Mortal Follies is the most creative book I have read by Alexis Hall. The knavish sprite that narrates this book is such an utter delight and provides many a comic relief. Our knavish sprite is here to tell the story of Miss Mitchelmore, her curse that, among other things disintegrates her dress at a ball, and the unwitting heroine, the purported witch the Duke of Annadale.

This book has some very delightful characters, the knavish sprite for one and Miss Bickle. It is so extraordinarily sapphic and is just wonderful. How the curse and how Miss Mitchelmore and her friends investigate to find the perpetrator and break the curse, is absolutely hilarious and adventurous.

That said, this book was tough for me to get through. It really felt like it should have ended about 60% through, but then it kept going and going. Another reason that I had a hard time finishing it is because the Duke of Annadale is supposed to be the heroine and love interest, but she is not only unpleasant, but also outright mean. It is hard to root for someone like that.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. Fans of Alexis Hall will definitely want to check it out. It was original and fun, if a bit of a slog.

3.5 stars

I enjoyed the world building and the side characters the most. Lizzie might have been my favorite character. I did not like the whole narrator aspect. It was funny at first and then dragged on to where I skimmed a lot. And Lady G also wasn't my favorite. I wish Mae could've found someone that actually cared about her.

Enjoyable, great pacing, exciting settings kept me hooked. Fun novel that will be the perfect to lose yourself in. Thank you Net Galley for ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

"=Mortal Follies by Alexis Hall is a delightful and impeccably crafted romance novel. Set in an alternate Regency era, the world-building is both intricate and charming, transporting readers to a fantastical realm that is both familiar and unique. This novel is a perfect blend of historical and fantasy elements, all woven together seamlessly to create a truly captivating story.

I could not get into this story at all, and after trying to force myself to keep reading I ended up DNF'ing at about 40%.
There is sort of an introduction at the front where the narrator introduces himself and I didn't mind it so much then, but throughout the rest of the story, it was so annoying and I found myself actively disliking it. Also, I found the writing felt overly formal to me, more like reading an actual historical novel, like Pride and Prejudice, than a modern-day historical romance. Which isn't a bad thing just not my preferred style. I think with these two big things going on I just couldn't properly get into the story.

I'm really enjoying the fantasy historical romances where magical rules are a counterpoint to strict societal rules. Maelys Mitchelmore finds herself under a curse, and Georgiana (known as the Duke of Annadale and suspected murderess), keeps showing up to help her. Mae must decide if Georgiana is friend or foe as she tries to navigate supernatural forces. The narrative device (the narrator is an "unnamed" fae observer) lends a very dry and Austenian humor, and the magical atmosphere is rich and textured. The romance is mediated by the narrative device, but still very emotionally resonant. I loved Mae's friends and family, especially Miss Bickle and the Mitchelmores, and I wanted to know much more about the larger world and side characters by the end. My only complaint is that Mae's curse is the premise, but it is resolved about halfway through the book, and a new mystery takes shape for the second half. This broke up the plot a bit too much for me, but both mysteries were enjoyable and intriguing.

This book was EVERYTHING. Honestly, just everything. Magic, queer, romantic, full of mystery and drama - 110% catnip. I can't wait for it to be published so everyone can enjoy what has to be one of the coziest fantasy books (with pleasantly dark little twists) that I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Come be madly in love with Georgiana Landrake with me, please. This infatuation must be shared.

3.3 Stars
One Liner: Got its moments but a mixed read

1814
Maelys Mitchelmore is cursed. Her entry into the highest Bath society puts her in dangerous situations, though she is rescued by the Duke of Annadale, aka Lady Georgiana. Lady G has quite a reputation as a witch and a murderess.
However, as the threat mounts, Maelys and Lady G must have to work together to find the person responsible for it and break the curse. This proximity also creates some issues, which Maelys seems to like even if Lady G doesn’t.
Can the duo sort out the threats and rumors to find their happy-ever-after?
The story comes in the first-person POV of Robin, a hobgoblin who follows Maelys Mitchelmore to write her story.

