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Regency Faerie Tales #0.5
The Lord Sorcier
My kingdom for a magician!
The year is 1812, and Mr Albert Lowe is the only soldier in his regiment with a decent pair of boots. As the English withdraw to Portugal for the winter, a dark pall lies upon the troops, who cannot seem to decide which will kill them first—the lack of supplies, the bitter winter weather, or Napoleon’s dread Lord Sorcier. The lack of ammunition does seem pressing—but what are muskets to the French when they have on their side a magician capable of summoning up a hurricane?
As a surgeon, Albert can fix gunshot wounds more readily than hurricanes. But when he discovers by chance a peculiar, low-born magician among the English ranks, Albert begins to hope that they may all yet survive to return home.
The year is 1812, and Mr Albert Lowe is the only soldier in his regiment with a decent pair of boots. As the English withdraw to Portugal for the winter, a dark pall lies upon the troops, who cannot seem to decide which will kill them first—the lack of supplies, the bitter winter weather, or Napoleon’s dread Lord Sorcier. The lack of ammunition does seem pressing—but what are muskets to the French when they have on their side a magician capable of summoning up a hurricane?
As a surgeon, Albert can fix gunshot wounds more readily than hurricanes. But when he discovers by chance a peculiar, low-born magician among the English ranks, Albert begins to hope that they may all yet survive to return home.
44 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2020
About the author
Olivia Atwater
12 books2,560 followersOlivia Atwater writes whimsical historical fantasy with a hint of satire. She lives in Montreal, Quebec with her fantastic, prose-inspiring husband and her two cats. When she told her second-grade history teacher that she wanted to work with history someday, she is fairly certain this isn't what either party had in mind. She has been, at various times, a historical re-enactor, a professional witch at a metaphysical supply store, a web developer, and a vending machine repairperson.
Searching for more Regency faerie tales? Sign up for the Atwater Scandal Sheets at oliviaatwater.com and get ongoing updates, along with the exclusive novella The Latch Key.
Searching for more Regency faerie tales? Sign up for the Atwater Scandal Sheets at oliviaatwater.com and get ongoing updates, along with the exclusive novella The Latch Key.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 544 reviews
May 6, 2023
Quick background read enlightening us as to how Albert & Elias's paths crossed during the war and how their friendship blossomed.
Lowkey loved that it was from Albert's 3rd person PoV as he's such a sweet character. Glad the third son gets to somewhat take center stage in a Regency story that so often focuses more on older siblings/young ladies plights 🤗
Lowkey loved that it was from Albert's 3rd person PoV as he's such a sweet character. Glad the third son gets to somewhat take center stage in a Regency story that so often focuses more on older siblings/young ladies plights 🤗
November 28, 2020
A charming little novella that serves as a prequel to Half a Soul, this tells the story of how Elias Wilder comes to be The Lord Sorcier of England. The short story also features Albert Lowe, who was one of my favourite characters in Half a Soul, and was equally as delightful here. The story shows the two men's evolving friendship as they fight side by side in the Napoleonic War.
Whilst only 4 chapters in length, this served as an enjoyable prequel, and I really am loving Atwater's intertwining of Regency era and fantasy elements together. She writes quite charmingly with a whimsical sort of humour, but also conveys deeper issues, in this case of the horrors of war, and how essentially the soldiers risking their lives are mere pawns in higher political games.
Elias, who is from Faerie, is rather naïve in his beliefs at the start of the story; he fights against the French on behalf of the English because he believes the French are evil and responsible for the poverty that afflicts the English workhouses, yet he soon realises this is not the truth, that defeating the French will not ease the social injustices in England. Yet he ends up fighting for the English anyway, mostly due to his burgeoning friendship with Albert. The Elias we see at the novella's end is more akin to the character in Half a Soul, in that there is a weariness about him in not having been able to correct all the world's wrongs, and I thought this development of his character was well portrayed.
I'm still eager to learn more about Elias' backstory in terms of his prior life in Faerie, which was very briefly alluded to in Half a Soul, however, perhaps we'll learn more in a later book in the series. For now, I'm looking forward to Atwater's next offering.
Whilst only 4 chapters in length, this served as an enjoyable prequel, and I really am loving Atwater's intertwining of Regency era and fantasy elements together. She writes quite charmingly with a whimsical sort of humour, but also conveys deeper issues, in this case of the horrors of war, and how essentially the soldiers risking their lives are mere pawns in higher political games.
