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Superfan
From National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 honoree Jenny Tinghui Zhang, a novel about a pop idol and his superfan, whose stories shockingly collide
Freshman Minnie is adrift at college in Austin, Texas, when she discovers a boy band called HOURglass and the online forums that worship them. She especially loves Halo, whose sharp edges feel somehow familiar. After a brief romance goes painfully awry, Minnie pours everything into her new fandom, clinging to each livestream and bonding with other fans online. But when a scandal threatens to expose Halo to harm, Minnie decides that she is the only one who can save him.
Except Halo’s secret is darker than anything the tabloids could imagine. Before he was a superstar heartthrob, he was a high school dropout haunted by a tragic accident. When he is recruited for HOURglass, it feels like a chance to become someone else. And when he is onstage in front of his fans, he can almost forget the horrors of his past—until one of those very fans threatens to destroy everything.
Dazzling, entrancing, and deeply heartfelt, Superfan is about fandom in all its magic and its terror, and the extreme lengths to which we go to rid ourselves of loneliness.
Freshman Minnie is adrift at college in Austin, Texas, when she discovers a boy band called HOURglass and the online forums that worship them. She especially loves Halo, whose sharp edges feel somehow familiar. After a brief romance goes painfully awry, Minnie pours everything into her new fandom, clinging to each livestream and bonding with other fans online. But when a scandal threatens to expose Halo to harm, Minnie decides that she is the only one who can save him.
Except Halo’s secret is darker than anything the tabloids could imagine. Before he was a superstar heartthrob, he was a high school dropout haunted by a tragic accident. When he is recruited for HOURglass, it feels like a chance to become someone else. And when he is onstage in front of his fans, he can almost forget the horrors of his past—until one of those very fans threatens to destroy everything.
Dazzling, entrancing, and deeply heartfelt, Superfan is about fandom in all its magic and its terror, and the extreme lengths to which we go to rid ourselves of loneliness.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published February 3, 2026
55 people are currently reading
9800 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Tinghui Zhang
4 books571 followersJenny Tinghui Zhang is a Texas-based Chinese-American writer and the author of Four Treasures of the Sky (forthcoming from Flatiron Books on April 5, 2022). She is a Kundiman fellow and graduate of the VONA/Voices and Tin House workshops. Her work has appeared in Apogee, Ninth Letter, Passages North, The Rumpus, HuffPost, The Cut, Catapult, and more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
November 11, 2025
I keep being drawn to novels about fame and fandom, although I’ve never read anything that comes close to The Ghost Network. While fun in parts, Superfan continues that trend. Minnie is a lonely student who hasn’t made any friends at college and is stuck in a messy entanglement with a guy who belittles her. Then she gets obsessively attached to HOURglass, a ‘K-pop-inspired’ boyband, and one member in particular: Halo. Through the fandom, she finally starts to make connections with other people, but is also pulled into a conspiracy rabbit-hole. In a parallel set of chapters, we follow Halo – real name Eason – as he strives to keep his past secret from the media and his fans.
The best parts of the book are about Minnie’s college experience, the character believably failing to find her feet in an environment where everyone else seems to do so effortlessly. If the guys she encounters seem a little too cartoonishly awful, it’s also easy to believe in Minnie as someone who would endure this behaviour for the sake of acceptance. There’s an unevenness, though – both narratives are third person, but Minnie’s digs into her character whereas Eason always remains at a remove. I wanted to know more about Minnie; I was tempted to skip or skim some of Eason’s chapters. The plot’s machinations are simple, and there are some annoying loose ends (I was particularly irritated by the whole thing with Nate’s short story about Minnie, which gets no payoff).
An enjoyable read with an engaging main character in Minnie – but maybe just a bit ‘young’ for me and better suited to readers closer in age to the characters.
I received an advance review copy of Superfan from the publisher through Edelweiss.
The best parts of the book are about Minnie’s college experience, the character believably failing to find her feet in an environment where everyone else seems to do so effortlessly. If the guys she encounters seem a little too cartoonishly awful, it’s also easy to believe in Minnie as someone who would endure this behaviour for the sake of acceptance. There’s an unevenness, though – both narratives are third person, but Minnie’s digs into her character whereas Eason always remains at a remove. I wanted to know more about Minnie; I was tempted to skip or skim some of Eason’s chapters. The plot’s machinations are simple, and there are some annoying loose ends (I was particularly irritated by the whole thing with Nate’s short story about Minnie, which gets no payoff).
An enjoyable read with an engaging main character in Minnie – but maybe just a bit ‘young’ for me and better suited to readers closer in age to the characters.
I received an advance review copy of Superfan from the publisher through Edelweiss.
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July 2, 2025I adore Jenny and will be thinking about this book and its themes of loneliness and connection for a long time 💜
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Superfan is a contemporary literary coming of age story about loneliness, fandom, and the thin line between connection and obsession.
Told through a dual POV format, we follow Minnie (a lonely college student) and Eason (a member of a newly famous kpop inspired boyband) as their paths slowly intertwine. Alongside the main chapters are also forum posts, as well as a genuinely hilarious fanfiction excerpt that made the story feel even more immersive and real.
I loved how the author makes you root for both characters! I really felt for Minnie from the very beginning and found myself just wishing for her happiness the entire time. Her need to be seen, to just belong, felt deeply human and uncomfortably relatable, and I have no doubt many readers will find parts of themselves in her. Having to watch Minnie be repeatedly dismissed and manipulated by the men around her was heartbreaking, and it made her character growth towards the end all the more satisfying!
Eason's POV, in turn, adds an intriguing counter balance, exploring how parasocial relationships feel on both sides. His chapters also added an unsettling mystery aspect, and I enjoyed how the tension around him built slowly until it finally tipped too far.
Overall, this was sharp, sad, and ultimately compassionate towards girls who are trying to find their place in the world. Definitely recommend it to everyone who loves a strong and thoughtful coming of age story!
Told through a dual POV format, we follow Minnie (a lonely college student) and Eason (a member of a newly famous kpop inspired boyband) as their paths slowly intertwine. Alongside the main chapters are also forum posts, as well as a genuinely hilarious fanfiction excerpt that made the story feel even more immersive and real.
I loved how the author makes you root for both characters! I really felt for Minnie from the very beginning and found myself just wishing for her happiness the entire time. Her need to be seen, to just belong, felt deeply human and uncomfortably relatable, and I have no doubt many readers will find parts of themselves in her. Having to watch Minnie be repeatedly dismissed and manipulated by the men around her was heartbreaking, and it made her character growth towards the end all the more satisfying!
Eason's POV, in turn, adds an intriguing counter balance, exploring how parasocial relationships feel on both sides. His chapters also added an unsettling mystery aspect, and I enjoyed how the tension around him built slowly until it finally tipped too far.
