This is my first book from Adalyn but it's definitely not going to be my last. First of all I absolutely love anything set in Autumn/Winter. Belladonna absolutely catches the entire season vibes! Second, Death! I mean come on?! How could it not be absolutely fantastic? Seriously though Adalyn did such an amazing job with the relationships with Signa and each individual character. You definitely feel the hate Signa had for Death and how it slowly changed throughout the story. The way all the relationships grow and change and how all the characters slowly start to develop and change is just phenomenal.

From the start this book had me enthralled. The mysteries and questions kept slowly unraveling the entire story. Then you're hit with not one but TWO twists! Both took me totally by surprise. At one point my jaw dropped and just hung open. I finished the second half of this book well after my bedtime because I just could not stop reading. I HAD to find out what happened!

All of the characters are really well developed with out it being so overly descriptive that it's repetitive. I felt like I could have connected with anyone of the characters written about. Thaddeus is one of the smaller characters that's only brought in for a short time but the way he's described and how his personality shows through with the dialogue is so great! He's one of my favorite characters in the whole story. If you're an avid reader once he's brought up you'll understand why!

My only complaint is I wish the spicy scenes had been just a bit more. They were a bit vague but maybe that's just because I really wasn't expecting any spicy scenes in here and what I usually read in that area is 🌶️🌶️🌶️ The book is great without them but for me those scenes could have been fade to black or more detailed.

I'm actually devastated that I have to wait so long for the second one! I've been in a bit of a slump lately and this book absolutely did it for me. If you like paranormal, mystery types I definitely recommend this book. It's really everything I didn't know I needed. I'm really looking forward to seeing where the second book takes Signa, her family, and Death.

A huge thank you to Netgalley for the digital ARC I reviewed

On paper, Belladonna sounds like a book I would enjoy. It has many elements I love: a murder mystery set in a gothic manor, ghosts, romance, and Death as one of the main characters. Unfortunately, the book didn't live up to my expectations. Belladonna has a descriptive writing style that some people would love, but I found that it came at the expense of the action and character development. I struggled to stay invested in the story and care for the characters. I realized that this author's writing style doesn't work for me. According to Goodreads, I read her debut novel, and for the life of me, I don't remember what that book was about. I gave her debut three stars too.

Belladonna is tinged with poison, dripping in gothic splendor. It’s a book that revels in painstakingly revealing its layers, twisting around haunted ghosts and abandoned gardens and manors full of secrets. Our main character Signa is unapologetically herself, and every character in this novel feels as if they were crafted from the Victorian era (in the best way possible). So of course, I adored this.

This book truly has so many of my favorite things. We have a gothic manor, ghosts, Death, a murder mystery, a female character who simultaneously enjoys dressing up while not fitting in…the list goes on and on. And somehow, Adalyn Grace pulled off every single trope with such ease that I can’t believe she wrote a pirate duology before (although that is certainly on my TBR now).

THERE’S LITERALLY TOO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT.

I have so many notes that aren’t actually notes and just me highlighting because of emotions I guess. Anyways, from the start of this book, I really loved Signa. She’s not afraid to be feminine and loves feminine things while still wanting to be free from the constraints of society.

Also, the plot??? I had whiplash??? There are so many twists and turns to this story, I never knew what to expect next. Like how did Adalyn Grace write this incredibly atmospheric paranormal story and somehow stack a mystery with twists that I didn’t predict on top of it? This is just such a well-plotted story that is paced immaculately. I guessed nothing and was absolutely blindsided by that cliffhanger of an ending. I cannot stress enough how good of a YA fantasy this book actually is. It truly breathed new life into the genre for me.

And if that’s not praise enough, can we just mention the characters??? Each and every one of them felt fleshed-out and purposeful. I mean, Signa’s cousin Percy might have given me slight Mr. Bingley vibes and Lord Everett definitely got the short end of the stick but that’s okay. Even the ghosts were fun characters.

If you read this book, you’ll know that one of the love interests is Death incarnate. And yeah, while I thought it was a little weird that Death knew Signa as a baby and then became a love interest later on…nevermind, it’s just weird. There’s definitely a reason for it, and I mean, this is a gothic story after all so I wasn’t overly bothered by it. It’s just something that’s weird to remember.

On that note, I thought that the romance was fine? I don’t know, I was hoping for a good slowburn full of angst and pining and this wasn’t really that. It’s definitely well-written, but my expectations were just a tad bit different from what this book is actually about (which is okay!) Also, I think that the family relationships and friendships are just so entertaining and well-done that I almost preferred them to the romance. Anyways, I really liked the ending of the book with regards to the romance, I just wished that the actual journey there had been a little different!

