*Review was posted to Goodreads on 10/9/23
*Goodreads review link is below

RATING: 4✨
SPICE: No spice (2 kissing scenes)
Trope/Setting Highlights:
✔ ~300 page gothic fantasy with slight romance subplot
✔ Set in a magical version of Victorian England
✔ Magic practitioner FMC (mid-to-late 20s age)
✔ Fae-like creature MMC (old as balls)
✔ Fairytale/folktale vibes
✔ HFN (potential series setup?)

Review:

This is an arc review – thank you to NetGalley and the publisher as always, extremely grateful for these opportunities!

The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater is a tale that weaves together elements of gothic horror and dark fantasy to create a nearly 300-page myth for adults. Because that’s exactly what it felt like. It had the whimsical, and at times, obvious, prose of a children’s fairytale, the plot and world-building of a young adult story, with adult main characters.

And like with all great tales, this one had a stark and obvious theme: the cost of (male) human greed. Greed for property. Greed for wealth. Greed for things that have a choice not to be ours.
All in all, it’s a book that knew what it wanted to be and succeeded, for the most part.

Our FMC Winnie Hall (not her true name) arrives at Witchwood Manor to outwardly fill the governess position in the house, when really Winnie, a magic practitioner, has been called by the dying dowager to investigate the haunted manor and rid it of its curse before her death. To protect her grandson.

At Witchwood Manor, Winnie also meets Mr. Quincy (not his true name), our MMC and the apparent butler of the manor. Winnie knows magic, knows of beings beyond human, and there is certainly something off about Mr. Quincy…

"He was a tall man of short black hair and ghastly pale complexion. His eyes were narrow and naturally suspicious, tinted the colour of dark red wine."

Is he faerie? Is he a spirit? Or… is he something entirely different?

Without going too deep into the plot, overall, I think the premise of a haunted manor is usually going to lend immediate credence to a gothic tale, as it did here, as well as a cast of mysterious characters with motivations only know to themselves. In that sense, the style and aesthetic of the story itself was a success.

The pacing and characterization (particularly of Winnie) felt a little slow and uneven at the beginning, nearly up until the halfway point. Winnie actually got off on the wrong foot with me because I felt that she had an overall patronizing and sneering tone, while she often accused others of having the same, which felt ironic to me. So, it definitely came on a little strong. But as we got to the halfway point, and more action started to happen, more things started to unfold, I saw Winnie begin to flesh out as a character. Not only were some of her current motivations and backstory becoming clearer, but I also started to see her character grow in her interactions with others, a stark change from the beginning of the story. I think if we got softer dialogue from Winnie at the start, as well as some inner monologue (rather than muttering out loud to herself which Winnie does way too much) or sooner flashbacks, the beginning of her character arc would match the level of the latter half.

I loved Oliver, Winnie’s undead cat familiar. He was protective of her in life and is even more so now in death. And he like, really, really, hates men. Hah. Loved Oliver’s and Winnie’s bond and relationship.

Speaking of relationships, I ended up adoring Winnie and Mr. Quincy together. It really felt that they both grew as characters because of each other, not the only reason, of course, but it was like they were a pillar for each other to make the other better. Their romance was sweet, clever, fun, and meaningful in many ways, as it is in direct contrast to the dark, selfish interest of the dowager’s son, Lord Longfell. The way these three characters and their innermost struggles build off each other is masterfully done. The second half of the book really is where this story shined.

I’ll be honest and say that this is my first Olivia Atwater read, I haven’t previously read her Regency Faerie Tales trilogy, so I believe there’s some context I definitely missed. It makes me wonder why this story didn’t act as a fourth book in Regency Faerie Tales, but with the way this book ended, I think it’s setting up for a bigger series at player.

If there is a next book I have a feeling it won’t be with Winnie and Mr. Quincy as main characters (PLEASE PROVE ME WRONG), but please please pleaseeee let us see them as side characters at least!

Overall, The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater is the perfect Fall read to get your spooky vibes vibing. It’s blend of dark fantasy, gothic horror, and slight romance felt like a cozy, warm blanket over the cozy, warm blanket I was already wearing🧡

I thoroughly enjoyed this! Set in the same world as Atwater’s Regency Fairytales trilogy, it follows Winnie, a magician turned governess trying to negotiate the mysterious Witchwood Knot to get her charge back and along the way she falls for Mr Quincy aka Quintus. I really hope this world gets expanded with further stories as there is so much potential.

