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

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

4 Stars! -- I loved the Regency Faerie Tales series by this same author so I was very much looking forward to a companion series set in the Victorian Era. I really appreciated and enjoyed the callback to previous characters, books, and plot points throughout this story.

The book follows Winnifred Hall as she tries to save a young boy from the clutches of a mysterious manor and its curse. I think the setting was suitably gothic, the characters mysterious, and the world-building solid. The first half of the book was quite slow to me, but at around the 50% mark, things started to pick up and I started enjoying it even more.

Winnie and Mr. Quincy start out as adversaries but learn that they are not each other's enemy. I liked this development of their characters and how they both recognized each other as an equal opponent from the beginning (I love when this is the case for any type of enemies to lovers kind of tales). I think the ending is strong in its message of consent; Winnie has been objectified from a young age and her relationship with Mr. Quincy is clear that she is okay with his attention because she has given him permission to do so (Note: in non-spoiler fashion, please check the trigger warnings for this book for themes relating to this).

My favorite quotes:
"It was somewhat flattering, Winnie realised, to be considered a worthy opponent, instead of as a woman."

"He was, in short, a one-man terror."

"'You are so cruel, Mr. Quincy,' she told him. 'I admire it intensely.'"

I thought the resolution of the story set up the next installment in the Victorian Faerie Tales series and I am looking forward to the next one! This book releases on Tuesday, Nov 28th!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced readers copy in return for an honest review. It did not affect my review in any way. All quotes are from an early copy.

I loved the regency faerie tales by Olivia Atwater and was so excited to read another more gothic fairytale. The main character Winnie was brave and likeable and I loved the interwoven faerie tales that were mixed into this book seamlessly. I thought the author handled difficult topics with great care and am looking forward to reading more from her in the future.

4.5★

Thank you NetGalley for this e-arc! First of all, I want to say that this book was such a fun read and I adored every single minute of it.


Thoughts:

☆ This was my first book by this author, and I loved it. I loved the writing, the description, and the atmosphere. The more I think about it, the more I want to reread this and also read her other series. I'll definitely be getting a physical copy of this so I can reread it and underline my favorite parts.

☆ I'm kinda wondering if I would've enjoyed this book even more if I read her other series first, as I could tell it was connected in a way and also set in the same world/universe (not sure how to call it). But with that said, I still think this could be read as a standalone. I don't think I was missing any piece of lore or any information while reading this. I think the author did a very good job with the descriptions and explanations, and just introducing the reader to her world without having read her other series.

☆ The romance was very subtle. I actually didn't expect any, and I had to check Goodreads to see if "romance" was even one of the genres (it was). The story was so good on its own that I wasn't missing the romance there. And even if there wasn't any, I would've loved it the same. But the romance was very sweet and cute. I actually liked that it was subtle and that the story was the main focus.

☆ I loved the faeries! I hadn't realized until now how much I love folk fae stories. I need more in my life. It was such a nice change from the usual "hot" faes, to be honest. I loved the wicked creatures in this book.

☆ And of course, the characters. They were so enjoyable. Winnie was such a nice and strong character, and I loved following her story throughout the book. And then there was Mr. Quincy, who I also adored. I didn't expect that at first because he comes off as a very mysterious person. But getting to know him more, spending more time with him, I really came to adore him too - even with his tail.


This book was so much fun to read. It was very atmospheric, gothic, and gloomy. The story was a bit dark at times, which I enjoyed, and overall, I'd rate it 10/10 and would read it again (and I will, once I get my hands on the physical copy).

This honestly just made me want to pick up this author's other books asap. They have been on my TBR, but I just moved them higher on my priority list.

The Victorian era is one of my favourite eras for historical fiction, so when it comes to reading books that are set in that era, it seems to be a case of either my expectations are met, or they are not. This book ticked all the right boxes for me in that regard, and I found myself escaping to Witchwood Manor while I was reading. This was a lot of fun to read, and while I wouldn't place it in the same category as traditional fairy tales, its fantasy element was charming.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

Y’all need to read this book. Olivia Atwater is one of my absolute favorite authors and this story did not disappoint. Normally I am wary of books advertised as a “return to” the world of a previous series because it can’t live up for the expectations. However, Witchwood Knot is an entirely satisfying and engrossing book and one of my favorite reads this year. I loved the gothic twist to Atwater’s historical fantasies. I highly recommend.

