I really love the world that Olivia Atwater has created, the alternate history where faeries live among us. I love the other series set in the regency, but I think this new time setting is going to take the cake for me. This book was fab! It had such Jane Eyre/gothic/Northanger Abbey vibes mixed with a healthy dose of magic and mischief.

Book Review: "The Witchwood Knot" by Olivia Atwater"

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Disclosure: This is an ARC review, and I want to express gratitude to NetGalley and Starwatch Press for the opportunity to read this book.

"The Witchwood Knot" is a captivating blend of gothic horror, dark fantasy, and romance. Olivia Atwater weaves a tale set in a magical version of Victorian England, introducing us to the mysterious Witchwood Manor, where faeries, magicians, and familiars coexist.

**Plot and Setting:**
The story revolves around Winnie, a magic practitioner hired as a governess but tasked with investigating and dispelling the curse haunting Witchwood Manor. The haunted mansion, malevolent fae, and a cast of enigmatic characters contribute to the gothic atmosphere, creating an engaging and mysterious backdrop.

**Characters:**
Winnie, the flawed yet strong protagonist, is a magic practitioner with a distinct ethical code. Her initial patronizing tone gives way to a more nuanced character as the story progresses. The undead cat familiar, Oliver, adds a delightful and protective element to the narrative. Mr. Quincy, the initially ambiguous butler with wine-red eyes, grows alongside Winnie, and their evolving relationship becomes a highlight.

**Romance and Relationships:**
The romance in "The Witchwood Knot" develops gradually, adding a sweet and meaningful layer to the narrative. The dynamics between Winnie, Mr. Quincy, and the malevolent Lord Longfell are skillfully interwoven, providing depth to the characters and their inner struggles.

**Writing Style:**
Olivia Atwater's prose is beautiful, with occasional chapter-long intervals of "true" faerie stories that enhance the mystical atmosphere. The storytelling balances darkness and romance, creating a unique reading experience.

**Pacing and Characterization:**
While the pacing and characterization feel slow and uneven in the initial chapters, they gain momentum in the second half. Winnie's character, initially somewhat abrasive, undergoes a noticeable development, making her more relatable and endearing.

**Conclusion:**
"The Witchwood Knot" is a well-crafted tale that captures the essence of gothic romance within a magical Victorian setting. The combination of dark fantasy elements, well-developed characters, and a gradually unfolding romance makes it a compelling read. Despite a slower start, the story ultimately delivers a satisfying and enchanting experience.

The Witchwood Knot is the first in a new series from Olivia Atwater, author of the excellent Regency Faerie Tales. Although set in the same world, we have moved to the Victorian era, and readers do not need to have read the earlier books to fully enjoy this one, though I absolutely do recommend picking them up in their own right.
This is a dark faerie tale with wonderfully gothic vibes and some truly entertaining and surprisingly lovable characters.
Winifred Hall is not your typical governess, and there is definitely something very different about her latest posting, which becomes obvious from almost the very first moment when she meets the mysterious butler Mr Quincy. She would never have taken the job were it not for a request from an old friend but once there she finds herself in dangerous waters indeed. Witchwood Manor is hiding many secrets , and possibly several faeries. When her charge, the future heir of the manor is abducted and replaced by a fetch , Winnie will have to do whatever it takes to get him back, including a forced alliance with the mysterious butler, after all the enemy of my enemy is my friend as they say.
This is a complex story, extremely well told with wonderful characters, most notably Winnie and of course the intriguing Mr Quincy. I found myself immediately intrigued by the snippets of Winnie's past and how her connections would play out. I loved how quick witted and tenacious she was, as well as the little glimpses we get of her softer side. Because this book builds on the author's previous series, the world feels lived in, the society fully rounded and the side characters give an intriguing glimpse of what more could be to come in future books. As an Irish reader, I particularly enjoyed the nods to our mythology, though I do not want to say more in case it spoils any of the surprises for the reader.
To put it simply this book was a delight and I eagerly await more.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own,

What am I supposed to do now? What am I supposed to do now?

Witchwood Knot follows Winnie as she moves to join the Witchwood Manor household as a governess. Not one second is wasted, from the first line we are thrown into a battle of wits as Winnie deals with the secrets that inhabit the manor.