Overall, this was sharp, sad, and ultimately compassionate towards girls who are trying to find their place in the world. Definitely recommend it to everyone who loves a strong and thoughtful coming of age story!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC of Superfan by Jenny Tinghui Zhang.
As usual, another awesome performance from Katherine Chin and Eric Yang!
I loved this narrative that exposed the predatory and harmful environment of the music industry, the way that fandom brings people together, but also tears them apart, the importance of representation of music groups with Asians in them, and the struggle of teenage development into college. As someone who was a K-Pop fan, I thought that this approach showed just how dark the industry is, but digestible enough for a broader audience (honestly, some of the stories I’ve heard were FAR worse than what happens in this novel). It was an addictive listen, and I related to Minnie and her quest to find herself by using this boy group as a model for what she wants for herself. I loved the depth of Eason’s character and his very haunting past! I unfortunately recognized the crazed nature that some fans have and also the way that girls who enjoy (literally) anything are scrutinized. It made me feel seen and provided me a perspective on fandom that I’d never considered before. Also, that ending? This book is a hit!
As usual, another awesome performance from Katherine Chin and Eric Yang!
I loved this narrative that exposed the predatory and harmful environment of the music industry, the way that fandom brings people together, but also tears them apart, the importance of representation of music groups with Asians in them, and the struggle of teenage development into college. As someone who was a K-Pop fan, I thought that this approach showed just how dark the industry is, but digestible enough for a broader audience (honestly, some of the stories I’ve heard were FAR worse than what happens in this novel). It was an addictive listen, and I related to Minnie and her quest to find herself by using this boy group as a model for what she wants for herself. I loved the depth of Eason’s character and his very haunting past! I unfortunately recognized the crazed nature that some fans have and also the way that girls who enjoy (literally) anything are scrutinized. It made me feel seen and provided me a perspective on fandom that I’d never considered before. Also, that ending? This book is a hit!
February 9, 2026
Fucking Hell. I have many thoughts.
By virtue of being book people, we've all probably been a fan of something, but have you ever been in one of *those* fandoms? The ones that get a reputation for being way too intense and are full of in-fighting, bullying, stalking, etc? I have, and opening Discord still makes me nervous. (I'm joking, kind of.)
This book gets into a lot of the dark parts of fandom, even when it's talking about the positive bits. A lot of people go to fandom looking for community because the world can be really lonely. In some ways this is a good thing, but it also encourages people to ignore or support dangerous/toxic behavior in their fandom. Particularly if you don't have a lot going for you outside the digital world, or if you become fixated on what you're supporting, I understand how Minnie ended up becoming reliant on the fandom for joy and companionship.
The idea of celebrity and privacy was another thing that jumped out to me as true-to-life. There were some posts in the book along the lines of "If you can't handle the invasion of privacy, you shouldn't be famous" which sounds insane but I saw posts basically word-for-word when Chappell Roan snapped at the paparazzi for being rude to her. We've become accustomed to the idea that celebrities have their privacy invaded, to the extent that it feels contradictory for a celebrity to be a private person.
And I have to talk about the shipping, because I have so many thoughts on shipping (specifically m/m shipping) and I think this book tackles it well on a few different levels. I'm not going to pass judgement on whether it's a good or a bad thing on the whole because to me it's more complicated than that. One thing I think this book did a good job of articulating is how m/m romance gives women a space to consume sexual content in which their bodies are not sexualized. For people like Minnie who have sexual trauma, slash is sexual content that she can enjoy without it being triggering. The book also shows the harm of shipping real people. Notably, the fans lash out at anyone who they believe is threatening this (usually imagined, in this case manufactured) relationship. There are also crumbs of the way safely consuming sexual content quickly can lead to fetishization. The idea of the record label manufacturing Jelly and Halo's relationship is interesting for sure. I do wonder, especially in bands and tv shows where there are slash ships, how much of it is a result of intentional queerbaiting and how much of it is genuinely just misinterpreted (and how much started as genuinely unintentional, but became queerbaiting once people got the memo that a ship was gaining the show traction. I could talk about this all day. I think about it a lot.
There are a few things that I think could have been expanded on a little. I'm not sure I'm entirely clear on the timeline of Eason's backstory, and Julian's eating disorder felt like a bit of an afterthought. We also don't really get any follow up on Julian and the rest of the band members other than Eason which is a bit unsatisfying.
Lots to chew on! Kudos to this book for giving me war flashback to being in a crazy fandom!
By virtue of being book people, we've all probably been a fan of something, but have you ever been in one of *those* fandoms? The ones that get a reputation for being way too intense and are full of in-fighting, bullying, stalking, etc? I have, and opening Discord still makes me nervous. (I'm joking, kind of.)
This book gets into a lot of the dark parts of fandom, even when it's talking about the positive bits. A lot of people go to fandom looking for community because the world can be really lonely. In some ways this is a good thing, but it also encourages people to ignore or support dangerous/toxic behavior in their fandom. Particularly if you don't have a lot going for you outside the digital world, or if you become fixated on what you're supporting, I understand how Minnie ended up becoming reliant on the fandom for joy and companionship.
The idea of celebrity and privacy was another thing that jumped out to me as true-to-life. There were some posts in the book along the lines of "If you can't handle the invasion of privacy, you shouldn't be famous" which sounds insane but I saw posts basically word-for-word when Chappell Roan snapped at the paparazzi for being rude to her. We've become accustomed to the idea that celebrities have their privacy invaded, to the extent that it feels contradictory for a celebrity to be a private person.
And I have to talk about the shipping, because I have so many thoughts on shipping (specifically m/m shipping) and I think this book tackles it well on a few different levels. I'm not going to pass judgement on whether it's a good or a bad thing on the whole because to me it's more complicated than that. One thing I think this book did a good job of articulating is how m/m romance gives women a space to consume sexual content in which their bodies are not sexualized. For people like Minnie who have sexual trauma, slash is sexual content that she can enjoy without it being triggering. The book also shows the harm of shipping real people. Notably, the fans lash out at anyone who they believe is threatening this (usually imagined, in this case manufactured) relationship. There are also crumbs of the way safely consuming sexual content quickly can lead to fetishization. The idea of the record label manufacturing Jelly and Halo's relationship is interesting for sure. I do wonder, especially in bands and tv shows where there are slash ships, how much of it is a result of intentional queerbaiting and how much of it is genuinely just misinterpreted (and how much started as genuinely unintentional, but became queerbaiting once people got the memo that a ship was gaining the show traction. I could talk about this all day. I think about it a lot.
There are a few things that I think could have been expanded on a little. I'm not sure I'm entirely clear on the timeline of Eason's backstory, and Julian's eating disorder felt like a bit of an afterthought. We also don't really get any follow up on Julian and the rest of the band members other than Eason which is a bit unsatisfying.
