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Victorian Faerie Tales #1
The Witchwood Knot
Olivia Atwater returns to the world of Half a Soul. Dive into The Witchwood Knot, and enjoy a dark faerie tale set in a magical version of Victorian England.
The faeries of Witchwood Manor have stolen its young lord. His governess intends to steal him back.
Victorian governess Winifred Hall knows a con when she sees one. When her bratty young charge transforms overnight into a perfectly behaved block of wood, she soon realises that the real boy has been abducted by the Fair Folk. Unfortunately, the lord of Witchwood Manor is the only man in England who doesn’t believe in faeries—which leaves Winnie in the unenviable position of rescuing the young lord-to-be all by herself.
Witchwood Manor is bigger than its inhabitants realise, however, 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 faerie 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 through wit and cleverness… but when all of her usual tricks fail, who will she dare to trust?
The faeries of Witchwood Manor have stolen its young lord. His governess intends to steal him back.
Victorian governess Winifred Hall knows a con when she sees one. When her bratty young charge transforms overnight into a perfectly behaved block of wood, she soon realises that the real boy has been abducted by the Fair Folk. Unfortunately, the lord of Witchwood Manor is the only man in England who doesn’t believe in faeries—which leaves Winnie in the unenviable position of rescuing the young lord-to-be all by herself.
Witchwood Manor is bigger than its inhabitants realise, however, 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 faerie 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 through wit and cleverness… but when all of her usual tricks fail, who will she dare to trust?
328 pages, Paperback
First published November 28, 2023
About the author
Olivia Atwater
13 books2,473 followersOlivia Atwater writes whimsical historical fantasy with a hint of satire. She lives in Montreal, Quebec with her fantastic, prose-inspiring husband and her two cats. When she told her second-grade history teacher that she wanted to work with history someday, she is fairly certain this isn't what either party had in mind. She has been, at various times, a historical re-enactor, a professional witch at a metaphysical supply store, a web developer, and a vending machine repairperson.
Searching for more Regency faerie tales? Sign up for the Atwater Scandal Sheets at oliviaatwater.com and get ongoing updates, along with the exclusive novella The Latch Key.
Searching for more Regency faerie tales? Sign up for the Atwater Scandal Sheets at oliviaatwater.com and get ongoing updates, along with the exclusive novella The Latch Key.
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November 28, 2023I don't review my own books, of course—but here are some facts you might not have known about The Witchwood Knot, Celtic mythology, and the Victorian era in general!
FUN FACTS ABOUT THE WITCHWOOD KNOT
- The Witchwood Knot originally started as a cross between the movie Labyrinth and the faerie tale known as the Twelve Dancing Princesses. Obviously, it meandered far afield from both of these original sources, and also seems to have picked up a bit of the Nutcracker along the way. Someday I will actually manage to write a faithful adaptation of the Twelve Dancing Princesses, as it is still one of my favourite faerie tales.
- The Witchwood Knot takes place in the early 1850s, which places it as much as 30-40 years after Half a Soul and 25-30 years after Longshadow. When this book begins, Hugh Wilder is in his thirties, while some of the later children from Mrs Dun's, , are in their twenties.
- Witchwood Manor is very loosely based on Tyntesfield, which was built about a decade later. Almost all Neo-Gothic architecture used stone, which is why Lord Longfell's choice to use wood is considered to be eccentric.
- Winnie uses real Victorian cartomancy in her divinations. The patterns are quite complicated, such that I omitted an entire step in her first divination in order to prevent readers from feeling as though they were reading an instruction manual. You can find out more about Victorian cartomancy in The Fortune Teller, by Louisa Lawford (published during the Victorian era).
- Oliver follows one traditional conception of familiars as deceased spirits which take the form of animals and assist magicians. At one point, he , which is another ability which is sometimes attributed to familiars and other times simply to cats.
- I always knew that I wanted to write more about There didn't seem to be an entire book in that concept, however, which is why it became part of Winnie's back story instead.
- Winnie's "tools" within the book are based on the idea of heroic gifts within a traditional faerie tale. Like Perseus, she receives a specific number of allies and treasures before she sets out on her journey, each of which she uses at the appropriate time in order to progress.
- Lord Longfell and Mr Quincy are in several ways.
- Though it is never stated outright, Mr Quincy sees much of himself in Robert,
- Similarly, Winnie's hatred and frustration with children
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT CELTIC MYTHOLOGY
- Mr Quincy is based on
- The fear dearg is not normally associated with —but for the purposes of this series, I have assigned several of the most gruesome traditional faeries to their ranks, since were known to have children with faeries.
- The fomóraiġ (known later as the fomorians) are chthonic creatures in Celtic mythology, often associated with the earth and the ocean. The fomóraiġ are old enemies (and sometimes spouses) of the Tuatha Dé Danann, from whom most Western stories about faeries arise.
- is probably the most famous of the fomóraiġ. Many legends suggest that the fomóraiġ are intensely difficult to kill, though
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT VICTORIAN DEATH RITUALS AND SUPERSTITIONS
- When a member of the household died, servants would stop the clocks and turn them back to the time of death.
- All mirrors were covered in black gauze, to ensure that the spirit would not get lost or trapped.
- Family photos (but not paintings) would be turned to face downwards or against the wall. This was thought to prevent the dead from possessing the living.
- Black crepe was hung upon the doorknob of the deceased's room.
- The undertaker would remove the body head-first through the front door. It was hoped that this would prevent the spirit from returning home (in which case, it might drag the living after it into death).
- The day before a funeral service, the deceased's body would be washed and re-dressed in order to take a picture known as a Memento Mori.
FUN FACTS ABOUT THE WITCHWOOD KNOT
- The Witchwood Knot originally started as a cross between the movie Labyrinth and the faerie tale known as the Twelve Dancing Princesses. Obviously, it meandered far afield from both of these original sources, and also seems to have picked up a bit of the Nutcracker along the way. Someday I will actually manage to write a faithful adaptation of the Twelve Dancing Princesses, as it is still one of my favourite faerie tales.
- The Witchwood Knot takes place in the early 1850s, which places it as much as 30-40 years after Half a Soul and 25-30 years after Longshadow. When this book begins, Hugh Wilder is in his thirties, while some of the later children from Mrs Dun's, , are in their twenties.
- Witchwood Manor is very loosely based on Tyntesfield, which was built about a decade later. Almost all Neo-Gothic architecture used stone, which is why Lord Longfell's choice to use wood is considered to be eccentric.
- Winnie uses real Victorian cartomancy in her divinations. The patterns are quite complicated, such that I omitted an entire step in her first divination in order to prevent readers from feeling as though they were reading an instruction manual. You can find out more about Victorian cartomancy in The Fortune Teller, by Louisa Lawford (published during the Victorian era).
- Oliver follows one traditional conception of familiars as deceased spirits which take the form of animals and assist magicians. At one point, he , which is another ability which is sometimes attributed to familiars and other times simply to cats.
- I always knew that I wanted to write more about There didn't seem to be an entire book in that concept, however, which is why it became part of Winnie's back story instead.
- Winnie's "tools" within the book are based on the idea of heroic gifts within a traditional faerie tale. Like Perseus, she receives a specific number of allies and treasures before she sets out on her journey, each of which she uses at the appropriate time in order to progress.
- Lord Longfell and Mr Quincy are in several ways.
- Though it is never stated outright, Mr Quincy sees much of himself in Robert,
- Similarly, Winnie's hatred and frustration with children
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT CELTIC MYTHOLOGY
- Mr Quincy is based on
- The fear dearg is not normally associated with —but for the purposes of this series, I have assigned several of the most gruesome traditional faeries to their ranks, since were known to have children with faeries.
- The fomóraiġ (known later as the fomorians) are chthonic creatures in Celtic mythology, often associated with the earth and the ocean. The fomóraiġ are old enemies (and sometimes spouses) of the Tuatha Dé Danann, from whom most Western stories about faeries arise.
- is probably the most famous of the fomóraiġ. Many legends suggest that the fomóraiġ are intensely difficult to kill, though
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT VICTORIAN DEATH RITUALS AND SUPERSTITIONS
- When a member of the household died, servants would stop the clocks and turn them back to the time of death.
- All mirrors were covered in black gauze, to ensure that the spirit would not get lost or trapped.
- Family photos (but not paintings) would be turned to face downwards or against the wall. This was thought to prevent the dead from possessing the living.
- Black crepe was hung upon the doorknob of the deceased's room.
- The undertaker would remove the body head-first through the front door. It was hoped that this would prevent the spirit from returning home (in which case, it might drag the living after it into death).
- The day before a funeral service, the deceased's body would be washed and re-dressed in order to take a picture known as a Memento Mori.
September 3, 2024
The hundred eyes of Witchwood Manor loomed above, grinning through torrential rain.
The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater is a dark faerie tale with a Gothic ambience - wherein Winifred Hall untangles the dark menace behind Witchwood Manor, finds out information regarding the mysterious disappearance of her once-protector and rescues the kidnapped young heir to the Manor, all while conquering her inner demons and befriending the hostile faerie butler.
Winifred is a strong and clever lead character, bringing iron knives in her chateleine and lies with her governess guise to deal with whatever is tormenting Witchwood Manor. She is beset by both human and faerie menaces during the course of the fast-paced story and her character growth in dealing with them is doubly remarkable.
Though this book can be read as a standalone, the stakes grow higher as the story progresses and I'm looking forward to the next books in this series (Victorian Faerie Tales). I'm also intrigued enough by the layered world-building and several tidbits in the storyline to read the other books in this world (Regency Faerie Tales). Atwood's writing with the Gothic vibes complete the package!
