Thank you so much for the chance to read Weyward as an ARC! I was initially drawn to this title by the absolutely STUNNING cover, and was pleasantly surprised by my enjoyment of the storyline. Weyward follows the stories of three women, all from the same lineage, at different points in time. Their stories are interconnected in a way, going back through the history of the Weyward women. Each of them have an affinity for the natural world (some would call it 'witchcraft'). This book is so well written and so raw, but still quite haunting.

I enjoyed the plot and felt really invested into each character arc. That being said. I think this book is not for everyone, due to the dark and sometimes graphic nature of the story. Some themes to be aware of include intimate partner violence/abuse, intentional miscarriage/abortion, death, suicidal ideation, and other traumatic events.

Weyward releases on March 7th and is a meaningful exploration of strength, family, healing, and authenticity. I'm giving this a 3.5/5 rating, as I enjoyed the storyline, but it is unlike books I typically read, and I would have to be in a particular mood to re-read. Thank you again for this ARC!

The ending of this book gave me the chills. STUNNING. Weyward is the story of three women across several generations and time periods, each with a connection to the natural world. The book moves between each point of view, weaving the stories of the women and the violence they each suffered, illustrating how times change, but violence against women has remained for centuries. The author did an excellent job weaving each perspective. I never felt dragged out of the story by perspective shifts. The protagonists in the story were beautifully written characters that you will root for the entire time.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, stories about witches, or feminist theory.

Note: This book was not an easy read. Trigger warnings for physical and sexual abuse, violence, misogyny, and rape.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to like this more than I did. I'm not a grey person. I tend to like my characters a bit larger than life. with strong morals and conscience. So I had difficulties with the heroines. Each used their power for their own benefit with negative consequences. Not that they didn't have a compelling reasons to do so. Still it made them very flawed characters - victims too.

That being said, the writing was very compelling as was the storytelling, I appreciate that the author's plotting kept me guessing. .

Overall, a compelling story, if a bit darker than what I was expecting.

A 3.5 rounded to 4 because the characters and time & family lines are difficult to follow. Seems to skip a generation in stories. Why doesn't mother have a story? If you like a little fantasy and mother nature type with craft then you will enjoy this book. I liked it, I didn't love it and I do not believe the author was man bashing, it just the way some men and familied were in the time line she is engaging and abusive ones are in the present. Read it at face value for the fairy tale like story it is with maybe a touch of 'lady power'-don't allow another person to control or change you. you. In that sense its sorta of a fun book.
I was provided an advanced reader copy of the book at my request but was under no obligation to provide a review. The opinions expressed are my own. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.

Weyward
By Emilia Hart


We are told that the first born Weyward child is always a girl. This is a story of three generations of women connected by blood and a special affinity to nature. In 2019, Kate somehow finds the courage to flee from an emotionally and physically abusive husband. She runs away to Weyward Cottage, a place she inherited from an aunt she barely remembers. It’s the first time she truly feels at home. Violet, 1942, trusting and innocent, is taken advantage of by a handsome cousin but has no words to explain what has happened to her. Violet’s father believes the worst of her and bans her from the family estate only to ensconce her at the cottage to hide the family’s shame. Altha, lives in 1619, a time when unconventional women who are too independent and call themselves healers are accused of witchcraft. Weyward is a compelling story of three generations of women connected by blood and a special affinity to nature. It is a tale of claiming one’s power, and finding that you are truly never alone when you draw strength from the natural world and the women you are bound to by blood.

Weyward will appeal to readers who seek stories where women hold each other up and long for a bit of magic in their lives. Emilia Hart’s debut novel is perfect for fans of Alice Hoffman.

My thanks to the author @EmiliaHart, @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress for the opportunity to read this advanced digital copy.

I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. The premise intrigued me, and I received both an ebook and an audiobook from the publisher. I started on audio, and once each of the three timelines were established, I thought, “Okay, I know what this book is and what we’re doing.” I worried I’d lose interest and feel like I’ve read this book before. But I didn’t lose interest; I was captivated. Each of the women whose stories the book portrays felt like real people. I loved their strength through struggle and their journey of making hard choices in order to thrive. There’s a touch of fantasy that surprised me, but it was beautifully executed and subtle.
I read the last half on my kindle app, because I didn’t want to wait for an opportunity to get back to my audiobook. The story follows three women, all related through the Weyward line, a family heritage of slightly mystical and nature-bound women, who find themselves victims of cruel men and prejudiced society. They each find some help from friendship, but mostly from their heritage and inner strength. I loved being on their journey and reading their stories. Thanks so much to the publisher for the advance copies!

