Publication Date: 06th June 2023
Genre: Regency Sapphic Romance, Fantasy
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 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.
#NetGalley #MortalFollies
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TW: The book has scenes of animal sacrifice.
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