I thoroughly enjoyed this! Set in the same world as Atwater’s Regency Fairytales trilogy, it follows Winnie, a magician turned governess trying to negotiate the mysterious Witchwood Knot to get her charge back and along the way she falls for Mr Quincy aka Quintus. I really hope this world gets expanded with further stories as there is so much potential.

The Witchwood Knot was marketed as a Gothic and Victorian Novel. I have two issues with this marketing, the first one being that this novel is not Gothic, it uses elements from the Gothic tradition but it is not Gothic in its essence. My second issue is that it is not Victorian (or Neo-Victorian for that matter) either, i guess we are supposed to know that this novel is set into the Victorian age because we are told so in the synopsis and because there is a manor but other than that nothing could have made you think that it was set in this period, which was disappointing.
I have not read this author other series but it is set in the same universe which may be why I was a bit confused by the system. I guess that some of the characters from the original series make a comeback in this one and it may be why there are chapters where we’re told a fairy tale to keep us to speed, and tbh I hated that. I found the whole faerie tale thing very lazy and i would have loved to see this stories incorporated in the narrative more naturally if it makes any sense.
I did not care for the characters either, and I think that the most of the story being set in her dreams may be one of my biggest issue, there was absolutely no stakes because of that and it made me care less and less about what happened to the characters, also the fact that one of them cannot die even if they’re insured added to my indifference.
Also if you didn’t like Cardan’s (from The Cruel Prince) tail then i have bad news for you.

I loved this book so much!

I read an eARC of this book so that you to the author, publish and NetGalley.

This book is absolutely wonderful. It walks the perfect line between beauty and menace. We have a Governess who has travelled to a creepy mansion to educate the young grandson of the countess whose health is failing. However the governess has a history with the countess and is in fact secretly a magic practitioner in a world where this could get you in serious trouble. She is there to protect the boy from faeries and try to unravel a magical mystery at the house called the Witchwood Knot.

Throw in a butler who is not what he seems, a cook who solves problems with scones, a protective cat, wonderful folklore tie ins and you have a book that is equally charming and thrilling to read.

For what is not a very long book, the richness of the folklore, the magic and faerie is very impressive, immersive and detailed. I love books like this where faeries are dangerous and beautiful. This gets the level of menace just right.

Our MC is brave and clever. She genuinely wants to help people and we get glimpses into her past and why she travels this path.

This was my first book by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it and I will be exploring her other works now after this one was so good!

This book does not stand alone and I question the publisher's choice to market it as the first in a new series instead of a continuation of the author's previous one.

At first I thought this book was so subtle that I didn't understand the main character's motivations, the purpose of certain elements, or the reason for certain events. But then there were parts that were the opposite of subtle (the names of children in a family are Primus, Secundus, Tertia, Quarta, and Quintas?) that I don't think subtly was intented at all. I think some of the issues could have been fixed in editing.

Almost immediately after arriving at Witchwood Manor as governess to a child she despises, Winnie's employer exits the story. She is now employed by a man she considers a threat. She sticks around and it's not really clear why. For the kid who doesn't connect with her? For the rat-man butler, Mr. Quincy, who torments her? To lure out a faerie? Her motivation needs to be more clearly defined because the first 50% of the book has you wondering why she hasn't walked away from this disaster of a house. Had the story further developed a relationship between Winnie and the child, her extraordinary efforts to help him would have been believable.

The backstory of the other series that is critical to understanding this book is given through one story told to the child, one story not told to the child (introduced with "This was the faerie tale which Winnie did not tell.") and one story shared between Winnie and Mr. Quincy.

To have an absolutely loathsome character turn into a love interest at 80% is strange and jarring. This is really stretching the bounds of the enemies to lovers trope. There's a prior connection between them because of music, but it's explained in a confusing way: "All the strength and satisfaction she had drawn from her mastery of the requiem had been born of Mr. Quincy's sentiments and talents." There's also a point where they talk about innocence that is confusing: "Innocence is so offensive, isn't it? he asked her finally. "It is never content in its existence. It must force itself upon the rest of the world, insisting that true horror is a fiction."

Time is not handled well here. There's a point where Winnie puts her charge to bed after breakfast. Also, the house that we are expressly told only had two staff members: a cook and a maid, suddenly has staff as the big confrontation looms. These are the things that could have been ironed out in editing.

Another stunning novel by Olivia Atwater! What an absolute treat it was to be able to read an advanced copy. I've read Half A Soul by Atwater before and knew I was in for something special and it did not disappoint!