Unpopular opinion, but I did not love this. I love strong women, I love books about strong women, but this one was just too polarizing for me. All women are not amazing and all men are not terrible, yet that was the overarching message in this book. There are amazing women, and terrible women, amazing men and terrible men and I so wish they were all portrayed. I also found the book to be very repetitive which made it slow and difficult to read at times. Overall, this book just didn't do it for me.

Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

Told in three parts and 3 seperate POVs there are lots of layers to this beautifully written book. A mixture of historical fiction and magical realism, I truly felt transported to a different place.
Some moving themes were examined, such as relationship violence and sexual assualt but done so in a way to give emphasis to female empowerment and strenghth. I also appreciated the author's creation of such complicated and rich characters.

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press for my review copy.

4.5⭐

In 2019, twenty-nine-year-old Kate Ayres flees London to escape an abusive relationship and finds sanctuary in Weyward Cottage, Crows Beck, Cumbria – a property left for her by her late Aunt Violet. As she embarks on rebuilding her life, her curiosity about the property prompts her to research her family history. As she learns more about her incredible legacy and the women who came before her, not only does Kate begin to see herself in a new light but also understands that she too possesses the power to take control of her life just like her ancestors.

In 1942, sixteen-year-old Violet Ayres leads a suffocating life in her home at Orton Hall where lives with her father and younger brother. She does not know much about her late mother except for what she overhears in hushed conversations among the household staff. She dreams of becoming a scientist, studying animals and traveling the world. But an unfortunate turn of events finds her cast out of her home, fending for herself alone in a cottage that once belonged to her mother.

In 1619, twenty-one-year-old Altha Weyward, a healer with a deep connection to nature just like her late mother Jennet is on trial after the death of a man in her village. Accused of witchcraft and imprisoned in a dark cell, she waits for the verdict which will seal her fate.

Combining elements of women’s fiction, historical fiction and magical realism author Emilia Hart expertly weaves the three different threads of this story into a compelling narrative. The narrative is shared through multiple perspectives. We follow Kate’s story in the present day with separate chapters detailing Violet‘s and Altha’s stories interspersed throughout the novel. Superb characterizations, vivid imagery, atmospheric settings and simple yet elegant writing make for an immersive reading experience. The narrative has strong feminine overtones and though several (not all) of the male characters are unlikeable, the author does not indulge in verbose male-bashing or farfetched revenge drama but instead weaves a narrative highlighting the personal growth and resilience of these women and the comfort and strength they harness from their deep connection to nature, that sees them through the adversity they face in their lives. It is sad that despite living centuries apart each of these women had to endure instances of neglect, abuse and oppression. The symbolism of Weyward cottage and how it continues to be a safe haven and a source of strength for the Weyward women through the centuries is particularly significant. This is a story about family, legacy and courage. Emilia Hart’s Weyward is an impressive debut that I would not hesitate to recommend. I also must mention that the cover art for this novel is absolutely stunning.

Many thanks to author Emilia Hart, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the much-appreciated digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is due to be released on March 07, 2023.

Wonderful! "Weyward" by Emilia Hart was an interesting, women-empowering, bonded-to-nature novel, spanning over 5 centuries. I really enjoyed the magic. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the early review copy. All opinions are my own.

A captivating generational story about the Weyward women - each full of grit, strength and supernatural abilities..

Told from three POVs in 3 different time periods, this story follows 3 of the Weyward women as each struggle to find themselves, and in the process, discover their destiny. There is a rumor of witches that follows the Weyward women around. Starting with Altha in the early 1600s, these women have healing capabilities. Along with these healing capabilities, though, also comes the power to hurt and destroy.

"There was something about us-the Weyward women-that bonded us more tightly with the natural world. We can feel it, she said, the same way we feel rage, sorrow, or joy. the animals, the birds, the plants-they let us in, recognizing us as one of their own."

Each woman finds herself in a desperate situation. Each woman must make a choice. Each choice has consequences. As the women discover the past that was hidden from them, they realize they have a special connection with nature and insects. A connection that proves beneficial in healing themselves and finding peace. A connection that also proves beneficial in destroying that which has destroyed a part of them.

If you love a little magical realism, strong women and vigilante justice - this one is for you! Definitely recommend! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC to read and review.

I really loved this!

