Belladonna

4.5/5

Loved loved loved this book.

Signa Farrow is a 19 year old girl touched by death but unable to die from his touch. Since she was a child, her guardians have been dying off rendering her cursed by everyone until she arrives at Thorn Grove and decides to not let her curse continue and let her cousin, Blythe, die. The Hawthorne estate however is anything but quiet and normal and when a spirit instructs Signa to stop Blythe dying, she begins working with Death to solve with poison mystery.

The way this author writes is simply chef's kiss. The pace, the writing, the story line, the romance, the mystery, it's all greaty. This gothic fantasy is everything I hoped it would be. The MC was interesting and everything she's not supposed to be despite the regency era theme.
I like her romance with Death and did not find it weird at all (in reference to other reviews) - I think it's important to note that Death notes that human lives go by in a blink on an eye for him and whilst he was intrigued by Signa - he did not act on it until she was an adult and became interest. However this is not the focal point of the book.

If you like mysteries, gothic fantasies, a slowburn romance - then this is a book for you. I honestly cannot wait for the sequel, Foxglove.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I knew I was going to love this, but I underestimated how much - this book is perfect! Our heroine Signa Farrow has always been surrounded by death - orphaned as a baby and passed around uncaring family members only interested in her fortune, its been hard to connect with people. Instead, she finds herself communicating with Death himself, which they're both rather perturbed by, When Signa is sent to yet another distant relative's, she stumbles into a mystery she needs to unravel, and Death has offered to help her.

This book had beautiful gothic nods, a unique and loveable MC, and somehow you end up rooting for a romance with Death! Adalyn Grace's writing is so perfectly paced, reading feels like a whirlwind. I'm also relieved to find theres a sequel on the way! this would make an excellent tv series!

A few years ago, I used to be an avid reader of the YA/fantasy/New Adult genre but over the years I lost track of new releases. It’s been a while since I have managed to find some time to read in my spare time outside of my university courses (I study literature but hey, it’s not always masterpieces). Despite having hundreds of unread books, I craved for something new and deeply engaging, a book that would get me out of my reading slump and bring me back the true pleasure reading can provide - I couldn’t wish for more than Belladonna by Adalyn Grace.

I came across it by chance (or was it Fate himself?), pulled in by the title and stunning cover and I lost no time in requesting it through Netgalley UK after reading the synopsis. To summarize it shortly, it is a refreshing gothic romance, set in the 1850s/1860s, telling the story of Signa Farrow, an orphan girl that seems to attract misery and sudden deaths everywhere she goes. Yet, she is resistant to dying herself, no matter how much she tries. Her ability to speak not only with ghosts and spirits but with the terrifying Death himself restricts her from any sort of normal life she desires. After arriving at her distant family’s mansion Thorn Grove, she has the opportunity to use her powers to help the people around her, by trying to discover the secret behind a mysterious illness that resides within its walls.

Signa was a delightful character to experience the story through, as she was unusually complex. I think the author did a wonderful job at making her come to life throughout the book with strong character development. Signa seems interesting and unusual without getting too much into the “not like other girls” territory. I found her voice to be compelling and well suited to the overall tone of the book. As I want to avoid spoiling the book in any way, I just want to say that the love interest choice is a completely unhinged idea and I am here for every second of it.

I consider a gothic ghost story to be a relatively difficult genre to tackle nowadays, as it requires a strong mysterious atmosphere yet needs to be refreshing in the mystery itself. In my opinion, even in this, the author succeeded, as I consider Belladonna to be a book I would recommend to ghost-story lovers as well as to people who usually don’t read ghost stories with passion. I cannot wait for any further instalments within the series as well as any other books from the author.

Belladonna is, and bear with me here, a fantasy-gothic-murder-mystery-romance set approximately in the 1860s. Signa is an orphan, passed from relative to relative each out to claim a piece of her fortune for themselves. Her only constant companion is death, in more ways than one. Signa can see spirits and even death himself.

When her aunt dies suddenly Signa is spirited away to Thorn Hall, a beautiful manor filled with shadows. When it becomes clear that the late mistress of the house was murdered and her ailing daughter might be next, Signa allies herself with a stable boy, and death himself to get to the bottom of what is happening on the Hawthorne estate.

This is not my usual novel, but I was drawn in by the frankly stunning (UK) cover and the fantasy elements and I’m so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone. I devoured this book on my commute, it is addictive and spellbinding in equal measures.

The delicate balance between mystery and romance was spot on. I was drawn into the mystery with all its twists and turns, that played off well with the more historical/romance elements of the plot, without either element feeling underserved.

Signa is a compelling protagonist, and her voice really came through in the writing style. She is brave, cunning and impulsive in equal measures, but at her core longs for a family and a place to belong. I won’t say much detail about the MLO, other than it was a completely unhinged choice, and for that reason the absolute best decision possible.

The epilogue also sets up a sequel(!) which cannot come soon enough.

All in an absolute delight of a novel, hands down one of my favourite reads of the year so far!

Thank you so much to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC of 'Belladonna' by Adalyn Grace.

I purely fell in love with this book due to the cover and it didn't disappoint. The start was rather slow based but the further I read, the more I was addicted. The gothic themes were perfection and the characters were gorgeous. I absolutely adored it.

Wow. That’s my best assessment of this book: just wow.
Signa has a terrible talent - she can see the lingering spirits of the dead. With them comes the haunting presence of Death himself, and she desperately wants to be rid off him. But when she moved live with the family of her late cousin Lillian, she becomes preoccupied with a different problem. Who killed Lillian, and is her ailing daughter next?
Sumptuous and gothic, I’d easily categorise it as ‘upmarket’ fiction for it’s literary atmosphere but undeniably commercial appeal. It’s a sort of romantic supernatural murder mystery set in the 1850s, with uptight social conventions and extravagant balls and a good-looking stable hand and family secrets.
The mystery plot was twisty and suspenseful (I spent a lot of this book either gasping or screaming with delight) and the romance was just as skilfully woven. The characters are vivid and complex, especially Signa. She has lots of desires for her life - to get rid of Death’s presence, to protect the only family she has left, to do all the things her treasured etiquette manuals says she must do in order to find a husband so she will never be lonely and unloved again. But each of these desires come with a cost, and they frequently interfere with each other. She is always being pulled to work out what she *really* wants.
I adored every moment of this book. The epilogue is the perfect setup for a sequel, and I can’t wait to read that too!

I absolutely loved this! Every single second of it. I had several theories throughout and then it would be disproven, though I have to say I guessed the twist and squealed with delight so loudly when I was proven right that my son ran to demand to know what I had been right. Loved, loved, loved it. So well written, wonderful characters.

Belladonna is a fast paced gothic fantasy that takes the reader on a wild ride of romance, secrets and betrayal.

Death has followed 19 year old Signa Farrow all her life. Orphaned as a baby, death has taken every single one of her guardians, most of which are only after the money Signa shall inherit upon her 20th birthday. Signa is cursed with a unique gift of being unable to die, as well as the ability to see lingering spirits and even Death himself.

Signa is a beautifully constructed character, with both courage and stubbornness, and she is determined to hate Death for all he has taken.

After the loss of her most recent guardian, Signa journeys to Thorn Grove, accompanied by stable hand, Sylas. Upon her arrival, she meets the Hawthorne's, or at least what is left of them, since her Aunt Lillian recently died of an unrecognisable illness, one that her daughter Blythe is now suffering from.

Signa instantly suspects foul play and recruits Sylas to help her uncover the mystery of who murdered Lillian before death comes for Blythe.

Signa is incredibly clever and I loved her and Sylas working as a team, though it did take me a while to warm up to him. I loved Death instantly since he was very charming and misunderstood, something that Signa soon learns after his many visits at Thorn Grove. I loved Signa's growth throughout the book and watching her embracing that the fact that she is no ordinary girl.

I absolutely loved the plot! It was unique and very gothic. I did suspect one of the plot twists very early on and I was delighted to learn that my suspicions were correct!

The Epilogue set up book two nicely and I am very eagerly awaiting the sequel!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

This is a world unlike any other I've read. I happen to enjoy the 'Death and The Maiden' storyline a great deal, and when I read the synopsis that Signa and Death would have a connection within this gothic murder mystery, I was eager to pick Belladonna up. Yet, I wasn't quite ready for how captivated I'd be by this world - so much that after sitting a few days before writing up this review, I've bumped it from a 4.5 to a 5 simply because I'm still thinking about this book in great detail.

Signa's abilities to defy death, and the tragic journey of her life that was overwhelmed by the loss of many guardians up till the point of this novel's beginning created such an interesting premise. I loved her from the first glimpse we get of her. Signa's growth as a person in high society, and with her dark magical abilities, all whilst marshalling for her ill cousin was such a rewarding experience to read. This world is so atmospheric, and much like Signa, I was kept on my toes the whole way through. The world-building was magical, and it felt as if I was able to step back in time to join Signa at Thorn Grove. The mansion and the grounds were described in such beautiful detail, and I enjoyed the small details about clothing and food, and the opulence contrasting the darkness of what was happening in her new residence. Adalyn Grace painted a world of wonderful grandeur and shadowed it well with darkness and deceit that I am still hooked on the imagery this book created for me.

The murder mystery elements of Belladonna had me guessing back and forth and made me doubt my suspicions on more than one occasion, which I absolutely loved. I'm not huge on murder mysteries, but this was delivered in a way that wasn't too overbearing and kept my interest up to figure it all out. And even though I was on the mark with who was behind the death of Lillian Hawthorne and the strange illness of her daughter Blythe, the reasoning behind it wasn't what I expected - another satisfying moment for me as a reader.

However, where this novel shined most for me was through Signa's confusion over her relationships with several people within the novel as her handle on her inner darkness evolves. At almost twenty, Signa is nearing the age to gain access to her inheritance. Her original goal was to make it to this age and live comfortably, and hopefully find herself a husband when she debuted into society. I loved how this desire she possessed was challenged throughout the novel, both by conflicting feelings for Death, Sylas, and the most eligible lord of the season, and by her growth as a person shrouded by abilities. Signa starts with very little understanding of society and how the world works in affluent circles, given her upbringing thus far. At Thorn Grove, she is thrust into the world she's only read about and finds it doesn't appeal to her as much as she believed it would. Her warring feelings between her abilities and societal standings were fantastically executed by the author, and I found Signa to be such a well-rounded character. The Signa we leave this world on is someone who has outgrown the one she hoped to become, and I'm so excited to see how she'll take what she's discovered about herself in this first novel into the sequel.

I absolutely loved the romance in this novel. Whilst at times I found Signa's back and forth between Sylas and Death exasperating - especially when she starts thinking about the newcomer for the season who tries to court her also - I found the love story to be the perfect balance for all the murder and illness Signa is navigating. The banter between her and the two main love interests had me giggling often and whilst I figured out early on how this would progress, I thoroughly enjoyed each step of the way. The romance was tastefully done, and I can only imagine how it will progress in the next book.

I also appreciated the found family dynamic between Signa and the Hawthornes. Her connection with the three of them whilst uncovering what was making Blythe so ill and solving who murdered Lillian was a delightful addition. I enjoyed her building these connections - something that no doubt felt strange given how hard a time she'd had with previous relatives up to this point. Even with her darker thoughts, and odd mannerisms from growing up so lonely, I find Signa to be someone full of hope and a strong sense of love for those who matter to her. This does fuel her to become reckless at times, but I only liked that about her more when it happened.

This is my first time reading a novel by Adalyn Grace, and I'm thrilled I picked this book up. It's going to be an anticipated wait for Foxglove for me.

There are whispers of how Signa Farrow is a strange and dangerous girl. She can see ghosts, cannot die and is believed to have brought death to all her legal guardians, and perhaps even her parents. She can even see Death, an entity in of himself, who haunts her - never leaving her alone for long. However, when Signa arrives at her newest ward’s residence, Thorn Grove Manor, an angered spirit makes it clear to Signa someone is conspiring to kill members of the family. To save her reputation and finally face her fears, Signa decides she must stop Death. But is Death truly her enemy?

HOT DAMN. My lungs are STILL hurting from all the gasping and squealing!! From the first few pages, I knew we struck gold with Belladonna. It delivers delicious romance, a murder mystery that causes the mind to spin with theories and an entertaining fantasy rooted in death, life and the power of both. It possesses *every* vibe I love in books; especially the grim and macabre. There’s poison gardens, dark woods, family secrets, haunted and shadowy halls… I can’t put into words how much I loved it. Past reads that evoked similar vibes for me are House of Salt and Sorrows and Mexican Gothic.

”I cannot sleep when I hear her roaming about, haunting these halls, and yet I cannot so much as shut my eyes in her absence, for I wonder if I will ever hear her again.”

The story unfolds in a time period akin to Bridgerton, where a young lady’s value is linked to her status and marriageable worth. Consequently, Signa must navigate how to perfect appropriate etiquette, or face the fact she may never truly fit into such societal standards because of her connection to beyond the veil.

Signa is a great character. She’s stubborn, hearty and has the powerful potential to rival Death himself. The conflict of Signa’s abilities and status were thoroughly riveting to explore, and it became increasingly complicated the more the murder mystery developed, leaving me curiouser and curiouser. Even though I found the mystery elements predictable, this didn’t detract from my enjoyment in any way, due to how rich the world felt. Moreover, I adored how reverently Adalyn Grace illustrated the nature of death. It was beautiful how every belief of what comes after life was given its place, and I must praise the author for this.

The romance was *chef’s kiss*. We have Sylas, a mysterious and sarcastic stableboy, and then on the other hand, Death, a devastatingly tender and lethal entity. I loved them both and found myself unable to choose. The duo of Signa and Death are like Emilia and Wrath from Kingdom of the Wicked but in a world like Disney’s Haunted Mansion. Their vibe also reminded me of Vasya and Morozko from the Winternight series and Alina and the Darkling from Shadow & Bone. Meanwhile, Signa and Sylas’ detective work reminded me of Audrey Rose and Thomas Cresswell from Stalking Jack the Ripper. So can anyone blame me when I stress I was unable to choose between them!? But do not panic, the way the romance is ultimately handled was extremely satisfying.

