Signa Farrow is an orphaned girl with the special ability to see spirits and even Death himself. People see her as cursed since all of her previous guardians have wound up dead. She finds another home with the Hawthornes, who have death lingering over their home with a recently deceased wife and an ill daughter, Blythe. Signa soon learns that the wife was murdered and that Blythe isn't ill, but poisoned. Can Signa solve the murder and save Blythe before its too late and overcome her fear for Death himself and the strange feelings he stirs inside of her?

I absolutely loved this book. It's one of those books that's so good you want to devour it just as much as you want to savor it. It was my most anticipated read of the year and it met my expectations and more. The cover is gorgeous, the story itself is amazing and the tone and setting were easy to get lost in.

I loved Signa's character, she is strong in her own way and determined. She overcomes things with more ease than I ever could and her chemistry with Death is everything! I loved Death, such a mysterious, very attractive character.

This book is definitely one that is hard to put down. Full of mystery, a dreamy romance, spirits and twists you don't always see coming. Highly recommend!

Thank you Little Brown Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this amazing book.

Thank you so much for the ARC!

I Admittedly already had a preorder of this before I discovered it on Netgalley just because I’m already a fan of Adalyn Grace’s work, that being said A ROMANCE NOVEL WITH DEATH? uhmmm yes please (he’s big time swoon too)! This was such an interesting idea I couldn’t help but want to read it the minute I saw promo for it. One of my favorite aspects of this book is just how lush the world that’s been created is. There was no part of Signa’s tale that I wasn’t entranced by, between the mystery, the romance, and her insane backstory you get in the first chapter I wholeheartedly could not put this book down. The end left me ready for a sequel and more importantly ready to see my physical edition when it finally releases! All the stars for Belladonna!

In Belladonna, the first installment of Adalyn Grace's new series Grace once again creates a rich world, dynamic characters and a story that sucks readers right in.

I will start by saying I am a huge Adalyn Grace fan. Her debut duology are some of my favorite books I've read in the YA genre, so I was thrilled to see her coming out with a new series. When I read the description for Belladonna and realized this would be a dark and twisted tale about a girl falling in love with death I knew it was going to be a must read for me.

In her first books Grace took us on a high flying adventure on the sea, full of magic, action and pirates, in her new endeavor she takes readers to a dreary house full of secrets, mystery and deadly intentions. Belladonna balances murder mystery, perfectly with gothic romance, and created a world that is so rich it feels like I have experienced Thorn Grove myself.

I will say this book feels a little exposition heavy in the beginning with sometimes slow pacing. I found it very similar to Bardugo's Ninth House, where a slower beginning gives way to a faster paced, high payoff ending 30-40%. By the end of the book I didn't care about the pacing at all I was too in love with the overall creation. I was also proud of myself because I did manage to guess one of the bigger reveals, though guessing it didn't make the reveal any less enjoyable.

The ending epilogue was everything. I normally am very hesitant about epilogues especially in an unfinished series, but this one was so good. Foxglove cannot come fast enough. Belladonna was an easy 5-star top read of the year for me, and Grace has officially become an auto-buy author for me.

Death is a cinnamon roll. Perhaps a bit too soft for my taste in daeth-ish characters. But still a sweet romance with the main character Signa. The slow burn isn’t too bad and it didn’t feel insta-lovey even though Death is totally smitten with Signa from the get-go.

I love Adalyn’s writing style. The prose in Belladonna are absolutely stunning! I might’ve even enjoyed the story without the MC’s romance with Death. The mystery was just enough to keep me wanting to read more. I suspected who the murderer was late in the story, but still took me by surprise that it was who I thought it was…

The ending is what upped this story from 3 stars to 4 for me. There are a lot of loose ends and details that, I think, should be addressed rather than glossed over. Hopefully the sequel will give me more answers even though it looks like Death and Signa might not be the main couple!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

I was SO excited to receive this ARC so THANK YOU to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this in exchange for an honest review.

Belladonna is about Signa, an orphaned nineteen-year-old who has eluded Death and whose relatives all die around her. It starts with Signa going to live with her last living relatives, the Hawthornes, and as if it is a Hawthorne specialty (The Hawthorne brothers from The Inheritance Games, I am looking at you), it involves a mystery and suspense, but in this case, a murder. This book has a dark atmosphere and is definitely for fans of V.E. Schwab. It is gothic and fantastical and the vibes are ominous, keeping you interested through every page. I thought that the family could have used more fleshing out or creepiness, and certain things felt predictable, but overall, because this is a part of a series, I am already ready for the next one!

Not to mention, the cover is absolutely STUNNING.

3.5 stars.