The stories of these three super strong and beautiful women were so good. I actually couldn’t believe that this was a debut novel. It is so finely written that it seems like it would be by seasoned author.

The entire time I was reading this, I kept thinking about how much my brother would love it. He is Wiccan and the way this author wrote magic… beautiful. It is not none of that Halloween, spells and smoke magic (I do love stories like that!) It’s elemental magic and super natural type of witchy-ness. Very well done!

Weyward by Emilia Hart is a beautifully written, mesmerizing tale about 3 women who are part of the same historical lineage. Their stories span 5 centuries, and their lives interconnect in fascinating ways, with the common theme of these women learning their strengths in spite of hardship, drawing fortitude from the natural world around them.
The stories unfold in 3 timelines and from 3 POV. Altha Weyward in 1619 is accused of witchcraft. Violet, her descendant, in 1942 is frustrated by the constraints of her era and upbringing in English society. Kate, Violet’s great niece, in 2019 is fleeing her abusive, controlling boyfriend, Simon. The ways their lives intersect across time are nicely woven together and the common place for all this to occur is the ancestral Weyward cottage in the remote village of Crow’s Beck, Cumbria, England. The alternating voices from chapter to chapter keep each woman’s story fresh, and the plot moving forward to a satisfying conclusion.
Altha, Violet and Kate are likeable—strong, thoughtful and courageous. The challenges they face are realistic for each era.
The writing is so beautifully descriptive and skillful, I was amazed to learn that this is Ms. Hart’s debut novel!
This is captivating historical fiction about women tapping into their inner resources and ingenuity, with a touch of magic, too. Readers of Hoffman’s Practical Magic series and Albanese’s Hester will find much to like in this story. I highly recommend this wonderful debut novel and look forward to more works by this impressive young author!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.

This book was enjoyable but a little confusing with the the characters and different story lines taking place during different periods of times. I enjoyed the story as a whole but the story didn't flow well with the back and forth. I also felt the book missed an opportunity to give more information on other generations of weyward woman and I would have liked to see a family tree in order to keep track of who's who. I would rate this book a 3½ out of 5 stars. Thank you Netgalley & Emilia Hart for allowing me to read and review this advanced copy of Weyward.

Thank you netgalley for the eArc.

Weyward is a beautifully written Historical Speculative Fiction book that follows 3 generations of women through their struggles and trials with terrible men. In this fiercely feminist story of women finding their voice, and taking care and putting themselves first.

I started and finished this book in a matter of days. Wanting to better understand our 3 main characters: Altha, Violet, and Kate and see how the three storylines intersect.

The world building is vivid and the transitions between the 3 points of view is done so well. I highly recommend this book. The writing of this book was beautiful without being lyrical and purple. I feel the setting of the Weyward cottage was almost the fourth main character in this series.

Highly recommend

Trigger Warnings: rape, incest, domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, car accident, Sexual Abuse

Amazing story following three generations of women throughout time. The author really pulls you into their world, and you find yourself rooting for each of them to overcome their tribulations. I would recommend this one to other readers and I look forward to what Emilia Hart writes nexts!

Side note : I really love the cover of this story, the cover and title is what initially drew me in. After reading this one, I am pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it.

The nitty-gritty: A multi-generational story of the ties that bind a family of women together, with a bit of magic thrown in for good measure.

This was a beautifully written debut with a touch of magical realism, a story that focuses on three different women from the Weyward family, gifted with an affinity for the natural world. If you love generational stories of women fighting the odds in a male dominated world, you will probably love this too. It reminded me a bit of Louisa Morgan’s books, and I thought the author did a great job constructing her rather complex tale, which alternates among three different time periods.

In 1619, we meet Altha, a young girl who has been arrested for suspected murder and is currently awaiting trial in prison. Altha tells her story through a journal, which gradually reveals the hardships she’s gone through. Although there’s barely any evidence, Altha was present when John Milford was trampled to death by a herd of cows, and witnesses suggest she used her powers to make that happen. Through her journal, we learn that all the women in the Weyward family have an ability to interact with nature and animals, but her mother urges her to keep her talents to herself, lest she be accused of witchcraft. 

Jumping to 2019, we meet Kate, a thirty-something woman in an abusive marriage who is looking for a way out. Kate recently inherited an old cottage in Crows Beck from her great aunt Violet, and it’s the perfect place to escape to, especially since she’s been keeping it a secret from her husband Simon. Leaving everything behind, Kate arrives at Weyward Cottage, terrified that Simon will find her. She’s even more distraught when she discovers she’s pregnant, despite all her best efforts to avoid it. Settling into her new home, Kate discovers some old letters and a journal that will help her piece together her family history.

