This is a story of strong, unconventional women who discover their power waging their same-but-different battles against the patriarchy (different centuries, same old shit). There are beautiful elements of magic here for those who like that, but they won't be' off-putting for those who don't (these are green witches, not Halloween witches - there are no spells, cauldrons, or black hats). The author beautifully captured the magic of the natural world, and the way it heals, sustains, and gives life.

I was surprised to learn that this is the author's debut - the story is so layered and nuanced, and written with a confident hand. The book is well-crafted, with beautiful writing, intricate characters, vivid imagery and symbolism, lovely pacing, and three equally-compelling storylines that unfold and interweave seamlessly.

It took me a bit to get into this book, but once I did, I didn't want to put it down. The stories of these 3 women stayed with me long after setting aside the book. It's a love letter to feminism and those women who came before us.

Kate is our modern-day protagonist escaping an abusive husband. As she flees to her great aunt's cottage (who recently passed away and Kate doesn't remember much), she uncovers family history that helps empower her. The stories of Altha and Violet are woven into Kate's life, showing how past trauma and those who overcame it can alter our perception and fuel us.

I read this free as an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.

magical realism isn't really my thing, but i can do it if it's well written with intriguing, believable characters. so i think that's why i put off reading #weyward by @EmiliaHartBooks. but i couldn't deny the excellent reviews and started. SO glad i did, it's SO lovely and brilliant! men don't fare very well, except for graham, but no matter, this is an ode to women. altha, violet and kate - each has her own story in a different time, and yet they all connect in fascinating ways. i loved that "weyward" is from the first edition of macbeth, and was later changed to "weird." so fitting. terrific read, i just loved it! highly recommend.

p. s. thanks to #netgalley for the ARC.

p.s.s. love the cover, love the crows. love how they rescue at the end.

I totally forgot to post this when I read it in February. I was pondering on it for a 4 or 5 star read.

1619-Altha Weyward is accused and tried for witchcraft. She tries to argue and defend herself for knowing nature and natural plant medicines, but nobody is listening. With her closest friend going against her and not for her, she knows she has no chance.

1942-Violet Ayres a sixteen year old wants to be treated the same as her brother who is educated, allowed off property to see the real world and also learn about her mother. Her father will not have any of it! Meeting her cousin Frederick will turn her life around.

2019-Kate Ayres is in an abusive relationship and after discovering she has inherited a cottage that her aunt Violet lived in, she makes a plan to escape, hide, and start over.

These three women are connected by blood and have a history in ways that will keep them connected, always. If I were to judge them, I loved Altha, really liked Violet, and just gave Kate a so-so, but the overall story was awesome! Awesome enough that I bought a physical copy!

Thank you #StMartinsPress and #NetGalley for allowing me to read #Weyward

I love books that are a little witchy, and I love historical fiction. This one appealed to me, as it covers three different women across history. Unfortunately, it was a little too depressing. I wish there were more trigger warnings for this book, as it deals with heavy themes that weighed me down as I read.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Told from the perspectives of three Weyward women: one during medieval times, one in World War 2 times, and the last in from modern times. Each faces a series of obstacles that they must overcome for their survival and wellbeing. Unbeknownst to them, these “weird” women provide support for each other as they learn their ancestor’s story. Three stars.

This gorgeously written gothic historical novel was amazing. This was absolutely lovely! There are so many historical books with a touch of magical realism to them, but this one stands out from the rest. I have been craving a book like this for years. The quality of the prose, with the magical elements and witchcraft reminded me very much of Alice Hoffman. Every phrase was poetry, and the descriptions were so vivid it was like I was there with the characters.
This book was everything I had been wanting and missing. Excellent dialogue, solid world building, an independent, likeable heroines, the three stories that are woven together. I just savored each page and was very sorry when it ended. I will definitely be buying this book in print! TEN STARS!

We follow three women in the Weyward family in three time points, the late 1600s, the 1940s and the present. Each woman is dealing with oppressive and controlling men in their time period. The women seem powerless and suffer many abuses. But as we flip back-and-forth through the time settings, the truth of their familial nature becomes clear. We see how, even though there is generational trauma each ancestral woman is able to help her future relative.

