Weyward stirs together contemporary women's fiction and historical fiction with a pinch of magical realism to conjure an intriguing tale.

What I enjoyed:
- Clever narrative structure. Interwoven stories of three women from the same family, each living (or perhaps more aptly, surviving) in different centuries, facing many of the same struggles and oppressions despite being separated by generations
- The theme of connection to the natural world bringing power, self-awareness, and meaning to those who respect and embrace it
- The theme of exploration of one's ancestral roots leading to a grounding and empowering connection
- Compelling premise
- Hello, THAT COVER!

What didn't work for me:
- One-dimensional male characters, mostly extremely cruel and selfish, and even the decent ones were only briefly featured and lacking complexity, just sort of kind and boyish.
- A bit heavy-handed without a lot of nuance
- The middle was slow-going for me. It does pick up again at the end.
- The writing style is effective to tell the story but not remarkable prose. There was such beautiful imagery with the Weyward cottage, and I found myself wanting more detail about what was inside and in the garden. So I suppose, sometimes the writing felt kind of bland, and other times where I wanted more, it wasn't quite there.
- There's an off-putting passage in Chapter 15. A male character's letter to a female character contains commentary about her beauty, extolling her "ivory" skin, directly comparing her beauty to women of other races. Perhaps the author was trying to hammer home that this character objectifies women and sees them all as trophies (like the ivory of an elephant tusk), but the comparison with other races was jarring and unnecessary.

Something to be aware of:
-This book depicts LOTS of violence against women, pregnancy loss, and other upsetting subject matter. Consider checking sensitivity warnings.

Weyward is a solid debut novel, and I am grateful to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for my egalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Also, awesome that BOTM offered it this month!

“𝙾𝚛𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚟𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚕 𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎: 𝚆𝚎𝚢𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚍.“

Happy Pub Day to this lovely, multi- generational story from Emilia Hart! With its lyrical prose and historical narrative, 𝘞𝘦𝘺𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 is a read that will capture your attention & imagination.

“𝙲𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚒𝚎, 𝚅𝚒𝚘𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚠𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍, 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚐?“

When we meet the 3 Weyward women, Altha, Violet, & Kate, we are immediately immersed into a magical world that spans the ages, yet feels so familiar. How much has really changed, after all?

“𝚂𝚑𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚍𝚗‘𝚝 𝚎𝚡𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎-𝚒𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚎𝚕𝚝-𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚜𝚘 𝚜𝚒𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚊𝚛 𝚝𝚘 𝚏𝚎𝚊𝚛.“

If you are look for something highly bingeable, that pulls you in right away, give this one a go.

This is the story of how three women, though separated by time, are connected through the Weyward name, finding strength and power in nature and themselves.

It’s 1619 and Altha has been imprisoned, about to go on “trial” for witchcraft. It’s a story told again and again, of healers who are depended on until the day someone can’t be helped and then they’re turned against.

It’s 2019 and Kate, after years of planning, has hit a breaking point and again attempts to escape an abusive husband. She’s looking to find safety in the cottage she recently (and secretly) inherited from her nearly forgotten great aunt.

It’s 1942 and 16 year old Violet is wishing she had the opportunities only given to boys. She wants to travel, to be a scientist. Instead it seems more likely she’ll get married off, trading a controlling father for a husband much the same.

This story was absolutely fascinating, I could barely bring myself to put it down. I especially liked seeing hints of the life of one woman through the later experiences/discoveries of another. And the magic, communicating with nature, excellent vibes there!
At the same time it was So Frustrating reading what they had gone through, some truly terrible things. So much of their lives were beyond their own control. Especially upsetting considering women are *still* feeling powerless and going through some of these things today. Infuriating, honestly.
Still, there is enduring hope as each works to leave a better future for the next - whether they know what’s to come or not.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC!

This was an astonishing debut; a beautiful and layered exploration of three women across centuries who are deeply connected through their separate (but similar) battles against the patriarchy. This story never felt heavy handed, instead, the author skillfully weaves these individual experiences that highlight their resilience and change. Each of the POVs are equally compelling and I was struck by the similarities in their experiences despite being separated by decades and centuries and the plausibility of it all. This isn’t a feminist revenge tale, it’s a story about family legacy, strength, and the steadfast presence of the Weyward cottage as a sanctuary for restoration.

Three women. Five centuries. One cottage.

This is a wonderfully crafted fiction novel with a touch of supernatural. Ms. Hart connected the three main characters seamlessly. I thoroughly enjoyed each perspective and seeing each character grow into their own. This would make a great book club book!

