I do love me a bit of gothic witchy vibes. I've learnt a lot more about magic, fairies and other mythical creatures. It is a somewhat an enemies to lovers story, with adventure thrown in for good measure.

This is an engaging, evocative and cleverly plotted Gothic faerie tale set in the Victorian era. We meet the two main protagonists when Winifred Hall, governess, arrives at Witchwood Manor and meets butler Mr Quincy in an atmospheric and somewhat eerie first chapter. But neither is what they first appear to be and once a couple of chapters in I was swept away by this immersive and intelligent story.

Winnie has been brought to Witchwood in the guise of a governess in order to protect the dying Dowager's grandson from the curse of Witchwood Manor. His father stalwartly refuses to acknowledge the existence of faeries, even when very few locals will venture near the place. So when the boy is taken by the fae and replaced with a fetch, it is up to brave and resilient Winnie to save him from the many Otherworldly dangers hiding in the Witchwood estate, as she works tirelessly to unravel the mysteries of the Witchwood Knot.

Both main characters are very strong, intelligent and self assured, yet both achieve a good level of character growth as their paths become increasingly intertwined and I really liked and appreciated both, as well as Winnie's amazing cat familar.

In all this clever, twisty, magical book is well worth reading, especially if you like classic gothic romances such as Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights crossed with faerie folklore and magic! This is the first Atwater novel I have read and I will definitely be reading more.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater is a captivating fantasy story set in the Victorian era filled with faeries, slightly creepy houses and loveable characters!

The slightly Gothic setting of the house really kept me hooked, and I loved how we got to see the kind of duality within the house, as well as seeing how the house played a large role in how our characters acted. The entire book is set within the house and I really enjoyed how we got to see it develop, and we kind of explore the house with the characters.

I loved Winnie she was such a lovely character to read about. She was sweet and charming but she also had this edge to her. I think if you liked Effie from a studying drowning you would really like Winnie as they were very similar to me, they had the same kind of what it means to be a woman in the world when men feel the need to dominate. I also loved Robert who is the child that Winnie is the governess for he was so like sweet and then how he acted at the end just had my heart melting.

One of my possible favourite aspects of this book was how the lore of the world was told telling was told through storytelling and we got to experience it as if we were there. The imagery was so vivid and I really understood as the book went and how our main characters and how their pasts influenced how they acted in the present.

Whilst the romance isn’t particularly my favourite, I do think that the romance itself is very intimate and well done. The actual romance is something that I did enjoy reading about, but I’m not sure how I feel the love interest. However, I do think the development that led there was crafted in a way that it didn’t overpower the story and take away from either of our main characters.

if you’re looking for a Victorian era fantasy filled with magic and faeries and slightly morally grey characters, this is absolutely for you!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

think I went into this one with too high expectations. After loving Half A Soul I thought that this one was going to be even better but it didn't quite live up to the hype I gave it. This one is set in Victorian England and follows a governess Winifred, who is set on getting back her charge who was swapped by the fae in here area. I really enjoyed the relationships that Winifred developed especially with the butler Mr. Quincy. I am excited to see where the author goes next with this series.

The Witchwood Knot is the gothic novel of my dreams! The quirkiness and whimsy of Heather Fawcett's Emily Wildes Encyclopedia of Faeries mixed with the darkness of JJA Harwood's The Thorns Remain. The Witchwood Knot has magic, faeries, and a mysterious manor with a curse set upon it, and even a light sprinkle of romance to top it off. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book (in one evening) and I look forward to reading more of Olivia Atwater's work in the future.

I loved this book.
The dark Victorian vibes.
The magic
The commentary on the nature of men and the struggle of being a woman.

I wish that we got more atmosphere of the Victorian Era!
But, it was still a really fun read!

I enjoyed this one! I read Half a Soul earlier this year and really liked it so I wanted to check this one out when I heard about it. I wasn’t expecting there to be any tie in to the other series but was pleasantly surprised that there was some crossover! I liked the plot overall and the characters as well, however I almost think the book should have been longer. I think there should have been a bit more depth in background given to both the FMC and MMC, and the romance aspect could have been fleshed out a little more as well, I am looking forward to seeing where the story goes from here.

I don’t know what was holding me back from reading this book sooner.

Surprisingly, I enjoyed The Witchwood Knot more than Half a Soul.I love Winnie; she would do anything to survive, and it’s fascinating to read. And the banter with Mr.Quincy built up well. One interesting part for me was when they tried to know what the truth was about each other by playing cards! How the world collides between the real world and the fairy world keeps me awake to read it more.

