Starred review from June 24, 2024
The utterly enchanting second installment of Hall’s Mortal Follies series (after Mortal Follies) brings back all the magic, both literal and figurative, that readers expect even as the focus pivots to John Caesar, a nobleman in 1815 London who is distracted from assisting his younger sisters in finding suitable husbands by his own desire for the dashing Capt. Orestes James. When one of the Caesar sisters makes an ill-conceived bargain with a fairy, Caesar and James work together to untangle the web of magic ensnaring her. The resulting quest takes readers across London, from high-society balls to working-class taverns to the fairy realm itself. Hall admirably expands his examination of Regency England’s strictures to include a discussion of race: both protagonists are mixed-race and their frequent, frank conversations about the limitations and cruelty of British society feel authentic and integral to the plot rather than a stilted checking of boxes. Cameos from the heroines of book one will delight returning fans, but this can easily be read as a standalone. It’s another rousing success from Hall. Agent: Courtney Miller-Callihan, Handspun Literary.
March 1, 2025
In an alternative Regency England, the Caesar family finds themselves in the crosshairs of a malevolent fairy godmother and a bloodthirsty cult. John Caesar ropes in Captain Orestes James and his band of merry Irregulars to help save his sister but loses his heart in the process. Hall's follow-up to Mortal Follies is narrated in a snarky and sarcastic manner by the fourth-wall-breaking Robin Goodfellow, loyal servant of Oberon and shapeshifter extraordinaire. Unfortunately, the story's competing threads--John's love arc, rescuing the maligned maiden, fighting off a mysterious cult--sacrifice emotional investment, resulting in a lackluster listening experience. The story is bogged down by slow pacing and clumsy attempts to wink at popular culture with avid readerdoms. Hall attempts a fantastical variation of Bridgerton but doesn't quite hit the mark. Despite these missteps, narrator Nneka Okoye is excellent, conveying all the attitude of an irritated fey and making the characters, many of whom have similar names, feel distinct. VERDICT A well-narrated yet uninspiring fantasy dive into the Regency era that fails to let any one arc shine. Best for Hall's diehard fans.--Zoey Colglazier
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