Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater was such a charming book, more so because it was so unexpected. I found it recommended on a recent Twitter thread on Regency era books about warlords and wizards, and knew I had to give it a try too.
Theodora (let’s just call her Dora) has always lived in a dream-like state, disconnected from her emotions, unable to fully grasp the rules of polite society. You see, when she was just a wee scamp, a sinister Faerie lord tried to abduct her (unsuccessfully), and ever since then, she’s been only living with “half a soul”.
But where’s that other half? Is faerie-cursed Dora ever going to get it back? Perhaps she will, with help from the royal sorcerer, Elias — that is, once they stop bickering. Elias gets some marvelous quips in the book, they made me want to clap with glee.
All of the good things …
Half a Soul was just what I was looking for. It was a well-plotted but light comedy of manners, it had excellent dialogue and interesting characterizations, and it was amusing to boot. I do think that the book slips up on historical accuracy at times, and that additional world-building backstories would help even more — but I was happy to tarry along in light of the book’s other strengths.
I also loved the author’s Afterword, which I thought was a very powerful anecdote on the power of individual action, small though it may seem:
“Why are you throwing these fish back into the ocean?” [a bystander] asked the little girl. “It won’t even matter, in the end. There are so many of them! You cannot possibly hope to save them all!”
Excerpt From: Atwater, Olivia. “Half a Soul.” Afterword.
The little girl frowned at the bystander and held up the fish that she currently had in her hands. “It matters to this fish,” she told him. And then, she turned herself back down the beach and stubbornly continued throwing fish back into the ocean.
The story normally ends there—but I like to think that the bystander then joined the little girl, and that a great deal more fishes were saved as a result.
Recommended for fans of:
If you like comedy of manners (like Georgette Heyer’s Cousin Kate or Envious Casca), you’ll probably like this one. Also, do you remember that scene in Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, where Arabella is seen dancing with the faerie courtiers? In many ways, turns that scene into a book.
4 replies on “Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater: Charming Regency Fantasy”
This is a new-to-me book but I’m super intrigued after reading you review, Lex. It sounds like a unique story and that cover is pretty as well. I love green!
Do give it a try, you’ll be pleasantly surprised! I know I was. It’s light at just the right note. As Jen suggests in the comment below, it’s a lot like Sorcery and Cecilia by Wrede, if you’ve tried that one.
Ooh, this sounds fun! I thought of Jonathan Strange as I read your review so I was pleasantly surprised to see you mention as well. I also thought of Sorcery and Cecilia by Patricia C. Wrede. I’ll look for this one as well!
*smacks head against the keyboard* Yes! Sorcery and Cecilia, that’s a much better match and completely slipped my mind!