This was such a well written fairytale with wonderful atmosphere and a great MC. I felt enthralled by all the characters, and the setting was so interesting and fun while being based in lore. I don’t usually finish books in 1 sitting but I did with this one! Can’t wait to read the rest of the installments as they come out.

This was my first Olivia Atwater book and I'm so excited to read more now. This one was so atmospheric and intriguing. A fascinating plot, that reminded me a lot of T. Kingfisher, with the dark fairy tale vibes. I absolutely fell in love with this cast of characters. Maybe my only complaint was concerning the ending, which I felt a little anticlimactic and underwhelming, but overall it was a pleasant surprise and I can't wait to read more.

Check out trigger warnings before reading.
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Pub Date: 28 Nov 2023

Thank you to Netgalley, Starwatch Press and the author for giving me the chance to read this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

'I am still not afraid of you - i am not even afraid of being desired. I am simply afraid of what desire becomes whenever I dare to decline it'

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really enjoyed this book and all of its witchy and gothic vibes! One of my favourite things from this book is the big creepy house. I am a sucker for old eerie houses so that instantly drew me into this book.

I also really enjoyed the whole concept, the magic system was interesting and the witchwood knot itself had me captivated and eager to find out more! As I settled into the book and the writing, I enjoyed it more and more and became more intrigued by the characters. One of my favourites was Oliver the cat, such a fearlessly loyal companion , even his backstory had me pitying him. #oliversupremacy

Winnie was a really fierce main character, I was excited to find out more and explore her magic abilities. Mr Quincy was also very interesting and mysterious. Robert really grew on me, he was quite a lost soul but he really found a friend in Winnie (even if he was a nightmare to begin with😂).

I really appreciated the natural development of Winnie and Mr Quincy’s relationship, it didn’t feel forced and took its time rather than being a sudden change and I loved that! I also loved how they both saw character development with Winnie reclaiming her sexuality and Mr Quincy reclaiming his autonomy.

What lowered the rating for me was mainly that I didn’t feel the Victorian essence as much as I would have liked. I would have also liked to see the magic expanded on more and to see Winnie’s abilities more, so hopefully that happens in the future books!

Overall I would definitely recommend. It was a nice easy read that I flew through with fun concepts and magical elements. I look forward to the rest of the series!

Thank you to @netgalley and @victoryeditingngc for letting me read this book!

Thank you to Starwatch Press and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC.

When I saw Olivia Atwater, the author of the charming Small Miracles and the Regency Faerie Tale series (home to delights like Ten Thousand Stitches and Half a Soul ), had written a spooky continuation of the latter's world, I knew I had to read it. Like all of her novels, The Witchwood Knot. features a charming and quirky romance as well as a strong female protagonist, Winnifred “Winnie” Hall, who is dealing with the often catastrophic fallout of faeries.

"There has always been something wrong with Witchwood Manor, ever since Lord Longfell had it built. At first, it was less noticeable—little noises in the dead of night, and whispers in the halls. But then...the servants started leaving. Some disappeared entirely.*"


Unlike the former entries in Atwater’s world, this novel takes place in the Victorian Era, rather than that of the Regency. Fans of Victorian novels might be disappointed that this setting doesn’t play more of a role in the novel, but it’s really just a briefly mentioned backdrop. The main action revolves around the home in which Winnie finds herself employed in as (a very reluctant), governess. Winnie quickly discovers that the eponymous Witchwood Manor is home to more than just the ailing lady of the house and the few servants who can bear to work there.

But The Witchwood Knot is unlike Atwater’s other novels in that it asks the question: are fairies really the true monsters of the world? Winnie is more traumatized than Atwater’s previous heroines, which is handled with sensitivity and realism. Though I found her backstory incredibly compelling, I did, at times, think that this clever and resourceful heroine was a little too calm and level-headed for what she had been through in the past. Despite finding her ability to think so quickly and rationally on her feet in times of great danger and emotionally triggering situations a little difficult to believe, I still found Winnie to be an interesting and complex main character with a lot of admirable qualities.