Winnie was just so lovely. So smart, so wry, so endearing. She was my absolute favorite. We meet Mr. Quincy almost immediately after the first line, and he is just a treat as well. Their dynamic is so satisfying. They're so mean to each other but it's so cute. And Mr. Quincy. He has red eyes and a tail, he's so dreamy I cannot.

Please read this if you are interested in a cruel + tired fae meeting a sardonic + tired woman and engaging and a very aggressive staring battle.

Thank you to NetGalley and Starwatch Press for providing an eARC of The Witchwood Knot.

This is a beautiful gothic fantasy for those that enjoy curses, faeries, and strong women.

Winnie has come to Witchwood Manor to be governess to the young Robert Longfell. Of course, Winnie was under the impression more of taking care of faerie business rather than ACTUALLY acting as a governess.

With monsters both mortal, fae, and something else entirely lurking in the woods and beyond, Winnie finds herself in more of a tangle than she anticipated.

Having not read Half a Soul, or any of the Regency Faerie Tales series, this was an absolute gem. Half a Soul has been on my TBR for a short while, and will definitely be picked up much sooner than I anticipated!

Olivia Atwater does a fantastic job of writing strong women, and the incorporation of the Regency Faerie Tales into the story was wonderful! I truly enjoy when authors allow their characters to be strong willed even after horrors they have endured, and Winnie definitely delivers.

"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?"

If that quote doesn't make you swoon, we can't be friends. I knew from the minute we meet this character that he would steal my heart.

Please do yourself a favor and pick this up as a treat ♡

Thank you for giving me the chance to read this book!

This is a gothic romance based in England. It was based on so many magical features which I will get into in a bit

I loved how it had all kinds of different things. The faeries and the magicians (as sisters) and the familiars and necromancers added all that sprinkle of magic in the pages of this book

It had so many tricks and hacks and symbols and games. The main characters showed us all kinds of emotions. Powerful ones. We saw strengths and weaknesses and fears and hidden identities and love and hate..

At first everything was so vague which kept me going and kept fuelling my interest to keep going. It was slow at some point but I was hooked nonetheless

However, I want to say that something felt missing. I felt like I should’ve read her older books (the series about faeries?). I didn’t feel like I directly missed out on anything in the book though

This book’s most obvious theme (to me) was greed. Especially from the the men’s POV. Greed for the land. Greed for the property. Greed for wealth. Greed for things that aren’t ours and things that aren’t attainable. Greed for choices that cannot be made. Greed in all forms a human is capable of feeling. Greed

I think the premise of a haunted house is immediately interpreted as a gothic tale. A tale Olivia Atwater knew exactly how to write

I loved the characters and their growth within the chapters. I loved how the relationship between Winnie and Mr. Quincy started on hatred and suspicions and later on developed into a more understanding situationship and working together to figure out how to unravel things

I also loved the strength and the level of telepathy between the sisters. I’m not talking on a level of magic but on the level of familiarity between each other. That cat too, Oliver, was very protective of Winnie and I loved how strong their bond was. His hate for men was very relatable too hahaha :)

Great book in my opinion! Loved reading this one

This was truly a delightful read. I’ve read Half a Soul by Atwater — and I really enjoyed it — so I knew I had to check this one out too as soon as I saw the ARC available for it. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint! I actually like this series - (small spoiler, there will definitely be a second book to this that continues the plot line) - more than I liked Half A Soul. While this book is set in the same world as Half A Soul, you don’t need to read the series (Regency Fairytales I believe) to understand this one, but familiar characters do pop up so you may enjoy it more if you or have read them.

I really connected with Winnie and her tenaciousness, compassion that is only given when deserved, cleverness, and pragmatism. It was very refreshing to read a fantasy novel where the FMC is very sure of herself, her abilities, and where she stands in the world. Can we have more of that please?? I like to live vicariously through these characters 😅.

I also liked the love trope here, which was more… pragmatic X grumpy (you’ll get what I mean when/if you read it). I’m a sucker for mysterious and troublesome fae (thanks Julie Kagawa).

