DNF at 48%.

I was really sucked into this book for the first couple of chapters, but it quickly became clear that the author hasn't quite figured out who the main character is at her core. Is she the quick witted, rebellious girl who wanders around at night unchaperoned, investigating a mystery? Is she the anxious, sheltered orphan who desperately wants to fit in with society but only has an out-of-date etiquette book from her mother as a guide? Or is she the girl with untapped powerful magic, rebelling against her fate while flirting with Death himself?

Because the author tries to make her into all of these, she's actually none of them. Instead, her actions and motivations are deeply confusing and not very believable.

There's a lot of promise in this book and I liked the writing style, but I think it would help future books if the author spent more time figuring out what makes her characters tick.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

Belladonna follows Signa, who has been followed by death for as long as she can remember. After the untimely passing of her latest guardian, Signa is sent to live with her last remaining relatives, the Hawthornes. This house, too, has been touched by death, but Signa soon discovers that there is a killer on the loose threatening the remaining family members, and she makes it her mission to find the killer and save the Hawthornes before it is too late.

This was a really interesting gothic-paranormal-fantasy-romance-mystery/thriller. Though the plot was ultimately kind of predictable, the combination of a wide berth of genre conventions, gothic atmosphere, and compelling characters made for a pretty enjoyable read.

For me personally, the shining star of this read was the atmosphere. It's perfectly spooky and well-suited to the fall season, especially with the ghosts, the overgrown garden, the poison, etc. etc. Though it's not complicated to figure out who the killer is, it's still interesting to go on the journey of figuring out their plan and motivation.

I think there's also something to like about the romance -- especially if you're the kind of reader who read Addie Larue for the Addie/Luc relationship -- although Signa and Death do meet for the first time when she is a baby, which does read as grooming given the trajectory of their relationship.

I also kind of wish this was a standalone. I'm sure the next book will be good -- especially since this book was a good time -- but I found I wasn't really blown away by the cliffhanger as a lot of other readers were. I was actually perfectly satisfied with the way the story threads had been wrapped up, so by the end of the epilogue I just kind of felt like I'd gotten weird whiplash. I think that just comes down to everything being so neat in the end that the idea of the story continuing beyond an amorphous and-she-lived-happily didn't even occur to me. I'd still recommend the book, but I do think it's important to know that it does end on a sudden and unexpected cliffhanger that introduces basically an entire new story.

Belladonna was truly one of the most captivating books I have read in a while. Not only was Signa such a likeable character but the whole plot was so interesting and I never would have guessed the end. I cannot wait for the next book and thank you to netgalley for providing me with this ARC

A murder mystery with Death (who is swoonworthy BTW) as a love interest— I’ll take it!

I need Foxglove ASAP!

Thank you, NetGalley, for the eARC.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!!

I loved this book!!! A romantic, murder mystery involving Death as a character! And, not just a character, but a romantic interest!

Signa is 19 years old and has had a mostly unfortunate life. Her mother died when she was a baby and since then she has been passed around between different family members as a foster child. Also, it doesn't make it any easier for her when wherever she goes someone winds up dying. When she finally reaches a nice home with the Hawthornes a few months before she turns 20 and gains her inheritance, she realizes how special family really is and also grows closer to death and her legacy as well.

I was addicted from the first page of this book to the last. And, I believe there will be more. Not absolutely positive but based on the ending I'm hoping so. Especially because I just want more!! This was so so good. I definitely recommend this!

Out August 30, 2022!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishing team for this ARC!

4.5! This was a fun read! The beginning of the story was a bit of a slow start for me but once you are hooked, you get HOOKED. I had read her other series but the story of All the Stars and Teeth didn't quite keep me interested like this one.

I enjoyed watching Signa's character grow in the book. She thought she knew what she wanted with society and its rules and its socializing until she gets thrust in the middle of it all and finds out...it might be a tad too stifling for a bird that likes to be free. I liked seeing her realize that she doesn't have to lose herself to fit in, for you'll always find the right people.

We're all suckers for the Shadow Man and Death was no different. His character was fun and the way he stayed by Signa and watched over her all this time was just lovely. I liked the progression of their relationship and in the end, he would always push Signa to LIVE even while she wanted to be with him. I love so many of the quotes said by Death! It made ME swoon!

