It feels like there are a lot of books these days that are trying to tap into the power of feminism and witches, but not all are done well. Weyward manages to tow the line of thoughtful, piercing commentary on the strength and danger of female power without losing the beauty. The stories of 3 women across generations will have something familiar in them for all women, and the author maintains small mysteries throughout that are very satisfying. This is a great read for anyone who liked The Once and Future Witches.

I do recommend readers review any content warnings though as some events may be triggering.

Set over 3 generations, centuries a part we meet the Weyward women. They have an inclination towards magic from the natural world and casting spells that are beneficial. Throughout history we know women who are different, let alone women who are educated, are seen as dangerous. And often what isn't understood, is seen as witchcraft.
All of this is true Kate, Altha, and Violet. In this novel we fall in love with the mystic vibes of "crazy" women and find ourselves envious of their magical green thumbs.
In my opinion, dual time lines move slow, but in this case we have three time lines but the pace was very well kept and worthy of reading in one weekend.

WEYWARD by Emilia Hart

I devoured this book and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the Weyward women. The story is told through three alternating POVs across five centuries seamlessly.

While Altha, Violet and Kate live in completely different timelines, each has to contend with the unfair patriarchal system and oppressive religious beliefs of those in control. Their individual stories highlight how women across the ages have never been fully in control of their own lives, decisions or bodies.

I love the magical and nature-based elements the author incorporated into the women’s stories. It was done well and didn’t come across as too fantastical or cheesy.

Overall, this inter-generational story was very well done. Each character had depth and their storylines were compelling. If you love historical fiction and magical realism you’ll enjoy this book.


Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️
Pub Date: 03.07.23
#Weyward #EmiliaHart

*ARC courtesy of NetGalley & StMartinsPress

I was lucky enough to get an arc of this book! I can honestly say it was phenomenal. I had to force myself over the last 5 days to put it down!
I haven’t been able stop thinking about this book since I started reading it. The main characters were beautifully written and their individual stories touched my heart. I loved how each one connected with each other to where it all made perfect sense.
I could not have related to a grown up Violet more. She is everything I wish to be. Living how she wants to, in a cottage, with nature and her garden at her fingertips, wearing nothing but green (my favorite color), and learning how to heal with herbs and everything that comes from nature. She has learned to love herself and move on from her past traumas. She is strong and determined and the great aunt we all deserve.
This book has become a new favorite and one that I will reread and recommend for the rest of my life.
I am very picky when it comes to giving 5/5 stars and raving about how good they are, but with this book it comes easy. The author has written a beautiful story about 3 generations of women who finally accept and love who they are. I feel like there is a little bit of a Weyward woman in all of us.

It is early in the year, but this is definitely my favorite book of 2023, and it will be hard to top. Not just dual timelines, but three of them all focused on the strong Weyward women. I loved the introduction and the transition between Weyward and weird. Kate’s story is so compelling and her development and understanding of her inner strength and where it comes from is such a great story. Violet is just the under dog and you want so much for her to be appreciated and find happiness. And you can feel the desperation in Altha’s story and all the women who actually suffered as she did. I cannot say enough wonderful things about the story, the author, the characters, the ending, the justice- it is just great. So basically, read this one. I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley, however; this did no influence my opinion. I appreciate the opportunity to read this amazing book.

Weyward is a tale that spans multiple generations of women who although separated by the years are forever connected by the power that makes them special. Altha is accused of witchcraft, Violet is disinherited after a rape and Kate must free herself from an abusive relationship. Each woman lives with a foot in two worlds.

The multiple stories and viewpoints were handled really well and as the book progressed the stories all come together. It moves at a good pace with little cliff-hangers woven in that keep you wondering if this woman or that one will escape the threats surrounding her.

I really enjoyed this book and recommend it for one of those days when all you want to do is read a good book. Thank you Emilia Hart, NetGalley and St Martin's for the ARC and the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review. I loved it.

Weyward is so much more than I expected. Beautifully written and the multi-perspective timeline was executed so well. I was unable to put this down, each chapter consuming and revealing a little more of three separate stories that are woven together through time, connected by blood and sealed by the Weyward name.

Each setting - London, Crows Beck, and Cumbrian Village - I found myself swept up in the landscapes, Orton Hall and the Cottage - casting their own remarkable spell on the reader, laced with descriptive scenery, wildlife and insects at their finest.