The ending!!! I knew it was coming but I still squealed! I am really, really, really excited for the sequel, Foxglove. It’s not the worst of cliffhangers, but rather, sets the stage nicely for the next adventure. I’m so excited to return to this world and see more of these characters. And on that matter: Adalyn Grace and Hodderscape, if you happen to have a copy of that sequel at hand… I wouldn’t say no. I’ll bake you cookies for it! And I *promise* they won’t have Belladonna in them.

Belladonna is moody, romantic and, quite simply, a must read for YA gothic fantasy readers. It’s without a doubt in my favourite reads of 2022. The prose was lyrical and rich, the ghostly and atmospheric world enveloped me, the chemistry between Signa and her love interest was decadent… All in all, it’s a lusciously gothic tale and I was truly, fully in its thrall. I’ll definitely be rereading it before Foxglove arrives. Don’t sleep on this one, book friends! You need to add Belladonna to your TBR if you love any of the following:

~ Kingdom of the Wicked
~ The Shadows Between Us
~ Hunting Prince Dracula
~ House of Salt and Sorrows
~ Haunted Mansion
~ Corpse Bride

Thank you kindly to Hodderscape for providing me with an eARC in exchange for this honest review.

4.5⭐️

I’m so glad I got to read an ARC of this book! It was well-written with interesting characters and world building, as well as a swoony romance. The mystery wasn’t overly complex but I like that there’s the potential for more stories in this world. I also guessed some things about Sylas fairly instantly, so it would have been nice to have been left guessing a while longer on that front.

This book didn’t make me that emotional and was a bit predictable as mentioned, which stopped it from being five stars. However, I loved the concept and I adored that the MC didn’t just go along with society’s pointless rules and instead questioned them and herself – though I did find her shortsightedness a bit annoying in some of the earlier chapters.

This was an atmospheric book, reminiscent of The Haunting of Hill House but with a little more lightness. It felt like if Gallant and Sorcery of Thorns had a love child, it would be this book. I liked that there was a little steam too, as the MC is 19/20 so it felt comfortable and right for the plot.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would read more in this world.

I will always be a big fan of whatever Adalyn Grace writes, but this was a phenomenal read. Belladonna completely had me hooked and I was enamored by the characters and plot.
The mystery elements entwined with slight romance, honestly a 10/10.
In fact, I am desperately waiting for the physical book to be in my hands so that I can annotate it and put it with the rest of my favourite books.
If you enjoyed In The Ravenous Dark or Vespertine, I definitely think this book is for you.

I received this as an eARC from NetGalley but all thought and opinions are my own.

Rounded up from 4.5 stars.

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

This has everything!
At the heart of this novel is Signa Farrow a young woman with some interesting talents.
Around that is a serious layer of murder and mystery.
Add of course “Death” and a bit of the supernatural.
Lastly, a touch of romance and some very good writing!

Nothing more to add other than read it!
What a wonderful novel that will steal you from the first page and leave you smiling after the final sentence.

Alright! I'm giving it 5 stars, because I just loved it that much! You guys! This is like perfection!
This book is everything! It's this perfect combination of everything I like in fantasy books, a darkly gothic fantasy novel, with a crime to solve, a lot of mystery, a heavy touch of paranormal, a lot of gothic elements and a romance to die for (literally) with just a touch of smut (it's very poetic in that specific scene, so not too much of steam, and that's alright, made it perfect for the novel tone).

The book revolves around 17 years old Signa Farrow, a supposedly cursed orphan, that brings everyone who adopts to die one by one. But she is no ordinary girls, she is a gifted girl who stands at the thin line between life and death by chewing the poisonous belladonnas to summon Death, the one she thinks is the culprit to all the death that surrounds her.

But one day Signa connects with Death breaks an important rule without knowing it. It’s after these developments that Signa ends up at her relative’s home, Thorn Grove, a place where she discovers her powers, a love, a crime to solve and a family to save.

I think all the characters are well developed, that is evident in Signa, who grows to understand that not everything is as it seems, that living for the expectations of other is no live at all and that be fearless and defend the ones she loves, she as to accept who she is and her powers.

Also, of course Death was my favorite character, he is the most alluring and charismatic character of the book, I was always expecting him to appear. This totally resemble my feeling towards the Darkling in the Shadow and Bone! BUT, this book gave me what Shadow and Bone was not capable of giving me. The bantering, the tender moments, the steamy moments. Signa and Death are everything, I adore them! They remind me a lot of the dynamic between Hades and Persephone, with this impossible love that teeters between life and death.

Oh and the plot twist! I had a lot of suspicions about the murder, but was not expecting it, not at all! There were some other points that I did find out before they where reveled, but that did not take the fun of the reading experience.

Overall, this book was amazing, and I highly recommend it for anyone that’s a fan of gothic romances that linger between YA and Adult. I’m excited to learn more about Death, about Fate and the next crime mystery in the next book and see what happens.

<i>Thank you kindly to Hodder&Stoughton and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for this honest review.</i>

I have read quite a few books already this year, but Belladonna has very easily become my favourite. The concept of a girl that sees death but cannot die, teaming up with literal death to solve a murder was something I didn't know I needed, but now need in every single material available. Paperback? hardback? limited edition covers? ebooks? I don't care, just take my money.

Signa was a very interesting main character, who was weathered by bad luck, and plagued by death, causing her to be handed around to new family members her whole life, until she is taken in by her rich distant relatives and cousins. Signa never lets the hardships affect her as a person. She has a lot of charm, but still holds herself in a strong manner, and can fight her battles, whether that be with family or death. There is an innocence to her, and at times her words get her into trouble, but there was something quite wholesome about watching her form friendships, and have experiences that she was lacking as a child. As a character, Death is incredibly charming, and often bounces off of Signa and jabs at her to get a rise, but always does it in a comical way, that often irritates her, but makes her smile too. As weird as it is to type, there was great chemistry between Signa and uh... death?
The romance was perfectly balanced with the mystery aspect, and there was no overshadowing. There were small moments between Signa and other character's that were perfectly tense, and helped to introduce the side character's into the story better, and left me caught between who Signa would choose.

The world building and descriptions in the book were incredible, and it was easy to imagine everything on the page, which is one of the main reasons I love reading Adalyn Grace's work. The gothic atmosphere was noticeable immediately, and had everything you could imagine, from secret passages to self portraits scattered around the house, and ghosts haunting the building.

My interest was grabbed from the first line of the prologue, and didn't falter all the way to the cliffhanger, which was perfectly constructed. I am in desperate need of the sequel, and cannot thank the netgalley Gods enough for blessing me with an arc.

This book was so, so good! I loved every minute of it.

Signa Farrow should have died as a baby, poisoned just like her parents. Instead, Death found himself unable to take her, and Signa was left to grow up in the care of a series of guardians who cared more for her wealth than her. All of them met an untimely end, and now everyone believes Signa cursed. Signa believes it too - especially as she can see ghosts, and talk with Death when he draws near.

After the demise of her latest guardian, Signa is invited to Thorn Grove by the family of her deceased aunt, who are deep in mourning for their wife and mother. To make things worse, Blythe, the daughter of the family, is ill from the same mysterious sickness that killed her mother. She looks certain to die until her mother's ghost appears to Signa, claiming she was murdered and someone is now trying to kill Blythe. Signa's determined not to let another relative die and so turns to Death himself for help. Together the two must discover the murderer, before it's too late.

Everything about this book was enjoyable. The descriptions, the atmosphere, the character development, the love interest, the mystery of it all! I read Belladonna quickly and wish I had the sequel in my hands already. I feel like I haven't read a *really* amazing book in a while so this was just what I needed. There was one tiny element I would have like cleared up, but I can't say what without spoilers - and it was so tiny that it doesn't really matter. If you enjoy gothic novels and historical fantasy then you need to read this book!

Belladonna is a beautifully haunting, gothic infused YA fantasy about a girl (Signa) who confronts death—her own deadly powers— to solve a murder in this enthralling tale of magic, mystery and a deadly betrayal.

For as long as Signa Farrow’s has been alive, the people around her have all succumbed to an early grave. Orphaned as a baby, nineteen year old Sign has has a string of guardians, each more interested in her vast inheritance than her well-being—and each has met and untimely death.

Her only remaining relatives are the elusive Hawthornes, an eccentric family who live at the gloomy and imposing Thorn Grove, an estate still steeped in the patriarch’s grief for his late wife—a wife who still haunts its walls and a daughter who suffers a similar ailment.

But when said wife’s spirit appears to Signa claiming she was poisoned, Signa realises the family she depends on could be in grave danger, and enlists the help of a surly stable boy to help hunt down the killer.

It’s hauntingly atmospheric, deliciously gothic and I fell absolutely in love it! That opening chapter was absolutely phenomenal and really sets the tone for the rest of the book—the world building is gorgeously lush, with an ethereal, dream-like quality to some of the outdoorsy (nature filled) scenes that I just really enjoyed. But, there’s also a richer, darker undertone to Thorn Grove itself that was deeply compelling.

Signa, our protagonist is an interesting character—impervious to the poison that left her an orphan, Signa has spent her life isolated and lonely, wishing for a better grander life and with only the spirits and death for company it’s easy to empathise. Her time at Thorn Grove sees her flourish and evolve, tracking down the cause for the mysterious illness plaguing her family and learning the wield the death-like powers she has been gifted with.

Her evolving relationship with death was also exquisitely crafted, and gave us the most delicious Hades and Persephone vibes. Death is an incredible character too, he’s nothing but a shadowy hooded figure during all of his intersctions with Signa but his dark Byronic charm and acerbic wit was fabulously entertaining. He and Signa definitely have chemistry and the love triangle dynamics that entangle them both was absolutely swoon-worthy.

Honestly, I loved everything about this marvellously moody, gothic romance with its hauntingly lush atmosphere, lyrical prose and plot twists to die for!

The ending does end on a bit of a cliffhanger which sets up the sequel Foxglove but, I guarantee you’ll be utterly satisfied with this absolute masterpiece of a book so get preordering now.

Also, thanks to Hodder&Stoughton and Netgalley for the e-arc.

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review.

As soon as I saw that this was a fantasy with mystery solving plus set in the 1800s I had to read it. And it was so so so worth it. Absolutely.

Signa Farrow is a young girl who has always lost everyone around her, her mother, her grandmother and many more people, and she has always blamed Death for those deaths. While growing up, Signa finds out she has the power to see spirits and Death and that she cannot die. At the age of nineteen, she moves to the Hawthornes' mansion as they are her only relatives and she still isn't of age yet: once she arrives, she meets the Hawthornes' wife's spirit who begs for her help to unsolve her murder and to save her daughter, Blythe, from the same sad fate. With the help of Death, whom she gets really close to, and Sylas, a stables boy, she does everything in her power to unravel the mystery and to finally save her cousin and her family.

This book was so good, "love" cannot even express how much I adored it. I loved how dark the story was and how Signa does her best to help the Hawthornes. I loved how she grows attached to Death and how he does anything just for her. My love for Death goes beyond this world <3 I craved for him to be in every single chapter, paragraph and sentence. I wanted him to be with Signa all the time and mostly we did get that. Hopefully we'll have so much more of Death and Death-Signa duo in book 2! Moreover, I feel like the song Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez describes perfectly how Death feels about Signa when he sings: "I was lost within the darkness, but then I found her, I found you." Idk, I find it cute tho.
I wished we had more insights on Charlotte and her past and especially on Percy and Marjorie, I really wished the author could spend some more time on these two, focusing on what was on their mind and why the behaved the way they did.

Looking forward to book 2 as I need it ASAP, especially after the final cliffhanger. And I really want to know how Death and Signa's realtionship will evolve. If you really couldn't tell, I love these two, especially together heh.

“To me, you are a song to a soul that has never known music. Light to someone who has only seen the darkness.”

“You are what I want. I know I cannot force you to want me in return, but say that you do, and I promise that I am wholly and unequivocally yours. Say that you do, and I will make this world everything for you, Signa.”

My rating: 4.5!

I absolutely loved this book! I literally pre ordered after a few chapters! Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me early access to this book!

Honestly five stars are not enough.
I was immediately drawn into this story from the first page. It was such an interesting concept that was tied into a murder mystery that I could not put this book down.
The pacing of the book was done right and it gave enough time to try to solve this mystery along with the main character.
I was fully invested Signa's growth through this book and once again, the pacing aiding in her self discovery and her search for an identity among high society.
I love a good murder mystery and the gothic setting and supernatural themes did elevate the suspense and a need for me to figure out who the culprit was.this was a murder mystery done right.
Signa and Death's dynamic was another enjoyable aspect-a variation of the enemies to allies to lovers trope is always a plus when I read and I love them. Death's outlook on life,death and the afterlife and his ability to teach Signa of all her possibilities and push her to really find her place really pushed the plot along and aided in her overall character development.
Overall, I loved it. Will definitely be buying a physical copy.

I just cant wait for the book to release (and the sequel too🫣) IT WAS SUCH A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE READING THIS 😭💗

Thank you to netgalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book!
An absolutely spellbounding and mysterious tale author Adalyn Grace has woven! The premise for Belladonna is fantastic and the murder mystery really draws the reader into it, I spent the whole time reading with no clue how the story would turn out.
The characters are marvellous and Signa is a fantastic protagonist! Really excited for future releases from this author!

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗻, 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻.

Belladonna is a lush gothic infused fantasy made only better by its compelling mystery and beautifully written paranormal romance. I gushed so hard over Signa and Death, they have truly left a mark. The 'Death and the Maiden' trope hit HARD in this one.

