Witch, it’s what they often call you when you don’t quite fit the mold of what they consider normal and acceptable. From the witch trials on we have seen people called, and persecuted for being, a witch. This book encompasses the stories of three women and their stories and struggles, as well as their shared gift that helps save them.

Well written with characters you find yourself drawn to and rooting for. With some topics that can be hard, the author handled them so well that I couldn’t put it down. This is the best book of 2023 I have read so far! Definitely put this one on your list of must read books for the year!

Nature. Women. Witches.
To follow those three women, with similar fates despite the years between them, was gut-wrenching. But it also spoke of resilience, of sorority beyond the years, and of the power one can find inside even when everything gets dark. I loved it, despite some moments where the cruelty of men made me want to throw my tablet at the wall and disappear forever. Now I have a few months before I can pick up a finished copy, and I can't wait (can we talk about that cover ???).

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“ I like the thought of that: a long line of Weyward women stretching after me. For the first child born to a Weyward is always female, my mother told me. That is why she only had me, just as her mother only had her. There are enough men in the world already, she used to say.”

Weyward by Emilia Hart was a wondrous surprise. Ms. Hart uses three narrators, Altha from 1619, Violet from 1942, and Kate from 2019. These three females are from a long line of Weyward women, with each character having a fantastic storyline. The ladies overcame grave difficulties by finding their strength and home in a small town surrounded by nature. All of these women use the term healer, but what they are also women who have magical powers or witches. Altha, specifically, starts the story during her trial as a witch, but there was not a weak part of this book...the stories are entertaining, exciting, and a perfect read for mystery lovers who love a zest of female empowerment. I thought the writing was outstanding, the story is compelling, and I was sad about ending it. This might be one of my favorite books of the year. I hope you will purchase this book when published in March 2023. The book cover reminds us of three women, five centuries, and one secret. Don’t worry; I’ll remind you when it is available for purchase. #women #abuse #strength #powerful #familybond #magic #nature #spells #witch #healer #crows #Weyward #EmiliaHart #netgalley #beautifulCover #strong #strength #StMartinsPress @stmartinspress @netgalley @emiliahwriter
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I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and the author for the opportunity to read this book. Pub Date: March, 2023.

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Absolutely stunning bit of historical fiction with a supernatural bent. Definite trigger warnings for domestic violence and sexual assault. This novel beautifully weaves nature and the supernatural. There's a small cast of characters, but all are memorable. A perfect read for a cool, rainy day with lots of witchy candles.

A witchy- historical fiction novel with three separate timelines. This story follows the women of the Weyward family, all of which are born with a special gift that gives them the ability to connect with nature and animals. Because of these gifts, Altha (in the 1600s) was tried as a witch, Violet (early 1900s) was always considered strange and eventually was disinherited, and Kate was finally able to learn about her ancestors and use her gift to become free from her abusive ex boyfriend.

I liked that the author switched between timelines throughout the story and we were able to see all of the similarities the Weyward women had and how they dealt with the difficult, unfair situations that they were dealt.

Weyward is a book about how understanding & knowing the past can truly help & empower the future.

I’m going to be honest, the first 33% of this book dragged and I almost shelved it but gave it one last reading session, at which point I couldn’t put it down. Between the bonds of family, the empowerment of women, and the connection women share to those that came before them, Weyward was truly a tale that showed how unbreakable females can truly be, especially when they have the support of others.

I was a little weary about how the author would be able to connect 3 distinctly different timeframes without confusion, but Hart managed to seamlessly do this. The connection between the timeframes was clear, distinct & extremely well written. I’m glad I made the decision to keep reading & find out how everything tied together & how amazing these women truly were.

**Thank you #NetGalley & #StMartinsPress for providing me with an arc for my honest review.

This story of 3 different women and 3 different times. This book is an incredibly beautiful novel. The lives of three women are masterfully intertwined with each other and all three women have a hard fate. Altha, Violet and Kate. In the title, there is a reference to Shakespeare and his play Macbeth, which is intriguing from the very beginning. This book brings all three of these women together and makes them understand that they are not alone in this world. I think this is a great idea, a great idea that the author perfectly managed to bring to life. I want to warn you that this book has trigger themes: physical and psychological abuse, loss of a child.
This book is not about dark magic which is typical for fantasy books, this book is about magic that can heal and help. Magic of nature. This book connects women and nature shows the feminine. How much attention is paid to nature and communication with it; a slight premonition that nature can create wonders. This book reminded me of Ray Bradbury's book Dandelion Wine. All this time I was trying to find connections between all the characters to understand their similarities. It was a very entertaining read. I am very happy that I read it and I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Also, I can't keep silent about the fact that the cover of the book is simply magical.

A southern gothic story about 3 women in 3 seperate times. If you want a witchy story for spooky season. This is definitely for you!!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Emilia Hart for this unbelievable ARC!!!

This book is FABULOUS. I was hooked from the first page......you all know witchy, feminist books are my kryptonite.

This story follows the lives of three women from three different time periods–all connected by the Weyward woman's "gift." You will never be able to predict just how these stories connect.

What is more powerful than abusive men, gallows, entire villages of angry people, and even blossoming wombs? Women. Weyward women.

I want to write so much more but this book is too good to spoil.

