The premise of the story really drew me in. A mystery romance based on 1001 nights? Sign me up. In executiI enjoyed this about like 80% of the way in.
The premise of the story really drew me in. A mystery romance based on 1001 nights? Sign me up. In execution, I enjoyed it well enough until I said...the end.
The story is heavily set in the fantasy Middle East around what I can only assume is the Islamic Golden Age. I'll never know though because other than the use of the Arabic language, we don't get much else. There's unfortunately very little world building and it's very character centric. It would be more fine if there wasn't so much set dressing being inserted into the book. I enjoyed learning terms such as sayyidi but I didn't really need so many mentions of lavesh or such complex descriptions of what people were wearing at any given moment. It seemed unnecessary.
Seriously, I was getting so freaking hungry reading about the food in this book. There's around three whole in depth descriptions of meals. Like it went into so much detail it felt ham fisted in. I think there were more subtle ways to incorporate this and this book did not achieve that.
The characters and their relationships were a bit frustrating. Shazi is really fun as a character but she does really fail the show don't tell rule. There's a lot of internal monologue about how she hates herself for falling for the Caliph. There's like one half of an assassination attempt in this book. For someone who came to the palace specifically to kill her best friend's murderer, it sure does not seem like she's trying too hard.
Khalid and Tariq are both...awful. I kept hoping that the story would somehow (view spoiler)[absolve Khalid of the murders somehow. Maybe someone else was doing it or he was just a figurehead. (hide spoiler)] Nope. And for someone who says he loves Shazi, Tariq seems to give no shits about her or her happiness.
In fact, I don't think a single person in this book listens to Shazi.
So with all this negativity, I still say I like the book. I still very much enjoyed the interactions of the characters together. There were absolutely beautifully written moments. I love me a good magnetic attraction even though personally I did not understand it at times. It really swept me away in this moments and I forgot about my gripes.
The reason I say I do not like the last 20% of the book is because literally all of my issues with the book magnified. Shazi is literally thinking one thing and doing another thing more, Tariq is being a blowhard, and Khalid...yea.
It ends on a cliff hanger so of course I have to read the second one. I'm sure there will be more character moments that I really enjoy so it's not all bad. I request more bow action Shazi and Shazi being savage....more
I've read Confounding Truths prior to this, the sequel to Mortal Follies. Personally, I think it was a great reading order since I do feel like out ofI've read Confounding Truths prior to this, the sequel to Mortal Follies. Personally, I think it was a great reading order since I do feel like out of the two, Mortal follies is superior.
Obviously it must be stated. Radiante Mozarrelle's art is so beautiful. I adore the cover and I really do wish there were some very nice hardback versions with sprayed edges because I'm an absolute sucker for that specific detail. The little peeping Robins are quite apt.
I did find this one much more romantic than it's sequel but it say it is an outright romance again, doesn't seem correct. At least it's not romance in the standard sense of a romance novel. The romantic moments in this are much more subtle and there's quite a lot of pining. Furthermore, there are sexual terms in this book but it isn't quite spicy. You get general descriptions but nothing concrete. This isn't a problem for me but I do think setting up your expectations will help in enjoying this book.
I have to also address the way the book itself is written. It is a first person recounting of the narrator observing the events of Miss Mitchelmore and the Duke of Annadale's relationship. The narrator often puts his own opinions and perceptions of the events. There's quite of a lot dry wit and quippy one liners. This was off putting for me originally but again, I stated I read Confounding Truths before this. Since I knew what I was getting into, this wasn't an issue for me again. However, I can fully understand why it wouldn't be everyones cup of tea.
The plot itself is very slow but steady. I wasn't particularly bored but was surprised when the main conflict was resolved around 50%. What happens the other 50%? Well that's where the pacing kind of confused me. A good 30% of it seemed like unnecessary pining, 10% of the characters just being naughty, and then another conflict at the last 20% of the book. It really felt like the last conflict was resolved much too quickly.
Miss Bickle is always a delight and a highlight. I really enjoy her through out the series. I reiterate I would love to see Miss Bickle get her own book. Potentially whisked off by a Gentleman Fae as I'm unsure what kind of Gentleman would be able to keep up with her. I really enjoyed the friendship between Miss Bickle and Miss Mitchelmore.
Finally, I will say, I really adore (view spoiler)[lesbian witches killing would be rapists. (hide spoiler)] If that isn't feminism, I don't really know what is.
I think this book won't be for everyone but if everything I've stated sounds good to you, then it's definitely worth a read! Hopefully I've set up your expectations properly....more
I found this at the romance section and the cover was definitely the first thing that caught my eye. The art is absolutely beautiful, I really enjoy RI found this at the romance section and the cover was definitely the first thing that caught my eye. The art is absolutely beautiful, I really enjoy Radiant Mozzarelle's use of color. The second thing that caught my eye is of course...the men kissing. You tell me there's LGBTQIA+ characters? I'm most likely already in. I haven't read the first book but I'll definitely be going back to pick it up.
