Olivia Atwater

A charming Regency romance with a hint of magic! Cursed by a faerie, Theodora Ettings has become prone to scandal-though she's determined to help her cousin make a good match. The very ungentlemanly magician Lord Elias Wilder says he can help Theodora... but is he also her other half?

Half a Soul

"Ever since a faerie cursed her, Theodora Ettings has had no sense of fear, embarrassment, or even happiness-a condition which makes her sadly prone to accidental scandal. Dora's only goal for the London Season this year is to stay quiet and avoid upsetting her cousin's chances at a husband... but when the Lord Sorcier of England learns of her condition, she finds herself drawn ever more deeply into the tumultuous concerns of magicians and faeries. Lord Elias Wilder is handsome, strange, and utterly uncouth-but gossip says that he regularly performs three impossible things before breakfast, and he is willing to help Dora restore her missing half. If Dora's reputation can survive both her ongoing curse and her sudden connection with the least-liked man in all of high society, then she may yet reclaim her normal place in the world... but the longer Dora spends with Elias Wilder, the more she begins to suspect that one may indeed fall in love, even with only half a soul."--Publisher's description.

abby .˚｡⋆ ༊ .˚｡⋆

this was the first regency novel i’ve read in a long while and i just don’t know if i enjoyed it all that much 🥹 the twist was cool and i enjoyed the love story but i felt like the plot was lacking in another aspect that i can’t quite name.

Christine

this was actually really really good what

Sandrin

No words can describe how thoroughly I enjoyed this book. 

Utterly lovely and magical.

I especially loved how the heroine never abandoned her beliefs. Even when others tried to change her and make her conform to society's rules she stayed true to herself. For me that was what actually elevated the book to 5 stars. 

The author really has knack at writing delicate and warm relationships that feel real and charming. In addition, the conversations between the characters were witty and really fun. Had a blast reading them.

Beatrice

Actual rating: 4.5/5

Half a Soul was the comfort read I didn't know I needed. Reading this book was absolutely delightful and I enjoyed every moment of it, finding myself wanting to pick it up multiple times during the day and reading well into the night. And as the last page turned, that warm and fuzzy feeling lingered for quite a while.

The Regency atmosphere of London ball season suited this very well, and I loved seeing it through the eyes of our main character, Dora. Following a meeting with a faerie lord as a child, Dora lost half her soul and with it the ability to experience feelings. I found Dora to be really endearing as a character, and I loved that she tried to adapt to various situations by emulating other people's reactions and feelings while slowly realising that maybe not all her feelings were compromised. I also really enjoyed her arc, and especially her move from a painful, excluding "otherness" to a more wholesome and peaceful uniqueness and self-acceptance, surrounding herself with people who love, care for and respect her.

This is a Regency faerie tale romance, and so I would be remiss if I didn't mention the romance part fairly early on in this post. I LOVED it. Elias and Dora gave me definite Pride and Prejudice vibes, especially in the beginning, and their banter was always witty and absolutely spot on. The build-up in their relationship was beautifully set up, and there were a couple of scenes that had me literally squealing in joy. I also really enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters and some of the side characters, and the fierceness of their love for one another as friends/family members even while calling each other out on problematic behaviour.

One element of this book I particularly enjoyed was the mystery surrounding the inexplicable sleeping plague hitting children in various London workhouses. Although the solution to this was, in the end, maybe a tad too simplistic, I really enjoyed how this was used as a way to introduce some (sadly) still current themes. Characters shared some deep reflections on socio-economic inequality and privilege which I really appreciated.

"There is such a thing as evil in this world," Elias told her quietly. "It does not help to look away from it. It does not even help necessarily to look at it. [...] But sometimes, when you cannot force the world to come to its senses, you must settle only for wiping away some of the small evils in front of you."
Quote taken from the e-arc version, might be different in the final version.

The class critique was maybe used a little conveniently at times, and certainly lacked some depth upon closer scrutiny, but it worked well in the context of a feel-good romance fantasy novel. The same goes for the more satirical/farcical episodes in the latter part of the book: I had a nice giggle out of them (which I greatly needed), but don't go in expecting a treatise on equality and virtue.

Similarly, most of the characters lack depth and it is entirely possible that several plot points would not really hold up on a focused re-read, but I had such a great time with this book that this time I'm going to rate it (almost) entirely based on the way it made me feel rather than on a logical, rational analysis.

Highly recommended to anyone looking for an easy, fluffy, romantic read - especially if you ever thought you'd like Bridgerton to have magic!

For more reviews, visit Book for Thought.

I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.