I love the romance between Quincy and Winnie. It is so beautiful and gradual. The piano scenes are my favorite parts of the book. The setting is delightfully creepy! It’s a perfect read for spooky vibes lovers. Can’t say how much I LOVED Oliver. He was perfect!

Having only read Half A Soul, I was excited to see previous characters again in this book, however subtly, and see how they figured into the plot. I enjoyed seeing these worlds collide, but it was at times a bit confusing to keep up with all the names.

Also, I was a bit perplexed by the Knot itself and why it acted the way it did or how it trapped it’s otherworldly inhabitants. They imply it was some mysterious magician but I can’t remember if it’s said who that ended up being. Also, I think the premise of Mr. Quincy being a butler was more underplayed than the blurb let on. At best he pretends to be a butler once at the beginning and then dresses like one throughout and serves some master. Otherwise, the butler idea goes out the window very quickly.

Some aspects of the plot just felt forced. There were small details that fell through the cracks and had me wanting more clarity, but the overall story was great as a whole.
I thought Winnie was a marvelously intriguing character. She’s smart and sneaky and very relatable. I wish there was more relationship building between her and young Robert. And then a lot of the story we loose out on those genuine interactions.

The climax of the story is almost lackluster after some of the trials in the tunnels below the house. It was even stranger that they go through all these tunnels only to end up in the woods and never getting to where they want to go. Those scenes were much more intriguing than our final battle. I wish Lord Longfell suffered more, and Lady Mourningwood too, since she tormented Lady Hallowvale. I guess she'll never get to prick her fingers a thousand thousand times. I would have loved to see Winnie use more sneaky tricks with our villain because that was such a key part of her character. Then, about half-way through the book, we never see Winnie use magic again which is a bit of a let down. However the last time she uses those cartomancy abilities is probably one of the spookiest scenes in the book! Also, I would have liked to learn more about the capabilities of the fomorach. They're intriguing and I know they are going to play a major role in the future.

If I could give it 4.5/5 I would. There were just a few too many loose ends that set it just shy of that 5th star. Overall the plot is very solid and the characters are well written. The world building is great and the romance is as good as ever! I’d 100% recommend and can’t wait to read more!

Thanks to Olivia Atwater and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this ebook.
CW: child abuse, sexual harassment, mention of rape

"Winnie closed her eyes and let out a long sigh. "Oh dear," she said. "It seems a faerie has just stolen all of my unmentionables." — <i>The Witchwood Knot,</i> p. 13

So begins Atwater's latest faerie tale in the world of <i>Half a Soul</i>. Winifred Hall, former ward of the Lord Sorcerer Elias Wilder, has taken the position of governess at Witchwood Manor to protect its young master from the faeries that haunt it and to investigate why all the other faeries in England have disappeared. Neither governess, boy, nor faeries are best pleased by this arrangement.

Although marketed as the start of its own series, Victorian Faerie Tales, this story is deeply enmeshed with the world and characters of the earlier Regency Faerie Tales. The relevant background info is provided in brief through faerie tales told to the young master. But to truly feel the stakes of the overarching (and ongoing) story, readers will need to be familiar with the previous series.

I'll start the heart of my review by saying that I adored Atwater's previous series, so I had high expectations of this novella. It did not deliver immediately. The first few chapters read like a checklist of Victorian gothic romance tropes: spunky governess from the city (attempting to outrun her tragic past) trudges through the rain toward the creepy gothic manor in the mysterious woods because the superstitious local farmer who offered her a ride will not pass beyond the gates of this cursed place. You already know the rest, until about halfway through the book.

The later half of the book is where Atwater truly shines. The characters and plot become more complex as they're situated within the larger world-building. The nature of monstrosity, both supernatural and human, is explored with aching sensitivity (this is where the CWs come into play.) And a truly sweet, if somewhat rushed, romance blooms.

In the end, this novella provided the delightful mix of gothic vibes, quirky characters (OMG that ghost cat!), and subtle social commentary that I so wanted. The wait is worth the payoff and I'm already looking forward to the sequel.

