Confounding Oaths by Alexis Hall
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Really liked this one! I loved the familial bonds, the wildness and viciousness of the fae, and how the social context of regency England informed both the conflict and the ways the Caesar siblings grew as people over the course of the story. Mr. Caesar and Orestes got together early on and I enjoyed how the conflict focused on whether they could grow that initial attraction into a deeper bond. It was a slow burn towards love mixed with a fast physical attraction balanced in an engaging way. Staying with someone takes work and I loved seeing James grow for Orestes, his sisters, and himself.

The romance/fantasy adventure balance lay more towards the adventure side in this book, and I felt like the two aspects of the plot were better balanced than in Mortal Follies. I also thought Robin, our narrator, was much better utilized here. I might even say they were my favorite character this time around! Robin taking a more active role in the plot made the narration device feel less uncomfortable voyeuristic and the stronger fae plot elements also suited their voice; having the Lady and Puck as foils worked really well.

Some interesting musings on the costs of war, sibling bonds (by blood or by battle), and the meaning of beauty. I think a lot of folks will connect with Mary’s struggle to define her own beauty- there’s a really sweet moment towards the end of the story of her reaching out to another Black woman for support that made me tear up. I really hope that both Miss Caesars have so much space to explore their worth as individuals beyond this story- Hall did a great job making me love both of them, despite the youngest being a very realistically frustrating fourteen-year-old. Seeing them grow as sisters was also very sweet.

There are a few dangling plot threads- who is the woman Georgianna and Maelys spoke with? What’s next for Lizzie after certain events?- but these felt like leaning towards a sequel rather than messiness within this story.

Fingers crossed Lizzie is next. More regency fae shenanigans! More deadpan Robin narration!

Also- the best answer to the man or bear question I’ve seen yet-
Feed the evil man to a bear.

2SLGBTQIA+ Historical Fantasy Steamy Romance set in England 1815 that follows a nobleman who must work with a dashing soldier to save his sister from a mystical bargain gone wrong, malicious fey & a military cult.

4/5 stars: This is the second entry in Hall's Mortal Follies series, which is a 2SLGBTQIA+ Historical Fantasy Steamy Romance that's set in England 1815 and features a nobleman determined to see his younger sister come-out successfully who must work with a with a working-class yet dashing soldier to save his sister after she's cursed by the fair folk. Along the way, the two will encounter a military cult, a malicious fairy godmother, treacherous magic and oh yeah fall in love. With their signature humor, Hall's writing and character work are excellent; the characters are well-rounded, complex and yet remain incredibly likable. The “story” is narrated by Robin Goodfellow AKA Shakespeare's Puck from A Midsummer Night's Dream. Mr Caesar and Captain James are adorable and I loved seeing them flail their way to a HEA. While there's plenty of swoon worthy banter and the lead ups are nice and steamy, the sex scenes are pretty much off-page or fade-to-black. Hall takes on some sensitive topics; so take care and check the CWs. This can be read as a stand-alone but if you'd like to read the series from the beginning, be sure to pick up book one, Mortal Follies.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

This was a fun, historical-ish m/m romance set in the Napoleanic era of the early 19th century. It features issues of racism in addition to the openly secret gay dealings of the main character. I say openly secret because of the proclivities mentioned in the army. I found the romance in this book more intriguing than in the previous book in this series; it seemed less forced to me. Perhaps the author is just more adept at writing m/m romances than f/f. The only real issue I had (again) is the snarky, omni-present fairy creature. We all know the Fae are not subtle but something about this just seemed a bit too high-handed to me.

I feel very similar about this book as I did the first in this series. I don’t have too much to say other than I was excited by the premise and then found it a little too wordy for my taste. I have a lot of friends/book club pals that I think would enjoy this maybe more than I did and I will certainly recommend it still.

Strong sequel for Hall! This book brings us back to the world of "Mortal Follies" with Hall's usual flair for writing in the language and tone of the era while still remaining readable. The surprise narrator--existing both inside and outside the action--remains a fun device. Characters new and old unite for another turn in magical Regency England. (What a delight to meet Miss Bickle again! And I would read more books about the Irregulars.) This ending is much stronger than the last, less abrupt while still keeping in tone with the teller's perspective and attitude. Overall, a welcome follow-up for this universe.

just like the first book of the series i loved this as well! i really enjoy the snarkiness of the narrator and i hope we get more books in his pov.

thank you netgalley for the e-arc!

Oh how I love Alexis Hall, one of my auto buys and I never have regrets! I enjoyed Mortal Instruments so I knew the author would have to really take a sharp turn for me to dislike this one. I had no cause to be worried. The writing continues to be incredibly fun and witty and an all around fun romp. I do feel like the romance is more central in the first book than this one so I was a bit disappointed on that front but I really enjoyed the plot that moved along well. If you enjoyed the first book I think you will definitely enjoy this one as well though you don’t need to read the first book and can jump right in. Can’t wait to see what Hall writes next!