It’s difficult to find a husband in Regency England when you’re a young lady with only half a soul. Ever since a faerie cursed her, Theodora Ettings has had no sense of fear, embarrassment, or even happiness—a condition which makes her sadly prone to accidental scandal. Dora’s only goal for the London Season this year is to stay quiet and avoid upsetting her cousin’s chances at a husband… but when the Lord Sorcier of England learns of her condition, she finds herself drawn ever more deeply into the tumultuous concerns of magicians and faeries. Lord Elias Wilder is handsome, strange, and utterly uncouth—but gossip says that he regularly performs three impossible things before breakfast, and he is willing to help Dora restore her missing half. If Dora’s reputation can survive both her ongoing curse and her sudden connection with the least-liked man in all of high society, then she may yet reclaim her normal place in the world… but the longer Dora spends with Elias Wilder, the more she begins to suspect that one may indeed fall in love, even with only half a soul. Pride and Prejudice meets Howl’s Moving Castle in this enthralling historical fantasy romance, where the only thing more meddlesome than faeries is a marriage-minded mama. Pick up Half a Soul, and be stolen away into debut author Olivia Atwater’s charming, magical version of Regency England!

Tetiana Bilokin

An enjoyable fairy-tale that made me feel like I was a child again, finding comfort in escaping into a book

Lia Yuliana

Update 16/06/2022

You can find  this and the rest of my reviews at  An Ode to Fiction.| Subscribe to my Booktube channel 

Official Release Date : June 28th 2022
Buy the book :
Amazon|Book Depository | Bookshop.org (affiliate)

4/5 ⭐️


  
    “I have known many human beings with a full soul to their name who do not have half so much compassion or practicality as you.”
  


ARC provided by the publisher Orbit Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Half A Soul is the perfect book that mixes elements of fantasy and regency romance fuelled with witty banter, a mysterious plot, and serves the sweetest version of grumpy x dead inside dynamic.

June is the month that kicks off the season for summer and the hottest season for reading. Books that I associate with summer is romance, but for me there needs to be a bit of fantasy. Orbit Books has graciously sent an ARC (Advance Readers Copy) of their newest series acquisition—a historical fae romance that was originally self-pub—Half A Soul by Olivia Atwater.

What made me pick up this book is the blurbs from some of my favorite authors and fellow bloggers. The pitch—”Bridgerton meets Howl’s Moving Castle in this enchanting historical fantasy, where the only thing more meddlesome than faeries is a marriage-minded mother.“—promised a drama filled yet light hearted story. One of my favorite movies and book is Howl’s Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones, even though the movie isn’t an accurate adaptation of the book I still loved it. Bridgerton is also the sensational historical romance that is swooning every viewer and lover of the book series. Seeing these two things combined into one book series, sign me up!

Before I dive into the review I would like to spotlight the beautiful cover for the trilogy designed by Matthew Burne. For returning readers that have read the self published book, the cover is the same as self published book for both the UK and US version republished by Orbit. Half of Soul will be released in June, followed by Ten Thousand Stitches in July, and Long Shadow in August. Join Olivia Atwater’s newsletter to receive a FREE short story titled “The Latch Key”, following Elias Wilder as a father and his daughter, click here.

Half A Soul is the first book of the Regency Faerie Tales series by Olivia Atwater. It is a fast paced historical fantasy romance set in England that follows a single perspective, Theodora Ettings. Theodora Ettings—Dora—is cursed by a faerie, since then Dora has no sense of emotion unable to feel fear, embarrassment, shame, or any other kind of extreme emotion. Because of this Dora is prone for accidental scandal in Regency England.

Dora’s dear cousin Vanessa, is the epitome of a well mannered young lady and is the gem of the family. This London season it is time for Dora’s aunt to find Vanessa a husband. Therefore, Dora needs to be on her best behaviour to help Vanessa and avoid her overbearing aunt’s ire. Then walks in England’s Lord Sorcier—Elias Wilder—a magician that is infamous for his bad attitude and sharp tongue. The magician is intrigued by Dora’s ‘sickness’ that has robbed her emotions. With the royal sorcier on the case, a strange plague spreading, conspiring mothers determined to marry their children, and everyone’s future on the line; Dora’s hands are full this London season.


  
    “Every fish you throw back into the ocean is a triumph of the idea that human beings can be better. I do my best, every day, to throw at least one fish back into the ocean. I hope that you will join me.”
  


Half A Soul is pitched to be Bridgerton meets Howl’s Moving Castle, I would like to verify this quite an accurate pitch for the story. Let me explain. The story is set in London, England like any regency romance I’ve read this is a staple background for a historical romance. What gives the Bridgerton vibes is the historical setting of the world, the conspiring mother hens, and the rumour mill of regency London. I understand that any regency romance will have these elements but I am going to give you the twist that is the fae and magic aspect of the world which reminded me of the movie Howl’s Moving Castle.

