I received an arc of this audiobook from NetGalley. No major spoilers but some discussions of the emotional arcs of the story. Very excited to talk about this incredible book.

Weyward follows the stories of three women: Altha in 1619 who is on trial for witchcraft. Violet in 1942, trapped in her father’s house, wishing for information about her mother. Kate in 2019, who is fleeing an abusive relationship and comes to the house of her late, eccentric entomologist aunt Violet. All three women from the same family that has a strong connection to nature, and a penchant for making friends with birds, insects, and general wildlife. The book is about the violence that men commit against women, the betrayals of patriarchal violence, and coming into one’s own power.

I was swept away and devastated by this book. Emilia Hart’s evocative language about Weyward Cottage and the wildlife around it was so vivid and evocative, I could feel myself walking through the woods and the gardens, listening to the birds and the mayflies. The story of each woman was poignant and gripping.

In the book, time overlaps often, with each of the characters’ stories eventually overlapping with one another. I found this element especially clear written and moving to read. It was wonderful to watch all three women impact one another so greatly, whether they were decades apart or centuries. This was also a necessary emotional release after the devastating stories of rape, abuse, possessiveness, and neglectful murder of other women in their family. Though each protagonist was brutally harmed over the course of this book, I loved that each character had a triumph. Perhaps a sorrowful one, with regret and longing, but a triumph nonetheless.

I do think there needed to be some warning that the book contained a graphic description of sexual assault. Though one could feel it coming, it was very horrifying to get to without warning.

Overall, incredible and haunting book. Cannot recommend enough.

Emilia Hart's debut novel, Weyward, is a historical fiction steeped in magical realism. The story follows three women from three different time periods, whose struggles are not to different from each other. As each woman embraces their power and connection with nature, the table slowly begin to turn.

I love a story with strong women, but we all know that what makes most women strong is the fact that they have endured some awful things. So of course this story does have some situations that could potentially be triggering to some. This story was beautifully written and I really enjoyed feeling like I was immersed in these witchy worlds. The narration was easy to listen to and decipher which character and time frame you were currently in. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to more from Emilia Hart.

Wayward focuses on the intertwining stories of 3 women in different points in history, their resilience, and their relationship with nature. This incredible debut by Emilia Hart covers gender, control, motherhood, and witchcraft — it's a fantastic read I highly recommend!

Trigger warnings: domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, medical gore, animal cruelty

The Weyward women are often accused of witchcraft, or at the very least, some sort of “otherness.” Altha, in 1619, stands trial for witchcraft and the murder, via stampede (seriously, MURDER via STAMPEDE), of a farmer. Violet, in 1942, is “odd” and quiet with an affinity for bugs, living in her brother’s shadow and dealing with an abusive father and unwanted relations with her cousin. Kate, in 2019, is the victim of domestic violence, and has to escape before it’s too late. These women are bound by nature, strength, and their Weyward ways.

I won’t lie and say that this was an easy read; it wasn’t. I’ve already listed the trigger warnings above, and they did make it extremely difficult to keep reading, but I’m glad I did. The thread that binds the 3 POVs is so strong and inspiring that I’m honored to have heard these characters’ stories. Even with centuries apart, their experiences were so similar, primarily when dealing with (or being held down by) the patriarchy. This fact was both maddening and…well, I don’t want to spoil the endings.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced audio book in exchange for an honest review.

4+ stars

Three women, Kate-2019, Altha-1619, and Violet-1942, are each facing a crises in their lives. As we learn each of their stories, we see how they are connected. I flew thru this book and couldn't wait to listen to more of the book. Highly recommend reading Weyward.

Excellent trio of narrators with Aysha Kala, Helen Keeley, and Nell Barlow. I don't know who did what voice but all three of them were fantastic. I think this book was better as an audio book as each narrator brought Kate, Altha and Violet to life.

A witchy tale that weaves throughout time and history. While I found it a bit slow-paced, the story was compelling and the characters interesting. I also thoroughly appreciated the trigger warnings in the beginning, as this story touches on delicate subject matter that could easily be triggering for some (abuse, etc.).

I stumbled upon Weyward while browsing NetGalley, and I am so pleased that I requested a copy. This was such an enchanting debut!

The novel has three storylines: Altha, a woman on trial for witchcraft in 1619; Violet, a naïve teenager who aspires to be an entomologist in the 1940's; and Kate, a survivor of an abusive relationship in 2019. We soon find that all three of these women are Weywards - strong women who have a *special* connection with nature.

I originally forgot that I had selected that I wouldn't mind receiving audiobooks from NetGalley, so I was a bit surprised when I realized that I had received an audiobook copy. I have only listened to one other short story audiobook, so I was hesitant at first (I am a bit of a luddite - even my Kindle is a bit of an adjustment). However, I absolutely adored this listen! I felt like I was more willing to do chores this past week because it meant that I could listen to Weyward without guilt (since I was being productive AND reading - audiobooks are pretty legit).

I was totally engrossed with this story. I tend to find that when there are multiple storylines, I can't help but to find out what is going on with each character and struggle to put the novel down. Of the three narrators and storylines, Altha's was by far my favorite. I liked hearing about how Altha and her mother used nature to heal others in a time when doing so was deemed dangerous. I needed to know whether or not she was going to be found guilty and I needed to know if she was actually guilty, despite the results of her final conviction.

The storyline and characterization of Kate was perhaps my least favorite part of this novel. I found myself getting a little bored with her story and would sometimes stick out a chapter just knowing that Altha's story would be next. I also wished in general that each of the characters were a bit more developed. I felt like the story was crafted well, but most of the characters' seemed to be a bit too surface-level for my liking.

All in all, I found myself really enjoying this novel and its message. It was frustrating to see how so many men were trying to bring the Weyward women down. I was pleased with the story's outcome. I loved its love of nature. I mean, who doesn't love a good witch book?

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance reading copy!

Three women. Five centuries. One secret.

2019

Kate flees an abusive relationship and goes to Weyward Cottage which she inherited from her eccentric Aunt Violet, an entomologist.

1942

Sixteen-year-old Violet Ayres, years for answers about her deceased mother. The only thing she has of her mother's is a locket. She is viewed as different, yet some would say she is similar to her mother.

1619

Altha Weyward has been accused of witchcraft. She knows about the natural world and will need to call upon what she knows to help herself.

Weyward is a story of three unique women who are connected in many ways. This book looks at how women are viewed, treated and lived at various times in history. Agatha lived in a time where women who were different or did not live by societies standards, were branded witches and put to death. Violet lived in a time where women were strange and different if they yearned for more or wanted to go against the current expectations of women. Kate lived in a time where she was abused by a man who feels he is superior to her.

All the women were strong, all had to deal with the expectations put on females at the time in which they lived, all had men trying to excerpt their power over them.

I listened to the audiobook and thought it was very nicely done. I enjoyed learning about the Weyward women and their many strengths and abilities. The story goes back and forth between them seamlessly. They lived in different times yet had similar experiences. I loved the focus on the strength of these magical women.

I thought the author did a fantastic job setting the stage and transporting readers to each timeline. This book felt atmospheric and historically accurate.

I look forward to reading more of this author in the future.

Beautifully written, captivating and thought provoking.

As someone with a particular penchant for generational storytelling and witch tales, I was pleased to experience this tale as an audiobook. That it added an air of murder mystery, sacred objects and a love for the natural world only added to its richness. The very real subjects of motherhood, domestic violence and what it means to be a father, too, created a foundation that gave resonance to every place and time period. I am always happy to say when I am sad a book ends, and this one was a particularly good one to to have told to you. The audiobook book experience was a luxury!

Yes, I did just choose this book because of the cover. Look at that lush and gorgeous montage of fruits and foliage, creating a background for a silky feathered crow. I had to know what this book was all about!

Altha Weyward is a young woman tried for witchcraft in Cumbria, England, in 1619. She writes her autobiography, and much of Weyward is her first person account. This was fascinating to read and very convincing. Altha came to life for me.

Altha’s descendants in the 20th century have big problems of their own, and they draw strength from knowing Altha’s story. Violet is a teenager in the 1940s enduring an abusive father and cousin. She lives near the ancestral cottage that Altha lived in. Although Violet’s father forbade the household staff from telling Violet anything about her late mother, Lizzie Weyward, Violet figures out that her innate gift of communication with animals and plants is passed on down in all Weyward women.

Kate is Violet’s great-niece. She lives in London in 2019 and escapes from an abusive husband, and moves into the Weyward cottage since Violet has left it to her in her will. Kate learns about Altha and Violet, and is inspired by them both to connect with her inner power and thrive.

The chapters of the book rotate between the three women. Many of their life experiences are similar and it was interesting to read how pregnancy, childbirth, and abortion were handled in three different eras.

Parts of the book moved too slowly for me. There was a lot of repetitive description and I wished the narrative had been edited down by several hundred pages.

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the free advanced audio book in exchange for my truthful review.

I was really intrigued by the premise of this book. Multiple generations of women with secrets that bond them in ways most could never understand. This peculiar line of women starts in 1619 with Altha, who was accused of witchcraft. This novel has strong themes of gender inequalities that have been around since I’m sure the beginning of time. Control and violence are prevalent and there are many trigger warnings. More importantly, this book focuses on the unbreakable spirit and bond of women. There is power in being a woman, sometimes we just need to dig deep and across generations to find it. Despite my high hopes, the book fell flat for me. It took me over 50% of the way in to really become vested in the characters and not bored to death. It did keep me intrigued enough to finish though, which I am glad I did. The second half was much better and really very powerful, but also predictable. The ending didn’t convince me to add another star, but I don’t regret reading it. These are such important topics that still need exploring, but I was hoping for more. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the audio arc in exchange for my honest review!