Elias, who is from Faerie, is rather naïve in his beliefs at the start of the story; he fights against the French on behalf of the English because he believes the French are evil and responsible for the poverty that afflicts the English workhouses, yet he soon realises this is not the truth, that defeating the French will not ease the social injustices in England. Yet he ends up fighting for the English anyway, mostly due to his burgeoning friendship with Albert. The Elias we see at the novella's end is more akin to the character in Half a Soul, in that there is a weariness about him in not having been able to correct all the world's wrongs, and I thought this development of his character was well portrayed.
I'm still eager to learn more about Elias' backstory in terms of his prior life in Faerie, which was very briefly alluded to in Half a Soul, however, perhaps we'll learn more in a later book in the series. For now, I'm looking forward to Atwater's next offering.
August 13, 2022
This came as an extra at the end of the audiobook.
It's a quick read about how Elias and Albert met during the war with Napoleon.
Quite enjoyable and it was fun to read about how their friendship started and how he became the Sorcier for England.
It's a quick read about how Elias and Albert met during the war with Napoleon.
Quite enjoyable and it was fun to read about how their friendship started and how he became the Sorcier for England.
January 16, 2021
3.5
This is a decent novella! If you read Half a Soul (and I don't recommend reading this if you HAVEN'T), you already know the story, but it was a good time. (Well, it's about war, so, you know, "good.")
This is a decent novella! If you read Half a Soul (and I don't recommend reading this if you HAVEN'T), you already know the story, but it was a good time. (Well, it's about war, so, you know, "good.")
September 18, 2024
We certainly didn’t need this.
November 11, 2023
A quick origin story told from Albert's perspective during the war against Napoleon when a strange man ends up in his battalion and finds that lies are something often told and magic might just save his new friends.
This is the story of how Albert and Elias saved each other and became close as well as Elias stealing the title of Sorcier for himself to set up his new life.
I listened to this at the end of Half a Soul, which was perfect as I had grown to love both of these men and it was nice to see how they met and found a brotherly bond that has carried on through the years.
This is the story of how Albert and Elias saved each other and became close as well as Elias stealing the title of Sorcier for himself to set up his new life.
I listened to this at the end of Half a Soul, which was perfect as I had grown to love both of these men and it was nice to see how they met and found a brotherly bond that has carried on through the years.
May 8, 2023
The Lord Sorcier is a short story about how Albert and Elias got to know each other.
It's a nice addition to the main story, quite tragic and not as light as the main novel, but it's still well written.
It's a nice addition to the main story, quite tragic and not as light as the main novel, but it's still well written.
March 22, 2024
3.5 stars
Included at the end of the Half a Soul audiobook, which I’ve never come across before. I wish more series would do this!
Included at the end of the Half a Soul audiobook, which I’ve never come across before. I wish more series would do this!
May 13, 2024
Mr. Albert Lowe is surgeoning across the continent during the war with France when he meets Elias Wilder, a kid with too many questions and also magic. They become buds.
1. Okay, so what I have to ask is: Albert doesn't end up with Elias because of cowardice, right?
2. I'm mostly kidding (I did like Elias and Dora), but man Albert's got feels for his boy.
3. Could have used a little bit more time establishing the evolution of Elias, but I also appreciate its brevity.
1. Okay, so what I have to ask is: Albert doesn't end up with Elias because of cowardice, right?
2. I'm mostly kidding (I did like Elias and Dora), but man Albert's got feels for his boy.
3. Could have used a little bit more time establishing the evolution of Elias, but I also appreciate its brevity.
July 14, 2021
A short prequel to Half a Soul, detailing Albert and Elias' first meeting and the growing friendship between them. It's annoyingly heavy on the English stereotypes but a sweet addition to Elias' story.
March 24, 2024
”When you lose track of the tally, I suspect that means that you have become friends.”
A short but charming prequel to Half A Soul in which we glimpse the first meeting and the beginnings of the subsequent friendship between Elias Wilder and Albert Lowe.
It was the most lovely surprise to find this at the back of my copy of Half A Soul. And after loving it, I just had to read The Lord Sorcier! It’s set during the Napoleonic Wars and we catch of glimpse of what these two men went through during this time - and it was interesting to read how Olivia Atwater has slotted in magic into this historical event.
He only hinted to it in the first book, but we see Elias, who is from Faerie, being naive on his perceptions and beliefs of the war. He fights against the French only because he’d heard people in the workhouses he grew up in say that they were evil, that they were the blame for their predicament. Yet, he soon realises that humans lie, and that everything won’t be sorted at the end of the war. I think it was quite a refreshing and unique origin story and I really enjoyed it!
