This novel follows 3 women at 3 points in history. Altha in the 17th century is on trial as a suspected witch, Violet in 1942 is trying to understand her place in the world and Violet' s great niece Kate in 2019 is running from her abusive partner.
Kate connects with her ancestors when she inherits her great aunts house and discovers the stories that shaped their lives and their unique connection to the natural world.

An engaging well written story that will appeal to fans of Barbara Erskine with its 3 timelines, believable, well rounded characters who eventually find the strength to carve their own paths against society and family opposition.

I received a copy of Weyward by Emilia Hart from NetGalley. This book blends elements of fantasy and historical and paranormal together throughout the story. Its blurb is something that immediately intrigued me. The debut novel of the author weaves together a story of three women in three different centuries from the same family Weyward.
The story of Weyward follows three Weyward women from different centuries. Altha Weyward in the 1690’s, Violet in 1900’s and Kate in the present time. The story begins when Kate flees an abusive relationship and leaves London. She has inherited a cottage in a rural town Crow’s Beck from an eccentric Aunt Violet whom she barely remembers. Aunt Violet is the sister of Kate’s grandfather Graham. Kate seeks refuge in the cottage Weyward. She hears whispers about the cottage and her family and she wants to find answers.
The stories of Altha, Violet, and Kate slowly start unfolding and are tied together in the end. I don’t know how much I can describe the plot without giving it away because it's much more interesting to discover it yourself. These women have an affinity for witchcraft and calling upon nature. Such fantastical elements have been dealt with in such a way that it blends seamlessly into the story. They are different from others; always attune to nature and wildly fascinated with it. Altha is accused of being a witch and put on trial in 1694. It's something that follows her and her family forever even after she is proven not guilty.
Overall, I enjoyed reading Weyward by Emilia Hart. This book which is fantasy, historical and paranormal is beautifully written and has amazing characters. The plot moves ahead with a purpose and all the pieces start falling into place towards the end. I enjoyed reading the book.

Witchcraft is a subject I always find interesting to read about, so I was curious to see how Emilia Hart would approach it in Weyward, her debut novel. It’s a book set in three different time periods, something which doesn’t always work for me, but in this case the three storylines are so closely linked I found the structure very effective. In Shakespeare’s First Folio, the three witches in Macbeth are referred to as the ‘weyward sisters’, a term which evolved into ‘weird sisters’ in later versions – and just like Macbeth, Emilia Hart’s novel features three ‘weyward’ women.

In 2019, we meet Kate, a young woman trapped in an abusive relationship. Finally making the decision to leave, she flees London for Crows Beck, a village in Cumbria where she has inherited a cottage from her great-aunt, Violet. Settling into the house, known as Weyward Cottage, Kate begins to uncover some family secrets that help her to understand the great-aunt she had barely known.

A second thread of the novel is set in 1942 and introduces us to Violet as a girl of sixteen living at Orton Hall with her father. She longs to know more about her mother, who died when she was a small child, but her father refuses to talk about her, except to say that Violet resembles her – and not in a good way. As Violet’s story unfolds, we find out how she came to leave Orton Hall and build a new life at Weyward Cottage.

The third of the weyward women in the novel is Altha Weyward who lives in Crows Beck in the early 17th century. Altha, who has a knowledge of healing and herbs passed down to her by her mother, is on trial for witchcraft, having been accused of killing a local man. As Altha waits to hear whether she will be found guilty, we learn more about her life in the village and the truth behind the man’s death.

The three women are linked not just by a family connection, but also through a shared love of nature. In fact, it’s more than just a love – it’s an affinity so strong that they are able to draw power from the natural environment and find comfort in surrounding themselves with plants and animals even at the most difficult of times. I could have done without so many detailed descriptions of insects and spiders, but on the other hand the affection these women have for even the least pleasant of creatures is what makes them unusual and different. None of them conform to society’s expectations and for Violet and Altha at least, this can lead to suspicion and distrust.

The male characters don’t come out of this book very well; from Kate’s violent, manipulative ex-partner and Violet’s cold, strict father to the men who hold Altha’s fate in their hands, they are very much the villains of the book. As for the three female protagonists, I liked all of them, although Violet was the one I felt the closest connection with. The three narratives are written in different styles using different combinations of first and third person and past and present tense, so I never felt confused as to whose story I was reading. Parts of Kate’s story towards the end were quite predictable, but otherwise all three storylines were gripping, staying with one character for just the right length of time before switching to the next, and with plenty of cliffhanger chapter endings to keep things moving forward.

I enjoyed Weyward, although there wasn’t as much focus on witchcraft as I expected – it’s more a book about the magic of nature and the obstacles faced by women over the centuries. It wasn’t always comfortable to read as all three of the main characters go through some very traumatic experiences, but I found it an interesting and unusual novel and will look out for more from Emilia Hart.

Compellingly written with a clear triple timeline that holds just enough back while allowing the reader to 'jump ahead' of its protagonist and will surely appeal to a wide range of readers. A very confident debut. 4.5 stars

Weyward Emilia Hart


5 stars

A magnificent debut book

What a wonderful and empowering book! It tells the tale of 3 women from different times all interwoven around Weyward Cottage in Cumbria where they all end up living.

