The Witchwood Knot

• very atmospheric
  - intriguing premise, though not fully realised
  - has strong characters that are somewhat under-utilised
  - low plot, low stakes
  - strange pacing
  - the romance should taken priority, but it was slow to be introduced and then rushed to an abrupt ending — one that does more to set up the following books than properly conclude this one
  - needed a lot more editing

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.

Distinctly darker and decidedly more Gothic than her original faerie tale series, Atwood's Witchwood Knot compels you deep into the plot just as the faerie knot traps its victims.

Winifred is the perfect heroine for this tale, being so very human and with faults that you wonder whether you're supposed to like her even as you're cheering her on. Mr Quincy is the epitome of the morally gray hero, and I was in turn concerned by him and wanting more. The romance is “sweet” by the definition of what happens between the hero and heroine, but the story around them is not, and Atwood's warning at the start of the book should be taken seriously. A satisfactory ending to our other morally gray character who too many people have experienced in this world. The ending also left no doubt this is clearly the first of what I hope is a trilogy, centering on each of Winifred's sisters, perhaps?

An excellent read for this Halloween season, and a special thanks to the author for allowing me to read this in advance of publication.