A review by _chrstnlvly
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Belladonna follows 19-year-old Signa Farrow, a girl who has been surrounded by death her entire life. Orphaned as an infant, she has lived with various guardians—most of whom meet untimely ends. When she is sent to Thorn Grove, the gothic estate of the Hawthorne family, she finds herself entangled in a mystery: her cousin Blythe is gravely ill, and Signa suspects poison. To uncover the truth, she must form an uneasy alliance with Death himself—an alluring, enigmatic figure who has been a shadowy presence in her life for as long as she can remember. As their connection deepens, Signa begins to question the true nature of life, death, and her own powers.

To me, you are a song to a soul that has never known music. Light to someone who has only seen the darkness. You bring out the absolute worst in me, and I become vindictive toward those who treat you in ways I don't care for. Yet you also bring out the best in me - I want to be better because of you. Better for you.

The book’s pacing was its biggest drawback for me. It took me almost four months to finish Belladonna, which speaks volumes about how slow it felt. The plot itself was intriguing, but the execution dragged—this story could have easily been 100 pages shorter. Additionally, the mystery aspect fell flat since many of the twists were predictable well before they were revealed. It was frustrating to watch Signa take so long to piece things together when the clues were glaringly obvious.

That said, Adalyn Grace’s prose was strong, and the gothic atmosphere of Thorn Grove was beautifully crafted. The writing itself was immersive, even when the pacing faltered. I’m still interested in continuing the series, but I sincerely hope Foxglove improves upon the character development, plot, and pacing issues that held Belladonna back.
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