Half a Soul

Dora accompanies her cousin Vanessa to London for the Season, even though Dora isn’t expected to attract a suitor. Half her soul was stolen by a faerie when she was a child and ever since Dora’s emotions and sense of proper behaviour have been muffled.

I was expecting romantic Regency fantasy -- I wasn’t also expecting a story about characters deeply angry at the injustice they see in the world. But I think that this book isn’t just fluffy is actually what made it so delightful and satisfying.

I liked the bond between Dora and Vanessa, and I really liked the way the story explores how Dora experiences her emotions. Recommended.

“Oh, bother,” Dora sighed. “I am about to flout propriety, Lady Carroway. Do be kind to me,

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please.”

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As a child, Dora was almost taken by a Faerie, Lord Hollowvale -- but her cousin Vanessa saved her with the touch of cold iron, and Lord Hollowvale managed only to take half of her soul. Since then, Dora has lived with one foot in and one foot out of faerie, with only half a soul in the human world. She is present, but she is strange and has trouble fitting in -- she often does not react appropriately to social situations, and her emotions seem to be a pale imitation of what they should be. Only her cousin Vanessa sticks up for her and continues to love her as she always did, so when Vanessa and her aunt make plans to go to London for the season and find a husband for Vanessa, Vanessa insists Dora must come along. London is strange, and show more Dora doesn't fit in with the rest of the Ton. But it soon becomes clear why Vanessa wanted Dora to come so badly -- she is convinced the Lord Sorcier, the rude and offputting Elias Wilder, can cure her cousin. Soon, Dora is getting to know the Lord Sorcier much better than she expected, and she begins to wonder if he is not quite so unpleasant as everyone thinks.

This read as a combination of Bridgerton and a lighter Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, and I loved every minute of it. Really fun to read, and it had a surprise social justice angle that I thought was well done. I'm really looking forward to reading other books in the series. 4.5 stars. show less

Ever since a childhood encounter with a fae lord, Dora has been not quite right. She doesn't seem to feel happiness, or other strong emotions, the same way that other people do, and she has a hard time with social cues. When she travels to London with her aunt and beloved cousin for the Season, she knows that their goal is to find her cousin a good match. What she doesn't know is that her cousin is determined to find a way to introduce her to the Lord Sorcier, and hopefully get him interested in finding a cure for Dora. When Dora does meet the Lord Sorcier, though, many unexpected things happen...

I do love a good fantasy of manners every once in a while, and this is a delightful example of the genre. I thought the characterization was show more particularly well done, and the author did a good job of handling what I suspected was going to be a tricky issue at the end of the book. After getting to know and love Dora in her half-souled state, I wasn't convinced that she needed to be cured, especially since the Lord Sorcier fell in love with her as she was. Some of her mannerisms come across as neurodivergent, and I can see readers who identify with Dora being upset if she were to become "normal" at the end of the book. I thought that the way the story resolved was the best option for all concerned. For readers who enjoy a Regency romance mixed with magic, this is catnip. show less

Ok, wow. This was recommended to me several times when it first came out, and I picked it up but never read it. Too bad for me - it's _excellent_. A rich world, fascinatingly complex characters, and far too realistic problems. Regency romance, sure, so balls and suitors and scheming mothers, also faeries and stolen souls - and the all too real treatment of the poor, in workhouses and elsewhere. Gorgeous on every level - and I really like Dora and Elias, and Albert, and... All the characters, really, aside from the villains (of whom there are rather too many. Also painfully realistic, the faerie lord aside). Great story, next please.

Really enjoyed this — not least because Dora as a half souled person who can’t quite connect with her emotions and filters reads like a truly gorgeous neurodivergent person. She’s funny, disconcertingly honest, and full of the big feels but on a different timeline. Love the characters. Love the heart. Love the well-portrayed regency setting and the inclusion of the workhouses that are ever out of site for nobility. I even enjoyed the faerie situation.

I just finished this book last night and it was just perfect! Not only was it a wonderful romance, but I love how the author dealt with social issues like the treatment of the poor and disabled, and how so many turn a blind eye, especially those who have so much. Her writing was filled with emotion and empathy that made me feel the horror and anguish the characters felt upon viewing those in the workhouses, and their anger and anguish at cruelty they witnessed. Expertly intertwined with the cruelty and horror was wisdom, self reflection, and best of all, humour! The sharp sarcasm of the Lord Sorcerer, and Dora's matching responses, made their banter so much fun to read. I enjoyed the story so much that I had a hard time turning off the show more light to go to sleep, and stayed up until 3am last night to finish. I will definitely be ordering more of these Regency Faerie Tales! show less

Regency fantasy romance in which the main character, Dora, had half her soul stolen by a faerie as a child and as a result never quite behaves as a proper young lady should. While Dora has no illusions that she'll ever be able to attract a husband, she cares greatly for her cousin, and so agrees to go accompany her to London for the season. What Dora doesn't immediately realize is that her cousin has plans to introduce Dora to the Lord Sorcier in the hopes that he'll be able to help Dora recover what the faerie stole. As Dora and the Lord Sorcier work together to solve her problem and a larger magical plague that is hitting the children of the workhouses, neither of them anticipate they might also find love.

I picked up this BB around LT show more early this year but I can't remember from whom, so whoever you are, thank you! A perfect read for lovers of Jane Austen and fantasy (there's a bit of a Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell vibe, in particular), which definitely includes me. The romance is sweet and gentle, the fantasy world fascinating, and I thoroughly enjoyed that Atwater explored aspects of the Regency era that don't typically crop up in novels set in the period. Enjoyed it so much, I immediately placed a hold on the second in the series. show less