A riveting read about three Weyward women - Altha in 1619, tried for witchcraft; Violet in 1942, a spirited, ambitious young woman confined by social norms; and Kate in 2019, a survivor of domestic abuse seeking refuge in the cottage her great aunt bequeathed to her. Each woman finds herself living in “a man’s world” though, living in 2019, Kate has the greatest chance for independence. As Kate spends more time in Weyward Cottage, she learns more about her heritage and begins to realize the Weyward women are very powerful indeed.

There is a bit of historical fiction, supernatural/magic elements, and a hint of spookiness. Altha, Violet, and Kate are all compelling characters and it was fun to see how all of the storylines converged. At times, it felt too distressing to read about how terribly the Weyward women are treated and how that abuse shaped their respective worldviews. However, the author deftly weaves in themes of resilience and hope.

What an exciting debut! Thank you very much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

What a story! I loved this book. The trio of perspectives made for a captivating story! I loved Kate, Violet, and Altha — each perspectives story was so well crafted! And the ending was (imo) perfect.

This was a beautiful book! I love a good story that has strong supporting female characters and this featured three of them! Three narratives in three totally different timelines and the stories of each women were intertwined beautifully. Each Weyward women had their own but similar story and Emilia Hart mixes in historical fiction with magical realism in such a fantastic way. Her writing is just lovely and makes you feel for each women. It was nice to have alternating chapters for the pace of this book. Definitely recommend and look forward to more of Hart’s writing.

I adored this book! I love a good revenge plot. I loved how all the women's lives intertwined and how we find out at the end exactly why they entertained.
I appreciated seeing how each woman took their weaknesses and turned them into strengths. I liked that these women were fierce and independent and made the horrible men in their lives pay for their actions. It was curious (in a great way) how the villainous men were all the same and treated these women the deplorable way they did in all 3 time lines.

This book was well-written, read smoothly and I found no typos.
I will highly recommend this book.

This book was written so beautifully. The author was so eloquent in her descriptions and narration that I had a hard time putting it down. The story is about three women, spanning centuries, each facing their own hardship and surviving.

Altha, a 17th century woman, accused of witchcraft, Violet, a young woman from the 1930’s, a victim of rape, and Kate, a modern woman fleeing her abusive husband. The chapters alternate each woman’s point of view, while weaving together their connection (through blood and a charming cottage) as Weyward women.

I truly enjoyed this story. I love books that span different times in history. Especially when it involves the same family, tying together their stories.

Warning: Book discusses domestic violence, sexual assault and suicide.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this cARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was amazing! The story was compelling, the narrator was perfect. I found myself finding time to listen outside of my normal "listening" activities--which is an excellent sign for an audiobook. This tale tells the story of three women connected through bloodline and time as they are all Weyward women. Each character has their own riveting story, but how they are intertwined is the real gem. Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Highly recommended.

I'm not totally sure what it was about this book, but something didn't work for me. Different timelines can be hit or miss and while I wouldn't say this was a miss I definitely preferred the current timeline to the others. I think there was some complexity missing here. Too much women are great men are bad. Sometimes the writing felt a bit repetitive.

Every time I'd start a section I'd say okay this is my favorite of the three, and every time I ended it I was sure of it, then started the next and the cycle began again. Hart did a good job weaving things together and making the Weyward women real and related despite the years between.

Love the play of wayward Weyward.

A good read - thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

This is a good read, even for someone who doesn't delve into fantasy that often. This is more to me a welcome story of resilience, strong and fascinating women and what becomes a thoughtfully executed interwoven story of what weyward is/means, I am less into the fantasy type details as I am into interesting character development. Recommended for readers who like Kate Morton, Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic stories, and perhaps also readers who liked Other Birds last year.

Some strengths!
1. I found that each of the 3 women were well developed and I was engaged in each story, I didn't feel disconnected from any story and I admit I am often someone who finds multiple POV plots less than exciting. This is a testament to effective storytelling!

2. I liked that despite themes on abuse there was no victim blaming and instead a focus on women knowing their worth. that matters to me and I think it is alas a timely and still important approach to stories of abuse and assault.
3. A satisfying end! I am always picky about how multiple POV stories end but this book weaves together stories in a great way.

I received a review copy of this book from St Martin's Press (via NetGalley) and also a copy of the audiobook (which is nicely done!) from Lirbo.FM's ALC program. Both formats are wonderful, I though loved reading the lyrical style of the book a bit more.

