The Romantasy pivot
If your teen started this series with Belladonna, they’ve watched the trilogy undergo a significant vibe shift. While the first book felt like a gothic mystery with romantic elements, Wisteria leans heavily into the "Romantasy" genre that has taken over young adult shelves. The focus moves away from the original protagonist, Signa, to center almost entirely on Blythe and her prickly relationship with Aris (who is the literal personification of Fate).
This is a common move in long-running fantasy series—shifting the lens to a secondary character to keep the romantic tension fresh. If your reader is here for the world-building or the ghosts, they might find the plot a bit thin. But if they are here for the banter, this installment delivers exactly what the fanbase wants.
Navigating the "New Adult" label
There is a growing category in publishing called "New Adult," which sits right between traditional YA and adult fiction. Wisteria lives in that gap. The romance between Blythe and Fate isn't just about longing looks; it involves a magically binding marriage and sexual content that is more explicit than what you’d find in a standard middle-grade or "clean" YA novel.
It’s the kind of book that teenagers often find through social media recommendations. The appeal isn't just the magic—it’s the "forced proximity" trope and the high-stakes emotional drama. If your teen is already reading authors like Sarah J. Maas or Jennifer L. Armentrout, the maturity level here will feel familiar. If they are coming straight from lighter series like The School for Good and Evil, this will be a massive jump in intensity.
Why the "Fate" dynamic works
The personification of abstract concepts like Death and Fate is what gives this series its edge. In Wisteria, Fate isn't just a plot device; he’s a character who is "rude and insufferable," providing a foil for Blythe’s stubbornness. This creates a specific kind of friction that keeps the pages turning.
For a parent, the interesting takeaway is how Blythe handles a situation where she has zero traditional power. Despite being "bound" to a man she initially dislikes in a palace that feels like a prison, she doesn't play the victim. She chooses to be a "thorn in his side." It’s a loud, defiant take on agency that resonates with older teens who are navigating their own growing pains regarding control and independence.
If they liked the previous books
Because this is the conclusion of a trilogy, there is no skipping ahead. If your teen hasn't read Belladonna and Foxglove, they will be completely lost regarding why Death is hanging around or why the political stakes in the spirit realm matter. However, many readers actually preferred this third book because the chemistry between the leads felt more electric than the original couple. It’s a rare case where the spin-off romance arguably outshines the original hook.
