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shadereads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Child death
courtofsmutandstuff's review against another edition
3.5
This was cute! I can't remember why I ordered it on Libby, so I was a little disappointed it wasn't more romance (it's a subplot, but there's not even kissing!) but I did love the twist on typical regency stories by having the inclusion of magic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, and War
kate_arts's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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? Yes
4.0
This book is cheesy but in all the best ways. I enjoyed the dialogue and how the characters interacted with each other. This book is definitely a mix between pride and prejudice and howl’s moving castle. Dora is strong minded in the same way as Lizzie and has similar thought processes as Sophie. I really liked how even though her cousin attempts to get her help she still solves her problem herself. I also enjoyed that even though she is perceived as “broken” she ends the book not necessarily “fixed”.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Trafficking, and Classism
Moderate: Violence, War, and Child death
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Mental illness
Moderate: Death and Child death
Minor: War and Grief
valpuri's review against another edition
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Blood, War, Violence, Sexism, Physical abuse, Pandemic/Epidemic, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, and Classism
Minor: Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, and Child death
kartoffel_00's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
24th October 2023:
I would have liked to give this a 4 but the plot of this book towards the end was very, very lazy.
The strong points were how it didn't shy away from the real and cruel history even at the end. The epilogue for one, was what saved the book for me but not enough to excuse how the middle and last part were written.
Final Rating - 3.75/5
I would have liked to give this a 4 but the plot of this book towards the end was very, very lazy.
The strong points were how it didn't shy away from the real and cruel history even at the end. The epilogue for one, was what saved the book for me but not enough to excuse how the middle and last part were written.
Final Rating - 3.75/5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, Murder, War, Slavery, Medical trauma, Sexism, and Emotional abuse
All the warnings happen to an moderate extent. They're not graphic enough to be triggering but still present in the book based on the history and setting.mabellene's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Ableism
Moderate: Child abuse, War, and Child death
Minor: Blood and Death of parent
katievallin's review against another edition
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
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
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Classism, and Misogyny
Moderate: War, Medical content, and Death
Minor: Death of parent and Pregnancy
17kmcollins's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and War