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booksthatburn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The romance was fun, and the stakes escalated appropriately. I liked the story but found Puck frustrating as a narrator. Because they are recalling these events from so far in the future, their interjections kept me from sinking completely into the 19th century setting. It seems like these may form some overarching story which moves between books, but it happened to hit upon a style I don't personally enjoy.
Moderate: Death of parent, Drug use, Sexual content, Transphobia, War, Classism, Homophobia, Sexism, Misogyny, and Death
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape
alli_gator's review against another edition
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Sexual content and Rape
Minor: Homophobia
hazel_oat's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Terminal illness, Animal death, Medical content, Kidnapping, Violence, Abandonment, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Body shaming, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Homophobia, Sexism, and Sexual content
Minor: Racism, Transphobia, Lesbophobia, and Slavery
sommermeyer27's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content and Cursing
Moderate: Murder and Animal death
Minor: Death of parent, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Transphobia
raptorq's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Sexual content and Medical content
Minor: Sexism, Transphobia, Homophobia, Racism, and Sexual harassment
biggshelf's review
The alternate history fantasy setting could’ve been so great, but amidst left-field mentions of slave trade and homo/transphobia and off-putting modern references, it was not nearly as fleshed out as it should’ve been to handle the topics well.
The writing style was not for me, I understand repetition for emphasis and humor but “she drank the concoction her mother concocted”?! Like how did that get through editing.
Believe it or not this is the abridged version of my review. This book could’ve been everything I needed in my life. Instead it became my worst enemy.
Moderate: Transphobia and Homophobia
Minor: Racism and Slavery
lbelow's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Racism, Homophobia, Transphobia, Blood, Animal death, Death, Cursing, Murder, Sexual content, and Misogyny
rabblearouser's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This journey into the fae-core romance space is an underrated, ambitious undertaking outfitted with a thoughtful and whimsical mosaic of fae & queer lore alike. As always, every character is intentionally crafted and delightful. Our love interests are a brooding Duke (f) who’s rumored to have wielded dark magic to commit grave crimes and a precious, flower-child damsel with terrible luck… or something like it. If you’re an ACOTAR stan who swooned at Azriel & Elain’s stolen moments but are impatient for Elain’s actual character development or perhaps just craving more of who she becomes when Azriel lends her some teeth (not to mention some queer characters who actually kiss), I might have a recommendation. Alexis Hall can’t help being charming and hilarious so there’s plenty of that, of course.
I imagine what puts people off is the unconventional narration. The point of view is not one of the main characters but, instead, a mischievous mythical creature who many of us first encountered when reading Midsummer Night’s Dream back in high school. Once you get past the initial novelty, this choice brings new life to some tired tropes and settings by filtering them through the scrutiny of an unimpressed and often peeved otherworldly perspective. I know it sounds odd but it works and, frankly, the book is all the better for it. Truly, what will always make a sapphic romance even more queer is an impish narrator rolling their eyes at lesbian nonsense, and perhaps, caring more than they’d care to admit by the end.
In a romance space where it can feel like we’re reading the same stories again and again, Mortal Follies is an eclectic and thoroughly queer love story that I’m proud to have on my shelf. Thank you to Alexis Hall for writing this and gifting it to the world.
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia
megj23's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Animal death, Kidnapping, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual content and Cursing
Minor: Rape and Homophobia
ramakn22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Transphobia, Classism, Homophobia, Sexual content, Stalking, Rape, Death, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Emotional abuse