Half a Soul

Olivia Atwater

Apr 2022 · Sold by Orbit

About this ebook

“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!

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—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 strange, handsome, and utterly ill-mannered Lord Sorcier, discovers her condition, she is instead drawn into peculiar and 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. 

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
 

Ratings and reviews

This book is the love child of Diana Wynne Jones' Howl's Moving Castle and Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. I really enjoyed the story, though I became quite annoyed with Elias over his frequent tantrums...maybe it was meant to be endearing because they were frequently over things like injustice and poor orphans, but his frequent blow-ups at people really got on my nerves. The scene that led to his biggest blow-up went from 1-100 way too quickly too. I know it was implied due to lack of sleep and food on his part, but even grouchy hangry people don't have that short of a fuse around people you barely know, your best friend, and your love interest. Despite that, I still think it's definitely a worthwhile read to pass the time.

Excellent, no notes. The story is concise and beautiful, holding no punches. An excellent book if you're 15 or 115.

Very cute and romantic fantasy. I really enjoyed it.

About the author

Olivia Atwater writes whimsical historical fantasy with a hint of satire. She lives in Montreal, Quebec with her fantastic, prose-inspiring husband and her two cats. When she told her second-grade history teacher that she wanted to work with history someday, she is fairly certain this isn't what either party had in mind. She has been, at various times, a historical re-enactor, a professional witch at a metaphysical supply store, a web developer, and a vending machine repairperson.