Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

29 reviews

rinku's review against another edition

adventurous informative lighthearted mysterious 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

4.0

I don’t have too much to say about Half a Soul since I quite enjoyed it and the cozy vibes it had. Because of this, it’s not the most exciting book but sometimes, even I like to read a more light-hearted book. 

This book follows Dora who, after her mom made a deal with a faerie, lost half of her soul which leads to her struggling with reading social cues. While she’s with her aunt and cousin in London where they are supposed to find husbands, she meets Elias who wants to help her with her soul. At the same time, there’s a mysterious sickness going on in London and they both try to find a way to heal it. 

In my feeling though, the book is more character-driven than plot-driven. It’s quite focussed on Dora and her trying to navigate London’s high society. I furthermore liked the topics that were reflected on in the course of the story, like the brutality of war, classism, and the link between sickness and poverty. Of course, the love interest Elias plays a big role as well. It was quite random how they met but I for once liked the banter between them. The ending was exciting as well with

Dora being captured in the Faerie world and meeting her other half. The ending was quite satisfying with the Faerie being killed and the captured kids returning

. 

I haven’t read many historical fantasies before, especially not ones taking place in the regency era. To be honest, I barely know anything about it, and I sometimes had the feeling that I lacked some of the historical context. Still, it was interesting, and I learned something about this time period. 

Additionally, Dora is a great and very likable main character. Atwater confirmed here on Goodreads what I already thought: that Dora is neurodivergent coded which I really love. It’s nice as well that in the end, she’s

not “healed” but stays the way she is, at least until she returns to the Faerie world

. It was a bit cliché how she has no parents anymore, but oh well. All the other characters besides her are likable as well and I even liked the romance which is rare for me in these times lmao. Also, can we talk about the amazing fact that men are allowed to cry in this novel? 

Half a Soul is an enjoyable and light-hearted read that still is able to talk about serious topics like war or poverty. Furthermore, the characters are so likable, and the historical setting is interesting. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Classism, and Misogyny

Moderate: War, Medical content, and Death

Minor: Death of parent and Pregnancy

a_libra_library's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Death, Classism, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Trafficking, Blood, Ableism, Child death, Chronic illness, and Cursing

avie_j's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Emotional abuse, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Death of parent and Violence

kelleykamanda'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

4.5

Such a fun, romantic read. Not cheesey and sexual, just a slow burn. Highly recommend to my cozy fantasy lovers. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Classism, and Confinement

Moderate: Terminal illness, Bullying, Child abuse, and Ableism

Minor: War, Violence, Blood, Child death, and Death of parent

callmemartiall's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Child death

Moderate: Classism, War, and Ableism

Minor: Death of parent and Murder

hazelgirl21's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism

Minor: Death of parent

sophiesmallhands's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Trafficking, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Child abuse

Minor: Child death, Physical abuse, Gore, Emotional abuse, Ableism, Abandonment, War, Violence, Slavery, Death of parent, and Blood

caseymac's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Minor: Child death, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship

evarinya's review

adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Slavery, Emotional abuse, War, and Murder

Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Kidnapping, Blood, Misogyny, and Sexism

Minor: Ableism, Alcohol, Child death, Death of parent, Death, Medical content, and Terminal illness

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, Classism, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Violence, War, Slavery, and Physical abuse

Minor: Death of parent and Child death

PTSD and disassociation