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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
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.
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.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
I love a good British book about British stuff. 4/5, will read and enjoy anything written by Olivia Atwater so I can't give a fair review.
Winifred Hall is taking on a job as "governess" for an old friend. Winifred is many things, but governess is not one of them. She is to keep young Robert safe.
Winnie senses something is off as soon as she reaches the manor. And by wrong, I mean fae.
I love books with Victorian settings, and Olivia Atwater does it so well. The Gothic vibes are fantastic in this one.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an e-arc.
Winnie senses something is off as soon as she reaches the manor. And by wrong, I mean fae.
I love books with Victorian settings, and Olivia Atwater does it so well. The Gothic vibes are fantastic in this one.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an e-arc.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
3.5ish stars
Everything was cool and all BUT A RAT TAIL?????
Anyway, I feel like I would’ve liked to read more about Winnie and her magic, how she came to have it and more details about the magic system, although most of the basics were covered. I know that this is set in the same universe as “Half a Soul” but as I read it as a standalone I would’ve liked a bit more explanation about the faeries and their domains.
With the story itself I felt that a lot was happening and yet nothing was at the same time. There were too many obstacles in Winnie’s path for her goal which just dragged the story out and it felt a tad superficial, as if the author was just trying to fill up the word count. I also fail to see any sort of chemistry with Winnie’s love interest, there wasn’t much of a build up to it, almost as if it just spawned in (that might just be me but the TAIL PUT ME OFF). Nonetheless this was a fun read.
We are still left with questions and mysteries that I assume will be answered and unravelled in the following books, I just hope it is not rushed.
Everything was cool and all BUT A RAT TAIL?????
Anyway, I feel like I would’ve liked to read more about Winnie and her magic, how she came to have it and more details about the magic system, although most of the basics were covered. I know that this is set in the same universe as “Half a Soul” but as I read it as a standalone I would’ve liked a bit more explanation about the faeries and their domains.
With the story itself I felt that a lot was happening and yet nothing was at the same time. There were too many obstacles in Winnie’s path for her goal which just dragged the story out and it felt a tad superficial, as if the author was just trying to fill up the word count. I also fail to see any sort of chemistry with Winnie’s love interest, there wasn’t much of a build up to it, almost as if it just spawned in (that might just be me but the TAIL PUT ME OFF). Nonetheless this was a fun read.
We are still left with questions and mysteries that I assume will be answered and unravelled in the following books, I just hope it is not rushed.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was egregiously repetitive (oh my god we get it he has wine-red eyes) yet I still had a grand ol’ time. I’m realizing I really love single location books.
dark
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
I will read anything Olivia Atwater writes at this point because they are the perfect blend of faerie danger, yearning romance, and real emotional journeys.
Despite the abundance of snarky-yet-sincere charm, The Witchwood Knot turned out to be much darker than the Regency series. Overall a good thing (all the better to enjoy a haunted Gothic manor), but I got less of a sense of Winnie's personality and motivations than I would like.
I loved cold, brooding Mr Quincy and his tangled past, and OF COURSE I also loved Oliver the guardian-cat. If I could get one of each, I might just sign up to face down some terrifying faeries too 👀
Despite the abundance of snarky-yet-sincere charm, The Witchwood Knot turned out to be much darker than the Regency series. Overall a good thing (all the better to enjoy a haunted Gothic manor), but I got less of a sense of Winnie's personality and motivations than I would like.
I loved cold, brooding Mr Quincy and his tangled past, and OF COURSE I also loved Oliver the guardian-cat. If I could get one of each, I might just sign up to face down some terrifying faeries too 👀
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced