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nebraskanwriter's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This was one of my most anticipated releases for the year and I’m bummed I didn’t like it as much as I had hoped!
I am not really a fan of horror and the part of the book where Lily’s spirit looks like Scarlet Witch when she comes out of the gong in Dr. Strange’s Multiverse of Madness movie, limbs cracking/moving in odd angles and her mouth gaping open with blood and sores, was a little bit too horrific/graphic for me. It was so strange because that scene was creepy/scary but then the rest of the book did not keep with that tone. That scene just tonally felt so off for me and just came out of nowhere. Then the story goes back to a campy, Clue-like mystery with the dark-brooding Death love interest. It just felt very odd/out of place for me.
Also, I feel like Death and Signa’s love/relationship did not feel very fleshed out for me. It was giving very Edward and Bella. Death tells Signa “I’ve waited forever for you.” He’s literally a deity and Signa is a 19 year old girl. The whole thing just felt very strange and rushed. Like okay your cousins are dropping like flies but you need to make out with Death in a garden, okie doke.
Also Death meets Signa when she was a literal baby when everyone at this party dies, including her parents, but Signa does not. It’s giving Jacob and Renesme? Like Death knew he was going to wait until Signa was “of age” for him to have her even though he’s been watching over her since she was a literal baby. Through out the book, Death kind of deceives Signa and lies to her. Okay she can see dead people like he can but other then that, why should they be together?
I know this was Adalyn Grace’s first kind of time dipping her toe into more adult content, which I think is awesome, good for her. However, this book was just an odd mix of adult themes/scenes with the characters still being very YA in their development and lack of personality.
I am not really a fan of horror and the part of the book where Lily’s spirit looks like Scarlet Witch when she comes out of the gong in Dr. Strange’s Multiverse of Madness movie, limbs cracking/moving in odd angles and her mouth gaping open with blood and sores, was a little bit too horrific/graphic for me. It was so strange because that scene was creepy/scary but then the rest of the book did not keep with that tone. That scene just tonally felt so off for me and just came out of nowhere. Then the story goes back to a campy, Clue-like mystery with the dark-brooding Death love interest. It just felt very odd/out of place for me.
Also, I feel like Death and Signa’s love/relationship did not feel very fleshed out for me. It was giving very Edward and Bella. Death tells Signa “I’ve waited forever for you.” He’s literally a deity and Signa is a 19 year old girl. The whole thing just felt very strange and rushed. Like okay your cousins are dropping like flies but you need to make out with Death in a garden, okie doke.
Also Death meets Signa when she was a literal baby when everyone at this party dies, including her parents, but Signa does not. It’s giving Jacob and Renesme? Like Death knew he was going to wait until Signa was “of age” for him to have her even though he’s been watching over her since she was a literal baby. Through out the book, Death kind of deceives Signa and lies to her. Okay she can see dead people like he can but other then that, why should they be together?
I know this was Adalyn Grace’s first kind of time dipping her toe into more adult content, which I think is awesome, good for her. However, this book was just an odd mix of adult themes/scenes with the characters still being very YA in their development and lack of personality.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
soniajoy98's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Misogyny, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Pedophilia, and Physical abuse
bookishflower's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
- Light enemies-to-lovers
- Atmospheric gothic fantasy
- mystery solving
- murder
- ghosts
Thank you Hodder and Stoughton, and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!
Signa Farrow has been surrounded by Death her whole life. With her string of guardians all meeting untimely ends, Signa is determined to not let Death ruin her fresh start with her cousins at the mysterious Thorn Grove. But when her aunt's ghost tells her she was murdered and her daughter is next, it's up to Signa, Sylas the infuriating stable boy, and her sworn enemy Death himself to help stop the murderer before it's too late.
'Belladonna' was one of my most anticipated releases of 2022 and it did not disappoint! This is the perfect mix of fantasy, romance, mystery and the gothic! If you looking for a book that feels like a Hozier song, look no further. (It also needs to be said that this is one of the most beautiful book covers I've ever seen!).
I adored the writing style and how Signa as a character develops and comes into her own with her powers and sense of self. Death was mysterious, alluring and the sarcastic love interest of your dreams. I have never been more excited for my theories to be right than I was when I got to that bit! Signa and Death balance each other out perfectly- the banter, reluctant allies, consent, and encouragement?!!! I can't wait for 'Foxglove' and that cliffhanger was evil- I loved it!
- Atmospheric gothic fantasy
- mystery solving
- murder
- ghosts
Thank you Hodder and Stoughton, and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!