Thanks to NetGalley, Starwatch Press publishers and Olivia Atwater for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
The rating for this book is 3 1/2 stars, rounded up to 4 stars for Goodreads and NetGalley as I'm interested in this series.
[Half a star for the premise and the whole book; Half a star for the story arc; One star for the characters; Half a star for the writing; Half a star for the world-building and description - 3 1/2 stars in total].
The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater is a dark faerie tale with a Gothic ambience - wherein Winifred Hall untangles the dark menace behind Witchwood Manor, finds out information regarding the mysterious disappearance of her once-protector and rescues the kidnapped young heir to the Manor, all while conquering her inner demons and befriending the hostile faerie butler.
Winifred is a strong and clever lead character, bringing iron knives in her chateleine and lies with her governess guise to deal with whatever is tormenting Witchwood Manor. She is beset by both human and faerie menaces during the course of the fast-paced story and her character growth in dealing with them is doubly remarkable.
Though this book can be read as a standalone, the stakes grow higher as the story progresses and I'm looking forward to the next books in this series (Victorian Faerie Tales). I'm also intrigued enough by the layered world-building and several tidbits in the storyline to read the other books in this world (Regency Faerie Tales). Atwood's writing with the Gothic vibes complete the package!
Thanks to NetGalley, Starwatch Press publishers and Olivia Atwater for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
The rating for this book is 3 1/2 stars, rounded up to 4 stars for Goodreads and NetGalley as I'm interested in this series.
[Half a star for the premise and the whole book; Half a star for the story arc; One star for the characters; Half a star for the writing; Half a star for the world-building and description - 3 1/2 stars in total].
November 27, 2023
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 takes a darker tone than her other books 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 Knot (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. The second half is more interesting only because the romance comes into play. 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.
Thank you Starwatch Press for the eARC
Links to my TikTok | Instagram
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 takes a darker tone than her other books 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 Knot (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. The second half is more interesting only because the romance comes into play. 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.
Thank you Starwatch Press for the eARC
Links to my TikTok | Instagram
November 12, 2023
LOVED THIS BOOK. I enjoyed every second I spent reading The Witchwood Knot, from the moment Winnie arrives to serve as the governess to spoiled child Robert at a haunted mansion in England to the very end. Winnie was, in fact, hired not as a governess, but as a magician protector for Robert. When she arrives at Witchwood Manor, she's greeted by Mr. Quincy, a butler with wine red eyes, a cook, and a housekeeper who refuses to live in the haunted house. Luckily, Winnie knows how to handle herself around faeries. But when Robert is kidnapped by fae despite all of her precautions and a human monster begins terrorizing Winnie, she only has one possibly ally she can turn to: the very same Mr. Quincy who was so unwelcoming when she arrived.
This is a gothic romance in an England with faeries, magicians, familiars, and necromancers. Atwater's prose is beautiful, with chapter-long intervals of "true" faerie stories. Winnie is a flawed character who knows herself perfectly: she recognizes her strengths and her limitations, and she struggles to abide by her own ethical code. Atwater has written a restrained romance with an earned HEA. Mr. Quincy may start out as an ambiguous character, but as he and Winnie work together and begin to understand each other, both they and the reader see how well matched they are. Also - Oliver the familiar is one of the most delightful kitty characters I've read in a while!
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
This is a gothic romance in an England with faeries, magicians, familiars, and necromancers. Atwater's prose is beautiful, with chapter-long intervals of "true" faerie stories. Winnie is a flawed character who knows herself perfectly: she recognizes her strengths and her limitations, and she struggles to abide by her own ethical code. Atwater has written a restrained romance with an earned HEA. Mr. Quincy may start out as an ambiguous character, but as he and Winnie work together and begin to understand each other, both they and the reader see how well matched they are. Also - Oliver the familiar is one of the most delightful kitty characters I've read in a while!
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
March 26, 2024
3.5 Solid Stars!
A successful first read with Atwater, and I'm definitely intrigued!
I will say the blurb doesn’t tell you everything about what’s going on, and I’m reluctant to reveal more. Just know that Winnie isn’t all that she seems to be, and though she’s hired to be a governess, past sentiment compels her to promise more than she expects to, and she soon finds herself caught in the middle of a curse plaguing Witchwood Manor.
This was densely eerie and atmospheric, steeped in all sorts of faerie lore, filled to the brim with unsaid truths, dark subterfuge, and dangerous bargaining. As Winnie races against time to rescue her charge, she plays a perilous back and forth with the enigmatic butler Mr Quincy. However, she is honor bound and stubbornly ventures into the fray despite the mortal risks.
This for sure capitalized on its Victorian setting with lots of prim and proper rules and societal class division, all intertwined with various faerie tales and complicated protocol. If you are well versed in such, then you know the fae are very tricksy, always after their own interests and advantages and ready to bind one into an unbreakable promise.
Overall, I liked Winnie. She’s a strong heroine contrasting smartly with the alluringly mysterious Mr. Quincy who in turn, makes an interesting tortured tragic hero. I enjoyed seeing their antagonism turn to grudging respect to more, but beware a bratty child and a very chaste, but layered, romance (which I quite enjoyed). Admittedly, I have a love/hate relationship when it comes to the fae because while a fascinating folk, they come with a bazillion rules of engagement, their cunning and cruelty knowing no bounds. Atwater’s rendition is no different and again, I was intrigued nevertheless.
This neatly concludes the first act of this story arc but leaves the reader wanting more as the challenges ahead have only just begun for Winnie, Quincy, and their allies. Luckily for me the next installment comes out later this year, and I look forward to what's in store for these characters! If you want a historic, gothic faerie infused tale, then this should deliver on all points!
Thank you to the author and Starwatch Press via NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review
A successful first read with Atwater, and I'm definitely intrigued!
I will say the blurb doesn’t tell you everything about what’s going on, and I’m reluctant to reveal more. Just know that Winnie isn’t all that she seems to be, and though she’s hired to be a governess, past sentiment compels her to promise more than she expects to, and she soon finds herself caught in the middle of a curse plaguing Witchwood Manor.
This was densely eerie and atmospheric, steeped in all sorts of faerie lore, filled to the brim with unsaid truths, dark subterfuge, and dangerous bargaining. As Winnie races against time to rescue her charge, she plays a perilous back and forth with the enigmatic butler Mr Quincy. However, she is honor bound and stubbornly ventures into the fray despite the mortal risks.
This for sure capitalized on its Victorian setting with lots of prim and proper rules and societal class division, all intertwined with various faerie tales and complicated protocol. If you are well versed in such, then you know the fae are very tricksy, always after their own interests and advantages and ready to bind one into an unbreakable promise.
Overall, I liked Winnie. She’s a strong heroine contrasting smartly with the alluringly mysterious Mr. Quincy who in turn, makes an interesting tortured tragic hero. I enjoyed seeing their antagonism turn to grudging respect to more, but beware a bratty child and a very chaste, but layered, romance (which I quite enjoyed). Admittedly, I have a love/hate relationship when it comes to the fae because while a fascinating folk, they come with a bazillion rules of engagement, their cunning and cruelty knowing no bounds. Atwater’s rendition is no different and again, I was intrigued nevertheless.
This neatly concludes the first act of this story arc but leaves the reader wanting more as the challenges ahead have only just begun for Winnie, Quincy, and their allies. Luckily for me the next installment comes out later this year, and I look forward to what's in store for these characters! If you want a historic, gothic faerie infused tale, then this should deliver on all points!
Thank you to the author and Starwatch Press via NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review
October 10, 2023
RATING: 4✨
SPICE: No spice (2 kissing scenes)
Trope/Setting Highlights:
✔ ~300 page gothic fantasy with slight romance subplot
✔ Set in a magical version of Victorian England
✔ Magic practitioner FMC (mid-to-late 20s age)
✔ Fae-like creature MMC (old as balls)
✔ Fairytale/folktale vibes
✔ HFN (potential series setup?)
Review:
This is an arc review – thank you to NetGalley and the publisher as always, extremely grateful for these opportunities!
The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater is a tale that weaves together elements of gothic horror and dark fantasy to create a nearly 300-page myth for adults. Because that’s exactly what it felt like. It had the whimsical, and at times, obvious, prose of a children’s fairytale, the plot and world-building of a young adult story, with adult main characters.
And like with all great tales, this one had a stark and obvious theme: the cost of (male) human greed. Greed for property. Greed for wealth. Greed for things that have a choice not to be ours.
All in all, it’s a book that knew what it wanted to be and succeeded, for the most part.
Our FMC Winnie Hall (not her true name) arrives at Witchwood Manor to outwardly fill the governess position in the house, when really Winnie, a magic practitioner, has been called by the dying dowager to investigate the haunted manor and rid it of its curse before her death. To protect her grandson.
At Witchwood Manor, Winnie also meets Mr. Quincy (not his true name), our MMC and the apparent butler of the manor. Winnie knows magic, knows of beings beyond human, and there is certainly something off about Mr. Quincy…
He was a tall man of short black hair and ghastly pale complexion. His eyes were narrow and naturally suspicious, tinted the colour of dark red wine.
Is he faerie? Is he a spirit? Or… is he something entirely different?
Without going too deep into the plot, overall, I think the premise of a haunted manor is usually going to lend immediate credence to a gothic tale, as it did here, as well as a cast of mysterious characters with motivations only know to themselves. In that sense, the style and aesthetic of the story itself was a success.
