Scan barcode
anoelle896's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Grief, Chronic illness, Blood, Gore, Terminal illness, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Physical abuse, Classism, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Self harm, Violence, Vomit, Body shaming, and Alcohol
remi_jane's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Vomit, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Alcohol, Murder, and Physical abuse
justkimmithings's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Just when I thought I had everything figured out, there were so many twists. It was done so incredibly well. Foxglove can’t get here soon enough!!
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Vomit and Murder
Minor: Physical abuse
headinthepages's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I was engaged in the story as soon as I started reading and found the style of writing, characters & dialogue particularly good.
I loved the plot and was very much along for the ride. I loved Death as a character and can’t wait to find out what happens in Foxglove!
Moderate: Sexism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Vomit, Abandonment, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Infertility, Alcoholism, Medical content, Miscarriage, Blood, Grief, Gore, Child death, and Infidelity
scrubsandbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Vomit, Death, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Physical abuse
jasmine256's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Vomit, Sexual content, and Murder
Minor: Alcohol, Physical abuse, and Animal death
soniajoy98's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Grief, Alcohol, Vomit, Body horror, Death of parent, Misogyny, Chronic illness, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Eating disorder
Minor: Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Infidelity, and Alcoholism
juliesbubble's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Belladonna is a fantasy, murder mystery, historical book, with some gothic vibes. It has some twists and turns, and you keep guessing throughout. I did not get all my guesses right. If you like these kinds of books, this is probably a good fit for you.
The book was a bit slow, so it took a bit to get into. I really liked the characters, and I actually wish we would have gotten even more interactions between Signa and Blythe especially. The mystery part of the book was also good and the most important part. I think what dragged it down for me was the society, the upcoming season and trying to fit in. All this at the same time as a big mystery was going around, that I cared so much more about (oh, why don't we go drink tea while someone is literally dying?). That is probably a me problem, not the book, and i did not know about it going in. I think that without that, I might have liked this book better. It was a good book, and I enjoyed it, but this was more in the middle for me.
And last I must say I loved the epilogue. I laughed and really enjoyed that. It was a good ending. The book wraps it up nice, and the very last part gives us a feel for the sequel, but other than that, this could have been a standalone.
I got this arc as an audiobook and i liked the narrator. It's one I have heard before, and I felt that she was a good fit for the book. It's easy to know who is talking and the book is easy to imagine.
Graphic: Alcoholism and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Vomit, Death, and Physical abuse
bookishflower's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
- Atmospheric gothic fantasy
- mystery solving
- murder
- ghosts
Thank you Hodder and Stoughton, and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!
Signa Farrow has been surrounded by Death her whole life. With her string of guardians all meeting untimely ends, Signa is determined to not let Death ruin her fresh start with her cousins at the mysterious Thorn Grove. But when her aunt's ghost tells her she was murdered and her daughter is next, it's up to Signa, Sylas the infuriating stable boy, and her sworn enemy Death himself to help stop the murderer before it's too late.
'Belladonna' was one of my most anticipated releases of 2022 and it did not disappoint! This is the perfect mix of fantasy, romance, mystery and the gothic! If you looking for a book that feels like a Hozier song, look no further. (It also needs to be said that this is one of the most beautiful book covers I've ever seen!).
I adored the writing style and how Signa as a character develops and comes into her own with her powers and sense of self. Death was mysterious, alluring and the sarcastic love interest of your dreams. I have never been more excited for my theories to be right than I was when I got to that bit! Signa and Death balance each other out perfectly- the banter, reluctant allies, consent, and encouragement?!!! I can't wait for 'Foxglove' and that cliffhanger was evil- I loved it!
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Grief, Murder, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Classism, Physical abuse, Sexism, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, and Vomit
bookstarbri's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I haven't read many books with Death personified, though I know it's a decently common thing to do? In any case, I thoroughly enjoyed Death personified in this. He was a brilliant character who I was so fascinated by from the very beginning. Death was so cool to meet at the beginning and how intrigued he was of Signa was evident. Their attraction to each other was like magnets and was kinda beautiful. 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!!!
Thank you so much to Little Brown and NetGalley for providing an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Physical abuse