Triple narrated story with Kate in 2019 fleeing an abusive boyfriend, she hides in the cottage she secretly inherited from her great aunt Violet. A woman she barely remembers. As she rebuilds her confidence she discovers more of Violet's story. Violet in the 1940s is a teenager who is desperate to find out more about her mother who died when she was a child, but a strict father and servants keep her naive and isolated. Meanwhile in 1619 Altha is on trial for witchcraft through her story we learn about the Weyward women and their heritage as healers, feared by men who want to control them and accused of being 'uncanny' and strange.

It's rare to get a multiple narrated novel where I actually want to know what happens in each story. They link together brilliantly and I'm enjoying this fictional trend of reclaiming witchcraft as women's work.

Weyward is a story about three women that all have a special gift, but this gift is also in a way a curse since it separates them from others. And, that makes people afraid.

Weyward is a book that not really turned out to be as interesting as I hoped it to be after reading the blurb. There are good bits in it. I liked Altha Weyward's chapters the best, but I struggled quite a bit with Violet's story since it was so predictable and a bit boring to read. The present story, Kate's was a bit so-so, the best part was her discovering more about Violet and Althea. The ending was great and quite surprising. I wish the book had been more like that, instead of just so-so for the most part. I think the main problem I had was that I never really connected with the characters or the story.

I’m going to start off with a content warning - check out at the end if you want more information.

I’m going to admit - I struggled with the first half (probably because I was reading two books at the same time and I felt this first part of this book didn’t pull me in as much). But once I got into this one I was hooked - what a ride! I loved how you follow 3 voices, all Weyward women with that special and unique gift and connection with nature (witch!). I loved the 3 generational storylines, but Altha’s is the only one in first person.

The treatment by most of men in each of the Weyward women’s lives is absolutely horrific but the strength and fortitude they show, blimey! Altha’s story is pretty horrific, given the time and age of the day. What was refreshing about this one, is the take on witchcraft - there’s no spells and incantations. It’s all nature.

This was such a unique premise of the generational women each supporting their descendants and using their gifts - it definitely gave me vibes of The Change by Kirsten Miller. If you’re a fan of The Change - this one is recommended reading!

Thanks to NetGalley, the team at Harper Collins and the author for the opportunity to read this review copy.

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⚠️Content warning/potential spoilers: reference to domestic abuse and violence to women, stillbirth, miscarriage. ⚠️

My review:⭐⭐⭐⭐

Weyward by Emilia Hart has three storyline (and time lines) weaved together, to tell the truth about three different women. One is set in present day, one is set in 1600s, and one is set 1942, and they each show women struggling with the roles they're in.

This feels like a book that's getting a lot of attention at the moment.  There is a lot of female empowerment and the characters aren't shown to be perfect, but are human.

I enjoyed the story unveiling itself through the use of the three timelines, and I was enthralled by what was going to happen next!

I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to HarperCollins UK!

This is an assured debut that balances three narrative strands very well. Often with books with multiple strands there will be a clear standout or one that I don't enjoy but that is not the case here. All three stories held my interest.

I was compelled to get to the end and found the ending satisfying. However, there was something slightly too controlled about each element, or perhaps too neat in the conclusion. We aren't left with any questions or anything to mull over. I almost feel like it was a bit clinical.

I will be keen to see what the author does next because it's certainly a very promising debit.

My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I have really enjoyed reading about the three Weyward women. Altha's story set in 1618, Violet's story set in 1942 and Kate's story in the present day. All with a heartbreaking story to tell. I'll definitely be recommending this to friends and family and will read this again in future.

Emilia Hart has stunned me with this amazing debut novel. It is enchanting and bewitching and utterly believable.
The Weyward women through the centuries have had a close relationship with both the natural world and its more supernatural elements. This is the story of three of those women. Three women trying to survive against the cruelties of the men they are forced to share their lives with.
Spanning five centuries in Crows Beck, a remote Cumbrian village, from the time of King James I's witch trials to the physical abuse of modern day marriage, this is poignant and powerful. Three women who fought back with the help of Mother Earth.