The pacing and characterization (particularly of Winnie) felt a little slow and uneven at the beginning, nearly up until the halfway point. Winnie actually got off on the wrong foot with me because I felt that she had an overall patronizing and sneering tone, while she often accused others of having the same, which felt ironic to me. So, it definitely came on a little strong. But as we got to the halfway point, and more action started to happen, more things started to unfold, I saw Winnie begin to flesh out as a character. Not only were some of her current motivations and backstory becoming clearer, but I also started to see her character grow in her interactions with others, a stark change from the beginning of the story. I think if we got softer dialogue from Winnie at the start, as well as some inner monologue (rather than muttering out loud to herself which Winnie does way too much) or sooner flashbacks, the beginning of her character arc would match the level of the latter half.
I loved Oliver, Winnie’s undead cat familiar. He was protective of her in life and is even more so now in death. And he like, really, really, hates men. Hah. Loved Oliver’s and Winnie’s bond and relationship.
Speaking of relationships, I ended up adoring Winnie and Mr. Quincy together. It really felt that they both grew as characters because of each other, not the only reason, of course, but it was like they were a pillar for each other to make the other better. Their romance was sweet, clever, fun, and meaningful in many ways, as it is in direct contrast to the dark, selfish interest of the dowager’s son, Lord Longfell. The way these three characters and their innermost struggles build off each other is masterfully done. The second half of the book really is where this story shined.
I’ll be honest and say that this is my first Olivia Atwater read, I haven’t previously read her Regency Faerie Tales trilogy, so I believe there’s some context I definitely missed. It makes me wonder why this story didn’t act as a fourth book in Regency Faerie Tales, but with the way this book ended, I think it’s setting up for a bigger series at player.
If there is a next book I have a feeling it won’t be with Winnie and Mr. Quincy as main characters (PLEASE PROVE ME WRONG), but please please pleaseeee let us see them as side characters at least!
Overall, The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater is the perfect Fall read to get your spooky vibes vibing. It’s blend of dark fantasy, gothic horror, and slight romance felt like a cozy, warm blanket over the cozy, warm blanket I was already wearing🧡
SPICE: No spice (2 kissing scenes)
Trope/Setting Highlights:
✔ ~300 page gothic fantasy with slight romance subplot
✔ Set in a magical version of Victorian England
✔ Magic practitioner FMC (mid-to-late 20s age)
✔ Fae-like creature MMC (old as balls)
✔ Fairytale/folktale vibes
✔ HFN (potential series setup?)
Review:
This is an arc review – thank you to NetGalley and the publisher as always, extremely grateful for these opportunities!
The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater is a tale that weaves together elements of gothic horror and dark fantasy to create a nearly 300-page myth for adults. Because that’s exactly what it felt like. It had the whimsical, and at times, obvious, prose of a children’s fairytale, the plot and world-building of a young adult story, with adult main characters.
And like with all great tales, this one had a stark and obvious theme: the cost of (male) human greed. Greed for property. Greed for wealth. Greed for things that have a choice not to be ours.
All in all, it’s a book that knew what it wanted to be and succeeded, for the most part.
Our FMC Winnie Hall (not her true name) arrives at Witchwood Manor to outwardly fill the governess position in the house, when really Winnie, a magic practitioner, has been called by the dying dowager to investigate the haunted manor and rid it of its curse before her death. To protect her grandson.
At Witchwood Manor, Winnie also meets Mr. Quincy (not his true name), our MMC and the apparent butler of the manor. Winnie knows magic, knows of beings beyond human, and there is certainly something off about Mr. Quincy…
He was a tall man of short black hair and ghastly pale complexion. His eyes were narrow and naturally suspicious, tinted the colour of dark red wine.
Is he faerie? Is he a spirit? Or… is he something entirely different?
Without going too deep into the plot, overall, I think the premise of a haunted manor is usually going to lend immediate credence to a gothic tale, as it did here, as well as a cast of mysterious characters with motivations only know to themselves. In that sense, the style and aesthetic of the story itself was a success.
The pacing and characterization (particularly of Winnie) felt a little slow and uneven at the beginning, nearly up until the halfway point. Winnie actually got off on the wrong foot with me because I felt that she had an overall patronizing and sneering tone, while she often accused others of having the same, which felt ironic to me. So, it definitely came on a little strong. But as we got to the halfway point, and more action started to happen, more things started to unfold, I saw Winnie begin to flesh out as a character. Not only were some of her current motivations and backstory becoming clearer, but I also started to see her character grow in her interactions with others, a stark change from the beginning of the story. I think if we got softer dialogue from Winnie at the start, as well as some inner monologue (rather than muttering out loud to herself which Winnie does way too much) or sooner flashbacks, the beginning of her character arc would match the level of the latter half.
I loved Oliver, Winnie’s undead cat familiar. He was protective of her in life and is even more so now in death. And he like, really, really, hates men. Hah. Loved Oliver’s and Winnie’s bond and relationship.
Speaking of relationships, I ended up adoring Winnie and Mr. Quincy together. It really felt that they both grew as characters because of each other, not the only reason, of course, but it was like they were a pillar for each other to make the other better. Their romance was sweet, clever, fun, and meaningful in many ways, as it is in direct contrast to the dark, selfish interest of the dowager’s son, Lord Longfell. The way these three characters and their innermost struggles build off each other is masterfully done. The second half of the book really is where this story shined.
I’ll be honest and say that this is my first Olivia Atwater read, I haven’t previously read her Regency Faerie Tales trilogy, so I believe there’s some context I definitely missed. It makes me wonder why this story didn’t act as a fourth book in Regency Faerie Tales, but with the way this book ended, I think it’s setting up for a bigger series at player.
If there is a next book I have a feeling it won’t be with Winnie and Mr. Quincy as main characters (PLEASE PROVE ME WRONG), but please please pleaseeee let us see them as side characters at least!
Overall, The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater is the perfect Fall read to get your spooky vibes vibing. It’s blend of dark fantasy, gothic horror, and slight romance felt like a cozy, warm blanket over the cozy, warm blanket I was already wearing🧡
October 25, 2023
The more I read of this book, the more I fell in love with it.
We open with Winnie arriving at a mansion haunted by malevolent fae. She is hired on officially as a governess, and unofficially as someone to deal with the curse on the household.
I love what this book balances tonally. It's gothic and dark. It's romantic and wholesome. It's mysterious and fairytale. It's easy to follow and structured.
It certainly relishes its Victorian era setting by leaning more towards Gothic tropes, while not leaning so hard that it gets muddled in the Atmospheric Plotless Weeds that Gothic books sometimes do.
But after all of that, I think what I love most about this book is the romance. It starts so slowly. For the first half of the book, I was wondering if there was even going to be a romance. But it builds, and is built so well. They get to know each other, and learn to trust each other, and have many cute moments together.
I highly recommend this novel. It does act as a direct sequel to the Regency Fairy Tales series, but can be read without those ones.
Thanks to Netgalley and Starwatch Press for a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.
We open with Winnie arriving at a mansion haunted by malevolent fae. She is hired on officially as a governess, and unofficially as someone to deal with the curse on the household.
I love what this book balances tonally. It's gothic and dark. It's romantic and wholesome. It's mysterious and fairytale. It's easy to follow and structured.
It certainly relishes its Victorian era setting by leaning more towards Gothic tropes, while not leaning so hard that it gets muddled in the Atmospheric Plotless Weeds that Gothic books sometimes do.
But after all of that, I think what I love most about this book is the romance. It starts so slowly. For the first half of the book, I was wondering if there was even going to be a romance. But it builds, and is built so well. They get to know each other, and learn to trust each other, and have many cute moments together.
I highly recommend this novel. It does act as a direct sequel to the Regency Fairy Tales series, but can be read without those ones.
Thanks to Netgalley and Starwatch Press for a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.
July 8, 2024
“The world would be more comfortable without us, Miss Hall," he said.
"But I have never troubled myself overmuch with making other people comfortable. I would rather carry a knife.”
gothic fantasy romance fairy tale? say less.
atwater never fails to write engaging and driving stories with its victorian charm and aesthetic - and this one has the addition of an eery, spooky vibe. i loved winnifred as a scheming, clever magician who's quickly learned how to carefully manipulate her way around faeries - and the real world.
“It was somewhat flattering, Winnie realised, to be considered as a worthy opponent, instead of as a woman.”
there are mentions of and connections to characters from the regency faerie tales, so while i rec reading them it's not necessary.
“Innocence is so offensive, isn't it?" he asked her finally. "It is never content in its existence. It must force itself upon the rest of the world, insisting that true horror is a fiction.”
i can't wait for the next book. if you want a summerween or spooky season read, add this to your list!
"But I have never troubled myself overmuch with making other people comfortable. I would rather carry a knife.”
gothic fantasy romance fairy tale? say less.
atwater never fails to write engaging and driving stories with its victorian charm and aesthetic - and this one has the addition of an eery, spooky vibe. i loved winnifred as a scheming, clever magician who's quickly learned how to carefully manipulate her way around faeries - and the real world.
“It was somewhat flattering, Winnie realised, to be considered as a worthy opponent, instead of as a woman.”
there are mentions of and connections to characters from the regency faerie tales, so while i rec reading them it's not necessary.
“Innocence is so offensive, isn't it?" he asked her finally. "It is never content in its existence. It must force itself upon the rest of the world, insisting that true horror is a fiction.”
i can't wait for the next book. if you want a summerween or spooky season read, add this to your list!
