Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the eARC of Weyward! All opinions in this review are my own.

I have seen so much hype for Weyward that I was excited to read it! While it did take me a little while to get into the story, I ended up really enjoying it. I like the structure of the multiple timelines and how everything came together at the end. I also really like the question of witchcraft that permeated each woman's story.

Weyward would be an excellent book to read this winter and I can't wait to read more from this author!

This is a story of three women over several centuries, "only" tied to each other by being Weywards. You know you're living your life right when men call you a witch, or nowadays, a bitch. (Yes, I *do* say thank you.) This is a very strong debut featuring magical realism. I'm looking forward to seeing this author again. 4.5 stars

4.5 ⭐️s rounded up! The last 20% of this book really solidified it as a favorite read for me. I loved the multiple perspective and timelines. I felt equally connected to each woman and her story. I loved how it all came together at the end ❤️

A very unique story that twists the lives of three different women living at three very different times together.

Weyward is a story about three Weyward women in different eras. Altha, in 1619, a young woman accused of witchcraft. Violet, in 1942, a young woman on the verge of adulthood. Kate, in 2019, a married, pregnant twenty-something fleeing from an abusive marriage. Though they don't personally interact, they are aware of each other's stories and find strength from the previous generation.

Weyward women have a deep connection to the natural world when they accept and embrace it. I found each story fascinating in its own right. There are heavy themes of abuse, but they find strength in their lineage. The different generations of women learn to come into their power through their travails. It was a little hard to connect with each character, but the writing was beautiful and the stories intriguing. Each perspective was perfectly narrated by Aysha Kala, Helen Keeley, and Nell Barlow.

Thank you to the publishers for providing this ebook and audiobook ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me access to the free advanced digital copy of this book.

It was confusing at first, took me a while to notice that 3 of the main characters are from different generation. But it was interesting to watch their life interwoven throughout the story.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I adored this book!!! I can't stop thinking about it! I think this hit a perfect combination of features for me, so I will explain and if you are anything like me, then you might love this too.

First things first, there is a lot of violence against women (including sexual assault) in this book, so a huge trigger warning for that. The perpetrators of this violence tend to only get justice in a magical way, and as some reviewers have said, this can be bleak, but I found it to be the opposite, as the women took justice into their own hands and used their own hard-won power to do so.

This book consists of three main storylines: Altha in the 1600s, Violet in the 1940s, and Kate in the present day. All three storylines were really captivating for me, and as the story goes on the characters become more and more intertwined. However, if you are not a fan of time jumps or perspective shifts (think The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue or All the Light We Cannot See), then this might not be for you.

The three women were each uniquely strong, though each of their stories was filled with trauma. The relationships they built with other women were beautiful, and yes, it was even a little bit queer! Reading about how they took control of their own lives was also really empowering, in particularly Violet's story for me.

The magical realism/fantasy aspect of this story comes into play with the magic, aka witchcraft, that these women are capable of. If you are expecting a traditional witch story, then this is maybe not for you. The magic these "witches" partake in is entirely based on nature, and that brings me to my favorite part of the book:

THE NATURE! Ohhh, my heart. I felt so strongly each characters' fascination with the natural world, from plants and their healing properties, to seeing the beauty in each tiny insect. The three women possessed supernatural abilities to hear and feel the natural world around them, from the click of a spider's pincers, to the rush of the stream miles away, to the wingbeats of a crow, and this intimacy with nature is what gave them all their strength. I have never in my LIFE yearned so hard to be able to hear an insect walk or have bees and damselflies land on me whenever I go outside!!! After I finished this book I felt such a powerful urge to just go outside and climb a tree, dig in the dirt, and listen to the birds. What I wouldn't give to also have a witchy cottage with a garden in the countryside!!!

This book felt like a love story to nature and life and the resilience of womanhood and the power of seeing the beauty in small things. Would definitely recommend!!!

What a beautiful story and debut this was. Told interchangeably from three different perspectives of Weyward women across 3 timelines, I was completely enchanted. We meet Altha in 1619 amidst the 17th century witch hunts for which she’s on trial. We meet Violet, in 1942 entrapped in her own sort of prison of an estate. And finally, we meet Kate, in 2019 fleeing her abusive husband and finding solace in the one place connecting her to the other two women: Weyward cottage. These women were resilient, mesmerizing, and watching them overcome the unimaginable and reach their full potential of strength and power made for a truly unforgettable reading experience. One of my favorite parts was how their witchy powers were so connected to the natural world. I find the most peace being in nature and the way they were so in tune with nature, insects, and animals was a beautiful element to this story. There were definitely some triggering content in this that made it all the more emotional as you learn more about these women’s intertwined lives. I cannot recommend this book enough and think it makes for the perfect fall read. You’ll find yourself mentally transported to the cozy Weyward cottage as you unravel the Weyward women’s history. Thank you to Netgalley and St Martins Press for this gifted ebook!

8/10

Violet, Altha and Kate have something in common. They all have been out in threatening positions by men in their lives.

When Kate sneaks away from her abusive husband and hides in the Weyward cottage, she discovers her past. And the discovery begins to unravel truths about who she is.

Taking the reader on a journey from the 18th century to the present, this novel is a wonderful study on the strength and resilience of women, especially in times when they are being crumbled by men.

