I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc of this book. I haven’t read any books of Alexis Hall before, and this one really piqued my interest due to its synopsis.

The best way I can describe this is if you’re a fan of The Importance of Being Ernst and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, mixed with magic and faeries, you’ll enjoy reading this.

Alexis Hall’s writing in this book was incredibly entertaining and light, and very much an ode to Shakespearean comedy. And while I enjoyed witticisms and folly, sadly, the storyline fell short for me, which is why it took a while for me to finish this book.

We start off meeting Miss Maelys Mitchelmore, who finds herself in an odd predicament during a ball where her clothes have begun to fall apart. With the help of the Duke of Annadale, on more than one occasion, we find that the main character has been cursed by someone, and to figure out who has done so, she asks for the help of her best friend Lizzie and the Duke herself, Lady Georgiana. Maelys finds her feelings for the Duke growing along the way, but the Duke pushes her away whenever she gets too close.

The first mystery of the book is solved about halfway through, and then the story starts to fall short and drags a bit. I found myself not feeling much excitement for solving the issue in the second half of the book, or feeling any sort of anticipation or anxiety. And the second half was solved in the last few pages of the last chapter, which was incredibly quick.

I feel like this book would have been better written as a play, than as a book. Our narrator, who is a faerie of sorts, didn’t really have much need to be included for the sake of a novel, but it would have made more sense for this to be divided in acts and written as a performance.

Regarding the romance, the anticipation built up left us needing more as we were teased plenty with dirty words and flirting, but no scenes to quench our thirst after the slow burn. Again, this would have made more sense as a play.

I would still read more of these stories if they were written, but hope for a bit more plot and excitement to occur rather than a quick resolve after a long dragging storyline.

Ratings:

Plot: 2.5/5
Characters: 4/5
World building/setting: 3.5/5
Romance: 3/5
Spice: 0.5 🌶️

Overall: 3.5 out of 5 ⭐️

The faerie narrator of this kept the characters at too remote a distance, which made it hard to engage with what it was going on. Not Alexis' best.

Thank you Del Rey and NetGalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. I very muchedenjoyed this story! A sapphic romance set in a world where fairies, spirits, deities, and sorcery exist! After Maelys Mitchelmore she seeks the help of Lady Georgina Landrake “Duke of Annadale”, who may have killed her father and siblings, to figure out why she is cursed. Also joined by her cousin John Caesar and her friend Miss Bickle they go on a delightful journey to figure out what and who is behind this curse! What makes he book even more fun is that it’s narrated by a hobgoblin, though don’t call him that to his face, who is funny, wicked, and not afraid to cause some mischief! Alexis Hall astounds me with y being able to write a crowed so many different genres but still be able to bring a familiar humor and wit! Romance with a mix of fantasy, magic, and comedy! Can’t wait to read it again!

A tale curses and whodunits narrated by a fae…

The narration definitely gives the story a whimsical Midsummer vibe, but I felt I was reading two stories in one. I really liked the story. It was intriguing and often humorous, but I didn't necessarily love it, and I think it had to do with ambiance.

Mortal Follies is one of those books that deserves a proper ambiance (and mindset) to add to the whimsy of the story. Whether it's sitting outside on a cool summer night, nestled in your reading nook, or cozied up near a fire pit with your favorite beverage. Whatever your choice, it'll add to the experience.

3.75 (Thank you to netgalley for providing an Arc)

First of all, a sapphic fantasy set in a regency-esc era with curses, gods and fairies?? Sign me up.

At first i was worried having a narrator tell this story would be hard to connect to book but i take that back. It was such a unique way of telling the story through the lens of a fairy who loves telling stories plus it was told in a way that had me laughing out loud. Watching our narrator Robin go from telling the story from a distance to starting to care about the characters was so charming and Robin ended up being one of my favorite characters. Also the few times they split from the story and we got to see little details about them personally was really well done.

Miss bickle was another one of my favorite characters. She was so wholesome and funny and you could really tell she cared for Miss Mitchelmore and wanted only the best for her. I loved her obsession with the fairies and how that actually helped out in the end.

I really liked Miss Mitchelmore and the Duke of Annadale as a couple however i wish we had more scenes of them together. This story was more plot based and we had lots of beautiful settings described and really stunning writing but i just wish there was more romance. The main leads do interact with each other quite a bit but i wish at least through the halfway point they were able to talk through things without a curse looming over their heads. I wish we got more about Georgina’s family and how she grieved and how she overcame her trauma. I wish we were told more about Maelys’ likes and dislikes and quirks in her personality. I get we have a narrator who doesn’t know some details but i’m sure it would have been able to be added somewhere.

