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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
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
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
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
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
4.5 ✨
0.5🌶️
Audiobook - Spotify
Gothic vibes • Romance • Grim Reaper • Murder Mystery • Good one to pick during spooky / autumn seasons
I’d highly recommend the audiobook if this genre isn’t your usual, it was simply exquisite but it does take a moment to get into.
- Death’s found himself attached to Signa and orphaned baby & watches her life flashes past when he touches her. It’s not her time yet but what death discovers has him intrigued, yearning and attached to this little bird.
Add this along with Signa discovering her own gifts with life, death & the spirit world along with being able to call upon death when she swallows belladonna berries as a way to cross the veil. All she wants to have Death leave her alone.
Her arrival at a new manor with new guardianship she soon comes to discover that not all is well. A mysterious death and another similar case of the same illness has cursed her cousin. Signs soon discovers that Belladonna is being used to slowly killer her cousin and it’s only a matter time until her cousin succumbs to her own grim fate as of her mother. Someone is poisoning the family, Signa sets out with the help of Death and Silas the stable boy to help uncover who is doing the killing.
This has been on my TBR for a long time and I was determined to get to it this year and I’m so happy I did. Highly recommend the audiobook too as it added to the overall enjoyment of the story.
I look forward to continuing this series 💜
0.5🌶️
Audiobook - Spotify
Gothic vibes • Romance • Grim Reaper • Murder Mystery • Good one to pick during spooky / autumn seasons
I’d highly recommend the audiobook if this genre isn’t your usual, it was simply exquisite but it does take a moment to get into.
- Death’s found himself attached to Signa and orphaned baby & watches her life flashes past when he touches her. It’s not her time yet but what death discovers has him intrigued, yearning and attached to this little bird.
Add this along with Signa discovering her own gifts with life, death & the spirit world along with being able to call upon death when she swallows belladonna berries as a way to cross the veil. All she wants to have Death leave her alone.
Her arrival at a new manor with new guardianship she soon comes to discover that not all is well. A mysterious death and another similar case of the same illness has cursed her cousin. Signs soon discovers that Belladonna is being used to slowly killer her cousin and it’s only a matter time until her cousin succumbs to her own grim fate as of her mother. Someone is poisoning the family, Signa sets out with the help of Death and Silas the stable boy to help uncover who is doing the killing.
This has been on my TBR for a long time and I was determined to get to it this year and I’m so happy I did. Highly recommend the audiobook too as it added to the overall enjoyment of the story.
I look forward to continuing this series 💜
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
I am absolutely OBSESSED with this series now. Honestly I have no idea how I did not read it sooner, but I absolutely ate this book up. I had been in a slight reading slump, but I finished this book in a week while I worked 37 hours at work. I genuinely did not want to put it down and was picking it up every single chance that I got. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series and every other book that Adalyn Grace has and will write!
As I was reading this book, I was heavily reminded of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and House of Salt and Sorrows. It genuinely felt like a mashup of these two books, which was awesome, because these are two of my favorite books of all time. I loved the gothic vibes, as well as the murder mystery element to the story. It is quite literally everything that I could want in a book. It is all of my favorite tropes and components wrapped up in one book!
I also loved Death being an actual tangible person that we get to see as a romantic lead. Seeing Signa interact with him and also getting that enemies to lovers trope? Absolutely love. This is definitely where I found the comparison to Addie LaRue, as it was similar to Luc and Addie's love story. I also loved getting to explore the connection between Sylas and Signa, and then ultimately seeing how it all made sense in the end.
Getting to uncover the mystery surrounding Lillian's murder and who was also behind Blythe's poisioning was super intriguing and kept me on the edge of my seat. Although I was able to figure things out a second before Adalyn explained it in the text, it was still surprising and a good reveal. Especially being a YA novel, I was able to overlook being told what I had already figured out a little bit earlier.
I also loved being able to learn more about Signa's powers and seeing her come to accept and embrace herself for who she is. I thought that was a beautiful component of the book and a much needed character development for Signa.
