eARC supplied by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Belladonna follows Signa Farrow, an orphan who has been followed by Death since infancy, on her journey to the home of her newest guardian. Unfortunately, Thorn Grove is not as it appears as the illness which took the life of Signa’s late Aunt is now plaguing her young cousin Blythe and it might not be an ordinary illness at all.

Belladonna could quite easily have completely lost the plot as it tried to maintain it’s YA, gothic mystery, paranormal, historical/regency, romance genres… but it didn’t. The writing style and pace were maintained well throughout. I enjoyed each of the characters, who were all given interesting perspectives and arcs and whilst some of the ‘twists’ were easily guessed, the mystery was compelling.

Belladonna is a gripping series opener and has ensured I will look out for the sequel.

Cross-posted to GoodReads

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.

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!

This is unlike my usual sort of read but I was drawn in by the cover! It was a really quick, easy and quite fun read!

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.

Belladonna was an excellent addition to the YA gothic genre, and I think might be one of my favourites I’ve read! Where some YA authors who take on this genre fail to truly capture the eerie feeling central to gothic classics such as Jane Eyre and Rebecca (my personal favourites), Adalyn Grace did a fantastic job in creating a spooky mysterious atmosphere that had my heart racing and had me doing double takes at every shadow. Whilst listening to the audiobook, I was fully transported to the halls of Thorn Grove and found myself fully engrossed in the haunting prose.

Signa was a fantastic heroine that I loved to read from, I enjoyed seeing her character grow into her powers over the course of the book and to exercise her curious mind to solve the mystery laid before her - the fact that this book perfectly blended gothic tropes, paranormal fantasy elements and a murder mystery into one was just irresistible to me, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time unfurling the threads of both the central mystery plot, and the mystery of Signa’s powers and her connection to Death.


Death provided everything you’d want from a brooding forbidden love interest, he was perfectly swoon-worthy and his tension with Signa kept me turning pages. I can’t wait to read how their relationship develops over the course of the next book.

This is going to be the next obsession for fans of Crimson Peak and Thomas Sharpe, looking to find a new haunted house and macabre romance to consume their thoughts!

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!

Many thanks to Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton and the author for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book hooked me from the blurb...not even the first page... the blurb...

The book follows the story of Signa, a 19 year old girl who cannot be touched by death, aka, she cannot die and the ability to see spirits and converse with them. But curiously enough people around her always keeps dying. Just months short of receiving her fortune and her estate, Signa is yet again moved into one of her relatives place after her Aunt who was fostering her dies. Once there she is sucked into the mystery of Hawthorne estate, which lost its mistress quite recently and her cousin is dying slowly from exactly what took the life of her aunt, then there is the ghosts and spirits of the place, all while trying to get rid of Death who doesn't seen to leave her alone. Signa has to do something quickly to save her cousin from untimely death and for that she has to learn about the extent of her abilities and get over the fear of her being different, of her being like Death himself.

As much as the book was enticing, Signa the orphaned heiress was frigging annoying. Mostly because of her need to conform to every rule in the book to be the lady she is expected to be. I first thought I would appreciate the narrative of the MC not wanting to be 'not like the other girls' but this was just getting on my nerves. Also, the way Signa treated death who was the only one who has always been on her side was not appealing to me. For her to be in charge of her own wealth in less than a few month, from when on she will be able to live her life which ever way she want and still want to be 'normal' was worrying for me. My favorite character was Blythe and her bluntness. It was also beautiful to see Signa form bonds with this family and slowly come into herself was the best part of the story.

The twists and turns the story took was pretty much of convenience and the only answer I wanted was about her past, which was not even touched. The book would have been more riveting, if the the culprit had more incentive for the crime than there was. I did enjoy the atmosphere of the story and will look forward to book 2 (and I so expect much better things from it)


TW: Violence, Murder, Death, Grief, Suicide, Child Neglect

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.