My Thoughts:
How you like this book depends on how much you like the narrator. Robin is the peeping tom who loves to tell stories and ramble. He (it?) also likes to control the narrative, meaning you will not know some details because revealing them would ruin the art of storytelling. Initially, I loved the idea and enjoyed it. But as the story progressed, I skimmed through Robin’s ramblings and focused only on the main story.
My favorite parts of the book are the scenes with Mae, Lizzie, and John. They are such varied personalities that their banter and bickering end up like a cocktail experiment. They are great fun, though. Lizzie Bickle is the kind of friend you’d shudder to have but will appreciate when someone else does. She is easily my favorite character in the book.
While the setting is interesting, with a blend of snobbish ton and references to witches, nymphs, faeries, etc., the detailing is overdone in quite a few instances and not enough in some places. Combined with the narrator’s opinions on just about everything, it can be super entertaining or annoying (the latter for me). Also, this is a book where you go with the flow and do not wonder about why, what, how, and when of things.
This is a romance book with some steam (not much, as the narrator tries to be decent). I liked some parts but found most of it a little too melodramatic. I’m half convinced it’s a funny take on the ton’s love for excessive drama. If it’s not, it’s better to rely on your speed-reading skills.
The plot, as such, is pretty basic and thin. The curse is solved by the halfway point, and the remaining is about Mae and Lady G’s relationship (if we can call it that). It feels more like Mae hounding Lady G, who acts like an alpha male with blocked emotions. I was waiting to see beyond her façade (after all, she hasn’t had it easy), but there isn’t much scope for character development.
My biggest issue is how the romance and the main characters were handled. That made the whole thing awkward and even one-sided. While I understand the reason for her actions, there isn’t enough emotion to make an impact. I’m all for lighthearted reads, but this one stresses the wrong issues and ignores the important ones. The plot needs better structuring and pacing to allow readers to understand the motivations behind the characters’ actions.
We also have a few subplots of sorts that go nowhere. John Ceaser’s personal track, the villainous uncle, the missing person, etc., are left with no resolution. Saying the narrator isn’t interested in them doesn’t make the book any better, IMO. It’s taking the easiest route to finishing the manuscript (unless the author intends to turn this into a series).
The book could have been at least 75 pages smaller. Enjoy the first half, skim through 35% of the second half, and see how the remaining goes for you. It almost feels like two books combined together.

To summarize, Mortal Follies is a lighthearted dramatic-sounding regency Sapphic romance with fantasy elements. It’s easy and enjoyable if you don’t use your grey cells. Get into it with the right expectations.
Thank you, NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine, and Del Rey, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

***
TW: The book has scenes of animal sacrifice.

I couldn't get into this story because of the annoying ever-present narrator. I didn't find it funny whatsoever that they were essentially a third main character in the story.

Mortal Follies was described as Bridgerton with magic, a hilarious narrator and a beautiful sapphic story and that is pretty accurate.

I loved the narrator as soon as I read the prologue. He was my favorite part of the story and made it so enjoyable. He told the story from his past as he observed it while including current commentary on his life after he was exiled and had to live like a mortal.

Maelys best friend Lizzie was my second favorite character. She was so obsessed with magic and the Fae which is pretty relatable. She was extravagant and was a great match to Maelys cousin John which was very logical and to the point.

Maelys parents were delightful. They were different to what you would expected from parents of the era. They believe in science and were very accepting of Maelys even for modern times. It was a fresh take on parental perspective of sexuality and danger.

As for the story is was quite enjoyable. I liked Mealys and Georgiana and the realistic take on love.

The ending was not what I expected and the story was structures a little strange. It had two parts; before the curse and after the curse and it was almost two different stories.

I would rate it 3.5 stars as I really enjoyed while reading but don’t see myself rereading it.

