Actual rating 3.5-4.0 stars.

The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater is a Gothic faerie tale set in a fantasy Victorian England. Winifred, or Winnie, an orphan pulled from a traumatic workhouse by a noble benefactor, is called away from London to Witchwood Manor as a favor to the dowager Lady Longfell, ostensibly to be a governess to the lady's grandson, Robert. In truth, Winnie is a black magician specializing in cartomancy, and her true task is to protect Robert from the faerie curse placed on the manor, which is tied to the mysterious Witchwood Knot. Armed with her wits, her magic, and her loyal ghostly feline familiar, Winnie's mission is complicated by the contrarian young Robert, his truly creepy father, and the mysterious butler-who-is-and-is-not a butler, Mr. Quincy.

This novel, the first in a series, draws on several mythologies for its inspiration--mostly from Celtic mythology (more on that here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6002533507), and a dash of Beauty and the Beast. Atwater's book is chock-full of detail; given the historical background she provides for her books, as well as her own personal interest in history, this was one of my favorite parts in the book. This is also a book suited for fans of historical fantasy with a romantic subplot, or fans of romantasy with a subdued romance. Atwater does include a content warning at the beginning of the book, so wary readers are advised to glance at it before proceeding. I personally enjoyed this book for its dark faerie tale elements and sardonic, witty heroine, but suspect I would have enjoyed it more if I'd read Atwater's previous series (Regency Faerie Tales) first for added context.

Fans of Holly Black, Sarah Rees Brennan, Sarah J. Maas, and The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert would likely enjoy this book. I look forward to the sequel, as well as the Regency Faerie Tales!

I think I may adore Olivia Atwater's writing. It is quick and imaginative and with a dash of romance that feels like the coming together of equals rather than being shoe-horned in or taking over the twisted plot.

Employed as governess, Winnie Hall arrives at Witchwood with her own agenda - to understand what has happened to the house and where the doors into faerie have disappeared. But the fae are not the only monsters in the house, and Winnie must find her way through these and her own past in order to unravel its secrets.

It's imaginative, links with the Regency Faerie Tales series, but without requiring an exact knowledge of them, and Atwater always does her research, representing the historical societal norms and values alongside the fantasy without detracting from either.

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. Perfect book for spooky season. I was up reading it late last night and then had nightmares of faeries and deals and felt a presence in my dreams. Woke up shaky. Lol guess that's a testament to Olivia's writing.

it was a quick read and Winnie was a lovely fmc. Strong and stoic. Seeing her come into herself little more was great. Im looking forward to the sequel.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the earc in exchange for an honest review.

The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater is a delightful blend of magic, mystery, and heart. Atwater crafts a vivid world filled with endearing characters and whimsical charm. The plot is both engaging and unpredictable, with just the right balance of tension and warmth. Fans of enchanting stories will find themselves captivated by this novel’s clever twists and emotional depth. A truly magical read!

Such a great continuation of Atwater's fae world but with an exciting shift to the gothic from the whimsical. Still great fun but with a bit higher stakes and more edge. As with her other books in this world you don't HAVE to have read all the other books first but it will make some of the references have more impact. Definitely hoping she does some more stories in this vein in her world!

I had to sit with this book for awhile. I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not, but it was a really unique story! If you’re a fan of gothic novels, I think you will enjoy this work. The characters aren’t morally upstanding, but I think that’s part of its interest. Taking the good and forgiving the bad as long as you are striving to help others. The setting was very fun to feel immersed in.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

This is my first Olivia Atwater book, but it definitely will not be my last. I love fae stories, but I enjoy them so much more when they are dark, gritty, and tricky. This book checked all my boxes. A mysterious manner, fae, a mysterious past for our girl Winnie? I thoroughly enjoyed this book and definitely plan on checking out the Atwater backlog.

The Witchwood Knot offers an intriguing premise and a beautifully atmospheric setting, but falls a little short in delivering the gripping narrative it promises. While the world-building is detailed, the pacing can be uneven, leaving the reader wishing for a bit more momentum as the story unfolds.

That said, the strength of the book lies in the author’s undeniable talent. The writing itself is lush and evocative, with vivid descriptions that truly bring the dark, enchanted forest to life. The author has a gift for creating immersive settings and crafting moments of real beauty within the narrative. Though The Witchwood Knot may not be as tightly woven as her previous works, it still reflects the skilled storytelling and creativity fans have come to expect. With some refinement, future projects are sure to shine.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this in advance in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this. What more could someone possibly want from a book than a dark faerie tale set in a magical Victorian England? I never knew I needed a book like this until I read it.

I could not put this book down. I loved the storyline and the characters equally. I’ll definitely be recommending this to everyone.

