NOVEL REVIEW: BELLADONNA BY ADALYN GRACE
Eiyo Fadneiras,
I'm back! Now is the right time to share my review of a gothic romantasy novel I read in late September. This novel is a good read for the Halloween season. And October is a spooky month. Hehehe ^_^
The novel I'm going to review is Belladonna. Belladonna is written by New York Times Bestselling author, Adalyn Grace. Let's begin this review with Adalyn Grace's bio.
ABOUT ADALYN GRACE
Adalyn Grace is an American author of fantasy novels. She is from San Diego. Before becoming an author, Grace worked in a theater. She was also an intern at Nickelodeon and studied storytelling for the production's popular animation series, The Legend of Korra.
Most of her novels are listed as a New York Times Bestseller. Her first novel, All The Stars And Teeth, and its sequel, All The Tides Of Fate are named 2020's Biggest YA Fantasy by Entertainment Weekly. Besides writing, this imaginative young author also loves watching anime and playing video games. Anime and video games are her inspirations.
ABOUT BELLADONNA
Belladonna is the first novel in the Belladonna trilogy. The story follows a dark-haired maiden named Signa Farrow. Signa had been an orphan since she was a little baby. Signa was raised by a string of guardians. They were also her relatives.
All of Signa's guardians were only interested in her wealth more than her well-being, except for her grandmother. All of Signa's guardians did not last long. They all end up in a tragic sudden death. Therefore, Signa believed she was cursed. She was not happy with Death, a reaper who always appeared every time there was death.
After Aunt Magda died, Signa moved to Thorne Grove to live with her eccentric relatives, the Hawthornes. The Hawthornes were her only relatives that remained. They were also different from Signa's previous guardians. Signa started to like the Hawthornes. But the family also had a dark secret.
Signa's uncle, Elijah Hawthorne once had a beautiful wife named Lillian. Lillian died due to illness. Her ghost still roamed the earth and she always appeared in Signa's dreams. Later, Signa found out that Lillian did not die of illness. She was poisoned and murdered. And now the person who killed Lillian is after her daughter, Blythe. Lillian wanted Signa to save Blythe since she has a special ability.
Besides a mystery murder to solve, Signa also discovered her destiny with Death. Uuuhhh... it's interesting. But I'm not going to share it here. You need to read Belladonna to know. Hehehe ^_^ And btw, who killed Lillian Hawthorne? And why did the person kill Lillian? You can only find out if you read Belladonna...
MY REVIEW OF BELLADONNA
Firstly, I have to admit that Belladonna is one of the best novels I've read this year. I love everything about it: the plot, storyline, premise, concept, writing style, characters, world-building, and scene settings. This novel is so mesmerizing. It gives me The Phantom Of The Opera, The Secret Garden, and Hotel Del Luna deja vu. Oh yeah... Belladonna also gives me Orakel Dewata deja vu since Signa's horse is named Mithra. Hehehe ^_^
I like that the world-building of Belladonna is inspired by the Victorian era in England. As a lover of historical fiction, I always find the Victorian era fascinating. Oh wow!!! I really wish Belladonna would be adapted into a movie or a TV series one day. I'm sure it will be amazing.
This novel is also chic. All characters in Belladonna are fashionable and trendy. They all have their own identity. The author also features some ballroom scenes in Belladonna. All ballroom scenes in Belladonna are very chic. Reading those scenes makes you want to be there.
The characters in this story are make-believe people. They are not perfect and have their flaws. Most characters in Belladonna are morally grey yet romantic. They suit the story's vibes. In the middle of the story, Death becomes Signa's love interest. Before reading Belladonna, I never find any reaper swoon-worthy and attractive. But Death just takes my heart away. Auwww!!! Plus, Death's intense chemistry with Signa is just magical. And it makes the story more and more swooning. Double auwww!!!
Besides the plot, storyline, world-building, and characters, I also like Adalyn Grace's writing style. Her writing style is sharp, precise, and chic. It's easy for me to visualize the story. I also describe Adalyn Grace's writing style as unique.
Overall, I rate this novel 10/10. I absolutely enjoyed it. I'm now looking forward to reading the sequel, Foxglove. I'm sure I'm going to enjoy it as well. I highly recommend Belladonna to my fellow bookworms who are fantasy addicts. Trust me, guys, you are going to love this novel. Belladonna is a novel all fantasy addicts must not miss!
However, I need to be honest that this novel has two mild spicy scenes in it. And since the author's writing style is sharp, the scene feels so alive. Hahaha :P So I believe this novel is not suitable for those who are under 18.
After reading Belladonna, I declared myself as a new member of Adalyn Grace's fandom. I'm going to check out Adalyn Grace's other works, especially Foxglove. Reading Belladonna also makes me fall in love with romantic stories with gothic vibes. So... any recommendations, guys? Hehehe ^_^
Okay, so this is my review of Adalyn Grace's Belladonna. It's a gothic romantasy novel to swoon your heart. Hehehe ^_^
So, has anyone read Belladonna? If yes, what are your opinions of the story? And what are your opinions of Death? Did you guys have a crush on him while reading Belladonna? Hehehe ^_^
Okay, this is all for now. Thank you for reading. I'll see you guys again in my next post.
XoXo,
Fadima Mooneira ^_^
(Authorpreneur, Content Creator, Blogger, Illustrator & Crafter)
#Belladonna #AdalynGrace #SignaFarrow #Death #Romantasy #Fantasy #Romance #FantasyRomance #Mystery #Gothic #NovelReview #FadimaMooneiraLibrary #Edutainment #FadimaMooneiraDotCom
SIMILAR POSTS
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I haven't heard of the Belladonna trilogy, but this book does sound interesting especially with the murder mystery aspect and Death as the love interest. Also, I love your fan art of Signa and Death.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your compliment on my fan art of Signa and Death. Yeah, this book is interesting. I have not read any story like this before.
DeleteI have not read this, but I can see from your review how easy it is to become a fan of it. It sounds really, really interesting!
ReplyDeleteYes, if you're a fantasy addict this is a novel you must not miss.
DeleteI haven't heard of this book before, but it does sound interesting and I can see why you liked reading it!
ReplyDeleteLucy Mary
^_^
DeleteI have never heard of this book, I dont know whether it has been released here in the UK.
ReplyDeleteIt is not a genre I have read before but I love how the novel is set in Victorian times. I am facinated by the Victorians.
Olivia | www.theoliviaedit.co.uk
Belladonna is not set during the Victorian era. The world-building is based on the Victorian era. Yeah, Belladonna is available in the UK. Just the cover is different.
DeleteIt sounds like the majority of Signa's family are the curse, rather than her, if they're only interested in her money, rather than her well-being. If the grandmother was the exception, why didn't she end up as her guardian?
ReplyDeleteSigna's grandmother love her dearly and she was her first guardian right after her parents died. Signa's grandmother died of an old age. Signa and her relatives aren't curse. There's a reason why the reaper took them away from Signa. You need to read Belladonna if you want to know. Sorry, no spoilers here ^_^
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