Having downloaded this a while ago, I was then apprehensive to start reading after saw it recommended as yet another 'Witch Lit' title. I shouldn't have worried as it was definitely one of the better ones and not just following the genre trend. I can't deny that it is hard going in some places due to the uncomfortable nature of some events and the general attitude towards woman historically. But this is exactly why books like this should exist, to make us question and feel uncomfortable. It's also a great entertaining story of course, so a win win for me.

4.5 stars
An enchanting, magical read about the strength of women and family. I loved the three narrators in this one, although my favourite was definitely Violet.
Each of the women had been through so much in their lives and the links to the past were beautifully covered.
The connections with nature and the history of the cottage and the family were cleverly interwoven into each story and I loved how a physical reminder from the past had survived to give strength to the next generation.

I loved this story. It was mysterious and well written it was god to get the story from different angles o piece together what was happening.

This book is amazing. I cannot believe that this is a debut, because it is so well written and immersive. It is a mix of historical fiction, litarary fiction and magical realism. There are three main female characters and each of them lives in a different time period, but they have so much in common.
I really liked the setting of the Weyward cottage with all the descriptions of nature and insects. The connection between the female characters was so beautifully done. I loved the way how they were able to draw strength from one another and learned more about themselves, though they weren't able to interact with each other directly.
The book deals with very heavy themes like abuse, death, isolation and depression, just to name a few. But it's also about self worth, making choices and taking responsability for oneself. It gets really symbolic at times and also plays with wonderful imagery. There were lots of quotes that stood out for me and I even had to write some of them down, which is not something I often do.

A tale about 3 different generations of Weyward women, set in the 17th, 19th and 20th centuries. Well written with great appreciation for the natural world and the stories kept me engaged throughout. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This book is amazing, itsawhholeother level, I loved this somuch I’m awaiting Waterstones special edition to arrive as I type . I love that it centred on women , that it felt realistic, the characters made making realistic choices, they were so easy to relate to. I loved the empowerment of women, the connections they had between each other, family, friends and nature. I can’t praise this enough, you need to read this book.


Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy in return for an honest review

TRIGGER WARNINGS

Rape
Domestic Abuse
Miscarriage
Stillbirth/late term miscarriage
Death

I’m not even sure how to classify this book, there are elements of mild fantasy but this is mostly a study of a bloodline, of three women from said bloodline centuries apart, yet suffering from recurring themes and traumas. So, read on to find out what I thought!

Here’s the blurb for Weyward…

“KATE, 2019

Kate flees London – abandoning everything – for Cumbria and Weyward Cottage, inherited from her great-aunt. There, a secret lurks in the bones of the house, hidden ever since the witch-hunts of the 17th century.

VIOLET, 1942

Violet is more interested in collecting insects and climbing trees than in becoming a proper young lady. Until a chain of shocking events changes her life forever.

ALTHA, 1619

Altha is on trial for witchcraft, accused of killing a local man. Known for her uncanny connection with nature and animals, she is a threat that must be eliminated.

But Weyward women belong to the wild. And they cannot be tamed…

Weaving together the stories of three women across five centuries, Weyward is an enthralling novel of female resilience and the transformative power of the natural world.”

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book from the blurb. As a pagan I’ll admit I was worried about the portrayal of ‘witchcraft’, as I usually am in such situations, but I needn’t have worried as this is not witchcraft as most would know it. In fact, it is closer to my belief system - the respect of the natural world, although I am sad that I don’t have the Weyward women’s extra touch of power! As much as I have an affinity for animals I am not able to get them to do my bidding, my cat is evidence of that!

The true story of this book has less to do with such power than it has to do with the stories of women. Of hardships and traumas we have suffered throughout history. Of rape and domestic violence. Of accusations of witchcraft if we lived outside the norm for society. Of the dangers of maternity, the risks involved with pregnancy and childbirth. Of men’s fear of strong women. All three stories, which run parallel to each other in alternating chapters, follow similar patterns and themes. From Altha and her trial and the reasons behind the accusation, to sheltered Violet and her cruel awakening to the ‘real’ world, and lastly Kate who believes she is running away from something yet may be running towards her salvation, these stories truly came alive for me and resonated so deeply. Generations of women fighting to survive against the odds, while keeping the truth of their line and its history alive for hundreds of years, despite the best efforts of men!

