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A review by paradise_library
Mortal Follies by Alexis Hall
3.0
3.5 stars
Take a historical romance, add some fantastical elements… and make it queer - with a beautiful cover that is mesmerising.
Our narrator is Puck, he of A Midsummer Night’s Dream fame. He is sarcastic, condescending and discerning - a truly fabulous character. Through his observations we experience an immortal’s perspective of human trials, tribulations and teasing.
Although this works well and provides a lot of unexpected humour, it would have been nice to have a few chapters from Maelys’ perspective.
This is primarily because to Puck she seems a little pathetic at times, whereas deep down we can see she is stubborn and passionate; this takes a while to materialise in Puck’s words which almost does her a disservice.
Her friends provide some additional humour, particularly Miss Bickle’s reaction to anything and everything - in my mind her facial expressions were wonderful and it really added to the story’s amusement.
The magic is discreet and believable, whilst the general themes of the period are woven in well, so that we appreciate the concerns and struggles of women and those who didn’t conform to society.
It is perhaps a little more accepting than we are led to believe that time was, but why shouldn’t a family be happy that their daughter was enamoured by a woman?
I for one loved this little historical romp and wouldn’t say no to a little more sapphic spice in the next one!
Take a historical romance, add some fantastical elements… and make it queer - with a beautiful cover that is mesmerising.
Our narrator is Puck, he of A Midsummer Night’s Dream fame. He is sarcastic, condescending and discerning - a truly fabulous character. Through his observations we experience an immortal’s perspective of human trials, tribulations and teasing.
Although this works well and provides a lot of unexpected humour, it would have been nice to have a few chapters from Maelys’ perspective.
This is primarily because to Puck she seems a little pathetic at times, whereas deep down we can see she is stubborn and passionate; this takes a while to materialise in Puck’s words which almost does her a disservice.
Her friends provide some additional humour, particularly Miss Bickle’s reaction to anything and everything - in my mind her facial expressions were wonderful and it really added to the story’s amusement.
The magic is discreet and believable, whilst the general themes of the period are woven in well, so that we appreciate the concerns and struggles of women and those who didn’t conform to society.
It is perhaps a little more accepting than we are led to believe that time was, but why shouldn’t a family be happy that their daughter was enamoured by a woman?
I for one loved this little historical romp and wouldn’t say no to a little more sapphic spice in the next one!