pretty accurate. The life of an influencer is never ending. The constant need to post content, the need for clicks. Just managing the products and sponsorships becomes overwhelming and Julie drowns in it.

But then it gets strange. Julie learns that Chloe was part of a smaller circle of influencers. Big ones. Being a part of that circle is suddenly very important to Julie. They don’t seem to notice anything different about Chloe but when Julie (as Chloe) is invited to an island retreat for VIP influencers, it all unravels quickly.

Things go south fast. This part of the story seemed ridiculous and far fetched. Some of it, absolutely included for shock factor. I felt that this method of storytelling was lazy and convenient. I was so riveted by the glamour and the glitz and then, it just went out like a light. Poof.

Strong first half, but in my opinion, didn’t deliver in the end. show less

I have been craving a book exactly like this. It was done so so so so well. I need 20 physical copies immediately. I do not even have words to describe how much I love this book yet. UGH.

I think if you go into this book knowing it’s a “WTF did I just read” anti-hero with dark humor that flashes a mirror on toxic influencer behavior, you will LOVE this one.

I am so incredibly grateful to have received this ARC! I am leaving this review voluntarily, as my honest opinion. I received this ARC through Net Galley! This is a free Ebook for me. What a treat this was.