I opened this book excited by the synopsis and the cover and the name. Then I peaked inside. Omg 802 pages according to my NetGalley reading app on my iPad. I thought it would take me forever to read the book. I finished it in 3 days.

This book has a lot of the themes I personally love; skipping between timelines, witches, nature, and a sprinkling of feminism. Three stories intertwined that date back as far as the 1700’s. I loved every minute of it. All three stories were interesting. The book didn’t have an insane amount of characters to make it confusing. It’s an easy and fun read. I didn’t have to look much up, just some bugs and plant references but no vocabulary. You could give this book to a mature teenager as long as long as you don’t mind them reading about rape and abuse. The women come out strong and their bonds are beautiful. I would highly recommend this book to someone looking for similar themes.

This is a captivating read that kept me turning the pages. Weyward is a story about three different women (Altha from 1619, Violet from 1942, and Kate from 2019) facing oppression and ill treatment from men in their lives. It alternates between the POVs of the three women, building suspense with each chapter.

More specifically, it’s a good “witch” novel–in the tradition of novels about women with healing/psychic/midwifery skills who are demonized and persecuted, but who draw on their skills and connections to other women to overcome. It had an interesting take on how these women’s specific “witchy” powers manifest, and there were good descriptions that brought alive the Weyward cottage and the women’s connection with nature. Altha, Violet, and Kate are all strong in distinctive ways; they feel unique and different–and also specific to their time periods.

I cared about the three women and what was happening to them. With novels told through braided narratives, I’m often tempted to skip past sections because one storyline is much more interesting than the others, but with Weyward all three storylines kept me fully engaged, and I was never tempted to skip. Each storyline built upon the previous one and added to my curiosity, so I was always pulled forward. The three storylines come together in a satisfying and revealing way at the end.

The only negative is that the oppressive men in the women’s lives are flat, stereotyped characters–they don’t feel like living, breathing, complex people. However, there are male supporting characters who show more depth and complexity. The stereotyped oppressors detracted from the story somewhat, but overall Weyward was a good read, and I recommend it!!

What first drew my attention to this book was the title and cover artwork. Separately, they are both capable of catching someone’s eye. Although, when they are put together, they resolutely demand attention.

From the start of Weyward, the pace of the book is incredibly fast. This is actually beneficial since the story is split between three different women. With the quick pace set by the author, the reader does not become overwhelmed by the information that would be included if the book only followed one of the storylines. There are just enough details included that the story flows without impediment and draws the reader deeper into the narrative being spun. Each character is absolutely fascinating, and it is fun for the reader to search out how these women possibly intersect.

This book was absolutely entrancing. It was impossible for me to set it down until I had finished it to the very last page. The author did an amazing job at balancing the three characters within the story and slowly building to each climax of their stories. It became apparent that each woman was different and yet, the same. The growth sprinkled throughout this book was instrumental to each character’s progression in their lives.

This was a breathtaking piece from Emilia Hart. I am incredibly excited to experience what else she has to offer to the literary world.

Men are always trying to dominate the Weyward women, who have an intense affinity with nature: trying to crush their spirits and control their lives. Men always fail, because the Weyward women can call birds and even insects to their aid. This indomitable matriarchal clan of witches is almost broken until Kate, the niece, who stars in the modern of the three timelines. Practical Magic meets Margaret Atwood in an unflinching feminist fantasy that is boiling over with rage and loaded with empowerment.

First off, this cover is astounding. Seriously, I love it. And it does the story justice. I loved the gothic premise, and it gave me spooky classic gothic stories like Jane Eyre. Totally worth the hype.

For fans of Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic series, Weyward is a feminist, witchy novel that is sure to bring tears to your eyes and leave you feeling warm and whole.

Weyward follows the stories of 3 women from one family across different periods of time: Altha (1619), Violet (1942), and Kate (2019). The Weyward women have always been special and can connect with nature in impossible ways. Unfortunately, their talents make them outcasts in the eyes of society, which often leads to tragedy and pain.

Although this book does have a happy ending, the path to get there is a very dark and difficult one. The women experience many challenges (i.e., men try to take away their autonomy) before understanding how to use their powers and choose freedom. Along the way, they also learn the power women can have when they work together, even if it’s across time.

Whether or not you’re a fantasy reader, this is a book ALL women (and everyone else) should read. This author is already on my auto-read list after just one book - I’m so excited for what’s next, this was just amazing!!

I loved this book! The three timelines were great and I loved the characters. Will definitely read more from this author.

This was a great read. I loved the multiple timelines and how all three women had surprisingly similar (and yet still believable) experiences. Also, I love crows so I’m glad they were included in the story. I’d love to walk around with Morg on my shoulder!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.
What a wonderful book, I absolutely loved it!
My heart felt for all three women and their struggles to stay true to themselves while considered odd by outsiders who view them with suspicion. Their relationship with nature is something I totally understood and empathized with. And I loved the crows, birds I've always admired for their smarts.
Great read I highly recommend!

Spellbinding indeed. Loved all the characters and the stories they shared. Was hoping for some magical realism aspects, but still a solid read.

I love this story! Gobbled it up so fast. Love all the time frames and how they all connect. This is the kind of writing and story line that makes me a very happy reader much to the disappointment of those around me who want to actually talk to me when I’m engrossed in something I can’t be bothered from.