Amazing gothic read. It is moving but not action packed and the main character Winifred is witty and blunt. She was so much fun to read and follow this journey. The fairy lore is interesting and well developed. The small cast of characters makes it more intimate and helps you dive right into the story. Mr. Quincy and Winifred's relationship is sweet and refreshing. The communication with each other is to the point and I absolutely love it. Absolutely devoured this story and is wonderful for the fall season!
Please check triggers warnings it does have some dark themes that are presented within the story.
Thank you NetGalley and Starwatch press for the opportunity to read this book! This is my honest opinion.

3.75 stars rounded up to 4

I loved Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater, so I was very excited to dive into this book.

The Witchwood Knot is a gothic, dark faerie tale full of folklore, mystery and magic. Olivia Atwater’s writing is lush and atmospheric, and immediately pulled me into the story.

This book follows Winnie, a governess who must save her young charge after he is stolen away by faeries. I loved the twists and turns in the story, but I did find that the pacing dragged at times. The faeries in this book are truly wicked, which l always love to see in books!

I enjoyed the two main characters, who had their own struggles and flaws, which made them likeable and relatable. Their romance was definitely a slow burn, but I wish there had been a little more chemistry between them.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and I’m excited to read whatever Olivia Atwater brings out next! Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Eerie, lushious in descriptions and perfect for the fall season. Loved the mystery and the gothic manor. As always, the atmospheric writing grabs the reader's attention and all the wonderfully flashed out characters keep the readers on their toes. Enjoyed this so much!

Olivia Atwater's writing is so atmospheric. Although this started off a bit slow, I enjoyed this gothic faerie tale. I went into this expecting a period fantastical romance but its more than that, there are some more serious topics. I found myself on a bit of a emotional rollercoaster at times, feeling things I didn't expect. I would definitely recommend this. A perfect autumn read.

The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater is an enchanting romp through a whimsical world filled with magic, mischief, and a touch of romance. If you’re in the mood for a story that feels like a fairy tale but with a delightful twist, then this is the perfect book to dive into! Set in a charming yet chaotic village where magic is as common as a cup of tea, Atwater crafts a tale that’s as refreshing as a spring breeze.

Our protagonist, the fiercely independent and slightly awkward heroine, is a delight to follow. She’s got all the right intentions but often finds herself tangled in hilariously complicated situations—think of her as the lovable underdog you can’t help but cheer for. The way she navigates her magical mishaps is both relatable and laugh-out-loud funny. And don’t even get me started on the supporting cast; they’re wonderfully quirky and add just the right amount of chaos to the story.

However, while the whimsical elements are charming, the plot occasionally feels a bit meandering, with some storylines that could use tighter pacing. There are moments where the narrative lingers longer than necessary on minor details, which can detract from the overall flow. Yet, despite this, Atwater's blend of humor and heart shines through, making The Witchwood Knot a delightful adventure. If you’re looking for a whimsical tale that makes you smile and leaves you wanting more, this book is still an absolute gem!

This is a perfect October TBR book. It was gothic and spooky vibes, along with the magic influences of the faerie world. I loved Olivia's Half A Soul series, so it was fun to get another read from her. While this is a stand-alone, it did fall in the Half A Soul world. But don't worry, you can read it would knowing anything about the interweaving worlds.

I can not put into words how much I enjoyed this book. I've been in a reading slump for a while and this lifted me right out of it.

A wonderfully dark gothic ghost story that had me on the edge of my seat.

This book returns us to the magical world of Atwater's Regency Faerie Tales but set during the Victorian era, and magical things are not looking good.

Winifred, a not-quite governess, is brought to Witchwood Manor to protect the young lord from a malevolent force inhabiting the house. Luckily, Winnie has some magic to fend off some of the unruly Fair Folk that lurk within the manor, but the problem ends up being more complicated than she feared.

If the Regency Series was cozy fantasy, it appears the Victorian Series is leaning gothic since Atwater's dreaming writing carries a sinister undertone. Still, the romance is delicate and feels like it develops quite sweetly out of the darkness.

Olivia is setting up a wider plot with this one, so I am excited to read the next book in the series.

When the fae aren’t nice…

I loved every moment of this book. It wasn’t too long but the story kept going and going that I never wanted it to end.

Olivia Atwater wrote The Witchwood Knot in a beautifully, dark gothic way with (as the fae norm goes) twisting surprises in every chapter.

I cannot wait to read the next book in the series for more dark adventures with Winifred and Mr. Quincy

Rating: 4.25

Olivia has such a beautiful writing style, I really enjoyed how the magic system in this world felt so unique.

The absolute perfection... I don't think you understand. This book is perfect. I can't think of a single thing to change; I wouldn't want to. Olivia Atwater has done it. This is the perfect Victorian Gothic, and you will not be able to convince me otherwise. Not only is it a Victorian Gothic, but the romance made me swoon. If it makes a difference to you, yes, they're enemies. Truly enemies! I cannot wait for the next book to come out! I am waiting with bated breath!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to review this book. All opinions are my own.

This was my first time reading Olivia Atwater and it certainly won't be my last. i really like her whimsical, gothic style and her take on fairie lore.
This felt very much like a darker, more gothic version of Emily Wilde for me and I really enjoyed it, a perfect low stakes book to curl up with on a cool Autumn day.

This book is spell-bidding, it grabs you from the beginning and it takes you through this world where you have to tread lightly. Winnie is such a strong female character that has gone through so much but it drives you to see her overcome struggles, and become more sure of herself and what she can accomplish. You experience this house, the atmosphere surrounds you and you're entranced and horrified by the atrocities that have been done but more than that, it makes you question who are the real monsters.