This is a pretty darn powerful book, written about three pretty darn powerful women who are connected through time.

Great read.

#netgalley #weyward

Witchy books are my favorite! And to explore the throughlines of witchy abilities, and see how society doesn't really like powerful women at all (or ever) with such a deft writing hand. I loved the way that all three timelines merged into together so that great reveals of the character development and plot were paced with each other (and I might have clapped toward the end - no spoilers).

I can't wait to read more of Hart's work.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this ebook for an honest review.



Absolutely thought this cover was beautiful. I had enjoyed the atmospheric writing. Story of 3 generational women with 3 different time lines from 1619, 1842, 2019. Interesting throughout but was  kind of let down at the end.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to read this book early! I really enjoyed it. I thought the writing was very well done, and the story kept me interested. I believe my students/patrons would also love this book and will be acquiring it for the library!

My fat butt is not eating many carbs right now.

This book is carbs. Hot donuts, mashed potatoes with gravy, mac and cheese with the string of cheese from the plate to the fork.

I loved it. I'd eat it.

Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I loved loved loved this atmospheric and beautiful tale of powerful, magical, strong, and resilient women.

Weyward is a beautifully written book about brutal things. Told on three timelines in 1619, 1942, and 2019, it's the story of three women bound not just by ancestral blood, but also by their experiences with men and motherhood.

Emotionally resonant and profound, Emilia Hart's debut is a celebration of women and the natural world. She combines elements of historical fiction, women's fiction, and magical realism to weave a multigenerational family saga about the strength and resilience of the female spirit. Hart's writing is lush and vibrant in this slow-burning, perfectly paced, character-driven story, and I was completely captivated by her words and immersed in her worlds.

Although I wouldn't call Weyward "male bashing," it definitely deals very directly on all three timelines with the injustices women are dealt at the hands of men. Across five centuries, the Weyward women experience eerily, sadly similar instances of abuse and adversity and find fellowship and empowerment in their connection to nature and to other women. Readers sensitive to topics like sexual assault, abortion, miscarriage, and physical and emotional abuse should take care, as all of these topics are explicitly discussed.

Weyward is unapologetically witchy and feminist, and while it did leave me feeling empowered and uplifted, I also couldn't help but feel a bit sad when I finished it. Women in the real world, after all, don't have a magical connection to nature to punish their abusers. There is still so much work to be done.

⭐⭐⭐/5

• historical fiction/magical realism
• multiple POV/timelines
• atmospheric setting & writing

I enjoyed these three generations of resilient women and their stories. It was slow paced for me, but this was a debut and I look forward to more from this author.

🗣️ Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinpress for the opportunity to read and review this book via gifted eARC! All opinions are honest and my own.

Weyward by Emilia Hart is a striking and thought-provoking debut novel that weaves a mesmerizing tapestry of magic, mystery, and personal discovery. The story is set in a world where magic is an integral part of life, and Hart's lush prose creates a vivid and enchanting backdrop for the narrative. This novel takes readers on a journey into the heart of a young woman's quest for identity and purpose, all while unraveling the secrets of her extraordinary abilities.

Hart's writing is a true highlight of Weyward. Her lyrical and evocative prose effortlessly transports readers into the enchanting realm she has created. Through her vivid descriptions and compelling characters, Hart explores themes of self-discovery, family bonds, and the intersection of magic and humanity. The protagonist's journey of self-acceptance and growth is beautifully portrayed, making it easy for readers to empathize with her struggles and triumphs.

Weyward is a captivating blend of fantasy and coming-of-age, offering a fresh and unique perspective on the genre. Emilia Hart's storytelling prowess is evident throughout the book, as she crafts a narrative that is both spellbinding and emotionally resonant. This debut novel is a testament to Hart's talent and leaves readers eagerly anticipating her future works. Weyward is a must-read for fans of fantasy and anyone seeking a rich, immersive tale of magic and self-discovery.

5 of 5 stars
Pub Date: 07 Mar 2023
#netgalley #weyward

In a truly impressive novel – even more so considering it’s a debut – Emilia Hart has woven the stories of three women from three very different times into a tapestry of resilience and hope.

Kate, in 2019, finds a sudden inheritance may hand her the opportunity she needed to finally break free of her abusive boyfriend.

Violet, a teenager in 1942, learns the story of the mother she never knew, and learns she may not be the disappointment her father has always made very clear he sees her as.

And finally Altha, all the way back in the 1600s, must defend herself from accusations of witchcraft, even as she faces a world not ready to accept women as independent.

These women will make their way through the trials that face them – some of those literal, all of them truly testing – with courage, determination, and a dawning realization of their own strengths and abilities. Emilia Hart has done an impressive job, making each woman a distinct individual, while allowing them to share enough common ground to pull their stories into a cohesive novel overall.

There were elements of magical realism here, too – to different degrees in each story thread, but very present and worked in naturally with the more grounded elements of the story. There’s parts that would have been too harrowing without those hopeful magical touches – these women do have to live through some awful events, but the promise of their unusual abilities keeps the story from sinking too deep into that darkness.

Overall a very enjoyable debut, and one that has me excited for more from this author.

At first this took a bit to get into, having to follow different characters on different timelines. But once it got into the story, it all flowed seamlessly.

With strong female characters and all the Witchy vibes, this book was beautifully written. What a wonderful debut.