As a child, Dora Ettings wandered into Faerieland, and had half her soul stolen away. Since then she's only experienced emotions in a detached way. She feels neither fear not embarrassment, and doesn't see how falling in love would be remotely possible.

Now, Dora's accompanying her cousin, Vanessa, to London in the hope of finding husbands for them both during the Season. In polite society, say at a ball, Dora's curse makes her inclined to say or do the wrong thing, but when her aunt tries to pair her off with Albert Lowe, an eligible 'younger son' who helps as a doctor in the city's workhouses, Dora's lack of feeling proves invaluable; the dreadful conditions she encounters don't repulse her, and she's able to calmly assist when needed. This isn't, of course, what her aunt had planned. Nor is a close association with the Lord Sorcier, Elias Wilder, who she meets though Albert and his investigation into a mysterious sleeping sickness spreading among the workhouse children.



I'd expected a light Regency Bridgerton-style romcom, with a hint of faerie magic, but found something with more grit. Yes, there are balls and romance, but there are also darker undercurrents which I think made it more compelling for me. On one hand, there's the dark world of Faerie which threatens to trap Dora, just as everything seems to be going well for her. On the other, the work of Albert and Elias among the poor exposes the very real conditions of 19th century workhouses, and also the lack of concern shown by much of society for anyone unfortunate enough to end up there. Neither Bridgerton nor Austen's works concern themselves much with the world beyond 'society', but here the reader is forced to see beyond the fancy ballgowns and marriage market, and encounter complacent attitudes which seem very common today.

I understand there are further books planned in this series, and I'm intrigued to discover what they're like.

I enjoyed the concept of the story - the idea that a faerie has stolen a girls soul and she needs to get it back is a really good one and it had good classic fairytale vibes. The writing was a bit twee at times, especially in the scenes with the faeries - I don't think they would really act or talk like that and I found it a bit silly to the point I wanted to stop reading. On the other hand I liked the relationships between the main characters and their banter was clever and witty. It's the dialogue between the main character, Dora, and the male characters in particular that I kept reading for. I am not sure when it is due for general release, but I think another round with an editor is needed to tighten up some of the less strong scenes. Overall enjoyable though.

The Regency-Magic mashup is one of my favourite genres and 'Half a Soul' was everything I was hoping for. The half-soul in question was stolen from our hero, Dora, by a Faerie when she was a child and she's never been quite the same since. She always does the wrong thing, she is embarrassingly honest and she's not always quick to recognise her own feelings. All of this makes it difficult for Dora to negotiate London society - although she's not as socially inept as the Lord Sorcier, Elias Wilder. But there is a magical sleeping plague afoot, and Dora and Elias have no time for social niceties if they are to solve the mystery and save the children who have succumbed to the cursed sleep.

Perfect for fans of Zen Cho's 'The Sorcerer to the Crown', Gail Carriger's 'Soulless' and Alison Goodman's Lady Helen' series, 'Half a Soul' is a charming and thoroughly enjoyable fantasy romance. I adored it!

ARC provided through Netgalley all opinions are my own:
Overall I would give this book 3.75 stars. If you love books liked Bridgeton and pride and prejudice this is for you. I haven’t read a book like this before as it was a regency romance mixed with fae elements. However as someone that reads a lot of high fantasy, I felt like the fae elements missed some crucial information about the development, it felt like a bit of an afterthought at the end. I felt like this book had a lot of depth and educated me on the social issues within the regency era. The last part of this book had me hooked and to me was the best part of it and makes me want to read the next one when it comes out solely on that aspect alone. Dora was by far my favorite character and was very refreshing she was very likeable and funny. Her charisma was incomparable to any other book I have read so far. She gave me some Nesta vibes from ACOTAR being an outsider and nobody really understanding her till she meant Elias. This book was a lovely short read, and the series in itself has so much potential.

I couldn't be more in love with the story than I already am.

I was skeptical at the beginning because although the blurb intrigued me, when I picked this book up it was written with a third person point of view—and I'm not a big fan of that. However, this book made me change my mind! Dora and Elias are both somehow broken people who find each other thanks to the meddling of Dora's cousin. In fact, Dora's soul was ripped in half by a fae when she was young and now she can't feel as the others can—she's somehow apathetic. Trying to fix her, Dora's cousin takes them to London with the excuse of finding herself a husband during the season in Victorian England. The help they need is from the Lord Sorcerer, Elias, who although intrigued by Dora's dilemma, he's not the best gentleman. He even despise being called a gentleman. Elias tries everything to get rid of Dora. but her responses always outwit him. Their banter was phenomenal and the chemistry was sizzling. I honestly need more of them.

