I could not put this book down! 
The main character was beautifully written. A true morally grey character that came off as complex and layered, without being forced or over-the-top. The themes of the book were masterfully and subtly showcased through the plot lines and the characters' choices. We're introduced to a very cool worldbuilding that was expansive without being dispersive, with very authentic and enchanting Celtic folklore that felt very much like an old, oral-tradition fairy tale.
I'll definitely read more of this author's books.

Really surprised by how dark this went in comparison to Half a Soul. Absolutely harrowing and sadly very realistic depictions of sexual assault were not what I was expecting but I really did appreciate how those themes were handled. 

This was different than Atwater's other Regency novels, which I loved. This one had less romance and upped the Gothic faerie vibes. It didn't have the cozy vibes I loved but I still really liked this one. It does deal with some heavier topics (see TW)

 Of particular note: This book 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 

Olivia Atwater weaves a spellbinding tale with "The Witchwood Knot," drawing readers into a dark and enchanting faerie realm that mirrors Victorian England with stunning accuracy. But also introduces us to Winifred Hall, a formidable and unapologetic woman whose strength permeates every page. Winnie is a beacon of determination and grit, tackling tasks that many would shy away from—not without fear, but despite it. She navigates an unjust world with a keen sense of justice and a refusal to be cowed by her circumstances.

From the moment Victorian governess Winifred Hall sets foot in Witchwood Manor, readers are transported into a world where nothing is as it seems. With a sharp wit and keen eye, Winifred navigates the intricate web of faerie mischief, determined to rescue her abducted charge. But as she delves deeper into the shadows of the manor, she discovers that even the most innocent-looking corners hold sinister secrets.

The atmosphere of "The Witchwood Knot" is palpable, with every page steeped in a sense of foreboding and mystery. Atwater expertly crafts morally ambiguous characters and cunning plot twists, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. The fae and otherworldly creatures are portrayed with a refreshing complexity, reminding readers that not everything is as black and white as it seems.

One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its portrayal of vulnerability and resilience. Winifred's journey is fraught with danger and uncertainty, yet she never wavers in her determination to uncover the truth. Her character development is nuanced and compelling, adding depth to an already richly layered narrative.

As the story unfolds, Atwater seamlessly incorporates snippets of fairytales and folklore, enriching the world-building and adding an extra layer of intrigue. Each revelation brings new depth to the story, inviting readers to unravel the mysteries of Witchwood Manor alongside Winifred.

In "The Witchwood Knot," Olivia Atwater delivers a mesmerizing blend of gothic romance and dark faerie tale, captivating readers with its whimsical charm and spellbinding narrative. A must-read for fans of atmospheric fantasy and intricate storytelling.

#TheWitchwoodKnot #OliviaAtwater #GothicRomance #DarkFantasy #VictorianEngland #BookReview #MustRead

God, I had such high hopes for this book. One of my only five-star reads last year was Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater. She does such a fantastic job at regency romances, that I thought her Gothic romance series would be just as well done.

I'm going to start with the things I did not like. First off, the male love interest had a rat tail. I'm sorry, but I could not get over that. I also felt like the romance between the main female character and the main male character was extremely rushed. I do see where she was trying to go with it, as a few scenes were trying to set up the tension between the two

But something was missing. I really feel like she did not give them enough time to get over the enemy stage of enemies to lovers. I needed something more. I needed more tension, I needed it to be more drawn out. Extremely disappointed in it.

When you read the summary of the book, it mentions how the main character is trying to get her young master (Robert) back from the fairies because they kidnapped him. Usually, you would expect something like that to happen within the first hundred pages of the book, but not in this one.

It was almost more than halfway through the book before it actually happened. She did a lot of background, and setting up the story, which I enjoyed for the most part, but I really feel like I'm being kidnapped should've happened sooner.

You also might want to make sure you read her books in the Regency series 1st. I don't necessarily think you lose anything with a plot in this book, but many characters and moments are mentioned in conjunction with the main character. It might help you understand her backstory a lot more.

Now I can talk about the things that were done well. Olivia did a fantastic job at setting up a Gothic literature setting. It felt a lot like Jane Eyre, which, if you think about it, there were a few similarities. The setting was fantastically described. I felt like it was very spooky, and it even made it feel like it should've been raining outside when I was reading it.

The plot itself, if it had been dragged out a little bit more, was interesting. I think she also does a fantastic job at describing PTSD women may have from interactions with men. I do you want to mention if that is a topic that you would rather avoid, there are mentions of things happening throughout the book that I would be careful about.

In the end, it was an enjoyable read, but I was expecting a lot more from it. It could have been a lot longer, and I wish that the romance was a lot more drawn out. Hopefully, her next book in the series is a little different and she does better at setting it up. I do think this would be a nice read for someone wanting to read a Gothic romance, but maybe something that's not very convoluted or complicated.

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 This dark and twisted novel following a young woman in a mysterious and eerie victorian manor. It screamed spooky season vibes to me so I had to pick it up. This book will be published in late November, fitting the muddy season the story is set in.

I received an advance readers copy vie NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Had it not been for my two fluff noses, I could've easily binged The Witchwood Knot within a night. It pulled me in from the beggining when the alleged butler Mr. Quincy greets our MC Winnie just for her to find out that there hasn't been a butler in weeks.

The house itself loomed over Winnie from early on and it was clear that something queer was going on. Lady Longfell and Winnie were especially lovable characters. Winnie seemed a bit naive at first and I feared she might be one of those know-it-all women in books but she turned out to see the fault in her own naivity when it mattered. There was also great chemistry between the characters and our MC and also between other characters like Cook with Mr. Quincy and, though a negative chemistry, it was believable how Mr. Longfell and his son didn't seem to share much love for one another.

I liked how the theme of consent was handled by Olivia Atwater and Winnie's reaction toward certain words and actions by men came across sensibly and were believable. I liked that the book portrayed different reactions of women who found themselves in abusive relationships and manipulation throughout their lives.

Small details from the first chapters reappeared later on, giving The Witchwood Knot a tad more mystery. Along with the threats inside the labyrinthine multifaceted house, the cast of characters and the mysteries fit together perfectly for a dark, spooky book.

There is an open ending and the next book in this series of Victorian Faerie Tales is listed in the end. The book ties in with pther books by Olivia Atwater, though you don't need to read them first.