Thank you to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for the ARC. This is a really great start to a new gothic fantasy series. It follows Signa, a orphan girl who can see Death and whose guardians always seem to die around her. She’s finally sent to live with the last of her remaining relatives, the Hawthornes, and becomes involved in a murder mystery. She teams up with a stable boy named Sylus as well as Death himself to figure out what happened to Lillian Hawthorne and to prevent her cousin Blythe from dying in the same way.

I loved the dark atmosphere of this book - it has spirits, murder, poison, magic, and mystery, but also family, romance, and character development. I loved Signa and her growth as she realizes that she doesn’t have to change herself to fit the norms of society and learns to use her power. Death was such an interesting character as well, he reminded me of Luc from Addie LaRue but less evil. I didn’t guess the murderer at all and was wrong about certain characters. The ending leaves another mystery to solve and introduces a character who I’m excited to see more of. Can’t wait for the next one!

I want to thank #littlebrownbookspublishing and #netgalley for letting me read this phenomenal eArc of #Belladonna

This has got to be easily one of my most favorite books that I’ve read this year! Full of mystery, suspense, death and murder.
Signa lost her family while she was just an infant. Death came calling to collect all that were at her wealthy parents party. However when death approached Signa’s crib he found himself unable to collect her. Intrigued by this death decides to take somewhat of a role in her life by watching over her.

As Signa grows she is shuffled from home to home as people tend to die around her. Having enough of it she summons death to her, Signa can’t die, at an early age she had a fall that should have killed her but didn’t. As the years went on she tried different ways of dying but it never took.
Signa finds herself with the Hawthornes a family that has been devastated by loss. A spirit reaches out to her demanding help claiming murder and that the same is happening to her daughter. Signa promises to help, she doesn’t want to lose anymore family. So with the help of Belladonna berries, the handsome stable boy Sylas, and Death Signa reaches for her power to solve what is happening to her loved ones.

First thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review! (Review may contain spoilers)

It had such a strong start and end. It caught me and I got consumed with the story. The character and her relationship with death was so interesting I wanted to know more. But it lulled a little in the middle where it seemed like clues where a little easy for her to find and the “mysterious” family was not as mysterious as they should be by telling the main character whom the never met all their secrets.

But thankfully it picked up and was so entertaining by the end that the lull was made up for.

However I wish there was a little more distinction that Signa was an adult which would have made her relationship with death less than a typical thousand year old man and teenage girl dynamic. Especially because he taught her the powers she didn’t understand. Hopefully this will improve in the sequel.

But overall a good start to a duology with an interesting twist at the end.

This book is a combination of fantasy, horror/ghost story, and mystery murder. The story revolves around Signa who is an orphan shuffled from various guardians. Signa is unable to really die and if she’s injured or close to death, she sees “Death” or the reaper of souls, but her body heals and she’s not taken to the afterlife. Signa hates Death and blames him for all her dead guardians and problems with her life.

Signa finds herself at Thorn Grove as the ward of Elijah Hawthorne. Thorn Grove is haunted, her guardian’s wife Lilian has just mysteriously died from an illness, and his daughter Blythe is now suffering the same fate.
Once she arrives at Thorn Grove, she quickly finds out that it is indeed haunted, Lillian was murdered, and someone is trying to murder her cousin Blythe. Signa is determined to solve the murder of Lillian and save her cousin. I’m order to do so….she must work with Death to solve the murder and save her cousin.

The ending is a total cliffhanger but makes me want book 2 already. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this lovely book. 5 stars ⭐️

IF ONLY the mc being named sigma was the most questionable part about this book.

first: thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

since nobody else is going to say it, i will. i think it’s weird that we start the book off saying that death (our love interest) has a fascination with signa and meets her as a baby (and practically falls in love with her right then and there). oh, and then proceeds to watch her grow up as a present figure throughout points in her life until she’s an age where he can make out with her. it’s weird! very weird!

world building is off, characters are lacking, but the cover is gorgeous and the writing isn’t bad. still— 2 stars for enjoyment, 3 stars objectively.

I am a sucker for a good gothic fantasy and this did not disappoint! Adalyn Grace is a wizard when it comes to storytelling and the way she's able to weave a story together that is so vivid and unique is amazing. I love the main character Signa and how she struggles with the dreams she thought she wanted while staying true to herself and learning more about why Death haunts her. I also enjoyed the characterization of Death in this story and I thought Death as a character was done very well. The gothic atmosphere, the mystery, and the romance made me not want to put this book down! Although it was predictable at times, it was a wonderful, refreshing read and I can't wait for the next book!

This is my first book from Adalyn Grace and I am not disappointed. I didn't know what to expect with this story as I picked it based on the amazing cover art.

I was pleasantly surprised that this book has all my favorite tropes:
Good mystery
Enemies to lovers
Strong female MC
Good plot twists

I enjoyed the character development and the interactions in this coming of age story. As the MC tries to find her place and where she belongs the mysteries begin.

