Half a Soul

Half a Soul, the first book in Olivia Atwater’s Regency Faerie Tales trilogy, blends fantasy, romance, and historical fiction. Its protagonist, Theodora “Dora” Ettings, lost half her soul to the faerie Lord Hollowvale, leaving her unable to feel or express most emotions. After relocating to London, Dora meets Elias Wilder, the royal magician, who offers to help her find a cure. At the same time, Elias is looking into a sleeping plague that has been striking children in the city’s workhouses. Dora joins his investigation, which eventually forces her to confront Lord Hollowvale once more.

Atwater first published the novel independently in 2020. Two years later, Orbit Books acquired the English rights and re-released it in 2022. Critics praised the book’s cozy atmosphere, which contrasts with its depiction of London’s darker social realities during the Regency period.

The story begins with Dora living in the English countryside with her aunt, uncle, and cousin Vanessa after her parents’ death. She wanders into the woods and meets Lord Hollowvale, who claims Dora’s mother sold her to him and tries to steal her soul. Vanessa stabs him with iron scissors, but he escapes with only half of Dora’s soul. Dora now has heterochromatic eyes and struggles to feel emotions. Her aunt calls her cursed and insists the family keep the secret to avoid scandal. Vanessa gives Dora the scissors for protection.

Years later, the family moves to London to find Vanessa a husband. They stay with Lady Hayworth, who excludes Dora from ball preparations. While exploring, Dora visits a magic shop and sees a vision in a mirror: herself in a blood-stained gown. She also meets Elias Wilder and physician Albert Lowe. At a ball, the vision comes true, but the blood is only spilled punch. Vanessa reveals Dora’s secret to Elias, who promises to help but is busy with the sleeping plague.

To free Dora from her aunt’s control, Elias pretends to court her and gives her an enchanted mirror. Through it, Dora sees his past: Elias was badly injured in the Napoleonic Wars and saved by Albert. Dora visits a workhouse run by the cruel George Ricks, where she finds a plague victim named Abigail. She decides to help Elias by interviewing children at other workhouses. Elias later admits he is part faerie and fled his land because of cruelty, only to find more cruelty in the human world.