Very good and also enjoyed as audiobook. Would recommend either option! I immediately added the next one to my tbr to watch for it’s released when I finished this one. Enjoyed it as well.

I have been looking forward to reading this book for a very long time. The cover is everything and I was SO excited to dive into this book. A romance with Death, a gothic haunted house, ghosts and poisons. This is everything I could have wanted in a book.

Signa is our 19 year old main character whom Death has followed for her entire life. Taking her parents and multiple guardians, Signa is finally sent to the Hawthornes, her long lost family, to start her new life. Unfortunately for her, Death follows closely to her new home. She soon finds herself in a murder mystery haunted house where only she can save her cousin from slipping into Deaths grasps. The longer she is around Death though, the more she see’s that Death is trying to help her and not work against her as she thought. Signa has to solve the tangle of the family web that are the Hawthornes and find out who is trying to kill off her family and hopefully save her new life.

This book had everything I wanted in it, theoretically. I really enjoyed the family mystery and back story. I thought the Hawthornes were everything and really like unraveling their story. Every time you thought you knew what was going on, Adalyn switched it up on you. I loved the whole Signa and Death story line as well. The haunted house and their relationship reminded me a bit of Hades and Persephone.

Unfortunately this story just wasn’t everything I wanted it to be. Like I said, everything was THERE, it just fell a bit flat. I felt like it was very YA but with some spice which felt strange to me. I also felt like Signa was so back and forth with Death and we kept having the same conversation over and over. I didn’t feel particularly close to any of the characters and they kind of fell flat for me. This book took much longer than to finish than expected because I just could not care about some parts of the book.

Overall, I have this book a 3 out of 5. I am still on the fence if I will read the next one.

This was a fun, atmopsheric, YA fantasy romance. I can see how this series is super popular now, with the demand for Romantasy. I loved the concepts and the general vibe of the story. That said the protagonist fell a bit flat, and her love interest fell even more flat for me. I look forward to the rest of the books, where I hope the characters can shine as much as the overall concept and the world!

Fantastic. Gorgeous, lush world building and lyrical writing combine to being a unique take on the personification of Death and swoon-worthy romance. It is easily one of my top favorite reads of the year. The gothic feel of the setting and overall story was so well done.

I cannot believe I read a love corner where there was Death being all soft and hot, and me being like "don't forget about the stable boy tho," only for there to be the greatest plot twist possible that had me GASPING.

Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book! I was so excited to read this book as most everyone! I absolutely fell in love with this book! I cannot wait to read more by Adalyn Grace!

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