November 30, 2023
Olivia Atwater's "The Witchwood Knot" whisks you away to a Victorian England where faeries roam and spooky manors hold dark secrets. Meet Winifred Hall, a governess who knows a scam when she sees one. When her unruly charge turns into a wooden statue overnight, she uncovers a fairy kidnapping and dives headfirst into the rescue mission—alone, thanks to a lord who doesn't believe in faeries!
The story's heartbeat lies in Witchwood Manor, a place dripping with mystery and filled with otherworldly dangers. Join Winnie as she navigates this haunted abode, enlisting the help of Mr. Quincy, the suave yet shady faerie butler. As she digs deeper into the Witchwood Knot, her smarts and tricks might not be enough, leaving her to question who she can truly trust.
Winnie's journey from a bit of a snob to a more layered and relatable character is a highlight. Her bond with Oliver, the undead feline companion, is both adorable and protective. And Mr. Quincy? Let's just say he's more than what meets the eye, with his wine-red gaze and secrets aplenty.
Love creeps in slowly, adding a dash of romance to the eerie atmosphere. The relationships between Winnie, Mr. Quincy, and the ominous Lord Longfell are as tangled as the mysteries they unravel.
Atwater's writing casts a spell, with faerie tales sprinkled throughout, adding to the mystical vibe. While the start might feel a tad slow, stick around—the story picks up pace, drawing you into a world where magic, suspense, and Victorian charm collide.
In a nutshell, "The Witchwood Knot" is a wild ride through a fantastical world, merging dark fantasy and a hint of romance in a captivating Victorian setting. Despite a leisurely start, it's a tale that sticks, leaving you enchanted long after you've closed the book. For fans of faeries, mystery, and a touch of gothic, Atwater's creation is an absolute delight—a page-turner that casts an irresistible charm.
The story's heartbeat lies in Witchwood Manor, a place dripping with mystery and filled with otherworldly dangers. Join Winnie as she navigates this haunted abode, enlisting the help of Mr. Quincy, the suave yet shady faerie butler. As she digs deeper into the Witchwood Knot, her smarts and tricks might not be enough, leaving her to question who she can truly trust.
Winnie's journey from a bit of a snob to a more layered and relatable character is a highlight. Her bond with Oliver, the undead feline companion, is both adorable and protective. And Mr. Quincy? Let's just say he's more than what meets the eye, with his wine-red gaze and secrets aplenty.
Love creeps in slowly, adding a dash of romance to the eerie atmosphere. The relationships between Winnie, Mr. Quincy, and the ominous Lord Longfell are as tangled as the mysteries they unravel.
Atwater's writing casts a spell, with faerie tales sprinkled throughout, adding to the mystical vibe. While the start might feel a tad slow, stick around—the story picks up pace, drawing you into a world where magic, suspense, and Victorian charm collide.
In a nutshell, "The Witchwood Knot" is a wild ride through a fantastical world, merging dark fantasy and a hint of romance in a captivating Victorian setting. Despite a leisurely start, it's a tale that sticks, leaving you enchanted long after you've closed the book. For fans of faeries, mystery, and a touch of gothic, Atwater's creation is an absolute delight—a page-turner that casts an irresistible charm.
November 20, 2023
4 ⭐️
Thank you NetGalley for this Arc! This book comes out on 28/11/23.
Perfect fall vibes for my American friends or if you're in the spooky mood in general. I had some strange dreams while reading this book but I'm not mad about it! This one is for all gothic lovers.
This is fae fantasy plot with a very slight romance subplot (two kisses only) set in Victorian England. It follows Winifred who is brought to the Witchwood Manor under the guise of being a governess for Robert, the Lady's grandson. In reality Winnie is has been called in as the Manor is haunted by faeries trapped in the Manor and they require her expertise.
The MMC is Mr Quincy, a fae-like male with a rat's tail and red eyes (this did take me a minute to get past) but I assure you he is actually pretty sweet.
Some of my fave quotes:
My fave character would have to be Ollie - Winne's dead cat who comes to life in the knot, hates men and ferociously protects women 🥹
I really liked Winnie - she's a badass, independent woman and spinster in her twenties. She doesn't look for male attention, knows how to play her cards right and isn't afraid to use the knife she carries to protect herself.
Slight trigger warning for sexual harassment. I really enjoyed how the book covered these themes particularly in the time period this book is set in.
The first 25% was a little slow for me to get through as expected with a new fantasy and third person perspective but I'm glad I stayed with it as the magic system is very interesting. It has a potential to be a series with the way it ended. This is my first Olivia Atwater book, I'm keen to read she comes out with next!
Thank you NetGalley for this Arc! This book comes out on 28/11/23.
Perfect fall vibes for my American friends or if you're in the spooky mood in general. I had some strange dreams while reading this book but I'm not mad about it! This one is for all gothic lovers.
This is fae fantasy plot with a very slight romance subplot (two kisses only) set in Victorian England. It follows Winifred who is brought to the Witchwood Manor under the guise of being a governess for Robert, the Lady's grandson. In reality Winnie is has been called in as the Manor is haunted by faeries trapped in the Manor and they require her expertise.
The MMC is Mr Quincy, a fae-like male with a rat's tail and red eyes (this did take me a minute to get past) but I assure you he is actually pretty sweet.
Some of my fave quotes:
"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 am fond of your eyes and your lips and your hair. I did not think of them before. But when you swindled me at cards I noticed your eyes were blue. And when you played my requiem... I thought your hair was lovely."
"I am simply afraid of what desire becomes whenever I dare to decline it."
My fave character would have to be Ollie - Winne's dead cat who comes to life in the knot, hates men and ferociously protects women 🥹
I really liked Winnie - she's a badass, independent woman and spinster in her twenties. She doesn't look for male attention, knows how to play her cards right and isn't afraid to use the knife she carries to protect herself.
Slight trigger warning for sexual harassment. I really enjoyed how the book covered these themes particularly in the time period this book is set in.
The first 25% was a little slow for me to get through as expected with a new fantasy and third person perspective but I'm glad I stayed with it as the magic system is very interesting. It has a potential to be a series with the way it ended. This is my first Olivia Atwater book, I'm keen to read she comes out with next!
November 13, 2023
I’d actually like to start this review by quoting someone else’s: Shelley Parker-Chan blurbed this, “The Witchwood Knot delivers the best kind of comfort—the kind that doesn’t shy away from the world’s injustices, but faces them with indignation.”
I absolutely love that. I read and enjoyed the entire Regency Faerie Tales trilogy, and I’ve been thinking a lot about where Atwater falls in the emerging canon of cozy fantasy. I could go on a tangent here, and I’ll do my best not to; all I’ll say is that there is a glut of “cozy” stories with nothing to say. Stories written for escapism or vibes without a solid grasp on their own thematic subtext or willingness to engage with hard topics.
Atwater isn’t writing stories like that, and that’s exactly what makes them actually cozy: facing the world’s injustices “with indignation.” The Regency Faerie Tales are whimsical and charming historical romantasies, but they’re tied together by this fiercely simmering sense of justice: they’re angry, and repeatedly posit that a just person in an unjust world *must* be angry. That anger is not a moral failure, but in fact essential to begin the work of righting systemic wrongs.
A gothic novel is a vastly different undertaking, but I felt like the author took the change of pace in stride. We pivot here from The Regency Faerie Tales’ themes of class consciousness and workers’ rights to a story that is both quieter and more personal, yet achingly familiar: a young woman repeatedly victimized by the predation of powerful men. CW for sexual harassment and pedophilia; feel free to shoot me a message if you need more specific details.
Winnie is such a powerful character: I love reading about women who will unapologetically do whatever they need to in order to survive. I love reading about women who are not “perfect” victims. Her arc as a character was so full and intertwined perfectly with Mr Quincy’s arc - two feral and deeply damaged people, taking comfort in the honesty of the other’s blatant enmity, until it transforms into something else. Incredible, cathartic, no notes.
While this isn’t a “cozy” novel, it’s certainly less… intense? …than other gothics that I’ve read. Atwater keeps her signature prose, which is light, concise, and compulsively readable. The setting was fantastic, reminiscent of some of my personal childhood favorites: Coraline and the Spiderwick Chronicles. (I’d also recommend this to anyone who enjoys T. Kingfisher’s similar brand of macabre fairytale whimsy.)
Just to poke holes for a second, I have to admit that I found the ending surprisingly abrupt and a bit underwhelming compared to what I was expecting. I would have liked to see this book push the envelope more with its horror elements, but I didn’t really expect that based on the author’s typical wheelhouse. I’m also surprised to see that this book acts as a more traditional first novel in a fantasy series, setting up the conflict and villains to come; the previous trilogy followed the popular romance series format of loosely interconnected stories with crossover characters.
Altogether, I really enjoyed this and can’t wait to add a physical copy to my Atwater collection! Pick this one up for properly horrific faeries, an undead cat, characters cheating at cards with magic, a house that’s bigger at night, a spoiled rotten child who’s still worth saving, and a dash of very sweet, very slow-burn romance.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely love that. I read and enjoyed the entire Regency Faerie Tales trilogy, and I’ve been thinking a lot about where Atwater falls in the emerging canon of cozy fantasy. I could go on a tangent here, and I’ll do my best not to; all I’ll say is that there is a glut of “cozy” stories with nothing to say. Stories written for escapism or vibes without a solid grasp on their own thematic subtext or willingness to engage with hard topics.