Lastly, I also wanted to comment on the little Bridgerton elements that we got to see with Signa's debut into society, getting to see her meet potential suitors at tea and parties, and her strict following of the expectations placed on women during that time. However, it was also super awesome to see her push against those constrictions and not follow them at times. We love a strong queen!
Favorite tropes of this book:
🖤Shadow Daddy
💘Enemies to Lovers
🔎Murder Mystery
🫖Regency Era/Courtship
Overall, I had so much fun reading this book and literally immediately started Foxglove after that ending! I cannot wait to read the rest of the series and see what happens to Signa and her family next! I rate this book 5/5 stars! 🌟
As I was reading this book, I was heavily reminded of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and House of Salt and Sorrows. It genuinely felt like a mashup of these two books, which was awesome, because these are two of my favorite books of all time. I loved the gothic vibes, as well as the murder mystery element to the story. It is quite literally everything that I could want in a book. It is all of my favorite tropes and components wrapped up in one book!
I also loved Death being an actual tangible person that we get to see as a romantic lead. Seeing Signa interact with him and also getting that enemies to lovers trope? Absolutely love. This is definitely where I found the comparison to Addie LaRue, as it was similar to Luc and Addie's love story. I also loved getting to explore the connection between Sylas and Signa, and then ultimately seeing how it all made sense in the end.
Getting to uncover the mystery surrounding Lillian's murder and who was also behind Blythe's poisioning was super intriguing and kept me on the edge of my seat. Although I was able to figure things out a second before Adalyn explained it in the text, it was still surprising and a good reveal. Especially being a YA novel, I was able to overlook being told what I had already figured out a little bit earlier.
I also loved being able to learn more about Signa's powers and seeing her come to accept and embrace herself for who she is. I thought that was a beautiful component of the book and a much needed character development for Signa.
Lastly, I also wanted to comment on the little Bridgerton elements that we got to see with Signa's debut into society, getting to see her meet potential suitors at tea and parties, and her strict following of the expectations placed on women during that time. However, it was also super awesome to see her push against those constrictions and not follow them at times. We love a strong queen!
Favorite tropes of this book:
🖤Shadow Daddy
💘Enemies to Lovers
🔎Murder Mystery
🫖Regency Era/Courtship
Overall, I had so much fun reading this book and literally immediately started Foxglove after that ending! I cannot wait to read the rest of the series and see what happens to Signa and her family next! I rate this book 5/5 stars! 🌟
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Vomit, Grief, Murder
Moderate: Death, Death of parent
Minor: Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
This book gave me Mexican Gothic vibes (young woman goes to live with family and her cousin is mysteriously poisoned and the FMC tries to save her) but it was also very much a romance at times, but I'm always weirded out when Young Adult books go full smut (don't get me wrong, I love smut, but it's a little uncomfy for it to be in a YA, even if FMC is 19). I did like the mystery element, and while there were some parts I saw coming, I was still surprised in several places which is always nice.
If you're not going to be thrown off to have some smut in your YA and are looking for a spooky mystery, pick this up!
If you're not going to be thrown off to have some smut in your YA and are looking for a spooky mystery, pick this up!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book feels like it was written for a pitch, rather than to a pitch - like 'The Secret Garden x Crimson Peak', some aesthetic images, and 'I long for the sweet embrace of death but make it a YA novel'. Learning that the author is a storyteller from TV makes sooooo much sense - this would make a beautiful film or series, but is ill-suited to the medium it's in, like it's two books smooshed together, and it feels like it's missing the transitional or reflective scenes that would naturally be cut from a show. I'm not so much of a plot-focussed reader, so it wasn't for me, and the craft of writing, which is important to me and not other readers, felt missing, so it felt a bit like wasted potential, but if you're more into YA than I am then I can see why you'd love it. Not for me, and I won't be reading the rest, but that doesn't make it bad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Gore, Misogyny, Blood, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Classism
such trope much fanfic wow
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