Belladonna

4.5 stars
This was a fun read! I typically do not care for regency/historical fiction, but because Belladonna had such good suspense, ghosts, and a murder mystery, it was so enjoyable. The narrator for the audiobook had a lovely accent which made it easy to listen to.
As for the characters, I liked Signa (which is a surprise since I usually grow to hate YA FMCs) but Death was 100% the best character in the book.
My only complaint is that I wish there was a little more romance! I can't wait for Foxglove.

OMG!
Can someone steal for me the next book in this story?
Loved the story, loved the characters, loved the unpredictable plot twists! Loved it all!

This book I couldn't let go. I ended up reading until 3 am two nights in a row as I couldn't put it down. I love it when dark romance is involved, when you aren't sure that you actually want a love story to happen but all of a sudden everything makes sense! And yes I know it has trigger warnings and some parts of the love story may be controversial but please! Sometimes we just need to enjoy something and not trying to find the controversial parts in it, just to burn it!

This, was SO GOOD.

How could I describe it? Bridgerton meets Ghost Whisperer plus we get to meet Death? YES, A MILLION TIMES YES. GIVE IT TO ME.

I'm so glad I decided to pick up this book. I got in only because of the Death premise but let me tell you, I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery, the crime solving, EVERYTHING.

Also, perfectly themed to be read in October, which made it 10x times better.

The writing? On point. Quote after, quote. I have a million tabs on this book that range from the love heart warming scenes to the best wake up moments.

Plus, for a YA book? IT WASN'T FADE TO BLACK. It was obviously done with the utmost care, and as if it was seen from the perspective of a woman in that timeframe. And it was beautiful, let me tell you.

I don't know what else you want me to say for you to consider picking up the book. Just do it, you won't regret it.

Really enjoyed the atmosphere and the writing. The beginning was really strong and had me hooked but the book started to lose me at around 40% mark. Too little of solving the mystery and too much of Signa being thirsty 24/7 lmao

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace  “Which is better? To live forever, or to live and love?”
Synopsis: Signa Farrow was orphaned as a baby and raised by a series of guardians more interested in her large inheritance than her well-being who all met an untimely end. Now 19 and not long away from gaining access to her fortune, she has been sent to her latest guardians - a recently bereaved uncle by marriage and his two children, one of whom appears to be dying from the same mysterious malady that took her mother. Here, Signa meets her deceased aunt's ghost who requests her help in stopping the poisoning and attempted murder of Signa's cousin. Since surviving the mass poisoning that killed her parents, Signa has been able to see and communicate with Death, and she enlists the help of him and the stablehand Sylas in the endeavour. 
“Your name is no curse, Little Bird. I just like the taste of it.”
My Thoughts:

• A great gothic atmosphere that made me want to don a red ballgown and creep around a manor house and secret garden literally flirting with death and attempting to solve a murder.
• The apparent love triangle between Signa, Sylas and Death wasn't overdone, Signa was attracted to and intrigued by both but wary of their motives. Without spoiling anything, it was resolved satisfactorily.
• This is the first of a series and so the central murder mystery is solved, there are some questions I still need answers to, most significantly:
  • Is there significance to Signa's aunts being two different colours beyond the resemblance to her late aunt?
  • Why were Signa's parents, all their guests and staff poisoned? By who? Is this still an open criminal case, because it seems like it should be a bigger deal!

“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.”

I have read this book twice already and its still one of my favorites. The relationship between death and Signa is so beautiful and I love the spooky mystery elements.

Yep I loved this.

I am a sucker for death and the maiden.



Merged review:

Yep I loved this.

I am a sucker for death and the maiden.

4,5 stars!

4,5 stars!

3.5 stars
Orphaned as a baby, Signa has been passed from one relative to another until there is only one left to take her in. Only one because everywhere she goes, death follows. By death, I mean Death himself. Signa has been able to see him all her life. He's been her one constant companion.
Signa will be wealthy and able to take care of herself once she turns twenty. Only one year to go. She would really love the year to go by without anyone else dying.