Atwater isn’t writing stories like that, and that’s exactly what makes them actually cozy: facing the world’s injustices “with indignation.” The Regency Faerie Tales are whimsical and charming historical romantasies, but they’re tied together by this fiercely simmering sense of justice: they’re angry, and repeatedly posit that a just person in an unjust world *must* be angry. That anger is not a moral failure, but in fact essential to begin the work of righting systemic wrongs.
A gothic novel is a vastly different undertaking, but I felt like the author took the change of pace in stride. We pivot here from The Regency Faerie Tales’ themes of class consciousness and workers’ rights to a story that is both quieter and more personal, yet achingly familiar: a young woman repeatedly victimized by the predation of powerful men. CW for sexual harassment and pedophilia; feel free to shoot me a message if you need more specific details.
Winnie is such a powerful character: I love reading about women who will unapologetically do whatever they need to in order to survive. I love reading about women who are not “perfect” victims. Her arc as a character was so full and intertwined perfectly with Mr Quincy’s arc - two feral and deeply damaged people, taking comfort in the honesty of the other’s blatant enmity, until it transforms into something else. Incredible, cathartic, no notes.
While this isn’t a “cozy” novel, it’s certainly less… intense? …than other gothics that I’ve read. Atwater keeps her signature prose, which is light, concise, and compulsively readable. The setting was fantastic, reminiscent of some of my personal childhood favorites: Coraline and the Spiderwick Chronicles. (I’d also recommend this to anyone who enjoys T. Kingfisher’s similar brand of macabre fairytale whimsy.)
Just to poke holes for a second, I have to admit that I found the ending surprisingly abrupt and a bit underwhelming compared to what I was expecting. I would have liked to see this book push the envelope more with its horror elements, but I didn’t really expect that based on the author’s typical wheelhouse. I’m also surprised to see that this book acts as a more traditional first novel in a fantasy series, setting up the conflict and villains to come; the previous trilogy followed the popular romance series format of loosely interconnected stories with crossover characters.
Altogether, I really enjoyed this and can’t wait to add a physical copy to my Atwater collection! Pick this one up for properly horrific faeries, an undead cat, characters cheating at cards with magic, a house that’s bigger at night, a spoiled rotten child who’s still worth saving, and a dash of very sweet, very slow-burn romance.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 1, 2023
This is the closest I've been to achieving the feeling I had when reading HALF A SOUL since, well, reading HALF A SOUL . I still think that one comes out on top for me but if you wanted another Atwater to reach the same heights I did.. this'll do the trick for you. I think. I hope.
Some years have passed since the end of the Regency Faerie Tales series and we have some familiar faces, yes, but a whole host of new ones. This particular instalment takes place in a haunted manor and involves a governess who isn't a governess who must break a curse and defeat a monster. But the monster might not be the one you expect; or at least.. isn't the only monster that needs defeating. And I really really am looking forward to exploring more of the particular flavour of villain that Atwater has introduced into her world.
This was a really excellent kickstart into this new series and I like the level of the stakes and how the rules are familiar but with a twist.
My one complaint, and it's not a small one but it's not huge, is the big conflict/confrontation was way too quick. Piff, poof, done. That wasn't well done for me and I'm not sure why that was the choice. A little more tension and build-up to that would've been nice even if, to some extent, there had been a resolution of conflict right before.. and a bigger reveal of what is to come after. There still should've been more gravitas to the moment, I think. And I realize none of this will make sense if you don't know the scene but.. this needed a better layered structure nonetheless.
Overall though I'm very happy with this start and hope this series doesn't dwindle in enjoyment like the first one did. I believe in you, Atwater! More of HALF A SOUL and, now, more of THE WITCHWOOD KNOT, please.
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
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This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
Some years have passed since the end of the Regency Faerie Tales series and we have some familiar faces, yes, but a whole host of new ones. This particular instalment takes place in a haunted manor and involves a governess who isn't a governess who must break a curse and defeat a monster. But the monster might not be the one you expect; or at least.. isn't the only monster that needs defeating. And I really really am looking forward to exploring more of the particular flavour of villain that Atwater has introduced into her world.
This was a really excellent kickstart into this new series and I like the level of the stakes and how the rules are familiar but with a twist.
My one complaint, and it's not a small one but it's not huge, is the big conflict/confrontation was way too quick. Piff, poof, done. That wasn't well done for me and I'm not sure why that was the choice. A little more tension and build-up to that would've been nice even if, to some extent, there had been a resolution of conflict right before.. and a bigger reveal of what is to come after. There still should've been more gravitas to the moment, I think. And I realize none of this will make sense if you don't know the scene but.. this needed a better layered structure nonetheless.
Overall though I'm very happy with this start and hope this series doesn't dwindle in enjoyment like the first one did. I believe in you, Atwater! More of HALF A SOUL and, now, more of THE WITCHWOOD KNOT, please.
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
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This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
May 28, 2024
You simple GOTTA start the new year with a beautiful gothic fairytale. Say ''thank you'' to Miss Olivia
November 28, 2023
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
4.5 hearts
The Witchwood Knot is the first book in the Victorian Faery Tales , a new spin off series set after the events in the Regency Faery Tales series. I had not read the prior series and still enjoyed this book so much, in fact right after finishing it I went back and read the first series since I was so enchanted by the world and Olivia Atwater's writing. But, I saw there are a lot of nods to at least Half a Soul that I would have gotten a little more out of if I'd read it as well.
Winnifred has come to Witchwood Manor to help solve a mystery and a curse on the house. The lady of the keep is ill and wants desperately to keep her grandson safe. The Fae though, have infiltrated the manor and causing no end of trouble for family and the servants. There are actually only a few servants willing to work there, because those who sleep under the manor's roof have a tendency to be transported to a pocket faery realm and the fae in the realm are no end of trouble to the mortals transported there. Winnie is supposed to keep her charge safe and figure out how to thwart the curse. Just one problem, she has already lost her charge, replaced by a changeling boy and now she has to rescue him.
This was a little dark with so many great reveals along the way. The house and its history, what was released from the ground there and so many other questions posed I hope will be answered in the rest of the series, that I think will feature Winnie's sisters who are still in London. Winnifred finds an reluctant ally in the house to help her on her quest to save the young master snatched away to Faery and we get to see the Knot. Mr. Quincy has played the butler in the Manor and Winnie has found a way to bargain with him to find the missing boy in the heart of the Knot. There are many dangers in Faery and in the Manor that they will have to traverse if they are going to win.
I enjoyed this story, the gothic romance, the mystery and the set up for the next two books in the series. I am pretty desperate to find out more of Winnie's sisters and why the pathways to Faery in London have vanished. This was a great set up for the overlaying arc it seems we will get in this series. Having now read the original series, I can say that The Witchwood Knot is a bit darker in a delicious kind of way, more like a true Faery story. Winnie and the way she sees the world is really fantastic and I loved seeing the Curse of the Manor through her eyes. Otherwise the story might have been more scary than interesting.
Great start to a new series blending Gothic Romance with Faery Stories.
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
4.5 hearts
The Witchwood Knot is the first book in the Victorian Faery Tales , a new spin off series set after the events in the Regency Faery Tales series. I had not read the prior series and still enjoyed this book so much, in fact right after finishing it I went back and read the first series since I was so enchanted by the world and Olivia Atwater's writing. But, I saw there are a lot of nods to at least Half a Soul that I would have gotten a little more out of if I'd read it as well.
Winnifred has come to Witchwood Manor to help solve a mystery and a curse on the house. The lady of the keep is ill and wants desperately to keep her grandson safe. The Fae though, have infiltrated the manor and causing no end of trouble for family and the servants. There are actually only a few servants willing to work there, because those who sleep under the manor's roof have a tendency to be transported to a pocket faery realm and the fae in the realm are no end of trouble to the mortals transported there. Winnie is supposed to keep her charge safe and figure out how to thwart the curse. Just one problem, she has already lost her charge, replaced by a changeling boy and now she has to rescue him.
This was a little dark with so many great reveals along the way. The house and its history, what was released from the ground there and so many other questions posed I hope will be answered in the rest of the series, that I think will feature Winnie's sisters who are still in London. Winnifred finds an reluctant ally in the house to help her on her quest to save the young master snatched away to Faery and we get to see the Knot. Mr. Quincy has played the butler in the Manor and Winnie has found a way to bargain with him to find the missing boy in the heart of the Knot. There are many dangers in Faery and in the Manor that they will have to traverse if they are going to win.
There was no happy ending, here-- but she could choose the unhappy ending which most suited her. That had to be enough.
I enjoyed this story, the gothic romance, the mystery and the set up for the next two books in the series. I am pretty desperate to find out more of Winnie's sisters and why the pathways to Faery in London have vanished. This was a great set up for the overlaying arc it seems we will get in this series. Having now read the original series, I can say that The Witchwood Knot is a bit darker in a delicious kind of way, more like a true Faery story. Winnie and the way she sees the world is really fantastic and I loved seeing the Curse of the Manor through her eyes. Otherwise the story might have been more scary than interesting.
Great start to a new series blending Gothic Romance with Faery Stories.
October 18, 2023
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.
The love interest, Mr Quincy, also should have been right up my alley as a character, and he was... once we finally got to know him better. Unfortunately this happened quite late into the book, so I didn't enjoy him quite as much as I could have.
The same goes for the romance: it was great, but I only really became invested in it around the 85 percent mark. Many of the early chapters are spent setting up the atmosphere and the mystery, plus Winnie and Mr Quincy spend very little time together in the beginning due to demands of the plot (and the few times they do meet they are pretty adversarial towards each other). This results in a bit of an enemies-to-lovers speed-run. I still liked it, but I think it really could have benefitted from being spread out into multiple books.
