#Belladonna:

“Death was her poison, and all she wanted was to consume more.”

Oky, confessions this book took me FOREVER to finish. It’s not a bag book, I just.. wasn’t ever really in the mood. When I was in the mood I was tearing through it having to find out what happened. But, when I wasn’t reading it, I didn’t think about it.

Belladonna has such a creepy/sinister atmospheric feel to it, that you want to continue to peel back the layers with Signa to understand what truly is happening. At the same time, you wanted to know more about Death and why they are able to interact with Signa. Plus, they have feelings? What?! It was such a complex notion and really thought out.

I definitely don’t feel like this is a cliffhanger goodbye.. but more of a cliffhanger tune in for part 2. This gave OUABH cliffhanger feels, which I feel is so on brand for YA fantasy. This did teeter between YA and NA but I’m giving this a solid YA rec.

Overall, I really enjoyed it. I do this is a “it’s not you/it’s me” as to why it took SO LONG for me to finish it. I’m so interested into what direction Grace will be taking Foxglove.

Thank you so much @thenovl for the gifted copy. Belladonna is out now!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was the perfect amount of romance and gothic fantasy. The Bridgerton vibes were just right and made for an interesting read. The scenes of Signa and Death were the best and I wanted more of them together working to figure out her powers. I can’t wait for the next book.

Wow!! This book is amazing. It’s starts off with a bang and it keeps on delivering. If you love enemies to lovers with gothic vibes and mystery this is the story for you. Its definitely a cool book. I love SIgna!! She tries hardly to simulate but she is not a meek girl. I love how Death has her question her goals and what she wants her life to become. The story builds very well and honestly I couldn’t figure out the mystery until the end. It is a great read and a beautiful story!! Has a small bit of spice but I would rate it 🌶. It’s very mild. I adore this story and am so happy I bought two special editions. If you thinking about reading I highly suggest it!!!

Signa Farrow is immune to death… but she’s not immune to his charms.

[Please Note: I was provided a free Advanced Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher via Netgalley]

Belladonna might just be the perfect Halloween read; from the spooky Victorian-era Gothic inspired setting to the whodunnit mystery and the sweepingly fantastical romance, it couldn’t be more season appropriate if it was pumpkin-spice scented.

In this novel, we follow our protagonist Signa Farrow who is not like other girls. She’s immune to death, but unfortunately, no one else around her is. Signa’s early life reads a lot like a series of unfortunate events where with each untimely demise, she finds herself going from a bad situation to a worse one over and over and over again.

All of this is Death’s fault, who is depicted as a human-esque anthropomorphic figure made from shadows, or so Signa believes. And even though he insists that he’s been trying to help her all along, she doesn’t believe him… because he’s… well, Death.

After yet another tragic event leaves her guardian-less with mere months until she comes of age and inherits her parent’s fortune, Death leads her to Thorn Grove where her cousin has died of a long, mysterious illness and her daughter has fallen ill with the same symptoms. The Lord of Thorn Grove, Elijah, has completely dissociated in his grief and is squandering the family fortune and besmirching their good name by hosting debauched balls and staying drunk and disorderly at. all. times. Which, of course, puts the entire future of the family in jeopardy.

Signa can see more than just Death however, she can see spirits that linger and choose not to move on, and after communing with her cousin’s lost and angry soul she discovers that Lillian was poisoned, and whoever murdered her is now trying to kill her daughter too. Now Signa is in a race to find a killer before he completely destroys the only family she’s ever felt welcomed into, while simultaneously trying to heal deep rifts between the people who live at Thorn Grove.

This book reminded me of The Masque of Red Death meets Crimson Peak with its sweeping moors, vast gothic estates, and Bridgerton-worthy romance arc. While locations in the book were described well, the worldbuilding at large was a bit vague. For example, Thorn Grove where most of the book takes place was easy to picture during the read; however, it’s never explicitly stated if this book is set in a Victorian-era inspired fantasy world or if it’s meant to actually be set in England during a specific time period. So this isn’t a book you can expect too many details from in terms of scenery or location. Though, by the end of the novel it’s clear that this is the first in a series and readers might expect that the worldbuilding will be expanded upon in future installations.

However, the magic system and the mystery elements were simply delightful. This novel didn’t take itself too seriously, which made a lot of the darker material much easier to digest and keep the reader from feeling too weighed down by trauma to enjoy the story. And while I normally don’t stray towards mystery or thriller novels, I have to admit I had fun trying to puzzle out who the killer was as we got to know more about the inhabitants of Thorn Grove.