There are some dark moments throughout this book, that I can't fail to mention, I found myself frustrated and angry at these real circumstances. However, I found solace in the last few pages, slowing my pace to cherish the end.

I hope to read more from this author! Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Emilia Hart for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press and Emilia Hart for the opportunity to read an ARC of Weyward. This is my honest and unpaid review.
I am most definitely going to be recommending this book to a lot of people at the library. What a unique story with a familiar theme. I love books that combine history, love and a bit of magic in a way that feels entirely genuine.
Sometimes dual timelines can get a bit confusing and this book is a triple, but not confusing at all. I really loved the 3 separate characters stories and how they were intertwined and sometimes parallel to one another. Often when there are multiple character stories to follow I will prefer one more then the other but not in this case. This was like reading 3 great books in one! Such a great book!

I went into this book not knowing what I was getting myself into. The cover intrigued me and I’m so so glad I requested it. The writing was beautiful and all of the characters and storylines were compelling. I cannot believe this is the authors debut and I can’t wait for her next one!

Altha, Violet, and Kate are Weyward women bonded by blood but separated by generations, these women are connected to each other and the earth; each is strengthened by the fortitude of her ancestors.

This is a novel that contains three empowering stories of women grappling with survival within the confines of an overly religious patriarchal society, the control of a domineering and distant father, and a controlling, abusive boyfriend.

A twenty-one year old Altha stands accused of witchcraft in 1600’s England due largely from being in the vicinity of when a man is trampled to death by a herd of cows. However, her true crime is being born to a woman who was the town healer and midwife. Her mother was an educated, unmarried, independent woman in a time when one of these characteristics was frowned upon, thus possessing three made her and her daughter targets and outcasts in an era where survival was dependent on communal inclusion and conformity.

During WWII, Violet is a motherless, nature-loving, carefree teen who must suppress her outgoing, curious nature to appease the whims of her oppressive father and societal expectations regarding the behavior of young ladies. When tragedy strikes, she and her brother Graham, are unfairly banished and disinherited. Finding help from Altha across the ages via an uncanny series of events; she finds fortitude and strength to change her fate.

Kate, a modern-day Londoner, harboring guilt from a childhood accident that causes an unimaginable loss; she loses herself to a controlling boyfriend whose abuse spans multiple realms of physical, verbal, and mental/psychological. Pregnant and scared, she escapes to great-aunt Violet’s estate for safety and invisibility, but finds so much more.

At its core, this book is about three women finding their agency and inner strength to live their lives, their truth, and become their authentic selves. It’s about listening to the universe and the voices within, finding the inner strength, and being brave enough to take the necessary steps to claim the desired life. An empowering read with a few doses of the supernatural.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to review.

A riveting read about three Weyward women - Altha in 1619, tried for witchcraft; Violet in 1942, a spirited, ambitious young woman confined by social norms; and Kate in 2019, a survivor of domestic abuse seeking refuge in the cottage her great aunt bequeathed to her. Each woman finds herself living in “a man’s world” though, living in 2019, Kate has the greatest chance for independence. As Kate spends more time in Weyward Cottage, she learns more about her heritage and begins to realize the Weyward women are very powerful indeed.

There is a bit of historical fiction, supernatural/magic elements, and a hint of spookiness. Altha, Violet, and Kate are all compelling characters and it was fun to see how all of the storylines converged. At times, it felt too distressing to read about how terribly the Weyward women are treated and how that abuse shaped their respective worldviews. However, the author deftly weaves in themes of resilience and hope.

What an exciting debut! Thank you very much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

What a story! I loved this book. The trio of perspectives made for a captivating story! I loved Kate, Violet, and Altha — each perspectives story was so well crafted! And the ending was (imo) perfect.

This was a beautiful book! I love a good story that has strong supporting female characters and this featured three of them! Three narratives in three totally different timelines and the stories of each women were intertwined beautifully. Each Weyward women had their own but similar story and Emilia Hart mixes in historical fiction with magical realism in such a fantastic way. Her writing is just lovely and makes you feel for each women. It was nice to have alternating chapters for the pace of this book. Definitely recommend and look forward to more of Hart’s writing.