Confounding Oaths follows an interracial queer gentlemen trying to find his place in the world - too bad he's busy avoiding duels, kissing a very handsome captain, and helping his sister who should be a bit more wary of making deals with fairies. A great read for those who thought Bridgerton could have done with some magic!

historical fantasy | achillean love | mythology and magic | race and class | snarky sprite narrator

"Confounding Oaths" was an intriguing read that definitely kept me on my toes. I was not sure where our narrator (the illustrious Puck) was taking us but I knew it would be an adventure. 

Overall, I enjoyed this regency fairy tale of a story. The characters absolutely made this novel. Hall creates such fun dynamic characters and it was a joy to watch each of them grow and deal with things and challenges in their own way. 

We meet Mr. Caeser (the younger) escorting his sisters to a ball where ruckus ensues and he chooses to defend his sisters honor. When he is threatened the chivalrous Captain James steps in to defend him, the resulting storylines branch out following each character with care. If you love whimsy and being just a little confused or kept guessing about where a story is going you should definitely pick this up. 

I would recommend you pick this book up if you love cameos from other books, great characters and all the adventure you could wish for!.  Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It’s impossible for me to not love Alexis Hall’s writing, even when it’s outside of my general interests. This book is both historical and fantasy, neither of which I read often. I tend to read less of these genres because I find them difficult to follow. Unsurprisingly, that was true for me in reading this book, but I know that’s about me and not about the author.
As with Hall’s other books, this one is poetically written with characters that captivate. This books is sure to be a success!

This is a difficult book for me to review. I absolutely love Alexis Hall’s work, but I’m struggling with this series. Mostly this is a me-problem: I’m not keen on fantasy books, especially when they involve magic and fairies. I’m also not entirely sure that the narrator-thing works. Yes, it’s often funny, but after a while all the asides get a little exhausting. I do feel that the connection with the main characters was somewhat better than in first book in the series. Nevertheless, I don’t think I ever felt invested in the characters or the romance.

The plot itself worked better for me than in book #1. Again, there were two different plot lines, but this time they happened simultaneously so they had a better arc. For me the first 40% of the book was a little slow (but that is probably more of a me-problem), but once the plot picked up pace, I enjoyed it more.

For me this was a 3-star read, but I can see why other people would love the book.

This book is a really fantastic sequel/follow up to Mortal Follies. It focuses on different characters, highlighting some really interesting aspects of Hall’s fantasy-romance world. The characters are really interesting and fit the story very well. The plot is well-paced and fun to read. This book has a really satisfying conclusion, but didn’t feel predictable or boring. This book also had a better handle on the narrator and style than Mortal Follies did. I felt that the first book struggled to implement this effectively, but it was really well-done in this book.

The best way I can think to describe this book is that it’s like a Jane Austen novel with a gay love story, meddling gods, mischievous fairies and a sprinkling of cultists and witches. It’s definitely unique. I’ve gone back-and-forth a lot about this rating and I’m still trying to decide exactly how I feel about this book. There were so many things that I really enjoyed about it. Regency Era romances are my thing. Fairies? Sign me up! A gay love story with an unheroic but honorable man and a dashing soldier? Swoon!

At the beginning of this book, I really enjoyed the narrator. They are clever, not entirely reliable and obviously magical. I enjoyed their observations of all the things that were going on as the book went on. I started to feel like the narrator actually got in the way of the story. His witty remarks and expositions started to feel like interruptions and I felt further removed from the story. I liked the familial aspect and the push and pull of sibling relationships that are explored in this book. Our two main characters, Mr. John Caesar and Captain James are both very likeable and interesting. Unfortunately, I found their chemistry to be lacking and, in fact, their romance felt like a side plot entirely. The plot around rescuing Mary from her ill-fated wish was full of adventure and intrigue. The reason this leans more towards three stars than four is that I started to get bored in the last half of the book. I found myself skimming over pages and mildly following along, but I wasn’t truly invested in what was happening. I really wanted to like this, but it fell a little flat.

I was attracted to this book first because of the gorgeous cover, and the content of the story did not disappoint. Curses in a historical era (1815) and gay/LGBT representation made for a fun story that I recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC copy gifted in exchange for my honest review.

"Confounding Oaths" by Alexis Hall. A big thanks to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for the ARC.

This book is a mix of Regency romance with a touch of fairy tale magic, bringing to mind the charm of both Jane Austen and Bridgerton. Some how it all works. Admittedly, I'm not big into regency stories but this was a fun readm

Following the adventures of John Caesar, who's set on helping his sister Mary through the marriage market, the story quickly becomes an crazy mix of fey bargains and sacrificial magic. Teaming up with Captain Orestes James, John navigates a world full of humor, charm, and unexpected romance. Their dynamic is sweetly developed, making their relationship something you find yourself invested in.

