Welcome to my Belladonna review!
August really did slip away like a moment in time. I can’t believe it’s almost September. The weather is getting warmer here in South Africa and I already hate it. Luckily, I have some amazing books to keep me occupied. Today I’m chatting to you about a new favourite; Belladonna by Adalyn Grace.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches!
Quick Synopsis
New York Times bestselling author Adalyn Grace brings to life a highly romantic, Gothic-infused world of wealth, desire, and betrayal.
About Belladonna
Title: Belladonna
Author: Adalyn Grace
Rating: 5 Stars
CAWPILE: 9,2/10
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Content Warnings: Death, poison, murder, gore
Format: ALC
Publisher: Little, Brown for Young Readers
Date Published: 30 August 2022
Goodreads Description: 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.
I received a review copy from Netgalley. All thoughts are my own.
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Belladonna Review
Characters – 10/10
Signa Farrow is definitely a character that will stay with me for a long time. She’s expertly written and feels so real. She’s not had an easy life, and she wants nothing more than to be part of society. She soon learns that it’s not all that. I love how confident she became as she grew into her powers, and the person she’s meant to be. I also seriously hope that we get to see more of Blythe in the second book.
Death is also a new favourite. With a voice that silky smooth, how can anyone resist him? He’s a fascinating character, and here’s to seeing more of him in the second book as well.
Atmosphere – 10/10
I need to gush about the audiobook narrator real quick, because she does a fantastic job of creating the atmosphere for this book. Yes, Grace’s writing is stunning, but the narrator brings it to life in such a unique way. I was wholly sucked in.
The overall atmosphere of the book was just the right amount of spooky. Grace did an excellent job of capturing the gothic air of the time period. The vibes in this book are on point.
Writing – 9/10
I’ve always said that my favourite writing style is simple, yet elegant. That’s exactly what Belladonna is. The writing isn’t flowery, but it still packs a punch when needed. There are some amazing lines in this book, I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy so that I can annotate it.
Plot – 9/10
The murder mystery kept me guessing, even though I had my suspicions from the start. Events kept happening that threw me off, and I very much enjoyed sleuthing around with Signa. The plot moves at a perfect pace, I was never bored and always intrigued.
Intrigue – 9/10
We have multiple conflicts in this book, but the main one is between Signa and herself. I enjoyed her journey of self-discovery, and how she’s allowed to grow and change her mind. Her relationship with Death is also fascinating, and I hope we get more in the sequel. As for the mystery, well, no spoilers, but it was brilliant.
Logic – 9/10
I like a hard magic system with clearly defined rules, and I’m so happy this book has one. When you think of concepts such as death personified, the “magic” surrounding it can be a bit iffy. Belladonna has clear rules and limits, and I hope Signa breaks them in the second book.
Enjoyment – 9/10
Belladonna surpassed my expectations. I’m so glad I requested this. I went in knowing nothing and I came out with a new favourite.
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The journal page is just beautiful! I’m very much a beginner with bujos and reading journals. I’ve been considering a “blackout” journal. What is your opinion of black paper pages vs. the usual pages or kraft paper?
Thanks for this review of Belladonna. I was on the fence about it, but I think I’m going to add it to my never-ending TBR pile.
Personally, I love the black paper, but it has some limits. Some stickers don’t look as good. So if you’re just starting out, I recommend just a normal bullet journal.
Great review! I’ve been wanting to read this one, but couldn’t find the time. Now that you mention the audiobook is excellent, I’m definitely going to give it a try!