3.5 rounded down. Opposite to my experience with [book:Mortal Follies|62984592], I kind of liked the romance here, but felt just about everything could've been better in a way? Like, it's not that the narrative was boring, but I feel like there could've been better picked scenes that played out. Robin is a focused storyteller indeed, but because he skips out on giving us detail about things, it's hard to really get invested with any of the characters in the deeper way that I want.

That being said, Miss Bickle remains my highlight of the series because how could you not love her, truly? 😂 I did like the dynamic between John and Captain James for what we did get, and feel the overall arc of the bigger narrative made sense for the type of plot we got. The new cast that we get here and the cameos from Mortal Follies added fun flavor as well! Getting to explore a variety themes with class, race, and overall society while also throwing in the magic and many references was really well-balanced on Alexis's part!

If Alexis gives us a Miss Bickle book, I'll be the happiest camper. But at the same time, this feels complete as well.

Alexis Hall's superpower as a writer is making me giggle about the tiny things. If you commit to the bit so hard that it invades your "about the author", you're my hero.

In Confounding Oaths, our mischievous narrator leads us into yet another story. This story has winning ingredients: dashing romances, a wish gone wrong, and the comedic relief that helps the reader through the many woes the characters experience. It's best read on a warm evening when the magic in the air is palpable and you can believe that the narrator would watch your many stumbles too.

A story about being careful what you wish for, coming into yourself, and well-chosen names, Confounding Oaths is as technically brilliant as it is a wonder to behold. More fantasy than romance, but the romance didn't feel diminished despite being one of many plot lines. Most importantly, there's Miss Bickles’s fanfic society. Then there's a story about fairies taking advantage of Miss Caesar’s wish. Patriarchy compelling sisters to squabble. The societal consequences of colonialism and vice versa. Cults. And, of course, the ongoing meta commentary narrators, dead authors, and fourth walls.

The alliteration serves the humor and emphasizes just the right moments. The foreshadowing adds enough zhuzh to keep you interested in the overarching plots without detracting from the journey or spoiling the fun. The voice is sublime. Robin is tired and not a little stressed, and the early flippancy reflects that. It borders on the edge of irritating, but Robin is irritated. As the story shifts and consumes, the voice keeps pace (with a few asides to poke at playwrights and, ahem, mortal follies).

In a world where narrative is surer than gravity, wordplay abounds, and the garden paths are enchanting. I giggled a lot and as often reacted with gleeful recognition at foreshadowing come true.

But ultimately, as with everything AJH writes, the book is kind. Miss Bickle remains an absolute delight, and the cast of Irregulars adds Hall’s typical (and appreciated) friendship textures. The characters are kinder than they should be given *gestures broadly*, and Robin is kinder than he seems. I wish them all well.

Spoiler: even fairies choose the bear

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc

Alexis hall has such a way with a farce. Mixing it up with elements of Jane Austen and Shakespeare and a narrator that breaks the fourth wall.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s so different from most of the romance out there.

Big thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine/Del-Rey for the chance to read an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great follow-up to book one in this series. It has great LGBTQIA+ representation. There is some romance but it is sweet, not so much spice, which I enjoyed. This has such fantastic narration. I found myself legitimately laughing out loud at times while reading.

Without giving anything away, the Gods are having some fun with the mortal world. A wish is granted and now there needs to be a solution to undoing said wish. This is a true homage to "be careful what you wish for." This was a truly enjoyable read.

Robin is back and better than ever!

Lord, what fools these mortals be! Robin Goodfellow returns once again to give us his account of foolish mortals and their ability to maybe fall in love. This story has a couple of storylines to monitor, but it ultimately follows the Caesar family as their siblings experience adventure, love, mischief, wish-granting, and more! I think we got a wonderful extra slice of life in this book that perhaps was a bit more focused in "Mortal Follies."

Once again this is such a creative way to tell a story. I truly think that Alexis Hall is an exceptional storyteller. This is unique in a wonderful way. You get to see this immortal being once again return to observing these mortals who make the worst possible decisions at every turn. AND you get the see all the mischief Robin loves to sow. I just really enjoyed it. Additionally, the love story between Mr. Caesar and Captain James. Ultimately, it is adorable watching these two fall in lust and eventually maybe something more.

The other part of this story was also something different but great. One of Mr. Caesar's siblings has the opportunity for a secret wish to come true. However, whenever faeries (double entendre meant) are involved, things never go according to plan. Mary's adventure to become beautiful was both so heartbreaking and incredibly tender. I enjoyed seeing how this resolved itself and how capricious the faeries could be. It was another layer to this that made it interesting. No faery bargain is ever as easy as it seems. The ending to this particular story thread was beautiful and full of found family and heroics alike.

