Author: Olivia Atwater
Published: 2020
Target audience: Adults (appropriate 13+)
It’s difficult to find a husband in Regency England when you only have half a soul.
Ever since she was cursed by a faerie, Dora Ettings has no sense of fear or embarrassment - a condition which makes her prone to accidental scandal. Dora hopes to be a quiet, sensible wallflower to support her cousin Vanessa’s search for a husband, only for her secret to be discovered by the strange and utterly uncouth Elias Wilder. As the Lord Sorcier and court magician, Elias agrees to look into her condition, but in associating with him, Dora is soon drawn into dangerous and unnatural affairs…
If Dora’s reputation can survive her curse and new connection with the least-liked man in all of high society, then she may yet reclaim her normal place in the world. But the longer Dora spends with Elias Wilder, the more she begins to suspect that one may indeed fall in love with only half a soul.
Review:
'Half a Soul' is an utterly charming read. With an excellent balance of plot intrigue, romance, social commentary, and fluff, this debut book from American author Olivia Atwater will have you completely enthralled right to the last page. The portrayal of Dora’s internal state and how she perceives and interacts with the world serves as a distinct parallel for autism and the experience of many neurodivergent people. She takes longer to identify what she is feeling, her reactions are considered abnormal to others in the same situations, and her adherence to social mannerisms is practiced, not instinctive. This initially had me worried, as Dora is the way she is because a faerie stole half her soul, and this could have negative or ableist implications that autistic individuals are lacking or incomplete as people. I was concerned that the story would dictate that she needs to get her soul back in order to finally be happy and fulfilled. However, I was relieved, and then delighted, to see that this book does not take this direction at all.
Instead, ’Half a Soul’ is a novel about social outcasts finding companionship and acceptance outside of the rigid proscribed intolerance of Regency England high society. This theme permeates the whole book, starting with the relationship between Vanessa and Dora in the way they care for and defend each other. Vanessa acknowledges that while her cousin has a different approach, she doesn’t see anything wrong with Dora, and instead insists that the way people treat Dora is what’s wrong. This support is reciprocated in the affection Dora holds for Vanessa, and how she has no qualms in making a spectacle of herself and her ‘strangeness’ to help Vanessa.
Then, after arriving in London for the social season, Dora meets physician and viscount’s son Albert Lowe and the Lord Sorcier, Elias Wilder. Albert’s amputated arm and use of a prosthetic results in him being viewed as less of a man by high society, while Elias’ crass manners make him widely disliked but publicly tolerated as a powerful magician. Dora, Elias, and Albert’s paths intertwine in a heartwarming and cathartic story that advocates for greater support structures and resources for the vulnerable in an intolerant world.
Throughout the book, Atwater utilises a combination of traditional European fairy folklore and Regency English mores to explore structural injustices such as war, classism, inequality, bigotry, poverty, and more. Through these elements, ‘Half a Soul’ expresses that even though such ‘evils’ can’t be simply defeated or eradicated, our small efforts as individuals can still help improve the lives of others. This concept serves as a foundational connection between Dora and Elias as they investigate a mysterious sleeping plague affecting impoverished children. At it’s heart, ‘Half a Soul’ is a love story between two people who have no interest in high society’s performative niceness, and who bond over their determination to be their genuine selves. Between grand balls, magical afflictions, and marriage-minded mothers, Elias’ disagreeable temper and frustration with the world meets Dora’s steadfast calm and quick wit in a lively mix of verbal sparring and honest vulnerability, and develops into something more. Their romance is utterly delightful and had me completely engrossed the whole way through.
Olivia Atwater’s ‘Half a Soul’ is a truly lovely story and wonderful reading experience. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Excerpt:
“Sir!” Vanessa managed in a shocked, trembling voice. “You must not address my cousin in such a way. Such behaviour is absolutely beyond the pale!”
Dora glanced at her cousin, considering the way that her lip trembled and her hands clutched together. Quietly, she tried to mirror the gestures. Her aunt had begged her to act normal at this party, after all.
For a moment, as Dora turned her trembling lip back towards Sir Albus, a chastised look crossed his eyes. “I…I do apologise,” he said stiffly. But Dora noticed that he addressed the apology to Vanessa, and not to her.
“Apologise for what?” Dora murmured absently. “For impacting your chances with my cousin, or for acting the boor?”
Sir Albus widened his eyes in shocked fury.
Oh, Dora thought with a sigh. That was not the sort of thing that normal, frightened women say, I suppose.
