Mortal Follies is the story of Maelys, a young lady who seems to be cursed. When her gown unravels at a ball, Maelys is forced to consider unusual methods for taming said curse. Who would want to curse her anyway? Enter the Duke of Annadale, real name Lady Georgianna, so nicknamed due to the unnatural way her father and brothers died. Is she truly a murderess? How is she always coming to Maelys’ rescue? And unbeknownst to Maelys, she has a narrator observing her. The narrator is a curious and at times capricious fae whose purpose is to document the story and ensure that (almost) all of the reader's questions are answered. Will the mysterious fae have documented a comedy or tragedy in the end? 

Mortal Follies is a witty and whimsical historical romance from Alexis Hall. I adored it!! I would unabashedly read Alexis Hall's grocery list, but fortunately this book exists. The sense of humor is so droll and even as Hall writes the simplest sentence, a joke is somehow worked in. Maelys and Georgianna have a complicated and swoonworthy romance. It is thrilling to watch as they appease goddesses, defeat villainous men, and simply try to decide what they might mean to each other. Hall never ignores the realities of what it meant to be queer during this time period, yet somehow one is certain of a happy ending. I thought the narrator was hilarious and eloquent. I appreciated the hidden world of the fae that was revealed through their eyes. 

Mortal Follies is a must-read for Alexis Hall fans (of course),  Lex Croucher (Infamous), and  KJ Charles (The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen). If you enjoy witty, queer historical romance tinged with a hint of magic then you need to read Mortal Follies! 

Thank you to Alexis Hall, Del Rey, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.