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isabeltavares's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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? N/A
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Gore and Blood
bookishthea's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Witchwood Knot is a beautiful and dark gothic fantasy with delightfully rich world-building. Set in Victorian England where faeries are feared for their cruelty, Winnifred Hall sets out on a journey to an eerie potentially haunted manor in the middle of an ancient mystical forest. Winnie is a determined and resourceful young magician summoned to Witchwood Manor by an old acquaintance with the goal of protecting her grandson from the nefarious faeries who mean him harm. Upon her arrival at the ominous-looking manor, she meets the butler, Mr Quincy, a curious fellow who appears and disappears in a most suspicious fashion just in time to cause mischief. Winnie’s work is made all the more challenging in that her charge, the Honourable Robert Murray the Third, is hell-bent on disobeying her at every turn and putting himself in further danger, not to mention his father, the lord of the manor, has taken a very overbearing and unwelcome interest in her.
Throughout his tutoring, Winnie tells Robert faerie stories, which are a delightfully clever way to give the reader more insight into the world, Winnie’s history, and the current problems plaguing her world. As Winnie begins to unravel the mysteries at the heart of Witchwood Manor, she begins to wonder which monsters she should be more worried about.
There are plenty of references to Atwater’s Regency series that I have possibly missed, this being my first book by her, but the story is set within the same magical England, sometime after the events of Half a Soul. We get mentions of Lord Sorcier Elias Wilder, Magician to the Crown of England, as well as some of his friends, who appear to be background players in the overall plot of this story.
I appreciate that Atwater has included a content warning, showing a dedication and duty of care to her readers' mental health. Most scenes including Lord Longfell thoroughly made my skin crawl. He was written in such a way as to have absolutely no redeemable qualities and I believe Atwater captured the intense uneasiness many women face at least once in their life under the male gaze, without ever reducing Winnie’s character. Despite her experiences, Winnies retains her autonomy and fights back.
Atwater’s newest novel is a dark and ethereal gothic fantasy with a hint of romance, a strong female lead and a richly crafted world that you will not want to pull yourself away from. You will be eagerly awaiting the next installment with bated breath!
Thank you to Netgalley and Starwatch Press for providing this ARC. I am now fully invested in Atwater's work and she has now become an auto-buy author for me!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Blood, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
simonlorden's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I received an advance reader's copy for free and this review is my honest opinion.
This was a wonderful fairy story. I love all the rules and games and trickery that come with involving fae, and I loved Winifred as the main character. The governess who can't stand children, and who is much more equipped for this mystery than we'd think.
I also just really love Mr Quincy.
That being said, I think the trigger warning at the beginning understates the scenes. The sexual harassment of the child ended up being more explicit than I anticipated based on that (there is kissing involved).
This was a wonderful fairy story. I love all the rules and games and trickery that come with involving fae, and I loved Winifred as the main character. The governess who can't stand children, and who is much more equipped for this mystery than we'd think.
I also just really love Mr Quincy.
That being said, I think the trigger warning at the beginning understates the scenes. The sexual harassment of the child ended up being more explicit than I anticipated based on that (there is kissing involved).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual harassment
flowerranger's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
5.0
This dark and twisted novel following a young woman in a mysterious and eerie victorian manor. It screamed spooky season vibes to me so I had to pick it up. This book will be published in late November, fitting the muddy season the story is set in.
I received an advance readers copy vie NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Had it not been for my two fluff noses, I could've easily binged The Witchwood Knot within a night. It pulled me in from the beggining when the alleged butler Mr. Quincy greets our MC Winnie just for her to find out that there hasn't been a butler in weeks.
The house itself loomed over Winnie from early on and it was clear that something queer was going on. Lady Longfell and Winnie were especially lovable characters. Winnie seemed a bit naive at first and I feared she might be one of those know-it-all women in books but she turned out to see the fault in her own naivity when it mattered. There was also great chemistry between the characters and our MC and also between other characters like Cook with Mr. Quincy and, though a negative chemistry, it was believable how Mr. Longfell and his son didn't seem to share much love for one another.
I liked how the theme of consent was handled by Olivia Atwater and Winnie's reaction toward certain words and actions by men came across sensibly and were believable. I liked that the book portrayed different reactions of women who found themselves in abusive relationships and manipulation throughout their lives.
Small details from the first chapters reappeared later on, giving The Witchwood Knot a tad more mystery. Along with the threats inside the labyrinthine multifaceted house, the cast of characters and the mysteries fit together perfectly for a dark, spooky book.
There is an open ending and the next book in this series of Victorian Faerie Tales is listed in the end. The book ties in with pther books by Olivia Atwater, though you don't need to read them first.
I received an advance readers copy vie NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Had it not been for my two fluff noses, I could've easily binged The Witchwood Knot within a night. It pulled me in from the beggining when the alleged butler Mr. Quincy greets our MC Winnie just for her to find out that there hasn't been a butler in weeks.
The house itself loomed over Winnie from early on and it was clear that something queer was going on. Lady Longfell and Winnie were especially lovable characters. Winnie seemed a bit naive at first and I feared she might be one of those know-it-all women in books but she turned out to see the fault in her own naivity when it mattered. There was also great chemistry between the characters and our MC and also between other characters like Cook with Mr. Quincy and, though a negative chemistry, it was believable how Mr. Longfell and his son didn't seem to share much love for one another.
I liked how the theme of consent was handled by Olivia Atwater and Winnie's reaction toward certain words and actions by men came across sensibly and were believable. I liked that the book portrayed different reactions of women who found themselves in abusive relationships and manipulation throughout their lives.
Small details from the first chapters reappeared later on, giving The Witchwood Knot a tad more mystery. Along with the threats inside the labyrinthine multifaceted house, the cast of characters and the mysteries fit together perfectly for a dark, spooky book.
There is an open ending and the next book in this series of Victorian Faerie Tales is listed in the end. The book ties in with pther books by Olivia Atwater, though you don't need to read them first.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Sexism, and Sexual harassment