Set in the Victorian era, 19 year old orphan Signa Farrow has always been surrounded by death. Not only do all her relatives and guardians seem to drop dead around her, but she can see spirits, and Death himself. Signa is taken in by the Hawthorne family, her only remaining relatives, at Thorn Grove and it's there that she discovers her cousin is suffering from a mysterious illness similar to that of Signa's aunt that died months prior. Signa suspects foul play and enlists the help of a new friend: a stable boy named Sylas, and Death himself, to uncover the mystery.

When I tell you that this book is good, trust me, it's good. The murder mystery at the heart of this book is so gripping, and the author did a great job of presenting clues to the reader to solve alongside Signa. There is a plot twist towards the end of the book that blew me away; I actually gasped as it was revealed because it was so clever I genuinely didn't see it coming. This reveal was a highlight for me and just made me love this book so much more thinking back to particular scenes.

The characters are sublime; Signa is an incredibly interesting MC and I cannot wait for the sequel to see her character blossom even further into her own gifts and abilities. She's written remarkably well, with more layers unravelling as the plot develops, and her journey of self-discovery is beautiful. I loved the dynamic between Sigma and Death, not only does Death aid in her investigation, but he helps her figure out exactly who she is and in turn, accept who she is. The vast majority of side characters play a pivotal role, not one character felt unnecessary.

I absolutely loved the personification of Death. Grace's description of the darkness that emenated from him was enchanting and haunting. I feel like I could vividly imagine how he looked in both his corporeal form, as well as his intangible, ethereal form. I loved that whilst he had a strong moral identity, he also bent the rules slightly to help Signa, all the while ensuring that Signa saw the consequences of her actions.

This book is spectacular, and I feel so incredibly thankful to have been approved for this arc as this is my favourite read of 2022 to date! One I think I'll be eager to reread sooner rather than later. Very much excited for the sequel Foxglove.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers Hodder & Stoughton for accepting my request of the E-ARC of Belladonna.
This is my complete honest review.

Belladonna is on of my most anticipated reads of 2022. And boy it did not let me down! I was drawn in from the first page.
I loved it so much!
Signa should have died as a baby but for some reason Death didn't come for her. The story follows Signa, who is plagued by bad luck and death.
I absolutely adored Signa and Death.
The story was written perfectly, the world building and the characters. I loved everything about it.

I can't wait for this to be released, I hope we get so many special editions especially in the UK because I Need them all.

A big thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with this eArc!

This was so exquisite. I need every copy available!!! Whoa!!

This is a young adult, Victorian-inspired fantasy, gothic romance and murder mystery all rolled into one.

Signa Farrow is an orphaned heiress who has moved from guardian to guardian as they have an unfortunate habit of dying. Unsurprisingly, the numerous deaths in her vicinity leads to a certain amount of gossip.
Unexpectedly, she is invited into the care of the wealthy family of a distant and deceased relative. Elijah Hawthorne, still grieving for his wife, throws rowdy, lavish parties whilst his daughter, Blythe's health starts to fail. Signa finds the illnesses in the household suspicious and starts to investigate the death of Lillian, whilst trying to keep a watchful eye on Blythe.

I really enjoyed the combination of a classic murder mystery, family drama in a grand gothic mansion along with the more supernatural elements. Signa can see spirits and Death, who she has a rather spiky relationship with, at least to start with 😉.

I liked Signa as a character- she starts off desperate to fit in with societal expectations, hating her ability to see Death and spirits, but her acceptance of her differences and also gradual understanding that not all young ladies are as financially safe as herself, is well done - although there is still a bit of "not-like-other-girls" about her. She's an active, headstrong protagonist, not waiting to answers to fall into her lap but also aware of her limitations.
I haven't really spoken about the romance, but it is a strong element in the story and will be enjoyed by those who like the Death and the Maiden trope.

A really great combination of murder mystery and gothic supernatural romance with a plenty of twists and a decadent Victorian aesthetic.
4.5/5

What a dark and wonderful treat Belladonna turned out to be, I was captivated through this read and connected deeply with the main character.
Thank you for providing me with an early addition, I was extremely happy reading this!
If your looking for a fantasy meets mystery with a toe curling plot and gothic vibes look no further!

One word: WOW. This is how I felt after reading Belladonna.
It's deliciously dark with a slice of Death on the side 😉
It was toe curlingly addictive. I couldn't put it down. I read ever page , cover to cover . No page skips or end of story readings. I love gothic romances ❤️❤️
The story flow and the direction was very smooth and the male protagonists were varyingly interesting while simultaneously the being embodiment of the traditional male specimen (not all of them).
I'm not the biggest fan of this female protagonist but I did enjoy seeing her character grow and blossom. I especially liked seeing her realize her own independence ,how she didn't have to confine herself in society's norm and that she could be happy being just herself. A modern realisation unusual but definitely pleasing in a bygone era.
That twist at the end was the extra chocolate chips on top of an already delicious chocolate ice cream for sure.
I look forward enormously to reading a sequel ❤️
My thanks to @netgalley for sending me this arc in exchange for my honest review and legitimately unique opinions.
@authoradalyngrace thank you for another wonderful story ❤️

This book made me so excited! I have not felt this giddy about a book for a while.

Right from the prologue I was bewitched by this amazing story.

This book made me forget everything around me existed, I gave up sleep because I needed to finish the book to find out what happened! (I have 5 kids so usually need as much sleep as possible 🤣)

The story was so we written, I loved that it was set in victorian times, one of my favourite era's to read about. This book had mystery, friendship, coming of age, finding one's self, love and so much more!

The book follows Signa who was orphaned as a baby, she is passed from guardian to guardian as she grows. The story really begins when she is placed with the Hawthorns, a distant relative of her late mother.

Not is all as it seems at the Hawthorns home, Thorn Grove, but then Signa is not all she seems either. With the help of the Stable boy Signa gets to work at putting all the puzzle pieces together to solve the mystery!

This book will 100% be going down as a 2022 top 5 book ❤️

AHHHHHHHHHHH oh my GOSH I loved this. I just finished it and I'm still sitting here giggling like a schoolgirl. Hello??? Spooky murder mystery with steamy magic romance and kickass female characters? I read this all in a few hours. I am also immensely relieved to know there will be a sequel because I am NOT satiated. This was so good!! I'm in love!! 
First of all, the characters. Signa is amazing. I love her. She starts off a little confused and trying to find her place in the world, as we all do. She matures and learns throughout the book and she develops into a wonderful woman. She's smart, witty, and bold. It's so easy for protagonists like her to be obnoxious and overly naive, but Grace doesn't have that problem with her main character. Signa is able to realize that what society wants from her may not be what she truly wants and she can acknowledge this through the help of the people around her. She also doesn't have a lot of dithering about mortality and morality which I like.  Blythe is also fantastic. She already knows how she wants her life to go and she's not shy about declaring it. I love her.
Death is.... well. He is something else entirely. Usually with stories like this I get an ick from characters like Death. Age-old being who's known the girl since she was a baby? That's gross. But Death isn't! He's written in such a unique way so he's not creepy or even excessively mature. And even though he's known Signa since she was a baby, he still keeps his distance so it's not a weird grooming situation. I am such a picky reader when it comes to dynamics like this and I was ready to be grossed out by it but I am so glad that was not the case. He's such a perfect YA fantasy boy and I'm glad he exists. I want him for myself. 
The cover? Beautiful! It's muted tones and elegant illustration give the impression of mature gothic, which fits the vibe. Obviously the belladonna berries go along with the title and story, but the bird (yellow bellied warbler?) was harder to understand until I actually read the book. It's such an aesthetic image on its own but it also does a wonderful job of hinting at the story inside without revealing too much.
The plot: magnificent. Several times I thought "Oh, I know where this is going. I can see this twist coming." I was wrong. There were a couple of things I halfway figured out, so my ego was still boosted, but I was still deliciously surprised by the way the story unfolded. There were so many clues but I still wasn't able to fit all the pieces together, like a true crime story. 
Belladonna meshes together horror, fantasy, romance, murder mysteries, historical drama, and YA storytelling in one book that truly delivers everything it promises. If you like Bridgerton, Agatha Christie, soft paranormal, and confident female leads, you'll probably like Belladonna. I cannot wait for the next book, Foxglove and I'm hoping there will be more to come after that too. I read this as a free digital ARC from netgalley, but I loved it so much I may need to buy a physical copy for my shelf. Plus again, the beautiful cover makes me want a physical copy too.

I didn’t realise I needed a gothic fantasy death romance in my life until this.

I loved how the plot intrigue starts early so I was super hooked but I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THE CLIFFHANGER DAMN IT.

Signa and Death have such good chemistry, I loved their banter but they also had such adorable moments together.

The romance- immaculate
The plot- exquisite
The characters- sublime
The mystery- phenomenal

Adalyn Grace has some of the best descriptions I’ve ever read and I will forever read everything and anything she writes because I adore it every time.

A beautifully written book. Really enjoyed reading this. Thanks to publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read

Gosh this book was phenomenal! There genuinely isn't a single thing I didn't love. I loved Signa, I loved Death, I loved Sylas, Elijah, Blythe, Percy, I loved the lot of them. I wish i could read this book for the first time again. Bravo.

Wow. This is my first Adalyn Grace book, I've yet to read All The Stars and Teeth (though I've been meaning to for so long!!)

This book was incredible. A mix of fantasy, murder mystery contemporary, it was amazing. I love the world and Signa and Deaths relationship! The plot was so well done and my gosh, that e n d i n g!!!!

I hope there's a book two? I need a book two.. The book was well rounded and the main plots were filled but the last chapter?! Don't leave me hanging for that one!

Highly recommended!

A book that did not disappoint at all, with its beautiful cover and intriguing synopsis, Belladonna was an exceptionally well-done murder mystery-fantasy story. It truly delivered on its promise of a setting infused with a dark, gothic atmosphere.
A lavish manor invaded by ghosts, the dead wife of the owner of that house, and her daughter sick and seemingly destined for the same fate.

UNTIL...of course the entry of our main character, Signa Farrow. An orphaned young girl who can never die and walks the thin line between life and death. She can talk to ghosts and under the right circumstances, also talk to Death himself.

And the mystery was AMAZING. There were ghosts involved, poison, and a business empire falling apart. There are some good reveals (rich people have a lot of baggage from past flings) and it makes for fun speculation and *gasps out loud* moments.

Furthermore, there's the magic system which I found intriguing. There's not a very clear explanation as to why Signa has these powers. But when you're not involved in the mystery, the book keeps your attention as Signa explores her magic, what it can't, its limit. This also leads her to question what she wants with her life.
She is not happily trying to make herself fit into the tedious high society and its etiquette. We see how exhausted she is by posing and lying because she's never been brought up like that.

The writing is atmospheric. The side characters are also five-star worthy. My queen Blythe (Signa's cousin) could be my IRL bestie.

This is so beautifully written and full of intrigue, romance, and gothic tones!

Signa, the main character, was a stand-out! She is gifted with the ability to see spirits and Death (which is an actual character). Signa is bold and has an incredible sharp wit and lovable nature to her, practically coming to life before your eyes as you read through her POV. She is as layered as the plot. I loved the expert plot twists the author intertwined with the story, the unfolding of the mysteries well-paced and composed. It is dark and compelling.

I wish there were more books like this! I have been searching for a read like this; a Gothic mystery that's historical fiction, and Adalyn Grace has written something that is so satiable and ticks every box. I am super delighted to know that there is a sequel to come! Exquisite, macabre, and tender.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this eARC in exchange for an honest review

Usually when I ship a character with death it's cause I want them gone. In this case, I was shipping a character with death and was rooting for her to get the love and admiration she deserved and honestly I've not shipped this hard in a while!
I loved how the book was made up of a bunch of different plot points that all intersected really well; a mystery, a romance, a girl trying to figure out how she fits in society as well as juggling her fledgling powers. All of that against the backdrop of a historical, high society, setting.
This kept me guessing, kept me intrigued. It took me a month to read because it's been a busy few weeks but it goes to note that I kept coming back to this book. I did correctly guess one plot point and I was so thrilled with myself. Honestly gasped.
It's lowkey giving Kingdom of the Wicked vibes but ... dare I say, better?? I am so excited for the sequel now!

This book was simply breathtaking. Belladonna is a mix of everything, fantasy, romance, Gothic, murder mystery. It's been such a long time since I've read a Gothic romance but Belladonna was such a breath of fresh air. Set in the 1850's/60's it follows the story of Signa Farrow, an orphaned girl that is passed from relative to relative all out to claim a part of her inheritance. But wherever Signa goes, death seems to follow (literally). Signa has the uncanny ability to see spirits and Death himself. When her aunt dies, Signa is summoned to Thorn Grove where she has the opportunity to utilize her strange abilities to help the people around her.

As a title character Signa was wonderful. You really feel the story through her voice. She is a brave and impulsively smart protagonist but at the center of her being is the longing for family, love and identity. The voice of her character fit the overall tone of the story and made it all the more compelling.

The genre of Gothic-fantasy is a difficult one but Adalyn Grace does a spectacular job of incorporating a little bit of everything. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing what's next.

Thank you Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review will be posted to my Goodreads now and to my Instagram (krisreadstt) a month before publication.

Really interesting and rare concept, strong contemptible heroine and dark interesting male lead. Really enjoyed and left me desperate for the next one

Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for this eARC of Belladonna

I absolutely loved this novel, I was highly anticipating it once it was announced and boy was I not disappointed.

I loved the prologue of this novel, it was different and dark and I loved where that little intro was going.
The characters were all built up in a fantastic way and I actually loved the portrayal of Death.
His and Signa's relationship fascinatined me and I loved how the story developed for her.
The world building is at its finest and the ending! Talk about a cliffhanger!
I can't wait for book two, however we have to wait another year for it.
I highly recommend this novel.. In fact I have it on preorder TWICE!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Okay, I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did, but guys, it is worth the hype that I have been seeing for it!! If this is one of your most anticipated releases for the year, I don't think you'll be disappointed!

