Unfortunately this one was a DNF for me but I would still recommend it to anyone who enjoys Faerie stories and undead cats. My issue with it is purely the 'feel' of it. It was advertised as a Victorian Gothic novel but it didn't feel that Gothic to me though it did have elements of Gothic tradition. It also didn't feel very Victorian. I actually completely forgot that it was supposed to be Victorian until I reread the synopsis! I liked the characters well enough but I honestly found myself a bit bored and although the story had some dark undertones, I didn't really feel like there were any stakes.

I thoroughly enjoyed this twist on the Fae human romance plot line. "The Witchwood Knot" has a believable Victorian historical setting (perfect for Bridgerton fans!) combined with the gradual addition of magic. It reminds me of "Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries" and "Throne of the Fallen." Olivia Atwater continues to dominate the Victorian faerie subgenre with this read, which I actually found easier to get into compared to her "Half a Soul" books. Her faerie world is more in the style of Holly Black and Margaret Rogerson's creations as opposed to Sarah J. Maas' high stakes adventure world. Winnie is a colorful, clever protagonist who made me feel like I was by her side during the book. Plus, I love the twist of her having to save the lord's son versus it being the other way around. And the suspicious butler trope was highly enjoyable and funny!

CW: child sexual abuse and grooming, attempted SA while drugged

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

I love regency era books. I love fantasy books. What could possibly go wrong wrong here? A lot. A lot went wrong.

Rounding up from 2.5 for this one. A big part of that rating is the characters. I didn’t like any of them. Not a one. They’re so unlikeable that I found myself not caring how things turned out for any of them. Maybe rat tails don’t do it for me either? People kept being introduced but without introduction. We were just supposed to know who they were and comprehend their backstory.

I’m not sure how anything got resolved. Just that it did? I think? There were many parts of this book where I had to reread pages to gain clarity but was still left on the dark. It was just really confusing how things were happening, I couldn’t picture any of it.

My biggest issue with this book was that there weren’t any content warnings. I was taken completely off guard by the child abuse and grooming that happened and was shared kind of in an off hand/side note kind of way? And then what was happening when Winnie was forced drugs and couldn’t defend herself…I was not ok.

I don’t plan on recommending this book but I’m not opposed to trying this genre again in another form? This was just a flop for me.

I liked Atwater's previous books so much more than this one. I think it's just wasn't the right switch for me. I felt like the romance aspect of the book was skipped over for the sake of the fantasy to try to appeal to the "romantasy"

This was an interesting faerie tale. Mr Quincy isn’t all that he appears but neither is the governess. I enjoyed the storyline and the twists very much. There was lovable characters and characters to be hated and they played their roles beautifully. The ending was unexpected and magical. It really was a beautiful gothic faerie tale. Something I don’t normally gravitate to and read but I would definitely read book two. It was a good palate cleanser read for me.

I never realized this book took place in the same world as Half A Soul, so I feel like I could have benefited from finishing that series first, but having read the first I feel like it was enough to appreciate this book.

A dark faerie story in which a woman skilled in cartomancy enters a house that seems to be affected by faerie magic, in order to help save the family from the house.

This was a little big creepy, a little bit magical, a little bit romantic. Not a usual combination, but Atwater made it work in this story. I devoured the story and it had a satisfying ending, though I wonder how she'll make this into a series.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

I absolutely loved this book!

Perfect creepy gothic fantasy to keep you guessing around every turn.

Winnie isn’t just a governess she has magic and knows about the faerie realm. When the child she’s caring for gets kidnapped into that realm it’s up to her to find him and bring him back. Even when no one believes her.

4/5 stars would definitely recommend.

This was a fantastic cozy, victorian fantasy! I already had high hopes for this novel because Olivia Atwater is fantastic, but this surpassed my expectations yet again. I loved these characters, the creepy setting of the haunted manor, and the mystery of the fae. My biggest issue is that I didn't realize it was only book one of a new series! How am I expected to wait to find out more about Winifred and Mr. Quincy?! I will definitely be on the lookout for the next book in the Victorian Faerie Tales series. Thank you NetGalley, Starwatch Press, and Olivia Atwater for letting me dive into this world!

