Synopsis

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 it 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 rumoured witch has her own secrets that may prove dangerous to Miss Mitchelmore’s heart—not to mention her life.

Review

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.

Her friends and family are perhaps a little more accepting than we are led to believe people were during that time, but why shouldn’t a family be happy that their daughter was enamoured by a woman?

Overall Mortal Follies is a gorgeous historical romp and I for one would not say no to even more sapphic spice in the next one!

Thanks to Gollancz for the copy. Opinions my own.