This book was so beautifully written & darkly whimsical! The story follows Winnie, a governess hired at Witchwood Manor, but there is more to why she is there than that. We meet mysterious characters & encounter eerie quirks of the manor, & as the story goes on, we start to learn why exactly Winnie is there & what is causing all of these creepy things to happen within the manor. This story was like a fairytale flipped upside down & I had so much fun reading it & finding new pieces of the story to unfold the mystery! The world building was also so stunning & the characters were so interesting. Great read!! I gave this 4.25 stars on StoryGraph.

The Witchwood Knot - Victorian Faerie Tales, Book 1 by Olivia Atwater is absolutely, compleyely and utterly my jam, toast and tea and everything in between!

Faeries, Magicians and Manors oh my! (See what I did there? Hehe) I digress, wow, wow and wow again! From the reverse pinocchio effect to the character development of Winnie, everything about this book is perfection.

Set in the Victorian era, Winifred Hall is employed to be a governess at the spooky Witchwoood Manor, owned by a cynical lord who just won't listen! Mr Quincy, we see you, yes, we see you

The perfect combination of Victorian Mystery and paranormal capers, a wholly unique read worthy of a re-read

Thank you to Netgalley, Starwatch Press and the incredible author Olivia Atwater for this stunning ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

There is just something so wonderful about Olivia Atwater’s mind. This is only the second book of hers that I’ve read and she is just it.
Winnie was delightful, but I’d really like to talk about the setting of the book. LOVED the whole haunted house vibe. It was giving all the mystery and spookiness I wanted in my life.
Extremely fun, interesting read!

I received a free copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater is a historical Gothic fantasy set during the Victorian era. Winifred arrives at the Witchwood Manor to become the governess of Robert, the son of a widower. Despite her dislike of children, Winifred refuses to let the fairies who haunt the estate take her young ward without a fight.

I was intrigued by this when I saw that it was set in the same universe as Half a Soul. While I haven’t read Half a Soul yet, I have friends who loved it and the Victorian era has a lot of fun ideas to play with. The blending of a Gothic atmosphere with the fairies really felt Victorian to me in the best way possible. I had a clear sense of time and place and everything felt rich and connected in that setting.

Winifred and Robert’s relationship was one of my favorite ward-governess relationships I’ve seen in a while. Winifred does not hide that she’s not a big fan of children and Robert doesn’t hide that he doesn’t want to be sent to Eton, a school away from his father and away from Witchwood Manor. Their wants seem opposed at first, but they’re actually in sink and the two have a battle of wills that felt true to the time period.

Mr. Quincy is an interesting fairy in that he tells Winifred a lot but he is also bound by his own rules of morality and loyalties. I’m always here for more stories about fairies having blue-orange morality, going back to the original Gaelic and Celtic influences. Mr. Quincy develops a begrudging respect for Winifred and she does for him as well as they continue to interact the longer she stays at the Manor and the more the fair folk demand Robert.

I would recommend this to fans of Gothics who also like stories about fairies with blue-orange morality, readers looking for historical fantasy with a darker edge, and those who want novels with a female main character who doesn’t like children.

This book was the fairy tale I needed, I had been in a fantasy rut. The Witchwood Knot got me out and I am looking forward to Book 2 in the series.

Everything Olivia Atwater writes is always so magical and whimsical and beautiful, it’s always so much fun to jump into a new fantasy world and this was no different. I love books about fairies and fairie lore and I’m happy to say Atwater delivered. I’m super excited for the next instalment as this left me with questions I cannot wait to be answered. 5 stars!!

Atwater grabbed me from the first page and wouldn’t let go in this Victorian gothic fantasy, complete with haunted house and family curse. Atwater herself provides a trigger warning for child kidnapping and historical child grooming, so I think it’s only fair to pass that warning on.

I love the character of Winnie, whose strong character pings off the page from the opening lines. She is brave, determined and clever, but with her own vulnerabilities that prevent her from becoming a Mary Sue. Her spiky relationship with the sharp-edged Mr Quincy is enjoyable and well done, as it gives the reader opportunities to learn a lot more about both characters, who begin to lower their barriers as they start to work together. I also enjoyed their developing friendship which didn’t hold up the pace.

