Have you read the gothic fantasy series, Belladonna, yet? If you haven't, get started immediately, because not only is it amazing, but book four is a Christmas novella, and it's one of my favourite Christmas reads yet!
I read and finished Holly last week, during the first few days of December, and could wax lyrical about how much I loved this book. So, I'm gonna, with a rare review. (Escape while you still can)!
Book: Holly.
Author: Adalyn Grace.
Edition: Waterstones Signed Exclusive Hardback.
Genre: Gothic fantasy, romantasy, holiday.
Plot: Aris and Blythe are hosting Christmas at Wisteria Gardens, and with the family all together again, Blythe is determined to make it the perfect Christmas. But while she busies herself decking the halls with enough holly to keep the bad spirits at bay, Signa stumbles upon a Christmas disaster in the making; Wisteria is haunted. And we're not talking a simple trio of Victorian spectres there to teach them all the error of their ways before Christmas morning, oh no; Wisteria is haunted by an entire theatre troop of dancers preparing for a Christmas ballet. Signa must figure out how to help the ghosts pass on before they turn volatile and ruin Blythe's Christmas,, and to do so, she has to solve the mystery of how they died, while Aris works to keep Blythe from ever finding out anything is amiss. Meanwhile, Blythe has tasked Sylas with hunting down the perfect present for his brother, and he certainly does not know anything about why the ghost-free plot of land he found for Aris and Blythe's home is suddenly playing host to more spirits than Scrooge's bed chamber on Christmas Eve- or so he'd have you believe. Just what is the reaper hiding? And what gift can Aris give to the woman he's loved for centuries when she already has the power of life at her fingertips? I'm not going to tell you, so you'll just have to read it to find out!
Thoughts: Romantasy authors take note; if you're going to do a holiday novella, this is the way you do it! Grace has managed to find the perfect balance between festive fluff, and well-rounded plot, while keeping the tone true to the original trilogy and characters. Unlike other Christmas fantasy novellas like A Court of Frost and Starlight and Spectacular, which, let's face it, were a little disappointing compared to the other books in their series, Holly is a delightful addition to the Belladonna books, and one that actually does the trilogy justice. It adds to the series, instead of being so cheesy that it diminishes it or takes something away. Something that seems to be hard to achieve with fantasy Christmas novellas.
That's not to say it isn't wonderfully cheesy at times; there are plenty of warm and fluffy moments worthy of a Hallmark-Christmas-movie, like wholesome family carol-singing, snowball fights aided by magic, and gift-giving so heartfelt it'll make you cry- or at least it did me. I sobbed like a baby when Aris and Blythe exchanged their gifts, and again when Jules told Odette something he'd waited eighty years to say. If you want to feel this Christmas, this book is sure to open the floodgates.
Yet, if you're expecting nothing but sentimental fluff from this story, you'd be wrong. The main story, which sees Signa and Aris using their combined skill set to help a few dozen ghosts put on a Christmas play so they can finally pass on and leave Wisteria in peace, is full of the whimsy, necromancy, and gothic charm the first three books are known for. There's an eighty-year mystery for Signa to solve with her reaper powers; a tragic tale of accidental mass death and lost love; mischievous Georgian era ghosts causing havoc in a regal palace; a spicy scene in the snow; battles of powers and wills; and copious amounts of magic that give the story a wondrous feel. I particularly loved when Aris used his magic and Blythe's paintings to transform her library into a lavish Christmas theatre and made costumes for all of the ghosts, and I'm jealous I don't have the same powers. Redesigning your house with a few brush strokes would be pretty cool! I also loved the gift-giving scene; what happened when Aris was reunited with an old friend; how competitive Blythe and Elijah were during game night, and the way grumpy Aris got into carol singing in the snow. I admit it- the cheesy scenes were my favourites, and I'm not even sorry!
Perhaps the best thing about Holly is that it fills a Belladonna-shaped-hole left by the ending of Wisteria, and allows us to learn what happened after the characters reunited. The ending of Wisteria was perfect, but it did leave me longing to know what happened next, so I'm pleased it pacified my curiousity. (Even if I only had to wait a few weeks after finishing the trilogy to find out)! I loved seeing all the characters together again, and how their relationships had developed after twenty-seven years. There was something really endearing about how the couples referred to the others as sister or brother and fought the way only families or couples who've been together a long time do, and I loved how Aris and Sylas doted on Elijah- and he with them- even though he couldn't even see Sylas. It hit me right in the feels.
I honestly don't think I'd change a thing about this book, except perhaps to have Signa and Sylas in the same room more often because I needed more of them together. And I'd also make it longer- but only because I was sad that it was over way too soon. The story was neatly concluded by the end; I just wanted the experience to last longer. What can I say? I'm greedy! Haha!
In short, this book was a joy to read from start to finish. It left me smiling or laughing through most of it, and when I had to set it down, I was eager to hurry back to read more. It was the perfect Christmas read- the kind that left me feeling blissfully content and warm inside- and one I think I'll be returning to Christmas after Christmas from now on. I'm already tempted to reread it! I'm seriously considering giving the audiobook a try before the holidays are through!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Aesthetics: As for the book itself, I have the Waterstones signed exclusive edition, which is surprisingly still in stock online! It doesn't have sprayed edges, but the hidden cover and endpapers are stunning, and it's well worth the money.
It's so beautifully illustrated, with gorgeous artwork of the characters dotted throughout the book, and festive foliage bordering every written page. It made the reading experience so fun and immersive, especially with the illustrations, which I couldn't stop pouring over to take in all the little details.
The UK edition of the book has the additional benefit of a stunning hidden cover with a different festive copper-foil design on the front and back covers. On the front, there's a Christmas tree surrounded by holly, stars, and tiny skulls, with the cutest little Easter eggs in the form of the cat, and Sylas' grim reaper tree topper. And on the back, there's a holly-trimmed, decorative gothic window set in a brick wall, surrounded by cracks and draped in cobwebs. I assume it's supposed to be a window in to Wisteria, but do correct me if I'm wrong.
The book also has complimenting copper-foil endpapers, with a living room decorated for Christmas at the front, and a wintry scene featuring a snowman and a carriage at the back. They're full of little details to discover, and so wonderfully festive, I can't stop looking at them.
In short, this book is a must-have, and a must-read, and if you don't have it yet, you're missing a treat.
Have you read Holly yet?
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