The New York Times bestselling author of All the Stars and Teeth brings to life a highly romantic, Gothic-infused world of wealth, desire, and betrayal.
Orphaned as a baby, nineteen-year-old Signa has been raised by a string of guardians, each one more interested in her wealth than her well-being—and each has met an untimely end. Her remaining relatives are the elusive Hawthornes, an eccentric family living at Thorn Grove, an estate both glittering and gloomy. Its patriarch mourns his late wife through wild parties, while his son grapples for control of the family’s waning reputation, and his daughter suffers from a mysterious illness. But when their mother’s restless spirit appears claiming she was poisoned, Signa realizes that the family she depends on could be in grave danger and enlists the help of a surly stable boy to hunt down the killer.
However, Signa’s best chance of uncovering the murderer is an alliance with Death himself, a fascinating, dangerous shadow who has never been far from her side. Though he’s made her life a living hell, Death shows Signa that their growing connection may be more powerful—and more irresistible—than she ever dared imagine.
Introduction
With Death personified as our leading man, I was sold right from the start. This novel, a nominee for Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2022) in the Goodreads Awards, was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. Additionally, the heroine is practically labeled as death-proof and a witch. “Yes, I volunteer as tribute,” I thought. However, as the plot unfolded…
“To me, you are a song to a soul that has never known music. Light to someone who has only seen the darkness. 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.”
Overview
Signa’s life has been steeped in death from the moment she was born, both in the literal sense and through her encounters with a mysterious figure who eventually becomes known to her as Death. Growing up, she found herself shuffled from one guardian to another, never truly feeling like she had a place to call home, especially after her grandmother, her last caring relative, could no longer care for her. Tragically, each of her guardians experienced untimely accidents. The cycle continues when Signa is once again uprooted, this time to live with distant relatives in Thorn Grove. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes entangled in the investigation into her cousin Blythe’s illness, and reopens the case surrounding her distant aunt Lillian’s death. Suspecting a killer still at large, she forms an unlikely partnership with Death to solve these mysteries and prevent further harm to anyone in Thorn Grove.
“She no longer feared what brewed within her, and
she was done making apologies for who she was. Signa would not just burn; she would ignite.”
Thoughts
While Death may have all the qualities of the perfect book boyfriend, I still found myself disappointed by this book. He utters sweet words and engages in cheeky actions, but, alas, I couldn’t shake the feeling of utter boredom. I know Bookstagram is gonna come for me, This WAS my most anticipated book of the year, beating out Hellbent and I’m obsessed with Leigh Bardugo. However, it’s a truth universally acknowledged that anticipation isn’t everything, and this book fell short of my expectations.
Although the novel grapples with intriguing themes like being death-proof (without giving away spoilers) and solving a murder, the equation doesn’t translate into a compelling story. Our main character, burdened by her “traumas,” often came across as the stereotypical “pick me” girl in her actions. I understand that not all characters need to be likable in a story, but this particular trait grated on my nerves.
“Your name is no curse, Little Bird. I just like the taste of it”
Conclusion
This book boasts a stunning cover and has garnered significant attention on Bookstagram, but it ultimately falls short of delivering a truly engrossing story. Everything felt superficial to me as if I could easily find a similar narrative elsewhere with more substantial character development. It’s possible that this book simply didn’t resonate with me, but I firmly believe that meaningful character growth should be a universal aspect of storytelling.
“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.”
Trigger Warnings
Content warnings in the realm of fantasy literature often tread a curious path, yet I find it necessary to illuminate aspects that could serve as potential triggers for fellow readers. Be advised that these warnings should be taken with care as I am not a licensed therapist and in no way could I identify everything. The following is what stuck out to me and other readers. The following might contain spoilers.
https://booktriggerwarnings.com/Belladonna_by_Adalyn_Grace
“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.”
Tropes in the Story:
- Emotional scars
- Forbidden Romance
- Magic
- Insta Love
“A human life is a beautiful thing,” he said. “You humans…. you feel. You feel so deeply that it consumes you. There were humans I kept a watch over, though I would blink and they’d be fifty, sixty
years older—and the time would come for me to meet them. For the longest time, I pitied them for their short lives. And I admit, Signa, that I have grown more callous with my age. But I have also grown to admire humans. They’ve such a short time to experience their lives, and so they must feel deeply. They must experience in one life-time things it’s taken me an eternity to experience. When I see men like Elijah, rather than feel guilt for what I’ve done, I remember that he feels sorrow because he loved so deeply. And were I not real, Little Bird, were I not Death, he would never have experienced that love. So which is better? To live forever, or to live and love?”