I really liked the murder mystery aspect of the book and found it to be really engaging! I did not guess who would it be and was surprised until I realized how much it made sense. I'm still definitely suspicious of all the other characters though haha. How about that ending though! I am so invested and can't wait for the sequel!

From the bottom of my heart, I cannot fathom how everyone loved this book when I couldn’t stand it. Possibly it’s because I also hated The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, which feels like a spiritual twin to this. It reads like bad Darkling and Alina or Reylo fanficiton. Nothing about the characters or the relationships was original or even compelling: Signa, name, personality and all, would have been lost to me amidst the sea of other YA protagonist that debuted this year. I am just at a total loss to see what anyone else found interesting about this book. I’m all for power dynamics with a sexy human personification of Death, but my issue is more that this version of the story lacks all sense of subtly or tension. I’m tired of being bludgeoned over the head by contrived tropes: I want something new, sizzling, and dangerous, not a “relationship” that coyly plays at being enemies to lovers when it is in fact just a sudden, slapdash lovebombing with a side of badly written, unfunny quips.

Loved this one so much! All the characters were likable and the romance was so swoonworthy. I loved the mystery aspect as well, and was shocked by the plot twists. I definitely recommend this if you're looking for something similar to Kingdom of the Wicked.

Stars- 500/5!

** I received a free advanced sample from the publisher and have chosen to leave a review**

Overview-
Orphaned as a baby, nineteen-year-old Signa has been raised by a string of guardians, each more interested in her wealth than her well-being—and each has met an untimely end. Her remaining relatives are the elusive Hawthornes, an eccentric family living at Thorn Grove, an estate both glittering and gloomy. Its patriarch mourns his late wife through wild parties, while his son grapples for control of the family’s waning reputation and his daughter suffers from a mysterious illness. But 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.
Review-

WOW! This one was such a perfect mix of so many elements in one story. It has the most wonderful spooky fall vibes that really enhance the story. I loved how nothing was expected, and each twist was revealed slowly, and how in the end everything circled back to the belladonna berries! I really felt like I jumped right into a Tim Burton film with all of the Victorian gothic vibes the author mixed in. Signa was also a perfect MC to have leading this story. I enjoyed following her journey to unravel each mystery while falling in love….! Death was probably one of my favorite characters too and honestly I never believed I could fall in love with a grumpy shadow! I have no idea how I will possibly manage waiting for Foxglove to release because WoW did this leave off on a huge cliffhanger!

I have already pre-ordered this book because I REALLY need to read it again because it's just that good! (Also the gorgeous cover!!) Trust me you need to do the same and take advantage of the special editions!

If you are interested in more reviews and bookish content, follow me on Instagram @3am_bookmarks !

Belladonna is a Gothic-infused romantic murder mystery set in the Victorian Era. Adalyn Grace pitches it as Bridgerton meets Knives Out but with a paranormal edge. SAY NO MORE! I honestly wanted to read this book on the cover ALONE. I was instantly hooked on how the book started; it immediately gave off eerie vibes and became a page-turner.

I loved this version of Death that Belladonna gives us. He was mysterious but, at the same time, an educator who was very respectful to Signa. He would try to put everything into perspective for her, and everything he would say to her was so swoon-worthy. I truly wish we could have had more moments of them together.

One of my favorite things about Signa’s character was the change and growth she went through. She was so consumed with wanting to find her way in society, to debut and find a man to marry and settle down with properly, but then she saw the path meant for her and embraced it. I also enjoyed how far Signa would go to have a moment with Death, even though she “hated” him.

I felt some areas of the book should have been condensed. A lot was going on in the story, and sometimes it felt choppy. There were a lot of characters, some that were forgettable, and when they would be brought up later in the story, I had forgotten who they were. I also wished that Lillian would have been more involved. You get introduced to her, and then she doesn’t appear again until the end. I did guess two of the “plot twists,” though, and I was so excited I was right!

This was an enjoyable read, and I cannot wait to see what happens in the second book, Foxglove! Thank you, NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, for providing an eARC of Belladonna. This review is being left voluntarily, and all opinions are my own.

This was really good and I'm looking forward to book two.

