The Witchwood Knot is not my first Olivia Atwater book, and certainly not the last. I did not expect to squeeze it into my schedule so soon, but the cover reveal excitement got the better of me, so I had to rearrange things a bit. I have no regrets, though.

The Witchwood Knot is set in the same world as Atwater’s Regency Faerie Tales series, there are even references to the characters in Half a Soul (if you know, you know). There are no spoilers though, so even if you haven’t read those books, you will be able to fully enjoy them at a later time. If you already read Half a Soul, however, then you’ll be happy to find some additional bits that will enhance your reading experience.

Our heroine this time is Winnie, who just arrived at Witchwood Manor to be the governess of a young boy, the grandson of Lady Longfellow, who is aware of Winnie’s abilities. That’s why she asks her not to tutor Robert, but to protect him while he is staying. But of course, Winnie has her own reasons for taking the offer – she is looking for answers as to what happened to faeries, and specifically to the Hollow Lady. And she doesn’t arrive without weapons, so to speak. She has a bottle of magical perfume, a silver knife she got from the Hollow Lady, and of course Ollie, the undead cat (you are going to love him). She also has knowledge about the faeries which definitely comes in handy, when dealing with the Witchwood Knot. But what the hell is the Witchwood Knot, you might ask. The question is excellent, but I’m afraid you’ll have to find the answer for yourself. Let’s just say it’s the stuff of nightmares – quite literally. I enjoyed exploring it, but I also wanted more of it.

This book has a fairly small cast of characters, and because it’s also a short book, there isn’t much time to get to really know them. I think that was my biggest issue with The Witchwood Knot – I wasn’t able to build an emotional connection with the characters, especially Winnie. It’s not to say I didn’t like her, or Mr Quincy for that matter. And that’s a bit frustrating, because we got to know Winnie the most, including childhood traumas that still haunt her. Atwater handles the topic of child abuse and trauma with deft hands. We get as much information as we need to ensure we can understand what Winnie is going through, and why she makes the choices and has the personality she has. And this aspect of the book works really well. Atwater builds up her character beautifully, and in a way, many people will be able to identify with her. And yet… for me, there was something missing, but I couldn’t tell you what, exactly. Maybe it’s her hard facade, the way she keeps her distance from everyone. At the same time, it was interesting to follow her coming out of her shell a bit and letting herself open up.

I don’t often say this, but I think The Witchwood Knot could have done with some more pages, to fatten it up a bit. I loved the included fairy tales, maybe there could have been more. But I also wanted to understand more about The Witchwood Manor’s past and its connection with Faries, or maybe to get to know a bit more about the characters like Cook, or Lord Longfellow who ended up being a bit one-dimensional. A monster, for sure (one that totally creeped me out, so he certainly fulfilled his purpose), but still one-dimensional, or even Robert and his past and present experiences to give us a glimpse into the changes he is going through (because he does), or Winnie’s sisters and how the Lord Sorcier’s new laws affected their lives in general. And probably a bit more suspense, too would have done it good. Also a second POV character. I just can’t help thinking that while I enjoyed my time with this book (which reads super fast), there could have been so much more to it.

While there is some romance, I wouldn’t say it’s the main focus of the plot. But it’s definitely an integral part of it. It plays into both parties’ character arcs. It’s a slow build one, and it takes a good portion of the book to get going. It’s written very well too, so even if you are not a fan of romance in your fiction, you should still be able to enjoy this one.

The Witchwood Knot is a delightfully dark and gothic faerie tale about trauma, love, revenge, and greed. A visceral and atmospheric read that’s best enjoyed curled up with a cup of tea on chilly autumn days. A definite must read for fans of Olivia Atwater. And if you dare to fall asleep, you might hear Mr Quincy’s haunting music. But beware, danger is always just a step away, and you definitely don’t want to step on Lady Mourningwood’s toes…

I loved this addition to the fairy tales of Olivia Atwater. Having read and adored her Regency Faerie Tales series, I was so excited to see a return to that world. This keeps the same magic and love of the previous series, but with a darker undertone and great gothic feel. The paranormal, sinister vibe is perfect for the fall season. Not as romance forward as the previous series, this is much more fantasy focused and Atwater excels in the world building and tension in this plot. Though there still is a very sweet slow burn romance!

I do believe reading her earlier series is needed, as it helps give a lot of background information into some of the mystery surrounding the faeries, etc. But I always recommend reading these because they are also great reads!

