I don’t know how to feel about this book if I’m being honest 😂.

In summary: A gothic fantasy murder mystery that takes place in regency-ish times. Signa Farrow grapples with her own identity and desires whilst solving a murder mystery. Belladonna is one of them books that should be read for fun. There is nothing particularly astonishing about this book other than it was very entertaining and overall a good YA fantasy novel in terms of its writing, plot development and characters.

The book tackles themes such as identity, coming of age, role of women in society. Most importantly, the book tackles themes of grief/death in a refreshing way.

—

Up until 75%, not much happened and it was just Signa trying to solve the murder. At 75%-80%, I found myself uncomfortably laughing out loud in disbelief and at the romance for a number of reasons.

Is no one else weirded out about it the fact that Death watched her grow up from a baby to a 20 year old, and fell in love with her? The romance was too quick and the whole Sylas thing (before it was revealed you know what about Sylas) had me conflicted about Signa’s character. But now it all makes sense!!

There is one chilli pepper (🌶️) in this book, I don’t particularly have strong feelings either way about this in Belladonna. The book could have done without it and it still would have been good.

The plot twists at the end were very good, I did not see that coming but they weren’t enough to satisfy the entire book for me so I rate it a 3.5 ⭐️. Will I continue the series? I think so, the ending made me intrigued to read the next book, but it’s not the case that I will be jumping immediately into it.

Content Warnings

ylimesnwot's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Content Warnings

bujo_bellel's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

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

I LOVE SIGNA AND DEATH TOGETHER OMG. I seriously can't get enough of them kjfdjffj. I really liked how their relationship developed and I love the story line, the world building AHHHH. I really enjoyed the murder mystery figuring out who was the murderer and seeing Signa interact with Lillian and seeing her bond with Elijah, Percy, Blythe, Sylas and Death (obviously). It did not cross my mind that

SYLAS AND DEATH ARE THE SAME PERSON??? WHATTTT

Oh gosh like wow. I really liked learning about Signa and her powers and how she meets Death like that's so cool! I've never read a book like this before and I'm really invested in the world and I might start reading other Gothic fantasies after this :)) Also, I LOVE the cover!!

Content Warnings

readbyjaimes's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

I had a lot of fun with this book and I'm excited to read Foxglove!

I really liked Signa's character and I found her nonchalance towards death very relatable so that was fun!

I did find the initial romantic scene between her and Death very random, but I'm really not gonna think too hard about it because it's not. a big deal lmao.

I liked the discussions that were had surrounding death and grief I found them very comforting. I also really enjoyed the aesthetic and spooky vibes of this book! Definitely perfect for the fall season and gloomy weather.

I also LOVED Blythe! I was that she has her own book after Foxglove so I'm excited for that! Overall, I thought it was a fun YA read and am definitely going to continue the series.

Content Warnings

bakergirlsbooks1999's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Content Warnings

mpledford's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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evarinya's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

3.75

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beckyyreadss's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This is my book club’s choice for October as well as the Pumpkin Spice Café. I hadn’t heard anything about this book before it was the choice for October. I went into this book completely blind.

This book is based on nineteen-year-old Signa Farrow, she was orphaned as a baby and has been raised by a string of guardians, each more interested in her wealth than her wellbeing and each have been met with an untimely end. Her remaining relatives are the elusive Hawthornes, they are an eccentric family living at Thorn Grove, an estate that is both glittering and gloomy. The head of the house, Elliot is mourning his late wife by having wild parties, his son is struggling to get control of the family’s reputation and his daughter is suffering from a mysterious illness. But when their mother’s restless spirit appears claiming she was poisoned, Signa realises that the family she depends on could be in grave danger, and enlists the help of a stable boy to hunt down the killer. Signa’s best chance of uncovering the murderer, though, is an alliance with Death himself, a fascinating, dangerous shadow who has never been far from her side. Though he’s made her life a living hell, Death shows Signa that their growing connection may be more powerful and more irresistible than she ever dared imagine.

As stated, I went into this book completely blind not reading any reviews or anything like that. It was a very strong storyline, and I was hooked from the first line. I loved the characters in the book especially Signa and Death. They were both firing off sexual chemistry and tension from the get-go. I love the regency and gothic feeling with all the balls and talks about how a woman must act in society and then Signa like nope screw that I'm out. Death is supposed to be big and scary and then acts like a complete golden retriever when he is around Signa and will literally do his job if anyone is even slightly mean to her.

The mystery element had me from the beginning and I had my suspect early on and I guessed correctly. I won’t ruin who it was, but I think I’ve read way too many mysterious and crime books that I'm getting good at guessing it. That's my only reason for not being a five-star read. I would have loved to have been shocked and gasping when it was revealed.

The ending was cruel, and I wanted more and now I must wait for the second book.

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