This book was just not for me. I enjoyed the setting and the premise, but I did not feel invested in the characters. It's possible I was in the wrong mood for this book, but is just wasn't for me.

The Witchwood Knot is a bewitching gothic romance that seethes in the anger of past wounds. When a determined governess becomes irrevocably linked to the world of the fae at a haunted manor house, she must untether two worlds and the history resolved to connect them. Olivia Atwater is adept at bridging together the fae and human world and all their hurts and triumphs. Her writing bites like faerie iron but leaves behind a glimmer of possibility that is always well worth the wait. Tangled with frightening wallpaper, sinister dreams, and a clever protagonist taking on old evils and secrets, The Witchwood Knot is a new favorite twisted fairytale from Atwater.

I was so happy to receive this book! This book did not disappoint I love the plot and the characters and everything about it I gave it five stars and I would highly recommend this book to anybody.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!

I have had Olivia Atwater’s Half a Soul series on my TBR for months, and after reading The Witchwood Knot, I cannot wait to start it. The world-building, even without having read the other series set in the same universe, was well done and immersive. You don’t necessarily have to read Half a Soul in order the read the Witchwood Knot, as it stands well on its own, but I am excited to read the series and come back to this novel to pick up on all the easter eggs I missed!

I loved the characters, and especially loved the arcs of both Winnie and Mr. Quincy. Winnie is powerful (unapologetically so), clever, and witty, and truthfully one of my favorite FMC I’ve read recently. Mr. Quincy is cut from a similar cloth, but where Winnie is full of spite, he is full of frustration and fear, bound by an oath he can’t undo. Their arcs perfectly intertwined with each others while still leaving enough room for them as individual characters.

I read this book fairly quickly and enjoyed it. The protagonist was easy to get behind and there were some really bittersweet moments. I loved all the fairy tale allegories.

Have been a fan of Olivia Atwater's books in the past, but this one did not work for me personally. I found it to be dull and hard to get through. It was hard to connect with the characters and the plot didn't seem to make much sense

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eArc of this!

I read Olivia Atwater’s Regency Faerie Tales a year ago, and fell in love with them. So I was very happy to return to this world,

I really enjoyed the characters in this, Winnie kept me engaged the entire time, and I love a book with a creepy house.

Perfect fast read if you want something cosy but still creepy!

I made a fae bargain with netgalley to receive this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Witchwood Knot follows Winifred Hall, a stern young woman who has arrived at Witchwood Manor as governess to the son of the current Lord Longfell. Neither the manor nor Winifred herself are without their secrets, however. When events conspire forcing Winnie onto a 'Labyrinth'-ian quest to retrieve her young charge from Faerie, she finds an unlikely ally(?) in Witchwood's mercurial butler, Mr Quincy.

This was a wonderful first installment in Atwater's Victorian Faerie Tales series. Our 'knave' Winnie and her knack for lying made for an intriguing heroine, and I found her to be clever and resourceful in the face of adversity. I only wish we had more opportunity to see this in action against the faeries of Witchwood, as well as her magic which seemed fascinating (as did the magic and her sisters, more of them please!).

I was very unsure of Mr Quincy at first, especially as Winnie was already surrounded by so many terrible male characters, but he quickly proved himself and was a well written foil to Lord Longfell. I have seen a few negative comments about a particular aspect of his appearance which I disagree with (but then again, I have been known to book tickets to The Nutcracker just to see the Rat King again so...).

I have found that Atwater is often a master of weaving terrible and disturbing parts of humanity and society into a faerie tale, but this book is a lot darker than her others, covering themes of sexual assault and grooming. It was handled well and with sensitivity, but double check content warnings before reading. I thought the focus on reclaiming one's own sexuality was accomplished well through the story and Winnie's development as a character.

I am a fan of the gothic genre and would have loved for Winnie to have a bit more time to initially explore the manor, (whose introduction I felt cleverly resembled the opening of The House of Usher) to really give the setting more of a chance to breathe. Historic details such as Winnie's chaterlaine and all of the victorian mourning customs added a lot to the general vibe.