Of course, I’d be remiss not to touch on the romance arc in this novel. While the romance in this novel is intended for Young Adult audiences and clearly supposed to be a sub-plot; the author spent a lot of time focusing on it, at times veering from the overall mystery, though it wasn’t overly distracting from the main plot. Signa definitely has a case of ‘special-girl syndrome’ when it comes to the romantic interests in this book; in my personal opinion there were too many different options for the main romantic interest and it got confusing at several points. Also, because of the murder mystery plot I didn’t trust myself to get too close to any of them (just in case they turned out to be the killer, but this was actually part of the fun).

The most complicated part of the romance arc in this novel is how much I really enjoyed the tension between her and the main romantic lead, though I thought there were several things about that relationship that were problematic and although written well, overall it made me uncomfortable. Strangely, with the spooky atmosphere woven throughout this book, the discomfort and distrust felt in the romance arc fits kind of perfectly. Also, there was one graphic scene which was a little bolder than I normally see in YA fiction (not fade-to-black), but not overly graphic for readers who tend to prefer their romances clean.

All in all, I liked this book. I thought it was imaginative and atmospheric without trying too hard. The modern influences made this fantasy world feel accessible and realistic, and I found myself rooting for this poor, grief-stricken family as they tried to stitch themselves back together. The romance, though problematic in my opinion, was written really well. The mystery was well-balanced and came to a satisfying conclusion. It’s clear by the ending that this is not the last book in this series and I’m definitely curious to see what more Adalyn Grace has in store for us.

A perfect intro into a gothic fantasy infused with romance and a light mystery!

"...the more time she spent with him, the more that fear was beginning to slip away as curiosity festered in its absence. She didn't hate Death, not truly. And God, what a fool that made her."

Maybe an odd point to like but the names in this book were so unique! It somehow added to their personalities, made them so much more differentiable and interesting. They all had depth and Signa specifically did a 180 through her character growth. Her learning of acceptance and viewing her circumstances in a different light; less of a curse more of an upper hand.

"For so long she'd been fighting who she was in favor of who others wanted her to be. She'd Had enough."

I also loved her and Sylas's snarky dialog.

"A Lady's Guide to Beauty and Etiquette was starting to feel less like her saving grace and more like a nuisance."

The creepy, gothic manor accompanied by ghosts and mysteries had such a atmospheric feel to it. I do wish there was more of the restless spirits but it's now something I'm looking forward to in the sequel! I was also not expecting to learn about botanicals at all. If you teach me something in a book, I always count that as a plus!

Although the love story can be a bit hard to get used to (I mean it is Death...), Adalyn Grace someone convinced me that it works haha. With a light enemies to lovers, it's a great mix for those that love that trope and want a bit more magical from the love interest!

"Death was her poison, and all she wanted was to consume more."

As a side note, any book that features winter and how amazing it is will win me over. Summer get too much praise, I'm more of a winter gal <3

For fans of victorian gothic books like House of Salt and Sorrows
I really enjoyed this! Haunting and fast paced, I was charmed by the world and gripped by the mystery. The story is captivating throughout and I didn’t put the book down once!

I loved this book so much. I want to be called "little bird " by death, pretty please. I really loved the chemistry between Signa and death so much. I love the setting of the story. I want book 2 so badly, even though this one has been just barely out. Thanks so much for giving me the chance to read this book.

Belladonna is a YA novel that tells the story of Signa Farrow, a nineteen-year-old who has been ferried from guardian to guardian her entire life, each of them dying mysteriously before getting to claim her great inheritance. The latest location is Thorn Grove, an estate nearly as mysterious as she is, packed with intriguing people and dark secrets that might just hold the answers she's been looking for.

This novel felt gothic, thrilling, and ghost-y (think Crimson Peak, but with some dark romance and a personified Death thrown in), and I loved every page of it. Every bit of the mystery was well-thought out and beautifully written, with plot twists I definitely didn't see coming and lots of complicated threads to unravel.

The characters were also amazing. My only complaint with Signa is that she did feel like a typical YA I'm-strong-but-only-when-men-think-so character, and I wish she'd been a tad more independent and discovered her badassery earlier. She happened to have some very nice companions, though. Sylas was probably my favorite, but I absolutely adored Blythe. I wish these side characters (even Percy) had gotten a little more page-time and character development, because Belladonna feels very Signa-focused, but, otherwise, incredible characters. <33

Adalyn Grace caught my attention with the All the Stars and Teeth duology, which was spectacular, so I had very high expectations for this book. It didn't disappoint. Her writing is beautiful, her characters are hilarious and loveable, and her stories are intriguing and action-packed. It's safe to say I'll read as many of her future books as I can get my hands on.

