This was a magical multigenerational story of 3 witchy women. I really enjoyed the multiple POVS. I don’t think I had a clear favorite because they were all so enjoyable. I love the accents on the audio. I felt like I understood all 3 women. I loved how their experiences were similar but different as well. I would highly recommend this one for anyone looking for a good magical realism read with sprinkles of mystery and historical fiction.

The vibes reminded me of Hester but it excelled where Hester fell flat. Also the ending gave Where The Crawdads Sing vibes which I’m always here for. If you liked any of those definitely check Weyward out!

Before reading the plot summary, I was excited to read this one based on the cover art alone. After reading the summary my excitement grew because I love a good feminist tale. But this book is nothing more than pages and pages of trauma. Although I completely understand that the history of women's pursuit of equality is chock full of trauma, this book feels like it simply collected all of the trauma and then used the strength women show in the face of that trauma as proof that women can persevere. This is true, but it's hardly what I look for when I am sold a tale that shows the power and tenacity of women. These women, at three points in history, were extraordinary but ordinary women dealing with the drama and intolerance of their times. Did they make the best of it? Sure. But there was no change brought about by their struggle. This book is a snapshot, and I wanted a foundation shake.

Also, about halfway through this audiobook, I switched to the ebook because the narrator's voice made it hard for me to keep track of which timeline I was listening to. There wasn't nearly enough difference between the character voices. In a book where I was already semi-bored the entire way through, the audio book wasn't helping to liven it up or keep a reader interested. I expected more vocal intonation and dynamics, but it all feel flat.

Weyward tried to be a lot of different things (historical fiction, magical realism, multi-generational, different point of views), but in my opinion, it didn't do anything super well. I really enjoyed the writing style, but I wanted more explanation around the natural "powers" that these women had. I needed more clarification behind what the point of the story was -- was this a story about three women who dealt with rough times or was it about three women who could use nature and animals to their will? If you're a fan of "The Lost Apothecary," I'd give this one a try!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for an advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

Don’t let this pretty cover fool you. The story within the covers is very dark to the point I had trouble reading it. I know I’m in the minority when it comes to reviews for this book, so definitely take my thoughts with a grain of salt!

WEYWARD follows three women of the same family across three different timelines. Chapters switch off between the ladies, which helps show how aligned and similar their stories are despite living years apart. The most common aspect? The patriarchy crap each woman deals with. And that’s putting it lightly. The “crap” is more suffering at the hands of men. Whether it was accusations, sexual assault, death or abuse, it was a lot.

Truthfully, because of how dark it was, I wasn’t eager to pick this book up the following day.

On the flip side, each woman does everything in her power to try and break the cycle of how women are treated, helping not only herself but those around her. It was a very empowering aspect, but it didn’t outweigh the darkness.

Content warnings: domestic abuse, rape, abortion, death

Overall, Weyward was an exciting and well-written read. The story had darker themes, such as rape and abuse, than I initially realized. But I enjoyed how the writer portrayed each generation of Weyward women. I was expecting more witchcraft and supernatural aspects than the story entailed. Nevertheless, it was a compelling read.

A mix of historical fiction, feminism and magical realism with alternating viewpoints by three different women in different centuries. I really enjoy this mechanism for developing characters and revealing connections between them.
I'm impressed that this was Hart's debut, and I will be interested to see where she goes next.
There were quite a few elements that could have used a content warning on and most of the male characters in the book were just bad - I like some nuance even in malevolent characters.
I read this on audio and enjoyed the production and the multiple narrators.
Thanks to Macmillian Audio and NetGalley for the review copy.

✨ 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!

Weyward was not my typical novel, yet I found it overall enjoyable. I appreciated the focus on women escaping challenging, dangerous situations, and I enjoyed the narration throughout. Still, this text did not stick with me, and I found myself wanting more. I will still check out future pieces from this author, though. Thank you for the opportunity to listen!

Thank you to Emilia Hart, NetGalley, and MacMillan Audio for this audiobook ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The cover is absolutely stunning, and the description sounded interesting. I was excited to read this one, and found it to be an ok read.

The novel follows the stories of 3 women linked together by family, spanning over multiple generations. It’s a story of these women reclaiming their power and connecting with the natural world.

The novel features triggering content and generational trauma. There was a lot of sexual assault, domestic violence, unwanted pregnancies, abortions, and incest. The scenes that portray physical, sexual, and emotional abuse were graphic and uncomfortable.

It honestly felt a little too black and white for me and was very polarized. All the men were depicted as awful and evil, and there was nothing else to them.

The novel was reminiscent of Alice Hoffman’s works, but where Hoffman had me hooked in her writing and stories this one was just hard to stay with it.

DNF @ 10% - more graphic in triggers than I'd expected and not the sweeping magical realism I hoped for. I suppose that's my own fault for going into a book somewhat blind. Plus side, the narrators all do a beautiful job with their parts and I'd absolutely listen to them read something else that's happier.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for my alc of this book. All opinions here are my own.

