Belladonna: bestselling gothic fantasy romance

Product Information

Slowly she realizes mysterious things about her life: She talks with the spirits, seeing ghosts and she also realizes she cannot kill herself. Each time she pops several belladonnas into her mouth, she feels the shivering feeling as a sign of death’s approaching. It’s a culmination of the last couple of years—as well as the last couple of months for me, personally—that’s led to me being drawn to books hyperfocused on death. You don’t need to look far lately to find books with themes on grief, death, and horror, especially in the YA genre. There’s a boom happening here with standouts across all genres, and Adalyn Grace’s Belladonna is an enticing romantic gothic fantasy that carves out its own space among the macabre. I also really liked the side characters too, especially the Hawthornes. They were so well fleshed out and I loved how they reacted to Signa and interacted with her.

This book surprised me. I really didn't know much about it going in. My initial attraction was the cover, followed by Adalyn Grace's name on said gorgeous cover. she was just so special. i honestly adore her so much😭😭 the only reason i want to read Wisteria (book three) is because it’s HER story. i will finally be able to really dig deep into her psyche and she’ll get the spotlight she deserves. We get it, the author likes her men tall. Funnily enough she also likes her women as tiny things. Dainty. Petite. The perfect counterpart to all the men being hunks (or sorry, tree trunks). Honorary ridiculous writing mention for “Her hair was pale as butter” It's also never a fun read when characters you've grown fond of and are expecting to see more of are suddenly relegated to the sidelines as supporting characters. I never fathomed that Blythe would become a major player in the narrative and when she did, I found myself rather annoyed by her perspective. I understand that she was a vital player in what was to unfold in this story, but it felt like it dominated too much importance; and honestly, that bored me.Signa and her cousin Blythe are certain that Fate can save Elijah Hawthorne from prison if they will entertain his presence. But the more time the girls spend with Fate, the more frightening their reality becomes as Signa exhibits dramatic new powers that link her to Fate's past. With mysteries and danger around every corner, the cousins must decide if they can trust one another as they navigate their futures in high society, unravel the murders that haunt their family, and play Fate's unexpected games-all with their destinies hanging in the balance. She’d been wrong to fear change—wrong to fear Foxglove, for it was the perfect canvas. A strange, misunderstood place she could explore to her heart’s content.” The other aspect of this story that can’t go without discussion is the fantasy element. Sigma can see Death, and she also begins to realize early on that when she’s in the space between the living and the dead, she also has his powers. This realization comes at the beginning of the book and is one of the many puzzle pieces that come together to give us a gripping finale. At two thirds through the book, the characters think they have solved the mystery and will save Blythe. As a reader with a chunk of book left in front of us, we know that can’t possibly be the case, and the spiral that comes through the rest of the story is tough to put down. As Sigma grows into her powers and becomes closer to Death than she ever thought possible, the story becomes more addictive. So, am I awaiting with bated breath for the sequel to this trilogy? Unfortunately, no. As enticing as it may sound, it does not feel like it's Signa and Death's story any more - the two characters that really made the first book shine.

BLYTHE! I did not expect her to have her own POV in these books or for her to basically be a second main character with Signa and I can't say I loved it. She takes up entirely too much of the story and it felt more about her than Signa and Death and I really don't care about her. She's fine but I am not here for her, she's not why I fell in love with these books or who I want to read about but unfortunately that's what we got. I will say that she grew on me by the end and I am a little more invested now than when I started the book but I still really only care about Signa and Death.Have you always been a bit too into the grim reaper? Worryingly so? Would you kiss him if tempted? Touch? Fu-... sorry, got a bit lost in a personal fantasy there haha.

Going away from the romance because I'm growing repetitive in my love for it, I also really liked the family relationships and bonding in this. Signa fit in so well with the Hawthornes and I loved how they viewed her as close family and took her in so lovingly. I can't wait to see them even more. OH AND ALSO THE MYSTERY OF THE MURDERER??? i guessed one part of it but the other I DID NOT SEE COMING AT ALL. it was so unexpected i truly wouldve never guessed that part of it. ahem anyways signa and blythe's relationship was so beautifully written best cousins dynamic !! the love they have for each other considering one another as sisters was so sweet my heart was filled with sm joy reading those scenes🥺🥺🥺

then Signa and Death go: “wow, i can’t believe Signa just did that!! how crazy!! wow, look at those bizarre powers!! it’s Signa!!” This book just has a way of captivating you, like I didn't read this in one sitting and didn't really have an inclination to do so until I actually sat down and read it when I had a lot of time on my hands, and I couldn't tear myself away.