I also really enjoyed the darker atmosphere and tone of this novel. It’s certainly less cozy than the others of Atwater’s works I read, but it never came across as too spooky or chilling to me, in spite of being marketed as a gothic novel. I couldn’t help but to feel like The Witchwood Knot wanted to be both scary and gothic as well as sweet and charming, but that it didn't quite find the right balance to both of these things. Though I enjoyed both of these elements, I couldn’t help but to wish that the novel had fully committed to one of the tones.

"There were no easy answers to her current dilemma. Sometimes, faerie cruelty was simply inescapable."


For example, the darker elements of the novel pertained to the male lead, which made it hard to support his romance with Winnie. For much of the novel, he was a main and sinister antagonist working from the shadows to thwart Winnie, so I wasn’t quite sure he was even actually supposed to be the love interest for her for most of the novel. Though it was hard for me to see this character in a different light, it did end up working for me, just not as well as I think it could have or as it did in Atwater’s previous novels.

I think it’s also worth noting that The Witchwood Knot does include references to Atwater’s previous novels. Unfortunately, I read these books over a year ago, and have a very poor memory, so I wasn’t able to fully appreciate these references as they were intended. Though The Witchwood Knot is the first in a new series, and the references ultimately aren’t that pertinent to the novel, this may not be the best book to get started with when exploring the author’s works. However, it certainly sets up well for future entries in the series and I'm very interested to see where it all goes.

I will definitely pick up new entries in the series, as I'm very invested in the world and its characters. I think fans of Olivia Atwater's previous books and new readers who are looking for a fantasy read with spooky-but-not-too-spooky vibes will really enjoy The Witchwood Knot.

*All quotes taken from an ARC and subject to change at time of publication.

This advanced copy was provided by Starwatch Press, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

TW: sexual harassment, child abuse, grooming, pedophilia, abandonment, blood and gore.

4.5

The Witchwood Knot is a dark gothic tale of a young governess who must protect her charge from the faeries.

Winifred Hall is not someone who can easily be fooled, but The Witchwood Manor is about to test her capabilities. Winnie must not only protect the young lord, but survive the trials the manor will set her, and the man who is interfering with her quest.

I don't believe you need to read the author's previous trilogy in order to understand this story, though I think it gives you context about some characters that are mentioned in this novel. As someone who's only read Half a Soul (and loved it), my lack of knowledge didn't interfere in my reading experience. If anything, it made me want to read more.

Olivia Atwater always mesmerizes with her writing. I have read my share of faerie stories, and she is one of the few authors who showcases the ruthless and the intrigue we find in folklore. Her character development is also remarkable. I was invested in Winnie and Mr. Quincy's story as well as Cook, Margaret, and the other background faeries.

While this is advertised as a gothic romance, the romance is not the main focus. This is a fantastical tale with chilling monsters that creep around the corner, and a survivor who will do whatever must be done.

I want to thank the publisher for the opportunity to read this story, I had a marvelous time reading about Winnie.

I really liked this one! I think gothic romances in second world fantasy is really hard to pull off on account of how ghosts aren’t mysterious and spooky if you’re even a very minor kind of wizard or your sister is a necromancer. Olivia Atwater has <em>almost</em> pulled it off here. I don’t think she’s quite hit all the proper notes to make this a great gothic novel, but as a fairy-tale style fantasy romance, it is really lovely.

There are some definite weaknesses in the romance—while Mr Quincy does have his charms as a love interest, we don’t really see any of them until the back half of the novel, and her whole attitude change towards him seemed very abrupt and based on very little.

I did, however, absolutely love Winnie’s relationship with Lady Longfell, and her growing sympathy for the Lady’s grandson. The vibes are impeccable, and I loved the fairy tales within the fairy tale. I would, however, advise you go back if you haven’t read <em>Half a Soul</em> yet—you could skip the rest of the first trilogy if you wanted to, but knowing the Lord Sorcier and the Hollow Lady is key to understanding quite a few key plot points.

