THE WITCHWOOD KNOT by Olivia Atwater (BOOK REVIEW)
“On a clear and sunny day, Witchwood Manor might have been beautiful. The countryside mansion sprawled so broadly in either direction that several of its famous stained glass windows disappeared entirely behind the Witchwood’s tall oak trees. Pointed gables pierced the cloudy sky, reaching for arrogant heights, while elegant white columns rooted themselves in the earth below like skeletal fingers.“
The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater is an eerie, Gothic tale surrounding the mysterious goings-on at Witchwood Manor. Set in the world of Atwater’s previous Regency Faerie Tales series, The Witchwood Knot follows Winnie: a cunning and devilishly intelligent young woman who arrives at the manor at the behest of the dying dowager living there. From the moment that Winnie walks across the threshold she is embroiled in a faerie curse that entangles all those that live in the manor. Servants refuse to stay the night, residents can’t sleep, and everybody sees the haunted faces screaming through the walls.
Winnie’s childhood has prepared her for the hoops, hurdles, and faerie tricks that she must face to untangle the curse before it can claim any more lives, but when the wild cards reveal themselves, doubt begins to creep into her resolve.
The characters in this novel play the roles you would expect to find in faerie story, but their personalities come with a twist. This story plays on the well-known rules that all faerie stories abide by but contorts them into something a little different, a little darker, and whole lot creepier. The faeries in this book evade the popular court dynamics that you might read in other recent releases, leaning harder into a food chain dynamic instead. Those who rule are the ones powerful enough to bully, murder, and trick their way into the top. They are the ones that gather indentured cronies to their side and lure unwary folk into their traps. There is no limit to how many can rise to power and there are no courts to be claimed, only territories to be carved. This aspect of Olivia Atwater’s worldbuilding is what adds an element of malice to this story and makes you think twice about the words you speak aloud.
Winnie is the steadfast, no-nonsense hero in this faerie story that turns the tricks on their heads and springs a few traps of her own. When presented with an unruly child to protect and a lecherous employer to evade, Winnie stands her ground and uses every trick up her sleeve to fix problems, dodge obstacles, and do what she was hired to do. She has her flaws and makes mistakes, but she makes the choices any sensible person would and refuses to be cowed by the ever-present threat of Witchwood Manor.
This is a sinister tale of nasty faeries, predatory humans, and the rules that bind anyone that stumbles into their path, but there are also lighter elements as well: the loyal, and fiercely protective ghost cat familiar, the brave servants who hold the fort, and the shared creative passion between the two romantic interests. This book has a lot of heart and doesn’t always do what you expect it to.
The Witchwood Knot is perfect for fans of Wuthering Heights who like a splash of fantasy in their stories, and for anyone who craves tales of traditional wicked faeries. If you want a short, punchy novel that swoops you into a Gothic mystery with a touch of romance, this is the book for you.
The Witchwood Knot is available now, you can find out more and order a copy on Olivia’s website