I swear I’m one of the few I know that didn’t finish this book. I wanted to love it and maybe at some other point in time when it isn’t constantly thrown in my face I will? But I just could not make myself get through this one.

Such a unique idea. I love that it’s a series and the dark idea of death. I love new ideas and the title and cover are so new and beautiful. I’m excited for the rest of the series!

"Belladonna" by Adalyn Grace is a spellbinding sequel that effortlessly builds upon the captivating world and characters introduced in "All the Stars and Teeth." With its lush world-building, thrilling action, and complex characters, Grace delivers a mesmerizing tale of adventure and intrigue that will leave readers breathless.

In this eagerly awaited continuation of the series, readers are once again transported to the enchanting world of Visidia, where magic and danger lurk around every corner. As the kingdom teeters on the brink of chaos, protagonist Amora Montara must navigate treacherous waters to reclaim her throne and save her people from a looming threat.

Grace's writing is vivid and immersive, painting a rich tapestry of magic and mystery that leaps off the page. From the glittering palaces of the ruling elite to the murky depths of the sea, each setting is brought to life with stunning detail and atmospheric prose. The world-building is expansive and imaginative, filled with intricate lore and mythology that adds depth and texture to the story.

At the heart of "Belladonna" are its compelling characters, each with their own motivations and secrets. Amora Montara is a fierce and determined protagonist, grappling with the weight of her responsibilities while facing inner demons of her own. As she navigates the challenges of leadership and love, readers are drawn into her journey of self-discovery and redemption.

The supporting cast is equally well-developed, with characters who leap off the page with distinct personalities and motivations. From the enigmatic pirate Bastian to the cunning mermaid Vataea, each character adds depth and complexity to the narrative, creating a dynamic ensemble that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

The plot of "Belladonna" is fast-paced and action-packed, with twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. Grace expertly balances moments of high-stakes drama with quieter, more introspective scenes, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the story's emotional core. The result is a gripping page-turner that will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series.

In conclusion, "Belladonna" by Adalyn Grace is a breathtaking sequel that surpasses its predecessor in every way. With its lush world-building, compelling characters, and thrilling plot, it is sure to captivate fans of fantasy and adventure. Grace has once again proven herself to be a master storyteller, and "Belladonna" is a shining example of her talent and creativity.

I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's been out for ages, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3

Belladonna is a big case of why didn't I read this book sooner?!? I've heard amazing things about this book, but when I picked it up, I just couldn't put it down. Adalyn Grace sucked me into the world and left me wanting more. So I have to say part of me is glad I waited, because there is already a sequel out in the world and a third book that releases later this year.

Signa is such an interesting character and your heart breaks for her after just reading the prologue. She has an interesting relationship with death and is determined to not let anyone around her die. I love how she starts standing up for herself more and becoming more confident. Death is also a very interesting character and his relationship and how it develops with Signa had me hooked.

The dark atmospheric writing is also perfect for the mystery elements in this story. It's the perfect read for a dark and rainy day. The author surprised me with quite a few twists and turns and I have to say it had me close to tears a few times. That ending also had me wanting to throw my Kindle across the room.

If you're looking for a dark and atmospheric story that gives all of the vibes, I highly recommend Belladonna. I can't go too into details, because I don't want to spoil anything, but this book deserves all of the hype it has received since it released.

My review will be posted on https://thebookdutchesses.com on March 28th.

This was so beautifully written, and I'm obsessed with the cover. I can't wait to crack open the rest of the series.

Loved this book. The story moved and the main character was amazing. The story was full and I did not want it to end.

Very different from what I normally read, but I truly enjoyed every second of this book. It was entertaining.

I really enjoyed this! Someone had said this was like a gothic Bridgerton and I see what they meant. I think it was a mix of Bridgerton and Scythe with mystery elements, perfect fall read. I’m so glad I preordered the second book.

I won’t lie in that start I wasn’t sure how much I’d enjoy this one but it didn’t take long to get hooked and really dive into the story! Definitely gave off Stalking Jack the Ripper vibes!

