Thank you so much to the publisher for my arc!

I absolutely adored this. This was my first Olivia Atwater novel and I couldn’t put it down. I loved the story and the characters. Just a perfect cozy fantasy.

The Witchwood Knot is about a governess named Winifred Hall who was hired by the dowager of Witchwood manor. She was hired for her very specific set of skills. Winnie is tasked to care for the dowager’s grandson, Robert, when things take a turn and he is swept away by the fae. Winnie’s only task, now, is to get Robert back. This book was great! It has a very steady cadence throughout the story. Winnie is an amazing FMC and is capable of standing on her own strengths. Atwood does a great job at making all of her characters lovable. Although there isn’t a large contrast for character growth with the main character, the relationships Winnie builds make you want to befriend her! Overall, the only reason I’m only giving this 4 stars is because the story feels very even-keel. This might be a preference, but I love a solid twist and this book only had some sharp turns. A great read!

Winifred Hall as a governess for a young boy, Robert, as a favor to Lady Longfell. However, the favor has more to do with protecting her young charge from the cursed house and dangerous faeries. One of these faeries is Mr. Quincy, the butler of Witchwood that no one has heard of. Protecting her charge proves difficult when she starts unraveling the details of the curse

Overall, I did not like this book. I found it mediocre to be frank.First I should say though some of this is not the fault of the actual story but the fault of the person who wrote the summary. The beginning of it states, “The faeries of Witchwood Manor have stolen its young lord. His governess intends to steal him back.” This does not happen until the 51% percent mark-chapter 9 specifically. Because of this, I kept thinking I missed it. Plus, it is also tagged as romance. While there is a romance, and it is an interesting one, I think it inaccurate to tag it as such. To me, it would be the equivalent of tagging Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as romance and there is just as much romance in that novel. It does not help that the praise for the novel emphasizes this. The romance does not appear in any capacity until the 75% mark.

Where the author goes wrong is in the pacing. While the whole book is fast-paced, the first half of the book requires so much set up that it is easy to get confused. I had to reread multiple scenes because I was confused. There were many scenes but few major plot points occurring.

The last 10% of the book was excellent. While this book is not my cup of tea, and I cannot see how others would like it, I am sure others would.

The Well-Dones:
- An immersive experience, with lots of detail to the characters and their backstory and the slow piecing together of the world that is the Witchwood Manor and the Witchwood Knot

- Winnie's (female protagonist) tenacity and ability to continue despite the terrible things she's experienced
Highlighting the negatives that come with being a conventionally beautiful person -- when powerful men do as they please and act like you owe them something simply because you're beautiful

-The moment when both Winnie and Mr. Quincy, the male protagonist, owns up to their fears. Quality moment

The Not so Well done:
-The story was slow to start. Not much happens until about halfway through. It dragged and I was starting to lose interest.

-I'm not sure I fully understand the conflict of the story. 🤣😭 I still have a few questions even after finishing the book but perhaps the plan is to unfold some more information about the world in the sequel.

- My biggest issue with the book--and why I can't take Mr. Quincy seriously AT ALL as the romantic interest--is that Mr. Quincy has a . . . rat tail. That's literally how it's described. He has a FREAKING TAIL. And all I could think the whole time was, "Mr. Ratburn? Is that you?" And I could not get over it. A DAMN TAIL. What.

Overall, if you can get over a love interest having a tail, this is a good read. Very Gothic, dark and grim.

🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

Thanks to Starwatch Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Witchwood Knot is in the same world as Half a Soul so I recommend reading those books before picking up this one. I believe this book takes place after the events of Half A SouI.
I really enjoyed this story and I hope the next book comes out soon as the conclusion left me wanting more and worried for some major characters.
I love Olivia’s writing, if Olivia wrote a pamphlet I would read it with vigour. She is becoming on of my favourite writers. This book is reminiscent of gothic tales like Wuthering Heights but also discuss complex subjects like sexual harassment and assault.
The main character was faceted and strong. I enjoyed her character development. The secondary characters were well rounded and interesting. The afterword was so important in this story that I recommend once everyone finishes the story to read the afterword to truly understand the impactful writing.
I would recommend this series of books to anyone who is a fan of historical fantasy with a flair of whimsy.

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC!


I am a bit upset over this book because.....



