Review by timetotalkbeauty - Julie Chan Is Dead

timetotalkbeauty 's review for:

Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang

3.5

challenging dark medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This would have been a clear four stars until it went unhinged!

Julie Chan Is Dead begins as a slick, gripping story with a premise that hooks you instantly — a young woman stepping into her twin sister’s influential, lucrative online persona after her death. The first two-thirds are compelling and unsettling in the best way, teasing out themes of identity, grief, and the blurred lines between authenticity and performance in digital life.

But then, the narrative takes a sharp, wild turn — plunging into something far more surreal and disturbing (the poor mice). As the story descends into chaotic, almost cult-like territory, it becomes clear that Zhang isn't just telling a thriller — she’s dissecting the grotesque spectacle of internet fame. The transformation is jarring, even stomach-churning at times, but it feels intentional. This is a story about how people lose themselves in the machinery of influence, affirmation, and curated perfection, and Zhang doesn’t pull any punches in showing just how ugly that can get.

There are moments that genuinely shock, both in tone and content, and the experience might not be for everyone. But beneath the madness lies biting social commentary. Zhang shines when she's skewering the toxicity of online culture and performative positivity, and there's a sharp thread of critique on race and representation, especially in the novel’s second half.

At times hilarious, at others horrifying, Julie Chan Is Dead is a wild ride — equal parts satire, horror, and cultural critique. It’s not a comfortable read, but it’s one that sticks with you.

Content Warnings