I read this whimsical sweet confection of a novel in one day and very much enjoyed its intriguing take on a regency world with magic. It's chock full of light, charm and cosy and it's the best kind of book to snuggle up with on a grey day. Comparison to 'Bridgerton' are a little off the mark as it has a very clean YA tone, but this doesn't distract from the utter delight to be found amongst these sparkling pages. I look forward to books two and three in the series.

I loved this book it was fast paced, it had mystery, suspense and romance. I loved the time period that it was set in too. I loved the supernatural elemnts of the book as well such as Fae and magic. I adored it honestly and I can't wait to read more by the author.

Theodora narrowly escaped being kidnapped by a faerie when she was a child, but it left her cursed. After she accidentally draws the attention of the handsome but improper Lord Sorcier, she is swept into an investigation into a mysterious illness that may be connected to her own troubles.

This was a light, fun regency romantasy and I loved it. The plot is fast paced, although there was potential for it to be a little more filled out. And I loved the characters and their relationships!

I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars
This book was such a delightful surprise. I went into this book not knowing what to expect and ended up finishing it with a big smile on my face. I really enjoyed the fact that the main plot mostly took part in Regency England, with a little dash of magic and faerie thrown in. Dora’s character was delightful and Elias’s grumpy demeanour but a soft heart made it impossible not to love his character. Lastly, I especially liked the references the author made to the hardships that most people in England suffered during the hard times that came after the war. I would really really recommend this book if you’re in the mood for a short magical and enjoyable read with a dash of realism. Looking forward to picking the next book in the series.

Huge thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK for the eArc!

(Review will be published on Goodreads- 8/06/2022)

As someone who very recently (and hysterically) became obsessed with Bridgerton (or more specifically #Kanthony!!!!) when I saw Half A Soul, a romantic regency with magic, I just had to read it and as I curled up today under a blanket and went on this delightful adventure with Dora and Elias, I am so so glad I did.

Half A Soul starts off brilliantly, as openers go, as a young girl she meets a menacing Fae lord who tells her she belongs to him (through a bargain later explained) and while his attempt to take her back to Hollowvale, he does manage to steal half her soul and 2 odd coloured eyes. In this state, Dora grows up told she is peculiar, she doesn’t feel the same way other people feel, she can’t claim to ever feel happiness, or fear or any pure emotion, just the idea of them. Growing up with her cherished, beautiful cousin Vanessa and her Aunt, Dora both feels and witnesses the pressure of marriage, of the social status and the financial security of finding a husband. Vanessa, under the guise of a greater prospect of finding a husband in the city, persuades her mother to let Dora come with them to London, but her real intention is to find the Lord Sorcier to help make Dora whole again. But the Lord Sorcier, Elias, is distracted trying to cure the mysterious sleeping plague affecting children in workhouses. Pushed together, Elias, his physician friend Albert and Dora try to cover this injustice taking swept out of sight from the eyes of the rich, and in the process Dora learns she is not half a person after all…

I should say first that romance is not my typical genre, that’s not to say I’m adverse to it, I’m just very picky about it. But Half A Soul tackles the subject in such a charming way, with awkward moments, longing, hand holding etc, the intimacy of Regency romance that is so much more delicious than anything more obvious and instant in a lot of modern romance. You find yourself smiling away to these pages, wanting the best for these characters both as they are and together, and there are a great number of characters to love.

Dora instantly I fell in love with. With odd ways and even odd eyes, Dora is imperfect and such, to her Aunt where appearance is your value, she is often berated and sadly believes what she hears. Considered half a person, a feeling-less doll, there is a loneliness and resigned-ness to Dora that you get to witness open up as the book goes on. She is blunt (not by choice), to quote someone in this book “kind but almost never nice”, defiant, chasing what is right in this world and standing up for the bullied even though she is bullied herself. I adored her boldness, I adored her softness that she couldn’t see herself.
Similarly Elias is a wonderful creation, he has little time for shallow pleasantries, he’s abrupt, as a parallel to Dora he feels too much, his love, his pain and his grief turning into anger at those who refuse to look at suffering in the eye. He has faced war, with his friend Albert he witnesses the cruelty of the workhouse and yet he sees an aristocratic world that refuses to dirty itself looking at anyone less in status. The true Elias unravels throughout the book, his walls are taken down, his vulnerability shown, and Dora is a true ally for him in a way that is so touching to read.

While tackling serious subjects including poverty, class inequality etc, Half A Soul is a light read you can curl up with and read in one sitting. It’s charming, delightful and very aptly has it’s own magic running through it.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review. While Dora’s story is done, I can’t wait to read more from Otwater.

Half a Soul

I must start this review off by saying I really enjoyed this book. When I read the synopsis the whole idea seemed a very unique take of regency romantasy.

The main character Dora loses half her soul to an evil fae during her childhood, from this point on she is unable to feel or understand any emotion fully. This results it a very blunt, uncouth woman that is seen as problematical by her family. Forced into London society her only alley is that of her cousin. In fear of ruining her cousin chances to marry, Dora tries to stay in the background but her unique charms catch the eyes of the elite.

Dora was really interesting to read. We see her internal struggle to deal with this lack of emotion as deep down she does know what she should feel and how she should act but can not articulate it.

During a ball her cousin, in a desperate attempt to help, sorts after the help for the Lord sorcerer. He could be the only one that can cure Dora.

The Lord sorcier gives me strong Mr Darcy vibes, he is rude, smart and has a great distane for wealthy society. The slow burn romance is to die for with so much quick witted banta and intense moments. There is slight miscommunication but it was not the frustrating kind that can be iritating in some books.

As well as looking for her cure, Dora and the Lord sorcier team up to investigate a new plague in London. Even though this is a YA novel Half a Soul does a good job of delving into the society issues or how the rich treat the poor.

It flows really well and is easy to read, I would say the pacing is not fast but keeps you interested. The last 25%, however, I read in one sitting. Could not put it down. It came together so well no lose ends and was perfectly ended.

This book would be great for anyone that is a fan of pride and prejudice and the brigerton series that wants a fantasy twist.

It was very well done and there are other books in this world which I will most defiantly be picking up.

4.5 stars

Favourite quotes:

"But you are here, and so here I am"

"There is such a thing as evil in this world. It does not help to look away from it".

Thank you for letting me review this book. I will post this review to my goodreads, Instagram and tiktok two weeks prior to the publication date.

Cute! Cute! Cute! Cute!
Wholesome Regency fairy romance. The fairies are the classic cruel fairies deeply rooted in folklore. With social commentary! People are forced to check their privileges! Exceptionally well written and well paced. Dora and Lord Sorcier are coming to win hearts. The banter, folks! Dora has half her soul snatched away by a cruel fairy so she cannot experience emotions like a normal person. Will she ever find love? Lord Sorcier promises to heal her but he is extremely rude and disreputable. Will he succeed? These are some of the burning questions we encounter and indeed we finish the book utterly charmed and satisfied.