Kristin Atherton narrates this gothic mystery with a distinct accent and tone for each character. When young Signa arrives at Thorn Grove to live with her wealthy relatives, she enters a world of privilege and mystery. Her ability to interact with ghosts compels her to solve her aunt’s murder, but can she do so in time to save her cousin who is dying of the same illness? Signa will employ the aid of Death himself, whom only she can hear and touch, but will she succumb to his attraction? Atherton seamlessly delivers each character’s dialogue— from the dulcet, seductive voice of Death to the common parlance of the household help, the high-pitched snobbery of Signa’s friends, and the bass voices of all the male characters. L.M.G. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

08/29/2022

Nineteen-year-old Signa Farrow forms an alliance with Death in this atmospheric tale by Grace (the All the Stars and Teeth duology) set in an alternate industrial-era England. Signa, who was orphaned as an infant when her wealthy mother was poisoned, believes she cannot die; every time she arrives on Death’s door, be it purposefully or accidentally, he refuses to take her. Her slew of guardians are not as lucky, each succumbing to varying inexplicable fatalities until she’s sent to stay with distant relatives, the Hawthornes. The family is reeling from the sudden death of their matriarch, Lillian, and struggling to navigate Lillian’s daughter Blythe’s mysterious ongoing illness. Seeking answers, Signa successfully summons Death, who allows her to speak with Lillian’s spirit. When Lillian reveals that she was murdered and Blythe’s illness was caused by poison, Signa enlists two unlikely allies—Death, who is kinder than he seems, and snarky stable boy Sylas—to search for the killer. While a predictable plot and dropped threads occasionally distract from Grace’s lush and deliciously eerie prose, Signa’s burgeoning attraction to both Death and Sylas lends heady romance to the ethereal read. All characters cue as white. Ages 14–up. Agent: Peter Knapp, Park and Fine Literary and Media. (Aug.)

A New York Times Bestseller 
A USA Today Bestseller
An IndieBound Bestseller
An Amazon Best Book of 2022
A Goodreads Choice Awards 2022 Nominee
A Barnes & Noble YA Book Club Selection
A Kids Indie Next List Pick
An Amazon Best Book of September
A Seventeen Magazine Open Book Pick of the Fall
A South Carolina Book Awards Nominee
An Illinois Teen Readers’ Choice Award Nominee

“A deliciously deadly gothic romance. Full of poisonous deeds, spectacular secrets, and dark mysteries. Belladonna is a hauntingly atmospheric read, with an absolutely fantastic ending that will leave readers begging for more.”—Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Once Upon a Broken Heart

“Decadently atmospheric. This gothic romance is filled with desire, betrayal, and of course, Death.”—Kerri Maniscalco, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Kingdom of the Wicked series

“Darkly twisted and deliciously gothic, Belladonna is the kind of wicked fairy tale I've loved for most of my life. Grace's world is vivid and sexy. The romance and the relationships are pitch perfect, and I fully expect readers to fall headfirst into Signa's morally complex world, just as I did."—Renée Ahdieh, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Wrath & the Dawn and Flame in the Mist

“In Belladonna, Adalyn Grace has crafted a darkly romantic tale that will sweep readers away. This decadent world and forbidden love story are a perfect, addicting escape.”—Adrienne Young, New York Times bestselling author of Fable

“Belladonna effortlessly weaves mystery, magic, and romance together into a gothic-infused masterpiece sure to become YA’s new obsession. Every page drips with atmosphere and will leave readers wishing that they, too, could roam the halls of haunted Thorn Grove. Utterly original and completely addictive, Belladonna is a fantasy to die for.”—Rachel Griffin, New York Times bestselling author of The Nature of Witches

“Adalyn Grace spins a gothic tale immersing the reader in a world of secrets, curses, mystery, romance, and Death! She takes us on a journey with Signa that has you sighing from rich details, gasping from exciting twists and turns, and swooning from romance. This book is a true pleasure to read from beginning to end…and it all begins ‘with the cry of a baby."—Jennifer L. Armentrout, New York Times bestselling author of From Blood & Ash

“Delicious and haunting, Belladonna is the type of story that sinks its teeth into your soul. With addictive, atmospheric prose and an absolutely spellbinding mix of mystery and romance, this is YA fantasy at its finest. It’s dark, it’s sexy. I cannot recommend it highly enough.”—Jessica Olson, author of A Forgery of Roses

“A darkly gothic tale that is equal parts sensuous and sinister, Belladonna breathes new life into YA paranormal romance. Readers are sure to want more of Signa’s tantalizing dance with Death.”—Astrid Scholte, author of Four Dead Queens

“With exquisite pacing, luscious details, and impeccable prose, Grace’s latest is a standout.”—Buzzfeed

"The Gothic novel of your 'Bridgerton' and 'Jane Eyre' dreams.”—Teen Vogue

"Signa’s burgeoning attraction to both Death and Sylas lends heady romance to the ethereal read."—Publishers Weekly