.......the sequel is nowhere in sight??? I was unaware this is first in a *series*. I then thought it could be read as a standalone like Olivia Atwater's Regency Faerie Tale series but I was mistaken. I also finished this book in less than a day and now I am very eager for the sequel!

The Witchwood Knot is another masterpiece from OA. I have read books set in the Regency or Victorian era but they never entice me as much OA's books do. Like all of her books that I've read, the MC is this book is as lovable as the rest. As I don't read Adult books often, I was wary of this book but I adored it.
We, Asians, don't express our love that openly and so growing up I have always avoided “love stories”. I have come to appreciate pure and honest love which this book does an amazing job at. I loved Mr. Quincy and Winifred, they have such a healthy love story. But that is not to say that the entire book is simply a “love story”, it is just a subplot which I appreciated. There are other themes which must be talked about often, one of which is SA. Sure, it was difficult reading about it (I was so utterly disgusted at Mr. Green) but it was also healing in some way. It was wonderful when Winifred took back control of her own body. I applaud the author for the care with which she handled this topic.
All in all, this is a must read for all fantasy readers. It is also suitable for YA readers who can handle the TWs.

Rating: 4.5 stars

There was a point in this novel when I had considered dnf-ing because I couldn’t get on with Winnie, but I’m glad I ultimately pushed through. There were cute elements to the relationship and Atwater is incredibly talented when writing atmosphere.

I think this story requires readers to have already consumed her regency faerie tales. While it mentions in the blurb that we’re returning to that world, I think my enjoyment was damped by not understanding what we’re clear references to the original books.

Rating: 2.5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley UK for providing me with an ARC of this wonderful book. Here I am, in the death throes of 2023, attempting to get a head start on resolutions by writing a book review.

Anything I have read from Olivia Atwater has been an absolute delight. Her books were originally recommended to me in a delightful writing/reading discord community and when I saw this was available, I jumped on it. No regrets.

The relationship between Faerie and Regency and Victorian England has been well established in previous books but this is an entirely separate story; it's absolutely not necessary to read the other books first but you are probably going to want to dive into them when you've read this gothic tale about a kind of governess, with many secrets, who travels to Witchwood Manor as a favour for an old acquaintance and patron. Winifred Hall is a wonderful protagonist, who is a survivor in every sense of the world, and Mr Quincy is the rather mysterious butler (or is he?). Winnie has to rescue her young charge and use every one of her wits to do it.

What I thoroughly enjoyed about this book (and about all of Atwater's books to date) is the clever worldbuilding. It is no mean feat to have such solid worldbuilding and internal logic when dealing with illogical, whimsical Faeries, but it is handled masterfully and, as an Irishwoman, the nods to Irish mythology, and the use of Irish language, are deeply enjoyable.

Rating: 4.5 stars

I didn’t even know this book was coming out when I made my new releases list earlier in the year, but I was lucky enough to get an ARC – and what a success this was for me. I loved the dark setting and atmosphere, with a very different type of fae when compared to the ones we’ve met so far in her earlier series of Regency Fairytales. This house and its fae are dark and feel dangerous, and there’s a definite gothic and almost horror manner to the story. I really enjoyed our characters – this time with a main character who not only has abilities, but also a lot more of an active participant in the book’s adventures – she’s chosen to be there, she knows there’s trouble and she’s here to fix it. In Atwater’s earlier books – which I also really enjoyed – there was a lot more just happening to them.

She’s also a heroine with a troubled past – and there are some proper content warnings so do check them out – and I loved the author’s note about how she approached Winnie as a character with this trauma in her past and how it’s shaped her, and how these events can have different effects on people. It was nice to see this explored, especially in a historical setting – even if there is fantasy.

There was a good flow to the plot, it kept me interested and I found myself keeping on reading. Add to that a ghostly cat and what more can you ask for? I really hope that this series – which is the start of the Victorian Fairytales, apparently – will continue, as this book definitely had a set up for an overarching storyline, featuring other main characters. There is some reference in this book to the things that happened in the Regency books, so slight spoilers for those if you skip straight to this one! I haven’t read Longshadow yet, so I fell into this trap unfortunately.

While the atmosphere was dark and mysterious, I didn’t realize this was a sequel series. I felt like even though I mostly understood what was going on, there were some references I missed. It made a fine read on its Owen, however.

