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Belladonna (Belladonna, #1)

Adalyn Grace

Start date: September 1, 2023

Finish date: September 30, 2023

Discussion: Book of the Month

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What Members Thought

Oct 15, 2024 Ari ☾ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: owned, cover-love, fantasy, fantasy-romance, 2024-reads, favorites

5 Stars (wish I could give it more)

"Stop worrying about society and playing its game, hoping that you'll be good enough."

What an amazing book! Adalyn Grace did a fantastic job of creating a gothic atmosphere and crafting a truly gripping mystery that had me guessing the entire time. Anytime I had to put the book down ruined my day. I just wanted to stay wrapped in this beautiful world Adalyn Grace created.

Signa was a pleasure to read about. I loved her personality, and how curious she was. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Apr 08, 2024 Sibil rated it really liked it

3.5 stars

I have to confess a thing: the main reason I read this book was... *drum rolls* because it is beautiful. Mind me, I was curious because I have heard some interesting things about it, that's true, but I wasn't 100% sure about it. Then I went to the bookshop and it was there, waiting for me. Whit painted edges and the dark and floreal cover winking at me. And I am weak. So so weak. So home with me, it came!
And I have to say that this book is quite beautiful on the inside. Let me be clear 3.5 stars

I have to confess a thing: the main reason I read this book was... *drum rolls* because it is beautiful. Mind me, I was curious because I have heard some interesting things about it, that's true, but I wasn't 100% sure about it. Then I went to the bookshop and it was there, waiting for me. Whit painted edges and the dark and floreal cover winking at me. And I am weak. So so weak. So home with me, it came!
And I have to say that this book is quite beautiful on the inside. Let me be clear, I enjoyed it but I am not crazy about it. And the beginning was not the best ever, I had some problems with the MC, but the writing is beautiful. The prose is not purple, but it gets in the neighborhood often enough, and the descriptions are, to simply put it, beautiful. I am not always the biggest fan of descriptions because I am not a visual person, I can't visualize in my mind so when they go overboard are just a tad wasted on me. But this was not the case. There are a lot of things to appreciate in the book, that's true, but this was my favorite!

This is mostly a YA, even if it is a tad too spicy to be full YA (or so I think, I always thought that sex scenes weren't included, but this just can be me, and I am not complaining, mind me, just saying), and in the beginning I wasn't really in Signa's fan club. She is not bad, but she starts off like pretty... stupid, I guess. That's not her main trait, lucky us, and she has good qualities, but her relationship with Death, in the beginning, was quite mixed up and she did some stupid things, at least in my opinion. But they are quite in character, and they are plausible for a girl of that age. The fact that they are plausible meant that the author is not at fault, sure, but I don't have to enjoy it. So the beginning wasn't the best for me. I never thought about DNF it, so it wasn't so bad, but I wasn't sold on it. And I was expecting a mediocre reading.
But then things changed, mainly because Signa started to become her own person, and even if she is not my favorite and it wouldn't really stay with me for a long time, I started to enjoy her company, and the plot was interesting enough. I didn't see the twist coming. I got part of it, and I was feeling quite satisfied with myself, but on the other half I was so wrong! And I enjoyed it!

I also enjoyed Death. He is an interesting character, and I am quite relieved because there are books out there that managed to make Death a plain character. And this thing blow my mind, because how can you?? You really need to put some effort into it, because Death is intriguing by default. It's a concept, for fuck sake, how can you make it boring? Or plain?? Anyway, this was not the case. Truth be told, I would have liked for more complexity and a tad more show time, but still, he was intriguing and I enjoyed the time we spend with him.
And the family at Thorn Grove? They all were amazing! They have problems, that's true, and they are not the sanest of the sane but... they are still great! And I loved that in the end, we have a nice family in a YA (or similar enough) book! I won't say more because it would be a shame if I'll spoiler anything but I really enjoyed the family, even if it took some time.

I also thought that this was a standalone, but reading the ending it was pretty clear that this was not the case, luckily I wasn't annoyed by my misunderstanding. I was pretty happy because, even if this won't become one of my favorites, I had a really good time with it, and I am looking forward to the sequel (and I just discovered that it was published last year so... I don't have to wait!) (Okay, I was lying, it's obvious that I will have to wait, because I don't binge read, and I am constantly distracted by some shiny book so it would be at least months before I'll read the next one, and me being me, I am just bad with series. It's like a trademark or something like that. But still... I can read the next one whenever I want!).
...more

1 like · Like · see review

Apr 20, 2022 Aly rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance, 2022, netgalley, ya, fantasy, mystery

4.5 stars

Ah this was so good! The plot was engaging, unique, and draws you in immediately. The mystery kept me guessing until the end and Signa was a fun character to follow. A girl who can't die and has a love/hate relationship with Death will definitely grab your attention.

Signa has been through a lot in her twenty years and experienced more loss than most. When she gets a chance to be with family at Hawthorne, she thinks this may be her chance to make some connections and have people who car ...more

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Feb 14, 2023 Leslie Baker rated it it was amazing

It started off with Secret Garden vibes then turned into something much more mysterious and sensual. Shadow daddy Death can come whisper in my ear any time he likes…

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Oct 25, 2024 Alicia DiPippa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

It’s official. I’m obsessed with Gothic romances now. This book has everything you want with all the dark mystery (it kept me questioning everything), the romance, dark moody atmospheric victorian era. Honestly, this book kept me intrigued the whole time. My shadow daddy Death, you use your words so perfectly, and your voice is divine (you have to listen to the audiobook, trust me). Kid you not the ending made my jaw hit the floor. Starting the second book immediately, I can’t get enough!

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