Thank you to NetGalley and Starwatch Press for the eARC!

I’d actually like to start this review by quoting someone else’s: Shelley Parker-Chan blurbed this, “The Witchwood Knot delivers the best kind of comfort—the kind that doesn’t shy away from the world’s injustices, but faces them with indignation.”

I absolutely love that. I read and enjoyed the entire Regency Faerie Tales trilogy, and I’ve been thinking a lot about where Atwater falls in the emerging canon of cozy fantasy. I could go on a tangent here, and I’ll do my best not to; all I’ll say is that there is a glut of “cozy” stories with nothing to say. Stories written for escapism or vibes without a solid grasp on their own thematic subtext or willingness to engage with hard topics.

Atwater isn’t writing stories like that, and that’s exactly what makes them actually cozy: facing the world’s injustices “with indignation.” The Regency Faerie Tales are whimsical and charming historical romantasies, but they’re tied together by this fiercely simmering sense of justice: they’re angry, and repeatedly posit that a just person in an unjust world *must* be angry. That anger is not a moral failure, but in fact, essential to begin the work of righting systemic wrongs.

A gothic novel is a vastly different undertaking, but I felt like the author took the change of pace in stride. We pivot here from The Regency Faerie Tales’ themes of class consciousness and workers’ rights to a story that is both quieter and more personal, yet achingly familiar: a young woman repeatedly victimized by the predation of powerful men. CW for sexual harassment and pedophilia; feel free to shoot me a message if you need more specific details.

Winnie is such a powerful character: I love reading about women who will unapologetically do whatever they need to in order to survive. I love reading about women who are not “perfect” victims. Her arc as a character was so full and intertwined perfectly with Mr Quincy’s arc - two feral and deeply damaged people, taking comfort in the honesty of the other’s blatant enmity, until it transforms into something else. Incredible, cathartic, no notes.

While this isn’t a “cozy” novel, it’s certainly less… intense? …than other gothics that I’ve read. Atwater keeps her signature prose, which is light, concise, and compulsively readable. The setting was fantastic, reminiscent of some of my personal childhood favorites: Coraline and the Spiderwick Chronicles. (I’d also recommend this to anyone who enjoys T. Kingfisher’s similar brand of macabre fairytale whimsy.)

Just to poke holes for a second, I have to admit that I found the ending surprisingly abrupt and a bit underwhelming compared to what I was expecting. I would have liked to see this book push the envelope more with its horror elements, but I didn’t really expect that based on the author’s typical wheelhouse. I’m also surprised to see that this book acts as a more traditional first novel in a fantasy series, setting up the conflict and villains to come; the previous trilogy followed the popular romance series format of loosely interconnected stories with crossover characters.

Altogether, I really enjoyed this and can’t wait to add a physical copy to my Atwater collection! Pick this one up for properly horrific faeries, an undead cat, characters cheating at cards with magic, a house that’s bigger at night, a spoiled rotten child who’s still worth saving, and a dash of very sweet, very slow-burn romance.

This reminded me a lot of the Stariel series, except much more gothic and mysterious. A lovely, darker fantasy, without being too much.

fantasy and gothic.. what else do you wish for?

The world building… exceptional. Mysterious, complex, layered. Is the best way to describe the book.
I’m just blown away from this book. Can’t wait for the next.

This was such a beautiful novel! It was somehow combined themes of gothic romance, Celtic fae mythology, and Victorian historical society – and I loved it. Add in the intriguing mystery and the darker themes, and this book was unlike any I’ve read.

“There are faeries, then, at Witchwood Manor.”

Firstly, the worldbuilding was phenomenal. I’ve read a fair few novels with the traditional fae mythology mentioned in The Witchwood Knot, but none had such intriguing and beautiful descriptions. Atwater’s depictions of fae monsters and card games and twisting mazes was so captivating and fascinating, and I enjoyed every page.