Winnie was a complicated and interesting protagonist. I felt as though the story was plot driven and I would have liked more development. I was throttled into the story and I felt like the beginning escalated quickly.

Decent read with a nice gothic vibe to it.

Thanks to the Author, Publisher & Netgalley.

It’s a dark faerie tale set in a Victorian England. It has elements of horror, romance and fantasy. The author has shared the insight of faeries. The world building is beautiful and perilous. It takes us deep in the magical world where faeries are not what they seem to be. Where the world is surrounded by Faeries, Necromancers, & Magicians. The characters have a mysterious demeanour.

Witchwood Manor has dark secrets. Miss Winifred Hall has been appointed as the Governess of Master Robert Murray. The lord of the Manor is such a mysterious man. As soon as she arrives at the Manor. Mr Quincy welcomes him and says that he is butler yet no one speaks about him. There is something strange in the Manor. Winnie is trying to untangle the problems but the more she is trying, the more she is getting tangled in the secrets of the manor, curse, mystery, faerie binding and strange magic. Mr. Quincy has a mysterious demeanour. There is a strange relationship between Mr. Quincy and Winnie.But not only the Manor has its own secrets, Lady Longfell is also harbouring a secret. Will Winnie be able to fulfil the promise?

I am so happy that there is more stories from the world of Faerie. This definitely had a much darker tone than the regency tales but was nonetheless such a fun read. The intertwining of characters from previous stories made it almost a nostalgic read. The cliffhanger at the end was completely unexpected and I cannot wait to find out what happens next.

In The Witchwood Knot, we meet Winnie as she arrives to live and work at the Witchwood Manor as a governess for a young boy. When her charge gets stolen by faeries, she embarks on a mission to save the little brat... er boy lol. While I did enjoy the plot, and the worldbuilding was great and really detailed, I felt like the characters needed more development. They didn't feel real and I didn't feel a connection to them.

Thank you NetGalley for this read in exchange for my honest review!

This story follows Winnie as she arrives to live and work at the Witchwood Manor as a governess for a young boy. None of the inhabitants of the manor are welcoming to Winnie as she arrives- they warn her that she’s better off staying far away from this house and the dark witchwood forest surrounding it. But Winnie is prepared for anything sinister that may be lurking in the shadows. She vows to protect her pupil from the strange happenings occurring within the house, and although the manor lord is adamant that faeries have long ago left all of England, Winnie knows that he is sorely mistaken.

I adore a gothic victorian setting already, but that mixed with the magical faerie elements is what made me so excited to pick up this book specifically. I recognized a lot of parallels between this book and ‘Gallant’ by V.E. Schwab, and would definitely recommend this book to you if you enjoyed Gallant like I did and are looking for something similar. While I thought the spooky atmosphere was great and the plot pacing was done well, I do think that the characters fell flat for me. I couldn’t help but feel like something was missing while I was reading this, and I think more development of the side characters could’ve remedied this. I also felt like the romance felt a bit forced and rushed at the second half of the book. There were no allusions to a romance at the beginning, so when it started it felt a little random. Other than that, this was a quick cozy read for me and I would definitely recommend this to fans of faerie tales with a bit of a darker twist!

I loved Atwater's Regency Faerie Tales (starting with Half a Soul), so I was thrilled to learn that she was planning to revisit this world, albeit it in a different time period. The Witchwood Knot has a very different vibe to the original series, switching from a fantasy of manners style to a darker, gothic feel, complete with the ominous creaky manor and a deep sense of foreboding. Our main character Winnie is pragmatic and resourceful, but also clearly hiding some secrets. I really liked how Atwood plays with fae tropes, such as the use of trickery and carefully worded bargains, to create suspense and build the story.

This book also continues a trend in modern gothic novels of peeling back the layers of Victorian era sexism and reminding us that the true horrors of the time period were the treatment of certain classes or groups of people. The main villain has some magic, but he's mostly just a man, whose attempts to seduce Winnie without her consent are creepier than anything a haunted manor can conjure.

If I have one quibble it's that I would have liked more of the romance, which felt a little rushed. There are hints of affection between Winnie and Quincy throughout, but it's all pulled together somewhat hastily towards the end. But otherwise, Atwater's Victorian series looks as though it will be very bit enjoyable as its predecessor.

A unique gothic fairytale fantasy.