I really liked the Gothic vibe. I am ready for spooky season. My only complaint is that it was pretty predictable at times.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an e-arc.

https://bookscoffeeandpassion.wordpress.com/2022/08/22/book-tour-review-belladonna-by-adalyn-grace/

4.5 stars

Belladonna is a gothic, atmospheric, paranormal, mystery YA story.

Signa, a 19-year-old girl, was an orphan since she was a baby. Every single one of her greedy guardians had an unpleasant end, which led her from one place to another without ever feeling like she belonged anywhere. Now, Signa is going to travel to Thorn Grove, a dark, depressing estate, where the Hawthornes live. Everything seems odd in Thorn Grove. Her cousin Percy and her uncle Elijah have an awful relationship, her cousin Blythe has the same strange illness that killed Blythe's mother, everyone is grieving, there's a mysterious stable boy and the manor seems haunted... Signa allies with Death, that has been in her life since she was a baby, to uncover the murderer.

This story gripped me from the start and it was so entertaining! I had a lot of fun reading it. I don't think it's necessary to know much more about the plot. The story was beautifully written and I was immersed in it. I needed to know what was going on! The characters were fantastic! Signa wanted to belong, to have a family and I loved to follow her journey between figuring out if she wanted a life following society's parameters or if she was truly meant for more. Her relationships with all of the characters were interesting and added an even more mysterious atmosphere. I had a few theories and I guessed a twist or two, but overall I was surprised by how the story progressed.

Signa's hate for Death and their relationship was intriguing and so well done. I also loved the way it ended, with a surprise appearance of a character that was mentioned here and there... I'm very curious about the next book. The pacing was a little off sometimes, but my interest in the story never lessened. Some of the story was predictable, but there were also some motivations and developments I didn't see coming.

Overall, Belladonna was pure enjoyment to me. I loved the characters, the setting, the eerie atmosphere, the mysteries, Signa and Death's relationship, and the stellar writing.

Merged review:

https://bookscoffeeandpassion.wordpress.com/2022/08/22/book-tour-review-belladonna-by-adalyn-grace/

4.5 stars

Belladonna is a gothic, atmospheric, paranormal, mystery YA story.

Signa, a 19-year-old girl, was an orphan since she was a baby. Every single one of her greedy guardians had an unpleasant end, which led her from one place to another without ever feeling like she belonged anywhere. Now, Signa is going to travel to Thorn Grove, a dark, depressing estate, where the Hawthornes live. Everything seems odd in Thorn Grove. Her cousin Percy and her uncle Elijah have an awful relationship, her cousin Blythe has the same strange illness that killed Blythe's mother, everyone is grieving, there's a mysterious stable boy and the manor seems haunted... Signa allies with Death, that has been in her life since she was a baby, to uncover the murderer.

This story gripped me from the start and it was so entertaining! I had a lot of fun reading it. I don't think it's necessary to know much more about the plot. The story was beautifully written and I was immersed in it. I needed to know what was going on! The characters were fantastic! Signa wanted to belong, to have a family and I loved to follow her journey between figuring out if she wanted a life following society's parameters or if she was truly meant for more. Her relationships with all of the characters were interesting and added an even more mysterious atmosphere. I had a few theories and I guessed a twist or two, but overall I was surprised by how the story progressed.

Signa's hate for Death and their relationship was intriguing and so well done. I also loved the way it ended, with a surprise appearance of a character that was mentioned here and there... I'm very curious about the next book. The pacing was a little off sometimes, but my interest in the story never lessened. Some of the story was predictable, but there were also some motivations and developments I didn't see coming.

Overall, Belladonna was pure enjoyment to me. I loved the characters, the setting, the eerie atmosphere, the mysteries, Signa and Death's relationship, and the stellar writing.