Tag: adalyn grace

ARC Book Review: The Wretched Divine (The Wretched Divine #1) by Adalyn Grace

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 512 pages
Author: Adalyn Grace
Publisher: Feiwel
Release Date: September 22nd, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Aurelie Chantelune was born to serve. Raised as a knight in a kingdom ravaged by demons, she’s spent her life honing her blade, driven by the memory of the monsters who tore her family apart and by the knowledge that she’s one of the few who can stop them.

If Aurelie can claim her first kill, she’ll inherit a legacy passed down through the Chantelune bloodline: a soulbond with Yuriel, an angel whose power is vital to her kingdom’s survival. But when those she loves begin turning into the very monsters she’s sworn to destroy, Aurelie is forced to seek help from the last place she ever imagined. Desperate, she forges a second and far more dangerous bond with Severin, a demon she can hardly trust, but who claims to know how to end the war for good.

With their lives and fates entwined, Aurelie, Yuriel, and Severin must team up to hunt down a cure capable of turning demons back into humans. But the more they learn about one another and the deeper their relationships grow, the more Aurelie begins to question the war and her place in it. With both of her bonded on opposing sides, she’ll have to make a choice: continue to stand with the angels, or risk everything by trusting a demon.

Thank you to the publisher for an eARC.

WELL I HAVE THOUGHTS.

I read through SO MANY reviews trying to figure out if this was a why choose or love triangle situation. Unfortunately I never figured it out, and even after reading it I didn’t figure it out either??? And that led to a lack of emotional investment for anyone. It was as if Grace was trying to keep it as vague as possible which then when anything did kind of happen it felt like there wasn’t enough lead up or genuine moments between the characters for the “spice” to work.

But that last 25% was LOCKED IN and Adalyn Grace brought all the chaos and reveals and jaw dropping cliffhanger moments. I did call the cliffhanger halfway through but there were some reveals where I was SHOOKETH. And I love that for me. It was very interesting to see the multiple POV’s and how those wove into the present plot + the bit of background story we got too.

This did feel slow at times and stall out with a few plot pieces, but overall it was a good series (duology? starter). I thought the themes woven in were nuanced but noticeable enough to ponder. I liked the push and pull between enemy characters and getting to see many sides to the story. Now that I’ve written this review out I feel like I’ve convinced myself to definitely pick up book two.

I’m obsessed with the cover, but I’m also okay that I didn’t pre-order this. I think the second book will determine if this is a worth having on the shelf read for me.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy + Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 2ish open door; light innuendo throughout
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: blood/gore depiction, loss of loved ones, battle/war themes, kidnapping, murder, torture

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Book Review: Holly (Belladonna #3.5) by Adalyn Grace

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: NA Fantasy Romance Holiday Novella
Length: 384 pages
Author: Adalyn Grace
Publisher: Little Brown Books
Release Date: September 30th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

This Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition features an alternate jacket and case cover, full color endpapers, illustrations throughout, bonus content, and is printed in a festive colored ink!

A mysterious and magical holiday novella set in the romantic, Gothic-infused world of Belladonna, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Adalyn Grace. Features a special endpaper design, a printed case cover, and colorful interior art!

Something strange is happening at Wisteria Gardens, the magical manor that Blythe and Aris call home. All they want is a peaceful holiday season with their family, but a group of restless spirits is determined to threaten their festivities. With a new mystery to solve, Signa, Death, Blythe, and Fate must uncover what happened to Wisteria’s ghostly inhabitants and help the spirits move on before it’s too late.

WHAT A DELIGHT.

Turns out, I’m charmed by fantasy holiday novellas (I’ve always bin a stan of ACOFAS so this tracks). There’s something delightful about getting past all of the nitty gritty that a dark fantasy takes you on to then read about your favorite characters in a lighter setting.

I loved seeing everyone again. I thought the plot was simple but effective. There’s a solid mystery that gets solved while also potentially setting up for another book? I would read about this cast all day so I’m sat.

It’s sweet, heated, a little emotional and I think if you’ve enjoyed the series you’ll like this installment too.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Fantasy Romance Holiday Novella
  • Language: mild+
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Violence: mild

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Book Review: Wisteria (Belladonna #3) by Adalyn Grace

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: NA Fantasy Romance
Length: 432 pages
Author: Adalyn Grace
Publisher: Little Brown Books
Release Date: August 20th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Adalyn Grace delivers a sensational conclusion to the deathly and decadent Belladonna trilogy, with dramatic twists and a seductive new romance that will set readers’ hearts ablaze.

Blythe Hawthorne has never let anyone tell her what to do—not society, not her overprotective father, and certainly not the man she’s bound herself to, no matter how rude and insufferable he is. In fact, she’s determined to be a thorn in his side for the rest of her days, even as he ensures that her life in his palace is anything but a fairytale. But as Blythe discovers a new side of herself linked to his past, she’ll have to decide if she’s willing to let an unexpected spark ignite…and to discover the truth about who she really is.

DON’T COME AT ME.

Four stars is totally a valid rating and it also hurts me to feel more inclined to give this one four stars rather than five. I did physically read this installment vs. audiobook like I did for the previous books. I don’t know if that changed my perception but it must have to some degree.

My issues that I noticed were around some of the plot aspects. I feel like there were a few holes and things that kind of sprung up out of nowhere.

But. That aside, I loved the enemies to lovers romance. It was top tier. I loved the slow build and growth between Fate and Blythe. I loved getting to see Signa and Death again. The story line was good in the grand scheme. I liked picking this up and reading. I look forward to whatever stories Grace writes next.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low-moderate
  • Romance: one vague open door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content Warnings: loss of life, attempted murder

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Book Review: Foxglove (Belladonna #2) by Adalyn Grace

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: NA Fantasy Romance
Length: 464 pages
Author: Adalyn Grace
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
Release Date: August 22nd, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK 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 the story of Signa and Death is as utterly romantic as it is perfectly deadly.

THE PIVOT.

Y’all. This is how you do a middle book. I loved it! I took my time devouring every word and tabbing all of my favorite little moments. I love the lush, gothic vibes and how dark and devious everything is. This is painted in morally gray and I am here for it all.

I loved getting to see more of Signa and Death (and if I had to lodge one minor complaint I wanted more of them!!). A lot happens with their relationship, and with the addition of Fate, I honestly never knew exactly where this plot was going to go. I had a few ideas and when those started to come to fruition I was GIDDY. I AM SO EXCITED FOR THE NEXT BOOK IT IS UNFATHOMABLE.

Anyways, incredible mysterious plot. Some fantastically swoony moments. Twists and turns and all the things that I love about this series. I love Adalyn Grace’s writing style. This is not a book to miss!

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: one vague open door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: false imprisonment, loss of life, murder, attempted murder, near death experiences

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