Holly by Adalyn Grace
*Contains spoilers for the Belladonna Trilogy*
Adalyn Grace has done it again! Following on the heels of the success of the Belladonna trilogy, Grace returns to the lush setting of Wisteria Gardens, decked out in the magic of the holidays, with Holly, a holiday novella that takes place following the conclusion of Wisteria.
Packed with all of the vivid detail, delightful banter and delicious characters that Grace established in the original trilogy, Holly is a truly magical read from start to finish. All of your favorite players are back, from Signa, Sylas, Blythe and Aris, to Elijah and Gundry the hound, but this time they play against the whimsical backdrop of Christmas.
The Christmas Spirits of Wisteria Gardens
Wisteria Gardens is bedecked in — you guessed it — holly, while enchanted snow falls from the ceilings and the halls are alive with the bustle of the most wonderful time of the year. That is, until Signa — with her abilities to bridge the worlds of the living and the dead, helping spirits stuck in the living world to pass on — spots a spirit.
Soon enough, dozens of spirits are running amok in the palace, unaware that they are dead and desperately searching for a missing member of their troupe as they prepare for a Christmas Eve performance — many, many Christmas Eves ago. Who are these forgotten spirits? How did they die? And why haven’t they been able to move on?
With the perfect Christmas at stake now that they are all together as a family for the first time, Signa sets out to solve this new mystery before it’s too late.
A Story of Reunion, Resilience and Romance
Fans have been waiting for the release of Grace’s latest installment in this series, and it was so incredibly satisfying to return to the vibrant, glittering world that she has created. Grace’s writing is incredibly rich, and I couldn’t help smiling at the familiar sights and sounds of Wisteria Gardens, overflowing with the creative magics of Aris (Fate) and Blythe (Life) as they finally get to enjoy each other’s presence and love after many years of separation.
I loved having Signa’s perspectives back in full force, as Wisteria was from Blythe’s perspective, and her inquisitive, knowing way of moving through the world was a joy to read again. There is plenty of the needling banter that the two pairs of lovers are known for, with new endearing moments as well as exciting ones.
These stories have at times brought a smile to my face, and at others, brought tears: looking at you, the ending of Wisteria. Grace has delivered the novella that you have been waiting for, and even more beyond that.
A Gift to Fans — and a Promise of More Magic to Come
One of the special things about Holly is the artwork woven throughout the book itself. Stunning illustrations by Lotusbubble are interspersed throughout the story, bringing key moments to life in splendid detail. The art adds another layer to the storytelling, allowing you to dive even deeper with the additional visual component to elevate each scene.
From the heartwarming holiday games and gift exchanges to the heartbreaking revelations of what truly happened on the site where Wisteria Gardens now rests, Grace has penned a tale that will satisfy the truest fans of the trilogy while also providing new, exhilarating discoveries and revelations about the world and the characters that you thought you knew.
I can never get enough of this world, of this story and of these characters, particularly the signature four who have shaped the tale from the start, and Holly was a fantastic addition to the franchise. I can only hope that Grace will be inspired to share additional tales from the halls of Thorn Grove, Foxglove and Wisteria Gardens in the coming years, as the completion of Holly already has me wanting more!
If you love a book with captivating romances, delectable banter and plenty of holiday spirit(s), then Holly is for you!
About Adalyn Grace:
Adalyn Grace is the #1 New York Times, USA Today and internationally bestselling author of the Belladonna series and the All the Stars and Teeth duology. Prior to becoming a writer, Adalyn studied storytelling as an intern on Nickelodeon Animation’s popular series The Legend of Korra. Local to San Diego, she spends her nonwriting days watching too much anime and playing video games with her two dorky dogs. She invites you to visit her on Instagram @authoradalyngrace or her website, AdalynGraceAuthor.com.
