A sweeping multi-generational story about women, magic, and survival across centuries. The writing is lush and lyrical, and each timeline is compelling in its own right. A beautifully woven tale of resilience.

Emilia Hart’s Weyward is an engaging novel that weaves together the lives of three women across different centuries, each facing their own struggles with society’s expectations and the secrets hidden within their family history. The book does a great job of highlighting the resilience and strength of Altha, Violet, and Kate, making them compelling protagonists. Their stories, though separated by time, connect in a way that reinforces the theme of female empowerment and the quiet magic of knowing one’s place in the natural world.

That said, while I enjoyed the book overall, it didn’t quite stand out as a must-read for me. The premise is intriguing, and the historical elements—especially Altha’s storyline—will likely appeal to those with an interest in the Salem Witch Trials or historical fiction centered on women accused of witchcraft. However, I found my attention waning in the middle of the book, as the pacing slowed and the narrative began to feel a bit repetitive.

Still, Weyward serves as a reminder that all families have their secrets, some buried deep in history and others waiting to be uncovered. While it may not be the most unforgettable read, it’s one I’d recommend to friends who enjoy historical fiction with strong female leads and a touch of quiet magic.

Loved this story! In summary, "Weyward" is a thought-provoking exploration of women's interconnectedness, their struggles against patriarchal constraints, and the empowering embrace of their intrinsic connection to the natural world. I would highly recommend!

Well crafted and inspiring. Fully fleshed characters from 3 generations of the Weyward family and their personal struggles and connections to each other. I loved this book and can't wait to read others by this author.

ARC from the publisher via NetGalley, but the opinions are by own.

Weyward, by Emilia Hart, is the story of three women from the same family over five generations. The prose has been called "otherworldly" and "magical," and it's so fitting for this novel about how each woman overcomes violence, abuse and more. It's also about their connections to nature, and how it can strengthen, restore and rejuvenate us. This tale of resilience is a bestseller, and deservedly so.

WOW! This was a stunning book. Really enjoyed this! thanks netgalley & the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Emilia Hart's Weyward is a beautifully written and deeply immersive novel that explores themes of female empowerment, resilience, and the unwavering strength of women. The author masterfully interweaves the three timelines, creating a complex tapestry of interconnected lives and experiences. Despite minor pacing issues, the novel's compelling characters and powerful themes make it a rewarding and memorable read.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions contained within are my own.

If you’ve followed my blog for any amount of time, you might have noticed that I’m not a huge historical fiction reader. I have nothing against the genre, but it’s not one I gravitate towards naturally. Being a person that will pick up pretty much any genre if the premise sounds interesting, though, I was immediately drawn in when I read the synopsis for Weyward. If there’s one thing that will get me to pick up an historical fiction, it’s a book that sounds like it’s gonna contain some women fighting against the patriarchy!

In this novel, we follow three different women in three different timelines. Altha is a young women who has been accused of witchcraft in 1619. Violet is a young woman struggling against the stifling life her father has planned for her in 1942. And Kate is woman fleeing her London home and the man waiting for her there in 2019. As the book progresses, you find out how their stories are connected and watch them grow into themselves in their own ways.

As I said, I’m not a huge fan of historical fiction, but this one absolutely sucked me in! I think it was the fact that there were multiple timelines that kept me eating up the pages, which is not often the case with me, but it really worked for this one. There wasn’t a timeline that I wasn’t interested in, so I didn’t experience any slow parts because I was just slogging through to get the timeline I liked, haha. I thought that the story of all three of these women was fascinating and rage-inducing and cathartic in the end.

Now the only thing that kept me from giving this the full five stars was the fact that the writing wasn’t my favorite. I can’t quite put my finger on what bothered me with it… perhaps the voice or the phrasing or what have you… but it just struck me like it was trying too hard for profoundness during certain passages. If I hadn’t been so interested in knowing how all the stories ended, I don’t think I would have enjoyed the book half as much. Thankfully, I was locked in to know more about the characters!

The characters are definitely where this book shines the most. I was thoroughly intrigued by Altha, Violet, and Kate from each of their introductions. They were built in such a nuanced way that made them come alive on the page! I loved that they all had a unique voice and that they felt true to their time period and world. Again, take this all with a grain of salt as I’m not a historical fiction girlie, but I enjoyed what the author did with these three women immensely!