To the Victorians, belladonna symbolized silence, falsehoods, and death. To me, it symbolizes a new favorite book of the year!

I loved this authors other two books but I liked this one more. I just liked the vibe, it had some horror aspects that surprised me but I loved it! I also liked her death powers and the poison. The twists with the murder were really good and I did not see them coming. I expected more with Death and her from what I'd heard from others, I think there could've been more done there but it was also pleasantly a little spicy! I think this is more for the older side of YA. Felt like a fast read to me I really enjoyed it.

This book had so many of the themes I loved, all wrapped into one pretty well thought out book. There was the central story- a mystery, or “ who dunnit” but also many other little mysteries and reveals that made it so enjoyable. The romance was magical and well planned out- the romantic scenes were sweet but sultry without being overdone and staying firmly in the YA genre. And of course I love a good fantasy book too. It’s hard to put this book into one category and I love it. The mysteries weren’t super predictable - some I guessed but not too early on, and some that really surprised me. The MC was easy to root for and so was the romance. Although the mysteries were mostly wrapped up there seems to be a set up for another book that I would definitely read. This is my first from this author and she did not disappoint.

Signa was orphaned from a young age and passed from guardian to guardian, each of them meeting a quick death. But Signa herself cannot die, and she hates Death for the chaos he has brought to her life. When her only remaining relatives take her in, Signa realizes that she may need Death's help. Her young cousin is being poisoned, and it is up to Signa to save her. I loved this fantasy and the mystery that went along with it! The characterization of Death was so intriguing, and I loved Signa's growing relationship with Death. The mystery also kept me intrigued! I spent the entire book trying to guess who the murderer was and was still surprised by the reveal. It also set up the next book perfectly, and I cannot wait for Foxglove to come out next year! (I love the poisonous book titles!) If you like mysterious fantasy books, you will love this book!

A fun new twist on the historical fantasy genre; Signa's combination of self-confidence and self-doubt made her a very relatable protagonist, even if most of us don't have uncanny powers, or find ourselves with Death Incarnate for a love interest.

I enjoyed this book a lot. I liked the premise and it was super unique.

We have a girl who can’t die, who definitely is not like other girls, really wants to be like over girls, but eventually chooses to peruse being herself without shaming the other women that want to be apart of the “societal standards”. That little subtly was so refreshing since I’ve been so tired of the “not like other girls” trope that tends to bash girls who are “like other girls.”

I will say I was caught off guard with the Death to Signa romance (sounds like health insurance). The intimate moments they had also threw me off since I didn’t have a depiction for death that wasn’t just a cliche reaper looking skeleton.

The twist of the murderer was not one I was expecting and I did successfully get fooled. However, the twist of Sylas was one that I kinda saw coming pretty early on.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I am excited for the sequel.

You know a book is good when you feel it in your chest. When your heart pounds and you can't stop turning the page. Belladonna truly has it all: romance! a good mystery! a gothic setting! a found family! real stakes and real conversations about life and Death and society and what it expects from women. I know this book has been described as Bridgeton meets Knives Out but I would also add "crossed with The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue" which is the highest compliment I can give. I already can't wait for the next book.
I will say there is one twist at the end that I didn't really enjoy, I didn't think it was much of a twist more like a "huh, okay" moment that I felt was slightly rushed, but it didn't ruin any of my enjoyment of the story.
Because this is now the second book I've read where a character falls in love with a much older man who has watched her since birth, I feel like I must mention that aspect of the romance. Belladonna does a good job balancing the relationship between Signa and Death, but there is still the fact that he knew he since she was born, watched her grow up, and is ancient and immortal. However, he does not seem to have unduly influenced her during her youth, only stepping in to protect her which is why their relationship didn't bother me as much. Plus, Signa enters it as a willing participant.
TLDL I love this book and I'm going to be yelling about how everyone should read it when it comes out.

A very atmospheric and well-written novel. I've been hearing about this book for years (and it's still not out yet), so I was excited to get an advanced copy. Overall, I enjoyed it! I did stop reading it for a couple days about halfway through, mostly because the murder mystery plot was kinda boring me (personal preference). But I'm glad I stuck with it. Looking forward to the next book in the series!

I loved ATSAT and ATTAF, so I wanted to read BELLADONNA, but I wasn’t sure what to expect. It had a mystery vibe and Death as a character.

Being hesitant that this might not be the book for me, didn’t stop me.

I am so glad I read this book. I was super busy and often annoyed that I was while reading. Before reading, I wondered if I’d be able to relate to Signa as a character. As I got to know her though, the way she wanted to find a family and where she belonged was heartwarming. Once she fit into her cousin's home, she not only found her footing but was also protective and loyal to them.