This was so captivating; it hooked me right from the prologue and did not let me go. Adalyn Grace has a beautiful, lyrical, rich prose that at the same time is so easy to read, and I just got lost in this story, I did not want it to end! I was desperate to keep reading and to know what was going to happen. The mystery and intrigue of Thorn Grove were completely immersive. The vibes are truly immaculate. If you love gothic tales with haunted houses, poisonings, secret gardens, shadowy woods, things that go bump in the night - but in a way that isn't horror or truly scary, you should read this book.

There is a very beautiful portrayal of death and the afterlife in this book, with many different beliefs being taken into account and showing how they can all coexist; that was probably one of my favourite parts of the whole book.

Speaking of favourite parts... THE ROMANCE. I saw someone compare the romance to Kingdom of the Wicked, and while I haven't read that book yet, I do know what that romance is and I can confirm it does seem to be along the same lines. The romance between our main character Signa, and Death, was just stunning. It was definitely the guy-falls-harder trope, and you see Death, this feared, hated entity as his true gentle, quiet self, and I just loved them together. The chemistry was perfect, everything about them was perfect.

Signa is a fantastic main character. She is stubborn but protective, and desperate to find a stable home after being passed around many different guardians her entire life. You see how she is torn between being her true self and the expectations of 1800s society that she must adhere to, and then the amazing character growth as she comes to accept herself for who she is. There are many great, well-layered and distinctive side characters who you can't help but feel for and loving.

The book ends on a cliffhanger, and there are many questions left unanswered, but by the end I still felt satisfied with the answers we were given, and intrigued to read the sequel and find out the answers we don't yet know. I am absolutely desperate to read the sequel right now, and I am so frustrated to have to wait over a year for FOXGLOVE.

I would definitely, definitely recommend this book, for anyone who loves gothic romance, murder mystery, high society, and beautiful writing!

Wonderfully unputdownable! From the first page I was hooked, I love the narrative its easy but also incredibly engaging. The dark and macabre vibes is everything that I look for in a book.

This book follows the story of Signa who was the only survivor of a poisoning at a high class ball, she finds ways to ingest the highly poisonous Belladonna in order to summon Death and challenge him! HIGHLY recommend, easy 5*

What an utterly fabulous read!

Signa, who has an infinity with Death, has been passed from guardian to guardian after their strange deaths and finds herself at Thorn Grove with her uncle Elijah and cousins, Percy and Blythe.

Blythe has a mystery illness, the same illness that killed her mother and Signa wants to investigate and finds help in 2 unlikely places.

'You are bolder than the sun, Signa Farrow, and it’s time that you burn.'

Now I can't say too much about the plot apart from I thought I knew how this was going to turn out. I was sure I knew how this was going to turn out (and I was smug about it!!) But I was wrong, so wrong! Fantastic twist!

So here we go with my list of loves.....

~ Loved Sylas,
~ Loved Blythe,
~ Thaddeus is my kind of guy!
~ Loved Death (he's a saucy minx!!)

So here we have an historical whodunnit with lonely souls finding each other and families reunited.

Superb. And that cover is just gorgeous. I can't wait to see what happens next! I already know Foxglove will be another hit!

Not gonna lie, this was a cover buy for me. I love a pretty cover and then i read that it was a dark, romantic, Victorian murder mystery I was SOLD. This book is utter perfection. It features a romance with death. This book had some of my favourite things to read about. I love Adalyn's books they always amaze me.

Five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book did not disappoint. Absolutely breathtaking. I was so excited to be able to read this arc and it left me wanting MORE. Signa and Death were devastatingly addictive and the character development was amazing, so much detail. I can’t wait to read the sequel!

i loved this book, i was so lucky to be able to have the opportunity to read this via e-arc!! signa is everything i look for in a main protagonist, witty, compassionate and total bad ass. death made me fall in love with the character. death and signa's banter was a highlight of the book for me. this book is adalyn grace's love letter to literature and if you don't read it when it comes out you are missing out on something incredible!!

I went into this without reading the blurb and I am so glad I did, the cover caught my eye and the characters kept me reading. Helped me out of my reading slump and rejuvenated the fantasy genre for me.

Gothic Fantasy, Paranormal Spirits and a mysterious shadowed Reaper make the premises of this book perfect. The character descriptions and building were great and the love story between th MC and Death a perfect fantasy.
Some parts of the story were quessable, but the final plot twist I didn't see coming.
Of course there is a cliff hanger and another entity brought into the fold for the next installment.
A definet read for book lovers of Fantasy, Paranormal, Gothic and Spirit Relms.

Imagine Bridgerton, but with ghosts, that's what this gothic romance brings to the table. From the spooky setting ofThorn Grove, to the mysteries to be solved, to the morally grey romance, this book just brings it all. A super unique read where 'weird girl' Signa finds her home.

One of the best YA fantasy novels that you want to look out for this year!

Belladonna is not the kind of story that I thought I would end up loving, but Adalyn Grace worked her magic from Page One. A dark, intriguing YA Gothic Fantasy about a girl who can see ghosts but cannot die, and her strange connection with Death himself--Belladonna is equal parts coming-of-age romance and murder mystery combined in one. Here are 5 reasons you should read this book:

- An incredibly smart, strong female protagonist who is charming and hilariously relatable
- A wonderfully cast of well-developed, three-dimensional characters
- Stunning world-building set in
- Beautifully depicted themes of grief, loss, love and recovery
- Eerily unnerving hauntings, perfectly befitting a novel about ghosts
- Intriguing murder mystery with unexpected plot twists
- Just the right amount of darkly seductive, enemies-to-lovers romance...with the Grim Reaper himself.

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.

If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would!!! I am absolutely obsessed over this beautifully gothic story. The characters, the setting, the back story, the plot, the TWIST!!! And that ending?! Are you trying to give me an early labour Adalyn!

We’re following Signa as she is passed from family member to family member throughout her life, each one meeting Death (most before their time) until she eventually finds herself at Thorn Grove where her strange abilities come into themselves and she embarks on a deadly murder mystery adventure whilst trying to show her willingness to join society.

I need the second book please and thank you. This is definitely in my top 5 of 2022 and I can’t thank the team at Hodder and Stoughton and NetGalley enough for gifting me this arc.

Go preorder now…go go go

I really enjoyed this, and I am still thinking about it weeks later. The atmosphere it conjures is like a wonderful dream - perhaps a little blurred at the edges, but it really made me feel. It is not perfect, perhaps technically it should be 4.5 stars, but I am already thinking about rereading it and I can’t believe how long I will have to wait for the sequel! There are various twists and turns, some of which I saw coming, and some of which surprised me, but I was happy with all of them. I loved the start of the book, but felt there was a bit of a lull 10-20% in. If anyone else is struggling around that point - it is absolutely worth persisting!

Thank-you very much to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in return for an honest review.

This book was great. Full of romance and mystery and banter. I absolutely loved the concept and execution of this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes mystery, romance and gothic books.

A great cover. An interesting blurb. Secret investigations. Lots of poison. An absolutely loveable main character. A small pinch of death and lots of feelings. Count me in! If you love gothic romance then you definitely shouldn’t miss this book. I couldn’t put the book down for a second. It was always exciting, never boring and above all it was never predictable. Thanks to Adalyn Grace’s great and detailed writing style, the characters really came to life and I was able to understand the actions of these characters very well.

Signa and Death were such interesting characters and Signa in particular caught my eye. She has been through so much in her young life and all she really wants is to fit into society and find the perfect husband. However, her life has never been normal, as she can see ghosts and death. Signa is going through an incredibly great character growth. She learns to stand up for herself, she doesn’t allow herself to be silenced and she does everything for the people she loves. Signa is a stubborn person and she will do whatever it takes to save her cousin. At the Hawthrones, she learns what it’s like to have a family for the first time in years. Signa’s relationship with Death is very unique and the dynamic between these two was portrayed very well. In the course of the Plot we also learn what this attraction is all about, which both of them always feel. Aside from Signa and Death, the supporting characters are also very interesting and Adalyn Grace has managed that they don’t just get lost in the background.

„Belladonna“ was an absolutely interesting and awesome book that I can really recommend to everyone and it more than deserves the full five stars. At first I thought it was a standalone, but after this surprise cliffhanger I can’t wait to get my hands on the second part.

"How was it that after she'd spent so many years of her life fighting him - fighting that part of her - she now craved his touch?"

Victorian era meets playing with Death. I really didn't know what to expect from this book but it has provided so much more. The mystery element worked well with a plot twist I did not see coming, though at some points I did feel like it dragged out a bit, however, the overall pacing of the book was really good.

"He was the fire of the stars. The dazzle of the moon. The darkness of the shadows. and the caress of wind against her skin as that darkness drank her in like she was the finest wine"

I honestly found myself falling hard for Death and I do it was explored further. I think the book works well as a standalone but I find myself excited to read the next one from the cliffhanger ending!

Thank you NetGallery for this ARC! :)

Thank you Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book was perfection to me! It was exciting and mysterious from the start and kept me hooked the whole time! I am a big fan of fantasy and murder mystery and this was the best mix of both I have read so far! Adalyn writes so fluently and smooth, that I had no trouble with reading at all. The scenes are laid out beautiful and I could picture everything in detail! The way Adalyn describes how Signa felt and thought made me connect with her tremendously.

My interest in this book was immediate after I read about the murder mystery and the alliance with Death himself. The story follows Signa Farrow, who has a strong connection with Death. He has been following her around her entire life while she ends up with different guardians, as she was orphaned as a baby. Now, at her latest residence, she sets out to prevent more deaths and solve a murder.

I cannot wait for the sequel!! I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of fantasy, historical settings, gothic vibes, a little romance and a murder mystery! I will read more of Adalyn in the near future!

I absolutely loved Belladonna! The general concept of death is so different to anything I've read so far, it was great.

Signa is such a strong character, I really loved the character growth throughout the book and the moments where she doubted what she wanted from life and what was actually important to her. Death and Sylas were also great characters, I loved the emotional moments from Death in particular. It's a really lovely spin on mortality and the way Death's character arc was written just pulled on my heartstrings.

The plot grabs you right from the first chapter, the way it's written is very addictive and I just wanted to find out what was going to happen. The pace is consistent throughout, I didn't find it slow at any points and just wanted to keep reading. Belladonna is the perfect combination of genres too, there's fantasy, historical fiction, a murder mystery, plus a few gruesome horror descriptions - it's brilliant. If you liked House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig, this is definitely one for you!

The epilogue is so good, I'm glad there's going to be a sequel. I've actually preordered Belladonna after reading the ARC because I want a physical copy on my shelves!

Have you ever read a book that pulls you into its world and never lets go? Belladonna was that book for me.

I was deeply immersed in this novel that I forgot the time. The gothic setting paired with fantasy and paranormal themes were an addictive pairing. I was drawn in by the a mysterious, yet intense love interest and a girl who could literally see spirits and Death himself. It was fascinating to see the main character, Signa Farrow throughout her journey into learning more about her power and connection with Death.

Belladonna’s pacing was heartstopping. Reveals and plot twists were surprisingly shocking. Especially toward the end where I totally did not see coming.

5*
- 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!

I was so taken in by the gorgeous writing style and worldbuilding, and I found myself falling in love with the characters as the plot progressed. This is my first Adalyn Grace novel and I am so impressed, I can't wait to purchase this one release!

I think fantasy mystery might be a new favourite genre, and when you add in the gothic and paranormal *chef’s kiss*

Signa Farrow is Cursed. She is known as the cursed orphan as everyone who adopts her dies. Signa slowly realises that she cannot die, and can see and speak to spirits.

Signa is sent to live with her last remaining relatives She consumes the deadly belladonna berries to summon death to help her save her last remaining relatives, The Hawthorne’s as the daughter Blythe is dying from a mysterious illness. Signa must team up with death to find out who’s hurting the members of her family and why before it’s too late.

Chapter 43 is 😱🤯 That twist got me. Literally sat there with my jaw open for a good 2 minutes. so so good and unexpected. The whole mystery was executed so well, I can tell I’m going to be thinking about this book for a long time and I need the next book immediately.

OMG WHAT A READING!!! MY POOR HEART CAN'T TAKE IT. Wow this was wow, I barely have words. It was a roller-coaster of a reading. I got the chills, I laughed, I cried, I had mixed feelings, I was enraged, surprised.... all you can think of. The world building was amazing, the way she talked about Death and the way she created that works was truly amazing. I felt troughout the book that I was a character myself, I consumed and was consumed. The characters were amazing, the plot was excellent. The intrigue and mistery. You could read this with or without the romance and you wouldn't have regretted. I was sooo not expecting the ending. My jaw dropped literally. Especially when I had so many mixed feelings toward a certain character (which I will not name cause I might spoil something). And please let's talk about DEATH!!!! He made to my top 5 book boyfriends!!!! I want a death to myself! I swooned so hard that I think I've melted at this point. To summarize, I love this book with all my mighty and recommend it with all of my heart. Definitely my top 5!!!!

Wow! This books is absolutely fantastic! The writing was so immersive and I felt like I was part of every scene. I didn't want to put it down and read it in one or two sittings which is very rare for me. The plot and characters are so very unique and well thought out.

I can't wait for the sequel!

A combination of mystery, historical fiction and some fantasy made this an entgralling read that I was completely swept away by. A dark horse for some end of 2022 favourites lists.

I don't even know where to begin as I just loved every single word in this book!

Let me introduce you Signa Farrow, a nineteen-year- old girl that was orphaned as a baby and raised by a chain of questionable guardians, more interested in her inheritance than anything else. Eventually, her only choice is family of Hawthornes, as every other guardian have met a suspicious end to their lives.

At first, it looks like a historical book about a lonely girl that wants to be more than the money that comes with her name. She dreams about a husband, home, parties and friends. Yet, there is catch, Signa can see spirits and, most importantly, Death himself. And even though young woman hated this part of herself, it turned out to be quite helpful talent after a visit from a spirit of Lillian, a late lady of Thorn Grove, who died from mysterious illness that is about to take her daughter's life too. Lillian asks Signa to save sick girl, but to do so - she must solve a murder, as the sickness turns out to be poison. So, with the help of Sylas, a surly stable boy, and Death himself, Signa dives into family's affairs to save them.