This review will be published on Goodreads and Amazon upon publication

I adored this Gothic Fantasy story so much it had me gripped from the start, set in Victorian England it had gothic vibes, a mystery, faeries, folklore, a haunted manor, a slight romance and an undead cat familiar, this is the perfect spooky season read. Really hoping for a sequel 🤞 This is my first read by this author and I will definitely be reading more of her books now 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5 stars

I adore Olivia Atwater’s Regency Faerie Tales series so I was extremely excited to learn that she was writing a book set in the Victorian era (one of my favorite settings to read about). Atwater’s writing remains incredibly engaging and I read this latest book very quickly. The Witchwood Knot has a darker tone which I really enjoyed. The magic is more sinister and the story explores the predatory nature of men and the struggle of reclaiming one’s agency and identity after trauma. Though the fantasy world-building and magic system are still very light, I would not consider this installment cozy.

The highlight of these books for me has always been the romances. And I really loved the romance in The Witchwood Heart (as long as I ignore one specific detail about the love interest’s appearance). This is a story of two people with a lot of sharp edges finding comfort in each other’s brutal honesty. There was so much raw emotion in their relationship that I couldn't stop highlighting lines. But the romance only takes up so much of the story. And I’m left with very mixed feelings when it comes to the rest of the book.

Winnie is an amazing main character. She is determined and strong and doesn't take shit from anyone. Her cat familiar Ollie was adorable and I really hope the future books in the series follow her sisters. However, I wish the book had explored her magic a bit more. The Witchwood Knot introduces the idea of black magicians who practice forms of magic that the current Lord Sorcier has deemed dangerous and forbidden. However, Winnie’s magic is almost irrelevant to the story as she navigates the challenges through wit and her knowledge of faerie behavior.

The setting of The Witchwood Knot is a bit weak. Though the story is set in a haunted manor with a horrible past I would not consider this a gothic story. The Victorian atmosphere was practically nonexistent. It is only Victorian because it is set many years after the books set in the Regency era. The split between reality and a dream realm was interesting as Winnie faced different horrors on each side of Witchwood Manor.

The overarching plot that was set up in this one was intriguing and I would be very interested to see Winnie and Quincy return in later books. However, very little happens in The Witchwood Knot itself. The events mentioned in the premise don't happen until over halfway through the story and the second half is dominated by the romance. Though it was fun to have a main character that was unphased by the horrors plaguing the manor, I wish there had been more of an effort to set up the curse and the presence of the Faeries at Witchwood Manor. Or that the rescue mission had stretched into the first half of the book to allow for more time to explore the Knot and the Faeries trapped inside.

I was not expecting this story to be so tightly connected to the Regency trilogy. Though I don’t think you need to read the first series to read this one, there are many nods to the characters from that series. I have read the first two books and do not plan to read the third as I do not enjoy reading books about the children of characters from previous books. As I was unfamiliar with the characters introduced in book three I was a bit confused at some points. I don't think it significantly hindered my enjoyment of the book but I would almost suggest that readers view The Witchwood Knot as a fourth book in a series.
Though I was a bit underwhelmed by the plot, I really enjoyed The Witchwood Knot and I am excited to see where the series goes from here.

I was really excited to read this but sadly just didn’t really connect with it. The story has its moments where I was very invested and couldn’t wait to see what was next, but a lot of the time I was a little bored. Olivia Atwater’s writing is so fantastic but I just think this wasn’t the book for me.

Well, this was fun and absolutely prefect for the season! It was quite elegant and suitably gothic for a Victorian suspense novel, and though contemporary, I felt it could have been written for a young Victorian lady to swoon over as she turned the pages long into the night. Absolutely wonderful and I can't wait for more from Olivia Atwater! Highly recommended!

4.5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley and Starwatch Press for this advanced copy! You can pick up The Witchwood Knot on November 23, 2023.

Wow. What an incredible entry into Olivia Atwater's existing Faerie Tales universe. I loved the original trilogy and was excited to visit this world again, but I did not expect the absolute Gothic and eerie vibes that Witchwood Knot would emit. This book is atmospheric, creepy, magical, and romantic all at once.

It took a minute to get to know Winnie and her purpose at Witchwood, but once the pieces fell into place, the plot zipped forward at a crazy speed. It felt like something new and exciting and disturbing occurred every other page, keeping the reader entrenched in the atmosphere the whole time.

I loved Winnie's growth by the end of the book, and her blossoming relationship with Mr. Quincy. They were sweet and cruel to each other in equal measure, and I wish we could've seen even more growth in their relationship before the book ends.

That's really my only complaint -- I wish this book were at least 50 pages longer. The ending felt so sudden, and I had no idea how everything would get wrapped up so quickly. I think it would've had a more emotional impact if the ending had been drawn out a bit more (and if we had even more time to learn about and love Winnie and Quincy).

Also, I appreciated the care Atwater took with discussing SA. The events of the book and Winnie's background were handled so well, though again, I wish we had more length in the book to sit with these feelings and events.

