The Afterlife of Holly Chase: A Christmas and Holiday Book
Before I Fall meets “bah, humbug” in this contemporary YA reimagining of A Christmas Carol from New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Hand.
On Christmas Eve five years ago, seventeen-year-old Holly Chase was visited by three Ghosts who showed her how selfish and spoiled she’d become. They tried to convince her to mend her ways. She didn’t. And then she died.
Now she’s stuck working for the top-secret company Project Scrooge—as their latest Ghost of Christmas Past. So far, Holly’s afterlife has been miserable. But this year’s Scrooge is different. This year’s Scrooge might change everything…
The Afterlife of Holly Chase is a witty, poignant, and insightful novel about life, love, and seizing second (or third) chances, perfect for readers who loved Before I Fall or Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares.
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A Heartfelt & Insightful Modern Twist | Review of ‘The Afterlife of Holly Chase’ (Originally posted on Cyn's Workshop)
You know those excellent books that have the perfect voice, the one that is wholly human and realistic and even somewhat relatable? Well, here you have one. I picked up this novel on a whim — I needed a new audiobook to listen to too pass the time — and found that this novel was a complete delight.
Let’s get this right, while I love Christmas because it means time with the family that I barely get to see. Yeah, I love the present too, but I also like giving presents. However, I am not a Christmas person, which is why I loved this story. It is a Scrooge story for young readers and for people who feel disillusioned by the Christmas holidays because this novel brings the joy and heart back to Christmas. Which, I am assuming, is the goal of the story.
Holly, like any Scrooge, lost her way. She lost the heart of Christmas when her mother died, and so, under lousy tutelage, became selfish and materialistic. Holly did not heed the warnings of the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future and so she died a Scrooge, not forced to walk the earth for the rest of her afterlife, but something else; forced to become the ghost of Christmas past every year and try to help other people find their way. Moreover, with one case, Holly is finally connecting to her role as the ghost of Christmas past while also finding the Christmas spirit.
Hand went through such care when writing this story because it is not only about the story, it is also about the characters, and Holly is a great character. This novel scrutinizes and analyzes every facet of what makes a Scrooge a Scrooge. It is an in-depth look at the character and the title. Hand goes into Dickens works and capitalizes on those defining moments to make the story breath uniquely. There’s so much detail, emotion, and narrative that goes into every scene so that it structured effortlessly. The reader can feel what the story is all about; they can feel the sorrow, anger, and happiness in every scene, giving the story such vitality and drawing the reader into the narrative. It is easy to say that these are excellently written characters, but it goes beyond that. These are such believable characters that bring the story to life because, well, it is a Christmas carol, it is about finding that spark of the holiday, that love and good cheer. Hand does that in spades.
The Afterlife of Holly Chase is ultimately one of those retellings that is breathtaking. It has an utterly modern and realistic feel to it, but also has charming characters the reader cannot help but connect to. There is such vitality in the story and the way it is presented, structuring the tale in a way that makes it unique and delightful. Don’t wait for the holidays, pick this novel up soon.
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Google+ | LinkedIn
You know those excellent books that have the perfect voice, the one that is wholly human and realistic and even somewhat relatable? Well, here you have one. I picked up this novel on a whim — I needed a new audiobook to listen to too pass the time — and found that this novel was a complete delight.
Let’s get this right, while I love Christmas because it means time with the family that I barely get to see. Yeah, I love the present too, but I also like giving presents. However, I am not a Christmas person, which is why I loved this story. It is a Scrooge story for young readers and for people who feel disillusioned by the Christmas holidays because this novel brings the joy and heart back to Christmas. Which, I am assuming, is the goal of the story.
Holly, like any Scrooge, lost her way. She lost the heart of Christmas when her mother died, and so, under lousy tutelage, became selfish and materialistic. Holly did not heed the warnings of the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future and so she died a Scrooge, not forced to walk the earth for the rest of her afterlife, but something else; forced to become the ghost of Christmas past every year and try to help other people find their way. Moreover, with one case, Holly is finally connecting to her role as the ghost of Christmas past while also finding the Christmas spirit.
Hand went through such care when writing this story because it is not only about the story, it is also about the characters, and Holly is a great character. This novel scrutinizes and analyzes every facet of what makes a Scrooge a Scrooge. It is an in-depth look at the character and the title. Hand goes into Dickens works and capitalizes on those defining moments to make the story breath uniquely. There’s so much detail, emotion, and narrative that goes into every scene so that it structured effortlessly. The reader can feel what the story is all about; they can feel the sorrow, anger, and happiness in every scene, giving the story such vitality and drawing the reader into the narrative. It is easy to say that these are excellently written characters, but it goes beyond that. These are such believable characters that bring the story to life because, well, it is a Christmas carol, it is about finding that spark of the holiday, that love and good cheer. Hand does that in spades.
The Afterlife of Holly Chase is ultimately one of those retellings that is breathtaking. It has an utterly modern and realistic feel to it, but also has charming characters the reader cannot help but connect to. There is such vitality in the story and the way it is presented, structuring the tale in a way that makes it unique and delightful. Don’t wait for the holidays, pick this novel up soon.
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Google+ | LinkedIn
If Die Hard is a Christmas movie, The Afterlife of Holly Chase isn’t a Christmas book! 4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a wonderful surprise! I went in thinking it was going to be a Christmas book (another Scrooged) but it is not! It is a great read for anytime of year. The perfect book club read as it offers a multitude of discussion points, twists and turns. It is easy to follow with happy, sad, (yes, some irritating) and frustrating moments; all while actually fun to read or listen to, as I did. The reader is left wondering about themselves and their own lives and experiences. A very entertaining book that leaves you with something that you can’t quite shake. I think that is the point of any good novel, to slip in and stay with you. So, this nod to Charles Dickens and A Christmas Carol is a Christmas book that isn’t a Christmas book much like Die Hard is a Christmas movie. It is a fictional self help novel that I highly recommend!
What a wonderful surprise! I went in thinking it was going to be a Christmas book (another Scrooged) but it is not! It is a great read for anytime of year. The perfect book club read as it offers a multitude of discussion points, twists and turns. It is easy to follow with happy, sad, (yes, some irritating) and frustrating moments; all while actually fun to read or listen to, as I did. The reader is left wondering about themselves and their own lives and experiences. A very entertaining book that leaves you with something that you can’t quite shake. I think that is the point of any good novel, to slip in and stay with you. So, this nod to Charles Dickens and A Christmas Carol is a Christmas book that isn’t a Christmas book much like Die Hard is a Christmas movie. It is a fictional self help novel that I highly recommend!
Now this book is something. At first I thought this was just another love story and to be honest I have read way to many this month and was OVER them. But this book took a turn and it was actually a good read. Not another love story either. Shocking!
This is a fresh YA take on A Christmas Carol. Scroogy, elitist Holly Chase is only 17 years old when the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future visit her. It doesn't work and she becomes a failed Scrooge.
That premise alone is interesting. I found Holly tough to take, even when we were supposed to be rooting for her, and I did feel like parts of the ending were rushed and not very satisfying, but it was a fun, quick read for the holidays. The idea of A Christmas Carol working like a production company was interesting and this would be a great book to gift during the holiday season.
That premise alone is interesting. I found Holly tough to take, even when we were supposed to be rooting for her, and I did feel like parts of the ending were rushed and not very satisfying, but it was a fun, quick read for the holidays. The idea of A Christmas Carol working like a production company was interesting and this would be a great book to gift during the holiday season.
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