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challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Spice Rating: 🌶️ / 5
This young adult gothic fantasy romance was so full of mystery, intrigue, and tension that it kept me on my toes and flying through the pages.
Ever since her parents died when she was an infant, Death has followed Signa. Each guardian she's been passed off to have always been after her family fortune but have also unexpectedly passed away. Now that Signa is 19, she's almost ready to inherit her fortune, and these next guardians, the Hawthornes, are her last hope. But when she arrives at Thorn Grove, Signa only finds more Death. The matriarch decently passed away, and her ghost claims that she was poisoned. Now Signa must discover what really happened and if her daughter, Blythe, is suffering the same fate. Signa allies herself with a handsome stable boy and with Death to try to get to the bottom of this mystery and to discover what power she might have that can aid her efforts.
Belladonna is a story that caught my attention and then fully captivated me until the very end. After being sequestered all her life, Signa is finally getting to see what life in the spotlight and in society is like, and she's not sure it's all she made it out to be. She has to decide whether she wants to fit the mold everyone expects her to fit in or if she wants to take her own path and embrace what makes her unique and powerful.
The gothic vibes in Belladonna are spot on, and even though this is technically a young adult book, the themes are very much adult--especially the way death is talked about and handled. The romance is also top tier. Though nothing is explicit, the tension and lead-up are quite steamy and well done.
Readers who love mysteries, gothic ambiance, fantasy, romance, and deeper themes will absolutely love Belladonna.
This young adult gothic fantasy romance was so full of mystery, intrigue, and tension that it kept me on my toes and flying through the pages.
Ever since her parents died when she was an infant, Death has followed Signa. Each guardian she's been passed off to have always been after her family fortune but have also unexpectedly passed away. Now that Signa is 19, she's almost ready to inherit her fortune, and these next guardians, the Hawthornes, are her last hope. But when she arrives at Thorn Grove, Signa only finds more Death. The matriarch decently passed away, and her ghost claims that she was poisoned. Now Signa must discover what really happened and if her daughter, Blythe, is suffering the same fate. Signa allies herself with a handsome stable boy and with Death to try to get to the bottom of this mystery and to discover what power she might have that can aid her efforts.
Belladonna is a story that caught my attention and then fully captivated me until the very end. After being sequestered all her life, Signa is finally getting to see what life in the spotlight and in society is like, and she's not sure it's all she made it out to be. She has to decide whether she wants to fit the mold everyone expects her to fit in or if she wants to take her own path and embrace what makes her unique and powerful.
The gothic vibes in Belladonna are spot on, and even though this is technically a young adult book, the themes are very much adult--especially the way death is talked about and handled. The romance is also top tier. Though nothing is explicit, the tension and lead-up are quite steamy and well done.
Readers who love mysteries, gothic ambiance, fantasy, romance, and deeper themes will absolutely love Belladonna.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, Murder
Minor: Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent
Minor: Terminal illness, Violence
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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, Murder
Minor: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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:
Yes
This book was so good! I’m so glad I read it even though it took me awhile (I assume cause I was reading it in multiple formats so it was throwing me off a bit).
As I’ve been in my historical romance era the last two years this felt nice going into as it takes place in the 1800’s so I was here for the vibes. We also have some mystery and intrigue with murder and poisonings. Which leads into the fantasy element because our main character Signa can see ghosts and can communicate with Death himself.
Speaking of, the tension between Signa and Death was so good!! So there is some romance as well. This book had everything it felt like.
I’m really intrigued by where the story is going to go as we do end on a bit of a cliffhanger. But I can’t wait to continue on.
As I’ve been in my historical romance era the last two years this felt nice going into as it takes place in the 1800’s so I was here for the vibes. We also have some mystery and intrigue with murder and poisonings. Which leads into the fantasy element because our main character Signa can see ghosts and can communicate with Death himself.
Speaking of, the tension between Signa and Death was so good!! So there is some romance as well. This book had everything it felt like.
I’m really intrigued by where the story is going to go as we do end on a bit of a cliffhanger. But I can’t wait to continue on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Sexual content, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity
fast-paced
A captivating Gothic romance that blends mystery, magic, and a unique love triangle. With vivid world-building, compelling characters (especially the intriguing Death), and unexpected plot twists, this enchanting read left me eager for the sequel, "Foxglove".
Audiobook narration by Kristin Atherton brings the story to life with distinct character voices, creating an immersive experience akin to a full-cast audio drama.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Sexual content, Murder
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
Minor: Infertility, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Vomit, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, Murder
Minor: Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
This book was so many of the things I love. It was spooky, eerie, magical, and mysterious. Ultimately, I was immediately taken with the entire premise. Give me all of the muted, gothic ghost stories set in a regency-like England.
The book only stumbles because of it's YA writing, which did not always match the tone and events of the story. This is most prevelent at the climax, which lost me a little.
But give me more ghosts, give me more muted vibes.
The book only stumbles because of it's YA writing, which did not always match the tone and events of the story. This is most prevelent at the climax, which lost me a little.
But give me more ghosts, give me more muted vibes.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
dark
emotional
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
Wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did. Even more shocked that I thoroughly enjoyed a romance with Death.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Gore, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Vomit, Medical content
Minor: Infertility, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol