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lifewithloopy's review
3.75
I enjoyed this book quite a bit and wanted to give it 4 stars. My reason for knocking off the quarter star is that there are some repetitive descriptions of one of the main supporting characters. That detail can get a little tedious.
Otherwise, this is a fun read with an alternative take on the Gothic Romance genre. To be honest, I was over half way through the book before anything overtly romantic happened. The romance is pretty restrained, closer to something thing in Victorian-era novels, which I really appreciated.
If you saw 'faeries' and 'romance' and thought of ACOTAR, you're going to be disappointed. This book is not that. I think if you liked Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, you might like this book.
I'm interested to see where this world goes and will be reading Rosemary & Thyme when it comes out.
Otherwise, this is a fun read with an alternative take on the Gothic Romance genre. To be honest, I was over half way through the book before anything overtly romantic happened. The romance is pretty restrained, closer to something thing in Victorian-era novels, which I really appreciated.
If you saw 'faeries' and 'romance' and thought of ACOTAR, you're going to be disappointed. This book is not that. I think if you liked Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, you might like this book.
I'm interested to see where this world goes and will be reading Rosemary & Thyme when it comes out.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Blood, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Animal cruelty, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, and Classism
l1brarygirl's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.5
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
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Blood, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
Minor: Animal cruelty, Drug use, Vomit, and Grief
breezer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia and Sexual harassment
astellarjay's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Pedophilia and Sexual harassment
florecita_lectora's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Blood, Kidnapping, and Grief
Minor: Abandonment
evarinya's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Chronic illness, Pedophilia, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug abuse, Misogyny, Rape, and Sexual assault
_bookbug's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
(4,75☆)
Wowowow, I never would have thought how much I'd like this book! It has the perfect somewhat cozy gothic setting and I loved all the ghosts and fairies so much.
I started this book without reading half a soul first and was a little afraid that I wouldn't understand a few things because of that, but it really wasn't a big problem. And it also really wasn't my last Olivia Atwater book! I'm SO exited for rosemary & thyme and I will read half a soul as soon as possible!
The main character was excellent, I enjoyed seeing through her eyes a lot (it also made the scary parts less scary).
The only flaw is that sadly it has this "immortal man x young woman"-thing. I also would've enjoyed a more diverse set of characters.
But nonetheless I had so much fun reading it and from now on will count it as one of my favorite books!
Thanks a lot NetGalley for providing and e-ARC of this!
Wowowow, I never would have thought how much I'd like this book! It has the perfect somewhat cozy gothic setting and I loved all the ghosts and fairies so much.
I started this book without reading half a soul first and was a little afraid that I wouldn't understand a few things because of that, but it really wasn't a big problem. And it also really wasn't my last Olivia Atwater book! I'm SO exited for rosemary & thyme and I will read half a soul as soon as possible!
The main character was excellent, I enjoyed seeing through her eyes a lot (it also made the scary parts less scary).
The only flaw is that sadly it has this "immortal man x young woman"-thing. I also would've enjoyed a more diverse set of characters.
But nonetheless I had so much fun reading it and from now on will count it as one of my favorite books!
Thanks a lot NetGalley for providing and e-ARC of this!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Violence, and Blood
luckylulureads's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual violence, Vomit, Kidnapping, and Fire/Fire injury
sophiehatters's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
⭐️ i received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review ⭐️
when i heard that olivia atwater’s releasing a new book, nobody was more excited than me. i discovered her regency faerie tales series last august and devoured her whole catalogue in less than a week. i loved her writing that much.
i will say though, while atwater’s writing is just as beautiful and her wittiness comes through in TWK, it is ultimately a different kind of book from her books in the RFT series. the tone, the overall atmosphere is just different. as it is a gothic romance, it was dark with themes that could be triggering (i have listed out some of them down there so beware for minor spoilers)
winnie was an admirable character and i loved how she carried herself throughout the book. she came off as cold and unperturbed by everything she has seen but it’s only because her eyes have seen too much. i loved her trusted companion oliver, i loved her relationship development with robert. i loved all the adventures they had. again, atwater’s such a good author that there were several scenes where i literally felt hairs on my arms standing up. they were so eerie.
mr. quincy was a peculiar one—it took me a while to come to terms with the fact that we have a male lead with red eyes, rat tail and the scent of blood following his wake. i shuddered just visualising him at first. but as the book progressed, i grew to love him and his cleverness. as individuals, i enjoyed both winnie and mr. quincy. as a romantic pair, they were sweet and had chemistry as they worked together.
however, the romance in book is extremely minor i would say, so if you’re looking for romance, you’re better off looking for it elsewhere—perhaps atwater’s RFT series. another thing i’d like to note is that this book makes several references to RFT series. while this book can be perfectly read a standalone, i feel like the RFT series read is a must to enjoy it in its full experience. even as a person who has read that series, i felt a little bit confused while trying to recollect old memories. if you have zero clue, you’d definitely feel like you’re missing out on a lot of things.
finally, while i enjoyed this book immensely, i’d say that there was only one thing that i didn’t like about the book: the overemphasis on winnie’s beauty. her beauty was mentioned several times throughout the book to the point of my annoyance. everyone who saw her couldn’t help but to comment on it. it’s like, yes we get it she’s extremely beautiful! a model! a beauty queen! can we move on? beautiful in the stereotypical sense—pretty blond hair, fair skin, blue eyes, pink lips. it’s not only that, the story posits that her beauty was the reason why she was preyed by the men in her life. and honestly that was kind of insulting, in my opinion? the idea that winnie was so beautiful that men couldn’t help but to do wicked things to her. women who aren’t beautiful get harassed too, you know?
maybe that was the point—that she was so beautiful that men coveted to keep her, but i simply hated the idea, i’m sorry.
maybe that was the point—that she was so beautiful that men coveted to keep her, but i simply hated the idea, i’m sorry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Pedophilia, and Sexual harassment