The blurb for Weyward intrigued me from the start – I’m a sucker for inter-generational, sprawling novels across space and time. I read this book faster than any book I have for a while, partly due to a well placed long train journey but also because it was really good.

‘Three women. Five centuries. One secret.


‘I had nature in my heart, she said. Like she did, and her mother before her. There was something about us – the Weyward women – that bonded us more tightly with the natural world.
We can feel it, she said, the same way we feel rage, sorrow or joy.’


In 2019, Kate flees an abusive relationship in London for Crows Beck, a remote Cumbrian village. Her destination is Weyward Cottage, inherited from her great Aunt Violet, an eccentric entomologist.

As Kate struggles with the trauma of her past, she uncovers a secret about the women in her family. A secret dating back to 1619, when her ancestor Altha Weyward was put on trial for witchcraft…’

We follow all three women, as they continue in their own lives and for Violet and Kate, encounter the others in their line and discover the connections between them. Kate is present day and is the representative of both Altha as her ancestor and Violet as her Aunt – she carries the innate knowledge of their nature connections without really knowing why or how. She’s drawn to Cumbria despite not ever living there, and through her we discover her gift that had been hidden in the suburbs of London.

Altha’s story is centred around her own mother, and the trial for witchcraft. It reminded me of AK Blakemore's The Manningtree Witches in pace and tone, and I think the detail in that novel helped me focus on the detail in Altha’s. One of the reasons I love reading is this ability to connect us with fictional characters – I was rooting for Altha and completely involved in the persecution she suffers because she knows what to do with a poultice. And sure, she can call insects from the air and the earth to do her bidding but, who doesn’t do that from time to time?


Similarly, as we move back and forth between Altha and Violet, the mapping between them and their families becomes clearer and the similarities in the challenges they’ve faced, and their mothers have faced, become really clear too. In fact, this is not a story about three women connected by birth but really, these women and their mothers, and their female friends. Sisterhood is quite often a bit cringey and harnessed (especially around International Women’s Day) as a way to sell more pink stuff, but in this setting it’s a powerful and relevant network which we should all seek out and rely on.

I had thought that swapping between narratives, timelines and narrators would be difficult to follow or jarring, but in fact it was easy to switch and I never had a problem with who was who. Emilia Hart manages these transitions beautifully, with the language changing just enough to indicate the time period we’re in, while maintaining the flow and connections between the characters.

As well as the human characters, there is an additional set in the houses – both the cottage that the women stay in and the grander house in the same grounds. It reminded me of the haunted house with the chess set garden in The Haunting Season, the short story by Bridget Collins.

I’d recommend this to readers who like female-centric stories with a dash of magical realism and a real sense of righteous vengeance. I’m looking forward to what Emilia Hart writes next!

Thanks as always to Netgalley and to HarperCollins for the DRC – I did buy the hardback copy as it was just too beautiful to miss, and I’m so glad I did – this is a great addition to my library.

Weyward is an incredible debut novel, weaving magic into the mundane world. It tells the story of three women - Kate, Violet, and Altha. Kate's story takes place in contemporary times (2019), a year after her great-aunt's Violet death. She is fleeing from her abusive partner and is reunited with the ghosts of her ancestors and the memories of the house. Altha's story takes place in 1619 when she's accused of witchcraft and tries to reconnect with a dear friend. It raises questions of morality and righteousness in an unjust world, where women's voice have been silenced - in modern times, as well as centuries past.

The masterful narration of Hart makes it easy to distinguish between the voices of the three women. Kate's story is the one I found particularly engaging. Her emotional journey was gripping and left me wanting to know more as I discovered the mysteries of Violet's home along with her. Given that there isn't much left of Violet's heritage and Kate cannot ask for details of her great-aunt's life, we are given Violet's perspective. Her narration I found slower to get into but it built her character well. She's a strong young woman who finds herself out of place at her own home, pushed to the side by her own father. I particularly liked the epilogue of the novel which gives us the voice of an older Violet, one that has to protect the last of the Weywards. It was a powerful ending to the story and I guarantee, it'll make you weep (or simply shed a tear of appreciation).