Another plus to this novel was that it was engaging the whole time! I didn’t feel like any of the book dragged at all and was plotted damn near perfectly (I don’t say that often… and by often I mean hardly EVER).

If you’re into gothic romances, creepy/haunted manors, mysterious fae, and the regency era, then you’re going to LOVE this! Thanks to Netgalley for a chance to read the ARC!

I read The Witchwood Knot in much the same way the story took hold of me — slowly at first, over a period of days, and then, all at once in a grand race to the finish. This dark fairytale set in a mysterious English manor fully evokes the feelings of the era in which it is set. The descriptions are so visceral and cinematic, I felt I was watching a movie of a classic gothic novel in my mind. The main character’s mix of heart and bravado, with a healthy dose of specified skill set learned from her faerie mentors, made her both relatable and admirable. Towards the end, I couldn’t wait to see the resolution of the main plot line, in addition to the love story that had long been set in motion. I am desperately hoping there’s a sequel or more planned for this world.

The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater

Dark, eerie, faerie tale set in Victorian England… if you’re like me you’re jumping for an opportunity to read this one!

Hired as governess to young Robert, Winifred Hall knows Witchwood Manor is not like other great houses the minute she arrives. She immediately meets Mr Quincy, the butler and finds he may not be all that human.

I felt like I was missing information about Winnie and the Fae lands. After finishing the book I discovered there is an earlier series Regency Faerie Tales containing several of the same characters. I would have enjoyed this book more if I’d read the earlier series.

There were a few scenes that were uncomfortable and the romance seemed to develop out of nowhere.

I loved Winnie, her cat Ollie, and Robert and would love to see more of them.

Though on the slow side and lacking spice it was a fairly enjoyable read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Starwood Press for an opportunity to read this ARC

Ok, so now I KNOW why I put Half a Soul on my TBR (and it's moving WAY up the list!). Olivia Atwater's writing is atmospheric and poetic. I love it, and The Witchwood Knot is achingly lovely. Winifred Hall is the so-called governess and arrives at Witchwood Hall to care for the grandson of an old friend. We soon discover things are not as they should be, no one knows who the butler was that answered the door, everyone looks as though they haven't slept in a long time, it's dark, it's mysterious, and it's scary. But Winifred is not afraid. She's been raised for this. She's smart, she's determined, and although she doesn't want to, she begins to care for the beings of Witchwood and is going to defeat the dark. It is poignant and makes me wish I had read Atwater's other books. I plan to remedy that soon. This is a quick and wonderful read that will leave your heart squishy and glad that happy endings can shine in the dark.

3 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC copy of this book!

I will preface this review by admitting this is my first work of Olivia Atwater's, and so I had no clue what to expect. Although I love regency, I much prefer victorian and so this one called to me a lot more than her regency fairytales.

I absolutely loved Olivia's writing, I think she has a real talent to write for the era the stories are set in rather than alternating the era to fit her words. I also liked the little touches of humour she added along the way with her writing, but still keeping it fit to the era. The gothic victorian vibes mixed with the faeries was a perfect mix, and there wasn't too much of either element that drowned out the other. My absolute favourite part of this book, however, was our FMC, Winnie. I found her absolutely charming, strong-willed, funny, but she also had this kind, childlike undertone to her character, just giving her an all-rounded personality you couldn't help but like. She could have gone on any journey within this book and I would have just been content to be reading about her. I also absolutely loved Mr. Quincy, at first I thought he was a little strange but I warmed up to him. There is one aspect to his persons though that I entirely decided to ignore (if you've read this, you'll know what I'm referring to).

The plot in this definitely picked up towards the end, as I felt the first half dragged a little and the real plot started around the halfway mark. I think more should have been added to the beginning, or instances spread out more, as it started to get a little repetitive. I also didn't expect this to be more of a direct sequel to the regency fairytale series, as there were numerous occasions where characters from that series were mentioned in quite important conversations or information dumps. I would recommend to people to read the previous series first so you're more aware of the different characters, unlike myself. I also felt, as much as I liked the romance, it was quite rushed and appeared out of nowhere. Although I think the love interests were well suited, I don't think we got to see the growth in their relationship and it all happened within a few chapters, again, towards the end of the book.