Signa Farrow has been surrounded by Death her whole life. With her string of guardians all meeting untimely ends, Signa is determined to not let Death ruin her fresh start with her cousins at the mysterious Thorn Grove. But when her aunt's ghost tells her she was murdered and her daughter is next, it's up to Signa, Sylas the infuriating stable boy, and her sworn enemy Death himself to help stop the murderer before it's too late.
'Belladonna' was one of my most anticipated releases of 2022 and it did not disappoint! This is the perfect mix of fantasy, romance, mystery and the gothic! If you looking for a book that feels like a Hozier song, look no further. (It also needs to be said that this is one of the most beautiful book covers I've ever seen!).
I adored the writing style and how Signa as a character develops and comes into her own with her powers and sense of self. Death was mysterious, alluring and the sarcastic love interest of your dreams. I have never been more excited for my theories to be right than I was when I got to that bit! Signa and Death balance each other out perfectly- the banter, reluctant allies, consent, and encouragement?!!! I can't wait for 'Foxglove' and that cliffhanger was evil- I loved it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Self harm, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexism, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
theespressoedition's review against another edition
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
5.0
If I tell you right here and now that I highlighted nearly 50% of the book, will that make you want to read it? Because friends, it was that good!
There are a few reasons why I'm considering Belladonna my favorite fantasy book of 2022:
First and foremost, it is cozy as heck. It primarily takes place during autumn and it exudes autumnal comfort and warmth throughout the entire story. It would be the perfect book to pick up during October for Halloween. It's not scary, but definitely a bit eerie, and the exact kind of book that a more sensitive reader (such as myself) would want to read during that season. I've used the term "cozy creepy" in a few of my reviews and I'd definitely place Belladonna in that category.
It is incredibly descriptive and atmospheric, making you completely forget that you're reading. So many of the pieces that I highlighted throughout the story were just descriptions, moments where the author described Signa's eyes, Death's shadows, Hawthorne House, Lillian's garden, a ballgown, or the way the autumn season presented itself. It was all so beautifully written that I found myself getting lost in it over and over again, forgetting that I was reading and just truly living it. Those are my favorite kinds of books.
It made you think you knew what was happening, only to surprise you later on! Let me describe this a bit better. You know those stories where you're convinced something is predictable, so you tell yourself it can't be that and it's totally something else, but then you've convinced yourself so much that the predictable thing winds up shocking you when it does happen? That's kind of how this felt. Only, it wasn't really predictable. It just felt right when certain moments occurred. I liked those moments of, "ah yes, that makes perfect sense" just as much as the moments of, "OMG WHAT?!?!"
THE CHARACTERS. That's it. That's all I need to really say. The cast was spectacular. Everyone was a little grey. Everyone was a little unlikeable in a way that made them lovable. You feel as though you're rooting for the bad guys, but in a satisfying way. The character dynamics (and even bits of the plot) reminded me of a mash-up of several favorite books: Echo North (Echo and Hal), The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (Addie and Luc), and The Inheritance Games (Avery and Jameson).
Adalyn Grace has mentioned a couple of her favorite chapters on Instagram and I was pleased to find that the chapters she loved were also some favorites of my own. They held shock, romance, and too many gorgeous quotes for me to even list in this review. Plus, I want you to read the book and experience them yourself!
I never thought I could love anything this author wrote more than I loved All the Stars and Teeth, but Belladonna blew me away. Before I was even a quarter of the way through it, I preordered a signed copy so I could read it again and again. It's absolutely magnificent in every way and I could honestly blather on about it endlessly. If you pick up only one book this year, let it be Belladonna. I promise you won't regret it!
There are a few reasons why I'm considering Belladonna my favorite fantasy book of 2022:
First and foremost, it is cozy as heck. It primarily takes place during autumn and it exudes autumnal comfort and warmth throughout the entire story. It would be the perfect book to pick up during October for Halloween. It's not scary, but definitely a bit eerie, and the exact kind of book that a more sensitive reader (such as myself) would want to read during that season. I've used the term "cozy creepy" in a few of my reviews and I'd definitely place Belladonna in that category.
It is incredibly descriptive and atmospheric, making you completely forget that you're reading. So many of the pieces that I highlighted throughout the story were just descriptions, moments where the author described Signa's eyes, Death's shadows, Hawthorne House, Lillian's garden, a ballgown, or the way the autumn season presented itself. It was all so beautifully written that I found myself getting lost in it over and over again, forgetting that I was reading and just truly living it. Those are my favorite kinds of books.
It made you think you knew what was happening, only to surprise you later on! Let me describe this a bit better. You know those stories where you're convinced something is predictable, so you tell yourself it can't be that and it's totally something else, but then you've convinced yourself so much that the predictable thing winds up shocking you when it does happen? That's kind of how this felt. Only, it wasn't really predictable. It just felt right when certain moments occurred. I liked those moments of, "ah yes, that makes perfect sense" just as much as the moments of, "OMG WHAT?!?!"
THE CHARACTERS. That's it. That's all I need to really say. The cast was spectacular. Everyone was a little grey. Everyone was a little unlikeable in a way that made them lovable. You feel as though you're rooting for the bad guys, but in a satisfying way. The character dynamics (and even bits of the plot) reminded me of a mash-up of several favorite books: Echo North (Echo and Hal), The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (Addie and Luc), and The Inheritance Games (Avery and Jameson).
Adalyn Grace has mentioned a couple of her favorite chapters on Instagram and I was pleased to find that the chapters she loved were also some favorites of my own. They held shock, romance, and too many gorgeous quotes for me to even list in this review. Plus, I want you to read the book and experience them yourself!
I never thought I could love anything this author wrote more than I loved All the Stars and Teeth, but Belladonna blew me away. Before I was even a quarter of the way through it, I preordered a signed copy so I could read it again and again. It's absolutely magnificent in every way and I could honestly blather on about it endlessly. If you pick up only one book this year, let it be Belladonna. I promise you won't regret it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Gore, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Body horror, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Blood
snowwhitehatesapples's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Review can also be found at Snow White Hates Apples.
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
One of the most refreshing YA Gothic Fantasy Romances that I’ve read in forever, Belladonna by Adalyn Grace centres around Signa, an orphan set to inherit a vast fortune upon reaching adulthood and thus, is subjected to being shuffled around several greedy relatives. Unfortunately for those relatives, Signa’s ‘cursed’—unable to die yet followed by death in both literal and metaphorical sense. One by one, those relatives meet their untimely end and with each demise, Death appears, either to collect waiting souls or summoned by Signa’s new suicide attempt. This, of course, causes Signa to hate Death as she believes him to be the source of her ‘curse’ which would lead to her being unable to marry (ngl, I laughed at this because I didn’t think Signa would be that type of shallow until I remembered what period this book is set in).
As Signa nears her 18th birthday, she is sent to live with her last remaining relatives: the Hawthorne Family at Thorn Grove who have their own curse as well. Their home is haunted by the ghost of Lillian, the wife of the Hawthorne patriarch, and Blythe is dying of the same illness that took her mother. Things come to a head when Lillian confronts Signa, claiming she was poisoned, and that’s when the race against time begins. To help Lillian find peace by finding the culprit while trying to prevent Blythe’s death, Signa will need to work together with Death.
The mystery aspect of Belladonna is hands down my utmost favourite thing in this book. There is just the perfect amount of tension, twists and turns, and a quick enough pace to keep me hooked. I had my suspicions but ultimately, didn’t see the final revelation coming. I loved how things turned out and was pleasantly surprised by the way Signa handled the aftermath too.
Nevertheless, I’m gonna be honest and admit that Signa is not my favourite type of heroine. As aforementioned, she’s shallow, though I understand that’s most likely resultant of the time period and her upbringing. Signa is also very impulsive and while I get that without her impulsiveness we wouldn’t have a book as quick-paced as it is, I also can’t help but wish that she would just stop and use her common sense once in a while.
Death, on the other hand, is a very sweet and understanding love interest. He’s the much better version of Greek God Hades and I really liked the tenderness he has for Signa and the souls, and the banter he shares with Signa. However, the romance between Death and Signa went from 0 to 100 very quickly. Thinking about it from Death’s perspective, it makes sense because he’s been waiting for a being like her for a long time already. But, in Signa’s, it just makes her look like a very thirsty girl, especially considering how much she hated Death in the beginning.
Also, (ngl here too) if we view Death on the same plane of morality as us humans, he has major, undeniable creep vibes (he watched Signa grow up ya’ll). So yeah, I wouldn’t recommend reading Belladonna the way you’d read a romance between humans while expecting a healthy relationship, because Death here is definitely not human.
Anyway, if you’re looking for an unconventional YA romance that also delivers what it says it will deliver (in this case, romance, murder and mystery), then Belladonna is a must-read.