Now this book took me way longer than normal to read. I think it’s because in the beginning it was really hard to connect to the story and also to figure out who’s who. The character are referred to by both first name and last name and sometimes even nicknames which was hard for my pea brain to keep up with at times Lol. It’s also written in a historical style (which is such a talent to do so well) and it was a little challenging to understand what the hell they were saying at some points. It’s just been a minute since i’ve read a historical romance honestly. It did get wayy easier after a while and then of course it all started growing on me.

The last thing i’ll mention was the way this book ended. I felt like the ending was way too rushed. I liked how it ended plot wise, but i feel like it was just the beginning relationship wise for our ladies. Which sucked cause i really wanted to see them at least come to an agreement in the relationship and i feel like we really didn’t get a satisfying ending for them. The relationship to me felt too new and fragile to end it where we did. I know that they live happily ever after but boy did i want to see them be happy together!

All in all this book was really enjoyable there was just some things i wish were done differently. (Also that last line??? huh??)

If you liked Longshadow by Olivia Atwater i’m sure you would like this book. We’re being fed so well with cute sapphic fairytales and i cant wait to see what comes next!

Someone needs to stop me requesting historical romance. I should know by now I don't like it.

I really like Alexis Hall, but this book just didn't land for me. The characters and writing themselves are fine -- as is expected for an Alexis Hall book, this is where the novel shines. But as many have pointed out, the narrator concept is just ... too much. I would rather the book have lacked that element. IMO, it would have been more engaging if I felt like I was present with the characters at all times rather than the narrator telling us what's happening/happened as if it was just a story, because that did take something out of it. I usually love fairy tales and faeries, and the combination should have been stellar, but instead it was just average.

Still, I'll probably read the next thing Alexis Hall publishes anyway because I will always chase the high that Boyfriend Material gave me

This book was incredibly hard to get through. It would not have been as bad if it were not for the obnoxious narrator. It was trying to be quirky and missed tremendously.

A sapphic Regency era fantasy reminiscent of A Midsummer Night's Dream with goddesses and fairies and curses? (OH MY!) I found this to be a very enjoyable and silly read, the mischievous gossiping narrator added an extra level of comedy, and the love interests had good banter and a level of realism in their relationship. Overall, a cute and quick read.

Review:

In Mortal Follies, a character known as Puck takes on the role of narrator. However, he also goes by the name Robin and identifies himself as a hobgoblin. Puck's presence adds a touch of whimsy and humor to the story, but he occasionally goes off tangent, which can be distracting. Nonetheless, readers can expect him to be a constant presence throughout the book.

The character of Maelys Mitchelmore, who is the central figure in the story, has a much more complex journey than just breaking a curse. She experiences a range of emotions, including being unsure, curious, and ultimately deciding to follow her heart, even if it goes against societal expectations. The writer has portrayed her inner conflicts in a way that I find relatable and empathetic.

Lady Georgianna's Byronic personality and a fierce desire to safeguard Maelys make her a captivating character. During the most dramatic scenes, she delivers some memorable lines that leave me breathless.


In line with the expectations of a romance novel, Mortal Follies included moments of intimacy between the two characters, but these scenes were not overly explicit or provocative. Consistent with the narrative style of the period, the sex scenes were suggested rather than described in detail. However, the real standout moments were the tense confrontations between the characters, particularly from the perspective of Maelys, which effectively tapped the emotions.

Alexis Hall maintained uniformity in the theme of the book Mortal Follies, based in England in 1814. The book is rich in timely language, expressions, and cultural references, which adds to its authenticity and charm.

Mortal Follies boasts a plot that mirrors the ebb and flow of life during a particular time period. However, it sets itself apart by infusing witty humor through a narrator and delving into the exploration of one's sexuality. This unique blend of elements makes it a standout piece.

The conclusion that leaves everyone satisfied with a happy ending is always a crowd-pleaser, and Mortal Follies did just that.

Reading enjoyment:

At first, I was a bit thrown off by the narrator, but I eventually warmed up to Robin as I continued reading. However, I found that the characters spent too much time searching for the cure to the curse with a lot of unnecessary running around. Despite this, I found Maely's journey to be fascinating. Despite her lack of experience, she grew and developed into her own person. If you're looking for something unique and intriguing, this book will definitely leave a lasting impression.

