I was a little leery during the first 30%, because I really wasn’t sure where the story was going or what the exact premise was, but once the story began to unfold, I couldn’t put it down. I loved the eerie, dark magic of the characters and the manor, and all the spooky scary things that go bump in the night. It felt like a funhouse at a circus but you die in it if you make one wrong move. It was everything a gothic Victorian novel should deliver, and I LOVED Winnie’s cat!! Also Mr. Quincy and Winnie’s dynamic.. was chefs kiss. The piano scene toward the end had me giggling and kicking my feet. Everything tied together by the end, it does sort of end on a cliffhanger, so I really can’t wait to read the next installment when it releases! 

I really enjoyed this book! The Gothic vibes are absolutely fantastic. It gives Brönte vibes so well, but somehow still has Atwater's coziness similar to her other books. How she does it with such a dark Gothic atmosphere is beyond me. 

I really loved the characters. Winnie is such a great character! She is so strong in herself and acts for the best of others despite her fears. I would have loved even more of her character. Mr. Quincy is also a fantastic character - I loved the mystery around him, and learning more about him. Of course, Robert grows on you as his character grows, and everyone should love Cook - such a badass! The true hero and stealer of the scenes though has to be Oliver! 

This book deals with such dark material, but I loved the way that it was done. The discussions of fears, the music and the piano playing a role in the reveals, and of course the faerie tales used to slowly reveal pieces of the story and the character's pasts. I also love that we got to see some familiar characters. I haven't read all of Atwater's books, only Half a Soul - which I absolutely adored - so I'm not sure if other characters show up. I think one is mentioned. I am hoping we get more stories in this world, especially as I want to learn more about Clarimonde and Bellamira! 

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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The Witchwood Knot is everything I’ve come to expect from Olivia Atwater’s writing. It’s at once heartfelt, cunning, and cozy in all the best ways. While this is the beginning of a new Faerie Tale era, it builds off of the world and characters we’ve come to know in the Regency series. I lobe interconnected universes like this. However, with that in mind, I wouldn’t recommend starting here. I think to fully grasp the scoop of this world, you’ve got to read the first trilogy. That way you know the history and the landscape of the world. Each story is technically a standalone about a different couple, but they’re all building toward larger stories, it seems. 

Of Atwater’s Faerie Tale world, Winifred my be one of my favorite heroines yet, next to Dora. She’s clever, cunning, and willing to do what she needs to do in order to survive a world of faeries and monsters. She has a traumatic past, but seeing her reclaim her own desire was amazing. 

This is a delightfully gothic tale, with all the classic trappings of the genre. The mysterious, dilapidated manor, the gothic father/monster duology, and an atmospheric sense of isolation. Atwater combines this flawlessly with her existing world. It’s creepy, it’s heartfelt, and it’s a great time. While I occasionally found myself a bit confused, I felt that by the end I had all the answers I needed. I can’t wait for the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review. 

The Witchwood Knot is a beautiful and dark gothic fantasy with delightfully rich world-building. Set in Victorian England where faeries are feared for their cruelty, Winnifred Hall sets out on a journey to an eerie potentially haunted manor in the middle of an ancient mystical forest. Winnie is a determined and resourceful young magician summoned to Witchwood Manor by an old acquaintance with the goal of protecting her grandson from the nefarious faeries who mean him harm. Upon her arrival at the ominous-looking manor, she meets the butler, Mr Quincy, a curious fellow who appears and disappears in a most suspicious fashion just in time to cause mischief. Winnie’s work is made all the more challenging in that her charge, the Honourable Robert Murray the Third, is hell-bent on disobeying her at every turn and putting himself in further danger, not to mention his father, the lord of the manor, has taken a very overbearing and unwelcome interest in her.

Throughout his tutoring, Winnie tells Robert faerie stories, which are a delightfully clever way to give the reader more insight into the world, Winnie’s history, and the current problems plaguing her world. As Winnie begins to unravel the mysteries at the heart of Witchwood Manor, she begins to wonder which monsters she should be more worried about.

There are plenty of references to Atwater’s Regency series that I have possibly missed, this being my first book by her, but the story is set within the same magical England, sometime after the events of Half a Soul. We get mentions of Lord Sorcier Elias Wilder, Magician to the Crown of England, as well as some of his friends, who appear to be background players in the overall plot of this story.

I appreciate that Atwater has included a content warning, showing a dedication and duty of care to her readers' mental health. Most scenes including Lord Longfell thoroughly made my skin crawl. He was written in such a way as to have absolutely no redeemable qualities and I believe Atwater captured the intense uneasiness many women face at least once in their life under the male gaze, without ever reducing Winnie’s character. Despite her experiences, Winnies retains her autonomy and fights back.

Atwater’s newest novel is a dark and ethereal gothic fantasy with a hint of romance, a strong female lead and a richly crafted world that you will not want to pull yourself away from. You will be eagerly awaiting the next installment with bated breath!

Thank you to Netgalley and Starwatch Press for providing this ARC. I am now fully invested in Atwater's work and she has now become an auto-buy author for me!