Then that romance with Death. Holy Moly! I think I look at the afterlife a little differently and have a new respect for a reaper. How is that even possible?

I love a good gothic romance, but honestly, my favorite character was a ghost in the library.

A few side notes-
• I love a good gothic romance, but my favorite character was a ghost in the library.
• It’s hard to throw plot twists at me I don’t expect, but Adalyn succeeded in doing it!
• I preordered the UK edition because that cover is breathtaking!

Thank you to NetGalley, Little Brown, and Adalyn Grace for a copy of this ARC in exchange for a review.

I loved this book! Such an amazing world and writing style that really brings you into the story! I’m not going to spoil anything (cause I don’t like spoilers before I read a book) but what I will say is that the book had some unexpected twists and turns. I didn’t see everything coming and I loved that! Cant wait for the next book!!

ARC provided

Warning: Some people find age gaps concerning. In this book and a character has existed for a very long time and meets the MC when she is a baby, multiple times through her childhood and then as an adult. This character does become a love interest when the MC is an adult.

This is Adalyn Grace’s best book yet. If she excels in any area it is creating atmosphere. From the language to the descriptions, this was the perfect setting to get sucked into. Some of the plot twists were predictable, but I enjoyed the storyline throughout. There were moments in the book that felt a bit slow and purposeless, but seeing as the epilogue teases at a second book I’m hopefully this book was merely setting the stage.

4/5 stars ⭐️

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Signa Farrow has been plagued by Death since she was a baby, when her parents, and all guests at their party were poisoned and killed, leaving Signa as an orphan. Since that tragic day Signa has been shuffled through different relatives, each of which has met an untimely death. At 19, she is taken in by her uncle Elijah Hawthorne and moved to his estate, Thorn Grove. Once there she soon discovers that the restless spirit of Elijah’s late wife is haunting the premises, and her cousin is deathly ill from a mysterious malady. Signa enlists the help of Sylas, a mysterious stable hand, along with Death himself, to help her solve the mysteries plaguing the Hawthornes and Thorn Grove.

I quite enjoyed this book! I loved the gothic, atmospheric vibe. But while being moody it also had a lot of heart. Signa was a fantastic main character. She’s headstrong and determined, and will do anything it takes to protect her family. She has significant trauma in her past which definitely colors how she handles certain situations, and how she reacts to the things that are happening at Thorn Grove. Death, as a character, is so intriguing and mysterious. He’s charming in a way that you’re not sure if he’s to be trusted, or if he has nefarious motives for offering his assistance. I would like to say I saw the twist coming, because I’m normally pretty good at figuring out that sort of thing, but I did not! I loved it! Overall, I had so much fun with this book, and can’t wait to read the sequel when it releases next year!

4/5 Stars ⭐️

I've been in a bit of a fantasy slump so it was hard for me to get into this at first. Once I did get into it I really enjoyed it. It was refreshing even though the plot is not wholly original. Signa was an interesting main character to me. This was a solid fantasy for me and I'm excited for the next book.

Are you looking to fill your fall TBR? Make sure Belladonna is on the list.

Romantic, spooky and riddled with suspense, Belladonna will keep you on your toes in the very best way. This novel transcends the traditional boundaries of genres and merges elements of the fantasy, murder-mystery, historical fiction and gothic horror genres in a way that works so well.

The plot:
- Not too predictable
- Kept me coming back for more
- Complex but not confusing

The Characters:
- All of the characters were well-developed and intriguing
- Could never fully trust anyone, which made it so fun to try and solve the murder.

The Romance:
- Top tier
- Think Luc from Addie LaRue
- The tension *chefs kiss*

The Writing:
- I really enjoyed Grace's writing style in this novel. I found myself highlighting quite a few passages that I just knew I was going to need to be able to find again later.

Finally, I think my favorite thing about this book was seeing how much Adalyn Grace has grown in recent years. I enjoyed All the Stars and Teeth, but I didn't love it. I did, however, love Belladonna. I definitely believe Grace's writing has developed and gotten stronger in the last few years and I can't wait to see what she can do next.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This was one of my most anticipated releases this month but it, unfortunately, fell flat. The cover is beautiful and the plot has so much potential but I would have loved this book so much more if there hadn't been a romance with Death.

I'm always wary of romances with young(ish) girls and ageless immortal men who have existed since the beginning of time. At least Signa, the protagonist, is almost twenty in this book –– it would have been much worse if she was under 18. But my main issue was that Death was interested in Signa when she was 2 or 3 months old and watched her grow up. As other reviewers have pointed out, Death frequently says lines like "I've waited for you. . ."/"I've been waiting for you. . ." etc. And, since Signa was often described as being sheltered and naïve, I felt like there was a power imbalance between the two. I'm not going to go so far as to say it was grooming but it definitely made me uncomfortable. A perhaps better way to deal with this would have been for Death and Signa to meet for the first time when she was 19, rather than him basically watching her grow up.

