I originally requested this arc after reading the perfection that was "Half a Soul", This book is JUST AS GOOD as "Half A Soul", but holy hell is this book gothic and DARK and full of sinister characters!! My favorite "character" by far was the house, though..

Winnie's personality reminded me EXACTLY of Lada from Kiersten White's "And I Darken" (who just happens to be in my top 3 female characters of all time).

Mr Quincy is.........perplexing. Can we trust him? Is he a bad guy? Where do his loyalties lies???

I really appreciated how Atwater handled writing about triggering topics childhood abuse/sexual harassment) since a lot of authors do a horrible job exploring these hard to talk about issues.

This book leaves an open ending for future books........and I am here for that!!!

This book has a spoiler for "Half A Soul" so I would recommend this book to anyone AFTER they have read that book (if they plan on reading it).

I will ABSOLUTELY be buying a hard copy of this when it is out and I already know this will be an annual re-read during the spooky season. Another stunner from Olivia Atwater.

Also, the cover is GORGEOUS. Props to the artist.

5/5 stars.

The Witchwood Knot will be perfect for fans of Susanna Clarke! I absolutely adored this book. Olivia Atwater can do almost no wrong for me and this might be my favorite of hers so far!

Winnie starts a new job as a governess as a favor to Lady Longfell, but when she arrives, all is not as it seems at Witchwood Manor. Faeries and even darker forces are at work and Winnie gets sucked into a knot of plots and dangerous secrets while finding herself inexplicably drawn to the mysterious Mr. Quincy. But Mr. Quincy has his own secrets as well.

I loved the creepy, haunted house atmosphere of The Witchwood Knot, loved Ollie as a familiar, loved that we got a different, darker side to human magic than we got in The Recency Faerie Stories. I also really loved how Atwater wove in faerie tales, lore, and references to her Regency stories. It made for very effective storytelling. And the way all the character backgrounds, romance, and plotlines came together at the end was fabulous.

Obviously I loved this book and if the things I've said above appeal to you, I HIGHLY recommend you check out The Witchwood Knot. That being said, there's a few things that might not fly quite as well for some readers.
- The pacing is slower and the plot is a bit meandering at times. For me, the thriller-like feeling I got from it more than made up for any lulls in action and I was hooked throughout.
- The side character characterization is not a main focus, so if you prefer a full cast of vibrant characters, this may not be for you
- You don't need to have read the Regency stories to read The Witchwood Knot, but I think having that background is really rewarding and it helps make the world feel fuller and more lived in cause Witchwood Knot just isn't able to do all of that in a single book.

I'm still thinking about The Witchwood Knot over a week later since I finished it, and I'm eagerly awaiting what the next book will do!

Thanks to Olivia Atwater, Starwatch Press, and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have never before read anything from this author, but I had a few books at home with her name that I purchased from Fairyloot, so I knew her. That is, among other things, one of the reasons why I requested this book from Netgalley. Naturally, I liked the blurb too; it seemed interesting, and I really love me some historical fiction, so I said, "Why not just read it for the winter season? It seems fitting."

Once I began reading, there were two things that I immediately noticed. Firstly, the writing style was beautiful, engaging, and whimsical—a perfect fit for this type of novel. The second thing was the main character. She was fierce, unapologetic, and a real badass from the beginning, which I loved. I won't lie; it surprised me at first because I didn't really expect such a fierce heroine in a historical romance novel. Nonetheless, I enjoyed her character the most.

Now, about the story of the book, if you are expecting an easy and light autumn/winter read, then you are wrong here. This book was darker than expected and advertised; it depicts child abuse. So, if that is something you don't want to read about, skip the book. The author gives you a fair warning in the beginning, though. The story takes us into a Manor that is cursed, and the dowager wants our main character, Winnie, to keep her grandson Robert safe. Well, Robert manages to get kidnapped (twice!), and so Winnie has to rescue him. I'll be honest; not much happens in this book. It's slow-paced, and if you are here for the romance, then you have to wait until 80% of the book is read. But if you like mystery books and gothic tales with horror elements, then this novel is for you. The writing makes this book a lot better; I think it's really fitting for this type of novel.

