Scan barcode
fromjuliereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
kwthor's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content, Blood, Vomit, and Kidnapping
saltycoffee's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug use, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Animal cruelty
ceruleanshelves's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
“It was somewhat flattering, Winnie realised, to be considered as a worthy opponent, instead of as a woman.”
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.
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Vomit, and Sexual harassment
ceebee86's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
A really solid book.
I found that I did not give it a perfect 5 because some parts in the first half felt like such a slog.
But this thing is really Victorian gothic to the core.
I really do appreciate the theme of SA survival. I could feel the familiar nausea in Winnie as she was experiencing it herself in the story.
Winnie as a whole was pleasant to read actually. Her cleverness and humanity shine through. Not all authors can write a clever character.
I also really liked the “telling a fairy tale” format that was used for expositional moments. It made it feel like the vibe wasn't abruptly halted to explain something.
What brought this rating way up was the love interest. The development he went through and the way his character evolves as he comes to love Winnie was absolutely perfect to my tastes.
I found that I did not give it a perfect 5 because some parts in the first half felt like such a slog.
But this thing is really Victorian gothic to the core.
I really do appreciate the theme of SA survival. I could feel the familiar nausea in Winnie as she was experiencing it herself in the story.
Winnie as a whole was pleasant to read actually. Her cleverness and humanity shine through. Not all authors can write a clever character.
I also really liked the “telling a fairy tale” format that was used for expositional moments. It made it feel like the vibe wasn't abruptly halted to explain something.
What brought this rating way up was the love interest. The development he went through and the way his character evolves as he comes to love Winnie was absolutely perfect to my tastes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Violence, Vomit, and Suicide attempt
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
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