Readers will LOVE returning to this world of magic and mayhem. Robin makes for an excellent narrator and I cannot wait for our next adventure through the eyes of the devious but well-meaning creature!

I am a fan of both Alexis Hall and historical romance novels, so this book feels meant for me. This is a sequel to Mortal Follies.

Our narrator continues to be over the top and a bit annoying, but I guess that’s his charm? This book focuses on the cousin of the previous heroine. He is a bit more stoic at times, but I really love the couple and the found family of soldiers. This time, the dangers come in large part due to dealing with racism and classism, and I think Hall handles it well.

I enjoyed this book so much more than the first one. I found it hard to put down once the plot got rolling, and I really cared about everyone involved.

As usual, Hall has a way with words that just leads to some beautiful prose. I highly recommend this book if you liked the first one, and even if you might not have.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher.

I’m a huge fan of Alexis Hall and I am always glad to have the fortune to read one of his books, especially before it will be published. I was especially waiting for this one, because I really loved Mortal Follies. This book doesn’t disappointed me AT ALL. I LOVE IT. It’s funny and desecrating. And I love the narrator, he’s my favorite character, sorry not sorry.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

A little deeper dive than most of Hall’s works but fun for those looking for swing drama and some Greek influences. Fun and lush.

In this sequel to Mortal Follies, we follow the story of Gentleman John Caesar and Captain Orestes James as they meet when the Captain steps in to prevent him from getting a thrashing from the dastardly Major Bloodworth. Situations are further complicated when James’ sister enters a bargain with a Lady from Faerie. The family must come together to stand against the combined dangers of the Seelie Court, a Murderous Ancient Cult, and the unsubtle racism of English society.

I haven’t read Mortal Follies, the first in the series, so there were parts of this I’m sure I would have liked better if I had read it, but I still enjoyed this one. I SUPER love that it’s narrated by Puck/Robin Goodfellow, and there’s a whole thread of Puck being shady towards William Shakespeare. I really only have one complaint which was why this wasn’t a four star read for me. Alexis Hall’s works are marketed as romances and they really aren’t. They are fantasies and contemporary fictions with romantic subplots IN THEM. And there is a difference. I need to keep this in mind going in, because I do really enjoy Alexis Hall’s work, the snarky dialog is SO GOOD. But they aren’t romances and when I see them marketed that way and then they turn out not to be, I’m left disappointed. It’s like if you ordered hot chocolate and were delivered iced tea. I like both beverages, but when I want hot cocoa, iced tea isn’t going to hit the spot.

Favorite Part - Puck being exactly himself, especially that line about how Oberon has never gotten his antlers tangled in light fixtures,

Read This If You - want a fantastic adventure with intrigue, the world of Faeries mixed in with our own, and soldiers being more “gentlemanly” than the “Gentlemen”.

Confounding Oaths picks up shortly after the events of Mortal Follies and follows Mr. Caesar as he struggles to balance all of his various priorities and identities. Along the way, he meets a dashing captain and the two work together to keep the young Misses Caesars out of mortal danger. A story of cults, fae, and romance, this book is perfect for fans of Bridgerton who are looking for more Queer representation!

The Caesar family was honestly a bit difficult to root for, at times. In particular, the two sisters' bickering got old very quickly. Yes, the girls are young and their future relies on their marriage prospects, but the fighting was just not enjoyable to read.

Mr. Caesar and his love interest really help each other grow throughout the story, which was great to read. Mr. Caesar matures a lot throughout the book and grows into his own person.

Miss Bickle may have been my favorite part of the book. While I found her a bit irritating in Mortal Follies, she really shines in the smaller doses we get in Confounding Oaths. She was just *so* charming!

Overall, I would say that, while fun, this book didn't quite hook me like Mortal Follies did. It suffers from a few too many plot threads running simultaneously. Still, I had a great time reading it and was on the edge of my seat wondering how everything would be wrapped up. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys regency romances, stories about the fae, and queer romance!

I want to thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC. Alexis Hall is one of my favorite authors anytime I see a book by them I know it is going to be good. This book just like all their other books was able to draw me into this “historical” world of these characters. We got to follow an openly but also secretive gay romance and a sister that kept making deals with Fae.

Confounding Oaths by Alexis Hall
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Really liked this one! I loved the familial bonds, the wildness and viciousness of the fae, and how the social context of regency England informed both the conflict and the ways the Caesar siblings grew as people over the course of the story. Mr. Caesar and Orestes got together early on and I enjoyed how the conflict focused on whether they could grow that initial attraction into a deeper bond. It was a slow burn towards love mixed with a fast physical attraction balanced in an engaging way. Staying with someone takes work and I loved seeing James grow for Orestes, his sisters, and himself.