Now, I want to briefly touch upon the male main character. Yes, he has a rat tail and red eyes, so if that is something you just can't take, then you don't have to read this.

Lastly and most importantly, the child abuse was depicted pretty vividly, in my opinion. It made me, as a reader, really uncomfortable, and I do like the message the author tried to tell—that not all assault victims have to hide away and that different people react differently to situations.

All in all, it was a good book. It just wasn't my cup of tea. I like fantasy books and romance books with a lot of romance in them and more plot, and this doesn't exactly fit into that category. But it was fun to read something drastically different for once. I do think I will still check out the second book in the series, but only because I loved Winnie so much.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for providing an early copy of this book. This review is unbiased.

I’m not usually a big Gothic fan, but what I read the synopsis for this book? I had to read it! And it does not disappoint.

I’m not sure if I were a nanny, I would go to this much trouble to save a child, but that again I’d be afraid of fairies, and the things that go bump in the night and day at Witchwood Manner.

I definitely look forward to reading more from this author in the future!

ARC review, thank you Netgalley for this opportunity!
Release date: November 28th, 2023
———
“𝒯𝑜𝒹𝒶𝓎, 𝐼 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒷𝑒 𝓌𝒾𝒸𝓀𝑒𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓂𝒶𝓃𝒾𝓅𝓊𝓁𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓋𝑒. 𝒜𝓃𝒹 𝐼 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝒻𝑒𝑒𝓁 𝑔𝓊𝒾𝓁𝓉𝓎 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝒾𝓉 - 𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝒶 𝓂𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉”
———
What a perfect book for the spooky fall season! The book is set in gothic Victorian England with a fantasy twist and a very (VERY) slight romance subplot (just some kissing).

The Witchwood Knot follows Winnie who is called to Witchwood Manor for help. Winnie is tasked with keeping young Master Robert safe from the faeries. As she navigates the wonders of Witchwood, she discovers that not everything is as it seems and there are dangers lurking around every corner.

I absolutely loved Winnie as an FMC! She’s cold and calculating but she’s just trying in earnest to protect herself. With the help of Mr. Quincy, Winnie discovers more secrets of Witchwood and then some. Mr. Quick was such a fun character to watch unfold!

I enjoyed this so much. I highly recommend to anyone who wants to read a slightly creepy, dark gothic Victorian story!

Wait, this was so charming!!

This was my first Olivia Atwater and I really loved it. It’s a wonderful gothic victorian story of faeries and bargains. I thought it was a lovely start to a new series and found our main character to be smart and fun to follow.

Winnifrid Hall has been hired as a governess even without any experience or credentials. Luckily her skillset comes in handy when her charge appears to be taken by faeries plaguing Witchwood Manor.

Atwater’s writing is so engaging and I was immediately drawn to this story. It was more of an adventure story with a darker side, rather than a romance, but I found the love story told here to be an interesting meeting of minds and sharp edges.

Thank you to the editior for an advanced reader copy of this book! This was as charming and magical as I hoped it would be. A perfectly crafted new story by the author of half a soul. Full review on my goodreads

So gothic/creepy books seem to be trending this year and the Witchwood Knot fits that bill. It does start off a little slow but like most Gothic writers to include the greats like Poe, I believe this is intentional to help build atmosphere and suspense.

Winnie is both a brave and smart character. I think overall, everything was fairly believable considering some characters can be brave but dumb. This wasn't the case here in my opinion. Everything was well thought out in terms of actions.

I also thought the realms with the faeries was surprising. Think light vs. dark faeries here. There's not much romance here, but if you're just looking for a creepy/spooky book - this is the one.

This is my first book by Olivia Atwater and I've been intrigued to read her regency faerie tale books. So I saw this book was set in the same world and thought it would be a nice place to start. And I loved every minute of reading this story. It's the perfect autumnal book with gothic vibes. So I'm glad I read it when I did. And for sure her other books have moved up on my tbr :).