4.5 stars

This was a lovely gothic story, perfect for cozy reading in the fall. I loved Winnie’s characterization and felt that the examples of the different ways survivors of SA process their trauma were respectfully handled and realistic. The romance was very sweet despite the horrors happening in the manor, haha! I wish we had been able to see the true monster of the story suffer more - he was a colossal piece of garbage. I hope we get to see more of Winnie, Mr. Quincy, and Robert in future books!!! Also, I would die for Oliver. What a good bean. Thank you for letting me read this ARC! :0)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I'm so glad I got to read The Witchwood Knot early. I loved all the previous books I have read from Olivia Atwater and I knew I had to read this one. The Witchwood Knot was quite darker than I expected but I loved it. It was a perfect fall read. Winnie was a great main character and I loved her journey. Her undead cat Oliver was adorable. I like how wicked fairies are in Olivia's books. Mr. Quincy was a very interesting character and I really liked the relationship between him and Winnie. Overall this was a very enjoyable story and I would highly recommend it.

This dark and twisted novel following a young woman in a mysterious and eerie victorian manor. It screamed spooky season vibes to me so I had to pick it up. This book will be published in late November, fitting the muddy season the story is set in.

I received an advance readers copy vie NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Had it not been for my two fluff noses, I could've easily binged The Witchwood Knot within a night. It pulled me in from the beggining when the alleged butler Mr. Quincy greets our MC Winnie just for her to find out that there hasn't been a butler in weeks.

The house itself loomed over Winnie from early on and it was clear that something queer was going on. Lady Longfell and Winnie were especially lovable characters. Winnie seemed a bit naive at first and I feared she might be one of those know-it-all women in books but she turned out to see the fault in her own naivity when it mattered. There was also great chemistry between the characters and our MC and also between other characters like Cook with Mr. Quincy and, though a negative chemistry, it was believable how Mr. Longfell and his son didn't seem to share much love for one another.

I liked how the theme of consent was handled by Olivia Atwater and Winnie's reaction toward certain words and actions by men came across sensibly and were believable. I liked that the book portrayed different reactions of women who found themselves in abusive relationships and manipulation throughout their lives.

Small details from the first chapters reappeared later on, giving The Witchwood Knot a tad more mystery. Along with the threats inside the labyrinthine multifaceted house, the cast of characters and the mysteries fit together perfectly for a dark, spooky book.

There is an open ending and the next book in this series of Victorian Faerie Tales is listed in the end. The book ties in with pther books by Olivia Atwater, though you don't need to read them first.

4.5 stars rounded up. I’ve been loving Olivia Atwater’s books since Half a Soul and The Witchwood Knot is no exception—I would even say that this story got under my skin and is now my favorite novel from her so far. Great praise, indeed.

The first thing you need to know is that The Witchwood Knot is a spin-off from Atwater’s Regency Fairytales trilogy, and if I’m sure you could enjoy it without having no prior knowledge of the world, I strongly advise you read her other books—and the first one, Half a Soul, in particular—before diving into Winifred’s story. First because Half a Soul is fantastic, and secondly because there is a fair amount of nods and cameos that I would hate for you to miss.

As a haunted mansion story, The Witchwood Knot will delight readers who want the gothic vibes but who would like to keep sleeping at night, thank you very much: it’s not devoid of horrors, but everything is filtered through Winifred’s gaze and well, she’s the best, so it never gets too scary—or at all, really. As always with Olivia Atwater the writing flew and I fell into the story instantly, even though I was battling covid at the time. There’s always something so very comforting in starting one of her books, and The Witchwood Knot didn’t disappoint.

Still unsure? How about this: the characters are well-rounded and very likeable; to see them reclaim their freedom—from their fears, from others—felt like a blessing. The slowburn romance made me feel so much: the emphasis on consent and respect was everything and I adored them together. I’ll admit that I’ve had quite a few of their scenes on a loop in my head for a few days now. MY HEART.

The story ended with a bang and I can’t wait to see where Olivia Atwater takes her series next. I need the sequels already, please and thank you.

The Witchwood Knot was something special and I have a feeling I will be recommending it in so many videos in the future. It's a book that I think has the potential to work for a variety of readers, but it feels like it was written just for me. I am 100% preordering a copy for my shelves and I could see myself reread this every October. I mean... Her familiar is an undead cat!!!

I'm seriously in love with the vibes. It was deliciously gothic and grim and dark and wicked... all my love!
I adore the setting so much, and the story matched the setting well. LOVE the building tension between Winnie and Mr. Quincy. The cook and Robert were lovely characters too. I love everything about this book!