Our story begins with a tricky little fairy whose favorite thing to do is go off on a tangent. The narrator follows the characters throughout the book as a bug, a bit of string, and sometimes even their namesake Robin to get all the details about what befalls them. This is a world where everyone seems to acknowledge the existence of fairies, gods, and magic, and often seek out the help of deities or get cursed by others through them.

The first protagonist is a young woman named Miss Mitchelmore who has frankly stupid (except for the moments they say something unintentionally brilliant) friends and is the granddaughter of an Earl, making her way about in society where everything is just a little bit silly and unimportant because these people are rich and don't have to worry about anything. Her parents are also rather eccentric.

The second (who I much prefer) is the Duke of Annadale, a young woman who has been suspected to be a witch due to her family's untimely death. She's a bit ostracized socially, but not so much that she cannot move through society, perhaps because people are just a bit afraid of her.

They come together when Miss Mitchelmore discovers that she is cursed, and for the first quarter or so of the book, everything is pretty light and slow. Her dress is unraveling, etc. There are quite a few tedious scenes of her just sitting around with her friends coming up with silly suspects who might be responsible for her misfortune. She ends up seeking out the assistance of the Duke of Annadale, who seems to have more knowledge about curses in general and always happens to be in the right place at the right time.

This is at its heart a romance and a story of the power of love to overcome and conquer all. What I did not expect from the light opening is how absolutely dark things get while never losing the flippant prose style. It feels quite surreal to straight up murder a man by drowning or slaughter a sacrificial cow while the narrator is still making little jokes and asides. The pacing in the middle is pretty good actually, but the last 15% or so felt absolutely jammed and rushed as Miss Mitchelmore overcomes increasingly unlikely odds to achieve her goals and solve some fairy riddles.

As I mentioned, I loved the Duke and found her character and backstory decently compelling, and I absolutely see why Miss Mitchelmore fell for her. What I don't get is what she saw in Miss Mitchelmore, who is in my experience pretty bland and uninspiring. I would not doom myself to save this woman. The sex scenes were pretty glossed over as well, with the narrator being coy about the bedroom dalliances of mortals, but we get enough to know that Miss Mitchelmore is a pretty much unwilling pillow princess. Please just explain to me what the Duke is getting out of this and I'll go, I swear.

In the end, this is another entry in the genre of adult fiction with dark events and light fairy tale narration that really just isn't for me. If I hadn't already had the ARC I probably would have dropped it after my recent realization about this genre, but in the end it was decently enjoyable but pretty forgettable for me.

This was very exciting for me! My first Net Galley ARC, and it's an FF Alexis Hall??!! There was much celebrating done when my request for the ARC was approved. I hadn't even read the description, and I was certain I was going to love it. I really do know myself well. I absolutely DO love it!

Now that I'm reading the blurb, I'm so struggling to decide just how much I want to talk about in this review. I don't want to spoil anything, but my favorite part of the whole book isn't really discussed in the blurb!!! Suffice it to say, allusion was used to the fullest extent, and I appreciated it IMMENSELY!

This was absolutely hilarious. I don't love a "ruined reputation" trope, but the adventures and hijinks that take place to maintain Miss Mitchelmore's reputation are quite entertaining. I do love a reluctant hero, and Lady Georgianna Landrake is absolutely that. She is every rakish duke from every regency historical romance I've ever read. With the bonus of being a woman!!! She's just trying to live her best broody, gothic life on the moors, and she keeps getting distracted by Miss Mitchelmore's predicaments and pretty tears. It's a slow burn, and once it burns it fades to black. But it is very, very swoony!

I'm fairly certain that Miss Mitchelmore's best friend, Miss Lysistrata Bickle is my spirit animal. She is always optimistic, easy to please, and desperate for adventure and magic. She is the kind of ride or die friend that I can only strive to be!!! She absolutely makes the book for me! Well, her and the narrator, of course.

I will be publishing this review to my blog, goodreads account, storygraph account, amazon, and instagram, the week of May 23. As per the stipulation to not publish prior to 2 weeks before the release data of June 6, 2023. Links are added below. Instagram: @romanthiccreader

Alexis Hall has definitely done it again! Full of his trademark humor and heart, Mortal Follies is a fantasy adjacent Edwardian era sapphic romance that reads like a fairy tale. This book is set in an alternative universe where magic is both reality and fairly common place, with hobgoblins, fae, mermaids, and even old gods coming out to play. This is a new subgenre for Alexis but one I am so eager to see him explore more after finishing this novel. If you ever thought, what would it look like if I combined a Jane Austin romance with Into the Woods, then this one is for you!

