hailstorm3812's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This is such a weird romance but it suits me so perfectly. I really enjoyed the story itself and the blending of regency and fantasy, but honestly my favorite part was Puck. It's such a fun device that adds a lot of comedy and also watching them actually grow to care about them when they are supposed to be objective was really fun. I think without it some of the characters could be thin but since it's coming from a third person POV that doesn't really get humans it works. I had a lot of fun and would love to see more of this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Murder, and Sexism
Minor: Death of parent, Animal death, Blood, and Homophobia
karissabubble's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Mortal Follies was a complicated read, I considered DNFing it, but I was intrigued by the story. This was my first time reading one of Alexis Hall’s Books. I was initially excited to read this sapphic romance, filled with curses, fairies, and dieties! I will admit that I had high expectations for Miss Mitchelmore and Lady Georgiana, a supposed murderess.
Overall it was hard for me to stay focused on the romance aspect of the story. The narrator, who is based on Puck from Midsummer Nights Dream, is very invasive, as that’s how they are, being the storyteller and narrator. However they are so into the story that they are distracting (on purpose) and don’t allow you to get into the story and have thoughts of your own. Yes, they are funny and entertaining at times, but at that point they mind as well be the main character. The narrator is too funny for me to take the storytelling seriously, and it made me question how reliable the narrator was, being extremely biased, and considering their constant need for validation from the reader, constantly addressing and calling out the reader. I don’t understand why this character had to be the narrator and not just an active character, we also don’t know why they were charged with this task to begin with.
It is less about Miss Mitchelmore and Lady Georgiana. Instead it was a story about a fairy watching over them for their own source of entertainment and judged critiques.
I did enjoy Lady Georgiana and the naive behavior of Miss Mitchelmore, along with her friend Miss Bickle and cousin Mr.Caesar. However I think a lot of things are lacking especially when this was a dire curse situation and the plot hole’s regarding Mr.Caesar and Tabitha.
I have a 50/50 view of this story, as I like it but I also feel like my enjoyment was overtaken by the narrator, who should honestly just have their own book.
I will probably still get a physical copy of the book, since the cover is stunning, and I appreciate Lady Georgiana’s response and care towards Miss Mitchelmore’s initial traumatic experience.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC read!
Overall it was hard for me to stay focused on the romance aspect of the story. The narrator, who is based on Puck from Midsummer Nights Dream, is very invasive, as that’s how they are, being the storyteller and narrator. However they are so into the story that they are distracting (on purpose) and don’t allow you to get into the story and have thoughts of your own. Yes, they are funny and entertaining at times, but at that point they mind as well be the main character. The narrator is too funny for me to take the storytelling seriously, and it made me question how reliable the narrator was, being extremely biased, and considering their constant need for validation from the reader, constantly addressing and calling out the reader. I don’t understand why this character had to be the narrator and not just an active character, we also don’t know why they were charged with this task to begin with.
It is less about Miss Mitchelmore and Lady Georgiana. Instead it was a story about a fairy watching over them for their own source of entertainment and judged critiques.
I did enjoy Lady Georgiana and the naive behavior of Miss Mitchelmore, along with her friend Miss Bickle and cousin Mr.Caesar. However I think a lot of things are lacking especially when this was a dire curse situation and the plot hole’s regarding Mr.Caesar and Tabitha.
I have a 50/50 view of this story, as I like it but I also feel like my enjoyment was overtaken by the narrator, who should honestly just have their own book.
I will probably still get a physical copy of the book, since the cover is stunning, and I appreciate Lady Georgiana’s response and care towards Miss Mitchelmore’s initial traumatic experience.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexism
Moderate: Violence and Murder
purplepenning's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Fans of India Holton's Dangerous Damsels series should definitely check this out — it's a sapphic regency romance adventure set in an England where the fae, the old gods, and the new gods all exist in active form. Principal action takes place in Bath and features Sulis Minerva, the Celtic-Roman goddess of the sacred springs that feed Bath's, well, baths. (This is, oddly, the second recently published book I've read to feature Minerva; the other is Garth Nix's The Sinister Booksellers of Bath.)
Mortal Follies is narrated by Puck / Robin Goodfellow (of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" fame) with lots of nods, winks, and digs about Shakespeare and Shakespearean faerie chaos. It follows the misadventures Miss Maeylis Mitchelmore, a young society darling who has had the mysterious misfortune of being cursed by a goddess. Miss Mitchelmore, to her friends' mixed reaction of dismay and delight, turns to the alluring society outcast, Lady Georgianna Landrake (the "Duke of Annadale"), for advice, protection, and what comfort a brooding heiress who is also a possible witch and murderer may give a stricken innocent with hidden strength and spirit.
This should've all worked for me, but alas — I found the main relationship to be somewhat tedious. The pacing and character development didn't work for me and there was entirely too much brooding and badgering for my taste. But I did love the whole idea of this book, enjoyed the heck out of the narrator's perspective, and am happy that Alexis Hall just keeps writing whatever they want and I keep reading it.
Check the content notes — there are some surprisingly brutal sacrifice scenes (old gods, you know), some inner LGBTQ transphobic nonsense, and a little murder and debilitating disease.