What I found took me out of my reading experience at first was the switch to first-person narrative with Altha's story amidst the third-person narration of the other two. However, near the end of the story, readers will better understand why that was done and it completely changed my perspective on the author's choice. Hart's voice comes through Altha's storyline in a touching, sensitive way that pulls you into the world right away. She dealt with difficult topics in the novel in a respectful manner, but if someone has had similar experiences to the heroines, it might be triggering, though the language isn't all that descriptive in those scenes.

And to conclude, is it really a review of a book about magical realism if I don't mention how incredible it felt reading about their powers? The subtlety with which they have navigated the world, centuries after centuries, is simply admirable. 'Witches' are to me symbols of women's resilience throughout the ages, and the tragedy of being different in a world of men. I strongly recommend this book to all, especially to all the Weyward women of the world.

"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. A word that builds gallows and pyres, turns breathing women into corpses."

Oh what a wonderful tale this is! Three very different women but really very much the same. The thread that connects them is a story of "wise women" (a much maligned group if ever there was one) and even though this is supposed to be fiction, there is so much fact in there that, sadly, many would deny.

I am male and should not, in theory, respond in any positive way to such a book. Having said that, I empathised so much that I was very much moved by the trials and tribulations that these women had to face. Also sad is the reality that such women are still looked on with suspicion by so many.

Whether you are drawn to such tales or if you are prepared to be drawn by such tales, I commend this book to your reading list. I loved it and suspect that you will too.

This book went right into my soul. I felt connected to the characters and thought their stories so well executed and linked.

Hart has woven a beautiful tale of the struggles that have women faced throughout the centuries and the bond they create to survive.

Absolutely would recommend this book.

First, I have to gush about the incredible writing. It was so intoxicating and engaging. It grabbed me and refused to let go.

It’s told through the eyes of three different women - Kate in 2019, Altha in 1619, and Violet in 1942. Three different generations of Weyward women, all facing their own trials and tribulations.

Kate was escaping from her abusive husband. I thought this was brilliantly done. The author did a great job of showing the trauma domestic violence causes and also the repercussions and effects that linger, even after leaving.

Altha was a woman on trial for suspected witchcraft. It explored how she got to that point and also gave us some backstory on the Weyward women.

Finally, Violet, who was Kate’s great-aunt and left everything to her after her death. Her story was the most heartbreaking for me and I related to her the most.

What I loved was all three women had their own troubles. However, it tied them together. Kate fleeing from her abusive husband. I liked how, by the end, all three perspectives sort of intertwined and led into each other.

Each perspective was distinctive, so it was easy for me to separate. They flowed into one another, so it kept the pacing going, and it wasn’t jolting. The backstory for each of the women was peppered throughout the book, which avoided large passages of info dumping. I enjoyed learning about each one as an individual, as well as discovering the connections they had to one another.

The premise of this book initially grabbed me and the story itself didn’t let me down. I was gripped and ending up reading late into the night just to find out what happened. The pacing dipped around the middle, as it felt like nothing much was happening. I also would have liked the climax to have been more fleshed out. But the beautiful writing and characters kept me reading until the end, and overall the story was intriguing and one that will stay with me for years to come.

Thank you to netgalley, the author and publisher, for a chance to read and review this book.

This book is the story of three women over several hundred years from the same family. This was beautifully written if at times hard to read. I loved all three of the Weyward women and wished I could have stayed with them longer.

The writing was so atmospheric I felt like I was in the cottage with them and cheered for each of the women to overcome the men in their lives.

I would highly recommend this book but advise to look up trigger warnings before beginning.

This book hurt in a really, really good way. Telling the story of three women from one family over centuries, Hart paints a picture of what it means to be a witch that is vulnerable and powerful in equal measure. I appreciate that she allowed her characters to suffer, but was most invested in creating a narrative of reclaiming power and overcoming those who would harm us. I really enjoyed this and will be recommending it broadly.

