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I’ve talked about this in a couple of reviews before (incidentally, for two other Orbit titles; LEGACY OF ASH & THE RAGE OF DRAGONS), but there’s always these…discussions on Twitter about prologues in fantasy books (or any books, I suppose). I never had particularly strong feelings one way or the other concerning prologues, and I’m always surprised to find out that some people just… hate prologues? Like.

Hate them.

For me, a good prologue goes a long way towards setting the tone for a book, even if it’s some long-ago flashback or something.

ANYHOW.

I’m adding Olivia Atwater’s HALF A SOUL to my list of books with epic prologues, because wow…WOW! The way this prologue drew me into this world was so intense. There’s equal parts whimsy & malice in those first few pages, and I just loved the way the events of the prologue lingered long after reading.

It’s in that memorable prologue that ten-year-old Theodora Ettings is cursed by a faerie. She’s saved from further harm by her quick-thinking & brave cousin Vanessa. But from that point forward, Dora is just…different.

We catch up with Dora when she is nineteen, and by rights should be formally entering high society. But the curse on Dora leaves her with no sense of fear or shame. She says whatever she thinks, for the most part. She has a really interesting way of describing how she feels emotions that I won’t try to unpack here, but she is certainly a unique protagonist in the way she interacts with the world around her.

Dora & Vanessa are inseparable, more like sisters than cousins. Dora accompanies Vanessa & Vanessa’s mother to London, in the hopes of finding suitors for the both of them (although Vanessa’s mother is less than optimistic about Dora’s prospects).

It’s there that Dora meets Elias, the Lord Sorcier. He’s eccentric & moody & not terribly well-looked-upon in high society. But he’s a powerful magician who takes a keen interest in Dora’s condition.

Weird sparks fly.

This book was delightful, truly. I don’t have any relevant experience reading a Regency romance, but this book charmed the hell out of me. The writing is beautiful & extremely lively, and the pacing/length of the chapters is perfectly designed to keep you glued to the page.

HALF A SOUL also dives into some heavier themes, as Dora and Elias directly confront the classism of the time, and work towards helping those in need. There’s also somewhat of a supernatural mystery element at play, with a sleeping sickness that’s claiming children.

So there’s just an overall great balance between the lighter/humorous/romantic elements, and the exploration of the darker side of this time period.

Oh! There’s also a bonus prequel novella at the end that’s got such a cool military fantasy vibe…I loved it!

This was so enjoyable & I’m really excited to read the rest of the series…looks like Orbit is releasing one per month for June, July, and August, so that’s fun!!

Big thanks to Orbit for sending me a copy of HALF A SOUL! This one is out today!