I really enjoyed this one. It does paint most men with a broad brush of negativity but, all of these harsh actions ring true to their time. I was much more invested in Altha’s story, 1600s witch trials will never grow old for me. Violet’s precocious, scientific nature won me over right away - I’m happy we spent the most time with her. Kate’s story I could give or take but I did think it brought everything together.

Thanks to St Martin’s Press for gifted access via NetGalley. All opinions above on my own.

Weyward by Emilia Hart is an engrossing, mystical tale of three interconnected women that spans centuries. Don’t start this book if you have things to do because once you start you won’t be able to stop.

Altha is living in the 1600’s England and is known as a healer in her village. After a farmer is trampled by his own cows she is accused of making that happen with witchcraft. Violet is a teenager in 1943, living with a father who won’t let her step off their estate and who discourages all contact with the natural world. Kate is in London in 2019 looking to escape an abusive husband.

The chapters alternate among these three women and as the story unfolds you learn more about their own lives and their connection. They all have a special ability to commune with nature and animals and they all wrestle with male dominance and abuse in their lives. Part historical fiction mixed with strong feminist vibes makes this a compelling read.

"A great many things look different from a distance. Truth is like ugliness: you need to be close to see it."

Weyward is a multi-timeline novel following the story of Altha (1600's), Violet (1940's), and Kate (2020's). Each story is told a chapter at a time - one from Altha, one from Violet, and on from Kate, repeat. We see the connections between these women form over time and watch them grow in their self confidence. Altha has just been acquitted on a charge of witchcraft, Violet is struggling with the death of her mother (many years prior) and having all details of her mother's existence kept from her, and Kate has just left an abusive relationship after finding out she is pregnant. Chapter by chapter the stories unfold and become interwoven.

This multi-generational novel had me hooked me at first, but as the storyline evolved I became less interested, I enjoyed learning about Altha's background and how she grew up trying to be as normal as possible, but also knowing her and her mother were different. Violet and Kate's stories were a bit harder for me to get behind since they both revolve around similar topics. Pregnancy isn't my favorite storyline, so having two characters find out they are pregnant really took some wind out of my sails while I was reading. The whole "I'll do anything for my child" storyline is a little overused. With that being said, the ending of Violet's story re-kindled my interest and definitely made me respect her more as a character.

The character development was really great and I enjoyed the descriptions of both Orton Hall and the cottage. I didn't absolutely love this book, but the writing was done well and it was entertaining 3.5/5 stars rounded up to 4.

. . . ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⋆
This was definitely a case of judging a book by its cover, but in the best possible way. It was as if historical fiction and magical realism had a book-baby, and with a heavy-handed sprinkle of female power. And when you add all that together, plus a beautiful cover, you’re bound to be in for a treat.

Told from three POVs of women from the same family line, sharing both an undeniable connection with nature and personal trauma, it reminded me a bit of a Kate Morton novel, but it completely held its own.

I was drawn to each of the female characters, and really enjoyed the magical elements of this book. It was hard to come to terms with the shared generational trauma that they each experienced individually, but the importance, power, independence, and survival of these women told within these pages was also inspiring.

This was definitely the right book at the right time for me, but it would also make for an atmospheric autumnal read. Go check it out.

~ 👩🏻‍🦰

Books about witchy women are so popular right now, and this book falls into that genre. Weyward is about 3 generations of a family and the strong, feminine women that endured abuse and made lives for themselves.
The book is set in the English countryside, and Weyward cottage itself plays a large role in the narrative.

Although there are historical elements, the book is light on those, focusing more on a bit of magic and the strength and resilience of these women.

Thanks to Emilia Hart, Netgalley, and St. Martin's Press for making this ARC available for my honest review.

I loved this book so much. I enjoyed how it tied three life stories of women together and also how they weren't exactly "witches" but tied to nature and the natural world. I enjoyed the characters and how the story developed and tied up.