I am excited to add this to my library when it is released next month. I was luck enough to receive this as my very first ARC from netgallery.


#Belladonna #NetGalley

I got lost in this story, it was so good! This book was the perfect blend of mystery, romance and magic. The ending left me speechless and I can't wait for the lext book to come out. Thank you for my copy!

It was an amazing book. I loved the ending that ended with a cliffhanger of sorts, I thought the ending would be bittersweet, but now I realize it's a cliffhanger! This book is amazing. The heroine is strong and the love interest has been with her all her life and cared for her all her life but is still somehow her enemy! Wow. Just Wow. More. I can't wait for the second book.

WOW! The hold this book had me. I could not put it down.
From start to finish I was immersed into this world and did not want to leave.
We follow Signa while she tries to figure out who caused the murder and also figure out who she was and where she fit. We also get to follow her in her relationship with Death and with the Hawthornes all of whom accept her the way she is. I thought I knew what would happen next and everytime I would be completely wrong. The twist at the end?!? I cant. I am so excited for the next book. Foxglove.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown books for the early E-Copy.
This post is on Goodreads.

5/5

THIS. This was everything I wanted and more from it.
A new favourite for sure and I need foxglove ASAP <3

Adalyn Grace’s writing is simply phenomenal. It’s improved so much since her debut novel, which I DNF’d. All issues I had with that have been resolved in this one. Her prose is luscious and atmospheric, evoking the writing of Gothic literature. She is able to convey feelings and thoughts so well in this novel. Her descriptions of settings are so well detailed and lyrical, Thorn Grave felt real. Some of the lines of encouragement Death spoke to Signa spoke to me as well - I just felt such a connection to this book.

Signa Farrow is one of my favourite heroines I’ve read about in a long time. Her journey from being isolated, lonely, and scared to embrace herself to being confident, with love, and with power - it was such a beautiful journey. I related to some of the things she felt and she’s just a very relatable character to me. I suppose one of the reasons I loved this book is because I see myself in Signa. She’s such an amazing character.

DEATH. <<33 this man guys. Do I ever love him 💗
He had his own arc of sorts and I loved it. The way he pushed Signa to embrace herself and not force herself to live by society’s standards was perfect. His nickname for Signa was so sweet. I just adore him.

The plot was chef’s kiss. It was the perfect blend of romance, mystery, and magic. I just can’t say enough for its praise. The ending?!! I need the second book ASAP. The pacing was perfect, the plot always kept me on my toes. I kept saying just one chapter - it was engrossing. It was everything it was advertised to be and more.

The romance is easily one of my favourites I’ve read this year. The banter, tender scenes, and the bond Death and Signa have is beautiful. I can’t speak enough praise for the way Adalyn Grace wrote about two very lonely people finding each other. Again, I just relate to the stuff they told each other and I loved it.

I can’t say enough praise for this book. It’s 1000% a new ultimate favourite and one of the best books I’ve read this year. If you haven’t added this to your TBR already, I highly recommend it!!

Thank you so much to the publishers for giving me an e-arc :)

i really enjoyed this!

this story follows signa, who has to move in with her only remaining relatives after each guardian she’s had has died. when she arrives, her cousin, blythe, is dying of the same mysterious illness as blythe’s mom, lillian had. signa attempts to solve the mystery of who killed lillian, and who is doing the same to her daughter.

the atmosphere was one of my favourite aspects of the novel. it felt dark and haunting, with spirits, a murder and death looming over sigma’s shoulder. i especially enjoyed the paranormal aspects of spirits and signa’s power. i think it added more to an otherwise more basic mystery story.

i really liked signa as a character. while she could be a bit clueless and stubborn at times, she is also strong and resilient. she grew up an orphan, having everyone who cared for her die, and still persevered through it. i enjoyed watching her grow into herself and realize that she doesn’t need to be a “proper” lady to be happy.

the romance was something i didn’t expect to like because i was worried about a love triangle as i was reading but i was pleasantly surprised! i really enjoy characters like “death” who are powerful and dark. i’m very glad that signa is treated as his equal, given the age difference and not some sort of “innocent child.” i would’ve liked a bit more tension between them but i also liked watching their romance unfold as the story went on. however, the nickname “little bird” is not something i need to hear again😭

while i enjoyed the romance, i loved signa’s relationship with blythe. blythe didn’t show up a lot in the story but when she did, she made a lasting impression on me. while blythe and signa start off on the wrong foot, you see their relationship bloom as the story goes on. i hope in the next book there’s more of them together.

one thing i didn’t like was who the killer ended up being. it didn’t make too much sense to me and i would’ve liked it better if it was someone else. i also thought it was a bit rushed and there were really not really any clues/reasonings that it was going to be this person or why it was them.

