Challenge Corner discussion

For as long as Signa Farrow has been alive, the people in her life have fallen like 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.

Signa’s best chance of uncovering the murderer, though, 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.

Ch 1-10 (view spoiler)[ I love this so far! I also have lots of questions. Who killed Signa's parents and all those people at the party? Is Blythe dying of poison or just a rare illness? Who is the mysterious stable boy? I have a theory he might be death! (hide spoiler)]

Ch 11-20 (view spoiler)[ Instead of Death and Sylas being the same, now I wonder if Death is too obsessed with Signa. She's like him kind of and maybe he thinks she could be a companion after all this time alone. Still unsure about Sylas though.

I'm glad she figured out about the poison and told her cousins so hopefully Blythe can get well soon (hide spoiler)]

Ch 21-30 (view spoiler)[ Who is poisoning Blythe?? If it's the uncle I'll be disappointed. Maybe it's death as a way to get Signa to use her powers? Or the governess is jealous of the dad who left her? (hide spoiler)]

Ch 31-40 (view spoiler)[ I haven't suspected Sylas really because I thought he was in love with Blythe. But no one else seems to ever see him and there's no record of him, which makes me wonder if he's even alive. Maybe he's a ghost and wants Blythe to join him? (hide spoiler)]

Ch 41-End (view spoiler)[ I was right at the beginning and then doubted myself! I'm happy Sylas and Death were the same guy, though sad that they can't be together until she dies. But now there's another murder ah!

Pretty shocked Percy was the one behind everything. I don't understand why he tried to kill Lillian faster once he realized she'd been poisoned instead of getting her medicine. I guess he was pretty gone and didn't want to get caught? (hide spoiler)]

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RESTARTING JULY 10th, 2022

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Just read the prologue. (view spoiler)[I probably should have been, but I was not expecting this book to start with so much murder lol. I wonder who was behind the poison. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter five
(view spoiler)[I wonder how Thorn Grove will go for Signa. Hopefully she can at least last till she turns twenty. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter sixteen
(view spoiler)[Shame that the girls were more interested in gossip than in befriending Signa. Still, they’ll probably be useful for her goal. Also, I’m excited for Signa’s lessons with death! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter eighteen
(view spoiler)[So far I’m not sure who to suspect. At first my mind went to Sylas because of his ambition, but I’m not really sure it’s him because how would he get the money by killing Lillian and Blythe? And how would he sneak the belladonna in if he’s working in the stables, unless he lied about that? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter nineteen
(view spoiler)[I didn’t like that comment about Signa leaving her belladonna berries in another dress. If she’s not more careful that’s definitely going to make her look suspicious. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter thirty-six
(view spoiler)[I wasn’t thinking it’d be Marjorie after Percy was poisoned! I figured a mother wouldn’t want to kill her son but I guess she’s just fed up with her treatment (hide spoiler)]

Done
(view spoiler)[Shook at that ending!! I was wondering what the second book would be about since I saw Goodreads put this one as a series… (hide spoiler)]

Aly wrote: "Ch 41-End"

(view spoiler)[I’m guessing maybe he got scared and panicked? In order to get her help, he would’ve had to say she had been poisoned, and then explain how he knew that. (hide spoiler)]

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RESTARTING SEPTEMBER 12TH, 2022


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RESTARTING NOVEMBER 21ST, 2022

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I’m excited for this one!!

starting now

ch 1-5 (view spoiler)[ I love the setting so far. Signa has an interesting power.. I'm curious to see how Thorn Grove will play out.

why did they send the stable boy? & I wonder what illness is taking the mother and daughter? I'm thinking there may be foul play at hand (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 1 - 8 : (view spoiler)[OMG this is so amazing thus far. I wasn't sure about the book but now I am happy that I gave it a chance. Signa's character is literally giving me chills and I can't wait to learn about the mystery that Signa is surrounded by. I wonder what secrets Thorn Grove holds within itself (hide spoiler)]

Kira wrote: "Chapter 1 - 8 : [spoilers removed]"

I was iffy at first too!! (view spoiler)[I love how there is mystery right from the beginning and keeps going throughout the entire book!! (hide spoiler)] I'm excited to see what you think about the book

Haley wrote: "Kira wrote: "Chapter 1 - 8 : [spoilers removed]"

I was iffy at first too!! [spoilers removed] I'm excited to see what you think about the book"

That really is the best part plus the gothic feel is really well done with the Thorn Grove ambience!

Chapter 9 - 17 : (view spoiler)[A murder mystery - that's great! Sylas and death never seen together has me harboring serious suspiscions and the way Death is way too eager to "help" Signa is obviously raising some questions as well. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 18 - 26 : (view spoiler)[Signa is a romantic at heart but the difficulties she has gone through in her life breaks my heart. I do not like how Death keeps hovering around her, he might have good intentions but all it does is make me uncomfortable. Percy is kinda growing on me though especially after that little tea party. I do not think Byron has anything to do with the poisoning (hide spoiler)]

Kira wrote: "Chapter 18 - 26 : [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Signa has dealt with some crappy caretakers that want her for money... I was not a big fan of death, but he slowly grew on me. I felt he was almost waiting to take advantage of her, but he did seem to have some good intentions. (hide spoiler)] I'm looking forward to book 2!!

Chapter 27 - 37 : (view spoiler)[Marjorie seems like the obvious suspect atm but somehow I am still not a 100% convinced that things are really the way they seem, I wasn't expecting for Percy to be targeted at all and now Blythe's life seems to be ending as well, things are so tense and I loving the intensity (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[GAAHH That ending though. I never once suspencted that Percy would be one behind it all and was so surprised by all the revelations. His justification for killing Lillian was so fucked up and I do not for one moment blame Signa for choosing Blythe over him. Death and Sylas were the same after all...I think I like the idea of romance between him and Signa? The cliffhanger ending has me immediately adding the second book to my TBR lol (hide spoiler)]

Haley wrote: "Kira wrote: "Chapter 18 - 26 : [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed] I'm looking forward to book 2!!"

I know right! At first it was like WHY does he keep popping up but towards the end I kinda warmed up to him.