All in all, though, this was a great read and one I'd definitely recommend!
It's a sequel series, and while it can absolutely be read first, I do think it's better to pick it up after reading the Regency Faerie Tales books: you will get all of the reference, and there are a few spoilers (particularly a pretty major one for Half A Soul).
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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.
The love interest, Mr Quincy, also should have been right up my alley as a character, and he was... once we finally got to know him better. Unfortunately this happened quite late into the book, so I didn't enjoy him quite as much as I could have.
The same goes for the romance: it was great, but I only really became invested in it around the 85 percent mark. Many of the early chapters are spent setting up the atmosphere and the mystery, plus Winnie and Mr Quincy spend very little time together in the beginning due to demands of the plot (and the few times they do meet they are pretty adversarial towards each other). This results in a bit of an enemies-to-lovers speed-run. I still liked it, but I think it really could have benefitted from being spread out into multiple books.
All in all, though, this was a great read and one I'd definitely recommend!
It's a sequel series, and while it can absolutely be read first, I do think it's better to pick it up after reading the Regency Faerie Tales books: you will get all of the reference, and there are a few spoilers (particularly a pretty major one for Half A Soul).
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
October 21, 2023
At first I was just expecting a haunted house with some faeries and a sassy butler, but I got so much more than that.
This was a great read for Halloween season. It will also be fantastic for anyone looking for an intriguing story on how to protect a child hellbent on walking into danger. Or anyone who loves a gothic romance. Or anyone who loves a female heroine who takes no shit from any man (or child or half rat).
🐈⬛🧡This is one of my favorite covers I have seen in a long time. Lisa Marie Pompilio outdid herself.🧡🐈⬛
My favorite things in this story include:
✨A dead cat who comes to life as a familiar. And hates men? And protects women? And only has one eye? Amazing. Iconic. 90% of the time an author includes a cat I know I will love the story.
✨Magicians.
✨A rat man.
✨Winnie. I loved Winnie. I loved that she lies and cheats. I love a spinster in her twenties who is suspiciously unmarried. I loved that she is smart. I love women who carry knives with them. I love her resilience.
✨The quote: “I will return when he has cried enough to suit me.” SCREAMING. CRYING. THROWING UP.
On a more serious note, I loved that the author included a Content Warning (TW: sexual harassment). My heart belongs to authors who put their readers’ mental health first. I also loved Olivia Atwater’s Afterword for this story. 💞
Thank you so much to Olivia Atwater, Starwatch Press, and NetGalley for the eARC of The Witchwood Knot! I think many fans of romance or gothic romance alike will adore this book.
This was a great read for Halloween season. It will also be fantastic for anyone looking for an intriguing story on how to protect a child hellbent on walking into danger. Or anyone who loves a gothic romance. Or anyone who loves a female heroine who takes no shit from any man (or child or half rat).
🐈⬛🧡This is one of my favorite covers I have seen in a long time. Lisa Marie Pompilio outdid herself.🧡🐈⬛
My favorite things in this story include:
✨A dead cat who comes to life as a familiar. And hates men? And protects women? And only has one eye? Amazing. Iconic. 90% of the time an author includes a cat I know I will love the story.
✨Magicians.
✨A rat man.
✨Winnie. I loved Winnie. I loved that she lies and cheats. I love a spinster in her twenties who is suspiciously unmarried. I loved that she is smart. I love women who carry knives with them. I love her resilience.
✨The quote: “I will return when he has cried enough to suit me.” SCREAMING. CRYING. THROWING UP.
On a more serious note, I loved that the author included a Content Warning (TW: sexual harassment). My heart belongs to authors who put their readers’ mental health first. I also loved Olivia Atwater’s Afterword for this story. 💞
Thank you so much to Olivia Atwater, Starwatch Press, and NetGalley for the eARC of The Witchwood Knot! I think many fans of romance or gothic romance alike will adore this book.
November 6, 2023
Olivia Atwood books are now filed in my mind as *treat read*. This was darker than her previous books but the world of faerie remains the same. I loved all the characters. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.
February 24, 2024
5/02/24 *swoons* review later
24/2/24 Still no review, but apparently I'm coming up with a playlist for this book instead?! That is a first for me! Honestly, this book is a melancholy piano music in a book-form and therefore it's no surprise that I liked it so much... The playlist certainly needs more melancholy piano music and piano requiems, but... there is a shortage of ones that would fit this book specifically... You know, I'm tempted to spend my whole review on justifying my music choices, but I'm not going to do that!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...
I also want this to be made into Ghibli-style movie with Júlia Sardà art style (some of the themes are pretty heavy and others scary though, so it wouldn't really be a kid's movie....).
(This picture isn't really illustrative of the book, but the vibe is just right - just the cabin should be creepy big neo-gothic house instead... and... you know, the actual details just aren't right...)
Note: There will be an actual review eventually, it's just... I might need to re-read the book first. I loved this, you can see that I'm not really coherent about it...
24/2/24 Still no review, but apparently I'm coming up with a playlist for this book instead?! That is a first for me! Honestly, this book is a melancholy piano music in a book-form and therefore it's no surprise that I liked it so much... The playlist certainly needs more melancholy piano music and piano requiems, but... there is a shortage of ones that would fit this book specifically... You know, I'm tempted to spend my whole review on justifying my music choices, but I'm not going to do that!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...
I also want this to be made into Ghibli-style movie with Júlia Sardà art style (some of the themes are pretty heavy and others scary though, so it wouldn't really be a kid's movie....).
(This picture isn't really illustrative of the book, but the vibe is just right - just the cabin should be creepy big neo-gothic house instead... and... you know, the actual details just aren't right...)
Note: There will be an actual review eventually, it's just... I might need to re-read the book first. I loved this, you can see that I'm not really coherent about it...
October 7, 2023
If you hear me recommend this book in every one of my Booktube videos from now on I don't apologize for it! The Witchwood Knot is everything I could ever want in a Gothic story. I mean, there is an undead cat! This is a book I could see myself rereading every October and I am now off to preorder a physical copy.
November 22, 2023
I've read a number of Olivia Atwater books, and this one is head and shoulders above the rest. The best blend of gothic and fae, like a grown-up LABYRINTH, with one of the great fae butlers and so many subtle yet walloping feels. It felt like an old fairytale in the best possible way.
November 1, 2023
"You will soon find that Witchwood Manor has great trouble keeping servants," he told her. "If you are indeed the new governess, then I suppose we shall discover your mettle in short order."
Winnie is the new governess of Witchwood Manor, but it seems she is enlisted for her knowledge and mettle for all things magical. This includes the curse on the Manor which seems to involve faeries and stops anyone from talking about it.
With the help of her trusty undead cat, the Cook, and the devious ‘butler’ Mr Quincey, aka, a disguised faerie, Winnie delves into the mirror world of faerie to save the young lord she has promised to protect.
”This world devours those who are too bold_ but those who hide and refuse to take risks are also taken unaware by danger."
I have to preface this review by saying I have never read anything Atwater has written before (something I do want to remedy), so cannot comment on this book in comparison to her other works. I just knew to expect humour, strong female characters, soft and whimsical magic, and sweet, endearing romance.
The story only truly begins at halfway through, and I think the blurb does an injustice as the pitch only comes about at 55%.
Winnie is an extremely strong character, however I think her bluntness and arrogance irritated me. Her dislike for children is reiterated again, and again, and again, and she classically (cringe-ly) ‘thinks out loud’, is quirky, extremely pretty yet uninterested in the rich lord, and seems to know when someone’s lying with unnerving accuracy. Basically, she seems too good to be true.
Perhaps that explains why she was chosen when so many before failed, yet I like characters to have some development and hesitancy as they explore new environments and dynamics.
I felt like there was just so much of the world we were missing out on and it felt like this was a second book in a series with hinted-at backstories and characters that are important, but we had of them in passing.
I do think this offered good commentary on being objectified and the object of desire. How we feel belittled by others and our own humiliation.
This definitely felt like a nod to Victorian gothic fiction such as Wuthering Heights.
It was somewhat flattering, Winnie realised, to be considered as a worthy opponent, instead of as a woman.
Sadly, I felt myself quite bored and the characters didn’t charm me as I was assured Atwater excels at.
I’m hoping this is only the case for this book, and that her previous books will endear me!
Thank you to Starwatch Press for providing the arc in exchange for a review!
Bookstagram
Winnie is the new governess of Witchwood Manor, but it seems she is enlisted for her knowledge and mettle for all things magical. This includes the curse on the Manor which seems to involve faeries and stops anyone from talking about it.
With the help of her trusty undead cat, the Cook, and the devious ‘butler’ Mr Quincey, aka, a disguised faerie, Winnie delves into the mirror world of faerie to save the young lord she has promised to protect.
”This world devours those who are too bold_ but those who hide and refuse to take risks are also taken unaware by danger."
I have to preface this review by saying I have never read anything Atwater has written before (something I do want to remedy), so cannot comment on this book in comparison to her other works. I just knew to expect humour, strong female characters, soft and whimsical magic, and sweet, endearing romance.
The story only truly begins at halfway through, and I think the blurb does an injustice as the pitch only comes about at 55%.