A gothic romance involving faeries, necromancers and the spirits of cats. Winifred Hall is employed as a governess to teach the grandson of a dowager who is confined to an old mansion under the control of faeries. The father of the boy is an overpowering Lord who is taken with Winifred's beauty although she is immediately aware that he is not a GOOD GUY. At night the house slips into the realm of Faerie and magical creatures appear and torment/use the inhabitants for entertainment. A magical story with characters I want to read more about and OLIVER!! My favourite skeletal cat in a book ever!

I was so excited when I saw Olivia Atwater had another book about faeries coming. In the same vibe as her Regency Faerie Tales it did no disappoint. One of my favorite reads this year so far.

It’s a more dark and eerie gothic story but with the same whimsy style. I liked Winnie’s no nonsense and straightforward personality. And who’s doesn’t love a familiar cat and a grumply faerie butler with a tail. Also the nod to past characters was an added bonus.

Thank you to Netgalley, Starwatch Press and Olivia Atwater for the ARC.

"But I am not strong- I am surviving. It is the simplest, most difficult thing in the world, because I have no choice."

"The world would be more comfortable without us, Miss Hall," he said. "But I have never troubled myself overmuch with making other people comfortable. I would rather carry a knife.

I guess I'll be here waiting for the sequel. The Witchwood Knot was such a fast paced, fun read with amazing characters. I hope there is an audiobook in the near future because it would be a great listen. 4.5 stars (obviously... it's an Oliva Atwater novel) Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

I honestly loved this. This is my fifth book by the author and I think it's probably her strongest and most polished work yet. 4.5/5 but it's very likely it'll become a 5 whenever I re-read it.

Vibes:
This is a gothic, haunted/cursed house story about an attractive young woman who has a favor called in by an old friend to protect her grandson from the haunted house she's tied to and can't leave. It's moody and a little dark, occasionally a tad gory, but ultimately a cozy horror. The house has bad vibes from the moment she touches it, there's haunting music coming from the piano in the conservatory, faces in the walls and a disconcerting butler. There's at least one monster in this house.

Overall:
This was such a fun read that I don't want to go over much of it so y'all can experience if for yourselves. The romance (mentioned in the blurb) is very slowburn and absolutely sweet and chaste and respectful. The monsters are threatening without being overly scary or unrealistic. The plot is straightforward (even if the house passageways are not). And it was honestly just a really lovely time.

Oliver (her familiar) is a cat, and he is dead, and he is the best. <3

This book was so cozy and a perfect read for this fall season. A witch and an undead cat are the ultimate combination for a gothic read!

Winnie is such a powerful and fantastic MC with no-nonsense and iron grip will. I loved her interactions with Mr. Quincy, even though he is such a sly character. A superb read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"The Witchwood Knot" by Olivia Atwater is a mesmerizing dark faerie tale set in a magical version of Victorian England, where the line between the mundane and the mystical is delightfully blurred.

Winifred Hall, a Victorian governess with a keen sense for trickery, finds herself in an extraordinary situation when her young charge is transformed into a block of wood overnight. Winnie soon realizes that the boy has been abducted by the Fair Folk, who dwell in the mysterious Witchwood Manor. The lord of Witchwood Manor, however, is a man who staunchly denies the existence of faeries, leaving Winnie with the daunting task of rescuing the young lord all by herself.

As Winnie embarks on her mission, she discovers that Witchwood Manor is far larger and more enigmatic than it appears, teeming with otherworldly perils and secrets. Along the way, she enlists the help of Mr. Quincy, the faerie butler with a charming facade concealing dark and unsettling mysteries. With her quick wit and determination, Winnie delves deeper into the heart of the Witchwood Knot, where alliances are uncertain, and danger lurks at every turn.

Olivia Atwater's prose is a masterpiece of elegance, perfectly suited to the gothic fantasy genre. The atmospheric setting, characterized by its eerie and haunting qualities, captures the essence of Victorian haunted manor vibes. The blend of romance, ancient magic, and spine-chilling monsters creates a narrative that keeps readers engaged and intrigued from start to finish.

Winnie is a captivating heroine—a brave, no-nonsense woman who refuses to be defined by societal norms. Her complexity and determination make her a character readers can't help but root for. Mr. Quincy, the faerie butler, adds depth to the story with his enigmatic nature and the allure of hidden truths.

"The Witchwood Knot" is a captivating and atmospheric gothic fantasy romance that beautifully blends the supernatural with the historical. Olivia Atwater's storytelling prowess shines, making this novel a delightful addition to the genre. If you're a fan of dark faerie tales, Victorian settings, and stories with complex heroines, this book is a must-read.