Ok, so not quite the witchy read I was expecting! This was an eerily dark folklore faerie tale full of dark magic and curses, of two worlds, Witchwood Manor and Witchwood Knot. It had labyrinth vibes throughout with unsettling themes of male manipulation, sexual harassment, power and fear. It's most definitely not a light-hearted adventure read, but it is written in a way that will have you transported into another world.
An atmospheric and dark fantasy which would be perfect for Halloween reading

Oh I LOVED this. The atmosphere, the characters, the plot - literally everything. It was much darker than I expected, but after finishing I think this will be a must read for spooky season.

"This world devours those who are too bold - but those who hide
and refuse to take risks are also taken unaware by danger".

I did read that this book was set in the same world of Half a Soul, but
I didn't think we would have the chance to see so many connections, so I was
extremely surprised when some of the characters I knew came back.
Of course even if it shares a universe with the previous book, it can easily be enjoyed as a standalone read.
What I appreciated the most were the vibes, the haunted house, the enigmatic butler...
All these mysteries were what kept me hooked.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

After devouring Atwater’s other books last fall, I expected something similar from the Witchwood Knot, which I did get, though it couldn’t convince me as much as the Regency Faerie Tales Series around Dora and the others. I think my main problem with the book was the many allusions that were made and the kind of purposefully vague conversations the main characters kept having, which did make sense in the context of the story, but if you only ever allude to what they could be meaning, you sometimes lose your readers, as in my case. I just didn’t always know what they were going on about and that left me confused and a little frustrated.

The protagonists were interesting though, Winnie was clever, very strong and had an interesting backstory, though I wished we would have learned about that a little bit earlier. Mr. Quincy was definitely an interesting opponent for her, who was wonderfully morally grey. I wasn’t a big fan of how their dynamics developed during the book though, the ending was fine, but inbetween I wasn’t convinced by the sudden changes their relationship underwent. The whole family stayed a bit bland tbh, but it was okay as they didn’t play such an important role.

One strong point I already liked in the Regency Faerie Tales and which was even more pronounced in this book was the criticism of oppressive structures. In this book we have a fmc who is very wary of men (and rightly so) and who protests the problems classism can create, especially for women in that era. Some of the topics are similar to Atwater's other series but that doesn't make them less relevant.

The writing was good again, easy to read and follow and nothing to complain about. So all in all a solid start into the Victorian Faerie Tales, which are definitely more on the gothic horror side of Faerie Tales, compared to the fluffier Regency Ones, but that’s fair, even though it might not be my personal preference. Thanks to Netgalley and Olivia Atwater for the free ebook!

Olivia Atwater's *The Witchwood Knot* is an enchanting blend of gothic romance and dark fantasy, offering readers a journey into a magical version of Victorian England where nothing is quite as it seems. The story follows Winifred Hall, a determined governess, as she navigates the eerie and mysterious Witchwood Manor in search of her young charge who has fallen victim to faerie mischief.

Atwater's writing is lush and atmospheric, drawing readers into a world filled with both beauty and menace. Her ability to craft a setting that feels both otherworldly and grounded in Victorian sensibilities is one of the novel's standout features. The gothic elements are well-executed, creating an eerie ambiance that permeates the story without overwhelming the more tender, romantic aspects.

The romance between Winnie and the faerie butler, Mr. Quincy, is a slow burn that unfolds with subtlety and care. Their interactions are charged with tension, yet there’s a delicate balance of charm and mystery that makes their relationship intriguing. Atwater avoids heavy-handedness in their romance, opting instead for a more nuanced exploration of trust and vulnerability, which suits the gothic tone of the novel perfectly.

However, while the novel excels in atmosphere and character dynamics, it can feel a bit slow at times, with the plot taking a backseat to the mood and setting. Some readers might find the pacing a touch uneven, but those who appreciate a richly detailed world and character-driven narrative will likely find this a minor issue.

Overall, *The Witchwood Knot* is a compelling read that will particularly appeal to fans of gothic romance and fairy tale retellings. Its unique blend of dark fantasy, intricate character development, and a touch of romance earns it a solid 4 stars. While it may not be a perfect read for everyone, it’s a beautifully written tale that lingers long after the final page.

The Witchwood Knot is a mysterious and slow burn gothic romantasy. The book is set in the world of Atwater’s Regency Era Faerie tales, but time has passed on and the Victorian era has started. The change of the era is done masterfully. The atmosphere is completely different, which is also emphasized by the gothic setting.

At first I wasn’t sure if there would be any romance in this book. The main character Winnie is certainly not looking for any. She is a strong and determined no-nonsense heroine. The butler of the house, Mr. Quincy, is a mysterious and sly fae. It often isn’t certain whose side he is really on. In the end the romance part of the book was very slow burn. I liked how things progressed subtly and naturally without it being too obvious. It suited the mysterious air of the book and its fae. I am not a fan of gothic horror, but I liked this book very much! Can’t wait to see what Atwater does next!

GENRE: fantasy romance
TROPE(S): slow burn
POV: single
THEMES: haunted house, fae, cat ghost
ATMOSPHERE: gothic, victorian
TRIGGERS: spooky, child abuse
STARS: 4,5 / 5⭐️

Calling all gothic/witchy/folklore lovers, you should read this book!

The Witchwood Knot follows the character of Winifred, who's been tasked to help unravel the mysteries of the cursed Witchwood manor and protect its young heir from the dangerous fae that lurk in the shadows.

I had such a good time reading this. The writing is atmospheric and enthralling. I loved Winifred as a character, she’s clever and strong-willed, proving herself to be a match for the cunning fairies she encounters.

Her magical abilities were also really well written and her ghostly familiar was a particular favourite of mine!

While this story is steeped in mystery and folklore, there is a sweet and earnest romance that unfurls too which I thought was really nicely done and helps move the plot along well.

There are some darker themes woven into this story too, ones that, though subtly explored, genuinely made me feel uneasy, so check the content warnings before reading.

Overall, this is a great slice of Gothic romance with a lot of heart and I greatly look forward to reading more of Atwater’s books. (There are definitely some references to her other books in this tale, but it's not necessary to have read them before this one)

A delightful dark fairy tale - while it's a follow-on from a previous book, it works perfectly well as a standalone. An exciting adventure, and the cool and collected Winnie was a wonderful protagonist.

Olivia Atwater is such a hit for me. Her characters are fun and many I would say are autism-coded but they are not shunned for their weird ways or unsocial nature - in fact those qualities are usual foundational for resolving plot issues that arise and I love it. I hope Atwater does more in this vein.

I'd never come across Olivia Atwater's works before, but now I will absolutely be seeking them out. This Gothic mystery/fantasy/faerie story was the perfect example of how to stand-out in a saturated genre, with it feeling like a bit more of a relaxed/low-stakes read than many of the other 'if we don't act now the world shall end' entries (which I do still enjoy, but it is nice to have a change every now and then). Winnie was an enjoyable FMC, and though the romance wasn't quite as entangled in the plot as I would've liked, it was still very much present and well-written. I've seen people describe this book as cozy with the author's incredible way of drawing attention to the smallest details and her skill in description, but I do also agree that there is a bit lost in the world building that is definitely something I'd love to see improved in the next book in this series.

This has me ready for fall! A cute yet gothic story about faeries in the Victorian era. The vibes are right, the fmc is strong and smart, and the mmc is powerful yet vulnerable. I would recommend if you like breaking curses, asshole men being turned into trees, fairytales, Jane Eyre, gothic mansions, magicians and mystery.

🌶️: 1/5

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc!

I took way too long to get to this one! I loved Half a Soul by Atwater, but admittedly didn't love the next two books in the Regency series. BUT I think this might be better than Half a Soul or at least very close. I loved Winnie, the gothic vibes, the mysterious and creepy house, and overall tone. This story is definitely darker than her previous series (look up TW), but I think I preferred it. I enjoyed Winnie's toughness and determination, as well as her vulnerable moments. Mr. Quincy was a delightfully dark mystery as well. I had a good time!

<3 Olivia Atwater!

A comforting (but dark) Gothic sinister-faerie story. Atmospheric and engaging in a fairly low-stake way. There are some slight romantic elements, done very well though the love interest... smells like blood lol.

I think it's supposed to be book 1 of a series? I'm glad I knew going in because it would have felt less satisfying if I'd expected it to wrap up at the end.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

I DNF'd this book after about 3-4 chapters. I just wasn't vibing with it and the plot isn't what I wanted it to be.

