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A review by katiemcgregor
Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.75
Why did I not know about this book sooner?!? Half a Soul is an utterly charming and whimsical take on a regency romance. Atwater does a lovely job of balancing humor, romance, and social justice in this sweet little novel that filled me with warmth as I read it.
Half a Soul isn't especially strong when it comes to world building, but the imagery is visceral (can we just talk about that ballroom scene!?!) and everything is consistently lighthearted, so I didn't mind much. The characters are delightful and just so much fun. It helps that our leading man lands somewhere between being similar to Howl Pendragon and Christopher Chant (immaculate vibes). But Dora, our protagonist, is just as likable with her strange affliction and blunt manner. The two compliment each other perfectly.
Honestly, the main reason I'm rating this 3.75 stars instead of 4 is because I don't know how I feel about he epilogue. Normally I enjoy these additions at the end of a good novel, but I'm not sure if Half a Soul needs an epilogue. In this case, I think leaving the conclusions open to interpretation might have been more satisfying.
Half a Soul isn't especially strong when it comes to world building, but the imagery is visceral (can we just talk about that ballroom scene!?!) and everything is consistently lighthearted, so I didn't mind much. The characters are delightful and just so much fun. It helps that our leading man lands somewhere between being similar to Howl Pendragon and Christopher Chant (immaculate vibes). But Dora, our protagonist, is just as likable with her strange affliction and blunt manner. The two compliment each other perfectly.
Honestly, the main reason I'm rating this 3.75 stars instead of 4 is because I don't know how I feel about he epilogue. Normally I enjoy these additions at the end of a good novel, but I'm not sure if Half a Soul needs an epilogue. In this case, I think leaving the conclusions open to interpretation might have been more satisfying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Classism, Kidnapping, Murder, and Trafficking
Moderate: Blood, Domestic abuse, and Confinement