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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book is a dark Gothic romance/mystery with many macabre details, that manages to stay intriguing and fun rather than wholly dark.
Winifred is a determined and irreverent heroine and her battle of wits and cunning with Mr. Quincy is delightful.
I love returning to the magical Victorian world of Half A Soul and look forward to more!
Winifred is a determined and irreverent heroine and her battle of wits and cunning with Mr. Quincy is delightful.
I love returning to the magical Victorian world of Half A Soul and look forward to more!
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Witchwood Knot somehow manages to recapture the magic of [b:Half a Soul|60717747|Half a Soul (Regency Faerie Tales, #1)|Olivia Atwater|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1648605334l/60717747._SY75_.jpg|78449609], but it's not necessary to read the first series before this one because the earlier characters are only featured briefly. It'll definitely add to the reading experience if you do though, because this story builds on the lore of Olivia Atwater's first series and expands its universe.
Winnie has just arrived at Witchwood Manor as a governess when she meets the first faerie, a mysterious Mr. Quincy. There's certainly more than meets the eye to Witchwood Manor and to Winnie. The Manor has been named thusly because of the white oak trees that Lord Longfell had cut down from the forest to build it. Lord Longfell has proclaimed that there are no faeries that live in Witchwood Manor but that is far from the truth, as Winnie has been brought by the elderly Lady Longfell to work her magic in the Manor. Dowager Lady Longfell knows that there's something amiss with the Manor, even if her son has been denying it.
Winnie's cover is to be the governess to the young heir, Robert. However, Robert isn't an easy charge as he proves to be obstinate and angry about being sent to the Manor. And Winnie's job is difficult, especially when Mr. Quincy proves to be her match in trying to ensnare the young heir:
I liked how Olivia Atwater has developed the world of Half of a Soul with this one. I also liked how Winnie develops her own agency as an adult, despite the trauma that she went through as a child. I also enjoyed the way that her relationship with Mr. Quincy developed, as they grow from enemies to reluctant allies and learn more about each other's histories.
Winnie has just arrived at Witchwood Manor as a governess when she meets the first faerie, a mysterious Mr. Quincy. There's certainly more than meets the eye to Witchwood Manor and to Winnie. The Manor has been named thusly because of the white oak trees that Lord Longfell had cut down from the forest to build it. Lord Longfell has proclaimed that there are no faeries that live in Witchwood Manor but that is far from the truth, as Winnie has been brought by the elderly Lady Longfell to work her magic in the Manor. Dowager Lady Longfell knows that there's something amiss with the Manor, even if her son has been denying it.
Winnie's cover is to be the governess to the young heir, Robert. However, Robert isn't an easy charge as he proves to be obstinate and angry about being sent to the Manor. And Winnie's job is difficult, especially when Mr. Quincy proves to be her match in trying to ensnare the young heir:
Mr Quincy narrowed his eyes at their group, digging his long fingers into the strychnine fruit in his hand. "Let him speak," he suggested. "I want to hear what the boy has to say."
"Of course you do," said Winnie. "Last time he spoke to you, you learned his name. And now, I'm sure you would like nothing better than to catch him in some breach of faerie protocol. But Master Robert is too clever to be caught off-guard a second time." Please do be cleverer than that, Master Robert, Winnie thought at the boy silently.
I liked how Olivia Atwater has developed the world of Half of a Soul with this one.
Spoiler
Winnie has learnt cartomancy (a black magic against the rules of the former Lord Sorcier) and came into contact with that world under the tutelage of Lady Hollowvale, who rescued her from a child molester.Spoiler
Winnie also grows to learn that she does not fear being desired and that she is capable of reciprocating such feelings.It was so easy, Winnie thought, to feel alone in her convictions - belittled for her impolite fears. She was too cold, too paranoid, too quick to assume the worst of everyone she met. Why should she be obliged to pretend that it had never happened?
Mr Quincy offered out her glimmering silver knife, hilt first. Winnie took it from him, though her chatelaine was still upstairs.
"The world would be more comfortable without us, Miss Hall," he said. "But I have never troubled myself overmuch with making other people comfortable. I would rather carry a knife."
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was an interesting faerie tale. Mr Quincy isn’t all that he appears but neither is the governess. I enjoyed the storyline and the twists very much. There was lovable characters and characters to be hated and they played their roles beautifully. The ending was unexpected and magical. It really was a beautiful gothic faerie tale. Something I don’t normally gravitate to and read but I would definitely read book two. It was a good palate cleanser read for me.