The story of the Weywards is a journey through history. There is a recurring theme from the first character, a victim of the witchcraft trials in Europe to a young woman living through World War II, and a modern descendant searching for answers about her own powers as she flees a controlling lover, "Weyward" is a a tapestry of
unlocked powers that each woman discovers as she reacts to her own challenges. Historical elements blended with magic and some not so nice male antagonists in each generation enliven this story and had me cheering on the Weyward women as they found their power to overcome the evil in their worlds.

Weyward tells the story of 3 women over multiple generations and the significance of Weyward cottage to all of them. In 2019, Kate flees to Weyward Cottage to escape her abusive partner. In 1942, Violet is trapped in her family home because of societal convention. In 1619, Altha is on trial for murder and using witchcraft. I devoured this book in one sitting because I needed to see the outcome of these 3 women. Each of their POVs were equally interesting and there was not a time when I preferred reading one over the other. I think that is why I could not put this book down. I also really enjoyed the way witches were portrayed. Instead of casting spells and making potions, power comes from nature and is most used for healing. This story shows women defeating the men who believed themselves to be superior to these powerful women. It was satisfying to see especially when the men were terrible people. I was surprised that this is the author's debut novel because the story was intriguing and the writing was great. I am excited to see what she comes up with next!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a review!

No big secret that I love books about witches and magical realism is my jam. So getting a copy of Weyward from NetGalley was a happy day for me!

The story is written in three timelines, and normally time hopping is not a problem for me. However, in this book, I could palpably feel the difference in my enjoyment based on which timeline I was currently reading.

I think I liked Violet's stary best of all, but I wish they had spent more time on her adulthood, and how she became the woman that left the cottage to a niece who doesn't even remember her. I felt like that part of the story could have been explored.

I absolutely despised Violet's cousin, but in some ways her dad was even worse. He actually encouraged her cousin, and then punished her for the transgression later. It always kills me to read about how women were treated during that time.

But her brother was a good man. I truly with we had learned more about how he and Violet continued to grow up without their father's help.

Interestingly, the current time period was the least interesting part of the book for me. Kate didn’t seem like she could come from the same bloodline as Altha and Violet. They both broke barriers in times when doing so was dangerous. They used their knowledge to help other women, and to help themselves to break free from the choking hold men in their lives have over the women of their time.

The story was good and kept me interested, but Kate’s portion of the story didn’t really pick up any steam until the end.

My rating 4 stars!

✨ Review ✨ Weyward by Emilia Hart

When I first saw this cover MONTHS ago, I knew that this was going to be a book that I would love. I'm obsessed with its intertwining POVs across time, its short chapters, and just its overall nature-witchy vibe.

The book tracks three characters -- Kate in contemporary times, Violet in the 1940s, and Altha in the 1610s -- all in a rural area of the UK. Each of the women faces abusive men and systems of power that constrict their actions; and each has a deep connection to plants, birds, insects, and the nature that surrounds them. As the author interweaves their stories, we learn of female strength and power that draws from nature.

A brilliant story of familial connection across generations and female power and the dangers they face from that power. Such an enjoyable read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
Genre: historical fiction, magical realism
Setting: rural UK 1619-ish, 1940s, present time
Reminds me of: The Change meets T. Kingfisher's A House with Good Bones
Pub Date: out now

Read this if you like:
⭕️ short chapters
⭕️ women's stories across time
⭕️ nature + witchy magic

Thanks to St. Martin's Press, MacMillan Audio and #netgalley for advanced e-copies of this book!

4.5 stars

This is a multi-generational tale of three women who persevered despite the abuse and oppression they endured.

Kate Ayres escaped her abusive husband and found sanctuary in a cottage left to her by her late Aunt Violet - Weyward Cottage. While there, she learned of the legacy left behind by the incredible women in her family.

In 1942, Violet Ayres lived a secluded life in her family’s estate, but she longed to explore beyond the confines of their property and to receive an education like her brother. After her father denounced her for bringing shame to her family, she was cast out from her home and kept hidden in her late-mother’s cottage where she was left to fend for herself. But her mother too had been cast out and was rumored to have gone mad before she died. Would Violet succumb to the same dismal outcome?

In 1619, Althea Weyward was put on trial for the death of a local man and accused of witchcraft. But like her mother, she was a healer with a deep connection to nature. Women possessing powers that others cannot understand have always been deemed dangerous, but were Althea’s intentions sinister or meant to help another?

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. It was the perfect blend of mystical realism and female empowerment, with characters who embodied these traits so well. I felt the story fizzled out a little toward the end, but as a whole, the book was definitely worth reading. I look forward to reading more from Emilia Hart!

*Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing a copy of this book to review.*

I loved this book and the power of women it depicted. Witchcraft through three generations of women abused in some way are the narrators. Suspense is built and mysteries keep the pages turning. Strong characters have been created. Definitely an author to watch.

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

Three stories of women spanning across five centuries, at arguably their lowest points, alternating into a beautifully written tapestry, a testament to their resilience as Weywards and as women.

Kate in 2019, fleeing her abusive husband for the cottage her great-aunt inexplicably left to her after passing. At first the embodiment of memory that has plagued her since childhood, the cottage eventually reveals more about her family, and herself, than Kate ever anticipated.

Altha in 1619, suspected of witchcraft, awaiting trial for the murder of a local man who was trampled by his cows. An unusual woman by birth, she and her mother used their nature-oriented gifts to heal their village for decades, only to forever live under suspicion and in semi-isolation.

Violet in 1942, longing to spend her time immersed in nature, caged to be “a lady”. For better or worse, she unknowingly, then deliberately, follows in her mother’s footsteps.

These three women are all moments in a long line of Weywards - strong, resilient women who derive their power from the earth and its offspring. A collection of women who have been consistently wronged by men, seen as objects and vessels to be dominated, rather than the wild, awe-inspiring creatures they prove to be.

As a woman who has been wronged by men in one way or another, I found this novel to be both relatable and empowering. I’ve seen some reviews on Amazon saying that they feel the narrative of all men being abusive is tired, and I suppose I can see that. However, the book isn’t saying that ALL men are abusive monsters, but the men that wronged these three women do indeed belong in that category. There are men in the novel that aren’t horrible people, but unfortunately a great deal of women have had abusive encounters with men, so let’s stop with the “not all men” nonsense. If you’re upset about a few men being portrayed as the villains, then this book is simply not for you.

Overall, I loved this book and would definitely recommend it. I finished this longing to be part of the nature-centric world that all three women end up inhabiting and envying their confidence in living a life on their own and for themselves. If you’d like to come out of a book a little more healed and a little more inspired, definitely pick this up.

Please be warned that there are mentions and depictions of abuse, sexual assault, and rape.

I was given access to this title courtesy of NetGalley and St. Marin’s Press. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars

Weyward has a gothic feminist witch vibes. It follows 3 women across 5 generations and their struggles and how
they Learn to harness their power and strength. This is a VERY HEAVY BOOK so check TW.

Despite the heavy nature i enjoyed this book. I identified with the women’s love and pull toward nature. Each POV brought something new and enthralling. I found myself getting sucked in by the mysterious letters the two younger generations found from the older generations. Such a great reminder of the impact we can have in young generations.

I absolutely loved the cover of this book when I first requested it. After having just finished reading it, it has also become probably one of my favorite books this year. I absolutely loved connecting with the characters and having empathy for each of them, particularly Altha. This book was beautifully written, and very atmospheric. If you are a lover of nature, don’t hesitate to read this. Also, if you love books about the strength and union hood of women, this is a great book for you to read. I love the different timelines, and I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a little bit of historical fiction, drama, a bit of magic, and a beautifully written novel. I look forward to many more books by this author!

Three Weyward women: Altha in the 1600s, Violet in the 1940s, and Kate in present day. All three share an affinity with the natural world and find both solace and power there. All three have been taken advantage by the men in their lives. All three will find refuge in Weyward Cottage.

This sterling effort from a debut novelist skillfully juggles three storylines in three time periods. The author avoids the trap of making one storyline more interesting or prevalent. I found myself eager to hear the story of each character as the story jumps from one character to other. There is almost a gothic foreboding that`penetrates the story.

I enjoyed seeing how each character's story developed. There were not exactly happy endings, but there were hopeful ones. I was very impressed that this was the author's first novel.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Emilia Hart, and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this ARC.

Weyward tells the story of three women of Weyward family, across several generations, how their lives share similarities and their strength and resilience continued to be the legacy.

Weyward reminded me of several books I've read (The Change, Hour of the Witch, The Mercies for example), and will definitely recommend it to those who enjoy these. Nothing really new nor shocking in the book, but I enjoyed Emilia Hart's writing and how the stories of three women came together at the end.

I can't help but wish that instead of Snow White and other fairy tale princesses, we should let kids read about strong princesses who can command nature to kill villains or I guess men, in most cases, and live happily ever after with her and herself.

4.3 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the stitching together of generations in this book. Each of the three timelines was equally interesting, which is rarely the case with multiple timelines. And though all the women have similar themes of happenings in their lives, they had very distinct personalities, so I didn't get lost in the story. It just made me so sad that the present day woman was still struggling with similar things as her ancestors...