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.

The narrators of the audiobook were wonderful. It was easy to tell which character was speaking.

This novel is beautifully layered with striking imagery, compelling characters and a little bit of magic. Three women in three different eras tell the story of one family and the secrets that lie within. The three narrators of the audio version lent a distinct voice to each of the three women.

Colleen Chi-Girl
Review of WEYWARD (also posted on Goodreads)
5 STARS

Shelves 2023, ancestry-genealogy, audio, crime-mysteries, england-uk, europe, fairytales-fantasy, feminism, netgalley, read, us-no-amer, women-centered, ww2
Format Audio book
January 12, 2023 – Finished Reading

I was so excited for this audiobook (even though it says I read the "hardcover", on GR, there is no spot to check for an audiobook; if a GR librarian could please add it).


Here's a shout-out to author, Emilia Hart, for this compelling and well-done first novel! Kudos to the 3 narrators: Aysha Kala; Helen Keeley; and Nell Barlow who put me right into the head of each main character, as well as the time period - they were that distinctive. I'd like to thank both Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this fascinating and intelligently written ARC. It was very hard to put it down!

This has 3 timelines, nearly a century apart, and it features the 3 main Weyward women, all from the same ancestry line. (LOVE THAT LAST NAME!) These women have a passion for the natural world and their lives are entwined within the legacies and histories of their like-minded, strong, female ancestors. Each of the 3 women are as interesting as the others. The running theme throughout the lives and times of these women is the permeating emotional and physical abuse by their male counterparts, as well as the male patriarchy in the towns/village who likewise treat their women subserviently.

1619: Altha Weyward, 21 and parentless, is condemned in her small, conservative, religious village for being a witch. She is awaiting trial for the murder of a local farmer who was stampeded to death by his herd. Altha has been trained thankfully by her mother on how to be an herbalist but is warned not to use it to harm others.

1942: As World War II rages, 15 year old daughter Violet is trapped in her family's once-grand and now crumbling estate. Her father is an emotionally abusive man who cares only for his son, Graham, Violet's brother, and his nephew, Frederick/Freddy, fresh from the war. Violet's dead mother it turns out was a Weyward woman and she was sent away by (or escaped from) her brute of a husband for fear of her (healing) powers. Violet too will share in this banishment and desire to live apart from her family.

2019: Kate Ayers, age 29, living in London, flees her physically and emotionally abusive husband and heads for her Aunt Violet's ramshackle Weyward Cottage. She received the cottage as part of her inheritance. This is a strong lineage to be involved in and possibly a joy and burden to be part of its history.

It switched back and forth between time periods and narrators, who were introduced in the beginning of each chapter. It's a little harder on audio to keep track of everyone in their perspective time periods, but having a different voice for each woman in her time period helped greatly. It was hard to give up on one story, while you went back and forth, but all of the 3 were equally compelling and interesting.

I highly recommend this book and again am grateful for the ARC.

NOTE: There are triggers in this novel for those who might be sensitive to physically abusive, including rape and terminating a pregnancy.

This book was intense, honest & deeply connected to today’s time. I feel like a different person finishing this book.

This one has 3 timelines & 3 MC which adds LAYERS of interconnected themes and details. At first glance, very different women but ultimately all face similar situations. At different points in the story, I liked some characters more than others which made parts of the book fly by and others drag a bit.

This book has some trigger warnings that I think all readers need to be extremely mindful of before reading (physical/verbal abuse, parental abuse, rape, pregnancy loss, abortion, jail)

If you enjoyed THE LOST APOTHECARY, I found this book shares similar themes of feminism, family ties, witchcraft.

This was a delightful audiobook.The narrator had a lovely voice and made listening to the book very easy. The storyline was entertaining and the switching between generations very interesting. I would highly recommend this audiobook.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook!

Wayward is the story of three generations of women with an uncanny connection to the natural world. The three women are from 1619, 1942 and 2019. Their stories are intertwined and woven together masterfully. Beautifully written and beautifully preformed! All three stories gripped me right from the beginning. A story about women fighting patriarchy in their own times and persevering with the help of other woman and knowledge passed through generations.

This book was excellent. It’s my first by this author and won’t be my last. I loved the storyline and the setting. I hope this story continues on with a second book.

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 loved this audiobook so much. I enjoyed that it was told from the perspective from three different timelines of three different women in the same family. It was fascinating, heartwarming and yet heartbreaking at the same time. It showed how family could hold it together even when spread apart hundreds of years. I loved the touch of magical realism, it was fantastic. And there were real life issues that were thrown in the book that were trigger warning issues that women have been dealing with through Time immemorium. I basically read this book in the space of a day and a half. It was fabulous and I'm going to be telling all my friends about it. Fabulous!