Overall, I thought this was a good read and I would be interested in seeing where Winnie and Mr. Quincy go in the next book of the series.

I'm absolutely enchanted by The Witchwood Knot. Atwater masterfully creates a spine-tingling atmosphere that's perfectly balanced and is just spooky enough, but never too dark. The mystery at the heart of the story is compelling and well-constructed, and kept me guessing until the very end. Highly recommend it for its engaging plot and captivating ambiance.

I love Olivia Atwater, so I knew I needed to read this book - I'm so grateful to NetGalley and Starwatch Press for the ARC!

I loved it, the story is gripping and gothic and the characters and setting are engaging. I genuinely cared what was happening and kept turning the page to learn more.

I read the book in one full sitting and can't wait for more - the Regency setting is so interesting and adds an intriguing element to the fantasy!

My thank for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Starwatch Press. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Fantasy, Gothic Fantasy, Fairy Tales
Spice Level: Low (creepy man moves, abuse is also part of the novel but not heavily described)
Romance: Yes—but it's not what I expected!

I enjoyed so much about this book!

Winnifred is not like your normal governess. I love her knife (that's very sharp) and her no nonsense approach. I felt like I was trying to figure out the mystery of magic as Winnifred did.

The other characters are equally interesting. Mr. Quincy with red eyes, card playing, and secret refuge kept me intrigued. The old grandmother with the iron ring who lives in the attic made me worried about what would happen next. And the little boy is predictably unpredictable—but if you're not familiar with children, you might think they behave well naturally.

This is a story that unfolds. It's a bit creepy, definitely Gothic, but it also explores modern themes. I loved how it is layered and knotted together! It works so well!

I highly recommend this book.

Happy reading!

When Victorian governess Winifred Hall sees that her bratty young charge has transformed overnight into a perfectly behaved wooden replica of himself, she realizes 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 realize, however, and full of otherworldly dangers. As Winnie delves deeper into the Witchwood Knot, 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 center of the Witchwood Knot through wit and cleverness… but when all of her usual tricks fail, who will she dare to trust?

I really loved Winifred as the main character. She made an excellent female protagonist. She was plucky, brave, resourceful, caring, and loyal, and her backstory (which was told in bits throughout the book) was absolutely heartbreaking. I also loved Winifred's undead cat familiar, Oliver. There was non-stop action and danger as they entered the Witchwood Knot, so even though the book was fairly long, it moved at a rapid pace. There is a warning at the beginning of the book for sexual harassment against female children and women, so I will go ahead and let you know that now. There wasn't a lot of it, but if that is a trigger, then you need to know. This is perfect for fans of Heather Fawcett.

Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for honest review.

I recently read Half a Soul by Olivia Atwood and thoroughly enjoyed it so when I saw this one available for review I just had to read it.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I love the way Olivia Atwood writes, she transports me into the world and keeps my interest. I do think I would have enjoyed this story more if I had read the other 2 in the regency fairie tale series. I felt that the Witchwood knot referenced characters and things that happened in those books. I think reading those first may have enhanced my reading experience and taken it from a 4 to a 5 star read for me. All in all a very enjoyable read.

The story follows the determined Victorian governess, Winifred Hall, whose quick wit and discerning eye lead her into a world of faeries after her young charge is abducted. Atwater skillfully crafts a narrative filled with intrigue and suspense, keeping readers eagerly turning pages as they accompany Winnie on her quest to rescue the missing lord.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its vivid portrayal of the enchanting but perilous world within Witchwood Manor. Atwater's descriptive prose brings to life the magical setting, filled with otherworldly dangers and secrets lurking around every corner. The author masterfully balances the whimsical with the eerie, creating an atmosphere that is both charming and haunting.

The character of Mr. Quincy, the dark and dubious faerie butler, adds depth to the story. His enigmatic nature and hidden secrets add layers of complexity, keeping readers guessing about his true intentions. The dynamic between Winnie and Mr. Quincy is a highlight, as their interactions bring a touch of humor and mystery to the narrative.