Lots to chew on! Kudos to this book for giving me war flashback to being in a crazy fandom!
January 29, 2026
As a previous boy band lover myself…I am shook! While I was no where near as hardcore, this book really resonated with me. The intensity of loving a boy band and the sense of community being a part of a fan base can bring. It indeed was extremely well done.
The author did a great job of showing how our FMC was able to get so drawn into this world, rather than just having the FMC be this mega fan right off the bat. Allowing for us as readers to see how easy it can be to fall down the rabbit hole. Especially, when you’re starting out somewhere new and trying to find a sense of belonging.
The dual POV was a great touch as well. We get to see the exact cause and effect relationship of each scene, to show rather than tell. I liked getting to see the band’s rise to fame and how it affects them, not just the fan’s point of view of their experience.
One last thing I would like to touch on, the scene where Minnie talks about men loving sports teams and how that is within the same realm to women’s love for boy bands and artists is spot on! Then leaning into the discussion of how female centered hobbies and trends are constantly ridiculed, simply because men don’t understand it. I was all over it! Glad that was talked about!
I was able to listen to this as an audiobook, which I really enjoyed! I liked the 2 narrators for the dual POV. I think audio would be a great way to go for this book!
All in all, I don’t think this book will be for everyone. It was indeed really good in my opinion. I think it’s worth a try if the synopsis at all piques your interest.
***Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The author did a great job of showing how our FMC was able to get so drawn into this world, rather than just having the FMC be this mega fan right off the bat. Allowing for us as readers to see how easy it can be to fall down the rabbit hole. Especially, when you’re starting out somewhere new and trying to find a sense of belonging.
The dual POV was a great touch as well. We get to see the exact cause and effect relationship of each scene, to show rather than tell. I liked getting to see the band’s rise to fame and how it affects them, not just the fan’s point of view of their experience.
One last thing I would like to touch on, the scene where Minnie talks about men loving sports teams and how that is within the same realm to women’s love for boy bands and artists is spot on! Then leaning into the discussion of how female centered hobbies and trends are constantly ridiculed, simply because men don’t understand it. I was all over it! Glad that was talked about!
I was able to listen to this as an audiobook, which I really enjoyed! I liked the 2 narrators for the dual POV. I think audio would be a great way to go for this book!
All in all, I don’t think this book will be for everyone. It was indeed really good in my opinion. I think it’s worth a try if the synopsis at all piques your interest.
***Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review!
September 3, 2025
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.*
Superfan follows Minnie who is a lonely college student who discovers the k-pop inspired boy band, HOURglass. The band gives her an escape from her lonely life and soon she is watching everything they do and hoping her favourite member, Halo will see her in the comments. Halo whose real name is Eason is becoming addicted to the adoration from his fans and escapes into the band to ignore his tragic past. Minnie ends up drawn into a fan community for the band that believes they need to protect the band members from a dark conspiracy. As Minnie gets deeper into the fan community, the line between fandom and obsession blurs and Minnie is desperate to discover Halo and the secrets he is keeping.
This book is a good deep dive into fandom culture and how dark things can get. It was easy to relate to Minnie and how lonely she felt and it was easy to understand how Minnie got involved into the fan community. This book feels like a realistic interpretation of the negative parts of being in a fandom and stan culture. It was also interesting to see Eason’s point of view of being in a band and experiencing the attention from fans. The writing felt a little remote and this just wasn’t the perfect story for me because I do think this was a little too on the nose with the points made. That said I’m giving this 3.5 stars and I would recommend this.
Superfan follows Minnie who is a lonely college student who discovers the k-pop inspired boy band, HOURglass. The band gives her an escape from her lonely life and soon she is watching everything they do and hoping her favourite member, Halo will see her in the comments. Halo whose real name is Eason is becoming addicted to the adoration from his fans and escapes into the band to ignore his tragic past. Minnie ends up drawn into a fan community for the band that believes they need to protect the band members from a dark conspiracy. As Minnie gets deeper into the fan community, the line between fandom and obsession blurs and Minnie is desperate to discover Halo and the secrets he is keeping.
This book is a good deep dive into fandom culture and how dark things can get. It was easy to relate to Minnie and how lonely she felt and it was easy to understand how Minnie got involved into the fan community. This book feels like a realistic interpretation of the negative parts of being in a fandom and stan culture. It was also interesting to see Eason’s point of view of being in a band and experiencing the attention from fans. The writing felt a little remote and this just wasn’t the perfect story for me because I do think this was a little too on the nose with the points made. That said I’m giving this 3.5 stars and I would recommend this.
August 20, 2025
A dizzying and sickening reflection of fame, idols, and how quickly we can lose ourselves. As someone who spent her formative years online and in spaces dedicated to boybands, this novel hit close to home. Similar to Minnie, I sought refuge in fandoms and celebrities that felt larger than life. I saw firsthand the delusions, conspiracies and fears that circulated around these online communities.
There was so much real fear in this story, and choosing to tell it from both inside the band and out was a clever move. I felt the want and need of the fans, and Minnie, but also the desperation in the boys, particularly Easton. I wish there was a bit more development with the other boys, but this was really Easton/Halo’s story.
I loved the slow descent into madness, and the subsequent hope at the end. This was such an exciting book to read, it felt almost like a thriller in parts. Truly a fantastic and important story about parasocial relationships and the damage they cause. If you were once a fangirl, or in online fandoms, I highly recommend this book!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #Superfan #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
There was so much real fear in this story, and choosing to tell it from both inside the band and out was a clever move. I felt the want and need of the fans, and Minnie, but also the desperation in the boys, particularly Easton. I wish there was a bit more development with the other boys, but this was really Easton/Halo’s story.
I loved the slow descent into madness, and the subsequent hope at the end. This was such an exciting book to read, it felt almost like a thriller in parts. Truly a fantastic and important story about parasocial relationships and the damage they cause. If you were once a fangirl, or in online fandoms, I highly recommend this book!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #Superfan #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
December 29, 2025
This leaned very YA for me, I’m not sure if it’s being shelved as YA or general fiction but it felt YA. I never really got attached to the characters, which led to me not being invested in the story. Think slow burn but…the payoff wasn’t all that great.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
Currently reading
April 23, 2025ITS HAPPENING ITS HAPPENING ITS FINALLY HAPPENING
February 4, 2026
Superfan was just an okay read for me. Minnie struggling with the loneliness of the college experience was the most compelling bit of the book, not her obsession with HOURglass or Halo's POV of being mired in scandals and secrets as a member of a Kpop-inspired boyband (which ironically is what Superfan's marketing revolves around). Those bits lack depth and felt more unrealistic.
January 19, 2026
This started out intriguing, I thought Minnie was a compelling character and I was looking forward to her finding her footing and assertiveness throughout the book. The rest was really disjointed and felt way too dramatic for what was actually going on.
Eason’s POV was so bland. The events were made to be this incredibly high stakes thing and it just fell completely flat. If you’re a Gaylor who is super into parasocial relationships then you might like this book.
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC of this book.
Eason’s POV was so bland. The events were made to be this incredibly high stakes thing and it just fell completely flat. If you’re a Gaylor who is super into parasocial relationships then you might like this book.
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC of this book.
Review of advance copy
2.5⭐
February 8, 2026
Celebrity obsession from both sides. Affecting and worrying.
This was very good indeed. From the first moments of connection/crush and feeling that boyband knows you personally, to the music and enjoyment, to the online group chats and intimate knowledge of band members, to the physical following and photographing... we see all this through the eyes and heart of first year college student Minnie. Floundering at making friends, at choosing good boyfriends, at writing for the campus 'zine, boyband HOURglass are always there for her, with soothing lyrics and a constant online presence. Joining groups of superfans, Minnie doesn't need to be embarrased by her love for them online, not when so many other people go to even greater lengths to love and even protect the young men.
Conversely, Halo, one of the band members shows us daily life on the treadmill of the pop machine, the hours of training and dancing, the dieting and image-fostering, the narratives and protection.
We see the two groups interacting and it's quite shocking really, knowing both perspectives and seeing the parasitic nature of the relationship, the danger to both of obsession and desire, desires of various sorts.
I loved this. Everyone can understand obsession in one form or another, and watching Minnie examine her own and other people's while trying to navigate the confusing world of college was very well done.
This was dark, very well planned out, with Minnie an empathetic protagonist, and the chapters following HOURglass particularly angering and compelling. Loved their backstories and could almost picture them on stage.
A disturbing read in many ways, as we self-examine our own behaviours. And the manufactured nature of our idols.
One for older teens and adults, powerful stuff.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
This was very good indeed. From the first moments of connection/crush and feeling that boyband knows you personally, to the music and enjoyment, to the online group chats and intimate knowledge of band members, to the physical following and photographing... we see all this through the eyes and heart of first year college student Minnie. Floundering at making friends, at choosing good boyfriends, at writing for the campus 'zine, boyband HOURglass are always there for her, with soothing lyrics and a constant online presence. Joining groups of superfans, Minnie doesn't need to be embarrased by her love for them online, not when so many other people go to even greater lengths to love and even protect the young men.
Conversely, Halo, one of the band members shows us daily life on the treadmill of the pop machine, the hours of training and dancing, the dieting and image-fostering, the narratives and protection.
We see the two groups interacting and it's quite shocking really, knowing both perspectives and seeing the parasitic nature of the relationship, the danger to both of obsession and desire, desires of various sorts.
I loved this. Everyone can understand obsession in one form or another, and watching Minnie examine her own and other people's while trying to navigate the confusing world of college was very well done.
This was dark, very well planned out, with Minnie an empathetic protagonist, and the chapters following HOURglass particularly angering and compelling. Loved their backstories and could almost picture them on stage.
A disturbing read in many ways, as we self-examine our own behaviours. And the manufactured nature of our idols.
One for older teens and adults, powerful stuff.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A really interesting coming of age story around themes of fandom and pop-culture.
This was a modern twist on coming of age novels we grew up reading. We follow Minnie, a college student struggling with loneliness as she tries to fit in, and Easton, a young boy with a dark past who shoots to stardom overnight. The two's stories couldn't be more different but are interconnected and both lead up to an explosive meeting that changes the course of their lives and forces them to face what they've been hiding.
This book explores the dark side of stardom perfectly in my opinion. Minnie is forced to realise that she cannot rely on strangers for affection and love, but must face the real world in front of her, whilst Easton realises you cannot escape your past and grief, no matter how hard you may try to change. The book explores themes of parasocial relationships and the role the media can play in corrupting younger minds and leading them astray.
I was SO stressed for the last 30% of this book. Waiting for that meeting between Minnie and Easton was like dragging nails on a chalkboard and really was a pivotal moment in the book as the reader like it was for Minnie. I felt a lot of sympathy to Minnie in this book which surprised me as I feel as though the decisions she made wouldn't have been so relatable to me as a reader. Hats off to the author for making such a genuine, easily relatable character.
The book deals with dark themes including racism and SA so please do check the triggers before reading if needed.
A really easy read and a great audiobook if you're wanting a non-romance, tense coming-of-age novel!
This was a modern twist on coming of age novels we grew up reading. We follow Minnie, a college student struggling with loneliness as she tries to fit in, and Easton, a young boy with a dark past who shoots to stardom overnight. The two's stories couldn't be more different but are interconnected and both lead up to an explosive meeting that changes the course of their lives and forces them to face what they've been hiding.
This book explores the dark side of stardom perfectly in my opinion. Minnie is forced to realise that she cannot rely on strangers for affection and love, but must face the real world in front of her, whilst Easton realises you cannot escape your past and grief, no matter how hard you may try to change. The book explores themes of parasocial relationships and the role the media can play in corrupting younger minds and leading them astray.
I was SO stressed for the last 30% of this book. Waiting for that meeting between Minnie and Easton was like dragging nails on a chalkboard and really was a pivotal moment in the book as the reader like it was for Minnie. I felt a lot of sympathy to Minnie in this book which surprised me as I feel as though the decisions she made wouldn't have been so relatable to me as a reader. Hats off to the author for making such a genuine, easily relatable character.
The book deals with dark themes including racism and SA so please do check the triggers before reading if needed.
A really easy read and a great audiobook if you're wanting a non-romance, tense coming-of-age novel!
February 6, 2026
4.5, rounded up. this was beautiful, I adored minnie’s character development and loved the dichotomy between the “halo” she knew and the truth of eason. STUNNING read for anyone who has ever loved anything
January 24, 2026
This is an interesting look behind the curtain of fame and it’s effects. The story is told through the POV of Minnie, a college student who gets sucked into an obsession over HOURglass, a viral pop group, and Halo, one of its members hiding a big secret.
While listening to the book, I felt there was so much potential left unexplored. I wanted the author to dig deeper into each character and reveal more layers. Both Minnie and Halo felt a bit one dimensional to me.
There’s an underlying message about the cost of fame and how the truth is often distorted. Overall, the book felt skewed to an audience younger than me which may explain why it was an okay read for me, as opposed to a memorable one.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the gifted ALC. All opinions are my own.
While listening to the book, I felt there was so much potential left unexplored. I wanted the author to dig deeper into each character and reveal more layers. Both Minnie and Halo felt a bit one dimensional to me.
There’s an underlying message about the cost of fame and how the truth is often distorted. Overall, the book felt skewed to an audience younger than me which may explain why it was an okay read for me, as opposed to a memorable one.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the gifted ALC. All opinions are my own.
