Death never looked so good. Like no joke, he’s actually stunning and is an incredible crime-fighting partner. Signa Farrow can see this life-ending force of a man and uses his powers to solve a murder in Adalyn Grace’s book, Belladonna. Intrigued? Let’s continue.
Signa Farrow’s guardians keep dying. The young woman seems like a curse come to life as she bounces around to different distant relatives before coming of age and receiving her inheritance. If the deaths weren’t proof enough of her poisonous touch, Signa can see ghosts and Death, the head honcho of the underworld himself. Signa blames Death for the misfortune that follows her, and he tries to make amends by placing her in a new home that can jumpstart her future in society. But when Signa arrives at the new estate hoping to leave her weird powers in the past, she’s met with a ghost who was murdered and is warned her cousin may be next. Signa will rely on her otherworldly abilities and her strange connection with Death to save her cousin and the family from crumbling beneath her.
I am very particular about my young adult selections these days, and I have to say, I liked Belladonna’s premise. It’s like a Bridgerton paranormal murder mystery, and it certainly is one of the more unique stories I’ve read in the YA category lately. The mystery might not blow your socks off, but I’m not complaining because Death donned a deerstalker hat and helped a young woman solve crimes. It has cheesy moments and leads the reader a little too well at times, but the dynamic between Signa and Death is fun. And I can’t help but adore how much Signa cares about people. She’s got a good heart and is an interesting protagonist who carries us through the plot nicely.
At the heart of this story, Signa is learning to love who she is instead of trying to fit in with what high society expects of her. Despite being able to see beyond the veil, she’s in an interesting predicament because she is completely new to the scene. There is a lot of pressure to adapt quickly and build a good reputation as she comes into her inheritance. I like how glaringly miserable Grace makes the social situations where Signa puts her true self in a box. And when Signa lets herself flourish, we also see the type of people who flock to her and support her. Being true to yourself is a nice message for this story, and I love seeing Signa reap rewards by honoring who she is.
The romance in this story is fine, but I’m a little disappointed that it began because Signa is the only person the love interest knows who can also see the dead. The reasons why this character falls for Signa evolves more throughout the book, but it’s a bummer that it starts off that way. It’s like someone only choosing you when you’re one of the last two people on earth. Obviously, you would fall for me, I’m the only option you have… Even so, I get warm and fuzzy learning how much this character truly sees Signa and celebrates her instead of changing her. They are a suitable, if not a devoted (by lack of choice) love interest.
If you’re like me and you have a Halloween hangover, you can stay spooky a little longer and team up with Death to solve a murder.
Rating: Belladonna – 7.5/10
-Brandee