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace is a new favorite read for the year and I am so happy that I read this one this month for October because it's such a creepy/perfect read for the fall!
Syigna our main character wasn't annoying like so many other characters I meet. She was snarky and doesn't take no for an answer! My favorite character through this book was the character of Death and idk but he was so interesting to read from. But I just got to say without spoiling the book I just need book 2 like now! 5 stars!!!(:
Also this was book 99/100 for the year for me and I'm one book away from completing my goal!!(:

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace immediately had me captivated when I first started listening to it. It felt a little different in tone from Grace's previous duology and I am here for it. This story follows Signa Farrow who was orphaned as a newborn (that scene was heartbreaking to read as a mom). As she goes from relative to relative, it seems that death follows in her wake. She finally ends up with the Hawthorne family at Thorn Grove. The family is a little bit on the eccentric side. It turns out death may still be following Signa, but she gets some help from the stable boy and well, Death himself, to figure out who was behind Lillian, the matriarch's death. Also, who could potentially be putting Blythe, Percy, and Mr. Hawthorne.

I think what helped to keep me hooked was that the narration was so good. The narrator is Kristin Atherton. The audiobook was 13 hours and 14 minutes long. I listened to it sped up to varying speeds - 1.3x-1.6x. There was this kind of elegant feel to the narration, if that makes sense? It was perfect for Belladonna. I found that I really gelled with Signa's character and her growth. The world building caught my attention too. I also loved how Death was written. Overall, I hope for more from this world, and it seemed like the ending left an opening for more.

Exceeded my expectations!! This is such a unique story and concept. I loved the main character so much. She felt very different from other fmc written for this time period. I was thinking I’d only give this 3.5 stars, but the last 100 pages really bumped it to a 4. I can’t wait to see where this story continues.

This deliciously dark Gothic fantasy has a wonderful premise--but alas, it hit several stumbling blocks, and the prettiest thing about it was the cover.

Before I begin, I want to stress: the Gothic vibes were impeccable. You could practically see the ghosts, lurking in both the lavish balls and the eerie, darkened halls. You could feel the creeping shadows and the unnatural chills. And the regency drama was certainly there as well--the scheming for marriages, the preoccupation with etiquette, the gowns and gossip. If nothing else, the sense of place for this story worked beautifully, and if you purely want a book that *feels* like spooky season, this is a strong choice.

The thing is, the book as a whole fell short in several other regards. There were some plot holes by the end, which I can't go into without providing spoilers. There were other plot threads that were spun out through the book that never got resolved (perhaps they'll be remedied in the sequel?). And still other plot points worked out far too conveniently. Beyond that, Signa had a borderline ridiculous preoccupation with the men in her life and her feelings toward all of them--and maybe that's not too surprising, given her lifelong isolation from society, but the amount of focus she places on her attraction to them detracted from both the pacing of the book's more plot-based elements (murder mystery) and the impact of her actual emotional and romantic interactions with these men (so much time thinking, the actual events didn't hit quite the same). And I'm just going to put it out there that I am so done with the trope of "centuries-old-immortal-male-creature-in-love-with-a-teenage-girl."

For those who are curious, there are a couple steamy scenes in this book--nothing very graphic, but there is a sex scene, and some other sexual ones as well. Consent elements are good.

I wanted to like this one a lot more than I actually did. It was decent, I liked the side characters (especially Blythe, Signa's gravely ill cousin with an indomitable will), there was a plot twist that I sort of anticipated but played out in an unexpected way, and the ending set up a very juicy point for a possible sequel, which I do think I'll want to read when it comes out. But as far as favorite recent reads, this one is squarely in the middle of the road.

Trigger/content warnings: death, graphic depictions of illness/poisoning, suicide-like behavior (character who can't die can summon Death by doing things that would kill a normal person)

I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. I was already excited about reading it because I loved Adalyn Grace's previous duology, but this is on another level. First of all, Death. That's it. Just Death. I absolutely adore a good Death character, and this one is the bees knees. The king of all Death characters. 10/10 would recommend.

Now, I have to say that I'm usually not the biggest fan of a love triangle. It's normally the biggest source of frustration for me and will severely decrease my enjoyment of the book because I JUST WANT EVERYONE TO BE HAPPY OKAY? With that said, I'm 100% here for this one.