Overall, a fantastic Gothic story, and one you must read if you loved Atwater's other works.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ //5

The Witchwood Knot
by Olivia Atwater

THOUGHTS:

I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to read an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Do you like:

*Gothic Fantasies
*Magic
*Victorian Era
*Fae/Creatures
*Haunted Houses

Then this book IS FOR YOU!

Ate it up! I ate this entire book up. IN ONE SITTING. I was living for this entire adventure. I am a sucker for all things gothic placed into a book and when you sprinkle that adventure with fantasy, a smidge of romance and some horror you have me on my knees. This book was beautiful, mysterious and dark. The world building was fabulous, the characters and their dialogue were perfection, this plot had it all from start to finish.

This book has you guessing everything until the very end. There are twists and turns throughout and I loved the mystery of thinking I know what is going to happen in the book and being wrong. LOVED IT. I loved following the relationships and the dynamics between characters. Oliver and Winnie were perfection!

This book needs to be read by everybody who loves all things dark and spooky and gothic. It comes at a perfect time and I am so glad that I got to sink my teeth into this book. I am absolutely going to be sharing this and recommending this book to ALL PEOPLE. A MUST HAVE on the TBR.

Olivia Atwater remains one of my all time favourite authors, and I had to immediately devour this book as soon as it was in my hands. The atmosphere is always full of whimsy, but this time with a darker, gothic feel that is perfection for spooky season. I adore the wit and charm that is laced through both Winnie and Quincy, they're such loveable characters that they make reading this book a treat, I think they have one of my new favourite dynamics to date. I'm always laughing out loud when reading Atwater's writing, and this book is no exception. I want to throw myself back into Half a Soul and re-experience the joy of living in this author's writing all over again. It's my happiest place to be.

If you want a creepy, humorous, heartfelt story full of tricky fae and a charming touch of romance, this is the book for you! I can't recommend this or any of Atwater's books enough.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Starwatch Press for the e-arc of this beauty!

Perfect gothic read for this time of year! I really enjoyed this story and characters. My favorite was Oliver. Who wouldn’t love an undead cat familiar who hates men! I love it when they main characters have growth because of each other and for Winnie and Mr. Quincy 10/10 loved reading their growth.

Winifred, a determined governess with a unique profession, is on the hunt for the elusive Fair Folk. When she's hired to dispel a curse that plagues a house haunted by the Fae, she adopts the guise of a governess, concealing her true mission. However, when her young charge is abducted by the Fair Folk, Winifred's unwavering resolve to rescue him leads her on a perilous journey. With her shrewdness in dealing with the Fair Folk and her resourceful connections within the household, she endeavors to break the curse and save the boy.

“The Witchwood Knot” by Olivia Atwater was a good book. I loved the colorful characters and the whimsy but also darker themes. I enjoyed how smart Winne is at manipulating the Fae. I ended up being entranced by Mr. Quincey even though his back story was brief and rushed at the end of the book. 4 out of 5 stars because it was worth reading.

Gothic and rich, yet somehow also delicate and sharp, with a wonderfully grounded and stubborn protagonist. There’s enough callbacks to her Regency Faerie Tales series that I’m ready to start Half a Soul all over again, yet possessed of its own unique character.
For those who love romantasy, but also for those who love A.G. Slatter and T. Kingfisher.
Wonderful.

This book was nothing like I expected but I loved it. Loved everything about Winnie. Her strength, attitude and courage all amazing. Throw in a haunted mansion, ghostly wall faces and fairies and it’s the perfect spooky season read.

A sharp and beautifully gothic fairytale romance set in a magical version of Victorian England. This is the book of my dreams: perfectly elegant prose, an eerie haunted mansion, and a clever heroine who’s smart enough to outwit faeries. I’ve read all of Olivia Atwater’s novels (including the short stories) but this particular one is my favourite. It has everything one needs for a perfect story!

Faeries of the Witchwood Manor have stolen its young lord but this particular governess intends to steal him back. When her bratty young charge transforms overnight into a perfectly behaved young boy, Winifred soon realises that the real boy has been abducted by the Fair Folk. It would seem that the lord of the manor is the only man who doesn’t believe in fairies which leaves Winnie in the unenviable position of the young boy all by herself.

Witchwood Manor is bigger than its inhabitants realise, as its a pathway to faeries 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 fair 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 though it would seem she is thwarted by magic and fair tricks at every turn.

Winnie attempts to get through with her usual wits and cleverness but when all of her usual tricks fail, who will she dare to trust? Surely not the dashing and enigmatic Mr Quincy who’s charming smile and devilish charm leave her breathless. Will her fears of what men become when their desires aren’t reciprocated come to pass? This novel covers some dark topics in an exceptionally beautiful and thoughtful way. It reminds us that we can still open our heart to those who earn our trust, and to protect ourselves against those who leave us feeling fearful.