“Innocence is so offensive, isn’t it?… It is never content in its existence. It must force itself upon the rest of the world, insisting that true horror is a fiction.”

This novel also contained a few themes darker than expected – so check those triggers lovelies (let me know if you need me to write them below). I thought the author wove them into the story brilliantly, and they neither detracted from the plot nor were brushed over, which I appreciated. The quote above especially is such a unique take on the world and our constant determination to look on the bright side – I loved it.

“The world would be more comfortable without us, Miss Hall… But I have never troubled myself overmuch with making other people comfortable. I would rather carry a knife.”

I ADORED the main characters, especially our FMC. She was so strong and steady – she knew herself, and was capable and calm. Certainly a nice change from fiery, sarcastic heroines (who I also love, but who seem to be in every book these days). She also had a subtle sense of humour which I treasured.

“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?”

And the romance THE ROMANCE. It wasn’t the most prominent plot point, but it was so easy to obsess over nonetheless. I’m always a sucker for a traumatised, dark-haired MMC who believes he’s a monster – and this book provided. I don’t want to say too much about them and spoil, but I loved these two.

Overall, I’m so very glad I read this one. It has the most immaculate vibes and beautiful worldbuilding, and I cannot wait to read more from this author. Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC copy.

Absolute banger!

When Winifred Hall arrives at Witchwood Manor for her job as governess, she meets the butler, Mr Quincy. But both of them are hiding something as are others in the Manor!

Winnie is there to protect the Dowager's Grandson from the malevolent spirits but there's much more going on!

A gothicy, fantasy/horror lite story with an enemies to lovers plot, total spooky vibes, a very cute romance AND a fiesty undead cat. What more could you want?

I adored Winnie! She is unflappable, so strong, so matter of fact, a liar and so very determined. Oh and also utterly hilarious without even trying. 'Oh dear. It seems a faerie has just stolen all of my unmentionables.'

This was a fantastic read and I need more! I'm off to stalk the authors socials to see if there are any hints of a next book!

Mmmm, delightful gothic fantasy!

There’s clearly a depth of worldbuilding that’s gone here, and I believe previous books are woven through, but you don’t need to read them to delve into The Witchwood Knot.

This is lovely and dark, with a complex mystery and a heaping of fae.

I really loved Winnie, she felt authentic and her growth through the book was wonderful.

The romance felt like a bit of an afterthought, but not so much to be a distraction. The book could have done without it, but it wasn’t a problem that it was there.

I will be eagerly awaiting the sequel!

This was a whimsical, clever, gothic novel by Olivia Atwater! I really like how it mildly interlinked the previous stories as backstory, but you don't have to have read them to enjoy this story. It also has a more modern twist on the classic gothic trope: in this story, the main character arrives at the old manor knowing something is off, but not sure what, and is determined to figure out how to help correct the situation. There's magic and a touch of romance and it gets quite dark--I read it in only two sittings! It also does deal with some heavier topics (TW for SA), but it was handled very authentically.

I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Witchwood Knot was an exquisite experience and my first Olivia Atwater book, though it’s definitely the first of many. I read most of this story in one sitting, curled up under flannel blankets, with my cat and a hot mug of earl grey tea, and if I can make one recommendation to you, it would be to do exactly that as well.
Delightfully creepy and darkly whimsical, The Witchwood Knot is a story for my gothic girlies and gorlies who (like me) enjoy ghosts and hauntings and tortured, soft-hearted love interests, but who (also, like me) need these elements to be a soft pg.

Winnie, the MC is perhaps the most likeable and relatable main character I have had the pleasure of being introduced to and I took to her almost instantly. And Ollie, her undead cat familiar?? ARE YOU KIDDING? I love him so much. The romance was slow and doesn’t entirely reveal itself until around the 50% mark, but I found this to be quite to my liking, as it was more of a subplot until that point and the main plot kept me engaged enough to not even be bothered.

