Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

47 reviews

spellboundreader's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

A perfect cozy fantasy romance to snuggle up with. Zero smut but tons of banter. Grumpy and Quirky Odd-ball pairing. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse

mybookishdelights's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This is a fun historical fantasy romance with some social commentary weaved throughout. The story was compelling enough to keep me turning the pages and the romance sweet enough to make me smile. The characters were a bit flat so it was missing that for me as a character-driven reader. I really liked the main character and her lack of awareness of when she was committing a social faux pax. I hated her aunt. I also didn't like the epilogue at the end. It felt disjointed and

was kind of annoying that Elias fell in love with Dora for exactly how she was, which was romantic, only for it to change in the epilogue that she became "whole" again. Didn't like it.

CAWPILE Score: 7.71 = 4.25 stars
Characters: 7
Atmosphere: 7
Writing: 7
Plot: 7
Intrigue: 7
Logic: 7
Enjoyment: 8

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Classism

Moderate: Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, and War

Minor: Child death and Death of parent

PTSD and disassociation

lainiereads's review against another edition

emotional inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. It is what Howl's Moving Castle would have been if it had not been aimed for a middle grade audience. Such wonderful main characters and development for them. And the romance was so genuine and sweet, it is the picture of comforting romance read. Plus, there is a wonderful story centering classism, the abuses towards the working class and veterans, and the struggle of  finding a purpose to your life when there are such evil things going on. Dora and Elias are such perfect characters, and the story going on around them is so important. This will definitely be one of my favorite reads of the year.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism

Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, and War

chrisljm's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

such a lovely fairytale atmosphere. i loved the story, characters, and the romance between elias and dora. the only concession i wished was to be able to spend a longer time with the characters. :(

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Slavery, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and War

fromjuliereads's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Y'ALL. This was the book I never knew I needed! It's like an Austen fantasy and I devoured it. Everything I wanted and more. I loved it and highly recommend for a cosy fantasy romance! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Death of parent, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism and Classism

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: War

friendly_neighborhood_grandma's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is a favorite book. I loved everything. (It isnt perfect of coarse but is quite close.) Everything. It made me think,laugh, stare at a wall for a couple of minutes straight. Everything.

It's very interesting how much society at those times affected one. It’s all about 
the ^unsaid^, be very careful of what you do and what other people think of you out of worry for your reputation. Get a husband in time. Be polite, neat and pretty. Do not dare atract attention with anything other than light flirting, politeness and charm, do not dare be different, rumors about you will affect you and your family. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, and Classism

Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Ableism, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Slavery, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury

bookishflower's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Kidnapping

Minor: Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and War

natashaleighton_'s review against another edition

adventurous inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Classism

Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, and Blood

Minor: Death, Violence, and War

rosietoast's review against another edition

funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book was fun to read, with a nice mix of historical romance and whimsical fantasy. I feel as though it could have benefitted from being longer by expanding on certain scenes or adding new ones to focus more on the characters and their relationships. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse and Classism

Minor: Child death, Death, and War