The setting: "Three women. Five centuries. One secret." Three timelines/voices.

Epigraph: "Weyward in used in the First Folio edition of Macbeth. In later versions, "Weyward" was replaced by "Weird.""

Altha, early 17th century, tried as a witch. [starting in 1619]. Aligned with familiars. She and her mother were mostly reviled but also revered by some as they were herbalists/healers. Her story is italicized; the others are not. [why?]

Violet, 1942. Abusive father and--no spoiler--Frederick [ugh]. She ultimately becomes an entomologist who resides in Weyward Cottage

Kate, 2019, London, Violet's great niece. Married to Simon, an abusive man; she escapes to Weyward Cottage where she starts anew.

When I started the book, I wondered if I would like it--though a combination of fiction with magical realism, I just wasn't sure. In the end, I believe that I liked this book more than I should have!

Life, love, nature, magic, and insects and especially crows!!

The stories and histories are interwoven and gradually all is revealed.

A couple of pregnancy items bothered me--even at the beginning--noted to come back to the doctor in eight weeks? Not feeling kicking until the third trimester? Minor, but...

Often predictable [particularly the parallels] and what felt like caricatures--especially of [deserved] evil men. Note: there were two sympathetic males: Daniel Bainbridge [for Altha], and Violet's brother, Graham. Sometimes seemingly melodramatic.

3.5, rounding up, but... certainly not for everyone.

Not literary, but an easy, fast read. A debut novel.

Wow wow wow!!!

It was on my favorite books list of 2022 and it will get an honorable mention on my favorite books list for 2023 since it publishes this year.

WEYWARD by Emilia Hart, a story told by three women in three different eras.

Altha on trial for witchcraft in 1619

Violet in 1942 - just 16 years old living in a grand house being forced to conform to high-society norms but wanting to run free and do her own thing. She learns snippets about her "mad" dead mother, whispers that she was a witch.

Kate in 2019 - flees her abusive husband to her inherited cottage from her great-aunt Violet.

This book weaves the three stores of these women perfectly and magically, showing the power of nature and the resilience of women when they are faced with unthinkable violence from the men around them and the men who are meant to love them.

I simply love Hart's writing. The story is beautifully paced, each woman has her own unique voice even though they share many of the same issues and talents. A lot of similar things (I'll say things so I don't give anything away) happened to them.

The story wraps up in the most satisfying and delightful way.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this digital ARC!

Weyward is a beautiful story of strength, resilience, women's empowerment, and love. If you're a historical fiction lover, you'll enjoy this. If you love modern-day magical realism tales, you'll enjoy this. If you love stories of generations of strong women and family drama, you'll enjoy this.

I love that the story was told from three points of view - Altha in the 1600s, Violet in the 1940s, and Kate in 2019, and how they all intertwined. It's truly a unique story that tackles a lot of tough topics. An incredible read and I highly recommend checking this one out!

Thank you, St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the eARC!
4.5/5 stars

Three women, all related but from different centuries all wind up living at Weyward Cottage during pivotal moments in their lives. In 2019, Kate runs away from her abusive husband and flees to the cottage she recently inherited from her great Aunt Violet, Weyward Cottage. While there, Kate uncovers a secret about the women in her family, one that dates back to 1619, when Altha Weyward was tried for witchcraft.
This was a quick and engaging story that was fun and had you wanting more. All three of the womens’ stories had relatable themes that were not only present during their own times but also still issues faced by women now. When I read stories with different timelines and characters, I tend to like one more than the other. That was not the case here. All 3 Weyward women were wonderfully written and enjoyable. I highly recommend this debut. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC copy!! 4 ⭐️

Thank you to Emilia Hart, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review Weyward in advance of the release.

Weyward is a beautiful story of three strong, unforgettable women and the paths taken in discovery of each of their lives. This debut is incredibly layered and fascinating. You feel enveloped by nature and all its glory. I was thrilled to lose myself in this magical tale, rooting for each of the characters!

3.5 stars

"They cannot make me leave my home. They do not frighten me. After all, I am a Weyward, and wild inside."

-green witch & academia vibes
-magical realism
-"good for her" moments
-white female rage
-I still stand by the fact that if you're on the "how to befriend a crow" side of TikTok, this is for you (just, again, please check trigger warnings)
-heavy nature and wildlife descriptors (beautiful and haunting)

Weyward is a heartbreaking and inspirational story of friendship, motherhood and womanhood set in England. We follow three women spanning five centuries - Altha, Violet, and Kate as they discover the bonds and experiences that tie them, as well as an inner power that they share.

