Book review: Belladonna by Adalyn Grace🖤🥀

What are your favourite gothic reads?

As I’ve almost finished Wisteria, book 3 in this trilogy, I thought I should share my review of Belladonna before I share my thoughts on the sequels.

••

We follow Signa farrow, a young woman who has always been able to see death. After a string of deathly accidents Signa is soon on the way to live with her new guardian at the gothic mansion belonging to the Hawthornes. Signa finds her self thrown into a murder mystery with a strange illness, restless spirits and still very much drawn to the alluring figure of Death.

The haunting atmosphere drew me in from the start. The old manor, mysterious family secrets, restless spirits and beautiful descriptions all entwined together to create a really intriguing fantasy with peak gothic fantasy vibes propelling the plot forward.

Adalyn’s writing style was really enjoyable and I found the characters were wonderfully complex. The romance had me hooked and I wanted to know more and more about Silas and Death the more we met them!

Overall I found the unique plot, mystery and romance compelling. An atmospheric YA gothic fantasy featuring a haunting murder mystery and tension filled romance, this was 4.5 stars for me!

This is so beautifully written. A glorious gothic tale following Signa who develops an interesting relationship with death. I loved the descriptions, the characters, the mystery. I have already purchased books 2 and 3 and can’t wait to read them.

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace is a gothic murder mystery wrapped in lush, atmospheric writing and laced with romance. The story centres on Signa, a young orphan raised by a string of ill-fated guardians, and her eerie connection with Death, who has shadowed her since infancy. When Signa moves in with her last remaining relatives, the mysterious Hawthornes of Thorn Grove, she becomes embroiled in uncovering the truth behind her aunt’s death, with Death himself becoming both her guide and her greatest challenge.

Signa is a complex protagonist who navigates a world full of secrets and danger, grappling with her unique connection to Death. Orphaned as a baby, she’s spent her life being passed from one guardian to another, only to lose them all to untimely deaths. Her vulnerability and determination to uncover the truth about her family’s mysteries make her a compelling lead. While I appreciated her stubbornness and the vulnerability that underpins her strength, I couldn’t help but feel that she often falls into the damsel-in-distress trope, frequently needing a man to swoop in and save her. She strives for independence but often gets distracted by her romantic entanglements with Death and Sylas, which sometimes overshadow her character growth.

Death is a fascinating character. He has been with Signa since she was an infant, watching over her life and intervening at key moments. His relationship with Signa, which evolves into a romance, is both compelling and unsettling. I couldn’t ignore the discomfort of their dynamic, with Death’s predatory and possessive nature making him a rather creepy figure, especially considering he has known Signa since she was a baby. While the chemistry between them is undeniable, the power imbalance and his grooming behaviour are troubling aspects that linger throughout the story.

Thorn Grove, the Hawthornes’ estate, is a character in itself. Its gothic atmosphere, filled with secrets and restless spirits, sets the perfect stage for the novel’s dark and mysterious events. The house and its gloomy, yet opulent surroundings enhance the eerie vibe of the story, making the setting one of the most engaging aspects of the book.

Sylas is another prominent figure in Signa’s life. He’s charming, with a snarky attitude and little regard for personal boundaries, often encroaching on Signa’s space. While his interactions with Signa are meant to add tension, I found his character to be somewhat superficial, with typical traits of the roguish love interest.

The story starts off slowly, with a heavy focus on setting up the characters and the mystery surrounding Thorn Grove. Initially, the pacing can feel sluggish, but it picks up significantly in the second half as the mystery deepens and the connections between characters become clearer. The final portion of the book is filled with twists and revelations, though many of these twists were somewhat predictable. Despite the initial drag, the book redeems itself towards the end, leading to a satisfying conclusion that sets up nicely for the sequel.

Adalyn Grace’s writing is lush, descriptive, and captures the gothic atmosphere beautifully. The prose has a lyrical quality that enhances the eerie setting and the dark, fairy-tale-like quality of the story. However, the writing also indulges in repetitive descriptions, especially concerning characters’ appearances, which can occasionally pull the reader out of the narrative. Despite these quirks, the atmospheric writing kept me engaged.