It’s absolutely wonderful to return to Olivia Atwater’s fantastical England, filled with magic and the Fair Folk. The Witchwood Knot is set in the same world as her Regency Faerie Tales series, though set years later in the Victorian era (hence the series title, Victorian Faerie Tales). This story follows Winifred Hall, who has just arrived at Witchwood Manor to become the governess. Winnie was hired by the dowager Lady Longfell, who was kind to Winnie as a child and knows of the magic she possesses.
Witchwood Manor is made from the witchwood trees that originally grew on the property. You can’t just cut down trees beloved by the Fair Folk and the manor is cursed. Even the servants won’t stay, aside from a few brave folks like Cook. Winnie was called in to be not just the governess, but to hopefully break the curse and protect the dowager’s young grandson from the fae until he’s able to go off to school in the autumn. Each night those who sleep at Witchwood are pulled into a pocket realm of the fae world called the Witchwood Knot, which seems to be as much a curse to the fae who dwell there as it is to the humans residing in the manor. There are screaming faces in the walls and Mr. Quincy, the not-butler, will play cards with truthful answers as the prize.
The plot is actually quite dark, which is a change from the previous series which for the most part felt kinder and cozier. While this story does have a smidge of a romance plot it mostly focuses on unravelling the Witchwood Knot and solving what turns out to be a much graver situation than initially expected. Young Master Robert is taken by the fae while his father manages to be a thorough creep toward Winnie at every turn. She unfortunately has dealt with men who think they can own a thing merely because they lust for it before so she was on guard from the very first meeting.
This was a very good story and I didn’t want to put it down once I finally got the chance to read it! I’m very much looking forward to the next book and hope it focuses on one of Winnie’s sisters, who each have their own skill in magic.

Thank you to netgalley for the arc

Okay I won’t lie, this book took me so long to get into. Which was so sad because I loved the regency fairytale series, but I think this was unfortunately a case of right book wrong time. I think it took me till about the 50% mark to finally be invested in the story. I did put the book down for a while and once I came back to it I found it way more enjoyable. It helped that I started seeing different elements of Labyrinth in it which made my enjoyment skyrocket lol.

Where do I start. It is definitely different from the regency fairytale series, while also still keeping the strong elements and the distinct witty writing style Olivia Atwater has. The dry humor of the main characters throughout her books is one of my favorite aspects. The topics are much darker and serious but done really well. All the characters have traumatic pasts (and presents honestly) but they are handled with love and care. I appreciated that so much. As always, the afterword goes into more detail on the themes of the book and it once again shot up my admiration for Olivia’s writing and the way she tells her stories.

One thing I had some trouble with was the connections between the main characters. I only really connected with them at the end. It wasn’t the highlight of the book, but it gave more depth to each character healing themselves. This definitely wasn’t romance heavy. It was plot focused and more heavy on the character development than anything, so if you’re going in expecting the same romantic fairytales as the other books, it wont be the same. Although it wasn’t the usual fluff I still really liked the outcome of it.

Winnie as a main character was one you could grow to love and care for. Her backstory was fleshed out and made all her actions have reasonings behind them. I love when i’m able to be shown how a character is who they are and why they are that way, rather than just being told how to interpret them. Seeing her slowly thaw out from the cold person she was forced to become filled me with love for her. She deserves so much.

Mr. Quincy I couldn’t really figure out. We don’t really get much of his background or actions explained till much later in the story so it was hard to connect to him as a love interest. I did like him as a character in general though. And of course I was still rooting for him and Winnie. I can’t help it, I’m a simple girl. I want my characters to be happy and healing.

Oliver was my favorite character. I love animal companions and familiars so much. He had so much personality for being a character who doesn’t ever talk, and his backstory made me want to HUG him. I love you ghost cat.

I did enjoy the dynamics between Winnie and Robert. Watching Winnie who didn’t like kids and couldn’t really understand them until she confronted her own trauma, and Robert who was a victim of his own familial circumstances and childlike behaviors, warm up and grow through each other was so heartwarming.

One other thing is that this book is indeed connected to the regency fairytales series. It’s just been so long since I read them that I only put the most obvious parts together. There were so many times I simply confused myself trying to remember if a certain person brought up was one I’ve met before, or a whole different person entirely. Once I just gave up it got easier to follow along, but I feel like if you’ve recently read that series (or have a working memory unlike me) you’ll enjoy the little easter eggs.

The ending felt a little simple but after putting aside my first thought of “why didn’t we do this sooner” it made a lot of sense. The characters had to develop and grow to even get to the point of overcoming the evils they had to face. We didn’t wrap everything up and I don’t think it can necessarily be called a standalone since there’s so much more to explore. I don’t know where the story will go from here but i’m so interested to see what happens next.

Sorry if this review was all over the place, but all in all this book was solid. I wish I picked the book up at a better time, since this was a really sad time in my personal life that affected my reading enjoyment, but I still found so much to appreciate. Olivia Atwater just creates stories so well and i’ll always pick up whatever she writes.