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claireisagrisha's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
OMG OMG OMG!!!! So this book has been on my TBR since the Scream Into The Void girlies told me about it… and they were not lying, this book was STUNNING.
I’m so happy that I read this book.
It had all the amazing things a book can have: a badass main character, a murder mystery, paranormal fantasy, romance with the mysterious Death, betrayals and twists that will make you jump and run around the room (I did), and beautiful imagery of Thorn Grove !!!!!!
The murder mystery had me so stressed… I honestly did not call the ending. Well part of it … hehehehehehe
The romance between Death and Signa … HAWT but also I love them together. They are just two lonely people (not really but just go with it) that found someone who they truly connect with and feel cared for by.
Have I not convinced you yet?
Ok… well put on those headphones and turn on Hozier … it will transport you.
During the ball when Signa is wearing her red dress, I picture the song “I Hear A Symphony” by Cody Fry playing. Just play that with headphones on as you read that chapter and the vibes are unmatched.
THE ENDING WTF?!?! Omg, I have so many thoughts and so many feelings!!!!!
Marjorie not being the bad guy shook me because from the start, she was suspicious to me. Anyway, Percy being so evil and twisted and horrible was probably more of a shock to me than it should have been. He wasn’t the perfect son or perfect sibling, but I thought he was salvageable? Lol what else? Fate just showing up at the end… I did see that one coming. I mean they kept mentioning him. The one thing I did guess was that Sylas and Death are one and the same. I called that once I kept reading how they interacted with Signa.
I’m so happy that I read this book.
It had all the amazing things a book can have: a badass main character, a murder mystery, paranormal fantasy, romance with the mysterious Death, betrayals and twists that will make you jump and run around the room (I did), and beautiful imagery of Thorn Grove !!!!!!
The murder mystery had me so stressed… I honestly did not call the ending. Well part of it … hehehehehehe
The romance between Death and Signa … HAWT but also I love them together. They are just two lonely people (not really but just go with it) that found someone who they truly connect with and feel cared for by.
Have I not convinced you yet?
Ok… well put on those headphones and turn on Hozier … it will transport you.
During the ball when Signa is wearing her red dress, I picture the song “I Hear A Symphony” by Cody Fry playing. Just play that with headphones on as you read that chapter and the vibes are unmatched.
THE ENDING WTF?!?! Omg, I have so many thoughts and so many feelings!!!!!
Marjorie not being the bad guy shook me because from the start, she was suspicious to me. Anyway, Percy being so evil and twisted and horrible was probably more of a shock to me than it should have been. He wasn’t the perfect son or perfect sibling, but I thought he was salvageable? Lol what else? Fate just showing up at the end… I did see that one coming. I mean they kept mentioning him. The one thing I did guess was that Sylas and Death are one and the same. I called that once I kept reading how they interacted with Signa.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Vomit, Alcohol, Grief, and Violence
dovahkiin_freyja's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Once she is taken in as a ward at her cousin's home, Signa realizes that death is coming for her cousin, Blythe. Using every weapon at her disposal, and determined to find out who's behind her Blythe's sickness, it's a race against time. But murder, poisonings, and betrayal aren't the only things in store for Signa.
This story is full of ghosts and murder, with a surprising romantic aspect to it.
This story is full of ghosts and murder, with a surprising romantic aspect to it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Terminal illness and Animal death
Minor: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Sexual content
katvou's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
5.0
Gothic, historical murder mystery with well developed characters and interesting plot. The FMC, Signa is able to see spirits and even Death himself.
When Signa’s aunt dies, she is sent to live with her uncle and cousins at Thorn Grove where she stumbles upon a murder mystery.
Belladonna is a great book full of twists and turns, mysteries and some romance.
I can’t wait to read more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Vomit, Terminal illness, and Alcohol
Minor: Violence and Sexual content
linhsreadinghour's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
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.
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.
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
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
bakergirlsbooks1999's review against another edition
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
Graphic: Addiction, Grief, Vomit, Abandonment, Body horror, Death, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Death of parent, Gore, Alcohol, and Blood
cuddleemily'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Very good book, kept me guessing throughout and can't wait to read the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Terminal illness, Death, Vomit, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol
evarinya's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Death
Moderate: Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, and Chronic illness
Minor: Misogyny, Terminal illness, Murder, and Physical abuse
beckyyreadss's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Murder and Vomit
Minor: Alcohol and Sexual content
teddy_books's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Child death, and Alcohol
Minor: Toxic friendship, Murder, Vomit, and Blood
birbmcbirb's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Alcohol, Grief, Death of parent, Child death, Death, Sexism, Murder, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Vomit and Stalking