Great page turner.! I found myself waiting to know more about the characters & what will happen next. Will recommend to others.

Where do I start? How do I even begin my review in this beautiful haunting prose of three different lives across space and times only known to three women interwoven by some mysterious magical gifts?
I love the fact three different women (related) through the space of four hundred years, have given their voices of their troubled pasts and what they did about it. All three young women all have different personalities but I love them all because they were all strong, emotionally, mentally and physically. They chose not to be victims and chose to embrace their magical powers with and without fear. I really enjoyed watching them grow into incredible, profound, wise beautiful women.
The cover…, man, it just simply gorgeous and everything on the cover is related to the story which is incredible! I love it! I’m planning on purchasing a hard book for my book shelves so I can continue to enjoy it down the road.. I’m giving it a four and half stars. I would love to read more of Emelia Hart’s future novels. She is one of the truly gifted storytellers of her time. Thank you so much Netgalley and The Borough Press (part of HarperCollins UK) for the chance to read this beautiful novel.

This was a hard book to read and I find it hard to review as well. This book explores three different generations of women from the same family, who all experienced both a connection with nature as well as a connection to an abusive man. I found it hard to get through the parts where the women experienced trauma at the hands of men, but I also liked that these women were brought together through history because of that. Kate finds strength through her connection to Altha and Violet to make a final stand against her abuser.

I also liked the atmosphere of the book, which was a little eerie, and actually wished the author had leaned a bit further into that unsettling feeling.

Even though I felt myself flinch through a good portion of this book, I feel like I'll be thinking about it often as it sits with me longer.

I am obsessed with books about witches and have time jumps. There's a lot of trauma dealt with in this book. Definitely check out the content warnings before reading.

This is a good debut. It is a three person POV from 3 different generations of women. Altha in the 1610's, Violet in the 1940's and Kate in the 2010's. These three are the MC's, but there are a few men that take center stage, also.

There are triggers in this book as it deals with abuses from men. Though there are good men in the book, there are a few men that are just A holes. We see how each woman came into their own facing difficult situations that a man caused.

This is in a way a feminist book, but it doesn't harp on feminist things. It just shows women that no matter what, you can overcome and are worth something.

TRIGGERS: Abuse, Rape, Abortion

Published on March 7, 2023


Thanks to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the E-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#netgalley
#stmartinspress
#emiliahart

😊 Happy Reading 😊

This is everything I hoped The Lost Apothecary would be, but wasn't.

Magic. Feminism. Power.

Weyward explores the trauma and fate of women while also giving the reader strength and hope. The character growth was amazing, and I loved each character completely. Hart gives each women different traits while imbuing them all with the same spirit.

Definitely one of my favorite books of the year.

Weyward tells the tales of three women, from different generations, as they grow into their true selves, each finding strength and power from the women who came before them in their family as well as from being in tune with nature and listening to their instincts. It is a beautifully written story, richly describing the different timelines and circumstances, as readers realize the more history has progressed, we still have so far to go when honoring women's choices, health, and well-being.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Emilia Hart, and Netgalley for an advance digital copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Emilia Hart's novel Weyward, follows the story of three young women, one living in the 1600s and the other two living in the 1900s. Altha Weyward, a healer like her mother, is accused of witchcraft in 1619 and is awaiting trial. Violet Ayres is a tomboy during WWII, who loves to be outside, climb trees, and wants to be an entomologist despite pressure from her father that she behave like a lady. In the present, Kate Ayres, having run away from her abusive boyfriend, has found a safe haven at her great aunt's cottage and is trying to build a new life for herself.

Weyward was one of my top picks for spring. It's a beautifully written story, with realistic characters, vivid imagery, and well developed themes. The fact that Hart has written a triple narrative/timeline where all the storylines equally compelling is especially impressive for a debut. The pace may feel a bit slow to some, but it isn't that it's slow, it just isn't hurried. Hart takes her time laying everything out, so the puzzle pieces fit perfectly into place.

Weyward was different than I imagined. I expected magic and witches, and while we're given that, to an extent, it isn't in the form we're usually used to. There aren't any spells, curses, black hats, or flying broomsticks. Nature is the magic here, with its power of new beginnings, rebirth, and hope. It was also deeper than I expected. It addresses themes of female empowerment, fighting back against male power, societal rules and convention, and the beauty and wonder found in nature.

From reading other reviews, I know some people have found a lot of things that happened in this book upsetting, but I didn't find anything out of the ordinary. It helped me understand what persecuted women have gone through and felt.

Trigger Warnings: Domestic abuse, Rape, Abortion, Alcohol/Drugs, Violence, Death, Grief

4 stars

Recommended for lovers of:
Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Mystery, General Fiction, Fantasy, Nature, History