Ladies and gentlemen - HER 🖤

Adalyn Grace has done it again 🤩 I quite literally devoured this book like Signa devours belladonna berries 😂

What I loved:
🍇 the opening line - talk about HOOKED
🍇 the plot twists! Didn’t guess a single one - altho I will say I almost never can call it with almost any book 🙈
🍇 the fight Signa has with herself on being polite sweet demure like society wants her to be or to embrace power and do what she wants
🍇 Death himself - swooooon 🔥🔥 dark morally grey gorgeous death god - I don’t have a type right?? (I totally have a type.)
🍇 I’m a sucker for murder mysteries

What I wished for:
🍇 More scenes with Sylas!!! I wanted their relationship development to go so so much deeper to make a certain plot twist more painful and dramatic
🍇 more character development and more relationship development
🍇 More Death - cannot get enough 😂

Overall I ADORED this book and can’t wait for the next!! I recommend this for fans of Bridgerton, Knives Out, gothic murder mysteries, and handsome morally grey love interests 🖤

4.5⭐
I'm OBSESSED with this book. Belladonna is a romantic fantasy with a deliciously gothic murder mistery. I was hooked from the start. I fell in love with Adalyn Grace's prose, it was beautiful and atmospheric.

Signa's evolution was amazing. She was a character that had a heavy backstory and also certain standards that she wanted to meet but throughout the book you can witness how much her character grows. I loved her.

The mystery aspect had me on the edge of my seat towards the end because I thought I knew the identity of the killer but in the end I KNEW NOTHING.

And the enemies to lovers in this book? GORGEOUS. I love the relationship between Death and Signa.

In Belladonna you will find
- lots of banter
- self-discover
- found family
- masquerade ball
- enemies to lovers
- murder mystery
- Death himself being a softie over our MC

I loved the final twists and cliffhanger but I need the sequel right now. I can't believe it ended that way!

Signa, a perpetual orphan, moving from guardian to guardian, given all her guardians keep dying. Signa herself, however, cannot seem to die and can see Death.

Now living with her latest guardian, she teams up with the stable boy and Death to find who appears to be plotting to kill her newly acquired family.

I read this right after reading V. E Schwab’s Gallant, so I did find some councidental similarly plot items: orphan, Death, being taking in by cousins, ghosts, and an Iron Gate. But not mad about it, as I loved both books.

Things that shouldn’t work, like the personification of Death, actually did and I really enjoyed it.

3/5 Stars
2/5 Spice

CW/TW : Violence, Murder, Death, Grief, Suicide, Sexual Content, Child Neglect

I received a Free E-Arc in exchange for an honest review through Netgalley. Thank you to Little, Brown for Young Readers and Netgalley.

I want to start off with this book that has a relationship between the main character and someone who has known her since she was a baby and is an ancient being. I found this very inappropriate and overall weird and definitely ruined some of my enjoyment of this book. This book also has some minor sexual content I didn’t expect to find in a book marketed as YA but the main character is 19/20 for the whole book so she wasn’t a minor for it.

I loved this author’s debut series so I had high hopes for this book, but I was underwhelmed to say the least. This book was a fun historical murder mystery but it could have been so much more. I read this book in three days but unlike some books this one didn’t stick with me.

This book follows Signa Farrow who is able to see and talk to the dead and can see and talk to Death himself. Signa has been an orphan since she was a baby and was bounced from relative to relative most of which just wanted to gain part of her inheritance. Signa just wants to be a normal girl and join society to find a husband, and escape the Death that has followed her everywhere. When Signa accidentally kills her Aunt, she is sent to live with her only remaining relatives the Hawthornes that are going through a very rough time themselves with the Mother of the household having died just a few months ago and the only daughter falling ill of the same illness. When Signa learns that it’s more than just an illness she is racing against the clock to find a killer and save her cousin before Death has to catch up.

Signa felt overall decently developed as she starts to not fear her own powers throughout the book and instead learns to embrace what they can help her do while solving this murder. I didn’t personally connect well with Signa and didn't feel like her motivation changes made a whole lot of sense. There were times I felt like I finally understood her character and then she would do one action and I was back to not understanding her.