In my opinion, this book would have been so much better if Signa didn't have a romantic subplot or had a romance with someone else. Death could have still been included in the novel but maybe he could have had more of a guardian/parental vibe instead of the love interest. I enjoyed the other aspects of the plot, even if the murder mystery was a little basic. I liked Signa and thought her reaper-ish/Death powers were super cool but not fleshed out enough and really didn't contribute to the overall plot. (Now if Death was more of a teacher-like figure instead of a love interest. . .)

This also felt so much like a standalone that I was shocked to read the random cliffhanger at the end. It really didn't fit with the whole narrative and I probably won't be reading the next one. Overall, this book gets a (perhaps generous) 3 stars from me. If the Death romance thing had been done differently, I likely would have rated it higher.

17 years old Signa Farrow is called “cursed orphan” after everyone who adopts her keeps dying one by one. Her remaining relatives are the elusive Hawthornes, an eccentric family living at Thorn Grove, an estate both glittering and gloomy whose patriarch, Elijah, mourns his late wife Lillian through wild parties where ghosts lurk around corners; while his son grapples for control of the family’s waning reputation and his daughter suffers from a mysterious illness. When their mother’s restless spirit appears claiming she was poisoned, Signa realizes that the family she depends on could be in grave danger and enlists the help of a surly stable boy to hunt down the killer....However, Signa’s best chance of uncovering the murderer is an alliance with Death himself, a fascinating, dangerous shadow who has never been far from her side.

I absolutely adore Adalyn Grace's spectacularly atmospheric worldbuilding!!!

."You are no soft thing to be coddled... You are bolder than the sun, Signa Farrow, and it's time that you burn."

I was intrigued by the lush romance between Signa and Death and I thought the characters overall were well developed and the plot twist at the end - ohmygod!
READ THIS BOOK!!!!

I absolutely adore Adalyn Grace's spectacularly atmospheric worldbuilding!!!

17 years old Signa Farrow is called “cursed orphan” after everyone who adopts her keeps dying one by one. Her remaining relatives are the elusive Hawthornes, an eccentric family living at Thorn Grove, an estate both glittering and gloomy whose patriarch, Elijah, mourns his late wife Lillian through wild parties where ghosts lurk around corners; while his son grapples for control of the family’s waning reputation and his daughter suffers from a mysterious illness. When their mother’s restless spirit appears claiming she was poisoned, Signa realizes that the family she depends on could be in grave danger and enlists the help of a surly stable boy to hunt down the killer....However, Signa’s best chance of uncovering the murderer is an alliance with Death himself, a fascinating, dangerous shadow who has never been far from her side

."You are no soft thing to be coddled... You are bolder than the sun, Signa Farrow, and it's time that you burn."

I was intrigued by the lush romance between Signa and Death and I thought the characters overall were well developed and the plot twist at the end - ohmygod!
READ THIS BOOK!!!!

I just finished reading Belladonna and I have that glorious feeling that comes with finishing a truly great book that did everything you wanted it to do and more!

This is a atmospheric dark, gothic tale full of intrigue. We follow Signa who is orphaned as a young age. Every guardian is only after her wealth and each meets an untimely death. At the age of nineteen she is sent to live with her last set of relatives, the eccentric Hawthorne family. There large home is full of mystery and nothing is as it seems. The father is grief stricken and becomes more reckless as he mourns his late wife. His son is angry and wants control of the family business while his sister is on the bring of death.

Signa is tired of seeing everyone near her die. She also has the ability to see spirits and the late Mrs Hawthorne wants her help. Signa must find help with Death himself if she is to stop the killer.

This book had me guess the entire time. I really came to like Signa, though at times I was frustrated with her. I really liked the choices she made. I really liked the person she came to be. She intelligent and she has fire.

The romance in this book is perfection. It’s full of longing, and desire, and a slow build up. The anticipation is half the fun. When the romance finally bloomed I squealed.

The setting is lush and full of details without being bogged down in too much description.

The mystery was done so well and kept me guess with each new reveal and twist.

It’s a well paced story that reads quickly. I love the writing style. I could really immerse myself in this deliciously dark gothic tale. I’ve never read anything quite like this and I’m begging for more. I loved how this ended, I loved how the characters were developed. This is an easy 5 star read!

I want to thank NetGalley and Little Brown Books for this eARC.