Winnie is an extremely strong character, however I think her bluntness and arrogance irritated me. Her dislike for children is reiterated again, and again, and again, and she classically (cringe-ly) ‘thinks out loud’, is quirky, extremely pretty yet uninterested in the rich lord, and seems to know when someone’s lying with unnerving accuracy. Basically, she seems too good to be true.
Perhaps that explains why she was chosen when so many before failed, yet I like characters to have some development and hesitancy as they explore new environments and dynamics.
I felt like there was just so much of the world we were missing out on and it felt like this was a second book in a series with hinted-at backstories and characters that are important, but we had of them in passing.
I do think this offered good commentary on being objectified and the object of desire. How we feel belittled by others and our own humiliation.
This definitely felt like a nod to Victorian gothic fiction such as Wuthering Heights.
It was somewhat flattering, Winnie realised, to be considered as a worthy opponent, instead of as a woman.
Sadly, I felt myself quite bored and the characters didn’t charm me as I was assured Atwater excels at.
I’m hoping this is only the case for this book, and that her previous books will endear me!
Thank you to Starwatch Press for providing the arc in exchange for a review!
Bookstagram
November 8, 2023
ARC copy provided in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changes my rating or review.
This was such a beautiful novel! It was somehow combined themes of gothic romance, Celtic fae mythology, and Victorian historical society – and I loved it. Add in the intriguing mystery and the darker themes, and this book was unlike any I’ve read.
“There are faeries, then, at Witchwood Manor.”
Firstly, the worldbuilding was phenomenal. I’ve read a fair few novels with the traditional fae mythology mentioned in The Witchwood Knot, but none had such intriguing and beautiful descriptions. Atwater’s depictions of fae monsters and card games and twisting mazes was so captivating and fascinating, and I enjoyed every page.
“Innocence is so offensive, isn’t it?… It is never content in its existence. It must force itself upon the rest of the world, insisting that true horror is a fiction.”
This novel also contained a few themes darker than expected – so check those triggers lovelies (let me know if you need me to write them below). I thought the author wove them into the story brilliantly, and they neither detracted from the plot nor were brushed over, which I appreciated. The quote above especially is such a unique take on the world and our constant determination to look on the bright side – I loved it.
“The world would be more comfortable without us, Miss Hall… But I have never troubled myself overmuch with making other people comfortable. I would rather carry a knife.”
I ADORED the main characters, especially our FMC. She was so strong and steady – she knew herself, and was capable and calm. Certainly a nice change from fiery, sarcastic heroines (who I also love, but who seem to be in every book these days). She also had a subtle sense of humour which I treasured.
“I would have you play my songs until your fingers bled… 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?”
And the romance THE ROMANCE. It wasn’t the most prominent plot point, but it was so easy to obsess over nonetheless. I’m always a sucker for a traumatised, dark-haired MMC who believes he’s a monster – and this book provided. I don’t want to say too much about them and spoil, but I loved these two.
Overall, I’m so very glad I read this one. It has the most immaculate vibes and beautiful worldbuilding, and I cannot wait to read more from this author. Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC copy.
This was such a beautiful novel! It was somehow combined themes of gothic romance, Celtic fae mythology, and Victorian historical society – and I loved it. Add in the intriguing mystery and the darker themes, and this book was unlike any I’ve read.
“There are faeries, then, at Witchwood Manor.”
Firstly, the worldbuilding was phenomenal. I’ve read a fair few novels with the traditional fae mythology mentioned in The Witchwood Knot, but none had such intriguing and beautiful descriptions. Atwater’s depictions of fae monsters and card games and twisting mazes was so captivating and fascinating, and I enjoyed every page.
“Innocence is so offensive, isn’t it?… It is never content in its existence. It must force itself upon the rest of the world, insisting that true horror is a fiction.”
This novel also contained a few themes darker than expected – so check those triggers lovelies (let me know if you need me to write them below). I thought the author wove them into the story brilliantly, and they neither detracted from the plot nor were brushed over, which I appreciated. The quote above especially is such a unique take on the world and our constant determination to look on the bright side – I loved it.
“The world would be more comfortable without us, Miss Hall… But I have never troubled myself overmuch with making other people comfortable. I would rather carry a knife.”
I ADORED the main characters, especially our FMC. She was so strong and steady – she knew herself, and was capable and calm. Certainly a nice change from fiery, sarcastic heroines (who I also love, but who seem to be in every book these days). She also had a subtle sense of humour which I treasured.
“I would have you play my songs until your fingers bled… 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?”
And the romance THE ROMANCE. It wasn’t the most prominent plot point, but it was so easy to obsess over nonetheless. I’m always a sucker for a traumatised, dark-haired MMC who believes he’s a monster – and this book provided. I don’t want to say too much about them and spoil, but I loved these two.
Overall, I’m so very glad I read this one. It has the most immaculate vibes and beautiful worldbuilding, and I cannot wait to read more from this author. Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC copy.
February 6, 2024
This book is an interesting mix of fantasy and historical romance, though I should say that fantasy dominates. I liked faerie world as well as the tales about faeries, and the way they were incorporated in Victorian setting. The haunted manor was great - dark and sinister. I also liked the idea of dual world: the real one and the one in the dreams.
The main heroine was strong, clever, though a bit cold, selfish and prickly, and I wish I knew more about her powers. The main hero is really intriguing and mysterious, but the romance between them was a bit lacking - I missed the transition from enemies to lovers. The pace of the story was good, but more action would've improved the main storyline. The climax felt a bit repetitive and left many unanswered questions, but I guess they will be answered in the continuation of the book. 3.5/5
Thanks to NetGalley and Starwatch Press for the arc.
The main heroine was strong, clever, though a bit cold, selfish and prickly, and I wish I knew more about her powers. The main hero is really intriguing and mysterious, but the romance between them was a bit lacking - I missed the transition from enemies to lovers. The pace of the story was good, but more action would've improved the main storyline. The climax felt a bit repetitive and left many unanswered questions, but I guess they will be answered in the continuation of the book. 3.5/5
Thanks to NetGalley and Starwatch Press for the arc.
November 10, 2023
There was no happy ending, here - but she could choose the unhappy ending which suited her. That had to be enough.
Goodness, I love Olivia Atwater's brain.
The Witchwood Knot takes everything I loved about the Regency Faerie Tales series and makes it just a tad darker. We still get the wonderfully mischievous faeries and their cunning antics, but this book injects a wonderful gothic atmosphere into a world I was already in love with, and I had such a good time with the outcome. While this is technically the beginning of a new series, I strongly recommend reading Half a Soul and its sequels first, as there are quite a few references and spoilers mentioned in this one.
The Witchwood Knot follows Winifred Hall, a woman posing as a governess in Victorian England in order to investigate the mysterious Witchwood Manor. The master of the house insists nothing is amiss, but the local villagers and the servants of the house are well aware of Witchwood Manor's dark origins. Winnie must protect her charge, deal with the dangerous faeries that haunt the house at night, and try to unravel the Knot without dooming the whole town.
Atwater always does such a wonderful job of weaving in heavy themes with her whimsical tales. The characters of The Witchwood Knot are all dealing with their own demons, but to see them shed their fears and reclaim a part of themselves hit me so hard. Atwater explores sexual harassment, grooming, and abuse with a delicate hand, and while the mystery of the Witchwood Knot was the driving force of the novel, the journeys our characters go through leave a very strong impact.
"I am still not afraid of you - I am not even afraid of being desired. I am simply afraid of what desire becomes whenever I dare to decline it."
I loved Winifred as a heroine. She wasn't exactly morally grey, but she often describes herself as a knave and a liar and I found I quite enjoyed those characteristics as she confronted the faeries in this story. She's been through a lot in life, and she knows how to navigate a dangerous situation. Her cartomancy was also fun and unique, and I loved how her background intersects with some of our beloved characters from Half a Soul.
Mr Quincy reminds be a bit of Cardan from The Cruel Prince (he even has a tail!), so I think readers will probably either love him or hate him. I, myself, really enjoyed his character. He often walks the line of terrible and thoughtful, which you often see in faerie stories, and I honestly just eat that up. It's just such a fun thing to witness, and I thought he and Winifred had a fabulous dynamic.
"Be patient, governess. I will return when he has cried enough to suit me."
"You are so cruel, Mr Quincy," she told him. "I admire it intensely."
I absolutely adored this book and I can't wait for the next one!
Thank you to Olivia Atwater and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Goodness, I love Olivia Atwater's brain.
The Witchwood Knot takes everything I loved about the Regency Faerie Tales series and makes it just a tad darker. We still get the wonderfully mischievous faeries and their cunning antics, but this book injects a wonderful gothic atmosphere into a world I was already in love with, and I had such a good time with the outcome. While this is technically the beginning of a new series, I strongly recommend reading Half a Soul and its sequels first, as there are quite a few references and spoilers mentioned in this one.
The Witchwood Knot follows Winifred Hall, a woman posing as a governess in Victorian England in order to investigate the mysterious Witchwood Manor. The master of the house insists nothing is amiss, but the local villagers and the servants of the house are well aware of Witchwood Manor's dark origins. Winnie must protect her charge, deal with the dangerous faeries that haunt the house at night, and try to unravel the Knot without dooming the whole town.
Atwater always does such a wonderful job of weaving in heavy themes with her whimsical tales. The characters of The Witchwood Knot are all dealing with their own demons, but to see them shed their fears and reclaim a part of themselves hit me so hard. Atwater explores sexual harassment, grooming, and abuse with a delicate hand, and while the mystery of the Witchwood Knot was the driving force of the novel, the journeys our characters go through leave a very strong impact.
