Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

7 reviews

folkofthebook's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective tense 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

5.0

“I have known many human beings with a full soul to their name who do not have half so much compassion or practicality as you.”

oh this was a DELIGHT to read. the regency setting, a unique plot, the pacing, the banter, and the buildup of the romance... *chef's kiss* i'm really loving historical fantasy these days and this is easily one of my favorite reads this year so far, all genres included.

“Pleasant-mannered people are simply the worst sort of people. Decent people become properly angry when presented with miserable injustice, but pleasant-mannered people never do.”

“But sometimes, when you cannot force the world to come to its senses, you must settle only for wiping away some of the small evils in front of you.”

i loved elias. i will admit i was even put off a bit by his introduction bc of his attitude, but we learn about him quickly and it's impossible to not warm up to him. he is angry at the injustices of the world and wants to make it all better, but feels powerless to fix it all. dora is the perfect balance to him; she is calm and collected, but unintimidated to return his banter. watching this romance blossom had me kicking my feet and giggling in bed. très romantique!

side note, i did also adore albert. i'm happy he got his own happiness as well.

i will definitely be reading more of atwater's books, i can't wait to see what else is in store in this world!

“Was there anything else you were curious about, while we’re at it? Shall I take off my trousers and let you take my measure?”

“I did not come here only to dance. I came here only to dance with you. It is quite a different thing.”

“I think I am happy. What a lovely feeling. I am dreaming, and I don’t want to wake up.”
“I don’t want to wake up either,” he whispered.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Blood, and Murder

Minor: Grief, Death of parent, War, Gun violence, Violence, Child abuse, and Child death

seforana's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, Bullying, Death, Classism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Grief, Child death, and Child abuse

maggies's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful 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

3.0

A charming tale, well-told and well-read. Dora and Elias were sketched beautifully, and I totally bought their growing attraction and love. Enjoyable

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Trafficking, Grief, Abandonment, and Slavery

sustainably_lucia's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book is magical and whimsical but also profound and very real. I loved Dora’s perspective on things and I can relate to her being made to feel “other” or “less than” simply because she experiences the world differently than others. The writing was witty and thoughtful in how it examines parts of society that we often avoid looking at out of politeness. The time period and setting really suited the story and the message the author wanted to convey. I loved it from beginning to end!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism and Mental illness

Moderate: Death and Child death

Minor: War and Grief

katievallin's review

adventurous lighthearted 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Ableism, Classism, Murder, Trafficking, and Grief

Moderate: Child abuse, Medical content, Sexism, War, and Body shaming

Minor: Blood and Death of parent

lotte5322's review

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death of parent, Murder, War, Child abuse, Grief, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, Kidnapping, and Trafficking

friendly_neighborhood_grandma's review

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

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

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