headinthepages's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I usually struggle with the pacing that often comes with a historical/gothic fiction but this was absolutely brilliant.
I was engaged in the story as soon as I started reading and found the style of writing, characters & dialogue particularly good.
I loved the plot and was very much along for the ride. I loved Death as a character and can’t wait to find out what happens in Foxglove!
I was engaged in the story as soon as I started reading and found the style of writing, characters & dialogue particularly good.
I loved the plot and was very much along for the ride. I loved Death as a character and can’t wait to find out what happens in Foxglove!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Death, Injury/injury detail, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Vomit, Abandonment, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Infertility, Alcoholism, Medical content, Miscarriage, Blood, Grief, Gore, Child death, and Infidelity
scrubsandbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this far more than I had expected! I love reading a story in which Death is personified and throughout a great deal of the book, I had expectations that would have put the rating lower, including a pretty annoying book trope. But nothing was what I predicted, even when I thought I was starting to piece the puzzles together and the ending was an absolute surprise. I went into this book mostly blind, having skimmed the blurb very briefly and I was drawn in by the murder mystery aspect, definitely not what I was expecting when I initially started the book. And despite there being a romance in this, I felt like a greater deal of importance was placed on the MC's love for her newfound family, and that is always more of a delight to read over romance, at least for me. I will certainly be picking up the sequel when it comes out this August!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Death, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Physical abuse
nebraskanwriter's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This was one of my most anticipated releases for the year and I’m bummed I didn’t like it as much as I had hoped!
I am not really a fan of horror and the part of the book where Lily’s spirit looks like Scarlet Witch when she comes out of the gong in Dr. Strange’s Multiverse of Madness movie, limbs cracking/moving in odd angles and her mouth gaping open with blood and sores, was a little bit too horrific/graphic for me. It was so strange because that scene was creepy/scary but then the rest of the book did not keep with that tone. That scene just tonally felt so off for me and just came out of nowhere. Then the story goes back to a campy, Clue-like mystery with the dark-brooding Death love interest. It just felt very odd/out of place for me.
Also, I feel like Death and Signa’s love/relationship did not feel very fleshed out for me. It was giving very Edward and Bella. Death tells Signa “I’ve waited forever for you.” He’s literally a deity and Signa is a 19 year old girl. The whole thing just felt very strange and rushed. Like okay your cousins are dropping like flies but you need to make out with Death in a garden, okie doke.
Also Death meets Signa when she was a literal baby when everyone at this party dies, including her parents, but Signa does not. It’s giving Jacob and Renesme? Like Death knew he was going to wait until Signa was “of age” for him to have her even though he’s been watching over her since she was a literal baby. Through out the book, Death kind of deceives Signa and lies to her. Okay she can see dead people like he can but other then that, why should they be together?
I know this was Adalyn Grace’s first kind of time dipping her toe into more adult content, which I think is awesome, good for her. However, this book was just an odd mix of adult themes/scenes with the characters still being very YA in their development and lack of personality.
I am not really a fan of horror and the part of the book where Lily’s spirit looks like Scarlet Witch when she comes out of the gong in Dr. Strange’s Multiverse of Madness movie, limbs cracking/moving in odd angles and her mouth gaping open with blood and sores, was a little bit too horrific/graphic for me. It was so strange because that scene was creepy/scary but then the rest of the book did not keep with that tone. That scene just tonally felt so off for me and just came out of nowhere. Then the story goes back to a campy, Clue-like mystery with the dark-brooding Death love interest. It just felt very odd/out of place for me.
Also, I feel like Death and Signa’s love/relationship did not feel very fleshed out for me. It was giving very Edward and Bella. Death tells Signa “I’ve waited forever for you.” He’s literally a deity and Signa is a 19 year old girl. The whole thing just felt very strange and rushed. Like okay your cousins are dropping like flies but you need to make out with Death in a garden, okie doke.
Also Death meets Signa when she was a literal baby when everyone at this party dies, including her parents, but Signa does not. It’s giving Jacob and Renesme? Like Death knew he was going to wait until Signa was “of age” for him to have her even though he’s been watching over her since she was a literal baby. Through out the book, Death kind of deceives Signa and lies to her. Okay she can see dead people like he can but other then that, why should they be together?
I know this was Adalyn Grace’s first kind of time dipping her toe into more adult content, which I think is awesome, good for her. However, this book was just an odd mix of adult themes/scenes with the characters still being very YA in their development and lack of personality.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Body horror, Medical trauma, Grief, Violence, Vomit, Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Gore, Injury/injury detail, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexism, Medical content, Abandonment, Bullying, Murder, Addiction, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Infidelity
soniajoy98's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Alcohol, Vomit, Body horror, Death of parent, Misogyny, Chronic illness, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Eating disorder
Minor: Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Infidelity, and Alcoholism
jmacminn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Thank you to Netgalley, Hachette Audio, and Little Brown Young Readers for the advanced copy for my honest review
This was such a pleasure to listen to that I finished it in one day. A murder mystery wrapped into a Hades and Persephone retelling that had me guessing at every turn.
