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xvicesx's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A thoroughly enjoyable read, mixing faeries, magic and Regency England. I liked the way that the author managed to blend themes of social justice into the story without it sounding preachy, and that ultimately Dora gets to be loved for who she is, rather than who she ought to be, or who she could have been with her full soul.
Loved it immensely, though I was a bit uncertain about it at the start. It definitely picks up!
Loved it immensely, though I was a bit uncertain about it at the start. It definitely picks up!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery, War, and Classism
Minor: Ableism, Death, Emotional abuse, Trafficking, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
amris's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Child abuse, Slavery, Violence, and Medical content
cocolynn's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Emotional abuse, and Murder
krows_ink's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Half a Soul ⭐️ 4.25/5
I loved this book and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I have little gripes with the book. Elias is probably my favorite genre of love interest/ fictional man. I wish that the book was a little long to explore his obviously complicated backstory. Spoilers ahead
I’m not a huge fan of epilogues that summarize how the rest of the character’s lives go. In that regard I was a bit disappointed. I also wish that the book was longer. I feel like the ending got a little confusing and rushed. Having more time or even possibly a chapter from Elias’ pov would have been cool to flush out his connection with Faerie. Whenever it got brought up it felt a little forced/ jarring. But maybe J just like dramatics.
The Lord Socier ⭐️ 4.5/5
I loved this little novella and that it was written from Arther’s pov! I love Atwater’s hopeful undertones in her works while still facing the gruesome and contradictory nature of human (English/ European) society. This novella gave me a glimpse into Arther and Elias’ relationship and I loved every page of it.
I loved this book and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I have little gripes with the book. Elias is probably my favorite genre of love interest/ fictional man. I wish that the book was a little long to explore his obviously complicated backstory. Spoilers ahead
The Lord Socier ⭐️ 4.5/5
I loved this little novella and that it was written from Arther’s pov! I love Atwater’s hopeful undertones in her works while still facing the gruesome and contradictory nature of human (English/ European) society. This novella gave me a glimpse into Arther and Elias’ relationship and I loved every page of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, and War
Minor: Child death
takarakei's review against another edition
lighthearted
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
3.5
This is definitely a regency-era romance with some fantasy elements sprinkled in, but it leans more hist. romance to me. Suspend a little disbelief on the connection of this world and faeries - you just gotta go with it. There's also a slight mystery plotline happening at the same time. Something about the overall plot didn't quite click with my to really hold my interest.
Dora reads as neurodivergent to me, and I did like the ending when it came to her curse - how she didn't really need to change at all.
Elias was a perfectly fine love interest, I was endeared to him by the end.
I really fell in love with Albert as a side character and I'm not sure if we'll see more of him. Though my copy had a little prequel short-story about him and Elias in the war time.
Dora reads as neurodivergent to me, and I did like the ending when it came to her curse - how she didn't really need to change at all.
Elias was a perfectly fine love interest, I was endeared to him by the end.
I really fell in love with Albert as a side character and I'm not sure if we'll see more of him. Though my copy had a little prequel short-story about him and Elias in the war time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, and Classism
Moderate: Blood, Kidnapping, and War
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
mynameisrebecca's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, and War
Minor: Death of parent
aseel_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
This was so stinking cute and of good quality??? I thought it would be way more poorly written but it was actually well done and super engaging. My only tiff is that Dora was quite autistic coded but she lost half her soul to the Fae... Which is a bit icky when you think about some autitic stereotypes...
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Sexism, Violence, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
slothburglar's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Minor: Child abuse
literarypenguin's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
After hearing so much about this book from various sources and reading so many positive reviews praising this book I had to give it a try and I am so glad that I did it!
The plot of this book was so fantastic, a girl who had to navigate life in Regency England with only half her soul at a time where women were expected to remain pleasant and do what they were told. Dora was the complete opposite of this saying what was on her mind regardless of the social implications it would result in. I loved how Olivia handled Dora's lack of emotional responses, how she showed her handling complex emotions almost picturing them like a lantern inside of herself. That was beautiful imagery and one that will remain in my head for a long time. Vanessa was such a supportive family member and a much needed one after most of Dora's family weren't as caring to her condition as Vanessa was.
Dora and Elias's romance was the cutest thing I have ever read! The ballroom dancing star scene in particular was the most beautiful, magical, and romantic scene I have ever read in a book! Their banter and gradual development of feelings was so sweet, they were both people who were considered broken in this society but together they proved how whole they both were as people and together.
This book was delightful & a refreshing short read that I needed at this time! I am so glad I took the chance to read it and am curious to see if the other books in the series are just as wonderful as this one!
The plot of this book was so fantastic, a girl who had to navigate life in Regency England with only half her soul at a time where women were expected to remain pleasant and do what they were told. Dora was the complete opposite of this saying what was on her mind regardless of the social implications it would result in. I loved how Olivia handled Dora's lack of emotional responses, how she showed her handling complex emotions almost picturing them like a lantern inside of herself. That was beautiful imagery and one that will remain in my head for a long time. Vanessa was such a supportive family member and a much needed one after most of Dora's family weren't as caring to her condition as Vanessa was.
Dora and Elias's romance was the cutest thing I have ever read! The ballroom dancing star scene in particular was the most beautiful, magical, and romantic scene I have ever read in a book! Their banter and gradual development of feelings was so sweet, they were both people who were considered broken in this society but together they proved how whole they both were as people and together.
This book was delightful & a refreshing short read that I needed at this time! I am so glad I took the chance to read it and am curious to see if the other books in the series are just as wonderful as this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Classism
Minor: Child death
howdyjordan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Classism
Minor: Ableism and Abandonment