Belladonna - Adalyn Grace

Overall Rating 5/5 stars

These are now one of my favourite books, even though I haven’t read the other two in the series, with the fourth book on the horizon. From the moment I started reading, I was completely captivated by the story and characters.

The narrative centres around Signa, a girl who defies death and harbours a deep resentment for him due to the constant presence of death in her life. An orphan, she finds herself moving from one home to another, as every family she joins ultimately meets a tragic end. Signa believes that death is sabotaging her life and those around her. All she needs to do is hold on until she turns 20, at which point she will inherit her fortune and escape the need to live with anyone else.

The last home she is taken into belongs to her Uncle Elijah, a man of wealth and influence. Determined to not let death spoil this opportunity, Signa sets out from her previous unfortunate living situation. As she begins her journey to Thorn Grove, she meets Sylas, the stable boy, who assists her along the way. He plays a big part in her life while living at Thorn Grove and their feelings for each other only grow.

As tragedy unfolds once more, Signa's cousin Blythe falls victim to the same mysterious illness that afflicted her aunt Lillian, leaving the doctors baffled. Yet, Signa alone understands the nature of the illness and possesses the knowledge of its cure. But is this illness genuinely what it seems, or is there a more sinister force at work? Who among the residents of the estate could be behind it? Are their motives driven by greed, financial gain, or something far more malevolent?When selecting a book, I focus on three essential factors: first and foremost, the cover. This is often my primary standard, and I have yet to regret this approach. Next, I examine the blurb, as I need to ensure that the storyline appeals to me. Lastly, I take a glance at previous reviews to identify any tropes I might dislike or themes that could detract from the book's quality.

This particular book caught my eye solely because of its cover; I had no idea what the story entailed. My love for all things floral and botanical led me to assume it revolved around that theme. To my delight, it encompassed so much more! The narrative included a murder mystery (my absolute favourite) along with elements of botany and apothecary. Additionally, there was a love story featuring the grim reaper, which I didn’t even know I needed. The inclusion of the enemies-to-lovers trope, which happens to be my favourite, made the book even more Chef’s kiss.

I have a love for whimsical romances, and the portrayal of a relationship with death was executed beautifully. The romance was perfectly balanced, avoiding overly graphic scenes (Don’t get me wrong, I love smut, but in romance books, just not in books where smut is not the priority) while still tastefully incorporating some spice. The setting felt reminiscent of the high society era, complete with lords and ladies, yet it cleverly introduced a modern woman’s perspective. The author crafted a strong and independent female protagonist, Signa, without falling into the trap of making her irritating, a common pitfall in many stories. I truly admired her character. The entire narrative was exquisitely written, and Adalyn Grace has built a captivating world filled with enchanting characters.

This is a book that has completely engrossed me with its goth-infused dark romance masterpiece with poisonous mysteries to keep you guessing until the very end, and I relished every moment of it. I can’t wait to dive into the second book!