The relationships in this book was the part that ruined it for me, Signa’s main romantic relationship was with an ancient force of nature that had known her since he took her mother when she was a BABY. I liked Signa’s relationship with her cousins and uncle and felt like they were well developed. Seeing her finally get to bond with family after having so many bad experiences in the past was really nice and I wish we got to see a bit more of the bonding.

I enjoyed my time reading this book and sped through it very quickly. It’s a book to read if you want just a fun time to vibe and not think super hard about what is going on. I also guessed a lot of the twists that happened which for me hurts my enjoyment of a book because I want to think I know what is going to happen but then it goes completely in a different direction.

If you like historical fiction with murder mystery, mysterious magic, and a dash of romance, this might be for you.

Belladonna is Ya storytelling at it's best. Grace has crafted a story that is effortless,brimming with grandeur and gothic atmosphere.

You will follow orphaned MC, Signa as she survives her youth bouncing from guardian to guardian. Death seems to mysteriously plague all that come into Signa's life but she is determined to ward it off as she arrives at Thorn Grove, an estate that is plagued with it's own ghosts. As this story unravels Signa will soon learn that an alliance with death may be her only way to save her now found family!

This is simply my favorite style of Ya writing. It's one that is easy without compromising depth. The author gives us just enough bones here that readers are able to decided for themselves just how thought provoking Belladonna is. There are some deep and thoughtful lessons here but it runs parallel to a story that is oozing with glitter,glamour, and romance. I don't think this is an easy balance to strike in Ya and I am always in awe when it is accomplished. As a result, I think this will appeal to a wide audience, this will work for romance/beach read lovers as well as folks who crave more.

Endless thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Books for Young Readers for the review copy.

I would like to thank NetGalley for providing with with an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book.

Belladonna was one of my most anticipated reads of 2022. Pitched as Bridgerton meets Knives Out, we follow our heroine Signa Farrow as she is shipped off to yet another set of relatives to live with at the mysterious Thorn Grove. Having been followed by Death her whole life and able to see spirits, Signa has been orphaned since birth and each guardian she’s lived with since has met an untimely fate. The Hawthornes of Oak Grove seem to be no different, as the matriarch Lillian has recently passed of a mysterious disease, and her daughter, Blythe, seems to be on her way as well. Signa soon discovers that it was not disease but murder who killed Lillian, and must team up with Death to uncover the killer..

This hands down has been the best book I’ve read so far this year. The Grace’s writing style gave every bit the eerie gothic vibe of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca or Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. Though one of the big twists at the end I had predicted early on in the book, the revelation of the killer was one I was not expecting, Every character Signa encountered throughout the book seemed to have enough motive to be the killer— something Grace does brilliantly.

The enemies-to-lovers trope works well in this book, as Death is an unlikely romantic partner given his name and role in Signa’s life,. But the longer the two spend time with each other trying to solve the mystery, the more understanding develops between the two of them. Signa’s character growth is wonderfully done, without being too quick or easy.

I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves romantic gothic mysteries with a hint of fantasy.

From the prologue, I knew this story was going to be something special, but as it began to unwind, I was enthralled in everything it was. The characters in particular were remarkable. Signa is so cool and just the slightest bit unhinged at times. Her relationship with Blythe was really nice and felt natural. They were inexplicably drawn to each other, but it felt real.

Then there was the matter of the plot of this book, which is pretty much set up like a murder mystery, but there's so much attached to it that really raised the stakes. I will say that I easily guessed one major revelation by around chapter 4, however I don't think that revelation was meant to be as significant as the others. There were many plot twists that I thought I had guessed early on, but had been totally wrong and it was such a fun shock to be proven wrong. I felt like I was questioning everyone by the end and was still surprised when all the events unfolded.I love the aesthetic of this book too. It was dark and mysterious, but also stunning. We get a masquerade ball and I just don't think I'll ever tire of reading those. I'm so in love with this book and I truly can't wait for the next. I just know it'll be soooo good after THAT ENDING!!!

This story is soooo unbelievably, imaginatively good. I truly love everything about it.

The atmosphere is peak gothic ghost vibes. I love the family shrouded in dark history and the old manor filled with restless spirits. It creates a living, breathing setting that propels the story in a wonderfully spooky direction in terms of plot.