Signa has had a tough life. When she was a baby, everyone at a party died from poisoning. She lost her parents. From that point on, Signa could see Death. He came often while she moved from one place to the next, always taking the person she lived with. Signa hated him for it. Signa also ended up having a special gift. She could take some poison and not die. It would summon Death and she could talk to him. He was able to have contact with her that he's never had before. When her aunt dies, Signa is invited to live with her cousin's family. A young man, Sylas, picks her up. He says that he works in the stables. When Signa arrives, her aunt had died and her cousin Blythe is sick with the same thing. Elijah is morning and Percy suffers. The ghost of Lillian appears to Signa since she can see spirits. Lillian can't speak, but she gives Signa some clues as to what is going on. Signa realizes that Lillian and Blythe have both been poisoned by Belladonna. Signa decides that she needs to solve the mystery of who killed Lillian and also save Blythe from dying. During this time, she also goes through classes at home to learn how to come out into society. Signa has an etiquette book that her mom left, but she quickly learns that the things in that book are silly and not who she wants to be. Still, Signa tries to learn and fit in. She meets other young woman and finds out that she'll be very popular for her coming out. After all, Signa is set to inherit her family's fortune soon and she'll have to marry someone with status. Signa starts to have feelings for Sylas. But she also starts to feel things for Death that confuse her. He continues to show up and help her.

I really enjoyed this and it was super close to 5 stars for me. There wasn't much that bothered me. Just the repetition of the etiquette book. I adored both Signa and Blythe. I'm definitely curious to see what will happen next. This one had a pretty good twist towards the end.

I gave this book 4 1/2 stars rounded up to 5 on Goodreads.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my earc.

"You must not allow yourself to be consumed so thoroughly by death. It's not selfish to live."

Ghosts? ✓
Romance? ✓
Murder mystery? ✓
Death god and a dark haired LI described like a tree? ✓

Belladonna really has it all!

Adalyn Grace does not hold back, from page one we are immediately thrust into Signa's story. Signa Farrow has been surrounded by death her entire life, both figuratively and literally. From a young age she learns she (i) cannot die, (ii) she can see spirits, and (iii) every time she's on the brink of death she comes face to face with Death himself.

She is sent to live with at the manor of her distant relative (husband to her recently deceased cousin). However, after only being there for a short time she quickly begins to realize that things aren't quite as they seem, and maybe it wasn't an illness that took her cousin so quickly.

As a young woman, Signa is trying to balance becoming what she thinks society expects of her, her new found desires, solving a murder and trying to save a dying cousin. Signa has to decide whether death is something she should fear and hate, or something worth embracing.
"You are bolder than the sun, Signa Farrow, and it's time that you burn."

This story was so much fun! Filled with likeable characters, paranormal activities, and swoon-worthy love interests, all set against a regency backdrop (did I mention a masquerade ball?), Belladonna is a fun, relatively easy read, that kept me tangled in its gothic web. I was so excited when I got the confirmation for this eARC, and it did not disappoint! I will definitely be buying a physical copy (or two... I love both the US and UK covers) and I can't wait to read more about Signa!
"Glad that if she was to be a monster, at least she could deliver mercy."

I adore this author and her writing style, and Belladonna only confirmed that for me. The main character of Signa I did not vibe with at first (giving Tella from Caraval), but as the story went along and she developed I was enthralled. I loved the mystery-vibe this gothic fantasy held, and the character of Death was an absolute icon. I cannot wait till the next instalment comes out!

A solid 4 read for me!
The book starts off climatic with everyone dying save one tiny baby that Death cannot touch….

Years later, Signa Farrow is an still an orphan. Pass-off from relative to relative, she can’t seem to escape the death surrounding her. Nor can she die. She attempts multiple times to draw out Death but until she accidentally kills her aunt Magda does he appear before her.

Dislike him she may, Signa feels more herself around him. Dismay that another death has happen around her, Signa is devastate.. however Death made her a vow that he is not her enemy and he will help her.

Two days later she receives a notice from her distant relatives asked her to come stay with them at Thorn Grove. Things seem to be looking up for Signa until she senses something something is off. Endless senseless partying. A daughter Ill and a family broken. Murder. Poison. Can Signa find the culprit or will it be too late to save Hawthornes?

Overall a well-written interesting murder mystery with a touch of paranormal and ghost involved. The ending leaves room for a new adventure for our heroine Signa.

Thank you Little Brown Books for young reader for this ARC provided thru @netgalley for an honest review.

hank you to netgalley and to the publisher for an Earc of this book in exchange for my honest review!

This was one of my most anticipated books and oh my god. I absolutely loved it!! The characters are amazing and so easy to connect to. The story was super interesting as well and that romance was exactly what it needed! I will definitely be buying a copy of this book when it comes out! I really hope there is a 2nd book!