This is such an amazing book. It's wonderful how Olivia Atwater is able to bring magic into her stories in such different tones. The world she created throughout the Half a Soul companion series was already so intriguing and full of life, and The Witchwood Knot not only expanded on that, but made it creepier (that's always a compliment) and even more fun to read about. This is a fresh take of a classic premise and the well known turn-of-the-screw situation in which our protagonist needs to outsmart magical beings in order to protect someone. On top of that, the writing is fantastic, both witty and touching all the same.
You do not need to read the other trilogy in order to fully enjoy this one, but if you do decide to pick any of them up, know that the others are all just as wonderful, the only difference lies in whether you want some gothic, creepy fairytale, or a whimsical one. This one is a great pick for October if you're a seasonal reader and want to get in the Halloween mood.
I will always pick up Olivia Atwater's books in the future and I'm super exited about hopefully getting new additions to this magical regency world she's created.

I could not put this book down! The main character was beautifully written. A true morally grey character that came off as complex and layered, without being forced or over-the-top. The themes of the book were masterfully and subtly showcased through the plot lines and the characters' choices. We're introduced to a very cool worldbuilding that was expansive without being dispersive, with very authentic and enchanting Celtic folklore that felt very much like an old, oral-tradition fairy tale.
I'll definitely read more of this author's books.

I thought The Witchwood Knot an earie read perfect for this time of year. Its the first book i have ready by this author and was not disappointed.

Amazing gothic read. It is moving but not action packed and the main character Winifred is witty and blunt. She was so much fun to read and follow this journey. The fairy lore is interesting and well developed. The small cast of characters makes it more intimate and helps you dive right into the story. Mr. Quincy and Winifred's relationship is sweet and refreshing. The communication with each other is to the point and I absolutely love it. Absolutely devoured this story and is wonderful for the fall season!
Please check triggers warnings it does have some dark themes that are presented within the story.
Thank you NetGalley and Starwatch press for the opportunity to read this book! This is my honest opinion.

3.75 stars rounded up to 4

I loved Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater, so I was very excited to dive into this book.

The Witchwood Knot is a gothic, dark faerie tale full of folklore, mystery and magic. Olivia Atwater’s writing is lush and atmospheric, and immediately pulled me into the story.

This book follows Winnie, a governess who must save her young charge after he is stolen away by faeries. I loved the twists and turns in the story, but I did find that the pacing dragged at times. The faeries in this book are truly wicked, which l always love to see in books!

I enjoyed the two main characters, who had their own struggles and flaws, which made them likeable and relatable. Their romance was definitely a slow burn, but I wish there had been a little more chemistry between them.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and I’m excited to read whatever Olivia Atwater brings out next! Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Eerie, lushious in descriptions and perfect for the fall season. Loved the mystery and the gothic manor. As always, the atmospheric writing grabs the reader's attention and all the wonderfully flashed out characters keep the readers on their toes. Enjoyed this so much!

Olivia Atwater's writing is so atmospheric. Although this started off a bit slow, I enjoyed this gothic faerie tale. I went into this expecting a period fantastical romance but its more than that, there are some more serious topics. I found myself on a bit of a emotional rollercoaster at times, feeling things I didn't expect. I would definitely recommend this. A perfect autumn read.

The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater is an enchanting romp through a whimsical world filled with magic, mischief, and a touch of romance. If you’re in the mood for a story that feels like a fairy tale but with a delightful twist, then this is the perfect book to dive into! Set in a charming yet chaotic village where magic is as common as a cup of tea, Atwater crafts a tale that’s as refreshing as a spring breeze.

Our protagonist, the fiercely independent and slightly awkward heroine, is a delight to follow. She’s got all the right intentions but often finds herself tangled in hilariously complicated situations—think of her as the lovable underdog you can’t help but cheer for. The way she navigates her magical mishaps is both relatable and laugh-out-loud funny. And don’t even get me started on the supporting cast; they’re wonderfully quirky and add just the right amount of chaos to the story.

However, while the whimsical elements are charming, the plot occasionally feels a bit meandering, with some storylines that could use tighter pacing. There are moments where the narrative lingers longer than necessary on minor details, which can detract from the overall flow. Yet, despite this, Atwater's blend of humor and heart shines through, making The Witchwood Knot a delightful adventure. If you’re looking for a whimsical tale that makes you smile and leaves you wanting more, this book is still an absolute gem!

This is a perfect October TBR book. It was gothic and spooky vibes, along with the magic influences of the faerie world. I loved Olivia's Half A Soul series, so it was fun to get another read from her. While this is a stand-alone, it did fall in the Half A Soul world. But don't worry, you can read it would knowing anything about the interweaving worlds.

I can not put into words how much I enjoyed this book. I've been in a reading slump for a while and this lifted me right out of it.

A wonderfully dark gothic ghost story that had me on the edge of my seat.

This book returns us to the magical world of Atwater's Regency Faerie Tales but set during the Victorian era, and magical things are not looking good.

Winifred, a not-quite governess, is brought to Witchwood Manor to protect the young lord from a malevolent force inhabiting the house. Luckily, Winnie has some magic to fend off some of the unruly Fair Folk that lurk within the manor, but the problem ends up being more complicated than she feared.

If the Regency Series was cozy fantasy, it appears the Victorian Series is leaning gothic since Atwater's dreaming writing carries a sinister undertone. Still, the romance is delicate and feels like it develops quite sweetly out of the darkness.

Olivia is setting up a wider plot with this one, so I am excited to read the next book in the series.