With this novel, Olivia Atwater also highlights a dark history of England and of humans too and compares them with the fae, clearly defining the difference between nurture and nature.

I received an ARC through NetGalley, but I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.

A book that mixes Regency with Fairy and not of the good time. This book was nearly 4 stars for me but it left me slightly lacking. I particularly did not like the ending.

I would still recommend this book to those who are looking for a twist on Regency dramas.

Charming and unexpected, Half a Soul was a delightful departure from my usual fare. Caught from the opening sentence, I felt compelled to sink into this story in a way I don’t find too often at this stage in my life. The imagery and emotion are thick and tangible but the lines are smooth as silk. This story spins charm and escapism so beautifully that I couldn’t help find myself enchanted with Dora’s adventures.

4.5/5

Magic and faerie set in regency England? Sign me up!

Something is not quite right with Dora. Maybe it’s that her eyes are two different colours, or maybe it’s that she just can’t seem to react in a way that allows her to ‘fit in’ to proper society.

Accompanying her wonderful cousin Vanessa to London for the season just spells disaster for Dora- what if she causes a scandal… again? Despite being determined to stay out of trouble she is quickly swept up in the work of the ever so grouchy Lord Sorcier and as the two continue to grow closer it leads her ever closer to the world of the Fae.

I was completely enamoured with this book, the fun wit between Dora and Elias, the backdrop of the ‘ton’ - it all fitted together perfectly to create a magical and whimsical story that I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

This book is a fun regency romance with a dash of fantasy. For readers like me who tends to read a lot of grim dark fantasy books, this book was a very good change of pace.

The main character, Dora was robbed of half of her soul by a Faerie, as a result she doesn't feel fear, anger or even joy as a person would normally do. When she along with her cousin arrives in London to take part in the season, she along with the rogue Lord Sorcier- Elias gets embroiled in the mystery of a sleeping plague targeting the children of the lower class.

I really liked the overall vibe of the story but I also think that both characters and the plot lacked depth. The characters are good but none of them leaves a very lasting impression. The romance is kinda sweet but something felt lacking in the relationship development between Elias and Dora. Elias is rude and arrogant and Dora doesn't get offended by his rudeness because she doesn't feels feeling and then they kinda go from point A to point B without much happening. There's no sizzling chemistry, no cute banter and no tension. I guess, they have some sweet moments together but in a romance book, it's just not enough for me.

Overall, this was fun and lighthearted and despite my above complaints, I enjoyed reading it.

The plot started off strong with gripping premises which then for me started to dwindle down in the second half. It took me a little longer to finish the book however overall the book was an okay one to read. did not think the writing was great. It had many errors and could have been checked more thoroughly to ensure the plot flowed more consistently.

The book is told from the point of view of Theodora or Dora who has been cursed by the faeries as a child and now has half a soul. Dora no longer feels the same way or reacts the same way as other people which is not a good thing in Regency England. So, when the Lord Magician Elias offers to help her she accepts despite him being incredibly rude but she doesn’t expect to fall in love with him. Clever, beautifully written and entertaining!

Half A Soul is a wonderfully whimsical regency romance that I couldn’t put down. It’s an enchanting debut full of charm with characters that stole my heart in this spellbinding, Bridgerton meets Howl’s Moving Castle historical fantasy.

Set in an alternate Regency England, where magic and manners mix, we follow Theodora (Dora) Ettings who has had no sense of fear or embarrassment since being cursed by a faerie as a child. A condition that makes her prone to accidental scandal. But, Dora hopes to be a quiet (and sensible) wallflower during the upcoming London season —the when the strange, handsome and utterly uncouth Lord Sorcier discovers the condition, Dora finds herself drawn into strange and peculiar faerie affairs.

If Dora’s reputation can survive her curse and her connection to the least liked man in all of high society then she may yet manage to reclaim her place in the world…. But the more time she spends with Elias Wilder the more she suspects she can fall in love, even with only half a soul.

This was such an enjoyable and unique take on the regency romance genre, and delves head first into exploring class, privilege, empathy and neurodiversity in such as nuanced and sensitive manner. Dora was an absolutely incredible protagonist, her curse prevents her from feeling her emotions strongly. I loved how honest she was and her scenes with Elias were my favourites.

Elias, the Lord Sorcier is rather surly but as he and Dora spend more time together he becomes a good friend and supporter for Dora, who’s never had anyone besides her cousin to confide in. Their dynamics were soo sweet, we get just the right amount of romance to keep things interesting and I was satisfied with how things play out.

