Title: Belladonna
Author: Adalyn Grace
Publisher: Hodderscape
Published Date: 22nd June 2023
Page Count: 432
ISBN: 978-1529367263
Price: £8.99
Reviewer: Gwendoline SK Terry (30th August 2023)
Blurb
For as long as Signa Farrow has been alive, the people in her life have fallen like stars . . .
Orphaned as a baby, nineteen-year-old Signa has been raised by a string of guardians, each more interested in her wealth than her wellbeing – 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.
Signa’s best chance of uncovering the murderer, though, 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.
From New York Times bestselling author Adalyn Grace, Belladonna brings to life a highly romantic, gothic-infused world of wealth, desire, and betrayal.
Review – may contain spoilers!
Set on a luscious Victorian backdrop, Belladonna is a gorgeous gothic YA novel filled with rich description, mystery, intrigue, and romance. There were so many moments throughout reading this book that my arms flooded with goosebumps or I physically shivered from the creepiness, especially the scenes with Lillian. There was so much sumptuous imagery throughout the novel that, rather than just reading the words on the page, I could almost see it playing out inside my mind.
Also, I want to draw attention to the gorgeous names throughout the book – Signa Farrow, Magda (she was a horrible woman, but what a great name!), Sylas Thorly, Rima – such great names!
I fell in love with Sylas the moment Signa met him. Throughout the book, I could not decide who I loved more – Sylas or Death [- so the twist at the end was a relief as much as a surprise. As much as I adored him, I was suspicious of Sylas quickly. For the longest time, I was terrified that Sylas was the killer, and for a brief moment, I also thought he might’ve been Marjorie and Elijah’s lovechild. I was so glad when his true identity was revealed].
Admittedly, there was a moment halfway through the book when I realised who the killer was, but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book.
The two love scenes in the book were gorgeous, though the first was possibly a little racy for a YA.
I would’ve liked to have sat down and read Belladonna all in one go, but unfortunately, life kept interrupting me which is the only reason it took me almost three weeks to read it. The final third of the book was so gripping that I promptly finished it in one sitting. All in all, I loved this book, it was incredible, and I am eager to consume the rest of the novels in this series, and Adalyn Grace’s All The Stars and Teeth series.
gwensalir 