“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.”
When authors submit books to agents, they’re required to add ‘comps’ – bestseller titles, ideally new-ish, that their book is similar to. Which is why it’s so rare to find stories that are actually original if you refuse to read self/indie-published titles. Well, the closest I can get here is Mary Poppins writing Wuthering Heights but with magic and, sometimes, horror. (Plus ‘mild, non-graphic sexual harassment’ as per the content warning.)
Our protagonist, Winnie, arrives at Witchwood Manor to become the new governess of a certain Lord Robert, aged IRRITATING. A place named Witchwood Manor can’t possibly be wholesome, as Cook points out trying to put Winnie off taking the job. Winnie and the dowager, Lady Longfell, have shared past, though, and Lady Longfell is desperate for the younger woman to accept the job. “I am terrible with children,” Winnie declares, knowing that it’s not really the point. Because Witchwood Manor has been cursed, it’s haunted by faeries, and Lord Longfell – Robert’s father – doesn’t believe in any of that rubbish.
Unfortunately, the rubbish believes in him, and has plans for Robert.
I noticed that many reviewers pointed out the book was too short, and I would agree. While Winnie and the mysterious Mr. Quincy get ample space, the secondary characters don’t really have a chance to shine. The little Lord Robert fully deserves everything that happens to him. Lord Longfell is a creep. Lady Longfell is wonderful (and I want to go back to the previous books to find out more about her). The KITTEH, though! You are not ready for the KITTEH and neither are the Evils of the book, and there are many. The pacing is very good and even, but I just don’t get a chance to care about Robert, and I only remember Lord Longfell is around when he’s around Winnie too much for my liking.
Where the actual characters stay out of the spotlight, the worldbuilding is gorgeous. So many ideas. It’s hard not to give spoilers, because I just want to list all my favourite everything, and the worldbuilding is as important as the plot. The Manor itself is a character, possibly more than one. So is the… argh. Somebody stop me. *sits on hands* The Witchwood Knot is not long enough, but it compensates with abundance of one thing – charm. Scary, wonderful charm.