Belladonna is fantastic! I will admit that I was bored for the first few chapters. The beginning with Signa's mother and all that happened at her party made me keep pushing through because I trusted that scene as a promise for more to come. It paid off. I thought the transition from Signa at Magna's house to her next home was a bit slow and that is why I was bored. Once Lillian appeared ,however, I was hooked. The characters are thoroughly developed. I loved that Signa is in the world where women must marry to secure their futures but she is an exception. Signa is wealthy enough to not have to settle or marry at all. So many of these stories are about the unwealthy girls, so seeing Signa not have to worry about her financial future gave me the ability to not worry about her in that regard as well and I could focus on her actual trajectory. I loved being privy to her change in opinions about the world around her. Let's talk about Death. Swooooon! What a great character! He isn't pushy, or mean, or hateful. He is patient, and kind, and trustworthy. I was invested in these characters. The spooky factor is heavy in this book as well. I was constantly dying to find out about Blythe and what would become of her. I thought I knew what was going to happen but right up until the very end I was proven wrong. The whole time I thought I saw the ending coming, but I was WRONG. There was not one, but two twists that left me smiling to myself. I love when a story can surprise me. I MUST have the sequel. I will be keeping an eye out for it constantly. Adalyn Grace is quickly becoming one of my must read authors

I was given an Arc copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have no idea where to start with this review! This book was phenomenal and the ending left my jaw on the floor!

When Signa realizes she can’t die she drinks poison to summon Death because she needs his help to come into her powers and solve a murder. The twists and turns kept me glued to this book until the end. And now I can’t wait for book 2!

I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars! I will definitely be grabbing a physical copy for my shelf!

This book was a pleasure to read. The lush gothic elements, death personified, the mystery, the murder! All elements that I LOVE. There were a wonderful number of twists in this story, each piece of the mystery carefully layered with a breath snatching climax. I deeply enjoyed Signa’s relationship with death and the role he played in the story.
The way the gothic/regency/mystery/fantasy genres combined in this were so interesting and as a fan of all of those genres I felt like my favorite parts of each were commingled in a spine tingling story. I love that this isn’t the end for Signa Farrow either, with a cliff hanger to boot, the last 10% of this book had me on the edge of my seat.
The magic in this book was another favorite part of mine. I think Signa’s unwinding of her powers and how she was twined with death were pretty unique and make for a compelling heroine. I look forward to seeing how she develops and comes further into these powers.

Absolutely loved this one! I enjoyed both the main character and death as a character. I’m really excited about the sequel and I can’t wait to see what happens next

Signa's disgustingly wealthy parents died when she was a baby. Since then, she has only had one guardian who loved her and treated her well. Since her grandmother's passing, Signa has been ferried from one asshole to the next, all wanting nothing more than her money, and all so very, very unfortunately meeting an untimely demise. How sad for them. Very sadly unfortunate.

All this has left poor Signa feeling like quite the curse, and combined with the fact that she can't seem to die, spirits are harassing her constantly, and she is being perhaps a bit stalked by Death himself, well she's certainly got some issues.

A handsome jerk comes to fetch her and bring her to stay with the next batch of family, and Signa is understandably reticent but hopeful. She just wants to become the proper society lady that she believes she should be, but she's got to solve a murder in between etiquette lessons and stop the killer from striking again in the meanwhile.

I so very much enjoy it when a book has me guessing and then surprises me. I found myself questioning every character, suspicious of the lot of them, and still I was surprised.

Signa is a headstrong young lady with just enough crippling self-doubt to make her incredibly real. She is snarky and curious and sassy and launches herself head first into danger, but never did I roll my eyes. I never wanted to grab her and shake her. So often authors aren't able to walk the line with their strong female leads, making them too strong, too resilient, too confident. Even the strongest of us have our weak spots. Even though she can't die, she's so afraid, and even rife with fear, she's still so determined and daring.

I love how human Death was. I love how he becomes gradually more tangible, and by the time Signa gets to see him, really see him, so do we. It was a most excellent romance, very mysterious and evocative and ethereal and dreamy.

On the note of romance, there are some sexy bits, but they are very floral, so look elsewhere if you were hoping for graphic junk mashing.

I really loved this book. I blitzed through it. I eagerly anticipate the next one. Do recommend.