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tiana_king's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The falling in love with death trope is done to death as of late but it is a trope I adore 😂 The murder mystery aspect of the story does give a fresh spin on it though. The story is slow to get started but my interest was alway peaked. A nice story that has potential to be expanded on
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Death, Emotional abuse, and Medical content
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Vomit, Classism, and Child abuse
Minor: Sexual content
znrtr's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Body horror, and Medical content
Moderate: Murder
melissaslibraryy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I have been wanting to be get to this book for awhile now since it’s been on my shelves for a little over a year, and Belladonna did not disappoint! I loved the who-done-it aspects of the book when it came to figuring out the murderer and their motives bc I was pleasantly surprised when it came to the reveal and the way it happened. And can we talk about the love interest Death 🤠Signa really lucked out with him bc he does NOT play about his girl fr AHHH I was obsessed with those two.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Gaslighting, Classism, Medical content, Vomit, Alcohol, Blood, Child abuse, Chronic illness, and Grief
Moderate: Sexism, Abandonment, and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual content
itsbrianascall's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
"You must not allow yourself to be consumed so thoroughly by death. It’s not selfish to live."
I genuinely loved so much about this book. The characters all had distinct voices, and I found myself loving most of them for various reasons, even the ones who had some traits that aren't exactly pleasant. The story was eerie, it was heartfelt, it was introspective, and above all else, it kept me engaged throughout the whole thing.
Having the historical fiction elements tied in with the supernatural and topped off by a murder mystery, I went into it worried that there would be too much going on in this book for any of the storylines to be done well. I can only really think of one situation where I wish I had more context, but seeing as this is a series, it's possible it'll be touched on in the sequel. I can't wait to start the next one and let this series become my whole personality 💕
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Classism, Death of parent, Medical content, and Suicide attempt
alisylvi's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Drug abuse, Death, Medical content, and Suicide
Minor: Animal death, Body horror, Classism, Vomit, Grief, and Sexual content
mirroaoror's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
True to its name, this book felt like a poison, slowly killing me as I read through it...and now I'm dead. As with most readers, I'm sure, I was drawn to it by the cover since it was beautiful, and I had high hopes for the book. But ultimately, this book left a bitter taste in my mouth.
In the beginning towards the middle part, I was actually quite intrigued by the mystery and Signa's unusual connection with Death and his powers (though, we never got an explanation for this, and I'm unsure if it's something that will be explained in the second or third book because it is unfortunate since I don't have plans on reading them anymore). I couldn't put the book down throughout the most part of the story. I also didn't mind the several twists that came out one after another.
The relationship between Death and Signa was...mediocre at best and creepy stalker-ish at worst. But I didn't really care for it. The thing that bothered me the most was the way Signa dealt with Percy. I think that just ruined the whole point of Signa finally finding a family in the Hawthornes because not only did she rob Percy the chance to explain himself to his father and sister and take accountability for his actions, but she also left Elijah, Blythe, and Marjorie not having any closure with him. It wasn't Signa's place to decide whether or not Percy should have died or not. Also, sure, it saved Blythe's life, but I don't think she would have wanted that if her brother died instead. And no, I don't condone Percy's actions, I just thought that death or being absorbed by Death or whatever was the easy way out for him.The ending felt so hollow because of it, and since the conclusion wasn't satisfying, it's as if the build up towards it was pointless. But yeah, I still enjoyed a good chunk of it.
In the beginning towards the middle part, I was actually quite intrigued by the mystery and Signa's unusual connection with Death and his powers (though, we never got an explanation for this, and I'm unsure if it's something that will be explained in the second or third book because it is unfortunate since I don't have plans on reading them anymore). I couldn't put the book down throughout the most part of the story. I also didn't mind the several twists that came out one after another.
The relationship between Death and Signa was...mediocre at best and creepy stalker-ish at worst. But I didn't really care for it. The thing that bothered me the most was the way Signa dealt with Percy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Murder, Medical content, Stalking, Death of parent, and Grief
eeyores_flowers's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Vomit, and Death
Moderate: Medical content
f_r_e_d's review against another edition
fast-paced
4.75
Oh my glass jars this book was so good! The plot didn’t quite line up for me, but honestly, I’m okay with it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Medical content, and Death
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Vomit
xoxlululuxox's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.75
Belladonna follows Signa in her search for answers to her inability to die; which eventually changes to the search for answers to prevent the death of her cousin. Throughout her journey she quarrels with Death only to grow closer to him and lean on him in her time of need.
This story is everything I could have wanted. I love books that feature Death as a person, especially when it is done in this manner. I loved his character, and the relationship he and Signa formed throughout the story. The mystery surrounding Blythe, Signa's cousin, was also intriguing and had me guessing until the very end.
The idea that Signa has the powers of Death is also super interesting. We still don't know much about how or why, and it makes me look forward to the next books in the series to find out, but at the same time, it felt like one of the only mysteries that would carry forward.
As much as I loved this book from the start, I am a little disappointed in the ending. The story was pretty much wrapped up within the main chapters of this book; the main mystery solved and other than the lingering questions of 'how did Signa get her gift' and 'what happened at Foxglove' we aren't left with much to carry on to the next book... until the epilogue which introduces more questions. But still, I feel that having the book end reasonably neatly and requiring an epilogue to continue is not 'enough'.
This is my only complaint though, and as much as I personally don't enjoy this structure, I really did love the rest of the book, and the writing style. It was absolutely beautiful, and the cover really sells it.
This story is everything I could have wanted. I love books that feature Death as a person, especially when it is done in this manner. I loved his character, and the relationship he and Signa formed throughout the story. The mystery surrounding Blythe, Signa's cousin, was also intriguing and had me guessing until the very end.
The idea that Signa has the powers of Death is also super interesting. We still don't know much about how or why, and it makes me look forward to the next books in the series to find out, but at the same time, it felt like one of the only mysteries that would carry forward.
As much as I loved this book from the start, I am a little disappointed in the ending. The story was pretty much wrapped up within the main chapters of this book; the main mystery solved and other than the lingering questions of 'how did Signa get her gift' and 'what happened at Foxglove' we aren't left with much to carry on to the next book... until the epilogue which introduces more questions. But still, I feel that having the book end reasonably neatly and requiring an epilogue to continue is not 'enough'.
This is my only complaint though, and as much as I personally don't enjoy this structure, I really did love the rest of the book, and the writing style. It was absolutely beautiful, and the cover really sells it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Vomit, Self harm, Murder, Addiction, Alcohol, Grief, Death, Blood, Terminal illness, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, and Death of parent
margaret_k30's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Blood, Abandonment, Self harm, Suicide, Vomit, Murder, Medical content, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Gore