CATEGORIES: BOOK BLOG POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS, FANTASY, ROMANCE
ABOUT THE BOOK
TITLE: FOXGLOVE
AUTHOR: ADALYN GRACE
SERIES: BELLADONA SERIES, BOOK 2
GENRES: ROMANCE, FANTASY, PARANORMAL ROMANCE
PUBLISHER: LITTLE, BROWN YOUNG READERS
PUBLISHING DATE: AUGUST 22ND, 2023
FORMAT: audiobook
NARRATOR: KRISTIN ATHERTON
Source: audible SELF-purchaseD
listening time: 13 HOURS, 55 MINUTES
GOODREADS summary
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.
My Thoughts:
After devouring the captivating cliffhanger of Belladonna, my anticipation for its sequel, Foxglove, reached new heights. Adalyn Grace, it’s talented author, skillfully wove a romance between Signa and Death that captured my heart, and I couldn’t wait to see how they would navigate the obstacles that now threatened their relationship.
And then came Fate.
THE PLOT
The story started with a bang, plunging us right into the heart of the action. The entire cast of characters was gathered at a lavish ball, reveling in the festivities, when the Duke of Berness suddenly fell victim to poison. All eyes turned to Signa’s uncle, Elijah, the one who had handed him the fatal cup of wine. Time was of the essence as the clock ticked away, leaving only a short window to unmask the true murderer before Elijah faced the gallows.
Enter Fate, holding the key to making it all disappear… if Signa would accept his offer. She suspected that Fate was behind these unexpected turn of events.
Fate and Death had unfinished business, leaving Signa and her family in the middle of it. Fate also feels cheated now that Blythe still lives despite her being destined to die.
At the core of the plot lay intricate love triangle between Death, Fate, and Signa.
There was a whodunnit angle reminiscent of the first book, although it lacked the same emotional impact. This might be due to the limited presence of Elijah in both books, leaving me less invested in his fate than I had for Blythe’s.
Additionally, the plot was driven by Blythe’s desperate quest to uncover the truth about her brother’s death, which further strained her trust in her own cousin as new revelations didn’t quite add up.
THE CHARACTERS
Signa displayed an increased sense of determination and confidence in this sequel, valiantly employing her reaper powers to aid her troubled uncle.
As Death’s vulnerability became apparent in the face of Fate’s advances towards Signa, his complex emotions added depth to his character.
"You asked me who I was afraid of. “He stretched his hand out, brushing his fingers across the portrait’s frame. “My brother may be a nuisance, but I do not fear him. I do, however, fear you, Signa. I fear that someday you will break my heart."
I found myself thoroughly captivated by the sharp wit and fiery personality of Blythe, especially when the story was told from her perspective. She undeniably stole the spotlight in this installment.
On the other hand, Fate failed to leave a lasting impression. While I sympathized with his loneliness, his unlikeable traits overshadowed any connection I could have formed with him. Hopefully, this aspect will be further developed in the next book of the series.
"You may have reign over the dead and dying, but let’s not forget that it’s my hand that controls the fates of the living. For as long as she breathes, this one is mine."
THE WRITING STYLE
The author’s talent for vivid imagery shone through, particularly when describing Fate’s enchanting tapestries and the exquisite dresses adorned by the characters. Each individual’s personality and physical traits were brought to life, effortlessly painting a clear picture in my mind.
However, I must admit that the novel leaned heavily on dialogue, leaving the action somewhat lacking in the middle. Additionally, the abundance of subplots at times detracted from the overall momentum of the story.
I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first one. This might have been due amount of subplots and a lack of a compelling hook. The ending seemed to have concluded with an open-ended question, leaving room for anticipation, but there was no cliffhanger. While I am undoubtedly curious about what lies ahead, I find myself not waiting with bated breath for the next installment.
What are your thoughts on this series thus far? I would love to hear your opinions in the comments below. Happy reading!