The Witchwood Knot has definite gothic vibes and a creepy atmosphere that pulled me in. While somewhat slow moving, as most gothic novels go, I appreciated Winnie’s character. She’s smart and not afraid to take on the monster of the house.

I enjoyed the concept of “the knot” realm and the sinister environment with the fairies was a new experience for me. Definitely darker vibes here.

Overall enjoyed this one, although I thought I was signing up for more of a romance, and that part was pretty much nonexistent and kinda came out of nowhere, IMO.

Many thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. The Witchwood Knot is scheduled for release on 11/28/23.

4,5/5 - rounded to 5

I really enjoyed the story and characters in this book, but I did feel like I was missing something that seemed to have been told before this book? Like the main reason why Winnie stayed in the mansion, yes she was hired for a job as governess, but there was a point where she could have left and didn't and I didn't get the whole reason why.

Loved Winnie, she experienced some tragic things through her life, and I feel like near the end of this book she was starting to gain more of herself back.

Mr Quincy was a great character, and really played into the "trickster faerie myth" that I remember reading about when I was kid. (even though he may not have been a full fae but regardless) loved him.

Winnie gets a job at the Witchwood Mansion to be a new governess for the Lady of the houses grandson, and thought Winnie hates kids, she sticks through the job as she has some things she needs to do in the Mansion. Along the way she meets the other mansion staff and realize they aren't able to talk about things that go on in the Mansion, when they're awake that is. As the story unfolds you begin to see whats truly inside the Mansion and Winnies determined to finish what she needs too.

I can't wait to read the next book and I hope we get to see more of Winnie and Mr Quincy.
(will also be checking out the series that came before this)

Thank you NetGalley, Starwater Press and Olivia Atwater for the ARC!

This was an absolute hit for me and a surprising one too! Sadly this was my first book that i have read by Olivia Atwater and it will not be the last. I LOVED it from when we arrived at the haunted mansion. Yes I said haunted mansion set in Victorian times, I cant think of a better setting. I was engaged from the very beginning and didn't find myself getting bored at all. This book is set in the same world as Atwater's other series but can be read as a standalone, I felt sad as I new I was nearing the end so I'm going to read the Regency Faerie Tales next!

Thank you Netgalley for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Big thanks to NetGalley and Starwatch Press for providing me with an ARC of The Witchwood Knot.

Faeries, magic, a big spooky house? Yes, please. Winifred Hall must keep the heir to Witchwood Manor safe from otherworldly dangers. Dangers that his father won't admit exist. His grandmother's health is fading adding another layer of complication. Joining the mix is Mr. Quincy, a faerie that claims he is the butler of the manor.

I loved this book so much and will be heading to my local book store to see what they have of Atwater's for sale.

Victorian gothic faerie tale? Yes please! 🙋🏻‍♀️

I reveled in this story of Winne Hall, a dark magician who has been hired as a governess to protect a young charge in house enchanted by the Fae.

Olivia Atwater achieves world-building perfection in the Witchwood Knot. I delighted in the gothic forest and manor setting.

I loved that, even though there is a romance element to the story, the main focus is on Winifred solving the mystery of Witchwood manor and saving everyone she can from the Fae mistress of the Witchwood knot. I really looking forward to reading more about Winnie and her sisters.

I think I would have appreciated this book more had I read Olivia Atwater’s regency faerie books. I honestly didn’t have a clue what was happening half of the time. That being said, the vibes in this were stunning. It was gothic, Victorian, romantic, creepy, spooky. The perfect November read tbh! I’ll definitely be reading the regency faerie tales after this as if they’re anything like this book then I’ll enjoy them a lot!

Book Review 📚
The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater - 4.5/5 ⭐

Yes, I made a booboo again! Not knowing this was combined with another book. But, thankfully, it can be read as a standalone. There's some crossovers but you won't be confused when reading.

Now, after I read The Witchwood Knot I then had to go and read The Regency Faerie Tales (yes, all of them) because I was utterly obsessed with the writing from Atwater. She is my kind of writer, for sure.

I couldn't get over how good this actually was for a victorian Gothic fantasy with some romance thrown in as well! Although Witchwood is much darker then the Regency Tales, but that for me is a huge win. I love a bit of dark and dangerous, and this book does exactly that.