January 11, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Minnie is a freshman in college and is struggling to find her footing until she joins an online forum devoted to her favorite boy band, HOURglass. When a scandal threatens to ruin band member Halo’s image, Minnie decides she’s the only one who can save him (and goes to great lengths to do so).
It was very interesting to dive into this world of fandom and the associated parasocial relationships fans can develop. I felt for Minnie as her loneliness and longing to fit in with her peers led her down the path she takes.
The first half of the book dragged a little bit for me as the stage was set, though I was definitely invested as things started moving a bit faster. The dual narration and narrators (Minnie and “Halo” aka Eason) offered great perspective on both sides of things, as did the interjected forum chatter throughout. While touted as new adult, it read a bit more YA to me so keep that in mind if this isn’t your genre!
Minnie is a freshman in college and is struggling to find her footing until she joins an online forum devoted to her favorite boy band, HOURglass. When a scandal threatens to ruin band member Halo’s image, Minnie decides she’s the only one who can save him (and goes to great lengths to do so).
It was very interesting to dive into this world of fandom and the associated parasocial relationships fans can develop. I felt for Minnie as her loneliness and longing to fit in with her peers led her down the path she takes.
The first half of the book dragged a little bit for me as the stage was set, though I was definitely invested as things started moving a bit faster. The dual narration and narrators (Minnie and “Halo” aka Eason) offered great perspective on both sides of things, as did the interjected forum chatter throughout. While touted as new adult, it read a bit more YA to me so keep that in mind if this isn’t your genre!
December 10, 2025
3.75 stars
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advance reader digital copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review!
This book was a ride! I enjoyed the dive into parasocial relationships that can go way too far.
What I liked:
*I wasn't expecting to get the boy band member, Eason's point of view in this book. It was a cool concept to be able to see what the life behind the celebrity is like.
*Minnie as a character was enjoyable. I really felt for her at times during this story.
*I really enjoyed the found family that Minnie gets(not really a spoiler but won't be specific just in case!)
*The commentary on parasocial relationships and how fan culture can create narratives that can be ultimately life destroying out of signs that aren't there was really interesting to read about.
What was challenging:
*There were a lot of sub plots that I don't feel got to have enough depth but were taken as crucial parts of the story. I think the story could have eliminated a few and really dove deep and it would have fleshed the characters' stories out.
*I was a bit confused by Eason's background at times.
*The relationship between the members didn't feel like it got enough attention so even if the intention was that they were sort of strangers to one another no matter what, it still didn't necessarily feel "right".
*The pacing was slow in the beginning. I feel like it went from 0 to 100 on how deep Minnie got in with the obsession and there could have been clearer buildup.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I would recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advance reader digital copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review!
This book was a ride! I enjoyed the dive into parasocial relationships that can go way too far.
What I liked:
*I wasn't expecting to get the boy band member, Eason's point of view in this book. It was a cool concept to be able to see what the life behind the celebrity is like.
*Minnie as a character was enjoyable. I really felt for her at times during this story.
*I really enjoyed the found family that Minnie gets(not really a spoiler but won't be specific just in case!)
*The commentary on parasocial relationships and how fan culture can create narratives that can be ultimately life destroying out of signs that aren't there was really interesting to read about.
What was challenging:
*There were a lot of sub plots that I don't feel got to have enough depth but were taken as crucial parts of the story. I think the story could have eliminated a few and really dove deep and it would have fleshed the characters' stories out.
*I was a bit confused by Eason's background at times.
*The relationship between the members didn't feel like it got enough attention so even if the intention was that they were sort of strangers to one another no matter what, it still didn't necessarily feel "right".
*The pacing was slow in the beginning. I feel like it went from 0 to 100 on how deep Minnie got in with the obsession and there could have been clearer buildup.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I would recommend!
February 5, 2026
This book was good. Really good.
February 7, 2026
Deceptively deep considering it’s about a fan obsessed with a boy band. This is about finding and living as ourselves, while also building our community.
February 1, 2026
what a beautiful gut-punch of an ending
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
4.5 stars.
This was an incredible read, part thriller, part litfic, centred on fandom and the danger of parasocial relationships between artist and fans. Exploring girlhood, identity, growing up and loneliness through the dual POV of boyband member Eason (or HALO), and his devoted fan Minnie, this was so much deeper and more touching than I expected. It cracks open fandom and reveals its ugly side while simultaneously showing its beauty - actually feeling a part of something bigger than yourself; finding community and inspiration; taking the best parts of the artists you love and shaping them into something that sustains you. The problem is, that illusion can shatter so easily and leave you adrift, just as it does Minnie. Highly recommend this to all, but most especially to those (like me) who have been deep into a fandom before and have seen those who walk the fine mine between admiration and obsession.
4.5 stars.
This was an incredible read, part thriller, part litfic, centred on fandom and the danger of parasocial relationships between artist and fans. Exploring girlhood, identity, growing up and loneliness through the dual POV of boyband member Eason (or HALO), and his devoted fan Minnie, this was so much deeper and more touching than I expected. It cracks open fandom and reveals its ugly side while simultaneously showing its beauty - actually feeling a part of something bigger than yourself; finding community and inspiration; taking the best parts of the artists you love and shaping them into something that sustains you. The problem is, that illusion can shatter so easily and leave you adrift, just as it does Minnie. Highly recommend this to all, but most especially to those (like me) who have been deep into a fandom before and have seen those who walk the fine mine between admiration and obsession.
October 10, 2025
Anyone who’s been a fan of a boyband in the 2010’s will feel this book to the bone. The para social relationship Minnie and all HOURglass fans develop with the band is similar to all stan culture! Minnie’s loneliness and pain is very raw and real, and her pursuit of meaning, friendship, and belonging is one of the strongest points of the book. I enjoyed the story being told by both perspectives (Minnie and the band member Halo) and was counting the pages for them to be linked. Eason’s chapters provided a clear break from Minnie’s struggles, but towards the end his own confusion made ME very confused, I had to reread a couple of pages to understand what he was thinking/seeing. The fangirl community and Minnie’s blindness to their escalation and delusional conspiracy theories feels very real to anyone on Tumblr in 2014. Would definitely recommend this book!
*Thanks Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for this honest review.*
*Thanks Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for this honest review.*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you very much to NetGalley, Jenny Tinghui Zhang, and Macmillan Audio for the ALC audiobook for my honest review.
First off, LOVE the quotes at the beginning, especially the BTS quote. As a baby Army (BTS’s fandom name), this reaffirmed I am the perfect audience for this book. To give context to my review, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention I am a HUGE k-pop fan of groups like Stray Kids, Ateez, P1Harmony, and many more. With that in mind, my review may be slightly biased due to my own personal experience of the main theme of this story.