"I am still not afraid of you - I am not even afraid of being desired. I am simply afraid of what desire becomes whenever I dare to decline it."
I loved Winifred as a heroine. She wasn't exactly morally grey, but she often describes herself as a knave and a liar and I found I quite enjoyed those characteristics as she confronted the faeries in this story. She's been through a lot in life, and she knows how to navigate a dangerous situation. Her cartomancy was also fun and unique, and I loved how her background intersects with some of our beloved characters from Half a Soul.
Mr Quincy reminds be a bit of Cardan from The Cruel Prince (he even has a tail!), so I think readers will probably either love him or hate him. I, myself, really enjoyed his character. He often walks the line of terrible and thoughtful, which you often see in faerie stories, and I honestly just eat that up. It's just such a fun thing to witness, and I thought he and Winifred had a fabulous dynamic.
"Be patient, governess. I will return when he has cried enough to suit me."
"You are so cruel, Mr Quincy," she told him. "I admire it intensely."
I absolutely adored this book and I can't wait for the next one!
Thank you to Olivia Atwater and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
October 7, 2023
I honestly loved this. This is my fifth book by the author and I think it's probably her strongest and most polished work yet. 4.5/5 but it's very likely it'll become a 5 whenever I re-read it.
Vibes:
This is a gothic, haunted/cursed house story about an attractive young woman who has a favor called in by an old friend to protect her grandson from the haunted house she's tied to and can't leave. It's moody and a little dark, occasionally a tad gory, but ultimately a cozy horror. The house has bad vibes from the moment she touches it, there's haunting music coming from the piano in the conservatory, faces in the walls and a disconcerting butler. There's at least one monster in this house.
Overall:
This was such a fun read that I don't want to go over much of it so y'all can experience if for yourselves. The romance (mentioned in the blurb) is very slowburn and absolutely sweet and chaste and respectful. The monsters are threatening without being overly scary or unrealistic. The plot is straightforward (even if the house passageways are not). And it was honestly just a really lovely time.
Oliver (her familiar) is a cat, and he is dead, and he is the best. <3
Vibes:
This is a gothic, haunted/cursed house story about an attractive young woman who has a favor called in by an old friend to protect her grandson from the haunted house she's tied to and can't leave. It's moody and a little dark, occasionally a tad gory, but ultimately a cozy horror. The house has bad vibes from the moment she touches it, there's haunting music coming from the piano in the conservatory, faces in the walls and a disconcerting butler. There's at least one monster in this house.
Overall:
This was such a fun read that I don't want to go over much of it so y'all can experience if for yourselves. The romance (mentioned in the blurb) is very slowburn and absolutely sweet and chaste and respectful. The monsters are threatening without being overly scary or unrealistic. The plot is straightforward (even if the house passageways are not). And it was honestly just a really lovely time.
Oliver (her familiar) is a cat, and he is dead, and he is the best. <3
October 13, 2023
Fabulous gothic romance with if I’m honest a romance I truly hadn’t expected . I loved the heroine as she’s not one to back down and the hero ( or is that anti hero ?) kind of grew on me as he too underwent a journey . The ending was clearly well thought out and definitely leaves me wanting to read more by this new to me author . Final thoughts are this went in directions I hadn’t expected and was very satisfying and perfect for the spooky season .
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from NetGalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from NetGalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
December 7, 2023
An undead cat familiar, wicked faeries, and a woman who is sick of entitled men's shit; what more could one want in a fantasy romance?
I devoured this in a single day and it is probably my new favorite Atwater novel, which is very high praise indeed!
I devoured this in a single day and it is probably my new favorite Atwater novel, which is very high praise indeed!
February 5, 2024
My poor hysterical female nerves need a while to rearrange themselves for a review!
October 28, 2023
A Haunted Mansion Romantasy for the girlies who like rat men
The Witchwood Knot follows Winnie, a governess on a mission to help the dowager of Witchwood Manor protect her grandson from the faeries that rule the house. When her charge suddenly shows up one morning acting meek and sweet, Winnie knows instantly that her real ward has been abducted by Faeries - and because she's under the employ of the only man in England who doesn't believe in faeries, the responsibility of retrieving the real little boy falls solely on Winnie's shoulders.
Olivia Atwater's other series, Regency Faerie Tales, has been on my TBR for a hot minute now, and when I requested an arc for this, I was NOT aware that this was a continuation/sister series to RFT. But maybe that's for the best. Because while this book contained some very obvious nods to Atwater's first series, I didn't feel like my reading experience suffered at all from those references flying straight over my head. And if I had known, I might not have requested it at all for fear of being lost.
I had a really fun time with this one. It's marketed as a gothic fantasy romance, and I can confirm that this book is entirely as advertised. The "Woman Goes To Haunted House to Protect/Save Someone" is a tried and true trope in the gothic horror genre, and that alone is enough to give most stories their gothic flavor. The Witchwood Knot does not stop there, and does contain a few more cornerstones to the gothic genre, none of which I will list here because I don't want to give too much of the plot away.
I will say that the romance surprised me. Not because of the, err, unique physical features of the love interest, but because I wasn't expecting it to be as sweet as it was. The main couple in this story both have traumas and walls they have to overcome before they begin their relationship, and watching them do so despite the horrors they've experienced in their pasts was actually quite sweet and made me really root for them.
Which is also kind of sad because I have the sneaking suspicion that the next book in the series won't follow feature these two characters as MCs.
All in all, this was a lovely story about overcoming your demons, letting people in, and finding comfort in the people you love. And once I've read through and caught up on Regency Faerie Tales, I will happily give this a reread. It's got great spooky vibes, but is really cozy at the same time - perfect for me.
I received an ARC of this book from Starwatch Press via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
The Witchwood Knot follows Winnie, a governess on a mission to help the dowager of Witchwood Manor protect her grandson from the faeries that rule the house. When her charge suddenly shows up one morning acting meek and sweet, Winnie knows instantly that her real ward has been abducted by Faeries - and because she's under the employ of the only man in England who doesn't believe in faeries, the responsibility of retrieving the real little boy falls solely on Winnie's shoulders.
Olivia Atwater's other series, Regency Faerie Tales, has been on my TBR for a hot minute now, and when I requested an arc for this, I was NOT aware that this was a continuation/sister series to RFT. But maybe that's for the best. Because while this book contained some very obvious nods to Atwater's first series, I didn't feel like my reading experience suffered at all from those references flying straight over my head. And if I had known, I might not have requested it at all for fear of being lost.
I had a really fun time with this one. It's marketed as a gothic fantasy romance, and I can confirm that this book is entirely as advertised. The "Woman Goes To Haunted House to Protect/Save Someone" is a tried and true trope in the gothic horror genre, and that alone is enough to give most stories their gothic flavor. The Witchwood Knot does not stop there, and does contain a few more cornerstones to the gothic genre, none of which I will list here because I don't want to give too much of the plot away.
I will say that the romance surprised me. Not because of the, err, unique physical features of the love interest, but because I wasn't expecting it to be as sweet as it was. The main couple in this story both have traumas and walls they have to overcome before they begin their relationship, and watching them do so despite the horrors they've experienced in their pasts was actually quite sweet and made me really root for them.
Which is also kind of sad because I have the sneaking suspicion that the next book in the series won't follow feature these two characters as MCs.
All in all, this was a lovely story about overcoming your demons, letting people in, and finding comfort in the people you love. And once I've read through and caught up on Regency Faerie Tales, I will happily give this a reread. It's got great spooky vibes, but is really cozy at the same time - perfect for me.
I received an ARC of this book from Starwatch Press via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
November 16, 2023
If you're looking for your next dark, gothic, read, look no further than The Witchwood Knot.
I absolutely loved this book. It had everything I enjoy - faeries, gothic vibes, enemies to lovers. It's a perfect Halloween read and yes I'm aware it's November but still. Halloween read, for sure.
Winnie is formidable, but she also has a vulnerability that she does her hardest not to show. The scenes with Lord Longfell give you the impression of your skin crawling. He was disgusting and I hated every scene with him. He reminded me of the old man in Mexican Gothic leering after Noemi.
Robert was annoying but I gave him leeway considering he was a literal child and it was painfully obvious that he was a victim of abuse when it came, again, to Lord Longfell. I wanted to protect him and keep him safe.
I adored Quincy. He was snarky and bold and dangerous and I just loved every minute of him. I'd love to see more of his relationship with Cook, aka Sarah Baker, because those two just have a wonderful, dare I say it, friendship, because that's what she was to him. Despite all odds and how she should feel about him, Sarah was his friend.
Hoping for a sequel! Or even a prequel.
I absolutely loved this book. It had everything I enjoy - faeries, gothic vibes, enemies to lovers. It's a perfect Halloween read and yes I'm aware it's November but still. Halloween read, for sure.
Winnie is formidable, but she also has a vulnerability that she does her hardest not to show. The scenes with Lord Longfell give you the impression of your skin crawling. He was disgusting and I hated every scene with him. He reminded me of the old man in Mexican Gothic leering after Noemi.
Robert was annoying but I gave him leeway considering he was a literal child and it was painfully obvious that he was a victim of abuse when it came, again, to Lord Longfell. I wanted to protect him and keep him safe.
I adored Quincy. He was snarky and bold and dangerous and I just loved every minute of him. I'd love to see more of his relationship with Cook, aka Sarah Baker, because those two just have a wonderful, dare I say it, friendship, because that's what she was to him. Despite all odds and how she should feel about him, Sarah was his friend.
Hoping for a sequel! Or even a prequel.
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