A huge contender for my book of the year 2023.
Gothic realism and feminist magnificence.
A stunning debut.

beautifully written and deeply values and demonstrates the bonds of womanhood. combingin this with themes of some magic and some historical nuances this boook really came to live and is very poetic in its telling. You wouldn't know this is a debut novel, and it will stay with you long after the last page. The symbolism and strength surround the women, and their lives shines through, without openly bashing men to achieve this. While it has a slow start it builds into something that words can't portray. Love, magic and nature all wound into one flowing piece.

I really enjoyed this, but it is really really important to read the content warnings. It does not go easy on them. The second scene in the book is about an abusive relationship and contains domestic abuse.

As I said though this was a really enjoyable read. It was atmospheric and full of an appreciation of nature. It really made me think about the birds and insects all around me! I loved that the magic was so tied up with the natural world. The only problem with is was that I would have liked more magic.

My favourite storyline was Violet's I loved the rebellious girl who had such a connection to nature that no one could tame. I love the idea that everyone who reads this will have a different connection to the three characters and will like a different character best!

If you want a story about three strong women with themes of witchcraft and overcoming the place of women in society, then this is the perfect book to pick up.

A beautiful yet brutal story following 3 women in different time periods who share a secret legacy. The stories weave together in an immersive and compelling narrative.
Capturing the magical elements of the natural world in a vivid way but the emphasis is on the characters personal growth and resilience rather than fantastical plots and revenge.
A fantastically written debut novel with believable and relatable characters that will stay with me for a long time.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this empowering story.

Beautifully written and perfectly paced. I also enjoyed the multiple timelines and pov, and will be reading more from this author.

I really enjoyed this book and loved the stories across the 3 different time periods of the different Weyward women.
Each time period was described really well and I felt like I got to know and care about each character.
I really like historical fiction and this was excellent.

Based on the persecution of women suspected to be witches, the author weaves an fascinating tale of three generations of women. We cleverly witness the path of progress and how the perception of magic changes over time.

We have Altha (1619), on trial for witchcraft when a local man is killed. We have Violet (1942) who is fascinated with biology but instead of following her passions is being forced to conform to the pressures of society. And we have Kate (2019) who is trapped in an abusive marriage. submerging who she really is. All three are on a journey to discover who they really are, and the Weyward legacy.

Its a fascinating account of resilience and the power we have within, as well as a unique interpretation of "magic", The three stories were a little disjointed, especially at the beginning, but it began to make more sense as the story progressed. Overall, I enjoyed the themes and messages, and the characters of these three strong women.

I’ve been reminded recently about how much I enjoy a historical novel. This one focuses on three women from the same family spanning multiple generations and focuses on the ripple effects of secrets and decisions over time and history repeating itself.

I love a multiple timeline story so this was no different. In fact, the timeline on this was far greater than you usually find which really added to my interest and enjoyment.

Each of the three main characters/narrators - Altha, accused and on trial for witchcraft; Violet, thrown from her home; and Kate, on the run from her abusive boyfriend - all find themselves within the safety of Weyward cottage. The three Weyward women were strong and inspiring and with themes of revenge, female power and feminism, this was a truly incredible read.

Unfortunately I DNF this book quite early on as I decided it wasn't for me. The writing/story seemed quite basic and there are so many things I want to read, I didn't feel this book was up there enough to invest time into.