I loved to see Signa to grow from this lonely girl to a strong woman. I found her very relatable, especially the wish to fit with society, yet not understanding why there is so many rules for it, as just being yourself seemed not to be good enough.

Also, I loved Death! He just made sense. When you read the scene about friends and scones - you will understand what I mean. He is endearing, mysterious, sarcastic and brutally honest. I found that combination absolutely fascinating.

Then there is Sylas, a bit harsh around the edges, but quite charming once he let his guard down. Yet, I knew from early on what was his deal. But I was so busy claping myself on the back for it that I completely missed all the clues about the murder. Well, all except one, but I can't tell you about that!

To sum all this up, I will be recommending this book to anyone who will listen. It was the best read of 2022!

Thank you Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the advance e-ARC of Belladonna, this an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book Signa and Death are just fantastic. I was drawn into their world from the opening pages and loved every moment of it.
The story moves at a decent pace, this is a YA so expect typically tropes of semi love triangle and pining 😆
Death is my new book crush 😍🥰 I enjoyed his interactions with Signa, their connection was well developed throughout the story and made me swoon.
This story is a gothic murder mystery that blends well with the Victorian setting and was bogged down with over explaining of the world.
Highly recommended read I can't wait for the sequel Foxglove.
#Netgalley #Belladonna

Belladonna follows Signa, a girl who can cheat death and speak to spirits as she tries to solve the murder of a relative she never met while living in her house with the family she has left behind.

I cannot believe how much I loved this book. The spooky, gothic setting was perfectly crafted, pushing the story along by adding a hint of fear to the story.

The characters were compelling, the story was so creative and beyond anything I've read before and the writing always left me wanting to read "just one more" chapter.

I can't wait for book 2!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers, and Adalyn Grace for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review. All opinions in this review are my own.

Well, I’ve found a new favourite YA fantasy to obsess over this year.

Belladonna is the type of book that sits on your mind long after the final page. It is a poisoned apple of a book, trapping you forevermore under its spell.

I adored the dark Gothic atmosphere, entwined with a captivating mystery and a unique medium of meditating on life, Death and Fate. This is a darkly entrancing book that you cannot tear yourself away from. Grace’s writing flows so easily, with that literary lilt to it, allowing you to lose yourself in the story. The mystery is so well-constructed, offering up plenty of clues, hints and red herrings. I was really invested in that aspect of the story, as well as the emotional exploration of death and family. This is a book that really sits with those themes, interrogating all aspects of Death and how it intertwines with life itself. Grief is also explored in a really poignant and beautiful way, showing its varied and fracturing effects. This particular theme is manifested in a truly Gothic way, keeping that menacing atmosphere flowing throughout.

On top of all this, Signa was a brilliant protagonist, discovering her power and coming to despise the restrictions placed upon her by societal expectations. I loved her initial naivety and how it blossomed into an assured confidence within herself. Her journey was so easy to connect to and I fell in love with her early on, continuing to root for her throughout. Her power set is an absolutely fascinating and creative part of the story as well, creating some thought-provoking discussions and motifs that I will continue to ponder. Safe to say, I will definitely be picking up the sequel (Foxglove) when it comes out.

Belladonna is as deadly as its title, combining mystery, fantasy and a touch of romance in a heady concoction that will intoxicate you.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free ARC of this book.

This was SO good. Belladonna is a historical fantasy with a murder mystery and some elements of gothic horror, and it worked SO WELL.
While I am very happy that I got to read this early, I also gotta say that a part of me is also a biiiiit sad because this is the perfect spooky season read.
It's so atmospheric and eerie with ghosts, Death and poison, yet it also feels glamorous because of the family's wealth and their fable for parties.
The writing style was also so good, I really felt transported into the setting and story.

I love Signa, she's such a great character and her arc is one that I have wanted forever. A young woman who is embracing her dark powers, but it's not a corruption arc. She is merely accepting who she is and learns how to make use of her special talents.

Also, the romance in this??? Are you kidding me?? I cannot say more because it's hard to say anything without spoiling, but omg I'm obsessed.

The plot and the murder mystery were so well done. I love it when everyone is suspicious, and you can't really tell who did it, despite numerous clues that hint towards different people. For me, this book hit the sweet spot between "you can smell who the killer is from miles away" and "how the hell should I have ever figured this out".

Overall, this just had a lot of things that I love, and it was executed so well, so needless to say, this was an easy 5 stars for me.

I absolutely adored this book, at first I wasn't sure what I was getting into but within a few chapters I was fully hooked. Full of mystery and romance and atmosphere, I cannot wait for the next book and I'll be pre-ordering it as soon as possible!

Oh my gosh, a romance with Death! Every page of this book was incredible and I was torn between savouring each sentence and racing through it until I reached the end. Weaving together gothic elements with a murder mystery and romance, the action grabs the reader by the throat and never lets go. I loved the atmospheric setting and prose, and really connected with the main character. I actually squealed when I saw there’s going to be a sequel. Highly recommended.

This book was absolutely phenomenal! It was a perfect gothic story, and I loved it beginning till end. I have to admit the mystery kept me guessing until the end, which was a huge plus, and I utterly adored the romance in this one. I cannot wait for the sequel!

I loved this book. The characters, the story, the romance and tension. It was so well written, well paced and fantastically put together. I am desperately hoping there is another book to follow Signa's journey.

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace is, undoubtedly, a little gem.

Signa was raised an orphan by a series of guardians who see nothing in her but wealth and are not interested in her at all. The rest of her relatives live in Thorn Grove, a beautiful estate that harbors secrets.
When the spirit of her mother appears to her, she realizes that her family is in grave danger.

Belladonna is a really well-mixed novel, gothic, fantasy and paranormal intertwined perfectly.
The main protagonists, as well as the secondary ones, are really well structured and linear with the course of the story.
Intriguing, gripping and engaging, don't miss this gem!

Signa Farrow can’t die. Even poison in her system, while draws Death close to her, gets cured on its own within seconds. After her mother died, she was handed over to multiple guardians, who were only interested in the money she brought in for them to take care of her, died one after another. She lands on Thorn Grove, where her remaining relatives are. Sign blames Death for her misery but when he teams up with her to help her find who had been trying to kill her cousin, Blythe, with a mysterious illness which had claimed Blythe’s mother’s life, she learns that Death is not who she thought he was. And neither is she.

It’s happens rarely, but I love it when books remind me of literary works I enjoyed in the past. Belladonna delightfully reminded me of the poem ‘If I could not stop for Death’ by Emily Dickinson’ and The Secret Garden, with its perfectly infused Gothic vibes with a (murder) mystery.

Never in a million did I think I’d say I have crush on Death(Adalyn Grace’s version only, thank you) but here we are. His character development was so interesting to read and my heart died a little every time he called her Little Bird.

I’m not a fan of love corners, but I didn’t mind it in this one, especially at the end. And as for the writing, it was so beautifully written. I could picture each and every line vividly and I now get why people love the author’s work so much(I’m gonna get her other books asap). I can’t wait to read FoxGlove.

Belladonna is up for preorder. I think it would be enjoyed by everyone who loved a murder mystery romance book with death as a love interest.

Belladonna is the first in a new series by bestselling author Adalyn Grace ( All the Stars and Teeth).

Belladonna is a mesmerising, Gothic-inspired murder mystery with paranormal romantasy (think Gallant & Caraval meets Stalking Jack The Ripper).
It is a beautiful and chilling journey of secrets, betrayal, mystery, curses, death, desire and love.

Signa is an absolutely fascinating character - I loved following her story, her thoughts and feelings and experiences. The perfect protagonist and the perfect “detective” to guide us through this murder mystery and a slow burn, swoon worthy romance.

I can’t describe how captivating this story is - it is brilliant and clever; eerie but not scary; mysterious yet amusing. And it ends with a breathtaking, flabbergasting cliffhanger that will leave you desperate for the next book.

It’s definitely one of my favourites reads this year and one I’d like to return to again.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodderscape for my e-arc, audiobook and physical copy.

Headlines:
Death is in the air
Family unwanted and found
Atmospheric

I read Belladonna by audio and physical copy because when I couldn't listen to audio, I needed to carry on with the story; it was unputdownable. The whole book oozed atmosphere from the early pages right to the end.

Signa was an unwanted ward, shunted around families who didn't want her but wanted her inheritance. Eventually, she found herself with an uncle and cousins who Signa actually felt some connection to. You know who else Signa had a connection to? Death...she saw the reaper whenever death was close or imminent. She hated him, wanted to be ignorant to Death's work and his presence that she felt in chilling ways. But over time, Death had a usefulness in helping solve an urgent mystery of poisoning. Signa came to understand Death and like him.

Death's character grew on me immensely and I think that was aided somewhat by the superb narration. Even though this was a single narrator, Kristin Atherton inhabited Death's character and voiced him so well. I was intrigued but wary of Silas and I was willing the new family in Percy and Blythe to show Signa the familial connection she was so neglected of. So much went on in Thorn Grove, parties, intrigue, business, death, poisoning and sleuthing.

The whole piece had a gothic feel, it was dark but not heavy. The writing was a joy, pulling you in while keeping you on your toes. This story finishes with a 'and then....' feeling and we have a title for a new book. There's plenty of wrapping up of plot however, so readers will feel okay with where this ends.

Thank you to Hodder Books for the early review copies.

‘It’s said that five belladonna berries are all it takes to kill someone.’

This was fantastic! I didn’t want it to end but I raced through it. A classic whodunnit murder mystery in a gothic mansion surrounded by ghosts and poisoners. This was everything I needed.

Signa was a great MC, I really felt for her during her tough upbringing and she really goes on a journey throughout the novel. She’s a strong, independent characters who was tough, determined and not afraid to speak her mind. She was on a mission to save her friends and I was rooting for her the whole way. She has such an interesting gift too, she can’t die! This was explained well and I enjoyed the encounters with Death. There are quite a few funny moments too which well make you laugh that I didn’t expect.

Death was an interesting character, talk about swoon-worthy! He was a great love interest and I did have some inclinations regarding a certain someone… Some of the quotes I’ve highlighted are just pure romance:

'"Because I have waited an eternity to meet you, Signa Farrow.” The words were a balm she clung to, relished. “To me, you are a song to a soul that never known music. Light to someone who has only seen the darkness. You bring out the absolute worst in me, and I become vindictive towards 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."'

Even the secondary characters were well fleshed out with backgrounds, goals and flaws and I enjoyed meeting them all. I swear I changed my mind on who the killer was about five times and the ending surprised me, I didn’t expect that at all!

The plot was great, fast paced and it makes you want to keep reading into the early hours. I cannot wait for the next instalment as the ending was brilliant!

5/5 stars.

The story follows Miss Signa Farrow throughout her life, as she grows up with death all around her. The story started off with Signa as a baby, and showed glimpses of her life growing up until she ended up with her last remaining relatives, the Hawthornes, an eccentric family mourning the loss of the lovely Mrs Lillian Hawthorne. When Signa finds that foul play may have been involved in Lillian’s death, she embarks on a quest to uncover the murderer to save the Hawthornes from grave danger.

I immediately dived into this, and it was absolutely incredible. From the very beginning, the story was so lush and captivating and I devoured it. The murder mystery plot was so well-written, I kept trying to guess what happened and who did what, but I honestly had no clue. There was so much mystery and I honestly didn’t expect the plot to go the way that it did, so I was so surprised by the reveal!

The characters were all so interesting and layered, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching Signa grow and navigate society as a young lady. I won’t say too much about the characters or go into too much detail about Signa, because I really do think it’s much better to learn about everyone as you go, but I will say that I adored the romance in this book!! It was so swoon-worthy and so well-written AHHHHH I absolutely predicted what would happen but I’m definitely not mad about it!

I’m so incredibly in love with this book, and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Immediately immersive, Belladonna sweeps you away with its gothic drama. The hopeful naivitee of Signa - which reminds me a little of Lydia Bennet - of being debuted into society, and the idea of marriage as the ultimate endgame, soon realising that in Thorn Grove everything is different than in her etiquette books.
Because ladies and gentlemen, this is now a murder mystery! Including ghosts! A mystery that Signa needs to solve with the help of a suspiciously cute stableboy and Death (yes, intentional caps). Gee!

I was drawn into the story instantly, and I devoured it. It was different, unique and unpredictable enough to keep me hooked and I immediately ordered a copy. 😍

If you like gothic vibes, YA, mystery books, this is for you!

Absolutely adored this book. It has an interesting take on the relation ship between death and our MC and the mystery of solving a death was well written. The story felt well structured and the characters well thought and developed throughout. I think this might be one of my fav reads for the year.

This book, this wonderfully intoxicating book!

It’s been a while since a book has had me so thoroughly hooked. Everything about it, the characters, the setting and the whole vibe would make this a great choice for spooky season.

This book has wormed its way into my heart and made its way into my top 3 of 2022 so far. The easiest 5 stars i have ever given out.

Signa Farrow is such an incredible lead. She’s been through the ringer. Despite having a fortune to inherit she’s lived in poverty, she’s faced hardships you could only imagine and yet, she’s still kind. She’s fierce. She’s protective of those she cares about and her growth throughout the book is beautiful.

The plot is so utterly unique and such a wonderful concept. Who doesn’t love a good murder mystery? It kept me guessing all the way through and I was certain I’d worked out the murderer but alas i was left with my jaw on the floor! It was fantastic. And that ending?! What a ride.

As I said, perfect for spooky season. Ghosties, special powers, death and a healthy dose of intrigue makes this an utterly enthralling read

Thank you to Hodder and Stoughton and NetGalley for providing me with an E-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I'm a sucker for any book that gives me Hades and Persephone vibes so this book immediately went onto my anticipated releases list when I discovered it. Whilst this is not a re-telling, it personally gave me loads of Hades and Persephone vibes. I wish I could say the 5-star rating is solely down to that, but, I can't so here are my thoughts.