Signa Farrow is an orphan who is cursed by Death. Since her parents death every guardian who has taken her in has died, however, Signa herself cannot die. She knows this because she has met death multiple times, whether by a fall of the stairs or by Belladonna, and each time he does not take her to the next realm.
When her most recent guardian is killed Signa is sent to live with the Hawthorne family who are grieving the loss of their Matriarch. When the spirit of Lillian comes to Signa to tell her there was foul play, Signa must find out who killed Lillian in order to save Blythe who is consumed by the same "illness" as her mother.
I loved the "not like other girls" trope that was turned on its head in this story. Signa was so desperate to try to fit into society like her mother had before her, and her struggle to be accepted in polite society while it goes against her whole personality is a great twist. I also loved the genuine female connection in this story, there was just enough tension that the struggle of this time wasn't glossed over but Blythe and Signa's relationship was great to read.
TLDR: Similar to a Pride and Prejuidice retelling, Hades and Persephone retellings have my heart and this was an extremely fun one to listen to and I will absolutely be going out to be a copy of both this book.
This was such a pleasure to listen to that I finished it in one day. A murder mystery wrapped into a Hades and Persephone retelling that had me guessing at every turn.
Signa Farrow is an orphan who is cursed by Death. Since her parents death every guardian who has taken her in has died, however, Signa herself cannot die. She knows this because she has met death multiple times, whether by a fall of the stairs or by Belladonna, and each time he does not take her to the next realm.
When her most recent guardian is killed Signa is sent to live with the Hawthorne family who are grieving the loss of their Matriarch. When the spirit of Lillian comes to Signa to tell her there was foul play, Signa must find out who killed Lillian in order to save Blythe who is consumed by the same "illness" as her mother.
I loved the "not like other girls" trope that was turned on its head in this story. Signa was so desperate to try to fit into society like her mother had before her, and her struggle to be accepted in polite society while it goes against her whole personality is a great twist. I also loved the genuine female connection in this story, there was just enough tension that the struggle of this time wasn't glossed over but Blythe and Signa's relationship was great to read.
TLDR: Similar to a Pride and Prejuidice retelling, Hades and Persephone retellings have my heart and this was an extremely fun one to listen to and I will absolutely be going out to be a copy of both this book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Terminal illness, Murder, Infidelity, Death of parent, Death, and Alcohol
bookishflower's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
- Light enemies-to-lovers
- Atmospheric gothic fantasy
- mystery solving
- murder
- ghosts
Thank you Hodder and Stoughton, and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!
Signa Farrow has been surrounded by Death her whole life. With her string of guardians all meeting untimely ends, Signa is determined to not let Death ruin her fresh start with her cousins at the mysterious Thorn Grove. But when her aunt's ghost tells her she was murdered and her daughter is next, it's up to Signa, Sylas the infuriating stable boy, and her sworn enemy Death himself to help stop the murderer before it's too late.
'Belladonna' was one of my most anticipated releases of 2022 and it did not disappoint! This is the perfect mix of fantasy, romance, mystery and the gothic! If you looking for a book that feels like a Hozier song, look no further. (It also needs to be said that this is one of the most beautiful book covers I've ever seen!).
I adored the writing style and how Signa as a character develops and comes into her own with her powers and sense of self. Death was mysterious, alluring and the sarcastic love interest of your dreams. I have never been more excited for my theories to be right than I was when I got to that bit! Signa and Death balance each other out perfectly- the banter, reluctant allies, consent, and encouragement?!!! I can't wait for 'Foxglove' and that cliffhanger was evil- I loved it!
- Atmospheric gothic fantasy
- mystery solving
- murder
- ghosts
Thank you Hodder and Stoughton, and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!
Signa Farrow has been surrounded by Death her whole life. With her string of guardians all meeting untimely ends, Signa is determined to not let Death ruin her fresh start with her cousins at the mysterious Thorn Grove. But when her aunt's ghost tells her she was murdered and her daughter is next, it's up to Signa, Sylas the infuriating stable boy, and her sworn enemy Death himself to help stop the murderer before it's too late.
'Belladonna' was one of my most anticipated releases of 2022 and it did not disappoint! This is the perfect mix of fantasy, romance, mystery and the gothic! If you looking for a book that feels like a Hozier song, look no further. (It also needs to be said that this is one of the most beautiful book covers I've ever seen!).
I adored the writing style and how Signa as a character develops and comes into her own with her powers and sense of self. Death was mysterious, alluring and the sarcastic love interest of your dreams. I have never been more excited for my theories to be right than I was when I got to that bit! Signa and Death balance each other out perfectly- the banter, reluctant allies, consent, and encouragement?!!! I can't wait for 'Foxglove' and that cliffhanger was evil- I loved it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Grief, Murder, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Classism, Physical abuse, Sexism, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Injury/injury detail, and Vomit
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