Review: Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

Series: Belladonna #1
Published by Little Brown for Young Readers on August 2022
Genres: Young Adult
Pages: 416
Format: eBook
Source: Publisher
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Orphaned as a baby, nineteen-year-old Signa has been raised by a string of guardians, each more interested in her wealth than her well-being—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. Its patriarch mourns his late wife through wild parties, while his son grapples for control of 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 realizes that the family she depends on could be in grave danger and enlists the help of a surly stable boy to hunt down the killer.

However, Signa’s best chance of uncovering the murderer is an alliance with Death himself, a fascinating, dangerous shadow who has never been far from her side. Though he’s made her life a living hell, Death shows Signa that their growing connection may be more powerful—and more irresistible—than she ever dared imagine.

What a dark rollercoaster, I loved it.

Belladonna, Belladonna, Belladonna. Where have you been??

I love the dark gothic quality of this YA novel, weaving in so many wonderful characters. I guessed a couple of things (YES!! AMAZING!!!) and some other things I had no idea. The ending is incredibly satisfying and it leaves it open and cliffhanger-y, but still feeling wrapped up. 

Signa is the heroine we needed. I love how she wants to be a part of something. All of her life she was on the outside, mostly unloved or loved for the wrong reasons (her fortune). I love that she really desired to fit in, she really wanted friends, she really wanted a home and a family. And when those things didn’t work out, she grew stronger and became, more herself, realizing who she is and what is most important to her. I love that she changed so much in the book and her journey was very satisfying.

Death is… well, sorry but kinda dreamy. I’ll admit at first I was a little taken aback. He sounded almost too human with his humor and phrases, but as the book went on, I liked him more. His personality came through and it didn’t bother me anymore. 

And there’s the stable boy and her cousin Percy and …. I don’t want to go into it but every character was well drawn and intriguing. The supporting cast really did help bring depth to the world, and added an intense layer of urgency and dread.

The action really began once Signa arrived at Thorn Grove, but I’ll admit that I was glued to the page even after the Prologue. What a way to start a book. And as Signa finally arrives at Thorn Grove, I was already invested in her character and her relationship with death and ghosts. Adding this new family and new secrets really kept the plot moving.

That said, it wasn’t a page turner and I loved that. It was slow and dark and had more mystery to it. The tone was perfect, balancing between a murder mystery and paranormal love story that never got too submerged in either.

I cannot wait till the sequel!