I loved this book, from the cover to the setting. everything. I had already read it but I wanted to check out the audio. Definitely worth listening to if audio books are your thing.

This is a book about family and legacies and independence. I will be honest--I finished it months ago but it is still sitting with me. Kate inherits a cottage from an aunt she wasn't close with and she flees there to escape an abusive relationship. While she is there, she learns more about her family and herself, and she grows into her full potential. The narrator did a great job, she was very engaging without being performative or overly dramatic.

Weyward Review!

Thank you Macmillan Audio for this gifted audio copy, in exchange for an honest review! Weyard is out now!

Magical realism and “witchy” reads have become a favorite genre of mine to read. They are just so cozy and go perfectly with a hot cup of coffee. This was one of those reads. And once I figured out that Weyward means weird, I was all in. Weyward was a 4/5 ⭐️ for me! I absolutely loved the switch between time lines in this one. There was one during the witch trials era, one in the 40s, and one present day. I did think that this one was pretty slow most of the way through and I wish there had been a little more to the plot. I did love the animal connection and I thought that the settings in this one were so cozy. This would be a great fall read!

Synopsis: 3 Weyward girls over the course of 100s of years share a unique characteristic. They have a strong connection to nature and animals. Each girl is knocked down by men of their time and must use their connection to find freedom in life.

This is an amazing, captivating story of strong and resilient women spanning five centuries. The storyline weaves back and forth through time. Check the trigger warnings to make sure it is safe for you to read: there are some heavy and difficult topics explored. The audio narration was *chef's kiss*, listen to it if you can.

Thank you to netgalley for the arc of wayward by Emilia hart. I listened to this one and it was surprising, I enjoyed it but I know if I read it I would have had to stop because of the content warning. Rape, abusive relationships. But over audiobook I could keep pushing through which was worth it bc the story was very good

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 is a stunning tale about three women’s journey to self-discovery spanning five centuries. Hart takes her readers in and out of the past as she delves into the lives of Kate, Violet, and Altha. Each combatting personal adversities and being pushed to realize the power they hold within.

To say that I loved this book would be an understatement. The eloquence and masterful storytelling by the author brought the characters to life. There was emotion and realness behind the situations our leading ladies find themselves in that captures the reader. And then you have the hint of magic passed down from generation to generation, which only makes the story that much better.

WEYWARD is a perfect combination of family lore, female fortitude, and historical fiction. From beginning to end, Hart delivered a truly special book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC of this book.

The narrators of this book are FANTASTIC. It was so nicely done for each character and I felt engaged with each character represented in this book.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Ra pe and sexual assault (adult and ya), domestic violence, unwanted pregnancy (due to the there-fore-mentioned Rape) and abortion. Theres a lot of "men run/control women" type dialogue - a lot due to the time of Violet and Altha. annnd there is a section of suicidal thoughts and almost attempt.

I did enjoy the story, and liked how the author tied all three of these women from different time periods together in the end. I am a person that does think of living things - animals, birds, trees, as being incredible living things and I enjoyed different aspects of the connection these living things had with the Weyward women.
I guess I just would have rather had more magical realism in this vs the fact that I'm just really remembering these woman going through SO many unfair situations and being angry for them.

3.5 stars is what I'm landing on.

Three generations of the Weyward women, three generations that were mistreated or saw a friend mistreated by the men who should love them. Yet, despite the patriarchal attempt to exert their own strength over the women, the women fight back for the right to live on their own terms. Nature will set them free. Nature will fight with them. Because the Weyward women have a secret power a secret that serves them well.

Engaging story with some gorgeous descriptions of nature in all her glory. A fitting use of magical realism, and a poignant read of women who refuse to give up. Love this cover and the narration was wonderful.

I absolutely loved this book. It’s a coming-into-strength story, a rediscovery of yourself and your own power, a love letter to women finding themselves and their strength even when the world is set up to take it away from them. There are hard moments in it (trigger warnings for abuse and rape) but it serves a purpose in showing how the characters overcome it all.

The switching between points of view and timelines was expertly done and had a great flow to it. I enjoyed all three characters equally, I can’t even pick a favorite. It was really interesting how the author could make each of the women distinct but also draw familiar, similar lines between them all regardless of the hundreds of years between them. If you’re not a big fantasy person, don’t worry about it. The magic is very light, very nature-based, and really is more a vehicle for the character’s development than anything else.

I received a free audio (and ebook) version of the book (which I absolutely recommend as the narration was stellar and gave the whole story even more character) but I enjoyed it so much that I plan to buy myself a physical copy of it. I don’t know of a more ringing endorsement than spending my own money!

I would recommend this book wholeheartedly. It’s a great story that you won’t want to put down and you’ll fall in love with these characters as they find themselves.


Note: I received a free electronic edition of this book via NetGalley in exchange for the honest review above. I would like to thank them, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to do so.