The novel explores themes of death, freedom, and the search for belonging. Signa’s journey is as much about solving the mystery as it is about understanding her place in a world that has continually tried to control or discard her. The story also touches on darker themes, like the inappropriate dynamics between Signa and Death, which may not sit well with all readers. The gothic elements blend with a coming-of-age tale, adding layers to the narrative that reflect both personal and external conflicts.

Belladonna fits well within the gothic romance and mystery genres, combining elements of supernatural intrigue with historical settings. It flirts with the boundaries of YA and adult fiction, particularly with its mature themes and dark romantic entanglements. The book offers a mix of mystery, paranormal romance, and gothic drama, making it a unique entry in the genre, albeit with some controversial choices in character relationships.

Positives of Belladonna
Atmospheric Setting: The vivid, gothic descriptions of Thorn Grove create a captivating and immersive backdrop for the story.
Compelling Main Characters: Signa’s journey and her evolving relationship with Death provide the core of the story’s intrigue and emotional pull.
Strong Gothic Vibes: The novel successfully captures the essence of gothic fiction, with elements of mystery, romance, and a haunted estate.
Lush Writing Style: Grace’s descriptive prose enhances the moody and dark atmosphere, making the setting feel alive and integral to the plot.
Negatives of Belladonna
Problematic Romance: The relationship between Signa and Death can feel predatory and unsettling, with power dynamics that raise ethical concerns.
Slow Pacing: The beginning of the book drags, with the main plot and action taking too long to develop, which may deter some readers.
Superficial Side Characters: The supporting cast, including Sylas, lacks depth and often serves more as plot devices than fully fleshed-out characters.
Repetitive Descriptions: Overly detailed descriptions, especially of character appearances, can feel redundant and distract from the plot.
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace is a gothic mystery filled with atmospheric charm, dark romance, and a hint of the supernatural. While the novel’s slow pacing and problematic romance between Signa and Death may not appeal to everyone, its richly detailed setting and compelling main characters make it an intriguing read. If you’re a fan of gothic tales with a mix of romance and mystery, Belladonna might just be the haunting escape you’re looking for. I’d rate it 3 out of 5 stars for its unique atmosphere and engaging plot, but caution readers about the mature and potentially unsettling dynamics within the story. If you’re drawn to moody, character-driven tales, give this one a try – just be prepared for a slow start and some controversial themes along the way.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for giving me an e-arc in exchange for a fair review.

I need to start this by saying that I loved this book. It was everything I was hoping for and more. I read it just at the end of Winter, and it matched the vibes perfectly. I was curled up under my blankets while reading and it got colder and darker - very very excited to continue the series, the books are ordered waiting for me to continue to see what happens to Signa next. Honestly, I'm not sure how I haven't read the next one yet on any book service that I can find it on.

ps. How many foster homes are too many?

Featured on our podcast The Dark Academicals!
I had mixed feelings about the read. I enjoyed but there were some aspects of character and motivation that just didn't resonate with me. I felt like I struggled to suspend my disbelief long enough to really sink into it.
That said, I am very interested to see where the series goes and I will be continuing with it.

Belladonna is such an amazing book. I loved the writing style, the murder mystery part, the whole atmosphere and of course Death. I'm always intrigued by books with Death as some sort of character, and as a love interest it was done beautifully. Absolutely recommended.

I loved this book I was looking forward to it for a while and then I kinda read the whole book in one sitting, the characters are so well fleshed out and the female lead is very relatable. I enjoyed the romance and I cannot wait for the next installment.

I absolutely loved this book! I loved how gothic it was and the unconventional romance elements. I enjoyed the mystery plot aspect to it too. I liked Signa as the main character and her dynamics with death, with death being a character too. Overall, the vibes were really great and I am excited to read the next one in the series!

Loved this concept from the start and Adalyn Grace executed the whole 'flirting with death thing' pretty well!

I definitely want to date Death, and can't wait to read the rest of this series!

The way I ate this book up!!

This definitely respawned my gothic lit phase. The haunted mansion reminded me so much of Rebecca (one of my favourite books ever), but with more supernatural elements. Honestly, this book checks all the boxes, haunted mansion, sketchy characters, mystery, romance… I mean come on, the main character literally tries to solve a murder with her side kick, Death - how could you not love this ??