The opening to this book instantly had me hooked. Signa was orphaned as an infant and so that immediately made me wonder what life has been like for her, especially given the events of the opening. After numerous different guardians, who are more interested in her wealth than looking after her, Signa finds herself invited to Thorn Grave and from there, everything changes. The patriarch is still mourning his wife's death through partying, his son is trying to prove himself by fighting for the family's reputation and his daughter is battling a mysterious sickness. The same sickness that claimed the life of their mother. When Signa realises that foul play might be to blame, she enlists the help of Sylas, a stable boy, to help hunt down the killer before it's too late.

Signa is an interesting character. She's connected to death in so many ways. When she realises that she can't solve this murder without his help, they build an alliance. Through this, she learns so much not about who she is but what she can do. As for the other characters, I loved them. To some, Elijah may seem like a distant father, a father more focused on throwing parties than his children. To me, he's a father still grieving the loss of his true love and preparing to potentially lose his daughter. We all grieve in different ways and Elijah is a perfect example of that. Sylas was just amazing. I loved the way he cared about Signa, how he was always there for her. Signa has never truly had someone who wants to care, with one exception, for her just because of her wealth and it was nice to see that when she arrived at Thorn Grove, that was not the case. Anyone who knows me knows I love villains, the morally grey and anti-heros so, obviously, I loved Death with my whole heart. I hope to see much more of him in the second book.

The accuracy with belladonna (also known as atropa belladonna or deadly nightshade) being poisonous and the antidote was surprising, in a good way. I'm not a nature person so I wasn't aware of this until someone pointed it out to me. I have to say, I would have thought a fictional poison/antidote would have been used so it was refreshing to see this.

The plot twist in this book had me SHOOK. Like whaaatttt??? I swear books are out to give me heart attacks with all these plot twists!

Whilst reading I did find it to be over-descriptive and as a result, I kept getting distracted. However, upon finishing and thinking on it, the over-description worked really well and added a bit more depth to the book, especially since the sequel promises to be another rollercoaster.

If you're a fan of all things fantasy, death, gothic and betrayal, be sure to pick this book up!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an arc of this book
If you like Victorian era meets dark academia, this is definitely the book for you .
I am in love with this book, As someone who craves darkness affiliated love interests, thus is everythung I’ve wanted and more, signa was a main character was so refreshing to read and her interactions with death were just *chefs kiss*. The plot twist- I WAS SHOOKETH.

<i>I received this ARC thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.</i>

<b><i>"You must not allow yourself to be consumed so thoroughly by death. It's not selfish to live."</i></b>
Lately I've been mostly into asian themed books so diving into this one was quite refreshing. Haven't been expecting much, but what I got was surprisingly enjoyable and through whole book I was so invested in the story I couldn't put it down to solve the murder mystery included!
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<b>"You are bolder than the sun, Signa Farrow, and it's time that you burn."</b>
Set in 1853 (You're welcome) Signa Farrow has always had close relationship with Death himself. Anyone related to her never got to live too long, so being the cursed child she's changed her guardians quite often since the death of her parents at her infancy. But Signa being stubborn the way she is, she never run away from him, moreover, she tried to reach him each time he came for her relatives. Who could've imagine, the way they're somehow connected ain't the only superpower she has -- long story short, our girl isn't capable of dying. As gruesome as it may sound, Signa doesn't hesitate to consume something deadly just to have a talk with Death, being intrigued by the fatal fate she brings.
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<b>"It's exhausting." Signa said as she looked down to her lap "to pretend you're something--someone--you're not."
Blythe took her by the hand. "Then do not spend your life exhausted."</b>
Reading for her debut in the society, Signa comes to her last standing relatives place, lead by stableboy Sylas. The manor brings as much secrets as she herself does, having recently lost its lady of the house. Above that, Signa's cousin also fells ill the same way. Being both busied by all the preparations, clock starst tickling for her to solve the mystery behind the illness, to not loose her newly acquired friend. Sharing the secret not between many, allies are needed, and who'd be a better companion to solve a murder case, than Death himself?
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<b>Death was her poison, and all she wanted was to consume more</b>
It is this kind of book, that you have to read into details to take hints right from the very beginning. Story unravels with each page, consuming you more and more just to get you as surprised as if you never took any clue right. Gothic setting surrounds you as you follow Signa on her way to the truth, and there ain't much I could share to not spoil anything. All I could say is that you won't regret silently getting more involved with everyone. You're an observer, you're the fly on the wall. Listen closely, and you'd be surprised what can you learn this way.
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<b>"I have waited for you for a very long time, Signa Farrow."</b>
Even thou I didn't like with Kingdom of the Wicked, as it's one of the book mentioned to be similar in plot, I was pleasantly surprised to still fall in love with Belladonna. Personally I think there're a lot of enjoyable similarities between her and Caraval, or Phantom of the Opera, so if you're a simp for these please expect as much magic and mystery in dark tales reading the upcoming Belladonna. The ending was a great start for another story featuring Signa so I can't wait to see where fate will lead her next time. 5 stars from me!

The synopsis of this sounded so intriguing that I couldn't wait to read it and I wasn't disappointed.

The story is gothic and haunting and at times reminded me of The Secret Garden.

The main character is Signa, who has found herself with a series of different guardians since she was a young child, but now she has arrived at Thorn Grove to reside with her uncle - as her new guardian - and cousins, only to find them trying to deal with loss and another illness in the family.

Haunted by the ghost of their wife/mother, Signa quickly realises that she needs to figure out what happened to her, as her cousin shows the very same symptoms, and find a way to cure her.

She enlists the help of Death himself, and Sylas, the stable boy, and inbetween the sleuthing, begins to find herself having confusing feelings regarding both.

Really enjoyed this one and will definitely be picking up the sequel, Foxglove, to find out what happens next!

4.5/5⭐

Thank you to Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton and the author for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

“Don’t say my name,” Signa told him. “Upon Death’s tongue, it sounds like a curse.”
He laughed. “Your name is no curse, Little Bird. I just like the taste of it.”

Signa Farrow has been followed by Death her whole life. Her parents and their entire household were poisoned when she was a baby but, somehow, Signa survived. Since her grandmother’s death when she was a child, Signa has been shuffled from one uncaring guardian to another, constantly fearful of Death’s shadow upon her life, wishing for a day when she will again be loved and no longer alone.
When her latest guardian’s death brings her to Thorn Grove and the Hawthorne family, Signa is cautiously optimistic - could this be the family she has yearned for? Could she belong here?
But Death stalks these halls as well, and if Signa cannot master her mysterious gifts quickly, and find out what is making her cousin so sick, she may lose the only family she has left.

This book. THIS BOOK. I have grinned, laughed, and felt like crying for Signa, and Death, and so many of the characters in Belladonna. I adored them.

Signa and her powers - which she is determined to master, despite her fear that they will continue her ostracisation from society - were intriguing. I felt like the identity and motives of everyone in this story came into question at some point, and I spent most of the book suspecting the wrong person - which I love!

Signa’s character development and her journey to realise that perhaps her grandmother had presented an idealised version of her mother was heartbreaking, but I loved seeing her slowly accept herself and all that she is.
Similarly I adored that Blythe was so forthright in her determination to belong to no one but herself, and how her perspective gave Signa an insight into what the life she thought she wanted might look like.

I am so excited for the annotated chapters available as a preorder incentive - you should absolutely preorder this for that extra content alone, you’re going to want it. And I cannot wait for the sequel, Foxglove, which is hopefully being released next year.

Belladonna is beautiful and haunting. It is not a story you will soon forget.

Belladonna is the wonderfully descriptive gothic world of Signa Farrow. Death is her companion through this mystery of poison and etiquette of the 19th century. I loved the romance and twists in the tale and cannot wait for more! Fantastic 5 stars!

A unique one of a kind story that has it all! Ghosts, thrills, romance, action, suspense and an interesting storyline I could not get enough of. A young girl is orphaned as a baby and passed around and treaty badly for the next decade plus. Waiting for her inheritance to come as taking its toll as the family that should love her treats her like the plague. It does not help that they all keep dying and she can see ghosts. And Death. Who terrifies her. When the unthinkable happens again and she is sent to the last of the relatives life seems to be looking up. Except someone is poisoning her cousin and murdered her mother and she finds herself embroiled in finding the killer. And fighting the strange feelings she has for Death and figuring out what her powers have in store for her. See, no matter how many times she dies, she does not stay that way. It confounds her and Death and its a mystery waiting to be solved. I cannot wait for the next one!

Adalyn Grace laughed in the face of my high expectations for "Belladonna" and absolutely smashed them to pieces. What an amazingly well thought out and executed story with a top-notch plot and fantastic characters.
I could kick myself for having this in my TBRs for the past 4 and a half months when it has turned out to be easily one of my favourite reads of the year!

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review

Wow - this one had me hooked from the first chapter. I adored Signa, she was such a strong lead to follow. Determination and willingness are just some of the words to describe Signa. We follow Signa as she moves into another home of relations who will look after her till she comes of age, this has been happening since she was a young baby. A lot happens in this book, but the world-building explains everything when you need the information. Signa has to literally deal with all the death around her, while dealing with Death himself. This is an amazing start to what I am hoping is going to be an amazing series. I am so excited for the next installment already!

Thank you Netgalley for this arc. I devoured this in about a day
Lush, dark and romantic. Perfect for Schwab fans who loved Gallant and near witch.

I loved this. It was a wild ride. Fantasy mixed with gohic elements - just what I was in the mood for!
I loved the twists and the cliffhanger. This book has me hooked from page one and it was almost impossible to put down. The vibe was written very well. It fell a little eerie and scary and dark but always very fantastic.

A wild ride that I cannot recommend enough!

How I would describe this book: ( a less scary version of) the Haunting of Hill House meets The Invisible Life of Addie Larue.

This was everything I wanted in a book, a morally grey love interest, a badass main character, mysteries and murders. I fell in love with the story and the hawthorne family. The friendship between Blythe and Signa was done so perfectly, it felt as though they truly were sisters and not just friends.

Now… as for the morally grey love interest. The literal incarnation of death itself… now that’s a winner. This book made me sympathize with death, and see it as an empathetic being.
“She didn’t hate Death, not truly. And God, what a fool that made her.” Death is the protective “villain” love interest that everyone needs in their lives.
“Death was her poison, and all she wanted was to consume more”.

The plot was interesting all throughout, I was hooked at every page. This was a story like no other Ive read. I highly recommend this book.

Belladonna is SO GOOD. It's hard to describe it in a sentence, but if I were to try, I'd say that it's a murder mystery meets romance novel, set in an alluring world with fantasy and gothic vibes. The book revolves around Signa, a girl who cannot die and who seems to be followed around by death - literally. After her guardian dies, she gets sent to the last of her living relatives, where she soon realises that someone seems to want her family dead... and she strikes up an alliance with Death himself to get to the bottom of it.

Without spoiling anything, I loved seeing Signa start to understand her role in the world and how she slowly fell in love with the Hawthorne family. (Blythe, Signa's cousin, in particular, I can't wait to see more of!) Signa's relationship with Death was really interesting as well, and I loved all the scenes they had together and learning more about this world/afterlife. The two had excellent chemistry and I loved seeing them work together and watching their connection grow! I enjoyed the murder mystery elements too, and there were definitely some twists in this that I didn't see coming!

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Belladonna
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: If this doesn’t become a published series then I’d like to speak to the manager, please
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Adalyn Grace
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Fantasy
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 30th August 2022
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5


I actually did a live read of this over on my Twitter where I wrote my reactions to reading this which you can check out at @welshbookfairy PS: they are spoiler free!

Settle in, readers, ”we’re approaching an hour made only for ghosts”, and after finishing this book I am ready to be haunted.

This was one of those reads that I instantly knew would be a very high rating. By the end of the prologue—no, really, 1% in—my intrigue had piqued so much it had left my very being and had curled up, nestling between the pages of this ARC.

And it didn’t leave. Not even after the ending.

Picture this: a girl who has only ever known death is reunited with her long lost family after a mysterious illness has grabbed ahold of them. Now she is the girl who cannot die living across the hallway of a girl teetering on the brink of death. And there’s only one way to save her. Solve the murder of the mother and reap justice.

It’s not quite an eloquent goodreads synopsis but if that doesn’t have your curiosity stretching it’s nosy head up then… well, nothing really except this book wouldn’t be for you.

Onto more coherent thoughts: the writing is beautiful, the characters are endlessly fascinating and the plot is perfection.

“She was like a beautiful flower, cherished by everyone who knew her. Even the illness loved her so greatly that it gave her little reprieve. It wanted her to itself, and so it stole her life suddenly.”

To paraphrase Adalyn Grace, I loved this book so greatly I gave it little reprieve. I’m about to experience a massive book hangover which will be alike to Signa waking up after eating a handful of belladonna berries.

I feel like I need saving from the depths of this story as it’s all I can think about but also I feel like you should leave me behind and find someone new but not before you bury me with this book please.

🧚🏻‍♀️

First of all, I would like to say thank you for the review copy, which was provided to me by the publisher. This fact does not in any way affect my personal opinion of this book. This post contains advertising and the rights for the book belong to the publisher.
Of course, is this only my personal opinion of the book and just because I give this rating to the book doesn’t mean everyone will have that opinion.

Belladonna is the perfect example, that it is sometimes a good idea to give authors another choice. I didn’t like „All the stars and teeth“ that much. I just couldn’t vibe with the characters and the writing style and after that, I was a bit sceptic to start Belladonna but the synopsis sounded so good. I am sooooo happy that I decided to give this book and the author another chance.
This book is now officially one of my reading highlights for 2022. The writing style was just soo easy and I couldn’t put the book down. I liked the characters and the plot was also awesome. But the real gem of this book was the tension between the FMC and the love interest. It was swoon-worthy! The book doesn’t end with a big cliffhanger but I am excited to read the next book in this duology.

Conclusion
I can fully recommend this book!