Note that this book has a trigger warning for sexual assault, so this book isn’t as cozy as Half a Soul. There’s a Half a Soul character that the book mentioned, so I think the new readers would be clueless if they hadn't read Half a Soul before reading this book.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and i adore Ollie!
Thank you, Netgalley and Starwatch Press.

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the witchwood knot by Olivia Atwater

★ ★ ★ ★ ★/5

Despite not having read the regency faire tales i had no issues devouring and loving The Witchwood Knot, which is placed 30-40 years after Half A Soul (the first book of the regency series).

The main protagonist, Winnie, gets placed at Witchwood Manor as a governess to assure the son of the building does not stay more than necessary. What starts with a simple task ends with a plot filled with faeries, screaming faces contained within the walls, and a monster hiding in the forest.

Along with Winnie, her familiar Ollie follows her to secure her safety during the task, but despite this, she is constantly reminded that there is no happy ending.

This book is everything I hoped it would be, if not more. I am obsessed with Atwater’s writing along with the gothic faerie tale. I implore you to read this without knowing too much about the book, as its surprises made me devour it in a span of two days.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this for an honest review in return. You can get your hands on The Witchwood Knot in selected bookstores and on Kindle today!! ⋆˙⟡
#NetGalley #TheWitchwoodKnot
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"The Witchwood Knot" by Olivia Atwater is an enchanting Victorian faerie tale, masterfully set in a magically altered England. The story unfolds around Winifred Hall, a governess, who embarks on a perilous journey to rescue her young charge from the clutches of faeries. Although my usual genre preferences lie elsewhere, I always find myself engrossed in Atwater's novels.

Mr. Quincy, the faerie butler, is an intriguing character, albeit one that I struggled to fully embrace largely because he is described as having a rat's tail which to my mind is just about the worst thing possible - seriously barf inducing and I'm hoping that it is some kind of temporary curse. It sounds shallow but I found it so utterly repellent that I struggled to engage much with his character which is a shame as he is quite interesting.

Our heroine, Winifred Hall is a beacon of strength and relatability in the novel. Her plucky spirit, intelligence, and resilience paint her as a deeply compelling protagonist. Her journey, fraught with the dangers and mysteries of Witchwood Manor, is a testament to Atwater's skill in crafting strong, dynamic heroines. Hall's character development, her responses to the challenges she faces, and her evolution throughout the story are particularly engaging aspects of Atwater's writing.

Atwater's world-building in "The Witchwood Knot" is rich and immersive. The backdrop of a Victorian England interwoven with faerie lore provides a unique setting that is both familiar and fantastical. The vivid descriptions of the landscapes, the atmospheric detailing of Witchwood Manor, and the seamless integration of magical elements into the Victorian setting create a tapestry that is as visually arresting as it is narratively compelling.

The plot of the novel expertly intertwines elements of gothic romance with fantasy, creating a reading experience that is both unique and intriguing. The story's pacing is well-managed, with a mix of suspenseful and reflective moments that keep the reader engaged from start to finish. Atwater's writing style is both elegant and accessible, making the book suitable for a wide range of readers.

The supporting cast of characters adds depth to the narrative. Each character, from the residents of Witchwood Manor to the denizens of the faerie realm, is well-drawn and contributes to the richness of the story. The interactions between these characters and Winnie provide insight into their personalities and motivations, adding layers to the overall narrative.

I'm looking forward to the next installment where Mr Quincy very hopefully loses his tail!

Overall Score: 4/5
Character Development: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Ease of Reading: 4/5
Overall Enjoyment: 4/5

I have found MY genre, the place I belong. Gothic fantasy with traditional fairy tale elements? Check. Creepy Gothic manor? Check. Tension filled romance? CHECK.
The Witchwood Knot was absolutely stunning and I let this one sit in my NetGalley account for way too long! I wish I had gotten to this last year, but since I didn't read it until it came out I was able to listen to it on audio when I was in the car and at work and the audiobook narrator was fantastic! This book had an incredible magic system with witches, ghosts, and all sorts of faeries. I adored our FMC Winnie- she sort of reminded me of an upgraded and darker Mary Poppins, with her sarcastic remarks and all-knowing ways, and the secondary characters were just as endearing. This story was steeped in folklore and had a unique premise that kept me hooked from the start. I am so excited to read the next book in this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read this book! All opinions and commentary are my own.

Thank you to Olivia Atwater and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

3.5 ⭐️

This book is in the same vein as Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries. A gothic Victorian Bröntesque fairytale describing a young governess who is called to a cursed house to take care of the dowagers young grandson. I enjoyed this book but I found the pacing to be a bit off-putting. I was under the impression that this was going to have more romance elements but the romance is more of a micro-plot line between two characters that seems like it might develop in the next installment to Atwater’s Victorian Faerie Tales!

