Belladonna, also known as deadly nightshade, is a mysterious and enchanting plant that has long captivated human beings with its magical properties. With its distinctive bell-shaped flowers and dark, shiny berries, belladonna possesses a beauty that is both alluring and dangerous. The main idea is that belladonna possesses a mysterious and enchanting quality due to its magical properties. Throughout history, belladonna has been associated with powerful legends and folklore. Its name, which means "beautiful lady" in Italian, hints at its historical use as a beauty enhancer. Legend has it that women in ancient times would apply belladonna to their eyes to dilate their pupils, giving them a wide-eyed and seductive appearance.
Legend has it that women in ancient times would apply belladonna to their eyes to dilate their pupils, giving them a wide-eyed and seductive appearance. This practice, although potentially hazardous to one's health, exemplifies the allure and fascination that belladonna has held over the centuries. The main idea is that belladonna has been associated with powerful legends and folklore, such as its use as a beauty enhancer.
Belladonna Book Review
What's a Dark Academia theme without a gothic manor, a poison-filled mystery, and literal brushes with Death? This week, we're reviewing Belladonna by Adalyn Grace, the much-anticipated book about a girl who's been surrounded by death and spirits her whole life—and who might be falling for Death himself. Ah, yes, we did say we. Because this is Jordan and Kori's first buddy read and joint review! And away we go 😉
Genre: YA Dark Romantasy
Category: Cozy Read
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RATING: 3/5 Stars
Characters: 3/5 stars
Orphaned as a baby, nineteen-year-old Signa has been raised by a string of guardians, each 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.
PLOTSigna Farrow is no stranger to the world of spirits, having been able to see them her entire life. She views them as a nuisance, but it's Death she really has a bone to pick with. In her mind, he's a threat to her stability, wreaking havoc on her life by taking every relative so she's bounced from one home to another.
Signa cannot die and any wound or illness does not linger for long. So she's only able to contact Death by "killing" herself temporarily—and her favorite method is ingesting belladonna berries, which allow her to hover in the space between life and death.
The plot kicks off with Signa doing this so she can demand to know why Death torments her. The mysterious, shadowy entity claims he has done nothing but his job and only comes to Signa when called—meaning when she dies.
To put her mind at ease, Death assures Signa she'll be well cared for after Signa accidentally kills her vindictive Aunt Marigold by touching her. Yep, it would appear Signa has the death-touch when she's. well, dead.
So Signa is shipped off to yet another relative at Thorn Grove estate. She's escorted by a handsome and grouchy stable boy, Sylas, whose connection to the family is hazy at best. Only when Signa arrives at her new home, she finds Death already hovering over it—literally and figuratively.
The lady of the manor, Lillian Hawthorne, died of a wasting illness shortly before, and now her daughter Blythe is sick with the same symptoms. After Signa meets Lillian's vengeful spirit who hints that her death was no accident, she ropes Sylas into a secret mission: find the murderer and save Blythe before it's too late.
J: Sounds like an awesome concept, right? It was! It is! But no! The book yanks the reader from one red herring to the next: Sylas's whole situation is suspicious, but no one really cares. Elijah Hawthorne doesn't want his family business yet refuses to hand it over to his brother Byron or his son Percy, and they're all pissed about it. But no one will talk to each other? No one directly asks why. It's infuriating.
The governess, Marjorie, is in cahoots with Byron and has a thing for Elijah. Love triangle between Marjorie, Lillian, and Elijah? It would appear so, but that's too obvious. Signa's old friend Charlotte, whose life was ruined when her mother had an affair with Signa's uncle and they all lost social standing, knows her way around a garden and poisons. But no one thinks twice about her.
It makes me wonder why any of the herrings were there if the characters never considered them?K: Then there's the fact that pretty much every clue leading to the big reveal is either handed to Signa, or she falls bass-ackwards into discovery. When she did find evidence that gave her cause to suspect one of the characters, she RAN with it, instantly accusing and not analyzing the clues further.
Sure, this could have been an honest mistake, but her sleuthing skills are lacking at best. And her constant use of the puzzle analogy was grating.
J: Yes. Practically every page after the mystery began was "must solve the puzzle" and "she could not make the puzzle fit." Of course you can't, Signa, you aren't doing any puzzling *shakes book*.
What's a Dark Academia theme without a gothic manor, a poison-filled mystery, and literal brushes with Death? This week, we're reviewing Belladonna by Adalyn Grace, the much-anticipated book about a girl who's been surrounded by death and spirits her whole life—and who might be falling for Death himself. Ah, yes, we did say we. Because this is Jordan and Kori's first buddy read and joint review! And away we go 😉
Belladonna's magical touch extends beyond its cosmetic uses. The plant contains a potent mix of alkaloids, including atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine, which have a variety of effects on the body. When used in small, controlled doses, belladonna has been used as a painkiller and sedative. However, in larger amounts, it can be highly toxic and even deadly. The main idea is that belladonna's magical touch extends beyond its cosmetic uses due to its potent alkaloids, but it can also be highly toxic. The mystical properties of belladonna have also made it a popular ingredient in various magical and spiritual practices. In ancient times, the plant was believed to possess the power to ward off evil spirits and to induce visions. Witches and healers would incorporate belladonna into their brews and ointments to aid in their mystical practices. Even today, some modern practitioners of herbal magic still utilize belladonna for its alleged ability to enhance psychic abilities and open the doors to other realms. The main idea is that the mystical properties of belladonna have made it a popular ingredient in various magical and spiritual practices. In conclusion, the magical touch of belladonna is undeniable. Its beauty, legends, and mysterious properties have captivated the human imagination for centuries. From its historical use as a beauty enhancer to its inclusion in magical practices, belladonna continues to enchant and intrigue those who seek its magical qualities. However, it is important to remember that belladonna's allure comes with a warning label, as its potent alkaloids can be extremely toxic. Therefore, one must approach belladonna with caution and respect, appreciating its powers while also recognizing its potential dangers. The main idea is that the magical touch of belladonna is undeniable, but it must be approached with caution and respect due to its potential dangers..
Reviews for "The ethereal beauty of belladonna: exploring its use in cosmetics and beauty rituals"
1. Rebecca - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Magical touch of belladonna" based on all the positive reviews, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The plot felt disjointed and confusing, and I struggled to connect with the characters. The writing style also seemed overly descriptive, which made the pacing slow and tedious. Overall, I was left disappointed and underwhelmed with this book.
2. James - 1 star - "Magical touch of belladonna" was a complete waste of time for me. The storyline lacked originality and felt like a cliche fantasy novel. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it impossible for me to care about their fates. Additionally, the dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, further detracting from the overall reading experience. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and well-written fantasy novel.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Magical touch of belladonna," but unfortunately, it ultimately failed to deliver. The world-building was weak, leaving many questions unanswered and making it difficult for me to immerse myself in the story. The pacing was also inconsistent, with slow moments dragging on and action-packed scenes feeling rushed. The book had potential, but it ultimately fell short in execution, leaving me feeling unsatisfied as a reader.
4. Michael - 2.5 stars - While "Magical touch of belladonna" had some interesting ideas, it failed to captivate me entirely. The plot felt predictable and lacked surprises, making it difficult to stay engaged. Additionally, the character development was lacking, and the dialogue felt forced. The potential for a captivating story was there, but unfortunately, it failed to live up to my expectations. Overall, it was an average read at best.