Altha’s story is set in 1619 where she is preparing to be tried as a witch. Both Altha and her mother Jennet have always had affinity with nature and all its creatures in particular insects and birds. However in those days healing by way of herbs was considered an act of sorcery.

Violet’s story is set in 1942 and due to horrific circumstances she is disinherited and thrown out of her home at Orton Hall and banished to live in Weyward Cottage.

Kate is living in London with her abusive partner, Simon, and has just found out she is pregnant. Violet is her great aunt and has left Weyward Cottage to Kate and it is there that Kate escapes to determined not to let Simon know about the baby and indeed where she is now living.

The story jumps back and forth between the stories of the three women but they are all bound by the fact that they are all ‘Weyward women’. They all have this closeness with the natural world and each of them discover that they can influence various creatures to do their will.

I have never read a book like this before and I was captivated by the descriptions of the house, garden and countryside surrounding Weyward Cottage. It is a story of 3 very powerful women who come through terrible experiences stronger and lead their lives as they want to and not as the men they meet would want them to. I loved this book and will look out for any further books by this author, what a magnificent debut!

Karen Deborah
Netgalley Reviewer

This book. I’ve not the words for just how sensational it is. Definitely one of the books of 2023. Absolutely no doubt. ‘Brontë-esque’ in how nature weaves through every line. Haunting, compelling, just sensational.

Thanks to the publisher for the advanced reading copy. I loved it so much I’ve now pre-ordered the HB too!

A beautiful, complex and uplifting story of three women victimised by men, and scorned and outcast for their connection to the natural world. This would be a great book club pick.

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.

This was an absolute joy of a book to read and one that I would highly recommend to anyone that loves a brilliant story.
I found the book to be so captivating as we introduced to three different women in three different timelines Altha, Violet and Kate all different but all connected and I loved them all. As the chapters flew by I became more and more engrossed in these women’s lives and oh what stories they had to tell, what lives they had led and how they managed to survive. The beauty of this read was also in descriptions of nature and how this was also a connection with the women and I have to praise the author for her excellent crafting of the book it’s one I couldn’t put down and am still thinking about it now.
So to be honest I can’t praise the book enough this is one not to be missed and I look forward to reading more from Emilia Hart in the future …5 massive stars.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, The Borough Press for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was such a lovely read.

This is a book about women and the three main characters are just great. They’re all really well developed, all from different times and all living their own but connected lives

This book is set in 3 different time periods and I could clearly imagine each one. The language used makes you feel like you’re there and listening to them speak

The settings (in all of the time period) are so well written. Along with the time periods and they way they’re written, I could honestly picture every scene like I was watching a movie

I really liked the overall story. There were some loose ends that usually I would want to be tied up but I don’t think it’s needed in this book. Everything that needs to be answered, is. There’s historical throwbacks in there as well which I LOVE.

This was so well written, I loved the characters, I loved the story… would 10/10 recommend.

I really loved it… I devoured it in a few hours and was desperate to read it when I was at work 😂 I use this as a benchmark for how good I think a book is.

I already had this one on my list for next year so i was delighted to read it early its an historical fictional with witchy elements and has the three woman format my favourite was violet and liked theme of supportive women through generations its maybe a bit less fantastical than i thought it might be but i enjoy historical fiction so was not disappointed

Its been a while since I have read a book that I have become immersed in quite so deeply. 5 stars all day long!
The book is told from three different women's point of view all over different centuries.

Kate, Violet and Altha may have been born nearly 400 years apart but we soon discover they share a lot more in common than you would think.
All 3 women we find are connected to the Weyward family and a special gift has been passed through the generations.

This is a powerful book that makes you realise how much women had to overcome in previous times and struggles and even now how we can still be at a disadvantage compared to men.

We meet Kate in the present who is desperate to escape an abusive relationship and decides to take control and leave to stay in her aunts old cottage. Next is Violet set in the 1940's where it was very much a 'mans world' she lived in Crows Beck in Cumbria where Kates aunt lived. Lastly we meet Altha in 1619 who has been charged with witchcraft and murdering a man.

The book is atmospheric and I loved the descriptions of nature, animals and birds. I really enjoyed this book.

Favourite Line - A great many things look different from a distance, truth is like ugliness - you need to be close to see it.

I will be recommending to others and looking out for more reads from this author

I didn’t know if I this was going to be my thing as fantasy books are not my genre at all but the blurb had me intrigued ( and also my Cumbrian roots) . This is a book for anyone who thinks they don’t like fantasy / mystical reads as this element is only an undertone to the book as it’s more focused on relationships and torment of the women of the generations. Each character has her own voice and story to tell and the 3 different timelines are woven in well . I became invested in these women and totally forgot the whole witchcraft element when I was reading . It’s a unique and brilliant debut and I’m now looking forward to seeing what the author does next ,

Weyward had me hooked from the start, an enthralling story and atmospheric read. The triple timeline and narrative style works well to maintain reader engagement, and each of the three protagonists is fully formed. Great world building ensures that each timeline is just as compelling, with short chapters so that you’re never spending too long without reverting to the other storylines. An exciting addition to the witchcraft genre.

