Avery's Reviews > Belladonna

2nd read

“You must not allow yourself to be consumed so thoroughly by death. It’s not selfish to live.”

I reread this in preparation for Foxglove, and I forgot how much I loved this book, and I nearly cried at this one thing that happened at the end.

Death is still the best, and once again, don't take that out of context.

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First read

“Do not change the parts of yourself that you like to make others comfortable. Do not try to mold yourself to fit the standards someone else has set for us.”

I LOVE IT

THIS BOOK IS A MASTERPIECE

I have not felt this strongly over something since I read Legendborn back in February, but this was SO GOOD.

And let's just take a moment of appreciation for the cover- like the Barnes & Noble exclusive did not mess around, I cannot stop staring at the design underneath the dust jacket, it's BEAUTIFUL.

The Plot

Usually when I read mysteries, I'm positively awful with guessing who's the murderer, or any other possible twists.

BUT.

I GOT ONE OF THE TWISTS IN THIS RIGHT. AND I GUESSED IT RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING.

I don't know if anyone else guessed it or if it was really obvious but LET ME HAVE THIS MOMENT PLEASE

The other twist, the twist for who the murderer was, I actually did not guess, but I'm okay with that.

This book just has a way of captivating you, like I didn't read this in one sitting and didn't really have an inclination to do so until I actually sat down and read it when I had a lot of time on my hands, and I couldn't tear myself away.

The pacing wasn't necessarily fast (not that it was slow either. it was just right) but it just sucked me in and felt like the pages were flying by because I couldn't stop reading. Like I brought this to a restaurant and was trying so hard not to make reactions (though it was VERY hard not to. some of the scenes I read were ones I was peeking around to make sure no one was looking over my shoulder) because my family already thinks I'm weird and I don't need to give them further proof.

The last few chapters of this book were crazy. I was staring at it with wide eyes as everything was revealed (along with the wonderful little plot twist I got right. I'm so proud about that) and I almost cried at one part, which is saying something, though not really since I'm an emotional person.

Also, the vibes in this book are immaculate. Like I love gothic and spooky settings, and this was so good and perfectly what I wanted. The writing had a hand in that, so I'll just say that the writing is actually amazing, like it was so beautiful and lyrical.

(view spoiler)[The twist I guessed was that Sylas was Death. I just immediately thought of it from the beginning, and things just kept adding up, like how when I was scrolling through reviews, NO ONE was talking about Sylas, which just made my theory stronger. I also had a theory that Sylas was the murderer, but that didn't end up happening. (hide spoiler)]

“Stop worrying about society and playing its game, hoping that you'll be good enough. There is no such thing as true goodness, there is only perception.”

The Characters

I loved the characters in this so much. Like, I hated none of them except the people you're supposed to hate.

Signa is such a great main character. She's strong, but not arrogant, gentle, but not timid. She's the perfect balance of someone who has a smart mouth but doesn't get on my nerves like most of the main characters with the snarky personality do. She's responsible, smart, and everything I wish to be if I were a main character in a book (not like it's ever gonna happen. A girl can dream though)

Seeing her character growth was also astounding, going from careful and slightly shy to the determined person she was at the end.

Now...Death.

I've learned plenty of things about myself this year as to what kind of characters I've learned to love. First was a demon prince, and now we've got literal Death. Is it concerning? Yes. Do I necessarily care? Not one bit.

I never doubted Death. I fell in love with him instantly, because that's what I do, and I actually (surprisingly) really liked that he wasn't cold and snappish but was actually so cute and kind and adorable and caring to Signa and he had me giggling and kicking my feet on numerous occasions.

Like he's so gentle and just overall amazing 😭

I love Death.

Do not take that out of context.

I also really liked the side characters too, especially the Hawthornes. They were so well fleshed out and I loved how they reacted to Signa and interacted with her.

“Your name is no curse, Little Bird. I just like the taste of it.”

ALSO THAT NICKNAME. I LOVE IT.

The Relationships

The romance in this book is one of the best I've read this year. I was a little concerned at first, since in the prologue Signa's a baby and Death is there and all that so it's a bit strange but....I can overlook it.

Kinda concerning how fast I did, but oh well.

The tension that these two had was just so GOOD 🤌

I was always looking forward to their interactions because Death is the love of my life (that still sounds so wrong) and the way they talk to each other is the best. Like the one-sided enemies to lovers thing, the SLOWBURN, the immortal x mortal, were all amazing.

And all the scenes where they finally give into it, I really hope there are more of those in Foxglove because they are incredible.

Going away from the romance because I'm growing repetitive in my love for it, I also really liked the family relationships and bonding in this. Signa fit in so well with the Hawthornes and I loved how they viewed her as close family and took her in so lovingly. I can't wait to see them even more.

“Because I have waited an eternity to meet you, Signa Farrow.”

There are numerous variants of this same phrase throughout the ending half of the book and when I tell you I giggled like a maniac throughout all of them (still in public, might I add)

So overall, this was an amazing way to begin the month of March. I highly doubt any other book will beat this one as my monthly favorite unless it is an absolute masterpiece.

5 stars

“You bring out the absolute worst in me, and I become vindictive toward those who treat you in ways I don’t care for. Yet you also bring out the best in me—I want to be better because of you. Better for you.”

I love him so much, it's honestly concerning.

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THIS WAS SO GOOD

I CAN'T BELIEVE I ACTUALLY GUESSED THE BIG PLOT TWIST FOR ONCE

NEVER IN MY LIFE DID I THINK I'D FALL IN LOVE WITH DEATH

RTC

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I'm literally so happy I got the exclusive edition or whatever edition I did it's GORGEOUS the actual hardcover is beautiful and the end papers are just AHH. I'm sorry, I can't stop screaming over it, it's probably the prettiest book I own