In Half A Soul magic is an established part of the society but it isn’t something that is taboo nor frowned upon in the world which is similar to how magic is viewed in the movie. Magicians in the world of Half A Soul is viewed as an honourable occupation and integral part of the military. The magic system of the story leans towards the softer side. It is accessible for all readers and isn’t too complex to understand throughout reading the book.


  
    “There is such a thing as evil in this world,” Elias told her quietly. “It does not help to look away from it. It does not even help, necessarily, to look at it.” His fingers brushed through her hair, and she shivered. “But sometimes, when you cannot force the world to come to its senses, you must settle only for wiping away some of the small evils in front of you.”
  


Atwater’s writing is accessible and charming from start to end. The book got me grinning from ear to ear the whole time I was reading. The beats of the story is done with intent that leads readers through a wondrous journey filled with mystery and wholesome interaction between the two main characters. The distinction between characters is reflected in Atwater’s writing to show from Dora’s perspectives how she views the world and people she interacts with. I love that Atwater’s writing is beautiful without it being complex or overly written, it is just simple and clear to the point.

The core of Half A Soul are the characters. Though the story isn’t fully character driven it is equally balanced with the plot. The main characters of this story are Dora and Elias. The chemistry between Dora and Elias is electrifying, soft, and sometimes hilarious. The banter between these two flows naturally throughout the story. They are both beautifully fleshed out and jumps out of the page.

Dora is a wonderful main character that has her fair share struggles with not being able to feel emotions as strongly as a normal human does. Yet Dora discovers that she can feel emotion and loved just the way she is. Dora’s character development is noticeable as she interacts with more people that listens to her and doesn’t shame her for being herself. With each encounter she becomes more confident, happier, and overall unapologetically Dora.

Elias is the leading man in the story, a prickly magician that has his own eccentricities when it comes to interacting with humans. He is the perfect counter part to Dora’s indifference and straightforwardness because he is practical, precise, and isn’t shy to speak his mind. Elias’ characterization is executed wonderfully and his wit really jumps out of the page. What I love about Elias is how he is unapologetically himself in every way and he gives a strong front to protect the people that matter to him. I had hoped for Elias to perform more magic so hopefully in the sequels we can see more magician Elias.


  
    “He has asked me before how the world can be so heartless. It is this dastardly need to remain calm and composed and polite that has left us all feeling so alone.”
  


In a way from their Dora and Elias’ first encounter readers can see their spark, even though its faint there is potential for it to be a bright flame. The romance is very subtle and isn’t as aggressive as other romance books I read. This is what I love about Half A Soul is how the main characters slowly gravitate towards each other, growing, and coming to that satisfying moment of realization that they are in love.

There are other supporting characters such as Vanessa—Dora’s cousin, Albert—Elias’ best friend, the mother hens, and many others that added another layer to the story. These characters made short appearances but their personalities stood out, distinct, and memorable. They contributed a lot in giving support to both main characters for them to be together and loving them for who they are.

Final thoughts, Half A Soul is a comforting fantasy romance that is accessible in writing with fast paced plot, lovable characters, and a slow burn romance that is wholesome and sweet. It is the perfect book for readers that want to read something short and cute. Any reader that are looking for a romance that mixes the elements of fantasy into regency romance set in London would love this book in my opinion. It has everything from the fluttery feelings of romantic one liners, subtle touches, and the declarations of love during mortal peril. I highly recommend for anyone to pick up this series because its just such a serotonin boost.

The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.

I've seen a lot of talk surrounding this book lately, so I was interested in checking it out. There were a lot of things I enjoyed about this. The setting was fun, and the writing was whimsical. I liked the characters and thought the banter between Dora and Elias was entertaining. Elias was wonderfully grumpy, and I loved when he would get flustered when Dora wouldn't act the way he expected her to. I would've liked to have seen a little more development when it came to their relationship though because it felt like they were bickering in one paragraph, but in love by the next. The same could be said for the plot. While it was interesting, it all felt very flat. The book isn't that long, but it still managed to feel slow because not a lot happens, and it all gets wrapped up rather quickly. Despite that, I still found this enjoyable and will most likely pick up the rest of the series and would recommend it if you're looking for a cozier fantasy.

Heather Harrington

Simcha Mahler

Really cute, well written, I was impressed with the authors portrayal of PTSD, and the inclusion of some often overlooked historical details and events.

B. K.

Loved this! I picked up the audiobook on a whim, having never heard of it before, based on just the blurb and the hope it would suit my mood. I'm so glad I did. It was absolutely charming.

Half a Soul

Reviews