The romance/fantasy adventure balance lay more towards the adventure side in this book, and I felt like the two aspects of the plot were better balanced than in Mortal Follies. I also thought Robin, our narrator, was much better utilized here. I might even say they were my favorite character this time around! Robin taking a more active role in the plot made the narration device feel less uncomfortable voyeuristic and the stronger fae plot elements also suited their voice; having the Lady and Puck as foils worked really well.

Some interesting musings on the costs of war, sibling bonds (by blood or by battle), and the meaning of beauty. I think a lot of folks will connect with Mary’s struggle to define her own beauty- there’s a really sweet moment towards the end of the story of her reaching out to another Black woman for support that made me tear up. I really hope that both Miss Caesars have so much space to explore their worth as individuals beyond this story- Hall did a great job making me love both of them, despite the youngest being a very realistically frustrating fourteen-year-old. Seeing them grow as sisters was also very sweet.

There are a few dangling plot threads- who is the woman Georgianna and Maelys spoke with? What’s next for Lizzie after certain events?- but these felt like leaning towards a sequel rather than messiness within this story.

Fingers crossed Lizzie is next. More regency fae shenanigans! More deadpan Robin narration!

Also- the best answer to the man or bear question I’ve seen yet-
Feed the evil man to a bear.

2SLGBTQIA+ Historical Fantasy Steamy Romance set in England 1815 that follows a nobleman who must work with a dashing soldier to save his sister from a mystical bargain gone wrong, malicious fey & a military cult.

4/5 stars: This is the second entry in Hall's Mortal Follies series, which is a 2SLGBTQIA+ Historical Fantasy Steamy Romance that's set in England 1815 and features a nobleman determined to see his younger sister come-out successfully who must work with a with a working-class yet dashing soldier to save his sister after she's cursed by the fair folk. Along the way, the two will encounter a military cult, a malicious fairy godmother, treacherous magic and oh yeah fall in love. With their signature humor, Hall's writing and character work are excellent; the characters are well-rounded, complex and yet remain incredibly likable. The “story” is narrated by Robin Goodfellow AKA Shakespeare's Puck from A Midsummer Night's Dream. Mr Caesar and Captain James are adorable and I loved seeing them flail their way to a HEA. While there's plenty of swoon worthy banter and the lead ups are nice and steamy, the sex scenes are pretty much off-page or fade-to-black. Hall takes on some sensitive topics; so take care and check the CWs. This can be read as a stand-alone but if you'd like to read the series from the beginning, be sure to pick up book one, Mortal Follies.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

This was a fun, historical-ish m/m romance set in the Napoleanic era of the early 19th century. It features issues of racism in addition to the openly secret gay dealings of the main character. I say openly secret because of the proclivities mentioned in the army. I found the romance in this book more intriguing than in the previous book in this series; it seemed less forced to me. Perhaps the author is just more adept at writing m/m romances than f/f. The only real issue I had (again) is the snarky, omni-present fairy creature. We all know the Fae are not subtle but something about this just seemed a bit too high-handed to me.

I feel very similar about this book as I did the first in this series. I don’t have too much to say other than I was excited by the premise and then found it a little too wordy for my taste. I have a lot of friends/book club pals that I think would enjoy this maybe more than I did and I will certainly recommend it still.

Strong sequel for Hall! This book brings us back to the world of "Mortal Follies" with Hall's usual flair for writing in the language and tone of the era while still remaining readable. The surprise narrator--existing both inside and outside the action--remains a fun device. Characters new and old unite for another turn in magical Regency England. (What a delight to meet Miss Bickle again! And I would read more books about the Irregulars.) This ending is much stronger than the last, less abrupt while still keeping in tone with the teller's perspective and attitude. Overall, a welcome follow-up for this universe.

just like the first book of the series i loved this as well! i really enjoy the snarkiness of the narrator and i hope we get more books in his pov.

thank you netgalley for the e-arc!

Oh how I love Alexis Hall, one of my auto buys and I never have regrets! I enjoyed Mortal Instruments so I knew the author would have to really take a sharp turn for me to dislike this one. I had no cause to be worried. The writing continues to be incredibly fun and witty and an all around fun romp. I do feel like the romance is more central in the first book than this one so I was a bit disappointed on that front but I really enjoyed the plot that moved along well. If you enjoyed the first book I think you will definitely enjoy this one as well though you don’t need to read the first book and can jump right in. Can’t wait to see what Hall writes next!

Confounding Oaths follows an interracial queer gentlemen trying to find his place in the world - too bad he's busy avoiding duels, kissing a very handsome captain, and helping his sister who should be a bit more wary of making deals with fairies. A great read for those who thought Bridgerton could have done with some magic!

historical fantasy | achillean love | mythology and magic | race and class | snarky sprite narrator