Finally, in 1942 we meet Violet, a sixteen-year-old who lives a life of seclusion at her family manor, Orton Hall. Violet loves insects and wants to be a biologist someday, but her father has other plans for her, namely to find a husband. When Violet is raped by her cousin Frederick and becomes pregnant, her father banishes her to an old cottage where she will stay during her pregnancy to avoid scandel, and later marry Frederick. But Violet doesn’t want a husband or a baby, and so she takes steps to change her fate. When she discovers information about her dead mother in the form of letters and a crow’s feather, she realizes she’s part of a family legacy of strong women and she can control what happens to her.

I became fully invested in all three stories equally. Normally when I read books like this, there’s always a character that isn’t quite as compelling as the others, but here, Kate, Altha and Violet are tied together in so many ways, it was hard not to love all three. And all of their lives parallel each other: they are all abused by men in one way or another, and they all discover they have the ability to interact with nature in a very special way. I absolutely loved all the connections among Kate, Violet and Altha, and the author reveals these connections slowly through alternating chapters. Kate and Violet in particular are filled with curiosity about the word “Weyward,” an old family name that seems to have disappeared from official records, and they go out of their way to discover the truth of the name. Hart uses objects in her story such as an old necklace and a bee brooch to entice the reader and draw out her mystery. I loved the way these pieces of jewelry show up in all three timelines, like family heirlooms that hide secrets.

The magic in the story is subtle and revolves around nature. For example, Violet can draw insects to her, and we later find out she uses this ability to exact revenge on one of the men in her life. Crows are also a recurring theme, as each woman has a special encounter with one. Altha’s timeline was heartbreaking, because she and her mother are both rumored to be witches, even though they are only trying to help heal people. Each time magic is used, it’s done for a specific reason, to avenge a wrong done by a man. In this story, the “magic” acts more as a way for the women to discover their strength and stand up for themselves. Even Kate gets help from the natural world, when Simon inevitably tracks her down and confronts her. 

I loved the driving arc of the story, which is Kate’s pregnancy. Although she’s not happy about it at first, she eventually decides to have the baby, especially after she finds out it’s a girl, another link in the Weyward family chain of women. Even though Kate is basically in hiding, she does let her mother know she’s pregnant, and her mother turns out to be a wonderful source of comfort and strength for her.

There’s plenty of tension as well. I was on pins and needles, hoping that Simon wouldn’t discover Kate’s location. And during Altha’s trial, I was appalled by the way she was treated in court and worried that she was going to be found guilty of murder and hanged. All of the mysteries and connections between the women are drawn out slowly, and some of the important scenes are told from two different points of view, so the reader can see what actually happened.

Hart includes an epilogue that circles back to a tragedy in Kate’s past and establishes a close connection between Kate and Violet, and I thought it was a great way to end the story. Overall, I was mesmerized by Weyward, brought to life by Emilia Hart’s vivid prose and imagination. This is one debut worth checking out, and I can’t wait to read her next book.

Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy

Weyward is a nice, easy novel to read, taking place between three separate time periods: 1619, the 40s, and the present day. It follows three women who are blood relatives, with a mysterious connection to nature. I really enjoyed the ease in which the reader is transported between time periods, however I found the story lacking depth...

The men, for example, were all portrayed as horrible abusers. I understand the intent behind this similarity across all 3 time periods, but my god... The author REALLY wanted to drive the point home that men are despicable. It fell a bit flat for me.

I haven't actually finished the book since It's been a while since I picked up my kindle, but more than half way through the book I realized that the stories of these females are very empowering.

All women go through different battles and this book tells those stories, which is where we can learn about them and be more mindful around everyone.

This magical realism/historical fantasy has three timelines. I liked some more than others (the one from the 1600s was my least favorite.)

I liked how it leaned into the grittiness and nature of witches. They weren't all about flowers and nice things, they used bugs, birds and gross stuff. I also loved Violet's brother Graham and how he eventually learned to step up and care for his sister in her darkest hour of need. That was such a sweet scene.

I don't read a lot of books in this genre, especially historical, so I don't know how to compare exactly. There were a lot of triggers and it was a bit slow.

I think abortion, rape, and all the other heavy things in the book are important topics and should be written about, but this novel just had too many. By the end, there were so many terrible things happening and the narrative couldn't support them all. I was ready to be done.