Olivia Atwater

Magic meets Bridgerton in this "hugely enjoyable" historical fantasy romance (KJ Charles), where the only thing more meddlesome than faeries is a marriage-minded mother. Ever since she was cursed by a faerie, Theodora Ettings has had no sense of fear or embarrassment—an unfortunate condition that leaves her prone to accidental scandal. Dora hopes to be a quiet, sensible wallflower during the London Season—but when Elias Wilder, the peculiar, handsome, and utterly ill-mannered Lord Sorcier, discovers her condition, she is instead drawn into dangerous faerie affairs. If her reputation can survive both her curse and her sudden connection with the least-liked man in all high society, then she and her family may yet reclaim their normal place in the world. But the longer Dora spends with Elias, the more she begins to suspect that one may indeed fall in love even with only half a soul. “Whimsical, witty, and brimming over with charm” (India Holton), Olivia Atwater’s delightful debut will transport you to a magical version of Regency England, where the only thing more meddlesome than a fairy is a marriage-minded mother! Praise for Half a Soul “Whimsical but never frivolous, sweet but not sugary. I loved it.” —Alix E. Harrow “Delightful. Half a Soul is the definition of a comfort read.” —Hannah Whitten “I wolfed this down with great pleasure.” —KJ Charles “This winsome, whimsical fantasy romance sweeps you off your feet.” —Megan Bannen “Smart and subversive, Half a Soul will ignite your heart—and your hope.” —Shelley Parker-Chan “A perfect historical fantasy romance: warm, sparkling with magic, dangerous, and delightful.” —Tasha Suri

Half a Soul

Elena M.

It was a shame, she thought, that so many beautiful things were also so ugly on the inside.

Alli

There was a small part of her, however—very deep down—that added the comment to a longstanding pile of other, similar comments. That pile gave her a faint sinking feeling which she never could quite shake. Sometimes, she would find herself taking it out and examining it in the middle of the night, for no particular reason she could discern.

Pleasant-mannered people are simply the worst sort of people. Decent people become properly angry when presented with miserable injustice, but pleasant-mannered people never do.

“…You can tell that I am important, for I am wearing many expensive jackets."

She had little effort to spare for making unpleasant men more comfortable.

"I am sure that every evil man believes himself to be charitable," she told him. "In that respect, at least, you are a true Englishman."

Nica

So many beautiful things were also ugly on the inside.

"Being offended at yourself so very often," she said. "That seems a sad way to live."

He is her favorite because he is broken. She feels she must make up for that with extra love.

"Pleasant-mannered people are simply the worst sort of people. Decent people become properly angry when presented with miserable injustice, but pleasant-mannered people never do."

Half a Soul quotes

Join the club