Mortal Follies is narrated by Puck / Robin Goodfellow (of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" fame) with lots of nods, winks, and digs about Shakespeare and Shakespearean faerie chaos. It follows the misadventures Miss Maeylis Mitchelmore, a young society darling who has had the mysterious misfortune of being cursed by a goddess. Miss Mitchelmore, to her friends' mixed reaction of dismay and delight, turns to the alluring society outcast, Lady Georgianna Landrake (the "Duke of Annadale"), for advice, protection, and what comfort a brooding heiress who is also a possible witch and murderer may give a stricken innocent with hidden strength and spirit.
This should've all worked for me, but alas — I found the main relationship to be somewhat tedious. The pacing and character development didn't work for me and there was entirely too much brooding and badgering for my taste. But I did love the whole idea of this book, enjoyed the heck out of the narrator's perspective, and am happy that Alexis Hall just keeps writing whatever they want and I keep reading it.
Check the content notes — there are some surprisingly brutal sacrifice scenes (old gods, you know), some inner LGBTQ transphobic nonsense, and a little murder and debilitating disease.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Moderate: Cursing, Physical abuse, Gore, Blood, Sexism, Transphobia, Body horror, Death, Sexual content, Violence, and Classism
Minor: Grief, Racism, Gun violence, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
robinsong's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This book had SO much potential and fell flat and then continued to fall down several flights of stairs. The concept of the curse and the living and widely accepted gods is such a delightful idea, I just wish the execution wasn't so bad.
Positives:
Positives:
- Setting/world building
The idea of the different gods and goddesses being very much Real and Tangible is so fun and wonderful. My absolute favorite parts of the book were the descriptions of how the magic system works in this universe and how the temperaments of supernatural beings changed how they dealt with mortals was genuinely a great time. I especially liked the descriptions of the curses and how the various attacks against Maelys got progressively worse.
Negatives:
- Character voice
The characters in this book are each very distinct from each other, but in ways that felt cheap and silly. The main character, Maelys, felt very flat throughout the story. Her cousin, John, exists only to say "no" to silly ideas and further one (1) plot point. Miss Bickle is exceedingly silly, and feels overall akin to the straight girl in highschool who eagerly joined GSA in order to get permission to say homophobic slurs. Lastly, Lady Georgiana, the main love interest, has the personality of wet cardboard. Someone who is suspected to be a wicked, murderous, lesbian witch seems like they might be a fun and interesting character to interact with, but she mostly likes to leave scenes without saying much.
Spoiler
He also gets the bonus role of taking us to Transphobia Club: where gay and gender non-conforming men gather to invalidate trans women.- Homophobia/transphobia
My God. Where do I begin. In historical romance, especially queer historical romance, I expect to read about homophobia and transphobia. It comes with the territory and is a regular point of friction both in stories and reality. The brand of homophobia in Mortal Follies is a very, very particular one. "Let my gays marry" "I support gay couples as much as normal couples" type shit. The objectification of queer characters for straight amusement is prevalent throughout. About 50% of Mae's interactions with Miss Bickle show this kind of ~scandal~ and it is exhausting. The constant pressing to make Mae confess her feelings, to show or discuss physical affection, and to "test" her attractions leaves a horrible taste in my mouth. There was also a scene towards the beginning of the book that felt completely out of left field and ended up being hideously transphobic. CW: transmisogyny in spoiler Why, in a world where magic exists, where beings are able to change form at will, and where curses and blessings bear real strength; WHY would this be said? And why in the current political climate would it be necessary to include this scene other than to share your blatant disrespect for trans women? Do better.
Spoiler
Mae's cousin goes to an old gay haunt of his and talks to other gay men and drag-queens. They are pissed at one of their former friends bc she is now a priestess and has essentially transitioned. They say that she has betrayed them bc she's denying that she'll "always be a man". Literally horrific- Narration
I became tired of the cheeky fae narrator 10 pages in. I would sooner lay down in the middle of the road than continue to endure a fae creature complaining about first world problems.
- The Ick
Any time a character talks about sex outside of the sex scenes I want to break my feet with a hammer. I have no desire to read 19 year olds sexual fantasies. Also, making up silly ye olde terms for shipping your friends is just as cringe as telling your real life friends that you ship them.
The rub:
- Pacing
The first half of the story moved on at a decent clip and kept momentum well. The biggest issue was each time a new major conflict arose it was just "AAAH MORTAL PERIL" and the stakes weren't there by the end.
- Desperate attempts to not seem problematic
There were SEVERAL moments throughout the book where it felt like the author paused and turned to face the reader to say Worry Not Dear Reader, My Wealthy British Aristocrats Are Not Bigots Or Racists. They all feel just as shoehorned as you might imagine. This adds nothing and just exists to relieve some imagined hand-wringing over whether the characters are acceptable by modern standards.
Overall, this book was fun briefly and in spurts. I wish the characters didn't make me want to rip my hair out. I also wish that it wasn't so fucking weird to gay and trans people. 2/5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexism, Blood, Lesbophobia, Transphobia, and Misogyny
Moderate: Death of parent, Abandonment, Animal death, Classism, Murder, Sexual violence, Cursing, Religious bigotry, and Sexual content
Minor: Incest, Outing, and Grief
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