One of the highlights of the book is its inclusivity and diversity, which felt refreshing and genuine. The characters are easy to love, and Hall's witty, engaging writing style made it a joy to read. The low-stakes drama and the charmingly funny narrative had me smiling and chuckling throughout.

Miss Bickle was amazing- i wanted more of her. The setting, reminiscent of a fairy tale with Regency-era elegance, was both unique and mesmerizing.

If you're a fan of historical romance, cozy fantasy, or simply love a good story with inclusive and diverse characters, "Confounding Oaths" is a must-read. It takes the beloved elements of classic romance and adds a sprinkle of fairy tale magic, making it an easy and enjoyable read

I read this during Pride month and absolutely loved it. While I explicitly focus on Queer and LGBTQIA+ books during Pride month, don't forget to read queer all year.

Well, here we have it folks, my second “meh” for this series. I had some issues with the first installment of this series, and they were all present in this one as well, with the added frustration of how much the narrator started to grate on me by the second half of the book! This is a somewhat dark story about young ladies getting involved with the Faerie Courts narrated by the mischievous, funny, and totally unbiased Robin Goodfellow. Oh and there was also a romance in there but don’t worry there isn’t too much page space dedicated to that bit… I was engaged for the first half, but past that point I started to be less and less amused by Robin’s antics, I found the fairy machinations more confusing than I think they needed to me, the romance was dull, there were some scenes where the narrative split to follow two groups and that got old fast. Frankly, I was bored. I think this book tried to do too much and the result is that it just wasn’t as good as this authors other works, which I generally love.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for providing me with a copy of the ebook in exchange for this honest review!!

Firstly, a huge thank you to the publisher, the author, Alexis Hall, and NetGalley for the digital ARC copy of Confounding Oaths which I had the privilege of reading. I will also be posting my review to Goodreads and Amazon. I thought this was such a cute and sweet novel that reminded me of Jane Austen and other Regency Era romance favorites. Both this and the stunning cover are why I initially requested a copy, but was pleasantly surprised by how much I found myself enjoying the writing style and character development in a way that added so much to the story. The humor was also on point! Miss Bickle is the cutest <3 I want more from her story! I would love a Miss Bickle novella, perhaps?!

John, our main character, is determined to help his sister, Mary, successfully navigate the marriage market, despite their nontraditional background and other challenges they face along the way. The siblings’ parents share in this wish for Mary, and John knows that hooking Mary up will make room for him to go back to living a life of leisure. But Mary is a little boy-crazy and finds herself in a predicament, to say the least!
To save Mary, John teams up with Captain Orestes James, a hero of Wellington’s armies. Together, they face the dangers of fey bargains and sacrificial magic, adding on a little to the genre in terms of layers of fantasy. Though John is familiar with casual relationships with soldiers, he finds himself unexpectedly drawn to the captain.

I liked the diversity of the characters as well and the inclusion of more different types of relationships, and the narrator’s voice and tone is just so funny and charming. The low stakes were fun and sweet, and left me smiling and “awww-ing” out loud. I would recommend this to anyone who likes historical romance, cozy romance, fae fiction, cozy fantasy, LGBT tales, family stories, Jane Austen, Bridgerton, etc. Confounding Oaths took one of my favorite genres and added a little spice!

I gave this one a couple chapters, but it's just not for me. I found the style of the narration a little purple/saccharine for my tastes and the anachronisms (although clearly intentional) were not my favorite. "Avidreaderdom" was unfortunately an eye-roller for me.

Maybe if I was in the mood for a more whimsical read!

Grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-copy of this book!

Regrettably, this book did not resonate with me. Despite not having read “Mortal Follies,” I wasn’t lost, though the world-building was almost nonexistent in this sequel. If immersive settings are your thing, I’d suggest starting with “Mortal Follies.” Otherwise, you might manage just fine starting here.

The humor missed the mark for me. The narrator’s style felt overly gimmicky, and the satirical tone didn’t evoke any laughs. Moreover, Mr. John Caesar, the protagonist, was exceptionally bland. Even the narrator hinted at his dullness. His sisters, Mary and Anne, were far more engaging characters with interesting narratives, but John… he was a drag.

Humor seems to be the key attraction here, so if you haven’t read “Mortal Follies” and are contemplating this one, read the first few chapters to see if the humor aligns with your taste.

Ultimately, I struggled to get into this book. The writing style and point of view were odd, leaving me puzzled about the story’s direction. I had to set it aside as I couldn’t connect with the characters or the plot, which was disappointing since I was looking forward to a queer historical romance with magical elements.