This book will end up being one of my top reads for 2023. I loved reading about the three strong protagonists, divided across generations of a single “Weyward” family, and threatened by the fear that is inevitably aroused by fierce women. “Witch” stories are favorites of mine - because they are never really about witches at all, are they? These stories are about healers, and nature, and the ways women make lives for themselves and one another. I loved the way the English countryside - and especially the Weyward cottage - came to life, right down to every last insect. Thank you so, so much for this advance copy - I adored it.

This was a really enjoyable story that ebbed and flowed as it progressed. I really loved trying to figure out how everything would end and I loved how the smallest things linked it all together. Great writing

A tri-timeline (is that what it's called?) about three women who are from the Weyward family and have a loose tie to the supernatural.

I know this is a Bookstagram darling right now and while I absolutely love the cover and am always excited to read a witchy book, I found Weyward to be VERY light on the 'Witch' theme.

Yes it was there, in some of the stories more than others, but just way too lite for my taste.

Looking beyond the witchy parts of the book, the three stories were ok reads but nothing that will likely stick with me.

What a weird & beautiful book! I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I started. The cover is beautiful, but I was worried it’d have lots of historical fiction elements that I’m not usually a fan of. However, I’m very happy to report while this is a little historical fiction, it’s also a tragically beautiful story of a little magic and a lot of badass women!

Mini synopsis: three women, three different time periods, three stories interwoven with magic, & three men who deserved it 😈

I went in knowing nothing about this book & I was quiet surprised to find myself loving this! Typically, I’m not a historical fiction girlie but I really enjoyed Kate, Violet, & Altha’s stories. Told thru alternating perspectives, we follow the lives of these women & how a family name connects them. I loved the little pieces each chapter gave to connect them together. Each time I was fully connected with one story, the chapter would leave on a cliffhanger, making it easy to continue reading to get back to the previous perspective. I think my favorite was Violet’s revenge & seeing Kate live her life! I also enjoyed Altha’s slow reveal of what was going on with her! So much to unpack with this!

Overall? I would def recommend if any of that sounds appealing to you & I will be keeping my eye out for future releases from this author!

Weyward was a very unique look at female oppression and empowerment through history told through a family history. I loved the alternating chapters, and found myself interested in each point of view equally, which doesn't happen often! I also loved that their problems were unique to their time periods, however the theme of their suffering was the same.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

A massive thank you to SMP and Emilia Hart for the opportunity to read and review Weyward.

Oh my goodness, this book. Most definitely a 5-star read for me. I loved it dearly. Wow.

Synopsis: Weyward follows three women: Kate, in 2019, fleeing her abusive relationship for her great-aunt's cottage which she inherited out of the blue. Violet, in 1942, confined in her home due to societal restrictions, though she longs to learn about the world and her mother. Altha, in 1619, a girl who learned the magic of the natural world from her mother, and who is on trial for witchcraft. The women's stories are strikingly parallel in more ways than one. They've been wronged by societal conventions and by the men close to them. Their connections to the natural world are frightening to others, but to the women, serve as a balm. It's a story of family, nature, magic, and the power that we discover in ourselves.

Thoughts: I loved each and every WORD of this magical book. First, the three alternating points of view and storylines were wonderful. I was immediately curious about the connections between the three women, and throughout the novel, the connection slowly became clear. I loved the author's use of parallels to tie the three women's stories together. It's a beautiful way to connect the three women's lives, their hardships, and their connections to nature. I cared deeply about all three characters. I sensed the real danger in Kate's situation, the frustration of Violet's confinement, and the heartbreak that Altha felt for Grace. The story was absolutely perfect. I'd recommend to anyone who enjoys magical realism, strong female characters, multiple POVs, and DEEPLY emotional stories.

Three women in three different eras explore their power...and the consequences that come with being a powerful women in a world that views them as dangerous. An affinity to nature and a cottage named Weyward connect these witchy women across time, but will it be enough to sustain them through accusations and persecution.

WEYWARD by Emilia Hart seamlessly weaves these three stories together to form a whole that reckons with how women have faced abuse throughout the centuries. A sometimes difficult read that turns pain into something like beauty in how the characters face it.