I was so excited for this book :( but it let me down on the most important front, namely the romance. I think Alexis Hall kind of wrote themself into a corner by using a framing device that introduced so much ironic distance into the narration -- it seems very cool to have Robin Goodfellow telling the story but then you're unable to sincerely describe any emotions, because Robin Goodfellow thinks human emotions are silly. And if I can't have any sincere emotions, I'm not going to be buying the romance. I genuinely couldn't tell for most of the book if Lady Georgiana (aka "the Duke of Annadale") was meant to be some kind of parodic Heathcliff-y warning about the false appeal of brooding Byronic love interests, because she was such an awful love interest! She shows up, rescues Mae, Mae tries to have a conversation with her, Lady Georgiana negs her and leaves, rinse and repeat. Like TEN TIMES this happens, and even to the bitter end of the novel Lady Georgiana is refusing to have a conversation where Mae gets to be an equal partner in deciding what's going to happen TO MAE. I hate to say it but Mae would have been better off using Lady Georgiana for sexual experimentation and keeping Lizzie as her platonic life partner, because frankly Lizzie was a way better partner and emotional support for the entire novel. On the other hand, I did really enjoy the worldbuilding and the side characters! Just kind of a bummer that the romance didn't work for me.

If Bridgerton and A Midsummer’s Night Dream had a baby, it’d be this. 🧚🏼‍♂️👗

This was my first book in the romantasy (and historomantasy for historical romance fantasy?) sub genre and it was interesting to say the least. I thought the pining between Miss Mitchelmore and the Duke of Landrake was quite cute at times, but at others I felt like it was rather one sided. It also took me A LONG time to get into the narration style of the book because it just felt rather stilted. 😕

But where the book was really good for me was the inclusion of fairy lore and Roman goddesses. I thought Hall did a great job reading into Regency expectations and ideas of fairies, and I thought it was really cool that he included mentions of Titania and Oberon as the rulers of Fairyland. The goddesses Sulis Minerva and Cybele was an really cool inclusion in the plot as both teasing and malevolent deities, and I enjoyed the idea that these goddesses still had cults well into Regency era England.🏺

Robin as a narrator was a fascinating choice as well. It really made you feel like the story was being told to you, though it was rather weird when the fairy could get a clear idea of what the characters were thinking. 🧚🏼‍♂️

Overall, it was a rather fun read and satisfied my need for a Regency book (after binging Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story on Netflix). Also, that cover is just so beautiful! 🩷🩵

Thank you again to Random House Publishing and NetgGalley for accepting my request for an eARC for an honest review! ❤️

Publication date: June 6!

Overall: (I’m rather back and forth on this) 3.75-4/5 ⭐️

This had such a gorgeous cover, and I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve read from Alexis Hall before, so this was an easy request. And I was not disappointed!

Maelys is under a horrible and constantly escalating curse. Her only allies happen to be an accused murderess, a priestess, a genre savvy cousin, and a witch.

This was an absolutely charming read. I loved the setting of Georgian England, but with magic existing. And not only magic, but a plethora of pantheons, faerie creatures, naiads, spirits, and everything in between. We even get good old Robin Goodfellow as our narrator, constantly causing just a little mischief. I will admit that I found myself getting distracted every time Puck mentioned another adventure of his, or misadventure as it may be, and wishing we could get that story as well.

Hall has a particular talent for making characters, even secondary characters, fully realized and fleshed out. One of my absolute favorite things about this book was Lysistrata. Her entire character was flighty and fanciful, and yet she regularly was the one who had the brilliant ideas that smoothed the way.

I found the ending to be a little abrupt. We have two fairly important arcs combined together in one book, and the second one felt rushed. The final problem and resolution are introduced fairly late in the game and then all tied up with a neat bow. But I was so charmed, that I didn’t mind it as much as I usually do.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this ARC!

This is a fun and quirky queer read that is perfect for Fantasy lovers. Alexis Hall does great job of immediately immersing you in the world and keeping you engaged on the plot throughout. Fans of her books will love this new tale!

✨ Review ✨ Mortal Follies by Alexis Hall

Miss Maelys Mitchelmore finds herself continually plagued by some kind of curse -- after her dress disintegrates at a ball, leaving her naked in the bushes outside, shenaningans continue to ensue.

The book has a great cast of characters -- a bestie who's basically Karen from Mean Girls but obsessed with the fairy world. She's endlessly loyal but has her head in the clouds and is always pondering potential spirit encounters. Georgianna Landrake, the "Duke of Annadale," is broody and alluring and always there when Maelys finds trouble.

And best of all, our immortal being who can shapeshift, cause all sorts of trouble, and narrate our story for us. The voice of the narrator is an absolute delight -- full of snark and trouble and immortal impatience with the follies of mortals. I almost wished for more of this, because with the absence of the narrator's voice for too long, sometimes I forgot whose eyes the story was through.