A dark fairy tale taking place in a regency setting. I feel like a lot was lost in this book plot wise while developing the setting as a whole. While it was connected to the half a soul trilogy the author has written (which I have not read) I was not lost and would classify this as a standalone. The main character, Winnie was interesting and complex and I enjoyed her personality very much. Overall the book could have used a bit more world building as a whole, and I would have liked learning more about the magic.

The Witchwood Knot is a gothic novel and dark fairytale from the author of the Regency Faerie Tales series. This is actually my first time reading Olivia Atwater’s work, but I definitely want to read more!

Atwater’s style of writing, particularly the way she draws attention to objects and small details, works really well when it comes to writing about a haunted house. In the first chapter alone she not only describes the gloomy house, but also draws attention to objects like an iron horseshoe above a door frame and hidden doors leading to the servant’s quarters. She trusts the reader to understand the significance of some of these features (mainly guarding from faerie’s and hiding the servants) without over-explaining everything. This makes her main character Winnie Hall (although that isn’t her real name) also seem more sharp and intelligent. She is investigating the house and the curse along with us.

I also thought that the sense of danger and horror that the house evokes was powerful. I am a huge fan of gothic stories about haunted houses, and whilst this may not be as terrifying as The Haunting of Hill House or Mexican Gothic, the novel plays with suspense and dread very well. When Winnie first arrives, she even mentions that the door seems to bite her and embed splinters in her skin. From the first moment the house seems to invade her body and cause her pain.

I know that Atwater is famous for her romance subplots as well and whilst I can’t compare it to her other works, I thought that she wrote a great romance between Winnie and the mysterious Mr Quincy. Their romance is sweet, meaningful and it helps them to grow as characters which is impressive given how short this novel is. Indeed, the author was ambitious and included a lot of plot points in this book but she manages to pull it off. In the end, it felt like reading a fully realised dark fairytale. The Victorian setting made it that much more interesting as well as it felt like reading an alternative history of the world.

I would recommend this book to fans of fantasy books like Sorcery of Thorns and gothic books like Lakesedge (although The Witchwood Knot is much better written) or Mexican Gothic. I can’t wait to read more of Atwater’s work and I look forward to reading more of the Victorian Faerie Tales series.

The Witchwood Knot is the perfect balance of gothic storytelling, slow-burn romance, and mystery. I really enjoyed Winnie as a character. This book expands on Olivia Atwater's previous trilogy, but in a slightly darker tone that suits the gothic setting. This entry stands well on its own, but seems to set up a new series -- hopefully another trilogy!

The Witchwood Knot is a gothic Victorian fairy tale, another take on the genre by Olivia Atwater but with a darker tone compared to that of the more lighthearted fare in her Regency tales.

As the title itself suggests, the twists and turns at the heart of a mysterious manor are many and keep readers guessing. This is a story that relies a lot on creating a strong, eerie atmosphere and Atwater does this quite well in order to capture the gothic genre and time period, while blending in folk tales and elements of fantasy. It is difficult to say much about the characters without spoiling the plot, but there is more than meets the eye to them!

I only wish it didn’t take as long to find its footing; admittedly, I felt like the first half of the book dragged despite the intriguing premise. The vibes are there, but the reveals took long to get to. As a result, it took me a really long time to finish! I didn’t enjoy this as much as Half a Soul (the first in Atwater’s Regency series), but perhaps I just wasn’t in the mood at the time for something darker that required a bit more patience to track at the beginning.

The Witchwood Knot is a gothic fantasy steeped in faerie folklore and set in an alternative Victorian England that follows a cunning governess as she strives to get her abducted young charge back from the fair folk. I enjoyed the authors previous Regency Faerie Tale series, and was excited to learn she is continuing into a new time period. The atmosphere was the real driving force of the novel as the governess is confined to a haunted manor, ran by a mysterious butler and a sickly lady of the house, and finds herself wandering the halls in her dreams. The dreaming aspect really caught my attention and was an interesting addition. What stopped me from rating this higher was I felt as though the story began to drag in the middle, but it did pick up towards the end. I am interested to see how this series will continue in future instalments. I would recommend The Witchwood Knot to readers wanting a gothic, atmospheric, autumnal read.

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me an early copy in exchange for an honest review*

Loved returning to the world of half a soul. Set in a gothic mansion with fairies and magic. If you haven’t read the other books in this world would recommend you do that first.