I was intrigued by the novel initially for its beautiful front cover but also because of the name of the book. ‘Weyward’ is such a loaded term, one that seems aimed more at females and attributing blame or scorn on individuals seen as not fitting the mould. Weyward is indeed centred around this idea. It called to mind the ‘weyward sisters’ in Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ three women who operate on the fringes of society and are treated with scorn and derision. In this text, it is more specifically the family name of three central female protagonists who are deemed outsiders because of their actions. Like the three sisters in ‘Macbeth’ it seems to be their individuality and power that instils such fear and consequently, violence.
Firstly, there is Altha in 1619 who is on trial for witchcraft, there is also the narrative of Violet who desperately searches for information about her deceased mother, another wayward woman. Then there is Kate who bravely escapes the tyranny of domestic abuse and flees to Crows Beck in Cumbria. Over the course of the novel the reader begins to understand the connection between these three fierce women and understand more of what drives them.
Moments when the women are alone in the natural world are some of the most powerful within the text. The healing and restorative impact of nature is a reoccurring idea. Emilia Hart describes a moment with Kate, in the later stages of pregnancy where the boundaries of the self become less tangible and she is given power by being outside in the garden of her aunt’s home, ‘There’s a feeling, in her stomach and in her veins of something wanting to get in.’ This almost supernatural element brings about a joining or a communion of the natural world which in the book is almost exclusively female. The impact is female agency and autonomy which is set in contrast with the dominant patriarchy that seems to offer only violence and subjugation.
More than this harmony with nature, female figures within the Weyward family also hold a power that is innate from birth, a power that connects them over the centuries. Altha, who at the beginning of the novel is on trial for being a witch states, ‘I don’t profess to know much of souls myself, I am not a learned woman, other than in the ways my mother handed down to me, as her mother handed down to her.’ This particular knowledge of power is unacceptable in society and has to be kept secret, particularly from men. Men, who seem to be a collective enemy, do not feature well in this book. Many are judgemental and dismissive at best or violent and abusive at their worst. This notion again made me recall the significance of the title and the labels that are put on women when they are seen as acting outside of acceptable societal boundaries.
In Altha’s time it was the label ‘witch’, ‘for this was a word invented by men, a word that brings power to those who speak it, not those it describes.’ Whilst this is no doubt true, I did think the book perhaps lacked a nuanced exploration of male protagonists as they sometimes boarded on being caricatures of evil villains. However, in saying that, the writing in parts was beautiful. Through the representations of these characters, it felt like the writer was asking us to consider how much society has changed. As Altha contemplates that in the future there might be a time ‘when women could walk the earth, shining bright with power and yet live.’ Contemporary readers will no doubt see that this is something still much desired today and we still have a long path to tread.
All the female characters were well drawn and compelling, the novel does not shy away from uncomfortable issue such as domestic abuse, rape and ostracization. The tenacity and bravery of these women are matched by the author who herself has had to overcome so much adversity to write the book and become a published author. It is a book that seeks to remind us to strive always for the person we want to be and take pride in our individuality.

Weyward is an intermingled tale split across three women and three timelines; a witch trial of the early 1600's, a wayward teenager of the 1900's and a woman fleeing domestic abuse in the current time. All three women are different in their time, all have trauma and all have a connection to the natural world. All are Weyward women in one way or form.

Weyward caught me. It captured my attention and even when it chucked me from timeline to timeline, I couldn't tear my eyes away. It's unusual for a split perspective novel to be so completely gripping regardless of what perspective you are in, yet this managed it. I was completely invested in each of the three character perspectives.

This a masterpiece of interweaving tales that all loop back in together by the end. Three women across generations. Similar themes cross over between timelines. Some overtly, others less so. It's cleverly written. And the characters absolutely carry it. There's magic, maybe. But mostly it's individuals standing against the odds and holding fast. It's strong women and adverse circumstances.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my review copy of this title.

This is an enchanting book that I'll definitely recommend to others.

Altha, Violet and Kate are all part of the same family, and their tales unravel via three different timelines over five centuries.

Kate is the contemporary character who has run away to escape her abusive partner. Violet is a misunderstood, naive young woman in touch with nature who finds out not everyone has her best interests at heart, and Altha is facing trial for witchcraft. It seems difficult to imagine all these timelines intersecting, yet they do in an accomplished way. I felt onside with all the characters, wanting only the best outcomes for them.

Although some tough topics are covered in this book, I loved how nature runs like a thread through all three stories binding the women together.

absolutely incredible amuat read !beautiful story of several generation of women going through hardship