I was honestly a little surprised at how much I ended up liking this book. It had a bit of a slow start for me, at least in terms of becoming invested in the story, and I’m not usually one for gothic fairytales. But this was clever and twisty and well written. I will say a little more development of the romance storyline of this gothic romance wouldn’t hurt, but still I really did enjoy it. Can’t wait to read more of Olivia Atwater’s books!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy of The Witchwood Knot in exchange for an honest review.

An undead cat familiar, wicked faeries, an interesting magic system, and a badass heroine...

I truly enjoyed this book. The story kept me engaged from the second I picked it up.

I have loved every Olivia Atwater book that I've read so far, and can't wait to see what comes next!

𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 :
📖 As someone with no background in fae stories, and an ill disguised dislike for certain forms of contemporary romance, this book was quite easy for me to enjoy. I understood the technical nuances (I was stumped at times, but that's on me) and the romance is adequately sweet and full of the exact tension I like. (akin to the famous Enemies to Lovers trope)
📖 The character development is well portrayed. It is unhurried and focuses on the little steps the characters take in circumstances mired by danger and threat : Winnie finds comfort in her sexuality, and Quincy finds courage for his autonomy. They're both released from their internal prisons by the end of the story.
📖 The prospect of integrating Victorian Gothic elements with the Fae verse is a daunting one, but the author executed it perfectly well, with simple language and easy vocabulary that allows the reader to focus on the thrill of the plot and the characters. I particularly liked the portrayal of the funeral customs, it shows good research and proper technicality.
📖 I adored how deliciously horrifying it was. The villainous characters did not have any proper redemption, or repentance even, and it makes their villainy all the more charming for me.
On the same note, it is imperative to admire Winnie and Quincy as characters. There's a strong sense of justice that stays rooted in them throughout the plot, and it is comforting to watch them victorious.
📖 Overall, the book ends on a note that promises further revelations in the second installment, and I cannot wait for it!

You say "here is a gothic romance" and I say, I'M HERE FOR IT. and this book was no different I love the way that Olivia brings a bit on whimsy even to a gothic take like The Witchwood Knot. This book gave me Labyrinth vibes and since that is one of my favorite movies ever, I ate it up. The magical world that Oliva paints for us is a place that while can be utterly terrifying, but also I wish to be there. This book was just what I was looking.

Even though I haven't read any of Attwater's other works, The Witchwood Knot was one of my most anticipated publications for the start of 2024. The blurb drew me in, and I immediately placed a request for the book after seeing all the hype online.
The story starts off intriguing and attempts to pull you in, but I didn't think the plot really took off until around halfway through. Winnie used her cunning with the faeries to get through the entire novel, but I was still curious about her past and her magic.

The world didn't seem to be sufficiently developed in my opinion either. I desired more folklore, elucidating the faeries' origins and lives, as well as the reasons behind their escape from England. The setting itself felt very atmospheric, fitting the book's portrayal of Victorian Gothic fiction.

The object of desire and objectification was one area in which the book excelled. Attwater did a great job presenting this.

This was a fun read, and I'm curious to see where the series goes from here.

Thank you to the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

I enjoyed this a lot! It's a fair bit darker than the author's other books, with a gothic atmosphere that I enjoyed immensely.

I loved Winnie's character: she's a liar, and a manipulator, and a survivor, but that doesn't make her a bad person, or cold and closed-off. She's always doing her best to help the people around her, sometimes even at great cost to herself. I loved the little glimpses we got of her found family, and I really hope that gets explored more.

4 stars

Would recommend

I’ll be upfront. I am very bad at history. Telling me something is in the Victorian era brings nothing to mind. I could not tell you a single thing, including which years the era contains. Having loved Atwater’s Regency fairy tales, I knew that would not matter. If there’s historical inaccuracies here, I am the last person to ask.

What is here, though, is a darker fairy tale than I expected. The romance burned low and slow in all the ways I adore, the characters manipulated and lied and were heartfelt all the same, the plot was a nice solid little knot. I loved every second of this book. It made me grin wildly nearly as much as it made my heart ache. It was a little more connected to the Regency Fairytales than I expected, but in the best way. I literally cannot wait for the next installment in this world.

I’d advise to check the trigger warnings and make sure that it’s the kind of book that you’d like before just diving in, but to me it was perfect.

Thanks to Victory Editing and Netgalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.