When I first read the Blurb for this book I thought this sounded really intriguing. I found that I couldn't put this book down and was flying through the pages.

I found the descriptions in this book compelling. The way the Witchwood Manor was described gave off a creepy feeling you'd expect with a gothic story. In the book once you fall asleep the Witchwood Knot curse descends on its sleeping occupants awake in the faerie realm that has been trapped in the manor. Not only are their faeries but ghosts and a monster.

I loved Governess Winnifred. Her character and growth was wonderful. You find that she is hard but towards the end she finds her soft spots. She also overcomes her fear and ultimately takes back her own sexuality. (Read the trigger warning)

I can not wait for the next book. Absolutely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley, Olivia Atwater, and Starwatch Press for this arc; all thoughts are my own.

3.5/5!

I loved the setting of this book, Olivia never fails at creating a magical atmosphere. I did enjoy this read, however I found that the romance was a little complicated and rushed somewhat. As this book was pitched as a historical regency fantasy romance, I was expecting a little more.

Nonetheless, Olivias writing is always superb and will be reading her future books!

"The Witchwood Knot" by Olivia Atwater is a dark and enchanting tale that immerses readers in a magical version of Victorian England.

The world-building is rich and atmospheric, capturing the essence of Victorian England with a magical twist. Atwater creates a vivid setting filled with otherworldly dangers and a mysterious manor that holds secrets beyond imagination. The magical elements are seamlessly integrated into the historical backdrop, adding depth and intrigue to the narrative.

The characters, particularly Winifred and the faerie butler Mr. Quincy, are well-crafted and memorable. Winnie's sharp intellect and resourcefulness make her a compelling protagonist, while Mr. Quincy adds a layer of mystery and charm with his dark secrets. The dynamic between them adds a delightful complexity to the story.

The plot unfolds with a mix of wit, cleverness, and unexpected twists. As Winnie navigates the challenges of Witchwood Manor and its magical inhabitants, readers are drawn into a tale of trust, deception, and the unseen forces that bind the characters together. The pacing keeps the story engaging, and the resolution is satisfying, yet leaves room for curiosity about the unexplored corners of this magical world.

While the narrative is captivating, the four-star rating reflects a desire for even more exploration of certain elements of the story. Some aspects, especially the darker secrets hinted at, could have been delved into further to enhance the depth of the plot.

In conclusion, "The Witchwood Knot" is a delightful and atmospheric read, perfect for those who enjoy gothic romance with a magical flair. Olivia Atwater's storytelling prowess shines, making this book a worthy addition to the world she has created. Fans of faerie tales and historical fantasy will find themselves enchanted by the dark and whimsical journey through Witchwood Manor.

The gothic dark fantasy of my dreams.
The most charming, loyal undead cat I wish to befriend.
The sort of enemies-to-lovers slow burn romance where two people from opposing sides of the conflict come together and find themselves and each other.

Olivia Atwater has such a knack for writing compelling protagonists and dry humour-fueled Winnie is no different. Set in the same world as in Half a Soul approximately 30-40 years after the events of that book, Winnie is sucked into a quickly spiraling Gothic mess when she accepts the position of governess at Witchwood Manor as a favour to the dowager of the manor. The plot thickens immediately as Winnie meets a strange faerie and the manor itself keeps haunting its inhabitants, every night. On top of that, the lord of the manor himself never spends a single night in his own property. Curious.

I will say that it is HIGHLY recommended that you've read the three books of the Regency Faerie Tales series, or at least the first one, Half a Soul before embarking on this journey. And honestly, if you're like me and have read the previous trilogy eons ago, reading this book can still get confusing and tedious and it is absolutely saddled with information previously established. While it is a cool aspect of this book as the world continues to build and we get to revisit beloved characters, it personally took the enjoyment out of reading this book a little.

I wish I had enjoyed this more than I did. I want to note I mood request arcs on here and I don't remember requesting The Witchwood Knot. I also haven't read the Regency books before. It's clear now that you should have read those before for better context. I do think I may go give those a read next year though and then come back to this one.

While I am trying to branch out to books that aren't so romance-heavy, I am very picky about them. This one definitely had a late-blooming romance and it was not very romance-driven. It was detail heavy and I struggled to get into it.

I think with more time and more context after having read the Regency series I would like to give this another go.