It’s 1619 and Altha Weyward stands trial accused of witchcraft. It’s 1942 and teenage Violet Ayres wishes desperately to get the education granted to her brother but denied her by her father. It’s 2019 and Kate Ayres flees an abusive relationship when an Aunt she has never met bequests to her Weyward Cottage.

Emilia Hart impresses with this debut novel about women with unique skills, a deep knowledge of the natural world and a connection that spans centuries. Weyward Cottage ties these women together as much as their bloodline. Told in alternating chapters, the lives of these three women are slowly revealed and connections to their Weyward roots are revealed. I admit to dreading the chapters set during the time of the witch trials and ended up enjoying Altha’s story more than the other two. The novel begins to bloom about halfway through after all three have endured insults and mistreatment at the hands of evil men from every century. While there is much truth to the uphill battle women have endured to be treated as humans much less as equals over the centuries, the men in Weyward are especially vile, cruel creatures. That would be my only beef with this page turner.
I loved the healing knowledge, magical powers and special relationship with nature these Weyward women possessed along with their discoveries of these powers. Great ending to an entertaining read.

A witchy good time

4.5 stars

A copy of this book was received with thanks from the publisher via NetGalley for review.

Weyward is a wonderful debut novel about three women with a special gift. The gift to commune with nature and how they were each forced to hide that gift until circumstances necessitates the use of their gift.

The women are from three time periods. Altha in 1619 on trial for being a witch, Violet in 1942, a young girl with an abusive father, and Kate in 2019 running from an abusive and controlling boyfriend. The novel switches between the three time periods and tells the stories of how the women are related both by blood and by their gift.

Altha is on trial for supposedly causing the death of a neighbor, in the time period of James I and his witch hunts a healer like Altha has to be careful. She is taken to Lancaster and put on trail. With no one to speak for her, her fate seems assured. Hanging for being a witch.

In 1942 Violet is living at her father’s estate, kept away from the village and hidden from sight due to a scandal involving her mother, and her unexplained ability to control birds and insects. Enter Cousin Frederick and her world falls apart.

In 2019 Kate, Violet’s great-niece flees her abusive boyfriend, pregnant and alone to find sanctuary at Weyward cottage, which was left to her by Violet when she passed away. Kate finds out through the village grapevine that the women in her family have always been looked on with suspicion. She sets out to find out what happend in her family to make them such outcasts.

What I loved about the book, besides the magic the women could call on with their ability to commune with nature, was the fact that all three overcame their need to repress that part of themselves when needed, and to branch out from the expectations of those around them. I would have liked a bit more indepth storyline for Altha, but I did feel the ending was satisfying and I look forward to more books from this author in the future.

Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press and the author for the chance to read and review this book.

Weyward is an achingly beautiful, unputdownable story about three strong, triumphant women. I cried, of course, but in a good way.

Practical Magic meets The Secret Garden sung by The Chicks (a la Goodbye Earl. iykyk).

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martins, and the author for the eARC in exchange for my review.

4.25/5.0

This book was not what I expected. I thought I was getting into a sweet cottagecore novel about witchy women living in the woods. What I got was an exploration of the change in sexism and violence against women across time and how women have adapted to combat that.

Weyward centers on three women across three time periods, 1619, 1942, and 2019. I felt that Altha, Violet, and Kate were well-developed and had their own voice. I wasn't sure how the stories were connected in the first half, so I loved how they slowly braided together in the second. Looking back, I can see the glimpses of connection. Emilia Hart did a beautiful job of telling three distinct stories while telling one cohesive story.

There were a few times when the timeline jumped around. I overall found my way, but got a little lost between what was happening in each storyline. Without spoiling anything, I wish that there was one more Kate chapter at the very end. Hers was the story I was left wanting just a bit more time in.

Overall, the story is unique and engaging. Hart tackles difficult topics and creates a gorgeous story of finding yourself through your history. Weyward is well worth your time.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for an Advanced Reader Copy! (Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review)

This one was not for me. The story seemed interesting but the writing style just did not pull me in. Anytime I started getting pulled into the story, it switched to a different timeline and I was pulled out. I did not find the voices distinct enough to be able to keep track of these perspective jumps.

This isn't usually the type of book that attracts me, but I got my hand on an ARC thanks to NetGalley and had to give it a chance. In Weyward, we are following the story of 3 women, stuck in their lives because of the men around them. Every chapter we alternate between the 3 generations of women for 3 different times. I rapidly found out that this book is indeed a page turner, one clue at a time we realise what links these 3 women together. This is a touching and emotional feminist fiction book that I definitely recommend.