This was my first Olivia Atwater book, but it won't be my last. I can only hope to become part of this cast of characters once again and pursue the next chapter of this story.

Thank you Starwatch Press/Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Olivia Atwater never disappoints. Upon starting this book, I was promised a deeply emotional gothic romantasy filled with sentient houses, unraveling mysteries and captivating characters at odds with one another. After finishing it, I can safely say that I got exactly that.

The Witchwood Knot is atmospheric, dismal yet magical, and filed with a sense of melancholy that never seems to become unbearable for the reader. While Half a Soul is still by far my favourite of Atwater's works, I cannot deny the magnetism this book and its characters have. Winnie was a main character whom I rooted for from start to finish, and Mr. Quincy was equal parts aggravatingly unknown and wondrously charming. If you're in need of a quick witted and fun gothic fantasy this fall, look no further.

Such a fun and captivating read!

I'll admit that it was a bit darker than I originally expected (tw: sa), but I got lost in the Knot all the same! This was such a perfect combination of Victorian era and faerie tale. The characters were easy to root for (or loathe) and the dynamic of the "-wood"s was really interesting. I also love that the story wrapped up enough that I feel closure, but I still can't wait to read the next one!

I just love Olivia Atwater's writing at this point. There are very few authors who could pull off writing a dark gothic faerie tale that but also make it feel cozy, even with the sense of looming danger still present at the end. Which I'm very excited about because I expect it means we should hopefully be seeing more sequels in this world in the future. Though at this point I think I'll be reading anything Atwater writes whether it's set in this world or not.

In particular I love how she writes her female characters, who win by their wits more often than being boxed into being more traditionally powerful; as well as how she has a real light hand with romance, with slow burns and chemistry that feel believable. And with a great hold on atmosphere, you really felt the gothic coming through with this one. Would recommend to anyone who likes the fey, the gothic, or just general alternate histories with magic thrown in.

The Witchwood Knot is a beautifully woven tale that I found both enchanting and deeply satisfying. This story is rich with folklore, magic, and a sense of timelessness that pulled me in from the very first page. Set in a world where the boundaries between reality and the mystical are deliciously blurred, we follow Elara, a young herbalist with a secret past, as she navigates the dark and mysterious forest of Witchwood. The forest itself is practically a character, teeming with life, secrets, and ancient magic.

Elara’s journey is one of self-discovery and resilience, and I loved her fierce determination and quiet strength. She encounters spirits, fae, and a bit of a “knotty” history that binds her fate to that of the forest, all while uncovering truths about herself that had long been hidden. The author’s prose are lyrical and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the world and its inhabitants.

The pacing of the book was a bit slow at times, a touch wordy and bordering on “purple prose”, but this is a minor quibble (and I can’t say I always dislike this kind of wordiness) in what is otherwise a beautiful read. If you enjoy magical stories like Spinning Silver or The Wolf and the Woodsman with a strong, introspective heroine and a touch of dark magic, then The Witchwood Knot is probably for you.

Olivia Atwater venturing into gothic fantasy with a dark faerie tale is still cozy, just… dark. For those looking for romance, it's there, but buried beneath the strong female lead, Winnie. I don't mean that in a bad way. She is strong and cold as a cover for her trauma (TW: sexual harassment, coercion), and throughout the story, she discovers a bit of herself that's been taken from her. Only then do you find the romance, which I appreciated.

Winnie is smart and strong, and Oliver the undead cat was delightful. I also love that there is a bit of this Disney trope—tales where you discover the villain isn't actually evil. The author does this so well with the mythology she weaves into the story. This was a great Summerween read!

A highly recommended read! This is a gripping magical realism and gothic fantasy of Faerie curses, black magicians and darker beings even the Fair Folk fear. This is a new take on haunted houses, Faerie curses in a stellar gothic gaslamp. Perfect for fans of The Emily Wilde Series and Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.
Atwater has created a unique magical realism and gothic fantasy universe which is reminiscent of draws recent Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susana Clarke and clever feminist protagonists similar to Angela/A.G. Slatter’s The Briar Book of the Dead and Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands series by Heather Fawcett.
In this gothic romantic fantasy, the brooding atmosphere of Witchwood Manor reluctantly welcomes protagonist, Winifred Hall who must confront her fears in order to repay a debt and save a child stolen into Faerie. Witchwood Manor, built from prized local woods and cursed by the Faeries who are now trapped within the magical binding of Witchwood Knot which also entraps their powerful enemies, the undying Fomórach. Luckily, Winifred Hall is no spinster governess as first appearances would suggest but a black magician well-versed in the rules of Faerie. Even this challenge is one she faces with caution to return Faeries to England, break the curse of the Knot knowingly releasing the imprisoned vengeful Faeries and the far deadlier Fomórach. If vengeful faeries and their enemies the Fomórach are not enough danger, the manor is transformed into to a nightmarish Faerie domain during sleep and Winifred must also out-manoeuvre a much more human monster also lurking in the house.
Atwater writes splendidly clever, capable and compelling characters to weave faerie folklore, legend and Victorian history into this romantic gothic fantasy with a flair for adventure, high-stakes bargains and a satisfying conclusion to this first book in a new series.
Conclusion

A highly recommended read! This is a gripping magical realism and gothic fantasy of Faerie curses, black magicians and darker beings even the Fair Folk fear. This is a new take on haunted houses, Faerie curses in a stellar gothic gaslamp. Perfect for fans of The Emily Wilde Series and Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.
** This is my personal opinion and does not reflect any judging decisions **

I have absolutely devoured everything Olivia has written and this book was no different. As with her other books, regency faerie tale series, this was a fun fast read. I loved that it referenced characters from other books but you don’t need to have read them to enjoy this one. Winnie and Mr. Quincy may be my favorite couple to date.