I loved Atwater’s writing style which was very detailed and beautifully whimsical —and gave me magical Jane Austen vibes which I’m a little obsessed with. My only negative is that we don’t get much time in faerie or explore the Fae in nearly enough detail—their fascination with ‘Englishness’ was definitely interesting.

Overall this was a really enjoyable romantasy and I’ll definitely be picking up the rest of this series, if you love regency romance and Jane Austen or books with magic and Fae then I definitely recommend checking this out!

Also, a huge thank you to Orbit and Netgalley for the e-arc.

Stories of Fae are always a little touch and go for me, but this tale reads as Jane Austen with a sprinkling of magic and a touch of Fae lore and it was wonderful. The romance made me smile, the characters were kind-hearted and the plot was bewitching.

I enjoyed the middle of this book but not the opening chapters which read as rather trite nor the epilogue which in attempting to explain what happened next, merely confused things further to my mind.
This is the story of Dora Ettings, whose mother sold. her to a faerie lord before she was born. When the lord comes to collect her Dora manages to stab him with a pair of iron scissors resulting in her being split in half - her more prosaic personality remaining in England while her more emotional half goes to live in Faerie. Dora's cousin Vanessa in attempting to help her, has them taken to London for the season. There they meet the Lord Sorcier and his friend Albert Lowe. Vanessa begs the court magician to help Dora.
There follows a delightful romantic story, set in Regency London with some intriguing glimpses of magic and strange doings but very little explanation. I found the way Dora got into Faerie particularly confusing and was unable to let it go as it was inadequately explained.
Dora is a flawed character as is the Lord Sorcier but many of the other characters are too good to be true. Perhaps this is fine for young adult but for myself I could have done with a little more depth.
Some good moments but I probably won't rush to find the next in the series.
With many thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for a arc copy in return for an honest review.

When Dora was a little girl, a faerie lord took half her soul. She doesn’t know that’s what happened, but she doesn’t quite behave exactly like a good society lady should. She has no sense of fear, or embarrassment, and will quite happily say exactly what’s on her mind. Her aunt has frankly given up on finding her a husband. But when her cousin announces they must go to London for the season, she insists Dora comes with.

Half a Soul is a delightful fantasy Regency romance that I whizzed through in an afternoon. I can’t say I’ve read much Regency romance in the past. Does Pride and Prejudice count? Anyway, this was full of balls and match-making, but Dora’s “condition” makes her a much more modern character than Regency fans might accept.

The Lord Sorcier is the king’s magician, renowned for helping to win the war and also for his surly manner. The ladies of society consider him beneath them and he’s not interested in a wife anyway. But a series of events pulls Dora into his orbit and soon they are plotting, along with Elias’s much more amenable best friend.

Away from the glamour of high society are the poor houses, which Dora discovers when she’s roped into charity work. And children there are falling ill with a sleeping sickness that no one knows how to cure. The conditions of the poor houses appal Dora, she still has more soul than those who would exploit them.

The fae in the story are the cruel and vapid kind, who don’t spare a thought about using humans for their own entertainment. And the fae who took half her soul has not forgotten about the half left behind.

Half a Soul is perhaps the loveliest little book I have read in a long time.

Bridgerton with a dash of magic is how it's described and I was there for it as soon as I read that - I am delighted to report, it did not disappoint and I finished it in a single sitting.

Dora is the most charming, not-so-charming, character I've read and it was refreshing to read. For her to not simply be rude or forthright, or, on the other end of the scale, simpering and overly lovely and for it to be the result of a faerie curse was a fantastic little twist in this world of ours where faeries and magic are commonly acknowledged and accepted.
There was a smattering of just the right amount of regency romance, some very (sadly still relevant) observations about people and the way they treat other people, and a quite possibly perfect dose of magic.

Genuinely delightful and highly recommended, 5 stars just because it really kinda deserves it for its charm!

Received this book as an ARC from Little Brown Book Group UK in exchange for an honest review so here we go 🥰

Rating: 4.5/5⭐️

It's difficult to find a husband in Regency England when you're a young lady with only half a soul.

Ever since she was cursed by a faerie, Theodora Ettings has had no sense of fear or embarrassment - a condition which makes her prone to accidental scandal. Dora hopes to be a quiet, sensible wallflower during the London Season - but when the strange, handsome and utterly uncouth Lord Sorcier discovers her condition, she is instead drawn into dangerous and peculiar faerie affairs.

Dora is a very rich character, one that reveals herself as you read her story. It made me feel like sometimes, we let ourselves believe that we are something because everyone around us tell us we are. I felt that Dora was very like that during the beginning: she’s cursed, is missing half a soul, surely cannot be normal! And she believes she doesn’t feel or behave like a “normal” lady. And it’s amazing to see her discovering that she can also feel all those emotions she technically couldn’t due to her condition!