Weyward A Novel by Emilia Hart

326 Pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Release Date: March 7, 2023

Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Domestic Violence, Generational

It’s 2019 and Kate escapes her London home for Weyward Cottage left to her from her Aunt Violet. She is hiding from her husband since he has total control over her life. In 1942, Violet wants to pursue an education. Her mother died when her brother was a baby. After a distant cousin comes to visit and charms their father, Violet and her brother are disowned except for Weyward Cottage which belonged to their mother. In 1619, Altha is a Weyward and was tried as a witch when a neighbor farmer was stampeded by his cattle. Since she was known as a healer and provided herbal treatments, some people believed that she bewitched the cows to run over the man.

The book has a pace that builds as the story progresses. The characters were developed, and it was mostly written in third person point of view. Altha’s parts are written in first person point of view. I loved this book. The characters feel real and as a reader, I suffered along with them. As someone with experience with domestic violence, I recognized that it does not have to be physical. It is always a power over another person. All three women are strong, and I rallied around them throughout the story. If you like generational stories with a touch of drama here and there, you will enjoy this book.

This book had me hooked. I couldn't put it down and finished it up in less than 24.

I thought the 3 narrators with 3 timelines would trip me up a little, and for the first chunk of the book it did, but great flow in the middle and end. There were some points where you could sort of see where things might be leading, and some where you felt happily clueless, and were just along for the ride.

I won't give any spoilers but I really enjoyed this book. I never felt like it dragged, and I just HAD to know what was going to happen next! Definitely recommend if you are into fiction, multiple points of view and timelines.

*Definitely a few trigger warnings to be taken into account of domestic violence, abortion, infertility, miscarriage, etc.

Weyward is a magnificent debut and work of historical fiction that will capture your heart as you go on a journey of endurance, strength, hidden power, and resilience. It is the tale of when magic meets female empowerment, and you will find yourself bewitched as you read.

What appealed to you the most in this story?

I loved how from the very first chapter I was fully immersed in the story and lives of the three main characters. As I read, I could feel the hearts and souls of these women even as they were living centuries apart.

How did you handle three separate timelines?

The three timelines in this story were separated by centuries but the underlining theme of discovering one’s strength during dire circumstances kept me captivated as the three timelines continued to become woven even tighter together through magic. Honestly, I was blow away by how Hart was able to intertwine their lives and hardships together into a seamless and riveting story. I’m still speechless!

How was the pace?

The story holds a steady pace, but it is one you will absolutely fly through as you find yourself completely imbedded in the lives of the characters through tension, suspense, magic, and atmosphere.

Do you recommend this book?

Yes! This a story for all and it will sink its magical claws into you too! Truly an atmospheric, gripping and magical story you won’t want to put down. Saying that this is an absorbing work of brilliance is an understatement!

I received this eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.

Weyward introduces us to three women: 17th century Altha, 20th century Violet, and contemporary Kate. Each leads relatively isolated lives for being weyward/weird, largely dictated by men in different ways. Altha’s story is told in the first person and provides inspiration for the women who follow. Violet's, told in the third person,, helps Kate. Altha gains strength by leaning on what she learned from her mother, and Violet and Kate both gain strength as they put together the puzzle of what happened to the women who came before them.

Altha was a healer who had a strong connection with the natural world, but that was perverted into witchcraft by the village she lived in. Violet and Kate also shared a strong connection with nature, being able to communicate with nature, in particular birds and bugs. Their “wildness”, as Violet was perceived, was one of the most interesting parts of this story. The story focuses on the interior lives of each woman and was well constructed and written, but ultimately it fell flat for me. It needed something more, whether it was relationships, action happening in the moment rather than flashbacks or maybe just for the ending to not fit together so perfectly, There was no messiness left at the end and that rang untrue to me.

Debut novel and I fell in love with it. A beautiful story of how 3 related women all from different times learn from the natural world. Some say they are witches, but they don't actually cast spells they learn from the natural products that grow in the woods and around homes.

The story is well written and pulled me into the worlds of Altha, Violet, and Kate. Each woman discovers their relation to each other and discovers hidden secrets. The author did an excellent job keeping the story interesting. I truly loved it!