Atwater has an incredible skill in her writing, she handles the description of Victorian era perfectly. She clearly done her research. I was obsessed with the characters (probably the Fae more then anything) but the developer was incredible.

Thank you to NetGalley and Starwatch Press for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.

4/5✨


I have to start my review saying that I reviewed an advanced audiobook copy through NetGalley.

“The faeries of Witchwood Manor have stolen its young lord. His governess intends to steal him back.”

“Victorian governess Winifred Hall knows a con when she sees one. When her bratty young charge transforms overnight into a perfectly behaved block of wood, she soon realises that the real boy has been abducted by the Fair Folk. Unfortunately, the lord of Witchwood Manor is the only man in England who doesn't believe in faeries-which leaves Winnie in the unenviable position of rescuing the young lord-to-be all by herself.”

“Witchwood Manor is bigger than its inhabitants realise, however, and full of otherworldly dangers. As Winnie delves deeper into the other side of the house, she enlists the aid of its dark and dubious faerie butler, Mr Quincy, who hides several awful secrets behind his charming smile. Winnie hopes to make her way to the centre of the Witchwood Knot through wit and cleverness... but when all of her usual tricks fail, who will she dare to trust?”

This book was incredible! It had me hooked from the first page, I did not want to put it down. For lovers of cruel prince, this one is for you.

This is such a great gothic fairytale romance. While it's not my favourite of the genre or my favourite from Olivia Atwater, I still thoroughly enjoyed it.

The romance in this was so fun, I just really love a good slow burn. The only thing that somewhat irked me about the romance was a part of the main love interest (if I blocked something out about him it was fine).

I was a bit confused when the blurb happened within the first few pages of the book, but then it made sense later on.

The gothic manor is such a fun setting and I loved that we could to explore it so deeply.

Winnie is a strong character, with so much depth and it was so interesting exploring her and her backstory and finding how she and this book connects into 'Half a Soul'.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me this opportunity!

This was the first book i’ve read from this author so i didn’t realise this was the same world as her other book called Half a Soul. But i was able to enjoy and understand the world quite well. This cover was what pulled me in. Isn’t it stunning? And it did not disappoint. It was a victorian gothic fantasy with a lil romance and no spice. So know that before getting into it.
If this sounds interesting to you definitely check it out!

Genre: historical fantasy, gothic fairy tale
England, Victorian era

Winifred Hall has been many things. Right now, she’s a governess. She’s taken a new role at Witchwood Manor, and while she’s never been particularly fond of children, her aristocratic pre-teen charge is brattier than most. She’s been warned against the house, and warned away from certain rooms. Even the master of the house won’t sleep within its walls. Winnie is familiar with the fae, though, and can sense the magic surrounding the house. She isn’t surprised when she slips into the alternate world of the Witchwood Knot as she drifts to sleep. It’s clear that there’s a curse, but she’ll need to figure out her own role in breaking it.

Moody and atmospheric. I've been in the mood for gothic stories this fall, and Witchwood Knot really fit the bill. The haunted house with an alternate plane of reality (rather than thriller-haunted) blends with the Victorian era to settle a thick air of magic throughout the pages.

At its soul, the book is a gothic faerie tale with the powerful - either human or faerie aristocracy - hanging on to the shreds of power in the face of a changing world. As a narrative, it’s the story of a woman who has taken on a difficult task, and is often in over her head but uses determination and wit to resolve matters. Winnie is a mature and self-aware heroine to traverse the two worlds of Witchwood Manor and Witchwood Knot, carving her own path and facing her fears alongside her trusty sometimes-dead feline companion Oliver.

I loved every moment of Witchwood Knot. The prose is beautiful, the conflicts with the fae are as mature as the heroine, and yet there’s enough whimsy amidst its pages to laugh and find moments of a levity to keep the book firmly inside the fantasy realm and outside of horror.

Thank you to Starwatch Press and NetGalley for an eARC for review. WitchwoodKnot is out 11/28.