There was a bit of lore and some backstory that I found just a little bit confusing, but I didn’t think it took away from my experience or the overarching plot—if anything, I am now more intrigued and want to read the other series by Ms. Atwater. The saddest thing about this story is that I will never experience the cozy magic and delight of reading it for the first time again. 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5, and I can’t wait to read more from Olivia Atwater.

"The Witchwood Knot," Olivia Atwater's latest venture, marks a departure from the lighter tones of her "Regency Faerie Tales," embracing a darker narrative set in the Victorian era. This novel blends elements of gothic horror with Atwater's signature enchanting storytelling, making for a captivating and slightly eerie read.

The book dives into this gothic horror vibe that's perfect for a chilly fall night. The story revolves around Winnie Hall, who's not just your typical governess, but a magic practitioner sent to figure out what's up with the spooky Witchwood Manor. The manor, with its mysterious aura and hidden secrets, is a character in its own right, setting the stage for a tale of intrigue and supernatural occurrences. Mr. Quincy, the manor's enigmatic butler, adds to the mystique with his otherworldly presence and suspicious demeanor.

Central to this narrative is the stark, unflinching theme of male human greed – a hunger for property, wealth, and dominion over things better left untouched. This thematic exploration adds a profound layer to the storytelling, making it more than just a spooky tale.

The beginning might feel a bit slow. Winnie comes off a tad patronizing, and it takes a bit to get used to her. But stick with it! A little less than halfway through, things start to pick up, and her character really starts to shine. Plus, her dynamic with Mr. Quincy? Chef's kiss! It's sweet, it's fun, and it gives off that warm, fuzzy feel amidst the spooky backdrop.

Oh, and I can't forget about Oliver, Winnie's undead cat. That little guy is a whole mood, especially with his disdain for men.

So, if you're looking for something with a bit of gothic spook, a sprinkle of romance, and a whole lot of magical charm, "The Witchwood Knot" is your book. It's a cozy, yet thrilling ride, and a great pick for anyone who loves a good haunted house story with a twist.

This book is a bit darker and twistier than this author's previous novels set in this world, and I had a whole lot of fun reading it.

I loved the gothic and haunted nature of the house. I really enjoyed Winnie's interaction with Mr. Quincy, the sass and banter between them were quite delicious and I loved every time she outsmarted him. The undead kitty companion was the icing on the cake and I loved every scene he was in.

I'm looking forward to seeing where the next book is going to go, I hope it features one of Winnie's sisters!

In the Witchwood Knot we have a gothic Victorian fairytale but for adults.

Winnie Hall is a governess appearing at the manor to watch over and teach her young charge all while uncovering a mystery or two. During the course of said sleuthing, we meet “Mr. Quincy” and quickly learn that he is also not whom he appears to be.

Winnie is a FMC after my own heart because she doesn’t take any meds or sass from anyone, unlike what we typically get in Victorian era worlds.

And dare I say the romance I didn’t really see coming? Love that for them (and me) because I very much love when the villain gets the girl.

I do believe I was at a disadvantage not having read the Regency Faerie Tales trilogy so I wasn’t sure about this authors writing or some of the characters but alas, I liked it just the same and enough that I will check out her previous work and venture a reread of this afterward.

The Witchwood Knot is a wonderful read as we are well into fall and even into the transition towards winter. You can feel the gothic Victorian vibes jump from the page and that alone was worth the read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

Winnie arrives at Witchwood as a governess, but we soon realize that she is there for more sinister, magical reasons because Witchwood is cursed. Winnie must use her wit and thinking to break the curse or it will affect the future heirs of Witchwood.

This book promised a lot, but did not deliver. The beginning of the story was filled with lush, descriptive prose, but this was not continued throughout which was frustrating. It felt like the author did a lot of telling instead of showing. At numerous times, the author incorporated whole flashback chapters that felt out of place and would have been better suited to being sprinkled throughout chapters. The characters were not that interesting and the enemies to lovers romance felt SO forced and uncomfortable.