Several enjoyable revelations along the way had me reading far later than I should to discover what happened next. One of the issues I often have with this sub-genre is that the tension created and the dreadful secrets hinted at can fall flat once we reach the denouement. This proved not to be a problem when all was revealed in this instance. I also liked the fact that the child who Winnie is battling to save isn’t a sweet little victim, but a snooty brat who is far too entitled for someone of his age. All in all, this is a thoroughly satisfying read I highly recommend for those who enjoy a Victorian gothic tale, complete with some nicely spooky paranormal twists. While I obtained an arc of The Witchwood Knot from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10

3 star rating from me. I liked this book but I was expecting more from it. The story is beautiful, well written but something is missing.

I found this book difficult to put down. We follow Winnie, a woman with a background in magic and a knowledge of faeries, as she takes a position as governess at a haunted manor. However, she is not really there to teach the dowager lady’s young grandson, but to protect him from and teach him to stay safe against the presences in the house that want to harm him,

I found the setting quite enjoyable, as I always love a good haunted/creepy house story. The different layers to the manor were fun to explore, even though I had trouble keeping up what was going on in the Witchwood Knot sometimes (mainly in the labyrinth). I definitely would have enjoyed getting to see more of the house and how it interacted with the Witchwood Knot, though, as we really only spend time in a few of the rooms.

The characters were all enjoyable to read about, and I found myself even caring about the characters who only showed up a couple of times, like the maid. Oliver is definitely one of my favorite animal characters I’ve read about. His personality and his protectiveness over Winnie was adorable. Also, the romance in this story was perfect. It didn’t feel rushed or unearned. The two love interests served to make each other better and learn from each other, and it was just the sweetest thing. I was rooting for it to happen from almost the beginning, before I even knew this story had romance in it at all.

While the conclusion to the story did feel a bit rushed and like it was resolved too easily, that didn’t really hinder my enjoyment of the story at all. I would have been sad if it had ended any other way, I think. Overall I will definitely be recommending this book! 4.5/5 stars rounded up.

Atwater is an expert at writing cozy regency romances, and this one is no exception. I loved the more gothic tilt to this story, it immediately draws in the reader to the mystery behind the house and the family living in it. Atwater has become an auto-read author for me at this point, and this book is no exception.

I have received this wonderful book on NetGalley for an honest review. Thanks again NetGalley.

What a deeply beautiful gothic book. With darkness hiding in each chapter .

If you are looking for the next Jonathan strange and Mr Norrell you have found it.

It has taken me back to when the storyteller was on tv and John Hurt would say “ join me by the fire “

Winnie is a stern but clever character always surprising you with her wit and bravery. I would love to see more of her in other books even just a small appearance.

Mr Quincy oh he gave me chills from the very first chapter the bar tender at the overlook hotel offering drinks for the damned.

Oh the fetch I shall say no more was brilliant! I thought it may happen I do enjoy when real research has been done to create such vivid stories.

Iam still thinking of the haunting of hill house the people in the walls will
Forever haunt me Olivia Atwater !

Thanks again NetGalley !

Very entertaining and gently spooky. Fans of Atwater’s Regency Faerie Tales or the Emily Wilde series will enjoy!

I love Olivia Atwater's writing and how her stories always carry this fantastical, whimsical atmosphere.
Like Half A Soul, I have found another favourite of mine amongst her works and at this point I'm convinced its time to go in a rabbithole dive of all her published works.
I absolutely adore stories that have grumpy adults and them interacting with children, something about it just tugs my heartstrings.

A cuddly, protective cat, a young and frankly obnoxious boy taken by the faerie folk, and a tough heroine who has to figure out what on earth is going on at the strange Manor she has found herself working at = an excellent basis for a gothic mystery that will enthrall and enchant you.

The writing was so beautiful, almost verging on poetic at times, and I really felt immersed in the world of Winifred.