Belladona was my first read from Adalyn Grace, and she earned new fans with hooked me since first chapter. As the only survival from poisonous party, a baby heiress earned her cursed orphan status. Since that moment Signa Farrow growing become strong and curious nineteen year old girl who can't dead.

I love the storytelling style suited the historical background. I almost can feel all paranorm activities with gothic atmosphere at old mansion with each words. Mixed that with intriguing murder mystery and slow burn romance, such a delicious combination. I will leave some details about relation between Signa and Death reaper for avoid accidentally spoiler. The pace kinda slow and nothing new in the plot but this book still solid and enjoyable. Would love to recommend it to bookish friends.

Thank you Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the delightful read. I am grateful and my thoughts are my own. Belladonna will release at 30 Aug 2022.

An interesting premise which got me very hooked at the beginning but unfortunately fell a bit flat at the end. I have nothing bad to say about this book because I did enjoy reading it however I did feel a little bit bored at times and found it a bit hard to get myself back into the back. I enjoyed the writing but I found the main character to be a bit cringy at times and I just wasn’t a big fan of her. I was also a bit disappointed by the ending.

I’m sure there are others who will love this more than me and that’s amazing but this just wasn’t for me.

Huge thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for the eArc!

Having loved Grace’s bloody adventure fantasy, ALL THE STARS AND TEETH, I was excited to see this new more-Gothic style story.

At first, I was a little unsure, as I felt the beginning took rather a while to get going, but one Signa reaches Thorn Grove the action really picks up, blending romance, hauntings and a deadly mystery together into one atmospheric package.

The gothic feel of BELLADONNA is wonderfully done, and the mystery behind who is threating the family takes a couple of twists and turns. I have to say, my guesses about the culprit were way off, but I thought Grace justified the reveal very well, and it felt like an earned ending.

The characters — all of them — are really enjoyable to read about, but I was particularly won over by Signa and Death. Death (as he ought to be) is utterly charming, while Signa’s determination to stick to her convictions even as things crumble around her, made her a likeable and compelling protagonist.

BELLADONNA ends with a set-up for a sequel, and I liked Signa (and Grace’s writing) well enough it’ll definitely be one I’ll look out for, but I think this book could be read entirely as a standalone if that was more your style

Belladonna is a delightfully gothic Murder mystery!

In the first chapter, we’re introduced to a girl who cannot die. From the start it’s clear this book isn’t going to shy away from darker themes. Death is a constant presence, and I’m not just speaking figuratively! Death is a physical character and the love interest for main character, Signa.

I’m in two minds about the relationship between Death and Signa. Death is certainly charming and I loved that it’s a play on Death and the Maiden. In this case, Death met and watched Signa as a child and, as I hadn’t read the synopsis going in, I was really expecting him to become a mentor/father figure to Signa. When things turned romantic between them, it almost felt like Death had been grooming Signa which made me initially quite uncomfortable..

I much preferred the relationship Signa builds with her cousin Blythe, who is such a strong character even though she spends most her time in bed.

With a period setting and haunted house, this book is incredibly spooky and atmospheric. There’s paranormal activity and a murder mystery which raises the stakes. I did think the book is a bit longer than it needed to be and the intensity dipped a little in the middle but I was pulled right back in by the end. There are so many twists in the final few chapters, some were more surprising to me than others, but it’s a very satisfying conclusion to the book. That said, everything is set up perfectly for the second book and I’m looking forward to finding out how things work out between Death and Signa.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this book. So easy to read. The writing style was great and so easy to get lost in. Loved the twist, you keep guessing who done it the whole way through the book. The relationship between death and signa is built up brilliantly and can't wait to read the next one!

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.

as some one who grew up on mystery books and then found fantasy i was looking forward to this book mixing the two.
you cant get distracted when reading this book as there is so much going on and at times i felt as though i need to re-read pages to make sure i kept up with the story line. sadly it gets cliche in places and you start to guess what is going to happen next, but over all a good holiday book, hopefully the sequel will be better

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!