Published: August 22, 2023
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Series: Belladonna #2
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 400 (Hardcover)
My Rating: 4 Stars
Synopsis:
The captivating sequel to the Gothic-infused Belladonna, in which Signa and Death face a supernatural foe determined to tear them apart.
A duke has been murdered. The lord of Thorn Grove has been framed. And Fate, the elusive brother of Death, has taken up residence in a sumptuous estate nearby. He’s hellbent on revenge after Death took the life of the woman he loved many years ago…and now he’s determined to have Signa for himself, no matter the cost.
Signa and her cousin Blythe are certain that Fate can save Elijah Hawthorne from prison if they will entertain his presence. But the more time the girls spend with Fate, the more frightening their reality becomes as Signa exhibits dramatic new powers that link her to Fate’s past. With mysteries and danger around every corner, the cousins must decide if they can trust one another as they navigate their futures in high society, unravel the murders that haunt their family, and play Fate’s unexpected games—all with their destinies hanging in the balance.
Dangerous, suspenseful, and seductive, this sequel to Signa and Death’s story is as utterly romantic as it is perfectly deadly.
I had no clue really where this book was going to go next after the end of Belladonna. Belladonna was one of my favorite reads of 2022 thanks to its lyrical writing, compelling characters and romance, and excellent mystery plot. I was pleased to find that Foxglove was just as addicting a read as its predecessor.
Signa is once again trying to solve a murder at Thorn Grove but this time it’s the death of Duke Wakefield and her uncle Elijah has been framed. Time is of the essence, but Death’s brother Fate has come to town and he’s convinced that Signa is his lost love reincarnated. His meddling complicates an already delicate situation and both Signa and her cousin Blythe will do anything to free Elijah from prison and clear his name.
I thought early on this might turn into a nasty love triangle, but much to my relief it did not as Signa remained very determined that she had eyes only for Death himself. Fate, however, was nothing but a nuisance the entire book even is his guise as Prince Arris (spelling?) because he kept separating Signa and Death! Blythe gets her own point of view chapters now that she’s not hovering on the cusp of death and I find that she’s actually quite a spiteful little person with a very sharp tongue.
In terms of plot, there was a ton of stuff going on, but it sometimes felt like things were stagnating a bit and the plot wasn’t advancing. Fate kept inserting himself where he didn’t belong, further complicating the situation with Elijah, Signa was coming to terms with her powers and her actions in the previous book, Blythe is re-entering society and trying to save her father and find out what happened to Percy. I did love the section where Signa goes to her ancestral home and is able to learn about her parents and of course all the wonderful tender moments between Signa and Death.
This book is not without flaws, but I adore the writing style, the characters, and the lush gothic atmosphere Adalyn Grace has created. I have my fingers crossed for a third book because I have no doubt it would be an enemies to lovers romance (IYKYK) and it would be glorious. I do highly recommend the audiobook version of this book thanks to the talented narration of Kristin Atherton. I’m thinking about picking up the UK hardcovers because I really do love this series and they would look gorgeous on my shelves.
Powder & Page 