- gothic vibes
- mischievious creatures and magical dealings
- enemies to lovers
- mystery, suspense
- slowburn romance subplot
- immersive deep world building: historical gothic with fae

Beautifully written, though a slower read then I'd have liked with the slow pace and I find it harder to get attached to stories unless there's either a strong romance element, or a strong found family vibes and these two aspects were missing for me. That's just a personal taste.

I sure am a sucker for the “grumpy adult reluctantly befriends bratty child” dynamic.

Last summer I read Half a Soul – and this was just as immersive, if not more so. With charming character and a cozily haunting atmosphere, The Witchwood Knot will not disappoint Atwater’s readers. The story is heavy at times, but I still found myself wishing for my responsibilities to be done with so I could escape back between the pages.

Readers can expect deceitful houses (and … people), unexpected alliances (and relationships), as well as a protective cat (who's dead).

A new favorite read! I have enjoyed every single one of Olivia Atwater's novels - and this new series is no exception. The Witchwood Knot is the first in the new series, Victorian Faerie Tales. This series still is as fantasical, lovely and whimsical as Atwater's first series, Regency Faerie Tales, but she weaves in a new depth and darkness to this series. Winifred Hall is my new icon - strong, practical and

Some of favorite quotes:
"It was somewhat flattering, Winnie realised, to be considered as a worthy opponent, instead of as a woman.

“I am afraid of Lord Longfell. I am afraid of men who think that my eyes and my lips and my hair are something they can own. I doubt you even know the colour of my eyes.”

“I would have you play my songs until your fingers bled,” he confessed hoarsely. “I would compose new music, just to hear you play it with such passion. I cannot bear it, governess— how dare you love my music more than I do?”

An atmospheric and mysterious gothic fantasy, The Witchwood Knot and its darkness captured my attention throughout the entire plot as devious elves pulled dangerous pranks, love grew between forbidden enemies, and curses strangled the life and trapped a family in a house build of fear.

When I finished this book I immediately wanted to turn back to the first page and read it all over again.

This story is about a young woman called Winnie who comes to Witchwood Manor in order to be the Governess to Young Lord Robert at the request of his Grandmother Lady Longfellow. It follows Winnie as she tries to solve the mysteries of the manor and save Young Lord Robert. It is set in the same world as Olivia Atwater’s Half a souls Series but works well as a stand-alone and you do not need to read the others to enjoy it.

I enjoyed this book immensely. The way Olivia Atwater writes is remarkably immersive. She evokes feelings with her style of writing that I have seldom found in any other books of a similar vein.

The characters are well developed and feel multi dimensional. I especially approved of how even the most mysterious of characters, (Yes Mr Quincy, I am referring to you) were more than just the sum of their secrets. Winnie is likable in an understated sort of way. She is witty, cunning and ruthless when she needs to be. when vulnerable (which is not often), she com very relatable. I Loved her most of all. Well, perhaps just a little less than I loved Oliver, her staunch cuddly protector cat.

The Romance is very subtle for most of the book and I enjoyed that they didn’t just start off infatuated with each other right at the start as a lot of romance in fiction is prone to.

The Plot, though a little slow paced at first, is always intriguing and felt perfect for the Gothic tone of the story. The story does get quite dark and creepy at some points. However, I would argue that’s part of its appeal. It will never leave you truly terrified and although the creepiness is there, it is not at a level I would think that anyone apprehensive about such a thing should not give it a try because it truly is worth it.

It is important to note there is some sexual harassment in the book. Even though it is very mild, and not at all graphic, the implication of something worse is there. I would caution anyone who is sensitive to this to take care of this part when reading.

Overall, I ADORED this book. I would heartily recommend it to everyone, especially if you enjoy Dark Fae, Gothic stories with romance subplot. I expect there to be a continuation and I cannot wait for it. Be there new main characters, or should we follow Winnie once again I

Thank you to Victory Editing via NetGalley for sending me the ARC. This review is my true and honest opinion. Posted to my Goodreads, Amazon and instagram accounts 6/4/24

May I humbly request that if trigger warnings are provided (which I appreciate) to be added to the book description? That way we as readers don't request a book that we won't read, because it contains troubling issues.

Thank you Olivia Atwater for providing the trigger warnings, but I won't be reading your book because of it.