While the resolution is satisfying, some readers may find themselves yearning for a bit more exploration of certain aspects of the story. Nevertheless, "The Witchwood Knot" is a delightful blend of fantasy and Victorian charm, offering a unique and engaging reading experience. Olivia Atwater's ability to blend the magical with the mundane creates a tale that is as charming as it is mysterious, making this novel a solid 4.5-star read for fans of fantasy and historical fiction alike.

This is my introduction to Olivia Atwater and I am thoroughly charmed. Gothic fiction is my jam right now and this morstle is a gothic, Victorian fairytale with a side of romance. Perfect for a fall day or a haunting winter's night.

I'm so enamored with the heroine, Winnie, I'd love a series of her going on Victorian, Sherlock Holmes type paranormal investigations!

This story is well paced and keeps you guessing as far as who should and shouldn't be trusted. But that HEA reminds you that this is, in fact, a fairy tale.

I was very excited to find out that the author has a series of Regency fairy tales and this is the start of her Victorian fairy tales. I will be back for more. Thank you, Olivia!

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of The Witchwood Knot in exchange of my honest opinion.

3.75 stars

This is my first Atwater book and I can say that I really enjoyed it and I’m excited to read her previous works.

The Witchwood Knot delivers on the dark atmosphere and fairy lore. Winnie is a magician that comes to this haunted Manor to oversee and protect the youngest member of the family that owns this state. I truly enjoy this character. She is kind, but at the same time not a push over. She is cunning and knows how to play her part well. She is the victim of SA and I thought this theme were well workout throughout the story. In fact, her responses and the way she deals with the situation remind myself of characters from Ava Reid, and I say that as a high compliment.

Mr. Quincy was also another great character that I really loved seeing his growing arc. As his dealings and bettings with Quincy took place, we could see his change of heart happening in an organic way. The secondary characters were also lovely and Oliver, Winnie’s familiar stole the show for me.

I also loved Atwater’s writing and I thought the atmosphere and whimsical scenario she painted was perfect for fall. However, I would say that some of the points were very slow for me and it ended up pulling me out of the story. Things picked up on the second act, after our main character started working towards her goal, facing the challenges of the manor, and learning about the inhabitant’s past.

Lastly, I love romance, and even though we see Winnie and Quincy’s interactions right from the beginning in the book, the chemistry and interest about their relationship was only picked up on the second act of the book. To be honest, by the 50% mark I was convinced that he was not going to be her romantic interest and we wouldn’t have a romantic subplot in this book.

Overall it was a good read and sparked me the interest on this author’s previous books.

“The Witchwood Knot” by Olivia Atwater - (4 Stars) (Pub Date:11/28/2023) is a sharp and intriguing gothic fairy tale, with excellent dialog and concrete world building. The characters are complex, the faery’s are equal parts intriguing and scary, and the writing is excellently direct.

Good Things: The fairy-tale style of storytelling allowed for a direct step-into the story…”Once Upon a Time” but in this case “She arrived, and then things started happening” That immediate start into the story was just what I wanted. I didn’t have to invest a ton of mental effort to settle into the who, what, where. It’s been a long time since I’ve read something that does that so well, that was also a GOOD story. Some authors use that format because they lack the skill to walk a reader into the world, but that was not the case with this book.

Opportunities: I wanted a little more backstory for the main character, but I’m assuming that there will be more of that in the next iterations of the series. I also kept getting hung up on the appearance features of the main gentleman in the story. I could have done without the mental picture a rattail, but that’s merely personal preference.

Final Thoughts: This book was simply fun. It had enough complexity to keep me guessing and engaged, but was delivered in such a straightforward manner that I didn’t have to work really hard to earn the rewards of the story. I’ll be looking for future books from this author.

I appreciate the opportunity afforded me to have an early read of this story by netgalley and Victory Editing/Starwatch Press. The opinions in this review are expressly those of ButIDigressBookClub and are intended for use by my followers and friends when choosing their next book. #butidigress #butidigressbookclub #thewitchwoodknot #oliviaatwater @Oliviaatwaterauthor #netgalley #netgalleyreviewer #arc #arcs

Details
Review Shared on Goodreads - www.goodreads.com/leah_cyphert_butidigressbookclub
Publishing Review 11/24/2023