Half a Soul

Half a Soul combines Regency romance with faerie magic in a reimagined 1800s London. After losing half her soul to a faerie lord, Theodora Ettings navigates high society without the ability to feel emotions properly or understand social cues. The narrative centers on Dora's quest to regain her missing soul half while assisting the enigmatic Lord Elias Wilder, London's royal magician. Their investigation into a mysterious sleeping sickness affecting workhouse children leads them through both the glittering ballrooms of the ton and London's impoverished streets. This fantasy romance places Dora between two worlds - the rigid social structures of Regency society and the dangerous realm of faerie magic. The story balances romance with wider concerns about social reform and responsibility. The novel examines questions of humanity and emotion while highlighting the stark contrasts between wealthy and poor in Regency London. Through its fantasy elements, it addresses real historical issues of class, poverty, and social expectations.

Readers describe Half a Soul as a light fantasy romance that blends Regency era manners with faerie magic. The book maintains a 4.0/5 rating on Goodreads (17,000+ ratings) and 4.3/5 on Amazon (5,800+ ratings). Readers appreciate: - The witty dialogue and banter between leads - Quick pacing and shorter length (under 300 pages) - Integration of social issues like poverty into the plot - Fresh take on familiar Regency romance tropes Common criticisms: - Romance develops too quickly - Side characters lack depth - Some found the magical elements underdeveloped - Ending feels rushed Many reviews note the book works better as a fantasy with romantic elements rather than a pure romance. Several readers compare it favorably to Sorcery & Cecelia by Patricia Wrede, though with a darker edge. Multiple reviews mention struggling with the first few chapters but finding the story picks up significantly around chapter 3.

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The Midnight Bargain by C. L. Polk A young woman in a Regency-inspired world must choose between her magical abilities and the prospect of marriage in a society where women are forced to give up their powers upon matrimony.

A College of Magics by Caroline Stevermer A student at a European finishing school for magical education balances her studies with political intrigue and the demands of her noble station.

Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal In an alternate Regency England, a woman practices her skill in glamour magic while navigating society's expectations and matters of the heart.

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🌟 The concept of a "half soul" draws from ancient Egyptian mythology, where the soul was believed to have multiple parts that could be separated. 🌟 London's workhouses, featured prominently in the novel, housed over 100,000 people by the 1850s, with children making up a significant portion of the inhabitants. 🌟 Author Olivia Atwater wrote this novel as the first in her "Regency Faerie Tales" series, deliberately combining Jane Austen-style social commentary with fantasy elements. 🌟 The character of Elias Wilder as a royal magician reflects the real historical fascination with magic during the Regency era, when many aristocrats employed "philosophical magicians" for entertainment. 🌟 The sleeping sickness plot point mirrors actual epidemics that plagued London's poor during the Regency period, particularly affecting children in crowded, unsanitary conditions.