The characters are also top notch. I loved them all. Signa's stubbornness, Sylas’ snark, Death's charm. Each and every one of them are full of depth and personality and are so enjoyable to read about.

And the writing is so improved from AG's previous books. Not that her writing was bad before, but this feels more elevated, more mature. And I really appreciated that.

So not a single negative thing to say, tbh. Honestly, this is the kind of book where I would collect multiple editions of it because I love it that much! lol.

Overall I enjoyed the premise of this book but it just couldn’t quite hit the mark for me. The plot was slow and tedious at times, and I wasn’t super invested in most of the characters. I did like Blythe, though. I also was VERY entertained by the twist at the end; even though I had already predicted the murderer, that extra twist was awesome! The cliffhanger is interesting, though I don’t know if it’s enough to warrant a sequel. Not 100% sure if I’ll pick it up yet.

Wow! Where do I start? I am absolutely in love with this book. It was everything I wanted in a book and more! The setting was eerie and mysterious, the characters were sarcastic and lovable, the themes were *chef's kiss*.
I already knew I wanted to read Belladonna as soon as it would be published so when I was accepted to review it I dropped everything to read it. I was HOOKED. The main character Signa was so interresting and i loved her so much, and the love triangle? DELIGHTFUL. I am not one to love triangles in books, especially in YA but this one is unlike any I have ever seen.... you will have to read the book to know what I mean!
I didn't think I could love a character more than Death but he was the best!
This book was a perfect mix of fantasy with a haunted house and ghost apparition oh and a murder mystery.
The romance made me witty and giggle and the ENDING I NEED THE SEQUEL RIGHT NOOOOW.
It is definetly a new favorite for me and I'll be buying the UK edition as well.

5 stars ! This gorgeous cover absolutely goes with the gorgeous story. I love the idea of Belladonna being used to communicate with death in another dimension.
Our main character has been through so much in her life, going from care taker to care taker but on her 20th birthday she will receive her inheritance, Meanwhile she finds out that she can take the poisonous belladonna without dying but instead communicate with death and the dead. This gothic tale is not only hauntingly beautiful, but the story is engaging and to be honest I didn't want it to end.
I preordered the physical copy and I can not wait to place it in my library and reread it in the Autumn close to Halloween

Well this was a pleasant surprise! YA is a genre I steer clear from but when I saw other people talking about this book, my interest was piqued. Of course the romance is what drew me in and even though it wasn’t the main focus of Belladonna, I really enjoyed it nonetheless.

Belladonna was truly unlike any book I’ve read before! It felt like a combination of genres that created a beautiful mixture and compelling story. The plot and mystery of it all was weaved beautifully and kept me on my toes, always causing me to second (and third… and fourth) guess myself until the very end!

While the story pulled me in from the first chapter and engaged me all the way through, what really pushed this book to five stars was the writing. Belladonna is incredibly atmospheric; Adalyn Grace had a way of placing the reader into the bone chilling rooms and the lush yet creepy garden of Thorn Grove.

Grace also did a wonderful job at creating well developed characters while also creating an air of mystery around each of them. Our MC was no exception either. While she held an air of mystery about herself, I think it is also fair to say that Signa found herself. She developed beautifully as a character from beginning to end as she learns more about the world and herself.

Overall, this book was incredibly atmospheric, wholly gothic, and just a touch reminiscent of romance era novels such as Wuthering Heights in both prose and setting.

I received an arc in exchange for an honest review ***

I was so excited to dive into the read, as I'm an adalyn grace fan for sure and this book did not disappoint. There were twists and turns and I gotta say I didn't see that ending coming, even though I thought I had it all figured out.
I loved watching the characters interact and grow together and DEATH ... I can't wait to see more!

Oh my GOD. This book was everything I’ve been wanting. Signa is the heroine I wish I had growing up, and this PLOT.

Think A Series of Unfortunate Events meets Clue meets Death/Maiden romance. Signa, our orphan MC, is trying to make her way in a world that makes it quite hard for a woman to do so, especially one everyone believes is cursed. We see her grow so amazingly into someone that I would look up to for how confident she becomes in herself. She’s fantastic, and so is the cast of characters her story is woven with.