Signa is a wealthy orphan shunted from guardian to guardian after each succumbs to an untimely demise. Is she cursed, or is Death just trying to make her life as miserable as possible? It doesn't help that she doesn't seem capable of dying herself, and sees Death whenever she has a near-death experience. When Signa goes to Thorn Grove, she finds a family she wants to stay with - and she'll do anything to keep them safe.

But with a mysterious poisoner on the loose and Death following her every move, keeping her relatives alive could come at a deadly cost.

A mystery romance novel with Death as a major character? Belladonna is superb! It has creepy, gothic vibes, brilliant characters, vengeful ghosts and lots of poisons. I cannot wait for book two!

Thanks to Netgalley, Hodder and Stoughton and Adalyn Grace for an advanced copy of Belladonna in exchange for my honest review.

As soon as I read the blurb for Belladonna, I knew I had to read this book. I loved everything about the premise of the book.
Signa Farrow has been surrounded by death her whole life. Orphaned as a baby, she’s made her way through several guardians over the years – some better than others, but all who have met an untimely end. With the death of her latest guardian, Sign goes to live with the Hawthornes, the family of her late cousin. Elijah, the head of the family, hosts party after party to mourn his wife, his son Percy is up tight and wishes his father would pass control of the business onto him instead, and his daughter Blythe is suffering from the same mystery illness as her mother. When her cousin’s spirit comes to her to say she was poisoned, it’s down to Signa and a stable boy called Sylas to solve the mystery. Oh, and Death.

As someone who is a huge fan of the Terry Pratchett books that focus on Death, I wanted to see how he’d be portrayed in someone else’s world. I love the idea of someone having a friendship with Death – Signa’s dislike for him, how they navigate through the story with those issues.

The writing style was exactly what I like to read, and Adalyn writes with such descriptions sometimes that I had to stop and re-read a line or two a few times because it was just beautiful.

I loved watching Signa navigate through the world she was thrown into and the murder mystery. Some of the twists I was able to work out, and some were just a huge surprise to me. Absolutely loved this book and cannot wait for the next one. In the meantime, I may have to go and read All The Stars and Teeth!

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for this ARC. This was fantastic - I loved the authors first duologu and this was even better. A lush, atmospheric setting with a unique love story and a mystery throughout. I cannot wait for the sequel! Also the UK cover is absolutely stunning.

I was so excited to read this book and it did not disappoint! The prose is beautiful and the characters are so wonderfully created. A truly brilliant read! I absolutely was not expecting that ending and I desperately need the sequel NOW!

From the first chapter I knew I was going to love this book. I love the style of writing, the characters, the story just everything about it! Especially how beautiful the cover is (which is what initially caught my attention!) It has murder mystery, ghosts, the underworld, and even a hint of Bridgerton. I found this to be a real page turner, the twists and turns made me not want to put it down. This book kept me guessing and trying to piece it all together the whole way through. I found myself really torn between Death and Sylas and wanting to read more to find out what was going to happen. I just feel that everything about this book is so well done. I was over the moon when I finished the book and realised it’s been left open for a sequel! Can’t wait for the next one!!

As always I want to start by saying that I was given an ARC of this to review. My review is honest and left voluntarily and all thoughts are my own. Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for giving me access to this.

I want to start by saying I adore gothic fiction. Authors such as the Brontë's have always been favourites of mine so when I read the synopsis for Belladonna I was sure I would like it, I just wasn’t aware how much until I started.

Our protagonist is Signa Farrow whom for as long as she has been alive people around her have died. It is not something she can control. Orphaned as a baby the now nineteen-year-old Signa has been passed through a string of guardians all of whom have ended up meeting an untimely end. Her last remaining relatives are the elusive Hawthornes who may be Signa’s only hope but not all is as it seems at Thorn Grove and before long Signa is thrust into the middle of a budding murder mystery while trying to navigate her own revelations a long the way.

When the book opened with a mass murder in the form of poisoning I was already hooked. Despite the melancholy and gruesome opening it was also beautifully juxtaposed with the infant Signa being the only one left alive. Grace’s writing had already captured that gothic element of combining the strange and the beautiful, interweaving them to create something magical, something Grace manages to continue throughout.

The world building of the novel was beautifully balanced and interwoven in a way that it flowed naturally. A lot of the time we learned new aspects of Signa’s world along with her and I found that refreshing and enjoyable. Signa herself was a brilliant protagonist, although sometimes I became a tad frustrated with her and her way of thinking I found this another testament to Grace’s ability. Signa has spent most of her life being passed from guardian to guardian, most of whom care little for her but rather her inheritance so of course her world view and experience of the world is a little different. Add to this the fact that those around her seem to suddenly die and of course she will not always know the answers or see what is in front of her. To me this made her more human and ultimately made me like her even more.

I particularly loved the ‘Death and the Maiden’ trope of this novel. Anyone who knows me knows romance is not my first genre of choice (nothing against the genre, just not a favourite of mine), but the love story and romance in this novel had me hooked. Again it was the idea of the strange and the beautiful. Grace managed to capture the loneliness and want of Death himself and bring it, for want of a better word, to life. We see Signa slowly begin to embrace her strangeness, her calling and in so doing to accept Death not as something to be truly feared or hated but as something that is inevitable. I am really excited to anxious to see what will come of this relationship in the second book.

Add to all this the elements of good old fashioned murder mystery and the book has nearly everything I could want. As Signa is discovering more about the world she lives in, herself and her desires she is also in a race against time, and a lot of the time Death to find who was responsible for killing the Hawthorne’s patriarch’s wife. Now as you know I don’t like spoiling the book but let me tell you I did not really see the culprit coming! I like to consider myself a bit of an armchair detective thanks to hours spent with my mother watching shows like Midsommer Murders and Miss Maple as well as reading some of Agatha Christie’s work but I confess I was blaming the wrong person all along!

Grace manages to perfectly combine these murder mystery elements within her gothic-infused world and Signa’s coming of age story to create the complete package. I honestly have to say this is likely one of my top ten for 2022. I cannot recommend this enough to anyone who enjoys a good gothic tale with mystery, romance, suspense and murder.

The best fantasy mystery I’ve ever read.
I was captivated from the very first line and I absolutely loved the idea of ‘solving a murder with the Death himself’. However the romance between Signa and Death felt forced and out of character. So many times their feelings for each other got more focus and I was worried that by the end the mystery turns to be fully romance.
In halfway through I realised who is Sylas and I was so happy that I was right.
The betrayal hit in the best way and even though my heart was broken I liked that twist. And of course there is the cliffhanger and I’ll happily read the next book when it comes out.


Thanks to Netgalley for approving my request!

(Review in exchange for netgalley earc)

This book was beautiful! That’s the main word I think of when I want to describe it. From page one I was gripped and I flew through this book in no time. This book is so up my street, I am obsessed. It has everything I love: beautiful descriptions and world building that immersive me into the time and place of the story. Well written characters that are equally well developed. A unique and gripping story full of twists and turns. It’s a period drama but also gothic horror with mystery and even some romance. A completely gorgeous and entrancing story that me completely captivated from start to finish. I cannot wait to revisit this book when it’s out, and again and again and again. I am obsessed with this book. I adored it. Every single page and word.

This book surprised me with just how good it was, since it is billed as YA, and by no stretch of the imagination can I pretend to be young! However there was no real difference between this and other gothic novels I have read recently, other than the young age of the main character (19) which honestly is standard in historical fiction anyway.

It follows Signa Farrow, an orphan who is passed from family member to family member until she ends up at the home of her widowed uncle, where she seeks to settle herself down and become a proper lady, as detailed in her book of etiquette, but her unusual supernatural capabilities - the ability to see and talk with spirits, and to consult with Death himself - stand in her way. As she uncovers the secrets hidden behind the walls of her new home, and learns from Death how to use her abilities, Signa finds out that there is someone who wishes the family harm, and she is the only one who can stop them.

The characters were vividly depicted, the supernatural elements were delightfully spooky, and Death himself was so charismatic that it was fairly obvious why Signa was drawn to him (#teamDeath) The romantic elements were steamy and all together it worked perfectly as a very satisfying gothic romance.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

I can't count how often I've thought about requesting a review copy of this book on Netgalley. Almost as often I eventually decided to wait. I had a few other books to read, most of them published by Hodder & Stoughton, and I didn't want to hoard. But curiosity eventually gave me the final push. I just wanted to read this book now and not when my physical copy would eventually be delivered. I'm really glad that my request was granted.

The moment I realized that this book was quite heavily inspired by the Secret Garden the smile on my face grew broader and broader. I love that book. I love that story. I love that dysfunctional family. And finding all those elements back in this book felt like coming home. A father mourning his wife, an ill child fighting for her life, a Secret Garden, haunting ghosts who are not ready to let go and an orphaned girl changing it all. It felt like coming home.

And then Grace added some delicious elements of her own. In this book the mother died of murder and therefore a few whodunnit and detective elements were added. Although the search was slow and maybe not even the most prominent part of the story, I liked how it helped to give a sense of danger and urgency. Then there also was the excitement of balls and husbands and estates, all the elements of this era we love to read about, and are relieved to not have to do ourselves.

And last but not least: we had the romance and the characters. Our heroine is going through quite a heavy time before and even during this book, but she's also learning and growing more into her own person with every page turned. She doesn't have to do that on her own, though. It's nice to see her have friends, it's also nice to see her follow her heart and build a connection with the most unlikely lover one can imagine.

I'm really really excited that there is gonna be more and I can't wait to get my hands on it!

I received an advanced reader copy of this book in return for my honest opinion. Thank you to Adalyn Grace and Hodder & Stoughton for giving me the opportunity to read Belladonna before it’s release.

Let me just start by saying I absolutely love the time period Grace chose to set this book in; it added a sense of wonder and heightened the plot (and I’m a fan of historical fiction as a whole.) She utilised this in a way that was not bogged down by dates and excessive details; the search for the truth while also being mindful of societies perceptions of an unmarried women was well executed.

This book gave not only a fantastic premise, but it lived up to the premise and then some! Signa was an absolutely fascinating character and i empathised with her right from the start! I loved how ‘Death’ was portrayed throughout the book, and a girl who can’t stay dead? Absolutely brilliant.

The mystery within the book was gripping; I just had to know who was the perpetrator and I’m not ashamed to admit that I could not stop reading; cramming in a chapter at every chance I had.

I cannot wait to see where Grace takes this story next; her previous duology is sure to be shooting to the top of my tbr now!

This was a truly delicious, gothic and dark book! I adored the imagination and atmospheric spookiness of this novel.
Belladonna is just a beautiful, perfect piece of writing. Orphaned Signa moves from dire guardian to guardian, each one meeting a grisly end. Signa would know, as she can see Death and the spirits that he takes. When she is taken in by her Uncle Elijah after the mysterious death of his wife, Signa is determined that Death won't take another family member before she reaches her 20th birthday and her inheritance. However, with a murderer on the loose, Signa finds she must solve the puzzle of who wishes to harm her family in order to stop Death in his tracks.
This was such a brilliant novel that I devoured in just over a day (that never happens!) It's a perfect blend of gothic, fantasy and mystery. The characters were perfect. Signa trying to find herself in a world where manners and etiquette are paramount, Sylas the snarky stablehand and then Death himself who reminded me of Luc from Addie. I loved how Signa developed a true friendship with her cousin Blythe.There's sublime plot twists, a gorgeous romance which is interspersed with some moments of fantastic humour. I loved how the characters were placed against the backdrop of the stifling Victorian society and all the constraints placed upon people to behave correctly..
If you love V.E. Shwabb or Gaiman than you'll love this novel. This is my first novel by this author but I'll certainly be looking into her others and I really hope that there will a sequel to this one.
Thank you so much to the publishers and Netgalley for provding me with an E-Arc in return for an honest review of this truly wonderful book.

Firstly I’d like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!! 😍😘

I don’t even know where to start this review!! Belladonna is absolutely amazing 😍😍 I absolutely loved the storyline, the characters are incredible!! I am in love with Signa ❤️❤️ She’s everything a MC should be, she’s strong, fierce and totally original. Her relationships with the other characters show the different parts of her whether it be her want of a family and how much she would love one (Percy and Blythe) or her slight obsession with super hot guys (Sylas 😂😂). When she arrives at Thorn Grove she wastes no time integrating and straightaway trying to solve the mystery of Lillians death and Blythe’s strange illness. With the help of Sylas and of course the super hot Death (🔥🥵) she starts to unwind the mystery in no time…

I love the concept of her relationship with both Sylas and Death in this book, it absolutely fascinated me. I love fantasy romances and the twist of her interest in Death in not only an aggressive but intimate sense was incredibly intriguing and bewitching. I also love her relationship with Sylas, he’s so interesting, alluring and kinda grumpy towards Signa but she loves it.

The concept of Death of general in the book is pretty extraordinary in general. I love how he’s described, I love what he does and how it’s described. I think his character is beautiful and for me he is the main event in this book.

Belladonna is definitely one of the best books I’ve read in 2022 and it’s gonna be a firm favourite of mine. I have no hesitation in giving this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It’s absolutely brilliant and you need to go and pick up a copy right now 😍😍

Signa has spent her whole life evading death. She’s only a baby when her parents die and spends the next years of her life bouncing between guardian after guardian longing for love and acceptance.

This book was great! A “whodunnit” with a fantasy twist and I loved every second!
I really enjoyed the world building and watching Signa’s character grow as the story unfolds. I’m definitely invested for the next instalment! I am hoping for a little more 🌶 in the next book 👀 and can’t wait to see where the story goes 💀

Where to start… This book reignited my love of YA and got me excited about the genre again! I stayed up until the early hours two nights in a row reading Belladonna and I already have the hardback pre-ordered for publication day!

This is the story of Signa Farrow, an orphaned nineteen year old with the ability to evade Death. While things never quite go to plan she just needs to make it 6 more months until she turns twenty, inherits her fortune and can start living her own life. Unfortunately, Death has other plans and she finds herself at Thorn Grove, with her cousin dying, her uncle a drunken mess and her aunt dead of suspicious circumstances. Not the easy 6 months Signa had in mind but it’s now up to her to figure out what’s happening at Thorn Grove before it’s too late.