Top class ! Incredible atmospheric, mystical plot involving witchcraft about three generations of the same Weyward family- Kate, Viola and Altha. I was absolutely enthralled with it not wanting to put the novel down! Emilia has written it as three timelines which is a real art in itself and actually very easy to follow. Definitely worth reading more of Emilia’s novels.

Contains slight thematic spoilers

This is definitely one of the most eagerly anticipated fiction books of 2023! It was powerful from the off and I was hooked. I was finding myself falling in love with each of the main women.

It’s been a while since I was completely absorbed in a book like this one. I read it in one sitting as I just couldn’t tear myself away. I was sobbing by the end, in sadness and happiness. I won’t give too much away as to the plot, but it’s a whopper of an emotional read.

I’ve struggled with historical fiction in the past and I was slightly worried that I wouldn’t gel with the older stories, but they felt as natural and identifiable as the modern one. You just felt at home in all periods.

I often find multi-timeline books confusing. This one has three: Altha in 1619, Violet in 1942, and Kate in 2019, but they are all so well written and split that it’s clear right from the off whose life we’re reading at any given time. Each main female character has their own distinctive characteristics but you can still see the link between the three. I love how powerful the three women are. Not just in the literal sense, but in their hopes and their dreams. Each story is given equal time and attention, each written perfectly for the time period, for the characters of the time, and they all sit so well together.

Normally fiction books tend to be plot heavy or character focussed. Very few, in my opinion, equally cover both. But this does. Each of the time periods contains an exhilarating storyline with the women so beautifully described, in looks and manner, it’s stunning.

The stories aren’t necessarily happy, in fact, some of them are very hard to read indeed, and yet they still project a sense of love and hope. Hope in themselves, in the world, and in the future.

Yes there is a witchcraft element to the book, but for me it came second to the stories of their relationships and their friendships. It just so happens to have a magical backdrop. But I was so sucked in to them as characters that I couldn’t be distracted by anything else.

It is a serious book with serious topics - including domestic violence, pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, childbirth, death, murder, rape - but it is still a complete and utter joy to read. Even when they are in their darkest places, it still radiates hope.

It’s a love story, but not necessarily a romantic one. Not necessarily one between a man and a woman, or a man and a man, or a woman and a well. It’s love for nature, for the world, for your kin, for yourself, for the past and the future, for your ancestors and your descendants, for animals, and for the power you hold.

I can’t wait to share it with my girl friends. It is such a powerful and important book. I had to wait before I started a new book. Normally I can go from finishing one book to starting another fairly instantly, but this was just so amazing and so powerful that I just couldn’t clear my mind enough to start another I think it’s going to stay with me for a long time.

And it’s a debut! What power this book has, what precision and finesse. Absolutely gorgeous in it’s brutality and it’s hope. I already know Emilia Hart is going to be such a force of nature in the writing world and I can wait to join her on this ride. I just hope I get the chance to absorb every word she writes.

Whilst I liked aspects of this book I didn't love it unfortunately, It was written well and the idea was there but I found it quite dull at times and I felt myself forcing myself on with reading. But towards the end it did pick up once the stories started coming together and the mysteries came to light.

It was definitely different to anything I've personally read before and I'm glad I picked it up.

Weyward is a fascinating read by Emila Hart which follows three generations of the Weyward women who have special healing powers and a close relationship with nature. They also have another connection. They are all controlled by men. This story is told in each point of view of the women, the hardships and torment they endure and bravery of them setting themselves free of the men controlling their lives.
This is an interesting, well-written and magical read from the author and I enjoyed each story of each of the women, which came to a mutual conclusion at the end. But I was expecting more witchcraft, than it delivered. But a great story, nevertheless. 4 stars from me.

Thank you for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this unique story. It follows three generations of Weyward women who all have special healing powers and a unique relationship with nature as they learn amour themselves, their strengths and often abusive relationships. Please do look up trigger warnings for this book as there are some heavy subjects tackled here.
Although it took me a while to get invested in the story I loved the three women and their interconnected paths despite all growing up in very different times. They are strong and determined both by nature and the difficult situations they find themselves in.
This book is different to anything I have read recently and I really enjoyed the different layers the story had. A brilliant debut novel!

This story makes for a fascinating read. Set over three different eras and three different women's lives, who are all connected by blood and their ability to connect with nature. There are no cauldrons or broomsticks in this tale of witches but deep innate knowledge passed through the generations, even when they have never met. The story is well written, with good depth to the characters and clever mixing of the three women's stories, all similar in their own way but different because of when they are set.

The characters are complex and well-written. I really liked the three women, Altha, Violet and Kate and the intricate way their stories are linked. These women are strong and determined, The book does not hold its punches and the treatment of the women is sometimes brutal, so it is not always easy to read. The women are not well treated by the men in their lives, and the men, mostly, are really not very nice and the writing enforces this.

This is Emilia Hart's debut novel and is very good. I did find it a little slow in the middle and wanted to get on with it but apart from that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I will look out for more works by this author in the future.