The novel recaps the most relevant parts of Atwater's previous series, but I would say reading the regency faerie tales would give a good head start on this one and without them the magic and setting might seem a bit confusing and underdeveloped.

Overall a great start, I'd love to see more of Winnie and Mr Quincy but otherwise am eagerly awaiting the next instalments!

I enjoyed The Witchwood Knot immensely. Already there are different vibes from Atwater's Regency series, including an underlying, unresolved enemy that will continue into the following books. One of my favorite parts was that the setting is almost exclusively limited to this haunted Gothic house, complete with screaming wallpaper faces and cursed inhabitants. This book is dark in a way that is menacing, eerie, and sinister, rather than violent. The sequence where Winnie and Mr Quincy are moving through the cursed dream version of the house reminded me of The Starless Sea, one of my all time favorites.

Like some other reviewers, I was frustrated that the events in the synopsis end up happening over halfway through the book, which is less the book's fault and more of an issue with its marketing. Some moments had the potential to be a plot twist if I wasn't spoiled going into it.

Overall, I would recommend it to anyone interested in a whimsical Gothic mystery with an amazing cast of characters.

When I first heard about Olivia Atwater's new book, I thought it sounds good but I'm sure it won't be as good as Half A Soul. I was wrong. It was better.
My biggest complaint about Half A Soul was that it, at times, felt a little YA. This book did not. Despite its lack of sex or even violence it still managed to come across as mature.
I was promised a gothic fantasy and that's exactly what I got! The haunted house was unlike any haunted house I'd read about before. The was the fae are interwoven into what is typically a ghost story was brilliantly done.
The characters were just phenomenal. I loved the way Winnie slowly softened but never weakened throughout the book. Mr. Quincy was a really interesting character was well. Both characters were really fleshed out.
I loved the romance! It was so subtle but it felt natural and not at all forced.
I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This was a perfect blend of Oliva Atwater's regency era fairy world and a Grimm fairytale. The result was a gothic, dangerous fairy tale with a lot of heart. While the vast majority of the story takes place inside this one estate, there is mystery around every corner and inside every character. It had me guessing where the story was going at every turn of the page. And the little sprinkle of romance was a sweet little surprise.
I would highly recommend for anyone who loves fairy tales, historical fantasy, or Oliva Atwater's unique, detailed, magical worlds.

“There has always been something wrong with Witchwood Manor, ever since Lord Longfell had it built. At first, it was less noticeable—little noises in the dead of night, and whispers in the halls. But then… the servants started leaving. Some disappeared entirely. I woke at night to awful, screaming faces in the walls…”

My thanks to Starwatch Press for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Witchwood Knot’ by Olivia Atwater.

I loved Atwater’s Regency Faerie Tales and was pleased to discover that she was starting a new series set in the same fictional world though moving forward to the Victorian period.

Winifred (Winnie) Hall arrives at Witchwood Manor hired as governess to Robert, the son of Lord Longfell. The boy is quite a handful though it transpires that the faeries of the Witchwood are planning to abduct him. However, Lord Longfell doesn’t believe in faeries, leaving Winnie in the unenviable position of having to protect him by herself. Still, she has hidden resources and is able to enlist the aid of the Manor’s faerie butler, Mr Quincy. No further details to avoid spoilers.

While there are mentions of characters from the earlier Regency series, I felt that this worked fine as a standalone. A few fairy tales are integrated into the story.

This proved a delightful, atmospheric novel blending Atwater’s faerie lore in a Victorian Gothic setting. Winnie was a superb protagonist, intelligent and much more than the governess that she first appears to be. Given their conversations it’s clear that the dowager Lady Longfell is aware of her background. The narrative manages to subvert some of the usual historical romance tropes. I also adored the presence of Oliver (Ollie), Winnie’s spectral feline familiar.

Overall, I enjoyed ‘The Witchwood Knot’ very much and felt that it was a promising start to this new series. I look forward to reading the next book, Rosemary & Thyme, listed for publication later in 2024.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.