Half a Soul Is Charming and Comforting
- Hannah
- Jul 4
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 5
Thoughts on Olivia Atwater's Regency Fantasy
I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. You know the kinds of books that take you someplace magical and comforting? This was one of those books for me.
Half a Soul by Oliva Atwater, is set in Regency-era London shortly after the Napoleonic Wars between Britain and France, blending historical fiction with fantasy. The novel draws from traditional English, Scottish, Irish, and Welsh folklore, where faeries are often portrayed as cruel, uncaring, or indifferent toward humans rather than whimsical or kind.
Theodora "Dora" Ettings is a young aristocrat who has spent most of her life with only half a soul after the faerie Lord Hollowvale stole the other half when she was a child. As a result, Dora experiences the world differently, her emotions muted and distant, leaving her unable to laugh, cry, or react as others expect. An orphan nearing spinsterhood, she accompanies her cousin Vanessa to London for the social season, where the two hope to find suitable matches.
It is there that we meet Elias Wilder, the Lord Sorcier. Grumpy, ill-mannered, temperamental, handsome, and magical, Elias has little patience for society and its rules. Instead, he concerns himself with the parts of London that the upper class would rather ignore. Think Bridgerton meets Howl's Moving Castle.
One thing I especially appreciated was how the novel acknowledges the realities of Regency England. Unlike much other Regency media, Half a Soul directly addresses the hardships faced by the lower classes. The contrast between London's workhouses and the lives of Dora and those around her adds depth to the story and makes the setting feel more grounded.
I found the magical aspects of the novel to be charming and comforting, and they fit naturally within the historical setting. Although the first half of the book was somewhat slow and took me a while to get through, once the story found its footing I became much more invested in both the characters and the world.
★★★★
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