The characters were complex and the one that captured my interest the most was Altha. I guess because she was branded a witch without any proof. Just because she was different and knowledgeable in the herbs/flowers to help heal sickness. I always found that the women from the 1600's had to hide if they were smarter than the men doctors for fear of their lives. Even though everyone knew they could rely on said women.

Highly recommend if you love historical fiction and magical realism.

Weyward is defined as “weird” or rather uncanny or unusual from the norm. Originally mentioned in the first writing of MacBeth, it referred to the three witches of the story. This also aptly describes Althea, Violet, and Kate who are all three unforgettable and formidable women. Althea, a healer in the 1600s, was tried for witchcraft. Violet, thought to be odd who loved nature and was distained by her father lived during the time of WWII. Kate, an abused wife thought to be a chattel to her husband and thus fled London in modern times. Bonded together, they are all Weyward women, destined to rise above the constraints of their times and be true to themselves, to be one with nature and not bound by any man or restrictions. The story bounces between the stories of each of these women so the reader can see their connections through time. Suspenseful at times, you hope for each of them to triumph over the ugliness and evil in their lives bestowed upon them by either spouse, parents, or society. Their connection with nature, with birds, insects, and animals give them power as healers yet they strive to suppress it to survive until they realize that it really is their strength. Men in this story are portrayed as evil, except for a few (Emily’s husband and Violet’s brother Graham) which lends to the theme of women empowerment. Graham’s character however, does give you a glimpse that there is some redemption for men as being able to be good. I enjoyed the magical realism, celebrated the strength of these women, but was sad that they felt they could never feel love or joy between a man and a woman. Weyward women felt men were only good to propagate the next prodigy. The book was compelling to read and grabs you right away. This is a book that you want to curl up and read in one sitting. I enjoyed it a lot.

Many thanks to #netgalley #weyward # st.martinspress for the opportunity to read and review this book.

3.5/5 stars, rounded down.

"Weyward" is a unique blend of historical fiction and magical realism, told across 3 different women's perspectives across different time periods. In 2019 London, Kate Ayers makes a harrowing escape from her abusive boyfriend Simon, fleeing to Weyward Cottage - a property she inherited from her great aunt Violet after her passing. Her recent discovery that she's pregnant has spurred her into action, and she's determined to raise her future child on her own terms. In Weyward Cottage, Kate begins to uncover the truth behind her family and the lineage of women she's apart of...

In 1942, Violet Ayres has grown up under the controlling hand of her father, with only her younger brother Graham and the staff in Orton Hall around her. She has only a few memories of her mother Elizabeth, who she believes died in childbirth, but she's forced to confront the truth of her family and ultimately makes a decision that will change the course of her and her brother's life in the future.

The third and final perspective is in 1619, where Altha Weyward is on trial for witchcraft, accused with the murder of the husband of Grace Metcalfe, a former childhood friend. Altha has grown up with the understanding that she and her mother have always been different; as a midwife and healer, Altha's mother Jennet has long been ostracized and looked down upon, but Altha struggles to keep the promise she made to her mother on her deathbed.

I think the overall premise of the novel is praiseworthy, noting how unfairly and and oppressively women have been treated over the course of history, even in the present day. I found Kate's storyline to be the most compelling and the one that drew me in the most - her situation and her desperation to regain control of her life was incredibly well-done and makes her the character any reader would root for. Ultimately, all three of these women are forced to make difficult decisions because of the selfishness and brutality of men, and manage to become stronger in the process. What I struggled with, however, was the mixed pacing across each of these perspectives, especially when it came to Violet's; there were a lot of extraneous events that I felt didn't contribute to her storyline and she felt like a passive, one-note character for most of the the novel. I think Hart's characterizations of the majority of male characters as villains can be detrimental as well, as it's too broad an umbrella to apply to one gender.

Weyward was a wonderful read! 3 centuries, 3 similar stories, 3 women connected to each other and the natural world. Ultimately this story is one of finding personal power and learning embrace who you are, you're unique ability. Each story line unfolded nicely. The first half of the book was defeintely a slower burn but the last half of the book I flew through.

This book is part historical fiction, part women's fiction with some magical realism mixed in! Some of the subject matter (Sexual/physical assault, rape) is hard but it really shows the times and illustrates the hardships women have had to face and still face today.

This debut, by Emilia Hart, is well done and I look forward to seeing more of what she writes! Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Emilia Hart for this ARC.

This story as a whole was very good, I loved how it follows three different era’s but had intersecting paths with all of them. At times it did feel a little slow, but I enjoyed the book and found myself really rooting for each of the weyward women throughout.