First I'd like to thank you for getting me out of the worst reading slump and secondly and most importantly thank you for Weyward. This book is tremendous when I read the description I knew I was going to love it and it was brilliant 5 stars for the story and 5 stars for the cover . I will be buying this book. Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to review this book and thank you to Emilia Hart for writing it .

This was such an enjoyable book which explored through the pov of Altha, Violet and Kate, three women who have had horrendous experiences.The three wowen have a link between them even though they are all from different time periods.

This does include trigger warnings of rape and domestic abuse. I really thought this was clever how Emilia explored all their stories and I loved the unique plot which was bewitching and empowering. I could not put the book down and I had to binge read in one night. The problem I have now is I’m so tempted to by the special edition book from Waterstones 😂

This days I am feeling generous therefore I've decided to give Weyward 3 stars. If you can put up with yet another story of women fighting "the patriarchy", told in 3 different voices over 3 different time periods, then you might actually enjoy this novel. I know I did at first, in fact it initially gripped me, but then lost me with countless paragraphs that were not advancing the narrative in any way. Having to skim page after page frustrated me to the point I was losing patience with all the stereotypes featured in the pages of this novel: from the witch accused of killing someone, the young girl who must stick to decorum rather then her passion and yet another woman victim of domestic violence...
Fortunately there are a few twist that pleased me, like Altha's 'little secret' and her trial's outcome and Violet's life. In fact Violet has been my favourite character from the start and her life really pleased me. I loved her little voice from the first page, her love of nature so powerful and awe inspiring, and her fight for achieving her dreams was way beyond her age and once again: inspiring. I also loved that it is set in Cumbria, not very far from where I live. Lately, I've realised that I really enjoy having an idea of the place a book is set in, not to mention I've been on a tour of the Lancaster castle so again I am somewhat familiar with it and the witch trials too.

This is an immensely powerful, strong novel about abuse and female strength . There are three main protagonists : Altha, who was accused of being a witch as tried as such in 1619; Violet who grows up with an extremely controlling , cold father in the forties and is raped by a cousin, and Kate, Violet’s grandniece, who has escaped from an abusive boyfriend but discovers she is pregnant in modern times. Strong themes of being at one with nature and women supporting women , I found this quite unputdownable and devoured it in a couple of nights.

Weyward tells the story of three generations of supernaturally gifted women: Kate in the present day, pregnant and fleeing her abusive boyfriend; Violet, a privileged teenage girl in the 1940s whose father does not allow her to mix with the outside world; and Altha, on trial for witchcraft in the early 17thC. All three have strong connections with nature, birds and insects, and leaning in to this connection may be the only way they can escape their abusers.

I found this novel rather a slow burn to begin with, but I did enjoy the climax of each timeline. The supernatural element is used lightly, and you really do want the baddies to get what's coming to them.

The story follows three generations of Weward women. Altha in 1619, accused of witchcraft and killing a man. Violet in 1942, her childhood and the shocking events which change her life forever. Kate in 2019, fleeing from her abusive partner.

I don’t know why I picked this book to read to be honest as it is not my style at all. That being said, it surprised me and I enjoyed it!

The three separate story lines aren’t particularly unique, but the book itself is written beautifully. It hooks you from page one and you really get to know the characters inside and out.

Unfortunately I stopped reading Weyward at 30%, it just wasn't holding my attention very well. I enjoyed each of the characters individually, but rotating between them just didn't work for me which is a shame as I would have liked to have read more of their connections.

The writing style was really good and I will look out for future works from the author as the storytelling itself was very enjoyable.

I think I'm going to try the audiobook instead so will revert back if I prefer that medium.

On paper, this should have been on I absolutely adored but for some reason I only found it okay. Trust me, I'm gutted.

I enjoyed the three different timelines and perspectives. I also liked the concept of this one and these women fighting for what they believe in.

However I just found myself stumbling along, not really feeling any real attachment to the characters.

I feel like this was just a me problem though as this is getting so many great reviews!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

🪰 WEYWARD BY EMILIA HART 🪰

“We never thought of ourselves as witches, my mother and I. For this was a word invented by men, a word that brings power to those who speak it, not those it describes….”

Fleeing an abusive relationship, Kate escapes London, to the safety of the Cumbrian countryside and an old cottage left to her by her eccentric great-aunt Violet. As Kate struggles to come to terms with the trauma in her life, she uncovers the secrets and shrouded abilities of the women that have come before her…..Weyward women.