Belladonna gives us steamy romance, and don’t get me wrong it’s a 10/10 A+ romance, but it also gives us the power of family and friendship that I rarely see so well balanced.

This is going to be THE book I recommend for folks who want romance, family, and a big ol’ dose of confidence to be themselves.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this eARC. All thoughts (and so many emotions!!!) presented here are my own and done so honestly.

This was a 3.5🌟 read for me, rounded up:

Some of the character development and motives fell kind of flat - and while the romance was well written enough the concept wasn’t one I favored. Having read an advanced copy, there were also still errors that need to be worked out but overall I enjoyed her writing style and descriptions and it was easy to fall in love with the setting and some of the characters. It’s open ended and I would definitely read more of the world if given the opportunity.

The cliffhanger for this book is unfair. I loved that the story was solving a murder with Death as your sidekick. I loved the romance and the writing. I need the next book immediately!

Thank you Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Adalyn Grace, and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy of Belladonna.

I absolutely adored the historical backdrop of this story alongside the gothic vibes which made the read all that more enjoyable. I specifically liked the fantasy-based plot twisted with contemporary subplots.

I found the main character endearing though I do wish she was a little more fully fleshed out. This comes to another qualm I have with the characters, in that they all seem flat and shallow to me and a bit one-dimensional which makes certain plot twists not as impactful as they could have been. I am also not sure how I feel about the character Death in this book, as he seems a bit one-dimensional and a bit too YA for an omnipotent being. I think I was expecting a bit more complexity out of him especially considering how fast the romance between him and the MC develops.

In regards to the plot twists themselves, I found them predictable but overall still quite enjoyable and fun to read.

In short, this was a fun read and I rate this 3.75 stars.

“I know you better than you think, just as I know that you will never rid yourself of me, Little Bird.”

Marketed as “Bridgerton meets Knives Out” with a hint of gothic romance, I knew I had to get my hands on this book. And Belladonna did not disappoint! As the reader you’re transported to a gothic world filed with mystery, magic, paranormal activity and alluring romance. The environment was beautiful; grand balls in haunted mansions and a ghostly eerie garden, it felt like you were in a scene from a Tim Burton movie. From the very first page, your attention is grabbed in a unique way. The FMC grapples with the fine line between life and death, and where she feels most alive.

Death himself is the main love interest, which I absolutely loved. I definitely think this romance could’ve been more of a slow burn, but Death was written graciously with compelling qualities. He gave me “The Darkling” vibes !!!

That cliffhanger??? It’s devious but has me so excited for the next book!

Fans of Kingdom of the Wicked and The Haunting of Hill House will love this book! Overall I recommend if you’re looking for a YA fantasy read that’s haunting and different than what’s typically marketed.

Thank you @netgalley and Little Brown Books for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review. 💜

Belladonna is a superbly written piece that left me breathless from beginning to end with its exhilarating narration. I was consumed by the story, immersed in its gothic plot, in love with its achingly beautiful romance, and eager to solve its murder mystery.

This story has it all and it had me all in.

Our protagonist Signa is a gorgeous character. She is eager to try to fit into society but first must learn to accept herself. She is vulnerable but slowly allows herself to embrace who she is, empowering herself with agency and confidence. I felt proud and protective of her— I loved how she explored who she is and how she fits in the world. Her journey is beautiful.

Then there’s Death. What an exquisite character. As an adolescent I read a YA novel love story involving Death, and have chased after him ever since—longing for a more mature take. And with Adalyn Grace’s Belladonna, I have finally found it. And now I’m highly protective of it and hope this dance of love with Death makes it to the end— or until eternity.

The supporting cats is an elective bunch, who could be trusted played a part in the narrative, but I also appreciated how Signa found family within these new people who came into her life.

There are also plot twists on the horizon, and what I appreciated it whether you see them coming or not, you can trace their origin within the story. Where the puzzle pieces fit in the end will keep you on your toes, your heart racing, and your fingers itching to turn to the next page.

I have no complaints, just wants for more. Although I am anxious for its sequel, and hope my favorite characters remain okay— I absolutely want more.