"Belladonna is the gripping story full of wealth, desire, and betrayal that will sweep readers up in its haunting tale from the very beginning!"—B&N Reads

“This highly imaginative and excitingly original premise is supported by lush evocative writing, magical world-building and a gripping, well-crafted storyline. Meshing multiple genres with ease, Belladonna will enchant readers who enjoy romantic fantasy, gothic vibes and murder mysteries. An addictive and atmospheric dark upper YA novel, this is fair warning to you all not to start reading late at night unless you want to be up past dawn turning the last page!”—The Nerd Daily

“With Adalyn Grace’s trademark atmospheric writing, the irresistible romance we came to love in her previous book and a glimmer of Hades mythology, this might be one of the most anticipated releases of the summer.”—The Young Folks

“In the 19th century, a young woman who can’t seem to die falls in love with her lifelong protector—death himself—as they work together to solve a murder. I don’t see how you could need anything more than the previous sentence to want to read this book.”—Literary Hub

"Alluring.... suspenseful.... Put into the hands of readers looking for a dark fantasy with a hint of mysterious intrigue."—School Library Journal

"An immersive, romantic atmosphere with dangerous secrets about inherited wealth, death, love, and danger embedded in every page."—Booklist

“Full of ghosts, poisons & house parties, Belladonna is a gothic, romantic mystery with Death as a major player. It's everything I needed it to be—now if only I didn't have to wait forever for the next book.”—Powell’s Books (Portland, OR)

“I loved everything about this book! Wonderful characters, a new take on the concept of Death as a sentient being, great writing, and a slow-burn romance. I think this would make a perfect autumn read!”—Arts & Letters Bookstore (Granbury, TX)

"Kristin Atherton narrates this gothic mystery with a distinct accent and tone for each character.... Atherton seamlessly delivers each character’s dialogue—from the dulcet, seductive voice of Death to the common parlance of the household help, the high-pitched snobbery of Signa’s friends, and the bass voices of all the male characters."—AudioFile Magazine

08/01/2022

Gr 9 Up—Death has been following 19-year-old Signa for her entire life. After her parents died, Signa was forced to move from guardian to guardian hoping for somewhere to call home, until coming of age to receive her inheritance. She has come to realize that she has some immunity to dying and can even see and communicate with Death itself. When Signa finds herself at Thorn Grove she begins to settle in with her estranged family, but quickly realizes that her cousin is being poisoned. Uncovering this mystery alongside Death, Signa finds herself confronted with societal and moral quandaries. Grace provides an intriguing gothic-infused fantasy, focusing on the supernatural concept of Death personified. The novel is slow to start, but as Signa and Death develop a relationship, the story becomes more alluring. There are continuous difficulties that Signa must face, and her actions and decisions deliver a suspenseful narrative. Readers will be drawn into the mystery presented but may also find themselves uncovering secrets well before the characters do. A twist at the end provides an interesting opportunity for the sequel. VERDICT Put into the hands of readers looking for a dark fantasy with a hint of mysterious intrigue.—Aliza Mangefrida

Kristin Atherton narrates this gothic mystery with a distinct accent and tone for each character. When young Signa arrives at Thorn Grove to live with her wealthy relatives, she enters a world of privilege and mystery. Her ability to interact with ghosts compels her to solve her aunt’s murder, but can she do so in time to save her cousin who is dying of the same illness? Signa will employ the aid of Death himself, whom only she can hear and touch, but will she succumb to his attraction? Atherton seamlessly delivers each character’s dialogue— from the dulcet, seductive voice of Death to the common parlance of the household help, the high-pitched snobbery of Signa’s friends, and the bass voices of all the male characters. L.M.G. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

2022-05-10
In this gothic fantasy, a girl must negotiate her relationship with Death.

Signa Farrow has spent 19 years pursued by Death, starting with her first party at the age of 2 months, at which every other guest drank poisoned wine and died. Death attempted to take Signa that night as well, but while she cannot die, she can see him. Now 20 and only months away from receiving her inheritance and taking her longed-for place in society, Signa deliberately poisons herself with belladonna in hopes of confronting Death. After a slow and confusing start—that poisoned party is never addressed again—Signa finds herself living with previously unknown relatives at the beautiful but haunted Thorn Grove, where one person has recently died and another lies in bed, mysteriously wasting away. Gothic trappings and a vaguely 19th-century pastiche of England provide atmosphere; Signa’s decision to discover the poisoner propels the often languid plot. Most of the action is between Signa and the two men who help her, Sylas, a mysterious stableboy, and Death, who turns out to contain surprises. Signa’s character arc—she goes from wanting to be a proper young lady to an independent, freethinker—is propelled largely by her burgeoning sexual desire. Secondary characters are mostly White with a few expressly stated exceptions among the well-to-do.

Lots of mood, less substance. (Fantasy. 14-adult)