A Midsummer Night's Dream was one of my favorites in high school. Not because of the meddlesome fairies, or the love triangle, or the mischief, but because Puck mended everything and made things to right. He held our hands and gazed into scenes with us. He created hilarious situations and you jus grew to love his silly antics. He was part of the story not just the narrator- shaping scenes. This book was fun to read, I do love a wee bit of fantasy and sapphic love is my shot of whiskey, but the narration separated me a bit from experiencing the book. Not sure how to explain it, but even as a reader I know I'm a bystander yet there's a bridge formed, an emotional contagion occurs through being a part of a scene... that feeling of a fly on the wall. I didn't get that with this narrator. Felt more like reading a newspaper to find the relevant topics than reading a book? Overall, I enjoyed it. I laughed and i cringed in equal amounts. Definitely a Bridgerton vibe, but wasn't a fan of that show. There weren't any steamy scenes, but there was love so still worth the read. Be sure to set time aside because it is quite a long read- not something you'll finish in one sitting so be sure to carve out the time:)

I actually am obsessed with this book. it's different from anything i've read before. it's so fun and refreshing honestly. i love the idea, i love our main characters, i love the surprises. 10/10 i will buy a copy of this asap

Mortal Follies is a delightful romp of a sapphic regency romance, fit with faeries, sorcerers and Bridgerton-esque politics of manners. I’ve always been a fan of Alexis Hall’s witty, pacey stories and this was no different. I loved the writing style and the gorgeous details that made the world and characters positively jump off the page.

Following the story of two women finding love amidst curses, an intriguing mystery and plenty of tender romance. It reminded me somewhat of Stephanie Garber’s Once Upon a Broken Heart (but sapphic and regency) which is always a win in my book!

The only thing that kept me from fully loving the story was the narrator. They take on an omniscient role and frequently provide overarching opinions and remarks about the MCs. I don’t mind this style of narration generally, but found their voice to be a little long-winded and prone to tangents, which distracted a little from the main story.

Overall, I’d rate it a 3.5/5 stars!

This is a historical romance/ fantasy stand alone told in the third person through the POV of an invisible fae storyteller, Robin. He follows Miss Maelys Mitchelmore, a young lady enjoying the season in Bath.
Maeyls has been struck by curse in the middle of a ball. As her cloths begin falling to shreds as she stands, Maelys runs from the ballroom and is saved for ruin by the mysterious “Duke” of Annadale. Following this, Maelys, her cousin, and best friend begin the arduous task of discovering her malevolent benefactor while attempting to keep abreast of the perilous situations she keeps finding herself in, and all the while Lady Georgiana, AKA the Duke, lingers in the background whenever the curse strikes.
Mortal Follies is a cyclical tail split into two parts. It has evil curses, mischievous fae, witches and cultists, a morally gray love interest, and pissed off goddesses.

I really like a handful of Alexis Hall's other books. This book, however, seemed to waffle between "hurry up, and get to the point," then "wait, did I miss something?"

To be fair, some of the meanderings were interesting but not always pertinent to the direct story. This is because the story was narrated by an observer rather than one of the main characters.

Nevertheless, it was a well-written and very fun story, and I will probably end up rereading this book if a follow-up book is ever written.

A queer historical romantic fantasy told through the eye of a comical narrator. It had just the right amount of whimsy and the writing style itself drew me in right away. The character and world building is superb.

I chose to read this book because of the beautiful cover alone and I am so glad I did because I was not disappointed. Alexis Hall is a literary genius!

I am a HUGE fan of Alexis Hall, and I was so excited to read this book.
First, what I liked: I think this was a really interesting take on the Regency romance. I loved the magical elements, and the mystery. I loved that the story was steeped in Queerness, beyond our main sapphic romance. Speaking of that, the tension between our two MCs was HOT!
On the other hand: I didn’t love the third party magical narrator. At first, it was cute, but for me, it quickly became tiresome. I also found myself having difficulty keeping track of all the characters in play, especially at first. Overall, I wanted to love this book, but it was not my favorite work from the author. Still, it was an enjoyable read, and I would especially recommend it for all the Midsummer Nights Dream fans!

A magical and lovely romance that wasn’t really a favorite of mine. Would recommend for fans of Bridgerton and A Midsummer’s Night Dream.