Very excited to continue with the rest of the series!
A short but charming prequel to Half A Soul in which we glimpse the first meeting and the beginnings of the subsequent friendship between Elias Wilder and Albert Lowe.
It was the most lovely surprise to find this at the back of my copy of Half A Soul. And after loving it, I just had to read The Lord Sorcier! It’s set during the Napoleonic Wars and we catch of glimpse of what these two men went through during this time - and it was interesting to read how Olivia Atwater has slotted in magic into this historical event.
He only hinted to it in the first book, but we see Elias, who is from Faerie, being naive on his perceptions and beliefs of the war. He fights against the French only because he’d heard people in the workhouses he grew up in say that they were evil, that they were the blame for their predicament. Yet, he soon realises that humans lie, and that everything won’t be sorted at the end of the war. I think it was quite a refreshing and unique origin story and I really enjoyed it!
Very excited to continue with the rest of the series!
March 23, 2022
A little companion novella (novellette?) to
Half a Soul
that tells the story of how Albert and Elias met. It was pretty much what I expected and helped my wish for more of the characters a little. Though of course, one day I'll have to get around to the other novels in the series too.
May 21, 2024
It was so sweet to learn how Elias and Albert met and became best friends 🫶
April 2, 2021
sad to share that i am now completely out of new regency faerie tales to read until october 😔 like elias i am forced to acknowledge the fundamental injustice of this world
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
October 10, 2023
How clueless Elias is in this book shouldn’t be half as charming as it is but I loved it.
August 2, 2021
Great addition to Half a Soul.
It's very short, but covers a lot of ground, really. I loved Albert and Elias' interaction, as well as their views on war.
It was all quite touching, and I could have easily read it as novel-length.
It's very short, but covers a lot of ground, really. I loved Albert and Elias' interaction, as well as their views on war.
It was all quite touching, and I could have easily read it as novel-length.
November 20, 2021
3.5 stars.
An interesting prequel to a series I have yet to read. I liked the discussions Albert and Elias had about war and about their enemy, France, though their view of England is a little uncomplicated. Though, I suppose men of that period wouldn't really look at England with a critical eye.
An interesting prequel to a series I have yet to read. I liked the discussions Albert and Elias had about war and about their enemy, France, though their view of England is a little uncomplicated. Though, I suppose men of that period wouldn't really look at England with a critical eye.
April 30, 2022
I just had to read this after Half a Soul, and it didn’t disappoint. Elias is such a dream. I’d recommend reading Half a Soul before this novella to really appreciate it.
August 8, 2022
I enjoyed this short novella! I would recommend reading Half A Soul first as you have a better understanding of the characters.
August 16, 2023
I enjoyed seeing the beginning of this friendship. We see where Elias learns of the lies and treachery humans are capable of.
March 8, 2024
Prequel to Half a Soul,
I love the backstory on Albert and Elias including how they became friends and Elias struggling to understand humans after living with Fae his whole life. As a prequel I recommend to read this after the first book, Half a Soul.
"'Emotions need not make sense, Albert. They are there so that we might make sense of them.'"
I love the backstory on Albert and Elias including how they became friends and Elias struggling to understand humans after living with Fae his whole life. As a prequel I recommend to read this after the first book, Half a Soul.
"'Emotions need not make sense, Albert. They are there so that we might make sense of them.'"
March 20, 2024
the bromance was real with this one
May 22, 2024
Elias u are everything to me!!
May 16, 2022
An excellent look at the origin of Elias and Albert's friendship.
February 6, 2024
loved that this was from Albert's POV and gave us the origins of his friendship with Elias !! the military setting i didn't love quite as much tho
Read
October 11, 2022"But one could not live one's life expecting to wake at any moment."
A fast short-story that predates the novel, which is a nice insight into a side character and his friendship with the main love interest. While much of this information was already known, it was nice to get a glimpse at how it all started.
September 26, 2023
I really enjoyed this short back story into Elias and Albert’s meeting and developing friendship!!
August 12, 2022
Spoilers! I loved that this little novella was told from Albert's point of view! Also, how could I have forgotten (having literally just finished reading Half a Soul) that Albert lost his arm in the war?! Somehow I did forget though, and so it made it all the worse when it happened for I did not see it coming. I loved loved loved reading about how Elias and Albert became friends. Simply excellent!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 544 reviews