We have two completely different points of view. One from the ultimate fan girl, Minnie. A young, misunderstood, unconfident college student who is inexperienced in so much of life, has not been given many chances to truly live her life due to her too-caring parents and being sheltered all her life, and who finds confidence, true friendships, and life experience thanks to her idols: an American-Korean blend boy group called HOURglass. Then we have the other POV. Eason, also known as Halo, is the “bad boy” of the boy group Minnie has become enthralled in. Eason’s past life, traumas, and experiences are explained to us naturally throughout the story alongside the realities of idol life (the unglamorous bits no one ever sees), giving a very real life experience of someone you would otherwise think of as an angel sent from heaven to be in this boy group and grace the planet with their presence. You think k-pop idols have the easiest job in the world but it's truly anything but.
Zhang’s story is both devastating and beautiful at once. Her writing has given 2 completely different but beautifully intertwined and similar accounts of fandom life, from the idol’s perspective and the fan’s perspective. I appreciated the insights of Halo’s “realities” (and what I assume are EXACTLY what the idols I adore must go through to maintain their celebrity status) but also the comparisons in Minnie’s story, that almost mirror my own. I USED to be Minnie, back in my high school days. Although I was a Jonas Brothers fan then, I was insecure, unconfident, and would alienate myself. My friendships at the time were the best, but it felt like a lot of that love was rooted in our mutual love of the Jonas Brothers. Nowadays, I have a life outside of k-pop and my obsession with the groups I follow. Sometimes, though, I do revert back to that same girl who would alienate herself; there have been times where I’ve spent hours watching YouTube videos, IG reels, and TikTok’s full of nothing but Stray Kids content and edits, ignoring my real life friends' texts and just dissociating from reality. It’s not as common as when I first found them but occasionally, it happens when fellow fans I’ve now become very close with send me content. I will say, none of said friends are nearly as extreme as Minnie’s fandom friends but the parallels are there. (Mind you, my friends are older than I am and I’m in my early 30s. I’m assuming Minnie’s fandom friends are in their late teens or very early 20s, just like her. Typically, the "crazy fans" known as sasaengs are all usually quite young - late teens and early 20s. Occasionally, there are older sasaengs but at that point, I believe it's delusion to the point of losing touch with reality.) Regardless, it’s so wild to read/listen to the descriptions of these obsessive fans in the story parallel how some fans in REAL life actually are this extreme and obsessive. This was not new knowledge for me at all, though. It just really makes me sad every time I read about a new story or see a new video of how these idols are not treated like the real people they actually are.
Anyway, the plot thickens at the 80% mark, and no spoilers but this is the moment I’d been waiting for the entire story. It was a beautiful slow burn of 2 very different but intertwined stories and the plot twists were all just startling. Some I did not see coming but also some were so familiar. I doubt someone outside of k-pop fandom life would expect them. There is also an underlying subplot of curse, of a horrific, ancient story interwoven all throughout that brings an almost unwanted but necessary tension that made the entire story so addicting. To give nothing away about the ending, it is devastating in the worst way, but also somehow the best way for the story to really hit home.
Now for the audiobook, Katharine Chin and Eric Yang are fantastic narrators. Chin as Minnie did a fantastic job narrating the fantastic writing of Zhang describing just how obsessed k-pop fans can be (myself included). Every word spoken in the perfect, calm tone by Chin felt so tragic to hear out loud, because every description is too real; too devastating to read about my own love for "my boys" as so many of us k-pop fans feel. There is a disjointed and disorienting reality when listening from another fan how calm but delusional you truly sound when your obsession is put into words so well. It feels ridiculous and actually a bit cringe, but also comforting to know it's not just me who feels this way. Chin also did a great job putting on different voices for the other fans she connects with online. Yang was incredible as our MMC, Halo/Eason, and describes the (not that I would know) reality that our favorite idols go through. They all have a past and it's not all sunshine & rainbows for them. They are PEOPLE at the end of the day, and fan obsessions can be so cruel from both the hate AND the love. Obsessions for these idols (as we all should know) can be so dangerous, so terrifying, so overwhelming, and Zhang's writing from Halo's perspective are so very scary and real. To have both narrators perfectly embody their characters who are both ends of the spectrum (one on the stage and one in the crowd), it's a powerful reminder how parasocial these relationships truly are.
Overall, I give this book a very solid 5 stars. I am so enthralled with this book. I will most definitely recommend to my fandom friends, my non-fandom friends, and anyone interested in the parasocial relationships of kpop idols (celebrities in general really) and their fans; to those interested in what fandom does to both sides of the people involved in them. I look forward to rereading this later, via physical copy, because there were incredible quotes that will stick with me forever. It has changed my perspective on my own part in the fandoms I participate in and if that was Zhang’s goal, she’s accomplished it and accomplished it well tenfold. This story needs to be shared.
Thank you again NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC audiobook for my honest review. And a very big congratulations to Jenny Tinghui Zhang on publication day, tomorrow, February 3rd, 2026! Go read this amazing book!
First off, LOVE the quotes at the beginning, especially the BTS quote. As a baby Army (BTS’s fandom name), this reaffirmed I am the perfect audience for this book. To give context to my review, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention I am a HUGE k-pop fan of groups like Stray Kids, Ateez, P1Harmony, and many more. With that in mind, my review may be slightly biased due to my own personal experience of the main theme of this story.
We have two completely different points of view. One from the ultimate fan girl, Minnie. A young, misunderstood, unconfident college student who is inexperienced in so much of life, has not been given many chances to truly live her life due to her too-caring parents and being sheltered all her life, and who finds confidence, true friendships, and life experience thanks to her idols: an American-Korean blend boy group called HOURglass. Then we have the other POV. Eason, also known as Halo, is the “bad boy” of the boy group Minnie has become enthralled in. Eason’s past life, traumas, and experiences are explained to us naturally throughout the story alongside the realities of idol life (the unglamorous bits no one ever sees), giving a very real life experience of someone you would otherwise think of as an angel sent from heaven to be in this boy group and grace the planet with their presence. You think k-pop idols have the easiest job in the world but it's truly anything but.
