This was a book that I thoroughly enjoyed and can’t wait to read Emilia’s new book, the sirens !
The characterisation through this was brilliant alongside the strong plot that Emilia had

A witchy, atmospheric book full of female power—this one cast quite the spell on me! ✨

Spanning five centuries, Weyward follows three women—Kate (2019), Violet (1942), and Altha (1619)—all connected by a shared legacy and an innate bond with nature. Their stories weave together in a tale of resilience, magic, and reclaiming power in the face of oppression.

I really enjoyed this one! If you love books that transport you through time, intertwining the lives of women reclaiming their strength, then Weyward is a must-read.

Emilia Hart masterfully blends historical fiction, women’s fiction, and a touch of magical realism to create a lush, evocative read. You can feel the pulse of the natural world in her writing—the descriptions of nature are so vivid, adding to the book’s atmospheric magic🌿✨

But at its heart, this is a story about womanhood and the quiet, unseen strength passed from generation to generation. Though Kate, Violet, and Altha each face abuse, oppression, and betrayal, they find their power in their connection to nature, their heritage, and each other.

A beautifully crafted, feminist story with a little touch of witchcraft—what more could you want?

Book review: Weyward by Emilia Hart

The Netgalley backlog clearance continues this time with a story of witchcraft, sisterhood and independence.

Weyward tells the stories of Kate (present day), Violet (1942) and Altha (1619). Three women in different times connected by blood and situation. Three women who find their inner power to right the wrongs of men.

I love a good witchy story and this one was not disappointing. Historical moments, feminist pushbacks, and strength to keep going despite what happened before. This is a read that will keep you hooked and take you on an emotional rollercoaster.

Do be warned that it does cover multiple difficult topics such as domestic abuse and violence, pregnancy, pregnancy loss, childbirth and its traumas.

But as a book that made it on BBC 2’s between the covers and, Richard and Judy’s book club it’s definitely worth picking up.

#Netgalley #Weyward #EmiliaHart #Bookstagram #IGReads

Three timelines to follow was at times a bit jarring, jumping from one to the other stopped me engaging fully with any. I most enjoyed the modern day timeline and the one directly preceding it.

This book has grown on me since I read it.
The most striking part about this was how Violets experience has been portrayed as woman who has not been treated as person but more as the "evil" one, even though she was the victim of assault all along.
The depiction of domestic abuse is very realistic and shook me hard - in the best way.

This book is unbelievable for a debut.

It is an interesting story of three women connected by bloodline across five centuries.
I liked the alternating chapters between each of the three women. This kept the story moving.
I had a break from reading the book after finishing part one. I read parts 2 and 3 consecutively.

Beautiful writing with a really interesting concept!
Pacing was slightly off, but the last third was incredible!

Thank you for my copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

I have tried to read this one several times since I was approved and unfortunately can't get into it, so am officially DNFing it.

I read this book recently for a book club and gave it 3.5⭐️

The storyline follows 3 women from 3 separate time periods. Whilst I found the storyline interesting I found it difficult to relate to any of the characters and the different POV changes didn’t give me enough to become fully invested.

Overall the storyline was good and I enjoyed how everything came together in the end. G

I couldn't read this as an ebook for some reason so will get it when it comes out! Sorry! (Leaving a 4 star review to be fair.)

This book took me ages to get through. I really wanted to love it, the synopsis sounded like it would be right up my street, but I just really struggled to get on with it. I didn’t love the writing style and I was constantly distracted by fact-checking - internet rabbit holes about witch trials and WW2 interesting me more than what was happening in the story. The storylines themselves were just relentlessly depressing so I was reluctant to pick up the book to find out what trauma the characters would be facing next.

My final thought on this book is a super important PSA: if you have an emergency in the UK and your phone doesn’t seem to have signal you absolutely MUST TRY TO CALL 999 anyway. Most of the time your phone can piggyback off another network to connect you to emergency services. (As far as I am aware this is true for dialling 911 in the USA as well).