Grace's writing was an absolute delight and I fell in love with these characters. This would have done so well as a standalone novel, but I cannot wait for the second one!

☆ FIVE STAR READ ☆

Just finished reading BELLADONNA by Adalyn Grace. Official publication date was August 30th, 2022. Thank you to @littlebrownbooksforyr for my eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

#BookReview 📚
BELLADONNA is a story about an orphaned girl named Signa, who's multiple guardians keep dying. What deathly forces are at play? Why is she still alive?

Finally living at Thorn Grove with her last remaining relatives the Hawthornes, Signa feels at home. But something is wrong at Thorn Grove. Her uncle's late wife haunts the halls looking for her killer, her one cousin is suffering from the same mysterious illness that took her mother, while the other is struggling to keep his family’s name intact.

Signa will have to use her abilities of escaping Death's grasp, and the help of a charming stable boy to get to the bottom of this weird illness. But dark shadows are lurking & Signa's abilities are manifesting, and there might be more behind why Death has not come for her yet. Will Signa embrace her abilities to find the truth?

Couldn't put this down after the 30% mark. Grace's writting greatly improved for me since her debut series ALL THE STARS AND TEETH. I am totally here for a romance between Signa & Death 🖤, and the atmospheric creepy manor.

This one had me running out to buy a hard copy for my forever shelf, cause how pretty is that cover. Does this ever happen to you?

This book has everything you could possibly want! Victorian humor, murder mystery, suspense, and romance!

The main character was absolutely great! I loved her naive nature to most social situations and her defiant nature. Her interactions with Death were both hysterical and adorable.

This is the perfect fbook for those looking for a spooky season read that isn't actually scary! Also perfect for most of the readers I've met.

I found Belladonna an incredibly charming story full of characters who the reader ends up caring about, no matter who they are. Most of all this is evident in Signa, whose actions throughout the book are not always good, but you find it hard to disagree with her.

I loved this book so much! the characters were amazing and the plot twists were relatively unpredictable. the setting was one of my favourites, and I absolutely loveddd the masquerade scene!! overall, I would definitely recommend this book :)

Fantastic Fantasy/Paranormal read! I absolutely loved the little edge of mystery that came with this one, and the romance was top notch! I don't know that I would classify this one as Young Adult, because there were a few spicy scenes. They were not very detailed, but they were there.

I absolutely LOVED Death. He was definitely my favorite. I loved the dark edge to his character, but how caring and affectionate he also was. I loved the way Adalyn Grace described him and his shadows.

I don't want to give anything away, but there were 2 twists that surprised me at the end that i did not see coming. Overall I think that this story is super unique. The characters were well written and the story is well thought out and solidly written. I definitely look forward to reading more from Grace in the future.

I can give no better review than to say that I was given a free Advanced Copy and got 5% in before I knew without any doubt that I needed to immediately purchase a hardcover copy because it was going to be that good and I’d want a physical copy. Such a great book, can’t wait to read more from this author and book 2—can’t come soon enough!

Thank you NetGalley for giving me an arc of this book. Unfortunately, typical for me at this point, I didn't pick this up until I received my gorgeous Fairyloot edition, but what a mistake that was. I haven't been reaching for young or new adult books at all recently, so the fact that I enjoyed this so immensely really goes to show how wonderful this book is.

I went into this book thinking that while it sounded so gorgeous and atmospheric, that it wasn't really going to be for me. I was wrong. I also thought that around the fifty percent mark I had the ending figured out. Again, I was not correct.

The characters are witty, sarcastic and able to admit when they are flawed which I can definitely appreciate. I love when stories show growth or when a main character can question the idea that what they originally wanted they may have outgrown. At least in my opinion, most young adult books have characters that refuse to admit when they are wrong and are stubborn in their resolution- that they want what they want and that is all there is to it. Signa is a wonderful main female character. She thought from the time that she was young that she wanted to be some rich fancy socialite like her mother and wants tea parties and a husband to love her and take care of her. It's wonderful to see her grow and accept herself and what she is capable of rather than conform to societies expectations.

The gothic and ghostly elements made it a perfect choice for heading into the fall season. AND THIS ENDING THOUGH? The ending left off with quite the cliffhanger, and I am definitely invested in the story at this point. I'D LIKE BOOK TWO NOW PLEASE.

To be completely honest, I didn't enjoy another book that I had previously read by this author, but this book definitely has convinced me to pick up with what she comes out with next.