I adored this book! I love a good revenge plot. I loved how all the women's lives intertwined and how we find out at the end exactly why they entertained.
I appreciated seeing how each woman took their weaknesses and turned them into strengths. I liked that these women were fierce and independent and made the horrible men in their lives pay for their actions. It was curious (in a great way) how the villainous men were all the same and treated these women the deplorable way they did in all 3 time lines.

This book was well-written, read smoothly and I found no typos.
I will highly recommend this book.

This book was written so beautifully. The author was so eloquent in her descriptions and narration that I had a hard time putting it down. The story is about three women, spanning centuries, each facing their own hardship and surviving.

Altha, a 17th century woman, accused of witchcraft, Violet, a young woman from the 1930’s, a victim of rape, and Kate, a modern woman fleeing her abusive husband. The chapters alternate each woman’s point of view, while weaving together their connection (through blood and a charming cottage) as Weyward women.

I truly enjoyed this story. I love books that span different times in history. Especially when it involves the same family, tying together their stories.

Warning: Book discusses domestic violence, sexual assault and suicide.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this cARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was amazing! The story was compelling, the narrator was perfect. I found myself finding time to listen outside of my normal "listening" activities--which is an excellent sign for an audiobook. This tale tells the story of three women connected through bloodline and time as they are all Weyward women. Each character has their own riveting story, but how they are intertwined is the real gem. Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Highly recommended.

I'm not totally sure what it was about this book, but something didn't work for me. Different timelines can be hit or miss and while I wouldn't say this was a miss I definitely preferred the current timeline to the others. I think there was some complexity missing here. Too much women are great men are bad. Sometimes the writing felt a bit repetitive.

Every time I'd start a section I'd say okay this is my favorite of the three, and every time I ended it I was sure of it, then started the next and the cycle began again. Hart did a good job weaving things together and making the Weyward women real and related despite the years between.

Love the play of wayward Weyward.

A good read - thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

This is a good read, even for someone who doesn't delve into fantasy that often. This is more to me a welcome story of resilience, strong and fascinating women and what becomes a thoughtfully executed interwoven story of what weyward is/means, I am less into the fantasy type details as I am into interesting character development. Recommended for readers who like Kate Morton, Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic stories, and perhaps also readers who liked Other Birds last year.

Some strengths!
1. I found that each of the 3 women were well developed and I was engaged in each story, I didn't feel disconnected from any story and I admit I am often someone who finds multiple POV plots less than exciting. This is a testament to effective storytelling!

2. I liked that despite themes on abuse there was no victim blaming and instead a focus on women knowing their worth. that matters to me and I think it is alas a timely and still important approach to stories of abuse and assault.
3. A satisfying end! I am always picky about how multiple POV stories end but this book weaves together stories in a great way.

I received a review copy of this book from St Martin's Press (via NetGalley) and also a copy of the audiobook (which is nicely done!) from Lirbo.FM's ALC program. Both formats are wonderful, I though loved reading the lyrical style of the book a bit more.

The setting: "Three women. Five centuries. One secret." Three timelines/voices.

Epigraph: "Weyward in used in the First Folio edition of Macbeth. In later versions, "Weyward" was replaced by "Weird.""

Altha, early 17th century, tried as a witch. [starting in 1619]. Aligned with familiars. She and her mother were mostly reviled but also revered by some as they were herbalists/healers. Her story is italicized; the others are not. [why?]

Violet, 1942. Abusive father and--no spoiler--Frederick [ugh]. She ultimately becomes an entomologist who resides in Weyward Cottage

Kate, 2019, London, Violet's great niece. Married to Simon, an abusive man; she escapes to Weyward Cottage where she starts anew.

When I started the book, I wondered if I would like it--though a combination of fiction with magical realism, I just wasn't sure. In the end, I believe that I liked this book more than I should have!

Life, love, nature, magic, and insects and especially crows!!

The stories and histories are interwoven and gradually all is revealed.

A couple of pregnancy items bothered me--even at the beginning--noted to come back to the doctor in eight weeks? Not feeling kicking until the third trimester? Minor, but...

Often predictable [particularly the parallels] and what felt like caricatures--especially of [deserved] evil men. Note: there were two sympathetic males: Daniel Bainbridge [for Altha], and Violet's brother, Graham. Sometimes seemingly melodramatic.

3.5, rounding up, but... certainly not for everyone.

Not literary, but an easy, fast read. A debut novel.