Debut novel WEYWARD by Emilia Hart is a story of women, separated by centuries, sharing one secret. It is magical realism at its best, a work of exciting historical fiction and I loved it!

The pacing, the characters, the suspense, loved it all! The authors descriptive prose ……wonderful. It was easy to find myself lost in her Northwest English countryside. I have read other books about women connected down through generations, but none have felt as seamlessly woven together. I enjoyed the different narrative styles of each women, in particular Kates third person, emotive narrative. Of course because of the other women’s stories, the fractured timeline, we know more than she does, we know the history, the torture and tragedy, we’re watching it unfold and this builds the perfect amount of tension. The men in these women’s lives are monstrous, violent creatures and I felt proper angry at times throughout, frustrated that I couldn’t time travel back and vent my rage. But of course there’s no need because a monster lives right there in Kates modern day story too.

Wonderful debut and an exciting writer. One I’ll certainly be following.

Thank you @NetGalley and @harpercollinsUK for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

Weyward publishes 2nd February 2023

Weyward is the story of 3 women from the same family, linked by bonds of blood, experience and a supernatural connection with the natural world.

Although there are 3 narrative voices and 3 timelines, Altha in the 1600’s, Violet in the 1940’s and Kate in the present, all are fascinating and compelling. Each of these women faced similar challenges, centred around male behaviour, ‘plus c’est change…’ but it’s a message of empowerment and resilience rather than of woe.

I loved this book and feel sure that it will find a special place in the hearts and minds of many who read it.

With thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and the author, Emilia Hart for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

A very big thankyou to HarperCollins for such a incredible powerful story .



II really don't want to give to much away as I would love so many of you to read this book, but is bit of a outline . So we follow Altha from 1619 tried for witch crafted ,violet from 1942 which was abused by her farther , and Kate which is violets grandniece who was in a very abusive controlling relationship , for some this could be a trigger but know this with everything happening to these amazing women different to others they was strong and powerful in ways that other lacked .


This book will take you on a journey of how woman in powerment , they all hold that bit of magic but not in the way there are black hats and cats its not that kind of story ,its more about how women find power inside their self's as I said before it is totally captivating and hits you in the heart in the best way .

The writing style is wonderful flowed so well and you could really did her research and put it into this incredible book I've never read anything like this before I could read it all over again .

This story will suck you in and it will devour you not you devouring the book . I give this book 5 strong stars .

Books featuring strong women will always go to the top of my reading pile. Last year that one book was The Change, this year Weyward will be the one that’s hard to beat. I have already pre ordered the hardback to go on my forever shelf.

Three very special women all intrinsically linked and equally as fascinating. Normally with multiple points of view one is favoured but here I was riveted by them all. All have been hurt by men, Altha is awaiting trial for murder by witchcraft, facing a jury of men. Violet is trapped by her father who fears that she is too like her mother and Kate has fled an abusive and coercive relationship.

This book had me raging at their treatment, the men are vile and I was secretly hoping for their comeuppance. Nature features heavily and gave a fantasy element that I couldn’t help but think of The Change again and Harriet. If there’s two books that could do a crossover with characters it’s these and the authors should seriously get together.

Spanning four hundred years of men having power of women, will these women take the power back?

I am a Weyward woman. Are you?

I thoroughly enjoyed Weyward by Emilia Hart. It was perfectly paced for me and I devoured it, desperate to find out what happened to Altha, Violet and Kate.

The three Weyward women throughout the centuries had to cope with recurring issues of abusive men and difficult circumstances, but were able to survive and thrive through their love of nature and (perhaps) the magical assistance of the natural world. I found their strength very beautiful and empowering and the way their stories wove together was perfect. I miss them now I've finished reading the book.

A highly recommended read - I'll be looking out for more by this talented author. I can hardly believe that this is a debut novel!

Excellent debut novel by Emilia Hart. Three women in three different centuries - their stories, challenges and how they overcome them; and follow their own paths, resisting unfair and, often, cruel treatment.

'Wayward' is an engaging novel, a joy to read, and is to be recommended to all readers who enjoy good writing.

Thanks to NetGalley and The Borough Press for an ARC.

'Weyward' is Emilia Hart's debut novel telling the story of three women spanning five centuries and the trials and tribulations they literally face despite the different eras to which they belong. A blend of historical fiction and magical realism, taking you on a journey through time.

Content triggers should be noted. The author has written a deeply moving, profound story and I found myself overwhelmed at certain moments as the running theme is female empowerment and the courage and resilience shown by women in the face of adversity.