This was a good read - I can't describe it as enjoyable considering some of the content, and in particular the actions and behaviours of the men, but it kept my interest peaked and I flew through it. The chapters follow three women during three different times and slowly weaved how these Weyward womean were all connected.
The supernatural elements were pretty tame compared to what I normally read and very little magic, but instead the use of nature and herbs were more prominent with only a slight hint of something supernatural at the end. Definitely need something light hearted after this!

Love love LOVED this. What an excellent book! Thank you so much for an early copy. I'm sad this took so long for me to read it however since it's been over a year now I definitely want to reread soon!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
Three timeline stories of strong women within one family are entwined in this Gothic-style tale. There are hints of witchcraft in the details of healer, an affinity to all animals and humans plants, and herbalistic remedies and potions. Some reviewers have indicated that they dislike the supernatural elements of the story but I thought it was an extension of the beliefs associated with witchcraft from centuries ago. Historical accuracy and credibility are not essential parts of this entertaining page-turner, I found the stories of each woman captivating and enthralling right to the end.

What a fantastic book! I loved the triple timelines and the stories of each of the women - they were woven perfectly together and came to a nice conclusion at the end. My hatred for the men in this book was massive, which shows how well the author has written it. Whilst I did really enjoy this book, I felt it was lacking something and could have perhaps had some more high intense moments to add to the witchy vibes!!

I really enjoyed this book, the back and forth between different generations and the slow unravelling of the mystery and the main characters slow emergence into a character of strengh.

A great novel, a bit slow in places which is why I have given it four stars.

The story did make me keep picking it up as did the writing style.

Can't wait to read more by Emilia Hart!

I can't believe I've waited so long to read this!
Absolutely incredible. So thought provoking and relevant.
I loved all of the characters, how they were interlinked and how their stories were so similar yet so different.
Here's to weyward women!

In the present day, Kate flees a traumatic relationship to the Cumbrian cottage she inherited from her great-aunt; but the cottage hides secrets of its own.
In 1942, Violet rebels against her father’s ideas of a ‘proper young lady’ . . . until he takes matters into his own hands.
In 1619, Altha is on trial for witchcraft, implicated in the gruesome death of a local man.

I sometimes find it difficult to get into a book with multiple time lines, one always seems to be weaker, or I just don’t gel with one of the characters. This however was different, three timelines, three women and all strong and all interesting women.

‘But what could Reverend Goode be afraid of?’ My mother smiled. ‘Us,’ she said. ‘Women.’

Altha, Violet and Kate all Weyward women across the generations connected by gossamer threads, their stories entwine into an utterly compelling and entrancing story. I was gripped by it and devoured this book so quickly.

‘Witch. The word slithers from the mouth like a serpent, drips from the tongue as thick and black as tar….For this was a word invented by men, a word that brings power to those who speak it, not those it describes. A word that builds gallows and pyres, turns breathing women into corpses.’

I don’t think I had a favourite character but I was perhaps most drawn to Altha whose story arc is in the 1600’s when hysteria around witchcraft was at its peak. She would have had no control and no say in a world ruled by men but the parallels to Violet and Kate’s stories are there, all put in situations by men that they shouldn’t have been, all having to fight for their own survival.

‘All those years. Caught in a brutal dance, with steps she never knew how to follow. Perhaps things haven’t changed so much, after all.’

A brilliantly addictive read, full of strong women, just fabulous and empowering.

Three Woman, Three Timelines, one eerily similar story dispute crossing the ages

In present day, we join Kate who has secretly left an abusive partner to hide away in her family home she has inherited. Kate is finding her own place in the world here, but also is learning more about her families history

In the 1940s, Violet is also struggling with her controlling father

In the 1800, Altha is being held on trial for the death of a local man

Each woman in her own time is having to deal with being oppressed by the men in their life, and learn about themselves and if they can stand up to them and weave their own path

A hard read at times due to the subject matter but a great read nonetheless, which kept me hooked.