Ich bin sehr hin und hergerissen, was mein Verhältnis zu diesem Titel angeht. Es hab es in zwei Anläufen gelesen. Bei ersten Versuch habe es nach von 30% abgebrochen und es weggelegt. Da das Buch aber so beliebt ist, habe ich einen zweiten Anlauf gestartet. Dafür wurde ich auch belohnt. Das Buch vereint Fantasy, Young adult und den Detektivroman sehr gekonnt miteinander. Ich liebe an diesem Buch die Anteile des Detektivromans. Die Festlegung auf einen bestimmten Personenkreis, die Detektivarbeit, der Twist und das Showdown sind grandios. Mit den Fantasyanteilen habe ich jedoch zu kämpfen. Das Verhältnis von Signa und den Tod kann ich nicht nachvollziehen, ich versteh auch nicht ihre innige Zuneigung für einander. Es hat auch diese Message: Ich habe sonst niemanden, also bist du der/die Einzige für mich. Das hat so einen Faden Beigeschmack. Auch komm ich mit Signal Wertevorstellung nicht so gut zurecht. Bis zu einem gewissen Grad, kann ich es nachvollziehen, ist es vermutlich auch menschlich, aber ich erhoffe mir von einer Buchheldin irgendwie mehr. Das Ende war überraschend und macht Lust auf den zweiten Band.

Loved this, the gothic atmosphere and how the relationships between signa and the other characters are amazing. Loved the murder mystery too

Okay, I absolutely adore books with a gothic tone and this was no exception!

Death has followed Signs Farrow her entire life, and much to her chagrin, she can't escape Death's clutches.
When her latest guardian dies, Signa is invited to stay at Thorn Grove. A spirit leads her on the path of a murder mystery, a plot device I love, and the drama and intrigue evolves from there.

This book had everything. Romance, death, mystery, and more.

I can't wait to read the next book as that ending was super cliffhanger-ey and exciting!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for my copy. All opinions stated are my own.

I enjoyed the atmosphere in this book, it´s perfect for a wintery cold night, to cozy up with a blanket and hot beverage.
For me, the relationships in this book weren´t as solid as I would have liked. It was almost love/attraction at first sight. And with a boy she hardly ever saw and that you don´t really learn a lot about (for a reason, but still), and a shadow without features to huminize it. To go from fearing/loathing to attraction with the second felt unrealistic without having the step of kinship in between.
I had hoped for more of a fantasy romance book, but this leaned a lot on the romantasy plot.

If you are a fan of Addie LaRue this book is 100% for you! It’s dark, cinematic, amazingly written and there is an incredible build-up in the story. The characters are really interesting and romance (YA) is so sweet! Can’t wait for the next one!

The best book is 2022, I adore signadeath and they are slowly becoming a YA cult classic. I cannot wait for wisteria!

A magnificent and haunting start to a duology I am sure I will love. I was not prepared for how much I would love this. Thank you for the early copy to review.

I really tried to enjoy this, because death as a character is probably one of my favourite tropes, however something about Belladonna just didn't gel with me.

The first chapter was amazing. Beautifully atmospheric and mysterious, as death meets our protagonist Signa. There's an air of gothic romance about the whole thing. However, the story that followed just never managed to peak it's opening scenes. A lot of the book follows Signa being introduced into this lavish world where she feels uncomfortable and clearly doesn't belong, and she has to learn to fit in. The pacing is slow as the reader spends a lot of the time watching Signa stumble about making social faux pas instead of sticking to the actual plot, which was a hundred times more exciting. It felt very early 2000s YA in that respect, with all this fluff and filler instead of a juicy plot.

Great opening, but unfortunately the plot needed more meat on the bones and less of the societal talk.

I understand why so many people are obsessed with this story! It is both unique and addicting. Both books have been bought and read and loved, cannot wait for book 3!

This is the first book from Adayln Grace that I have read and I really enjoyed her writing style. Belladonna was really interesting to me as I don't really read a lot of mystery and YA at the moment. I was immediately hocked with the story with both the world building and the characters. I loved the twists throughout the books and I can't wait to read more from Adalyn Grace