Overall, this was a wonderful historical fiction that had me feeling all kinds of emotions. The author did a fantastic job bringing these three time periods to life and I would be interested in reading more of her work!

'Weyward' by Emilia Hart might have the most beautiful cover I have seen in years. If we're judging a book by it's cover 5-stars all the way. However, we're going to judge the entire book. This is not any easy book. I recommend looking up trigger warnings before you begin to make sure it's for you. That being said it is a beautifully written novel that effectively combines historical fiction and magical realism. Meaningful read.

Three women living centuries apart but with one thing in common, their struggles with being a woman in a man's world.
Kate is being abused and takes off to Weyward Cottage, which has been left to her by her great-aunt. While there, she learns about her ancestors and the fate that became them.
Such a captivating story and I look forward to the author's future books.

This magical book is very well written but so dark and depressing that I didn’t enjoy it. I spent much of my life dealing with abuses by men and my female ancestors did too. I didn’t need to read through so many reminders of how awful it has been and still can be. Perhaps this is best suited for women who haven’t dealt with abuse, sexism, oppression and assault, but I’m not sure how many of those there are. The fact that so many seem to have enjoyed it gives me hope for modern young women.

Three women, one family, four hundred years. Joined by blood and by abuse, each must free herself and find her power. A well-told tale of parallel journeys.

Stunning book, title, cover and so much more! Loved the girl power in this book. Loved how they overcame their struggles and moved forward. Loved the three of them. What a beautiful tale.

For a debut novel this was exceptional. It explores the lives of 3 women in the same family but years apart. It starts with Kate Ayers in 2019. She is in an abusive relationship with her husband. She finally escapes and needs a safe place for her and her unborn child to live. She goes to Weyward Cottage which was in the family and passed down to her. There she finds out about women before her. She also finds out about herself and how she may be able to control insects and birds in nature. There is also Violet Ayers. She is 16 years old in 1942. She lives with her father and brother. Her father is not very forthcoming about her mother who died when she was a young child. He lacks what it takes to be a loving, kind father. She ends up in the family way and ends up in Weyward Cottage. In 1619 Altha Weyward is a person with healing powers. She had gotten them from her mother. Some of the towns people believe she is a witch and she is put on trial.
The lives of these women are very similar in what that had to endure. The author did a wonderful job of weaving all the elements of the story together and luring you into the lives of these women. It was a great read.
Thanks to #netgalley, #griffin and @emiliahartbooks for an ARC of this book that was published on 3/7/23. All comments are my own.

I enjoyed this book, it was fine. I wanted it to give me more and it just didn't however it was still a great read.

Weyward has sat on my Kindle for a while now. I finally picked it up, and I am not sure why I didn't sooner.

Historical and women's fiction, Weyward was told alternating between three different timelines and through three different points of view.

Weyward told the story of three women, three Weyward women, Altha, Violet, and Kate, during a trying time in each of their lives. Events that brought about so much strength in these women.

Normally, when I read a story that alternates between time frames and timelines, I often find myself more drawn to one. But in Weyward, all three were absolutely captivating, and I couldn't wait to read more about each woman.

I loved how the authour portrayed these women, and although life was hard for them, they persevered in spite of it all.

The story was well written and fascinating, perfect for anyone looking for a good witchy read with some strong female characters.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the advanced digital copy of this story, my opinions are my own.

This engaging book was imaginative and well written, the 3 time periods were thoroughly descriptive and set a fast pace for the reader.

I received an advanced digital copy of this novel from the author, publisher and NetGalley.com. Thanks to all for the opportunity to read and review.

Ms. Hart has crafted an amazing tale of generations of women and the inner strength that we find we have in the darkest of times.

5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommended.

Great book for the fall season. I love a dual timeline, and this had enough suspense (but not a thriller) to keep me entertained and engaged.

Weyward by Emilia Hart is a captivating novel that will resonate deeply with readers who appreciate stories of female empowerment, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds between women, making it a perfect fit for fans of historical fiction, magical realism, and feminist literature.