If you think that all sounds terribly depressing, you’d be very wrong. Emilia Hart has managed to create an uplifting and inspiring story that draws you in and hooks you from the start, each tale layered and linked to the others. Even when you start to realise what links them all there are still surprises, and more LIFE to discover.

I think that the word ‘life’ is what truly sticks in my mind after reading this book. How precious it is, how easily lost in can be, and how its beauty can be seen in so many unexpected ways. Not to mention that life wins, just when you think all is lost life somehow finds a way.

This is a truly beautiful book. Fascinating and alive. It’s unlike any other book I’ve read and is one of my favourite books of the years so far…and I think I’ll still be saying that in December too! An easy and happily given 5 stars. I look forward to reading more from Emilia Hart!

Thank you to Emilia Hart, NetGalley and Harper Collins for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review. As always all opinions are my own.

Having taken a short reading break, Weyward was the perfect title for me to find my way back. Hart alludes to Margaret Atwood in the book and her acknowledgments and there’s definitely echoes of her in Weyward. The story follows several generations of the Weyward women as they come into their own, and it is so captivating. Hart writes beautifully, navigating difficult themes such as domestic violence and rape from start to finish and I really felt a connection with the Weyward women. I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone who identifies as a feminist and enjoys fiction with a mystical element. I particular liked the nature theme that weaves its way through the book. I was hooked from the moment I picked it up and didn’t want to put it down.

Weyward brings us the story of three very different women who, although separated by time, have a common bond, and it is this bond which links the Wayward women through five centuries. They each face a battle against ignorance and prejudice which when brought up to date with Kate's battle against abuse in the present connects her with her ancestor, Altha who was on trial for witchcraft in 17th century Lancashire. When Kate's great-aunt Violet bequeaths her Weyward Cottage, in the remote hamlet of Crows Beck in Cumbria Kate is glad of the bolt hole but once at Crows Beck she starts to sense an encroaching atmosphere and the final loosening of family secrets which have been long buried.

Deftly keeping all triple strands of the multiple narratives together, Weyward is a nicely written historical time slip novel which has poignancy, excitement and danger in a story which brings to the forefront the manipulation of women whether it be in the 1600s, the 1940s or the 21st century.The story moves along well with each of women having their own individual chapters with none of them seeking to outshine the other. There is enough historical detail to make the older elements of the story feel authentic and the modern moments are well described. Weyward is the story of three strong female characters who are linked together by both blood and strength of will.

I loved it. The story was both cosy and gripping. The descriptions of the magic gave perfect cosy vibes but the stories of the three women kept me invested in the story the whole time.

After inheriting a remote cottage from her estranged great aunt, Kate realises that the time is right to escape her abusive boyfriend so that she can keep herself, and her unborn child, safe. Whilst there, Kate discovers the hidden truths about the lives of Violent, her great aunt, Altha, her 17th century ancestor who was tried for witchcraft, and herself.
This was a really enjoyable read, encompassing the lives of three women across five centuries. I felt as though I was invested in each woman’s story, and it was interesting seeing how those stories weaved together across time. It was refreshing also to read a book that felt like it was about female empowerment, without resorting to man-hating. It was also wonderful to read a story that had such a strong theme of connection to it, connections between women, between family, and to nature.
I really enjoyed the setting, and the writing style. I wasn’t sure that I’d really enjoy this as much as I did, as usually I don’t really like books that are set across multiple timelines, but each character felt so distinct, and their situations so interesting that this novel very quickly became a page-turner. I’m so excited to see what this author writes next! Thanks so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins for my copy in return for an honest review.

A fascinating tale spanning three generations of Weyward women and their intricately woven lives and fates. Each must overcome stigma and male oppression in order to not only survive, but to thrive and ultimately to nurture the golden cord that exists within the female line of their family.
A very accomplished debut by a new must-read author.

Weyward by Emilia Hart is an outstanding debut book by the author. The storyline and the characters of Altha, Violet and Kate were fascinating and their individual stories told as part of the Weyward women’s family history narrated over five centuries were totally engrossing.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading other books by the author
Highly recommended.