I think it's a vast misnomer to say this is a romance book though. I see it as many things. It's a fun fantasy adventure. A coming of age story. A finding yourself story. A comedy told by an almost unwilling (and slightly unreliable) narrator with a really dry wit. Frankly the romance is barely a subplot at all.
What romance is in it, I enjoyed well enough though. The relationship between Mr. Caesar (Younger) and Captain James starts off purely physical and moves into something more. It's not a burning passion but more akin to a low burning ember that refuses to go out. There moments are fleeting but they really did capture me.
Furthermore, this book is not spicy so if you're looking for that you'll be disappointed. There are many uses of sexual terms but any sex scene is a fade to black. There may be some more vague descriptors but you're not going to get any detail in the least.
I'm not a huge historical reader, I prefer mostly fantasy but I really enjoyed this! I had to look up many different terms that I wasn't familiar with, which I also love. I love learning new words and seeing which ones stick with me. Frankly, Dandy is probably going to stick with me. I'm a dandy in distress so please save me thanks. The 1815 time period gives the story a solid foot of where to put it in terms of setting. It helps set up the main conflict of the story. It sets up a good mood but it isn't the most important thing in the book.
The novel is written in a first person perspective of the narrator observing the events of the characters. They constantly put in their own opinions and spend time spying on different people. This makes them as I said, a somewhat unreliable narrator. They are dedicated to chronicling the story so most of the events can be taken for face value. However, there may be missing pieces whether purposely or accidentally omitted. As well as, well, the opinions of the narrator themselves. I enjoyed it personally. The dry wit is right up my alley but I can see how others may not.
The characters were quite fun but the use of formal titles really baffled me at first. Thankfully I got me bearings around 30% way into the book. For example, Mr. Caesar's family is comprised of
- Mr. Caesar (older) - Lady Mary - Mr. Caesar (younger) - Miss Caesar (but also named Mary) - Miss Anne (but she's also Miss Caesar in a sense)
Not really a deal breaker but just something to note alongside the style of the book.
The side characters is honestly where I got the most enjoyment for myself. Miss Bickle particularly was my favorite. I want to read her and Miss Pennyworths antagonistic acquaintances to intimate relations stories. I would drink all the pails of milk she brings. I'm lactose intolerant.
There were moments in this book that really did have a grating effect on me. Although, I can chalk it up due to some of the characters living in a privileged life. Mr. Caesar, Miss Caesar, and Miss Anne have a very narrow view of the world. During the course of the book, their eyes are opened more but still. Sometimes I wanna shake them and go, "BE NICER."
I feel like if all these things sound good to you, you're probably in for an enjoyable read. Excited to pick up Mortal Follies!...more
This book is almost purely vibes. There's a story there, but honestly nothing critical to the plot at hand happens for about 70% of this book. I was hThis book is almost purely vibes. There's a story there, but honestly nothing critical to the plot at hand happens for about 70% of this book. I was honestly kind of okay with that? I really enjoyed the writing style and descriptions enough to make it through. This book is literally just the song Strawberry Blond by Mitski as a novel. If that premise entices you and you're okay with the plot being lackluster, go for it.
The book was written kind of oddly for me. It's a third person story but often times, it felt like the third person was physically in the room observing the characters. I'm not even sure if I'm not just tripping that it's written weird. Maybe I've been reading so many first person books I'm not used to third person books anymore. There's a lot of sentences that are just mundane things such as like, then Marigold did this. There were also some bits of foreshadowing at the beginnign that they just smack you in the head with later. Specifically I was talking about the (view spoiler)[six pointed ivy and night sky without stars. (hide spoiler)] I really wish the author trusted the reader to remember and pick up on the more subtle references.
So for the world building, the book itself in a vague fantasy historical setting. Outside of societal intricacies of the noble people of the world, it really did not matter too much. The main bread and butter was how the witchcraft works in this book. It uses a reagent based system but the witches in the universe can also channel magic. They can create spells but also use their affinity to regain magic & power. I thought it was fun. Did like 40% of the book need to be dedicated to it? No. But it was interesting enough.
Honestly, I really was not sure about the romance in this book. I did not enjoy Lottie at all until like the latter 20% of the book. She's honestly a nightmare. It's not even enemies to lovers, it's just rude pereson to lovers. I got real tired of Lottie's skepticism because she's so overt with it even after learning her reasoning for it. It's just unpleasant.
Marigold started off really strong but started going downhill for me after she becomes a witch. Which is crazy to me. I really loved the first portion where she's running through the wildflowers. I think that was a much more interesting part of her character. After she becomes a witch, there is so much focus on how the magic works, it almost felt like Marigold became an afterthought.
I also don't understand why she starts to like Lottie other than the fact they're (view spoiler)[soulmates. (hide spoiler)] Still, I think they have some nice moments with each other over the later course of the book. Again it's most vibes, lovely and cozy.
The highlight of the book for me is when there was essentially a bee defibrillator and I think that's absolutely hilarious. ...more
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