The author spins a tale of the central characters expericing horrific lows to enable the climax to reach its greatest height. I do think the story dipped for me in the middle but it picks up again quickly and each character Kate, Violent, Altha's had gripping stories that commanded attention. The author is convincing in attempting the various time periods and the plot flows naturally. "Wild" and the stereotype/judgement when using it as an adjective was also blasted away in this book (the element of historical fiction meant it brought its own definition depending on the timeline) but I enjoyed how it came to a full circle in the end when it is used in its original form to describe the beauty of nature, and the creatures that belong to it, a strong emphasis on those usually associated with negative connotations/ bad fortune (spiders, crows etc).

Definitely a heavy read but one of the best in this genre. I was going to.give it a 3.5 star but it became compelling and the last half brought it up to 4 stars!

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Collins for the advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to seeing more from Emilia Hart in the future!

I absolutely loved this book. It tells the tale of 3 different generations of Weyward women, each very strong and individual in their own way. The author did an amazing job of weaving all their lives together, so that you could see the differences and similarities between the three women. My favourite character was Violet, she was beautifully drawn. I didn’t want the book to end.

This is a lovely read introducing magic and history with a great story.
You meet three generations of the same family and the chapters are written from each woman’s point of view.
Kate in the modern day is trying to escape a bad marriage. Altha is on trial for being a witch in 1619 and Violet is trying to become a modern woman in 1942.
All the stories are engaging and as each woman reveals more about their history it explains more about the others. Each story has something to resolve and provides a believable mental image of the era in which they’re living.
I thought this was a great read and will look forward to the authors next book!
Thanks HarprCollins UK and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#Weyward #NetGalley

The three interweaving stories in this novel tell a story of witchcraft, family history, pain and empowerment. They privilege relationships between women, especially mothers and daughters, but also women’s relationship with nature. The sexism each generation faces seems specific to their time, but is part of a much longer history of misogyny that fears and tries to control and silence independent women. The stories were enchanting and enrapturing.

They tried to cage us. But a Weyward woman belongs to the wild. We cannot be tamed.

'Weyward' by Emilia Hart is the beautiful told story of three women spanning over the course of five centuries.

2019 - Kate who is trying to escape an abusive husband, flees from the big city to the countryside, to a new home in 'Weyward cottage'. 'Weyward' is all that she has to call her own, after inheriting following the passing of her estranged great aunt Violet.

1942 - Violet has always been different, she dreams of a different life where she can follow her heart, be educated, and spend her days exploring and research bugs and all manner of creatures. But as a female in 1942, with her fathers plans to marry her off her dreams are looking unlikely.

1619 - Altha has been accused of witchcraft, the town that called upon her and her mother over the years for help curing ailments turns on her when an accusation of murder is thrown at her. She must now use everything in her power to escape execution.

The book, as I said is beautifully written, the author captures the time periods wonderful whilst managing to weave all the stories together intricately. I really enjoyed reading about each of the woman, warming to them easily and was routing for them all throughout! Overall it was a fantastic story and kept me engaged - a real page turner!

My only criticism was there were a lot of triggering subject matters throughout (that I normally try my best to avoid!) and although there was note of abusive partner in the blurb, there was a lot more involved which I think would have been nice to know about going on.

I did however greatly enjoy and would happily recommend to others! Overall 3.75 (round to 4 stars)

TW: domestic abuse, sexual assault, stillbirth, forced pregnancy, abortions

Thanks so much to the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC!

Three women, all suffering in different ways from the actions of men.

Telling it’s story by flipping from character to character and timeline to timeline, Weyward tells the story of three women all from the Weyward family but spanning centuries.

Kate is in an abusive relationship, but on finding out that her great aunt Violet has left her her cottage Weyward in Cumbria, she has found the means and along with it the strength to flee. As she begins to explores the interior of the cottage, trying to make it her own, she begins to find things that start to connect the dots between herself and two other strong women in her family. Altha and Violet.

Including a tale of a mother and daughter suspected of witchcraft in 1619 and male dominance and power in 1942, we learn of how the Weyward women touch the lives of those daughters that are born after them, giving them the power they need when they need it most.

An engrossing and well told story of the misogyny experienced by women, both past and present, the strength and healing powers of nature and the courage to survive. I enjoyed reading this and found it a compelling debut novel. Rich in setting and time and place, the use of the natural world, animals and nature, coupled with an interesting and well planned narrative made for an interesting read. I look forward to seeing what this author writes next.

3.5 stars