Finished! I really enjoyed this and am giving this a 4.5/5. I was surprised by how well the ending wrapped up since there are two more books in the series after this. Although, I guess they could follow different characters in the same world or something.
I love-hated that Dora kept herself in halves in order to take over Lord Hollowvale's title and also return to London. When the rumors were mentioned of the faerie lady with two different colored eyes that stole away particularly bad workhouse over-seers, I teared up.
I do like that this story had a "realistic" ending. I've read so many fantasy books where the heroine or hero become all powerful or lucky enough that they change the whole world. The London work-houses got worse in the end. People were still cruel and selfish. But Dora and Elias were able to fix "small evils" and make improvements for some people and that reminds me that even though I'm unlikely to change the world, I can make it a better place for some of the people around me. And hopefully that will rub off.
I hate Aunt Frances.. tbh I am kinda glad Dora can't feel emotions like others cuz otherwise she would have been really badly hurt. Having half a soul has helped her to compartmentalize and focus on what needs to be done rather than wasting time on people who don't give a damn about her.
I love Dora's unintentional scry into faerie. This concept of one person split into halves is really intriguing and I like how she helps to control her more emotional half like one would control their own emotions when they are whole. I teared up when the Doras were able to hear Elias and feel the warmth of his kiss. This is such a beautiful book.
The ending was very rushed and it was rather difficult to follow why something happened and what was happening. I would've liked it more if they just accepted that she had only half a soul and move on bc i liked her like this. It's not like her emotions are all gone and i think getting her soul back together would change her a lot personality-wise.