Really loved the setting/vibe of this book and the new take to magic mixed with mystery. I absolutely was loving the whole secret garden vibe in the start and wish it would’ve kept that throughout the story, but it kinda went way somewhere else then back at the end. That whole story line part would be my only complaint at the end as I was confused. But overall didn’t take away from anything else I enjoyed!

Merged review:

I won’t lie in that start I wasn’t sure how much I’d enjoy this one but it didn’t take long to get hooked and really dive into the story! Definitely gave off Stalking Jack the Ripper vibes!

Really loved the setting/vibe of this book and the new take to magic mixed with mystery. I absolutely was loving the whole secret garden vibe in the start and wish it would’ve kept that throughout the story, but it kinda went way somewhere else then back at the end. That whole story line part would be my only complaint at the end as I was confused. But overall didn’t take away from anything else I enjoyed!

What an interesting concept and execution. I love a good murder mystery with family intrigue and this has all of it.

I usually go into books blind, but after reading the plot summary of this book, I was immediately intrigued and had set my expectations pretty high. Unfortunately, this book didn't quite hit the mark for me. This book starts off so strong and the stage is set for a brilliant story. It starts off with gothic vibes and I thought that this could have been a perfect atmospheric read. I just felt like the plot didn't fully come together as the story went on. Signa is an interesting character and her connection to Death personified is one of the more interesting parts of this book. However, there the romance feels a little off. I was hoping for more development from the romantic connection. The murder mystery itself was underwhelming. There were some ensemble characters that definitely stood out. Blythe was an interesting characters and the ghosts of the manor added more drama to the story, which I think was much needed. The cliffhanger at the end had me a little interested, I will admit, but I'm not sure I'll be in a rush to pick up the second installment. Overall, this book didn't hit the mark for me. The writing was well done, but I was hoping for a more atmospheric read.

I thought this was a good read! I wish Death was more fleshed out as a character but I definitely can see how this was originally meant to be a standalone -- it could've been a really great standalone! But I thought Signa's story was really great and I finished this one sitting.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.

the atmosphere of this book was amazing-- loved the gothic vibes! it was so well done.

it was kind of hard to get into and the end was also hard to finish, but the middle kept me going. characters were fun to read and writing was good.

ultimately, not my cup of tea but still a good book

AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING. I regret not reading it sooner. This book has everything I wanted, adventure, intrigue and possible romance hehe.

A love story between a girl and Death??? SIGN ME UP. I love Adalyn Grace's writing, and BELLADONNA just shows how much she continues to grow as a writer

This story is was so good! It had everything I didn’t know I needed. Like I never knew I had a thing for gothic fantasy before this book, but apparently I do. I loved the characters, the plot was so imaginative and now I must read the next book stat.

Loved this book so much . The gothic atmosphere and mystery is everything . The description and plots were beautifully mastered along the pages .
Death made a man to swoon over has never been done so perfect .
Signa Farrow with her will / power to bleed into the other world will capture you and wonder how far will she go .
Blythe the sick cousin , was so sweet and cannot wait to see more from her .
The ghosts and mystery kept it creepy and gothic but still so beautifully written.

A girl partnering with Death to solve mysteries? Yes, please. I literally swallowed this book whole (along with the rest of the series). The author's writing style is so eerie and full of tension. All the twists and turns in the story kept me on the edge of my seat. Haunting, romantic, mesmerizing. Read this.

This was one of my top reads for 2022. This was essentially an enemies to lovers dark fantasy story. What if everyone around you kept dying? Who do you blame? Do you blame Death himself? Well, that's what Signa did. But when she finds out everything was to protect her, how could she continue to hate him? And how could she continue to hate him when he's trying to find the person who is poisoning her cousin? Oh, it's also kind of a love triangle butttt not really. That part made me so excited, she didn't have to choose! The atmosphere of this book was perfection, everything felt dark and spooky and I loved it.