Thank you to Victoria Editing for an advanced reader copy via NetGalley of The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater

“The hundred eyes of Witchwood Manor loomed above, grinning through torrential rain.”

Perfect spooky opening for a dark gothic fairy tale. I would definitely check trigger warnings for this title. I finished last night and I’m still unsettled. The predatory nature of men in power was depicted perfectly in this novel. As was the ability and importance of taking back ones agency after trauma. Although Atwater doesn’t shy from tough subject matter, this story was significantly darker that the Regency series. I have read the first two in that series and I think if I had read the 3rd I would have more insight on some of the characters mentioned. Winnie was a very strong willed character, which I really enjoyed. I loved her initial reaction to being asked to be a governess haha. Her “pet” Ollie, think bone dog from Nettle and Bone, was my favorite. I love an undead familiar. He also made me think of Shadow from Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Fairies. Ultimately the perfect companion :) Although, we were warned in the beginning of the potentially triggering content, I was surprised by how unsettled I was while reading and for a prolonged period after. I do think that last bit of the book resolved a bit quickly for my taste. It felt like something was missing. I am looking forward to seeing where the story goes next as well as catching up on Longshadow.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this title.

I didn't realize this book was part of the same universe as some of the author's other books. Learning this after the fact, I realize it doesn't really work as a standalone story. Some of the context was lost on me and I was slow to catch up on the world-building and a couple of characters mentioned in passing. Aside from that, I enjoyed reading from Winnie's perspective and having that insight into how her mind works. I loved that she didn't take anyone's bull from the get-go, didn't blindly trust everyone, and showed an impressive amount of backbone. I'm hoping the author writes more books from Winnie's point of view or at least has her return for a cameo.

I just wanted to say that I absolutely LOVED and devoured this book! I love anything fae but this was a breath of fresh air and enthralled me from the very first sentence.

Gothic vibes? Ghostly cats? Cunning characters? A cursed and haunted manor? What more could you possibly need!

Needless to say, I will definitely be reading more of Olivia Atwater!

I cannot stress enough how much I love this book. It has been not only the first gothic romance I have ever read, but also it's the first book by Olivia Atwater that I have ever read. The setting was perfect, from the dark vibes of Witchwood Manor to how each character behaved, The book talks about sensitive topics (such as sexual abuse) with a lot of care and respect.
The female main character, Winnifred is witty and funny but also really caring. I loved her personality and her way of solving the problems that came upon her throughout the book, wether that was a mysterious butler or a twelve year old. I loved her interactions with all the side characters, Cook and Margaret had their own personalities and I enjoyed how every one of them had a relationship with Mr. Quincy, especially Cook. I have to say that at the beginning of the book I wasn't sure about Mr. Quincy, he was so dark and mean (he had his reasons to be honest) but the more he came up, the more I liked him. He had his secrets but in the end, he just wanted to help other people.
English isn't my first language, and sometimes I had to look certain words, which honestly I liked. It made me be more attentive and immersed in the reading. I learned new words and discovered a new favourite book, it's a win/win situation. The writing creates the perfect atmosphere for the book, and at moments I had the same feelings as the main character.
I will be recommending this book to everyone I know, it is perfect in every sense and words cannot express how grateful I am for having the opportunity of reading this e-arc. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Olivia Atwater.

A delightfully gothic fairytale where ghosts linger in the walls, monsters lurk around every corner, and the Fae are ever present.

This was such an Excellent Read for Spooky Season. The horror aspects had me both cringing and cheering with delight. The tight plot leaves no lingering threads, wrapping up everything neatly with a black silk bow.

Atwater continues to write my preferred version of the Fae, full of spite, deeply conflicted, and yet always drawn to humanity with the dread of a moth towards a flame. Mr. Quincey is a fine addition to this roster and fans of Astarion from Baldur's Gate will adore him.

While you do not have to be familiar with Atwater's previous trilogy, fans of it will find delightful peeks beyond the mirror of previous characters. Be warned, the ending is Particularly Devastating and made me screech like a pterodactyl, longing to know WHAT IT ALL MEANS?!

Amazing. I loved it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It had so many good elements to it: a bit of goth, some faeries, a mystery, and a cat familiar! I finished this book in a day; it was very well-paced and well-written with great attention to detail and a riveting storyline. My interest in following along with the adventure never waned, and I found it very easy to keep up with the story without plot points getting jumbled or losing my place in the world itself. I really enjoyed the characters and their rapport was witty and intelligent enough that I never found anything to be cringy (as is sometimes a problem in books). I would definitely recommend to those who are looking for a good spooky, quirky, and entertaining read.