Olivia Atwater

Olivia Atwater is a Canadian author known for blending fantasy with Regency romance, most notably in her acclaimed Regency Faerie Tales trilogy. Her work draws inspiration from British folklore and combines magical elements with historical fiction set in the Regency era. The Regency Faerie Tales trilogy, consisting of Half a Soul (2020), Ten Thousand Stitches (2020), and Longshadow (2021), established Atwater's reputation in the fantasy romance genre. The series began as a self-published work before gaining wider recognition and receiving positive reviews from Publishers Weekly, The British Fantasy Society, and other notable publications. Atwater's professional background includes experience as a web developer, historical re-enactor, and various other roles before focusing on writing. Her early exposure to storytelling came through Dungeons & Dragons campaigns led by her father, and she wrote her first novel at age twelve. Following the success of her trilogy, Atwater expanded her bibliography with Small Miracles (2022) and continues to write both fiction and non-fiction works about writing. Her novels are characterized by their seamless integration of magical elements into historical settings.

Readers consistently highlight Atwater's blend of Regency romance with fantasy elements, noting her ability to balance historical accuracy with magical worldbuilding. What readers liked: - Clean romance that focuses on character development - Humor and witty dialogue comparable to Jane Austen - Authentic period details combined with fairy tale elements - Social commentary on class and gender issues - Quick-paced, standalone stories that interconnect What readers disliked: - Some found the romance plots predictable - Occasional modern phrases breaking historical immersion - Desire for more complex magical systems - Brief length of the books Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Half a Soul: 4.0/5 (24,000+ ratings) - Ten Thousand Stitches: 4.2/5 (12,000+ ratings) - Longshadow: 4.3/5 (8,000+ ratings) - Small Miracles: 4.1/5 (5,000+ ratings) Amazon averages 4.4/5 across all titles with readers frequently praising the "cozy" and "charming" tone while maintaining depth in character relationships.

Half a Soul (2020) A Regency-era tale about Dora, a young woman whose emotions were partially stolen by faeries, as she navigates London society and seeks a cure while becoming entangled with a magic-practicing lord.

Ten Thousand Stitches (2020) A Regency fantasy following Effie, a maid who receives help from a faerie godfather to win the heart of a nobleman, but discovers unexpected complications in her path to happiness.

Longshadow (2021) The concluding volume of the Regency Faerie Tales trilogy focuses on Lord Soulden, who must confront both a mysterious curse and his growing feelings for a magically-gifted widow.

Small Miracles (2022) A standalone novel set in Victorian London about three faeries who attempt to help a struggling human woman while navigating the complexities of mortal society.

Mary Robinette Kowal writes Regency fantasy with magic practitioners called glamourists in her Glamourist Histories series. Her work features detailed historical accuracy combined with supernatural elements, similar to Atwater's approach to blending magic with the Regency period.

Stephanie Burgis created the Harwood Spellbook series, which places magic in an alternate Regency England where women are the politicians and men are the magic users. Her books combine romance, politics, and magical elements in a historical setting.

Katherine Addison writes fantasy novels that examine class structures and social hierarchies while incorporating magical elements. Her work in The Goblin Emperor series shows similar attention to manners, societal expectations, and the intersection of magic with formal society.

C.L. Polk authored the Kingston Cycle, which combines magic with a historical setting reminiscent of Edwardian England. The series features similar themes of social constraints and magical systems integrated into historical society.

Zen Cho writes historical fantasy set in Regency England, including Sorcerer to the Crown and The True Queen. Her work incorporates magic users navigating British society while dealing with both supernatural and social challenges.