The Witchwood Knot is an incredible feat- a dark, gothic fantasy with rich worldbuilding, vivid characters, and a compelling mystery with life and death stakes that sets the stage for bigger battles to come. Winifred knows a lot about magic and faeries when she arrives at Witchwood Manor, but she quickly understands that she knows just enough to make her aware of her ignorance. Olivia Atwater is a master of “show, don’t tell,” and part of what makes this story great is how truly unpredictable it is.

In Winifred and Mr Quincy, Atwater gives us one of my favorite setups, where the love interests are inherently, inescapably at odds and working against each other, until of course, they are not. Winifred is competent and brave and not nearly as cold or detached as she would like to be. Mr. Quincy is delightfully cunning and sinister with a surprisingly soft and gooey center, revealed in a way that’s truly earned. The way their mutual wariness fades into respect and then deepens to something more is masterful. Such. Delicious. Chemistry

No one is only one thing in this book. There is no assumption that characters must be “likeable,” even children. Robert, Winifred’s charge, is refreshingly snarky and full of bravado, as a young lord might well be. Winifred abandons her search for her long lost faerie mentor to rescue him because any child is worth saving, as she herself was once saved. A central tenet of this text seems to be that while we may be shaped by what happens to us, our true character is defined more by the choices we make.

I thought Atwater handled the trauma in Winifred’s life deftly and appropriately. There is no gratuitous sexual assault on page, thankfully. We see from the beginning how being a girl and then a woman in the world has shaped Winifred, without needing to know all of the details. The backstory we do get comes at the right moment when we need to understand the root of Winifred’s deepest fear, the articulation of which in turn helps her (and the reader) understand something essential and pivotal about Mr Quincy- the person his choices have made/continue to make him versus who he might have become.

I don’t want to give anything more away about this gem of a book. I will now need to read everything that Olivia Atwater has ever written.

CW: mention of child sexual abuse

I didn’t even realize until a couple of weeks ago that a new Olivia Atwater book was coming out soon, and ofcourse I couldn’t stop myself from requesting an arc because how can I miss it. And this turned out to be both what I was expecting and more.

Firstly, I was very excited to know that this book is set in the same world as the Regency Faerie Tales trilogy. So I went in expecting a similar charming and cozy fantasy story with some mystery and lots of love, but this one is definitely much darker. The author creates a very good gothic atmosphere in Witchwood Manor and we can palpably feel the eeriness of the place, always worried about what monster might be lurking around in the corner (or the walls or under the floor). I also really enjoyed how the author incorporates some of the history of our main character Winnie, as well as world building information about faeries, in the form of short stories within the narrative, told as cautionary tales to a young boy. This structure gives the book a gothic fairytale vibe and made it quite enjoyable, despite some of the darker turns it takes. The writing is easy to breeze through like how I’ve come to expect from the author, with enough unpredictability to keep me hooked.

Winnie is an interesting protagonist. I liked how we don’t get to know her properly in the beginning and her backstory is unraveled slowly due to circumstances. She gives out a cold and guarded impression due to her history, but it was nice to see her start feeling for the people she meets in Witchwood manor, and making choices which she never thought she would. Mr. Quincy is an enigma until we get to know his story and then it’s quite easy to sympathize for him. There is some banter between them but their dynamic progresses from prickly and antagonistic to falling for each other fairly quickly, seeming a bit unrealistic, but I guess that was unavoidable considering it’s a short book. The rest of the cast is also written well and it’s not hard to like some of the other characters, but most of them get very little page time. I also really enjoyed the little mentions of my favorites from the previous trilogy, though the current timeline might mean that we’ll never get to actually meet them again.

Overall, this was a short gothic fantasy with fairytale vibes and a willful protagonist who I came to like. It is both whimsical and dark, and concludes satisfactorily but also leaves enough loose ends that it’ll be interesting to see how it all resolves in the next book, and I also wonder if we’ll meet these characters again. I look forward to it.