Isabelle Reneé Reads's Reviews > Belladonna

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I say I had high expectations for this book, know that they were absolutely ASTRONOMICAL. When I read that delicious premise, felt that Gothic vibe, and saw that enemies-to-lovers trope, this darling became one of my most anticipated reads of 2022.

Fortunately, my dearest reader friends, this book LIVED up to the hype.

CUE THE CELEBRATIONS BECAUSE THAT LITERALLY NEVER HAPPENS AND NOW I HAVE A NEW FAVORITE BOOK 🥳🎉💕

ok allow me to elaborate.

the premise

Signa Farrow is a nineteen-year-old orphan, cursed with the ability to see both dead souls and Death himself. Her eyes are mismatched (one blue, one gold), and she has an inability to die. She also seems to have a rather deadly sort of luck: every single one of her five guardians has died in the most random circumstances. Sure, nearly all of them were abusive and greedily seeking the vast fortune Signa’s parents left her, but the public doesn't see it that way. Signa has been labelled a demon and a social outcast, shunned for her odd eyes and the trail of dead bodies behind her.

The only one that truly sees her, ironically enough, is Death himself. She’s seen the grim reaper at varying intervals throughout her life, most often when he comes for the souls of her guardians. She’s talked with him before, but she can't help but hate him. He's taken so much away from her: first her parents, and then all five of her guardians, leaving her constantly searching for a real family and a place to call home.

The book opens as Signa is being shipped off to the mansion of her distant cousins (the Hawthornes) after the death of her fifth guardian. While apprehensive, she can't help but feel a sort of excitement. With a whole family here this time, will she finally experience what life is like with a real home?

However, while not unwelcoming, the Hawthornes themselves are under severe duress. The Hawthorne mother (Signa's aunt) died last year from a gruesome, incurable disease, and the whole family is still grieving. There’s tension between the son, father, and uncle over the fate of the Hawthorne family business. With Signa’s sickly cousin constantly swerving towards death, Signa is seeing Death more frequently than ever before. And slowly, Signa is beginning to suspect foul play in her cousin's sickness, as well as in the untimely death of her aunt.

the plot

OHHHHHH MYYYYY GOSHHHH.
THIS.
THIS BOOK.
THIS BOOK IS AN ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE AND I ADORED IT SO SO MUCH 😭❤️❤️

First off, the writing. Adalyn Grace’s writing style is pleasantly smooth and easy to read without affecting her lush worldbuilding (of which there was just the most perfect amount).

I also loved the whole Gothic vibe and the mystery that Signa was trying to solve with Death the entire book. My one complaint would probably be that the pacing was a tad irregular, with some scenes and plotlines happening much quicker than others, but overall, this didn't hurt the beautiful experience.

oh, and you definitely won't see the plot twist at the end coming. it's amazing 🤩

the characters

OK WE’RE DONE WITH THE SEMI-DEEP ANALYSIS BECAUSE THIS WILL BE BY FAR THE MOST EMOTIONS-BASED PART OF MY REVIEW.

Signa Farrow is, put simply, AMAZING. She’s mastered how to hide her curse and how to use it for her own gains. This girl is smart and practical and I LOVE HER SM YOU GO GIRLIE.

For having such a grim name, Death was actually such a cinnamon bun (I KNOW RIGHT I WAS SO SHOOKETH). He’s totally morally grey and made definitely questionable decisions, but as my questionable taste in fictional men can attest, I was absolutely hooked with him from his first appearance.

And the romance between Signa and Death?
PLEASEEEEEEEEE IT WAS SO CUTEEEEEEE. he cares so much for her, and he’s done everything he can to protect her from those who hurt her 😭😭

now, I get some might feel a little weirded out because he’s immortal and you know, ✨age gap✨, but DO give them a chance. he’s so sweet and respectful to her, and there’s a plot twist that makes it much less weird (don't worry, I won't spoil that ;)

The side characters, especially those with the last name Hawthorne, were well-fleshed out and actually contributed much more than i thought they would to the mystery plotline. this book wasn't just a romance, and i really appreciated that ❤️

anyways, that’s all i got. thoughts in closing: PLEASE PLEASE READ THIS GORGEOUS MASTERPIECE OF A BOOK ITS GOTHIC AND MYSTERIOUS AND ROMANTIC AND FANTASTICAL AND YOU WILL LOVE IT SM ITS MY NEW FAVORITE BOOK

so basically, go read it 😘



Ratings:
Star Rating: ★★★★★
If This Book Was a Movie Rating: PG-13

Recommendations If You Liked This Book:
Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen
The Darkening by Sunya Mara