I can’t say much about this one as I don’t want to spoil it. But what I can say is I love it! There’s something new and exciting about Belladonna, the way the plot never lets up and literally had me picking up my jaw towards the end. The characters are well designed and made my laugh out loud. Death as a person was amusing, complex and completely mesmerising. I mean, who knew Death had a sense of humour? But most of all Signa had a uniqueness and stubbornness to her than made me want to know more.

I read this book as part of a mini book club with Krystina (One More Chapter) and Malissa (Reading the Year Away) and we all devoured it! The endless voice notes and texts messages as we made our way through this book in a matter of days speaks volumes for our thoughts on Belladonna. It’s all consuming, sexy, heartbreaking and so damn funny!

(Link will be added once posted on Monday 29th)

Absolutely freaking gorgeous. I cannot wait to get my hands on this utterly beautiful book. The writing is phenomenal, the world building intricate yet understandable and the characters are complicated as they are wonderful. This immediately went on top of my list of favourite books read in 2022.

A HUGE thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC !

This was my first book by Adalyn Grace and I’m absolutely amazed.
Something that I really need to talk about before getting into the rest is the writing style. It was absolutely magical and fit the story so well. I’m usually not the biggest fan of books with a 3rd person POV but this was absolutely MAGICAL. Grace created quotes that were so well said, that they got special places in my heart.

But what is the book even about ?

The book follows the nineteen year old orphan called Signa.
Throughout her life she was raised by multiple different people that fathomed her wealth more than her wellbeing- and each has met their ultimate end. Her last remaining relatives are the elusive Hawthornes that seem to live in the most beautiful palace a girl could ever dream of living in. Its patriarch? A mourning man that lives through wild parties. His son? A boy trying to save his family’s reputation. And the daughter? A hopeless girl with a hopeless illness. Signa, now in the middle of everything, is trying to figure out her life but: Everything changes with the appearance of her mothers spirit who claimed to have been poisoned. With the help of a surly stable boy, Signa is on her way to hunt down the killer; and who could be more of a help than Death himself?

This book was one of the best reads of 2022.
An intelligent orphan full of dreams, a cocky stable boy with a wish for wealth and a mysterious Grim Reaper called Death. Grace PERFECTED this book. From the start I have loved everything about Signa. Her strength, her thoughtfulness and her absolute kindness. Grace created a fairytale filled with mystery and gothic that will hook you from the first sentence. Belladonna made me want to live in a dark palace with a darker past myself.
Not only will the plot hit you unexpectedly, but the characters will too. Grace outdid herself with characters like Death or Signa. Not only did I scream at some of their lines, but I also cried; the different types of feelings I experienced while reading that book were more chaotic than ever before. I laughed because of Deaths and Signas banter, cried because of her past and screamed for the plot. The end left me hollowed, I can’t live without the sequel.

This book was absolutely phenomenal and a Top-Read. I CANNOT WAIT FOR FOXGLOVE!
Belladonna will be available on 30th August 2022 and can be purchased on Amazon.
Get yourself this masterpiece of a book.
#NetGalley #Belladonna

I cannot express in words how much I loved this! I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did tbh. But look at this - a witch is our FMC, Death is one of our MMCs along with a mysterious guy called Sylas Thorly, the setting is in the regency era, and it's both fantasy and mystery. How can this get any better?!

"Do not change the parts of yourself that you like to make others comfortable. Do not try to mold yourself to fit the standards someone else has set for us"

Signa Farrow is a solitary being not by choice and aches for love that never reached her, but that doesn't make her weak. She's fierce and hates the rules that are imposed on women like how to laugh and how to eat. Her character transformation from meek to one of so much power was just so good! And Death is a character that will surely become everybody's new favourite fictional boyfriend.

To me, the best part was the relationship between Signa and Death. The fierce morbid bond between them that grows into something more was so beautiful to read! I couldn't help but root for the both of them. How they find solace in each other! The way their relationship has been written is so enchanting! I am a person who does not enjoy reading romance much but this was TOO GOOD!

I was so deeply engrossed in the story that I literally lost track of time and finished reading it well into midnight, that itself should be enough evidence to show how good this book is!!
A total 5/5 read for me!

With just the right amount of historical vibes, mystery elements and most importantly, romance, this book really won me over!

I was more invested in the murder mystery at times than in the romance, but I still enjoyed both! I loved the haunted, eerie vibes this book gave me. It wasn't too much, but just the right amount to set the mood. I had my suspicions about the mystery element and some of them did prove correct, but solving it with Signa was so fun! The ending really opens to so much more for the sequel and it really feels like those movies that have a giant plot twist or cliffhanger ending to really shake you up.

It took me a while to warm up to Death as a love interest, but I really liked his and Signa's dynamic. My final straw was that one scene towards the middle of the book and I literally screamed of delight. I even wish we got more of them spending time together other than solving a murder mystery to really develop that relationship further. I'm still suspicious of his intentions however, but maybe that's just me. I also really liked how that mild love triangle was handled.

I want to make it VERY clear that I was BULLIED into reading this book. Forced. fearing my life. (I may or may not be slightly exaggerating) but boy! I’m glad I was! 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. (Yes death is male, think about that for a moment) 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 a gothic supernatural mystery with a nice little romance subplot. It was an easy read and it kept me guessing the whole way through and a lot of speculation happened!

I read it way to quickly and now I will have to wait till the next one in the series comes out, as the ending of Belladonna is just ?!?!?! .. no words.. I don’t want to give anything away. but I’m ready for the next one, so I would REALLY appreciate it if they could publish this sooner rather than later.

Also a big thank you to the two who bullied me into reading this book. … I might have accidentally pre-ordered a signed copy…

"It's said that five belladonna berries are all it takes to kill someone."
From the very beginning when I read the prologue, I knew this book was something for me. I love the graphic in the book and much more I love the author's sense of storytelling.
Signa is a lovely main character. She has her dreams and is ready to do whatever it takes to reach them. But sometimes happens that we dream about things that do not suit us as well as we were wishing for. Hight ranked society is complicated and gives us the vibe of Jane Austen's books. The narrative is highly atmospheric, it is like Pride and Prejudice meets Crimson peak and Caraval at one moment.
Belladonna is a book full of plot twists where things are not always as they seem. Some of them were expectable, some I did not see coming. I savoured moments with Death on the scene. He was sarcastic, mysterious, and wise as well. I do not want to split any spoilers but one scene between Signa and Death was too rushed. I found it more realistic and healthy to go on some things a little bit slower.
I really enjoyed this book and for me, it is clearly 5 stars, but I am aware that Belladonna is not for everyone. I root for poetic descriptions, slow progress through the story, and having space to watch the development of characters.
I can not wait for a sequel. I need more of this world, atmosphere, and Death.
Thank you so much Hodder & Stoughton for eARC!

Rating: 4.75/5⭐️

For as long as Signa Farrow has been alive, the people in her life have fallen like stars… Orphaned as a baby, nineteen-year-old Signa has been raised by a string of guardians, each more interested in her wealth than her wellbeing - and each has met an untimely end. Her remaining relatives are the elusive Hawthornes, an eccentric family living at Thorn Grove, an estate both glittering and gloomy.

It’s patriarch mourns his late wife, while his son grapples for control fo the family’s waning reputation and his daughter suffers 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 with the help of a surly stable and Death himself, she must hunt down the killer before there’s another victim.

I loved this Gothic Romance Fantasy! Signa is an incredibly interesting character and you just want to keep rooting for her to thrive and finally find a place to belong. I never though a love triangle with Death would be this exciting to read, and there is this massive plot twist to it! I can tell you know, I did not see that coming! Actually, this story is full of plot twists and they’re so well done, enough to keep you on the edge of your seat and keep reading this masterpiece!

The writing is marvellous! I always love a fantasy book written based in England (or the UK in general), so it was a bit of a sell point from the beginning! Adalyn Grace has a lovely writing style and it’s amazing the contract between the romantic, heartfelt scenes versus the not-greatly-scary-horror part. T=It’s such a fine line and beautifully acquired by this author!

The only reason why this book was not a full 5⭐️ read for me is because I felt that it missed that little extra romance…! I’m hoping for that little extra in the next book, specially after that little bit of a cliffhanger! Despise that, all the mystery, thriller and romance will keep you wanting more!

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace was described as a deliciously deathly gothic romance , and between that description and the simply gorgeous cover art I was immediately intrigued and keen to get my hands on a copy.
Happily I was not disappointed, this book was charming and engaging from the first page to the last with a clever premise, interesting characters, a good blend of romance and mystery and some simply beautiful writing.
Signa Farrow has been followed by Death all her life. She was orphaned as a baby , then raised by a series of increasingly distant family members, each of whom meet an untimely end. By the time she is nineteen willing new guardians are in short supply, so she is sent to live with the Hawthornes, cousins who are mourning the loss of the family matriarch Lillian. Arriving at the stately family home Signa finds a family dealing with grief in a myriad of ways, from excessive drinking and partying to throwing themselves into the family business. Unfortunately it seems that Death is not yet ready to leave Signa or her family alone , since her cousin seems to be suffering from the same illness that killed her mother.
You might be wondering why I have been capitalising Death in my review, and the simple answer is that he is one of the main characters in the book. Signa is able to see him, and even summon him if she is willing to bring herself close enough to death to do so, so it is no surprise when she sees the spirit of Lillian though somewhat more surprising when Lillian reveals she was being poisoned. Since her daughter is now showing many of the same symptoms she begs Signa to uncover the truth and save her before it is too late. It seems that the only way Signa will be able to do this is if she allies with Death.
This was such a fun read, with nods to an Agatha Christie style whodunnit with the stately home filled with a cast of mysterious and intriguing characters. The paranormal twist to the genre was a nice addition , it was what drew me to the book initially and gave it an originality that many conventional mysteries lack. Signa is a really compelling character and I found myself completely gripped by her story and by the blossoming love triangle between her character, Death and the mysterious Sylas. The romance was something of a slow burn at first but with enough steam to keep things interesting and to keep the book riding that fine line between YA and Adult fiction. Seeing Sign's character grow and develop over the course of the book was a really powerful example of a young woman taking control of her own life and place in a society that she had long felt on the outside of.
I have read and enjoyed some of this author's previous works but this is in another league, and I am eagerly awaiting the next in the series which I believe is expected in 2023.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
First I have to say that the cover is really beautiful. The same can be said about this story. I loved the characters and the gothic setting. It is really well executed. I fell in love with the characters immediately. And oh the plot twists. They were unexpected and you could not predict them The writing guides you in one direction and then makes a twist and nothing is as you expected it to be. I really loved the characters of Silas, Signa and Death. They were all so well written. And I can't wait to read the book's sequel Foxglove.

This was a book I was hooked on the premise alone, then I started reading and just couldn’t put it down, I mean there a love triangle involving Death, how could I not be addicted to this. It’s so well written, the story fast paced and interesting, I can’t wait for the sequel, because I need to know, I have to know what’s next, I laughed, I cried and now I’m hollow, Foxglove is too far away

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

As the sole survivor when her parents, all of their guests, & servants are poisoned at a party, baby Signa lives with her grandmother & is happy for a while. After her grandmother also dies, Signa moves between distant relatives, most of them more interested in her inheritance than anything else. They all meet with sticky ends & Signa knows that Death has never been far from her side. Now nineteen-year-old Signa hates living with her aunt, & also hates hiding the secret that since her miraculous survival as a baby, she seemingly cannot die or stay injured for long, something she blames Death for. When her aunt dies during an argument with Signa, she is sent to live with her cousins - the rich Hawthorne family.

When Signa arrives, she finds that the mistress of the house, Lillian, recently died & that her daughter, Blythe, is mortally ill with the same sickness. Meanwhile Blythe's widowed father is more interested in drowning his sorrows & throwing parties to distract from his grief, whilst her older brother is distracted with trying to rescue to family business. It doesn't take long for Signa to realise that the house is haunted by more than just grief - Lillian, & other ghosts, wander the hallways & only Signa can see them. When Lillian's ghost tells her that she was murdered & that Blythe is also being poisoned, Signa knows she has to find the person responsible, but to do that she needs to call a truce & work with Death himself.

I've been waiting for a book that completely swept me away for a while & it's finally here. I absolutely loved the supernatural mystery side of things. Signa (I kept misreading her name as Sigma) is one of those main characters that starts off a bit annoying but then grows on you. Now love triangles are not one of my favourite tropes by a long shot, & yes, the romance was a little "OMG he's so hot" (there are a couple of quite steamy sex scenes in the book), & there are some problematic aspects. As characters though, both Sylas (handsome stable boy) & Death (yes, Death is one of the trio) were rather intriguing. Overall the mystery element & the writing won out over the romance for me, even though I did guess the guilty party & the twist. 4.5 stars (rounded up)

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Hodder & Stoughton, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Belladonna is such an intricate book. It made me think about stuff that i never actually gave a thought for more than a second. One such thing is, Death being a character in this book makes it unique and the way the author explored death is very interesting and exciting. Signa was something totally new, different form the other book characters i have read. Again, her character development was very realistic and amazing really. I guess we can Adalyn Grace is the master of character development. When we talk about the plot, OH MY GOD. I never expected those plot twists! And the foreshadowing!! The author really did know how to give a fresh YA experience to readers .
This automatically is my number one standalone and will never stop recommending it enough! And especially if you are new to the fantasy genre this is made just for you.

This book is a combination of fantasy and mystery with paranormal and gothic elements entwined. Lets just say this is the perfect combination for a fantastic book that I couldn't put down.

I loved to see how Signa’s character evolved and accepted her true powers. Of course Death was the most alluring and charismatic character of the book definitely intrigued me!

I loved the final twist and cliffhanger! I’m absolutely looking forward to read the second book! I had amazing reading time