I loved the first half of this book, but the second half felt a little tedious, as plots resolved and new ones began. It felt like not enough new things happened in the second half to keep me as engaged. Overall, a super fun and unique read, but not this fangirl's favorite AH book (sorrryyy!)

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5 stars)
Genre: historic f/f romance + fantasy
Setting: 1814 Bath and English countryside
Pub Date: June 6, 2023

Read this if you like:
⭕️ magic via witches, curses, and the old gods
⭕️ historic + fantasy romances
⭕️ f/f yearning
⭕️ devoted friendgroups even amidst curses and spirits and more.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey, PRHAudio, and #netgalley for advanced copies of this book!

3.5 stars rounded up.

I had a bit of a love-hate relationship with this book. On the hand, it had everything that an Alexis Hall book promises: a intriguing plot, clever characters, banter, and queerness upon queerness. I'm not always a huge fan of historical romances, but this book delivered. However, the narrator took away form this story a lot. The whole book is told form the perspective of a fairy, and while I appreciated the clever incorporation of the magical world, it felt wholly unnecessary to have the story told this way. I can usually read a romance this length in a few hours, but I kept putting this one down and walking away.

Did I enjoy it? Yes. Will I recommend it to anyone looking for a sapphic romance with historical aspects? Yes. Will I every read this book again? Probably not.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review

I did not enjoy this narrator nor his tale/dream. I enjoyed the main characters but why interrupt my reading with him. The narrator only takes away from the story. Unfortunately I can’t recommend this book but I have liked her other novels.

4.5/5
Thank you to NetGalley/Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey, for a copy of Mortal Follies in exchange for an honest review. 

The Alexis Hall of it all

There is an unquestionable comfort in reading an Alexis Hall novel. Predictability is not quite the word I'm seeking — perhaps something more akin to familiarity and consistency? In any case, picking up a Hall novel has yet to leave me disappointed. 

In the continuum of Hall's work, Mortal Follies falls on the silly end of the spectrum. It's as though his The Affair of the Mysterious Letter and Something Fabulous had a baby carried and birthed by the fae. I laughed out loud several times. 

For those unfamiliar with Alexis Hall, imagine a sapphic, comedic version of Bridgerton with a heavy dose of magic and punk. Does that not sound epic? 

My only quibble -- and it is minor -- is Mortal Follies ran a little long, though it is likely a quirk of the genre it is homaging.

I enthusiastically encourage all Alexis Hall fans to pick up this book ASAP. My caveat to newbies is: You need a particular sense of humor to enjoy Mortal Follies. The entire book breaks the fourth wall, and its narrator is highly self-aware. This book exudes a quintessential Britishness that goes beyond spelling conventions. 

I must also mention that the author includes a series of content warnings at the beginning of the book. While you should take all of them seriously, I want to highlight that this book has a great deal of animal sacrifice. Some of it is rather graphic. I point it out specifically because it's uncommon to read (outside of religious texts). 

When all is said and done, even if any of the above gives you pause, I still strongly recommend you give the book a try. 

Mortal Follies is out on June 06, 2023. Pick up a copy at your local indie bookstore or library. 📚🧚👭

The narrator of this story made it quite difficult to become fully engrossed in the storyline. The constant reminder and interruption broke the spell of the story. I couldn't finish the book due to the incessant interruption of the narrator. We get it you are just observing and you are better than humans. Thanks Netgalley.

All I can say is imagine Jane Austen wrote about women loving women in her world in which gods made themselves known. That is this book, plus so much more.

I was immediately sucked into this book by the perfectly chaotic neutral Robin (who we all know and love from Shakespeare), whose narration of this story, and joy in drama and misery, had me cackling from beginning to end.

Hall wrote a cast of sharp-tongued, witty characters1800s who get their lives turned upside-down when a spiteful god decides to curse the main character, Mae. Throughout their journey we see what life could have been like for the LGBTQIA+ community during this era, and how people pursued love and desire within a world of propriety and societal obligations (.and magic).

I absolutely adored this read and found it to have the perfect blend of all my favorite genres.