Mortal Follies

A Novel

By: Alexis Hall

Narrated by: Nneka Okoye

A young noblewoman must pair up with an alleged witch to ward off a curse in this irresistible sapphic romance from the bestselling author of Boyfriend Material.

“Fresh and delightful . . . All the interpersonal drama of Jane Austen meets all the complex treachery of Greek mythology.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

It is the year 1814, and life for a young lady of good breeding has many difficulties. There are balls to attend, fashions to follow, marriages to consider, and, of course, the tiny complication of existing in a world swarming with fairy spirits, interfering deities, and actual straight-up sorcerers.

Miss Maelys Mitchelmore finds her entry into high society hindered by an irritating curse. It begins innocuously enough with her dress slowly unmaking itself over the course of an evening at a high-profile ball, a scandal she narrowly manages to escape.

However, as the curse progresses to more fatal proportions, Miss Mitchelmore must seek out aid, even if that means mixing with undesirable company. And there are few less desirable than Lady Georgiana Landrake—a brooding, alluring young woman sardonically nicknamed “the Duke of Annadale”—who may or may not have murdered her own father and brothers to inherit their fortune. If one is to believe the gossip, she might be some kind of malign enchantress. Then again, a malign enchantress might be exactly what Miss Mitchelmore needs.

With the Duke’s help, Miss Mitchelmore delves into a world of angry gods and vindictive magic, keen to unmask the perpetrator of these otherworldly attacks. But Miss Mitchelmore’s reputation is not the only thing at risk in spending time with her new ally. For the reputed witch has her own secrets that may prove dangerous to Miss Mitchelmore’s heart—not to mention her life.

©2023 Alexis Hall (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Alexis Hall can always be counted on to deliver a sweet and compelling historical romance that explores the paths that queer people forged to find love. Mortal Follies more than satisfies.” (NPR)

“From the book’s puckish narrator—whose sly observations on humanity add another layer of humor to the story—to the whimsically wonderful, witty writing that evokes Jane Austen and Oscar Wilde, Hall . . . [creates] an effervescent, genre-blurring romantic confection that will be utterly irresistible to fans of Patricia C. Wrede, Caroline Stevermer, Mary Robinette Kowal, and Zen Cho.” (Booklist)

Perfection

It is very rare to find a book, which ticks all the boxes. This book does. It is whimsical and funny, full of interesting twists and turns, set in the regency era, and sapphic. I loved the characters, I loved the narration, and I loved that this book isn't just easy fluff, but a really wonderful story. Absolutely amazing book!

Pitch perfect

Pitch perfect performance by the narrator in this delicious and witty confection of a book.

Supernaturally Good

I love Alexis Hall’s work, so I couldn’t wait to read this book, but I still have to admit that it somehow surpassed my expectations thoroughly. Incredible and distinct characters, a wild plot, clever humor that led to me laughing out loud multiple times while driving by myself… and a narrator that is stupendous. I refer to both the in-book narrator, and the Nneka Okoye who absolutely nailed this performance. Even the best book can be ruined by a poor narrator, and the worst book improved by a great one. This was the best book, and a great one.

Magic across the board.

So Unique

I loved this! So unique and funny. I adored the female friend character.I'll definitely read more by this author!

Excellent story, perfect narrator

I read this book and loved it, but it’s the sort of first person narrative that is enhanced by a well matched narrator. This is the reason I like audiobooks so much. The narrator is so good for the story, the tone and humor come through perfectly.

Highly recommended!

Just as good as I had hoped!

Though some parts drag a little, and others are resolved a little quick, overall this was amazing! Some animal death to be weary of, but definitely easy to skip ahead with one touch of the ahead 30 secs button. Miss Bickle is the best character and definitely needs her own book! Our lovely narrator is wonderful and a joy to listen to, making me laugh often. 😃

Would have been better without the narrator

This book makes the narrator a character and it does a disservice to the main story. I wish this story could have been told without Puck's involvement because they are very selfish with details that should otherwise be devoted to the characters. I really liked the plot and the way the character's relationship developed, but the narrator makes it hard to love.

Exquisitely written, brilliantly narrated tale of love and supernatural danger.

Alexis Hall can write a magical Regency romance like no one else. This tale of a young demi-aristocratic woman who is cursed by a rejected suitor and falls head over heels for the brooding and scandalous female heir of an aristocratic family also ruined by a curse, has it all: wit and comic turns, poignant sorrow, terror, passion, teeming magic, sprites, antediluvian deities, and a smiling English landscape. The tale is told with twinkling humor by the cooly omniscient Robin Goodfellow, aka Shakespeare's Puck, in a brilliantly vivid performance by Nneka Okoye. Miss Mitchelmore, though only 19, is a total heroine, and the more challenges she's burdened with, the brighter she shines. This paragon has a hilarious sidekick, Miss Bickle, who provides the perfect foil to her gravitas, but equals her in fundamental kindness and sangfroid. By comparison, the noblewoman she loves is less vivid. They act on their passion eventually but it is all rendered very decorously, though what's left to the reader's imagination is pretty hot. The ancient goddess of the springs at Bath is a fully fleshed character in her own right, amoral, capricious and cruel, a kind of divine supervillainess, but also the story's engine, and it is great fun to see Hall's characters' attempts to harness her power for ill and for good. It's a lovely book.

A little tedious

Too much anticipation and traveling to and fro with no progression made the story feel too dragged out, but Alexis Hall does always have delightful characters and Lizzie was my fave!

Definitely top favorites

I’ve never laughed to many times due to the say a story is both written and read. I love both and the characters are very interesting and well written!