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
One of the most refreshing YA Gothic Fantasy Romances that I’ve read in forever, Belladonna by Adalyn Grace centres around Signa, an orphan set to inherit a vast fortune upon reaching adulthood and thus, is subjected to being shuffled around several greedy relatives. Unfortunately for those relatives, Signa’s ‘cursed’—unable to die yet followed by death in both literal and metaphorical sense. One by one, those relatives meet their untimely end and with each demise, Death appears, either to collect waiting souls or summoned by Signa’s new suicide attempt. This, of course, causes Signa to hate Death as she believes him to be the source of her ‘curse’ which would lead to her being unable to marry (ngl, I laughed at this because I didn’t think Signa would be that type of shallow until I remembered what period this book is set in).
As Signa nears her 18th birthday, she is sent to live with her last remaining relatives: the Hawthorne Family at Thorn Grove who have their own curse as well. Their home is haunted by the ghost of Lillian, the wife of the Hawthorne patriarch, and Blythe is dying of the same illness that took her mother. Things come to a head when Lillian confronts Signa, claiming she was poisoned, and that’s when the race against time begins. To help Lillian find peace by finding the culprit while trying to prevent Blythe’s death, Signa will need to work together with Death.
The mystery aspect of Belladonna is hands down my utmost favourite thing in this book. There is just the perfect amount of tension, twists and turns, and a quick enough pace to keep me hooked. I had my suspicions but ultimately, didn’t see the final revelation coming. I loved how things turned out and was pleasantly surprised by the way Signa handled the aftermath too.
Nevertheless, I’m gonna be honest and admit that Signa is not my favourite type of heroine. As aforementioned, she’s shallow, though I understand that’s most likely resultant of the time period and her upbringing. Signa is also very impulsive and while I get that without her impulsiveness we wouldn’t have a book as quick-paced as it is, I also can’t help but wish that she would just stop and use her common sense once in a while.
Death, on the other hand, is a very sweet and understanding love interest. He’s the much better version of Greek God Hades and I really liked the tenderness he has for Signa and the souls, and the banter he shares with Signa. However, the romance between Death and Signa went from 0 to 100 very quickly. Thinking about it from Death’s perspective, it makes sense because he’s been waiting for a being like her for a long time already. But, in Signa’s, it just makes her look like a very thirsty girl, especially considering how much she hated Death in the beginning.
Also, (ngl here too) if we view Death on the same plane of morality as us humans, he has major, undeniable creep vibes (he watched Signa grow up ya’ll). So yeah, I wouldn’t recommend reading Belladonna the way you’d read a romance between humans while expecting a healthy relationship, because Death here is definitely not human.
Anyway, if you’re looking for an unconventional YA romance that also delivers what it says it will deliver (in this case, romance, murder and mystery), then Belladonna is a must-read.
Thank you so much Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse and Grief
queergoth_reads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
4.5
I received this as an eARC from NetGalley but all thought and opinions are my own.
I picked this up, not really having read much of the blurb, I thought it looked really cool. When I started to read it I found I couldn't put it down.
It follows Signa, a young woman who has been surrounded by death her whole life, and is very angry at him for that. When her latest guardian dies, she heads to Thorn Grove to stay with some distant cousins. Sadly Thorn Grove is grieving and her cousin is gravely ill. Not wanting to see another family member die Signa sets out to use her powers to save her cousin.
This book is essentially a gothic supernatural mystery with a nice little romance subplot. It was a pretty easy read and it kept me guessing the whole way through. It fits right in with the kind of book I love so I became very taken with it right away.
There were a few points where I was a big confused as to what was happening. I don't know if it was me reading too fast or what. Some pages with big reveals took me a couple reads to really understand what just happened.
I picked this up, not really having read much of the blurb, I thought it looked really cool. When I started to read it I found I couldn't put it down.
It follows Signa, a young woman who has been surrounded by death her whole life, and is very angry at him for that. When her latest guardian dies, she heads to Thorn Grove to stay with some distant cousins. Sadly Thorn Grove is grieving and her cousin is gravely ill. Not wanting to see another family member die Signa sets out to use her powers to save her cousin.
This book is essentially a gothic supernatural mystery with a nice little romance subplot. It was a pretty easy read and it kept me guessing the whole way through. It fits right in with the kind of book I love so I became very taken with it right away.
There were a few points where I was a big confused as to what was happening. I don't know if it was me reading too fast or what. Some pages with big reveals took me a couple reads to really understand what just happened.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Death of parent
Moderate: Body horror, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Misogyny and Sexual content