Although my favourite character was indeed Dora, Lord Sorcier is also a very interesting character! He doesn’t abide by the rules of the polite society and he believes the society is rotten to its core. After being throughput with war in France, he’s been keeping a massive anger and frustration inside himself, making him at times quite explosive.

An interesting mix between A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting and The Last Hours, this delightful regency romantasy will make you finish this book in a blink of eyes!

This review will be posted on my bookstagram (@maria_bookshelf) during the release week so keep an eye out for it 😆💕!

Thank you to the publisher Little, Brown for providing an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a 3.5 for me, that I couldn't in all conscience round up to 4. While the pacing was good and the prose developed, it felt like it was accidentally YA - and two distinct books, badly stitched together.

Ignoring the many, glaring historical inaccuracies (fantasy = suspended belief) the regency romance part felt clumsily and obviously done, with little suspense or reason to root for the characters. Most of the secondary cast felt 2D and easily captured in a short sentence - even our main characters lacked depth. An light romp, easily enjoyed if you have a spare two hours and aren't in the mood to be taxed (or particularly attentive).

The fantasy element is what really knocked out stars for me. There's very little in the way of world building and Atwater's version of "faeries" can be summed up in four words "virtue, jackets, injustice, iron." I genuinely had to go back over the sections when characters enter/leave 'Faerie' (also a place as well as creature) because it just doesn't get explained? I'm usually on board with using fantastical creatures as satirical social commentary but it was so heavy handed, with no magic/power behind it. Aside from making lanterns, napkins fly and binding humans souls inexplicably, there's no who/what/why/when/where?

Like other reviewers, I also want to share my concern of describing a character that presents as neurodiverse (especially autistic) as being abnormal, unwanted and with half a soul. It's distasteful and there were so many other ways having half a soul could have been presented , more cleverly and considerately.

This book had so much promise, and it's a genre-combo I usually love, but sadly this wasn't for me. If you're looking for a clean YA regency romance with a light magic twist, you may - and I stress may - enjoy.

A gorgeous Regency romance with a healthy dose of magic and a sprinkling of satire.
I wasn’t sure whether I would enjoy Half a Soul or not. I love historical fiction and all things Regency but I’m not a convert to stories about the fae and so I didn’t know how I would feel about a book that combined the two. I didn’t need to worry though, Olivia Atwood put the two worlds together and it worked brilliantly.
We first meet Dora as a nine year old when she encounters the fae lord in the local wood. He steals half her soul and she grows up never quite feeling any of the emotions that she is supposed to. The story really begins when Dora accompanies her cousin Violet to London for the season. In London she meets the sorcerer, Lord Sorcier who Violet hopes can free Dora from the fae curse.
I really enjoyed the character of Dora. Her matter of fact manner and bluntness made her an interesting heroine. She was perfectly matched by the very bad-tempered Lord Sorcier who hated society and the need to be polite. As the story progresses, we find out more about Elias and begin to understand his manner. The book is full of brilliant characters from the master of the workhouse to the Fae lords but one of my favourite characters was Albert, the third son of an earl who Dora’s aunt tries to pair her off with. Their friendship was one of the many strong points of the novel.
There was so much that I enjoyed about this novel that it is difficult to put it all in one review. One element that I did enjoy was the satirical view of London society. The Fae ball was a great example of this when the author poked fun at the conventions of polite balls through the eyes of the fae.
There were a couple of occasions when the author’s choice of language jarred and didn’t feel appropriate to the period. However, the main reason for only giving it 4 stars rather than 5 was the epilogue. In common with one or two other reviews, I felt that this was totally unnecessary and spoilt the ending.

If you’re a fan of howls moving castle then this adorable and whimsical book needs to be on your read list instantly. The characters are interesting and life like, the story itself could easily have been real in the way that it takes real life attributes of that time and transitions it into the fantasy world that Olivia has created.

Beautiful to read with tones of love, honesty, and accepting someone for who they truly are as a person not who society tells them they have to be. The book also contains moments which do make you giggle with a blush on your face as with the main character not quite understanding the social norms at the time involving a fountain.

Although I did enjoy the book I did find it quite slow and not as engaging as others I have read lately, with more of a slow romance vibe then a Fantasy intrigue. If you are looking for a fast paced romance with adventure and full on love this is not quite the one for you. Saying that if you are intrigued about the book itself I would say it is definitely worth a read and if you are howls moving castle, A lady’s guide to fortune hunting or Bridgeton fan this is a must read for you.