Zhang’s story is both devastating and beautiful at once. Her writing has given 2 completely different but beautifully intertwined and similar accounts of fandom life, from the idol’s perspective and the fan’s perspective. I appreciated the insights of Halo’s “realities” (and what I assume are EXACTLY what the idols I adore must go through to maintain their celebrity status) but also the comparisons in Minnie’s story, that almost mirror my own. I USED to be Minnie, back in my high school days. Although I was a Jonas Brothers fan then, I was insecure, unconfident, and would alienate myself. My friendships at the time were the best, but it felt like a lot of that love was rooted in our mutual love of the Jonas Brothers. Nowadays, I have a life outside of k-pop and my obsession with the groups I follow. Sometimes, though, I do revert back to that same girl who would alienate herself; there have been times where I’ve spent hours watching YouTube videos, IG reels, and TikTok’s full of nothing but Stray Kids content and edits, ignoring my real life friends' texts and just dissociating from reality. It’s not as common as when I first found them but occasionally, it happens when fellow fans I’ve now become very close with send me content. I will say, none of said friends are nearly as extreme as Minnie’s fandom friends but the parallels are there. (Mind you, my friends are older than I am and I’m in my early 30s. I’m assuming Minnie’s fandom friends are in their late teens or very early 20s, just like her. Typically, the "crazy fans" known as sasaengs are all usually quite young - late teens and early 20s. Occasionally, there are older sasaengs but at that point, I believe it's delusion to the point of losing touch with reality.) Regardless, it’s so wild to read/listen to the descriptions of these obsessive fans in the story parallel how some fans in REAL life actually are this extreme and obsessive. This was not new knowledge for me at all, though. It just really makes me sad every time I read about a new story or see a new video of how these idols are not treated like the real people they actually are.
Anyway, the plot thickens at the 80% mark, and no spoilers but this is the moment I’d been waiting for the entire story. It was a beautiful slow burn of 2 very different but intertwined stories and the plot twists were all just startling. Some I did not see coming but also some were so familiar. I doubt someone outside of k-pop fandom life would expect them. There is also an underlying subplot of curse, of a horrific, ancient story interwoven all throughout that brings an almost unwanted but necessary tension that made the entire story so addicting. To give nothing away about the ending, it is devastating in the worst way, but also somehow the best way for the story to really hit home.
Now for the audiobook, Katharine Chin and Eric Yang are fantastic narrators. Chin as Minnie did a fantastic job narrating the fantastic writing of Zhang describing just how obsessed k-pop fans can be (myself included). Every word spoken in the perfect, calm tone by Chin felt so tragic to hear out loud, because every description is too real; too devastating to read about my own love for "my boys" as so many of us k-pop fans feel. There is a disjointed and disorienting reality when listening from another fan how calm but delusional you truly sound when your obsession is put into words so well. It feels ridiculous and actually a bit cringe, but also comforting to know it's not just me who feels this way. Chin also did a great job putting on different voices for the other fans she connects with online. Yang was incredible as our MMC, Halo/Eason, and describes the (not that I would know) reality that our favorite idols go through. They all have a past and it's not all sunshine & rainbows for them. They are PEOPLE at the end of the day, and fan obsessions can be so cruel from both the hate AND the love. Obsessions for these idols (as we all should know) can be so dangerous, so terrifying, so overwhelming, and Zhang's writing from Halo's perspective are so very scary and real. To have both narrators perfectly embody their characters who are both ends of the spectrum (one on the stage and one in the crowd), it's a powerful reminder how parasocial these relationships truly are.
Overall, I give this book a very solid 5 stars. I am so enthralled with this book. I will most definitely recommend to my fandom friends, my non-fandom friends, and anyone interested in the parasocial relationships of kpop idols (celebrities in general really) and their fans; to those interested in what fandom does to both sides of the people involved in them. I look forward to rereading this later, via physical copy, because there were incredible quotes that will stick with me forever. It has changed my perspective on my own part in the fandoms I participate in and if that was Zhang’s goal, she’s accomplished it and accomplished it well tenfold. This story needs to be shared.
Thank you again NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC audiobook for my honest review. And a very big congratulations to Jenny Tinghui Zhang on publication day, tomorrow, February 3rd, 2026! Go read this amazing book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
loved every bit of this so very much, this is perfection
rtc
rtc
December 24, 2025
This is one of my new favorite books of all time. The writing was so beautiful and I resonated so much with how Minnie found community within an online fan space
August 20, 2025
As a big fan I have read many books over the years about K-pop which have mainly focused on trainee life and making it as an idol. This offers an in-depth look more at being a fan, finding a group when you feel lonely and becoming increasingly obsessed with them.
We do get the POV of the idol too and there's mystery over the secret he's hiding which threatens the future of the group but the Minnie chapters were by far my favourites.
Jenny Tinghui Zhang must have spent a lot of time researching the world of K-pop fandoms because parts of this were scarily accurate. A wonderful read with a satisfactory ending.
We do get the POV of the idol too and there's mystery over the secret he's hiding which threatens the future of the group but the Minnie chapters were by far my favourites.
Jenny Tinghui Zhang must have spent a lot of time researching the world of K-pop fandoms because parts of this were scarily accurate. A wonderful read with a satisfactory ending.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4 stars
Though this book is in some ways about doing and being the most, there's something incredibly understated about the true nature of these characters and about the markedly timely topic. This is a read I enjoyed, despite the discomfort I constantly felt, and by the end, it has grown on me even more.
I came into this audiobook a little unsure about how much it would resonate with me because I do not experience fandom in the way it exists in modern society. One friend and colleague teaches a basic writing course with fandom as the overarching theme. Another received a doctoral degree in fan studies with a specific emphasis in fan fic. Though these things are happening around me, I don't really *get* them on my own. In case you are like me with these incoming reservations, I'm here to tell you that my non-fan status did not hamper my enjoyment of this book. I hope this note helps some reluctant readers out there.
This novel is told through joint perspectives: Minnie, a young woman entering college in Texas and Halo/Eason, a boyband star. Zhang's first brilliant move is to use this setup. Readers get deep into the minds and experiences of both characters. We don't have a parasocial relationship with Eason; we see him as a human being, which provides opportunities for empathy and reality to infuse his story. Though Eason's life is built on a facade in obvious ways, Minnie's is, too, in much the same way that most people are trying on different faces at this life stage. She lacks confidence (there is an incredible scene when another character shares their impression of her that is so spot on with how Zhang writes her, it is almost physically painful), she's deeply isolated even in a crowd, and she is looking for meaning. Minnie is drawn to the band and its members because of her relationship to them but also to the fan community. In her fandom, she is no longer alone. Both characters come off as believable and layered.
There are some tough but important moments that center on sexual assault and harrassment. While they are difficult to read, they are fundamental to the plot and character development. I also can't say how much I appreciate the choices Zhang makes in these areas. The specific scenarios Zhang chooses are so common but are not necessarily commonly discussed, leading to even more victim blaming and confusion than might be found in other more frequently represented situations. There's a constant feeling of discomfort in this novel in part because of these situations, but also because readers get to see the truth behind various secrets and the complicated ways in which these characters try to see themselves and grapple with who they are versus what has happened to them.
This is not a book that I would describe as fun or lighthearted in any way, but it IS hopeful and it reveals an aspect of modern culture that shapes many people's lives and is still relatable to those of us who haven't gone down this specific rabbit hole yet. The understated aspects of the work veil this outcome, but this is a real banger from Zhang. I'll recommend this mindfully and with CW/TW to very specific prospective readers. I'll also look very forward to more from this writer.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Though this book is in some ways about doing and being the most, there's something incredibly understated about the true nature of these characters and about the markedly timely topic. This is a read I enjoyed, despite the discomfort I constantly felt, and by the end, it has grown on me even more.
