The Afterlife of Holly Chase

by Cynthia Hand Narrated by Erin Spencer

Overview

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 listeners who loved Before I Fall or Dash & Lily's Book of Dares.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

09/04/2017
Holly Chase, the spoiled daughter of a Hollywood director, was visited by three spirits in an attempt to save her soul, but she failed to repent and died soon after. Now Holly is in her fifth year as the Ghost of Christmas Past at Project Scrooge, a company devoted to redeeming “one person who has gone astray in life” each year through Christmas Carol–style interventions. Holly is resigned to her life in corporate limbo until she spots this year’s Scrooge: a 17-year-old hottie who reminds her of her former self. Going off script, Holly secretly befriends Ethan, kicking off a screwball romance. Hand (the Unearthly trilogy) puts a quirky contemporary spin on the Dickens classic. If the story occasionally gets muddled by the mix of paranormal elements, time travel, and gadgetry, Holly’s sharp-edged narration entertains throughout. Ages 13–up. Agent: Katherine Fausset, Curtis Brown. (Oct.)

From the Publisher

A spunky, modern take on A Christmas Carol.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Darkly funny. Save the coal and hand this to the Christmas spirit doubters.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“A good-spirited story from beyond the grave.” — ALA Booklist

PRAISE FOR THE LAST TIME WE SAY GOODBYE: “A quietly powerful, emotionally complex novel that will echo with readers long after it is finished. Both shatteringly painful and bright with life and hope.” — Booklist (starred review)

“Evocative and insightful.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Raw, emotional, and gripping. An excellent and thoughtful exploration of grief.” — School Library Journal

PRAISE FOR THE UNEARTHLY SERIES: “A divine supernatural romance.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Hand debuts with an engrossing take on the angel mythos... an engaging and romantic tale with solid backstory.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

ALA Booklist

A good-spirited story from beyond the grave.

Booklist (starred review)

PRAISE FOR THE LAST TIME WE SAY GOODBYE: “A quietly powerful, emotionally complex novel that will echo with readers long after it is finished. Both shatteringly painful and bright with life and hope.

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Darkly funny. Save the coal and hand this to the Christmas spirit doubters.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Darkly funny. Save the coal and hand this to the Christmas spirit doubters.

School Library Journal

12/01/2017
Gr 8 Up—The classic tale of Scrooge in a YA romance package readers will love. The story follows Holly Chase, a beautiful, rich, and very mean-spirited 17-year-old girl. Holly is visited by the classic ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future but does not heed their warnings. After her untimely death a few days later, Holly is not completely dead: she is now the ghost of Christmas past. She works for a company called "Project Scrooge" that reenacts Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol each year to try and save a soul. When the new Scrooge for the year is revealed, Holly can't keep her eyes off of the handsome Ethan Winters. She must decide what is best for her, Ethan, and Project Scrooge. Taking on a classic is a tall order, but Hand does it well. The author adds many original quotes from the source material, a nice nod to Dickens that might inspire young readers to pick up his work. The romance between Holly and Ethan takes center stage through the middle of the story to set up for the twist ending that will keep readers guessing. A strong message that people can change, along with a call for kindness in humanity, rings throughout the narrative as well. VERDICT A heartwarming holiday romance to get teens in the spirit of the season. A definite title to be shared where classic retellings, like Lost by Gregory Maguire or the original Dickens tale, are popular.—Elizabeth Pelayo, St. Charles East High School, IL

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170268795
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	10/24/2017
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	10 - 13 Years

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