however, i loved the way this ended. especially when it came to signa’s relationship with death.

overall i really enjoyed the story and i’m excited for what comes in the next installment!

thank you netgalley for giving me an arc in exchange for an honest review!

personally, you know i love a book when i rant about it to my mom. i will, in fact, be ranting to her when she wake up about how correct i was on one of the plot twists… but on to the actual review.

you know those books people just considered theirs? like oh yeah that’s my fav book. people think of me when they see it. this is going to be it for me and i cannot wait to get my hands on this beauty when it comes out. when i tell you i stopped reading for a solid 10 minutes to admire the hardcover, like it’s GORGEOUS.

back to what i was saying though….
dark gothic x murder mystery x romance x supernatural??kinda??? x paranormal. like there’s a LOT to unpack here.

i’m going to try to keep this as short as possible, because i want people to see this review and think “damn, she’s sound obsessed maybe i should try this book out” without them feeling spoiled. i will indeed try to keep things to a minimal, but holy cow.

i loved MOST of the characters. and ones i disliked at first; i grew to love. talk about character development here. i love when stories have a big plot but takes time to development their characters, i won’t say this was mostly character driven, because we are only in one pov and the plot is the biggest thing there but, with what we got i got to say, the characters were introduced very well.

the mystery mwah <333 sometimes in books like these, the only thing that keeps me going is the romance or the characters because quite plainly, sometimes the mystery just sucks. but this, done so well. i won’t say much on this point because if i do i will end up ranting and again i’m trying no spoilers! but PHEW. let’s just say y’all aren’t prepared for this.

ah and the romance 💓💗💖💘💝💞💕. the romance indeed. did i mention the romance? because romance. listen up people: love is NOT dead. or is it.. because well. anyways! the romance <333333

the romance.


romance!!!!!


anyways, that ENDING??? like i was expecting the worst because of several reviews i read ahead of reading, but that… just wasn’t what i was expected. and i’m kind of mad that the second book doesn’t come out until next year because i just want to continue on reading. but again, there going to be ANOTHER book, & hopefully this turns into a full blown series because i’m obsessed. with everything. like literally everything. i cannot express enough how fun this book was to read.

also i really need more background info on signa’s parents because something isn’t quite right. i’m guessing that’s what keeping me on my toes the most; the whole mystery surrounding that. oh how excited i am for foxglove.

i’m almost done, but going in i didn’t realize this wasn’t modern and i was kind of shocked (but cmon it’s a gothic mystery i’m not sure why i was) but i indeed was, and wow i forgot how much i enjoyed period romances. might indeed go reread pride & prejudice.

in conclusion, everyone go buy this book august 30th because well did i mention romance? did i mention mystery? did i mention how great this book was?

did i mention romance?!!!

okay i’m done i swear.

thank you netgalley & little brown books for allowing me access to this beautiful arc in exchange for an honest review. and honest i was. and it won’t be the last time i talk about this book so prepared to be annoyed with me. :)

p.s. blythe is sooooo gay. like that’s a lesbian if i ever seen one. is there something you want to tell the audience adalyn?

Belladonna is a beautifully written and atmospheric gothic fantasy with paranormal elements. As a historian, I loved the Victorian-era setting! This book had everything I look for in a fantasy romance:

-badass heroine who comes into her own
-unique powers and/or magic system
-atmospheric setting
-swoon worthy romance
-found family
-page stealing side characters
-plot twists that keep you guessing

Warning: Although the main plot line gets wrapped up in this book, it still ends on a cliffhanger! I also have some questions about some plot holes that I hope are resolved in the next book and are not overlooked. I can’t wait to follow more of Signa and Death in Foxglove!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley & Little Brown Books for providing the ARC for my honest review.

I originally saw a video describing this book on TikTok back in October, almost a year prior, and numerous times would stumble on it again and be disappointed that it wasn’t out yet. So I was super excited to get this ARC, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. It went above and beyond my expectations. I was highlighting quotes in my kindle from page one. I could not put this book down.

First off, this book perfectly captured the essence of a classic Victorian Gothic. It was giving me vibes of Rebecca, Lady Audley’s Secret, and the Moonstone. We had the classic beautiful countryside manor that becomes a character itself, the paranormal aspect, plus a murder mystery. But the reason I continued to be interested in reading this book was the premise of the main character, for she can not exactly die. She can fall down a flight of stairs or eat poison and not die. Which leads to her very interesting relationship with Death, because Death is a being. This character was giving me the vibes of Luc from Addie LaRue meets Dorian’s phantom hands.

I could say so much more about this book. This was definitely one of my favorite reads so far this year and I loved how that final line left things open for possibly more. So ugh, could I get more?