Belladonna: A Dance with Death
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
⭐⭐⭐⭐
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.
Belladonna swept me into a world where elegance and danger walk hand‑in‑hand, where poison hides behind silk gloves, and where Death himself steps out of the shadows with a smirk. Following Signa as she navigates high society, family secrets, and her own emerging power made for a reading experience that was as lush as it was intriguing. While the pacing took its time, the atmosphere and character dynamics kept pulling me deeper into Thorn Grove’s secrets.
Characters: 8
I love the character Death. He’s sharp, witty, and steals every scene he’s in. His presence adds this perfect blend of charm and danger that kept me hooked.
Signa’s character growth was a wonder to witness on the page. She starts off sheltered and unsure, but watching her step into her power socially, emotionally, and supernaturally felt rewarding. Her arc is steady, believable, and full of small moments that show just how much she’s learning about herself and the world she’s learning to navigate.
The evolving familial relationships between Signa and her cousins, Percy and Blythe, and her uncle were another highlight. Their dynamic feels warm and realistic, full of awkward beginnings, tentative trust, and genuine affection. It’s the kind of found‑family softness that balances the darker tones of the story beautifully.
Atmosphere: 9
I had a little bit of a hard time placing the exact time period of this book. Not that it ruined anything for me. The world is still vivid, colorful, and dripping in gothic charm, but it’s definitely one of my little reader quirks. If I had to guess at first glance, I would’ve placed it somewhere around the same era as Bridgerton: corsets, carriages, social season vibes. 1852. Close to my guess, but a touch later than the Bridgerton era. Once I had that anchor, everything snapped into place for me. It all felt richer and more grounded, but I wish this little bit of info came earlier in the book. More on THAT in the writing and plot sections.
Writing: 9
The writing in Belladonna surprised me. There are some unexpectantly funny moments, especially whenever Death decided to grace the page with his dry humor. At the same time, there are moments where the writing leans a bit repetitive, circling the same ideas a few too many times. Not enough to pull me out, but enough to notice.
As a whole, the writing feels very appropriate for a young adult audience. It’s accessible without being overly simplified, atmospheric without being dense, and even the open‑door romance scenes are handled tastefully. There are romantic, emotional, and intimate without ever crossing into explicit territory. It strikes a nice balance that fits the tone of the story and the age category well.
Plot: 10
I absolutely loved the mystery woven through this story. There’s also the romantic tension—which male love interest will she choose?
Who is poisoning the family? Who is the murderer lurking behind the elegant façade of Thorn Grove? And, maybe most intriguing of all for me, what does Death actually look like when he chooses to take form?
The plot invites you to play detective right alongside Signa, piecing together clues while the supernatural story simmers beneath the surface.
Intrigue: 8
I’m really glad I kept reading, because while the story held my interest, things didn’t really pick up until the last quarter of the book. The buildup is slow. And I mean very slow, but I’m no stranger to enjoying a good slow burn when it finally delivers. And this one does. Once the pieces start falling into place, the momentum finally kicks into high gear. The payoff makes the wait worth it, even if the early chapters take their time getting there.
Logic: 9
The internal logic of this story is impressively tight. Once the rules of Signa’s world are laid out; how Death works, how the supernatural interacts with the living, how the poison and murder mystery intertwine—the book stays consistent. Nothing felt out of place or conveniently bent just to move the plot forward.
Even the more fantastical elements make sense within the framework the story builds. The clues line up, the reveals track, and the character decisions feel rooted in who they are rather than what the plot needs them to do. It’s the kind of logic that lets you relax into the story because you trust the author to guide you.
There were a few moments where I had to pause and piece things together, but overall the narrative holds itself together beautifully, especially as the mystery tightens toward the end.
Enjoyment: 8
The plot moved very slowly for me. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the book, because I did, but it definitely took its time getting where it needed to go. This is one of those stories where the ending does a lot of the heavy lifting. Once everything clicks into place, the final reveal ties the entire journey together and makes the book!
🔮Tarot Tie‑In: The Moon
For this review, the tarot card that resonates most with Belladonna is The Moon. This card is all about illusions, intuition, and the truths that only reveal themselves when you’re willing to walk through the dark. It mirrors Signa’s journey perfectly. Her uncertainty, her growing awareness of her own power, and the way she must trust her instincts even when the path ahead is obscured.
Just like The Moon, the story asks you to question what’s real, what’s hidden, and what’s waiting to be uncovered.
Final thoughts/CAWPILE score: 8.7
By the time I reached the final chapters, everything I’d been waiting for finally snapped into place. The slow burn, the mystery, the emotional threads—they all converged into an ending that made the entire journey satisfying. Belladonna is one of those books that rewards your patience. While the pacing won’t be for everyone, the payoff absolutely was for me. I’m already eager to see where Signa’s story and her connection with Death goes next in book 2 titled Foxglove.