I came into this audiobook a little unsure about how much it would resonate with me because I do not experience fandom in the way it exists in modern society. One friend and colleague teaches a basic writing course with fandom as the overarching theme. Another received a doctoral degree in fan studies with a specific emphasis in fan fic. Though these things are happening around me, I don't really *get* them on my own. In case you are like me with these incoming reservations, I'm here to tell you that my non-fan status did not hamper my enjoyment of this book. I hope this note helps some reluctant readers out there.
This novel is told through joint perspectives: Minnie, a young woman entering college in Texas and Halo/Eason, a boyband star. Zhang's first brilliant move is to use this setup. Readers get deep into the minds and experiences of both characters. We don't have a parasocial relationship with Eason; we see him as a human being, which provides opportunities for empathy and reality to infuse his story. Though Eason's life is built on a facade in obvious ways, Minnie's is, too, in much the same way that most people are trying on different faces at this life stage. She lacks confidence (there is an incredible scene when another character shares their impression of her that is so spot on with how Zhang writes her, it is almost physically painful), she's deeply isolated even in a crowd, and she is looking for meaning. Minnie is drawn to the band and its members because of her relationship to them but also to the fan community. In her fandom, she is no longer alone. Both characters come off as believable and layered.
There are some tough but important moments that center on sexual assault and harrassment. While they are difficult to read, they are fundamental to the plot and character development. I also can't say how much I appreciate the choices Zhang makes in these areas. The specific scenarios Zhang chooses are so common but are not necessarily commonly discussed, leading to even more victim blaming and confusion than might be found in other more frequently represented situations. There's a constant feeling of discomfort in this novel in part because of these situations, but also because readers get to see the truth behind various secrets and the complicated ways in which these characters try to see themselves and grapple with who they are versus what has happened to them.
This is not a book that I would describe as fun or lighthearted in any way, but it IS hopeful and it reveals an aspect of modern culture that shapes many people's lives and is still relatable to those of us who haven't gone down this specific rabbit hole yet. The understated aspects of the work veil this outcome, but this is a real banger from Zhang. I'll recommend this mindfully and with CW/TW to very specific prospective readers. I'll also look very forward to more from this writer.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
January 13, 2026
Thank you Netgalley and Flatiron Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
If you were ever a huge one direction fan back in the day, this book is FOR YOU. I wasn’t, but I could relate to the music star obsession because I was a huge Swiftie a few years ago. That factor made it so relatable, so I’d recommend Superfan, if you’ve ever been so deeply entrenched in fandom culture!
The book alternates between Minnie, a college freshman obsessed with the boy bad HOURglass, and Eason, a member of the band. Minnie has trouble fitting in her new college and kind of watches everyone from the sidelines as she wishes she was part of spending bigger than herself. That’s where she discovers HOURglass, or the boys and the online fandom forums attached to it. This obsession fuels her life and propels her to go out of her comfort zone to “fit” in. She gets a boyfriend and joins a Zine. Throughout the story, Minnie develops in a way that feels relatable to the college experience. I remember trying to do everything I could to find friends and fit in within the first few weeks of school and how terrifying that was. There’s also more to her story, but in order to avoid spoilers, I’ll just say please check trigger warnings.
Eason, aka HALO, joins the band almost by mistake. He delivers food at an audition and stuns the judges by his confidence when asking for the tip. He has a troubled past: His father left him and his mother and sister when he was young and his mother struggles with destructive mental health issues (it’s never outright said what she has in the book, so I don’t want to label anything). Eason is also harboring a secret about his past that he’s worried will come to light.
This book tackles fandom culture, the relationship between artists and their fans, and how far fans really go. Where do we draw the line on obsession? Can you be casually obsessed with something without going over that line? Both Minnie and Eason discover that in their own ways, through the POV of the fan and the performer.
I loved this book a lot. The pacing and writing were great. Minnie felt super relatable and you can’t help but root for Eason. I also liked how Minnie was coming to terms with her identity as an Asian-American. I thought that discourse was interesting and may resonate with readers. And I also liked how Minnie eventually found her support system, even if it took time. I found myself rooting for her, too. She’s not a bad character, but it’s so hard to be in the head of a college freshman without remembering what that was like.
I wish I could go into more detail, but I don’t want to spoil anything. I would definitely recommend Superfan! I’m excited for this one to get published!!
Trigger Warnings (to name a few I recognized): SA, ED, Abuse
If you were ever a huge one direction fan back in the day, this book is FOR YOU. I wasn’t, but I could relate to the music star obsession because I was a huge Swiftie a few years ago. That factor made it so relatable, so I’d recommend Superfan, if you’ve ever been so deeply entrenched in fandom culture!
The book alternates between Minnie, a college freshman obsessed with the boy bad HOURglass, and Eason, a member of the band. Minnie has trouble fitting in her new college and kind of watches everyone from the sidelines as she wishes she was part of spending bigger than herself. That’s where she discovers HOURglass, or the boys and the online fandom forums attached to it. This obsession fuels her life and propels her to go out of her comfort zone to “fit” in. She gets a boyfriend and joins a Zine. Throughout the story, Minnie develops in a way that feels relatable to the college experience. I remember trying to do everything I could to find friends and fit in within the first few weeks of school and how terrifying that was. There’s also more to her story, but in order to avoid spoilers, I’ll just say please check trigger warnings.
Eason, aka HALO, joins the band almost by mistake. He delivers food at an audition and stuns the judges by his confidence when asking for the tip. He has a troubled past: His father left him and his mother and sister when he was young and his mother struggles with destructive mental health issues (it’s never outright said what she has in the book, so I don’t want to label anything). Eason is also harboring a secret about his past that he’s worried will come to light.
This book tackles fandom culture, the relationship between artists and their fans, and how far fans really go. Where do we draw the line on obsession? Can you be casually obsessed with something without going over that line? Both Minnie and Eason discover that in their own ways, through the POV of the fan and the performer.
I loved this book a lot. The pacing and writing were great. Minnie felt super relatable and you can’t help but root for Eason. I also liked how Minnie was coming to terms with her identity as an Asian-American. I thought that discourse was interesting and may resonate with readers. And I also liked how Minnie eventually found her support system, even if it took time. I found myself rooting for her, too. She’s not a bad character, but it’s so hard to be in the head of a college freshman without remembering what that was like.
I wish I could go into more detail, but I don’t want to spoil anything. I would definitely recommend Superfan! I’m excited for this one to get published!!
Trigger Warnings (to name a few I recognized): SA, ED, Abuse
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