Although this story is described as a "celebration of nature, female power and breaking free" from patriarchal shackles, it was a (unexpectedly) pretty heavy read. It was beautifully written and I loved the alternate povs/accounts that took place in different time periods which came together like a puzzle to be solved - but it was also slow building, upsetting and took some perseverance to finish. I also really wish that there wasn't an epilogue. I feel like it took away from the end of the story for me, personally. (Team Graham, though, loved that sibling bond/friendship).

For fans of: Practical Magic, Secret Garden

Please check trigger warnings as this story heavily contains (but is not limited to): SA, DV, abortion, rape, child abuse, mention of suicide, mental abuse, physical abuse, stalking, gore/blood, bodily harm/violence, murder, forced hysterectomy, gaslighting, medical abuse, death of parent

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I usually don't like multiple narratives or different time periods in the same novel. Most authors cannot pull it off correctly and I end up liking one character over another and skipping half the novel. However, this was not the case with Weyward. Each character had their own distinct voice, and their stories drew me into the novel. I was interested in Kate, Alta and Violet's story. The story was beautifully woven together with each narrative. I enjoyed the witchy elements throughout the novel. This is an amazing book about women overcoming oppression and finding their strength. A must read.

This historical fiction with a dash of magical realism book alternates between the three women and time periods. Usually with books like that I tend to have a favorite timeline, but I really enjoyed all of them and how they were woven together.

The pacing was steady and as each of the women's individual stories came to light, the ties that bind them become clear. You will grieve with and cheer on each of the main characters. All while being frustrated that even over hundreds of years, there are still men who want to steal the power and light from women and just possess them.

Each of these women of the Weyward line, back to the times of witch trials, battle the circumstances and people that try to bring them down. All while coming to terms with who they are, the natural power they possess, and that special safe place, Weyward cottage.

I don't read tons of historical fiction but the short chapters, lovely writing, and strong female characters made for a wonderful read.

Wow! This was one of a kind saga of witches! Weyward is a story of three women, equally unique and gifted, told in the voices of Kate Beck-of year 2019, who has escaped an abusive marriage, Violet Ayres- from year 1942, disowned by her father and Altha Weyward- of year 1619, their great ancestor who was put in trial and accused if witchcraft. What connects these women and how does their story intertwined?

I love the character development of this story. It was carefully crafted, slow burn to perfection. It took me a bit to get captivated but once I reached the point that I can’t get enough and no way I was putting it down. My heart goes to these women, how their stories seem to repeat regardless of how many years have past. The difference of the norms of the society at the time being . It was beautifully written with an even more beautiful ending! Overall, Emilia Hart has created a masterpiece!

I received both the e-file and the audiobook in exchange of my honest review. If you are like me who adores all sort of witch stories, magical realism, historical fiction all packaged in one, Weyward is for you to enjoy! Thank you, St.Martin’s Press via Netgalley and MacMillan Audio through LibroFM for the complimentary copies. The narrators were very pleasant to listen to. I enjoyed it very much!

This was a book that I received from Net Galley and was just sitting on my kindle. I just decided to start it one day and then couldn’t stop. 3 women protagonists, living in different time periods, all bound by blood and the hidden power they share. Altha, 1600s, tried as a witch. Violet, 1942 during WWI, banished to the Weyward cottage, and Kate (2019), escaping an abusive relationship. I had to look up the meaning of the wordvWeyward. Def: difficult to control or predict because of unusual or perverse behavior.

I believe this was the authors debut novel and it didn’t disappoint. I found the book easy to read and the stories easy to follow although it was 3 characters living across 4 centuries. I would describe is as a mixture of historical fiction (witch trials) and magical realism. Enjoyable, easy read, especially if you like strong, female characters.

Thank you so much to Net Galley, the publisher, and author for providing this book for my honest review. First of all, this cover and title are amazing. I was instantly intrigued. This story involves three women in different timelines all coping with various traumas. They are all unique and are considered a bit different from everyone else. They each have a special connection to nature, so this is a great book for anyone who enjoys magical realism, historical fiction, and multiple timelines. Parts of this book were on the slow side, but I ultimately enjoyed each character’s storyline and how it all came together in the end. Thank you again to Net Galley, the publisher, and author for providing this book for my review.