WEYWARD
BY: EMILIA HART

"The Weyward
Sisters, hand in
hand,
posters of the sea
and l do go, about,
about,
Thrice to thine,
thrice to mine,
And thrice again to make up nine.
Peace, the charm's
wound up." MACBETH

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

1619 ALTHA
Altha is on trial being prosecuted as a witch. Herself, and her mother before her used herbs as a vehicle to heal. She sits in prison, when she is not in court being glad to have a spider for company. I felt so bad for her, because I could feel the sensations of being unjustly accused. Blamed for things that she didn't do.

2019 KATE
Kate flees an abusive relationship from her partner Simon who she lived with. Totally abusive both physically and emotionally. She worked in a job that brought her pleasure, but Simon undermined her, since he felt that he earned more money. Knowing what I know about controlling people, this was a deliberate act to isolate her from others. Simon tracks her phone. Lucky for Kate she has bought herself a second phone, that he doesn't know about. Kate has learned before she flees that she is pregnant with Simon's child. Good for her that she won't bring a child into the world of Simon's abuse. Kate has inherited a cottage from her Great Aunt Violet. It is there that she travels to. Her father had died while Kate was young being hit by a car. She was with him, and because she survived the word "Monster," enters her head as if she was to blame. Her mother lives with her husband in Toronto, Canada. When Kate calls her mother she is worried about Kate, since Simon has telephoned her mother already, saying Kate is missing and she left behind her phone. Kate has never met her Great Aunt Violet who left her the cottage in the United Kingdom.

1942 VIOLET
Such a beautiful name. She lives in a huge estate with her brother Graham, and her father. Violet knows very little about her mother. Her father treats her terribly. Her cousin Frederick who is visiting from fighting in Africa gives Violet her first secret kiss. While her father is gone to fetch Frederick Violet bribes her brother Graham not to tell her father that she has sneaked into her father's study by rifling through his desk looking for clues about her mysterious mother. Violet bribes Graham by offering her dessert a custard or pudding for a length of time. She had found the word Weyward scratched onto the wall of her bedroom. Violet thirsts for the knowledge and education denied her, but offered to her younger brother, Graham. She loves all living things and wants to become a biologist or entomologist.

This was an excellent story of three women who are connected somehow. I thought it was very impressive for a debut historical novel. I did feel the claustrophobia that these women I am imagining felt by their confinement or being stuck. I know an Author is talented if Emilia Hart had the ability to make me feel as these three women must have felt--such as confined or trapped. I was totally absorbed by the storytelling and the atmospheric settings. There is a love of nature and an appreciation of animals felt by Altha and Violet. I would totally be interested in reading whatever Emilia Hart chooses to write next.

Publication Date: March 7, 2023

Thank you to Net Galley, Emilia Hart and St. Martin's Press for generously sharing with me their Arc for me to read and review. All opinions are my own.

#Weyward #EmiliaHart #StMartinsPress #NetGalley

I really liked the style of writing in this book! Right out of the gate I wanted to know more about these characters circumstances and she does such a good job jumping eras chapter to chapter it’s seamless — whereas with other authors it can be confusing. Brilliantly done Emilia Hart.

The generations of the women in this family was intriguing to follow. In fact it would be fun to dive deeper into one as an offshoot, to focus on one and build a whole other story around that character. Without sharing any spoilers I would love to hear more about the mechanizations of their individual lives!

The author’s debut(!!!!) work, Weyward is pure magic; it pulled me in from the opening, transporting me to the English countryside with its wildly engrossing story.

Told in three parts (Altha - 1619, Violet - 1942, Kate - 2019), each part of the Weyward women’s stories is compelling and wonderfully atmospheric. The writing is gorgeous and really evokes images - you see what she’s written, the snow, the woods. I love visual storytelling and Weward is rich with it.

The stories link, and I loved the buildup to this connection. Though it’s not completely without some issue - I found parts to be predictable - the quality of the writing, and the slow build up here seriously keeps you turning the pages. I’m happy rating this at five stars because, again, the imagery here is so vivid and lush, each character is complete - you come to understand these women, their motivations, and what’s driving them. Fiction that transports can be difficult to find - this was one such novel and I will absolutely keep an eye on Hart so as to read her future works.

I will re-read this one as well, and likely listen to it as an audiobook. Strongly recommended. Fans of Alice Hoffman should love this one.

Three women with a natural affinity for mother nature's creatures have a familial bond that can be felt in their bones.  From Altha Weyward, accused of witchcraft in 1619, to Great Aunt Violet, who lived out her life in Weyward Cottage, to Kate who flees her domineering, abusive partner in 2019 in search of respite in Weyward Cottage, all of these women suffered some form of emotional or physical abuse.  Yet all of them were able to survive, albeit with emotional scars, and were able to forge forward in their lives, at times using their inherited Weyward "connection" to Mother Nature.
Emilia Hart has written a powerful novel about three powerful women who were able to successfully live their lives despite the cruel men who tried to control them.

There are triggers in this novel but due to the way Hart expertly brings them to the reader, I was able to get through the novel without being affected.

Wow. This book was a treat.

Weyward tells the story of three different generations of women from the Weyward family. Altha, a woman accused of witchcraft in the 1600's, Violet, a woman struggling against her father's control in the 1900's, and Kate, a woman escaping her abusive husband in 2019. Their stories interweave to create a beautiful tale of resilience and strength.

Hart's writing immediately drew me in and kept me hooked the whole time. Multiple POV's in multiple time periods can be tricky, but this one was executed perfectly. It was easy to get attached to all three characters, and I think their stories will resonate with a lot of women. There was a perfect amount of witchy vibes without it overpowering the central message of the book. I'll be thinking about this one for a long time.

Highly recommend for anyone who enjoyed The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really loved the intertwined stories of the women of the Weyward family. Despite how awfully they are treated by the disgusting men in their lives, they find a way to persevere. They get revenge or justice in the very best ways. That theme of resilience and how the women are one with nature is what helped me enjoy this book. The witchy vibes were perfect. This is a good book for fans of The Change.Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC of this in exchange for my honest review!

I am so in love with this book. I really love Hart's grasp of language and storytelling that really kept me fascinated with the story. She does an incredible job of keeping readers interested in three central characters across different times, which can be complicated and confusing if not done well.

This novel is incredibly nuanced, telling the stories of three women who all struggle at the hand of the patriarchy in different periods of time. I love how their stories mirror one-another, but shows their individuality.

I love all three of the characters. Altha, Violet, and Kate will have a place in my heart. This is the type of book I honestly think everyone should read; it's a truly enlightening book with a story that ought to be told. I wait impatiently for more of Hart's work. I will most certainly be adding this to my favourite books.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an e-ARC of this book.

Weyward is a magical read. I loved the different perspectives and the different time lines. I was drawn in by the gorgeous cover. Emilio Hart did a great job and I'm looking forward to seeing what the next offering holds.

Release: March 7, 2023

*Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review*

I went into this book struggling. I don't generally like historical fiction, so the 2 POVs that are from a time long ago were rough for me..... until I realized I was falling in love with those two women and cared so deeply about what happened in their lives.

The "current" woman's POV was also so powerful, she's the one I instantly cared about.

This book has such a powerful message for women and if you liked the book The Change, then I HIGHLY recommend this one as well. It's not wildly twisty, but the power behind the whole message left me ending the last page and taking a moment to sit and think. It was a slow-burn, but one I grew to love.

[Instagram to be posted 11/10]

The Weyward Emilia Hart
A clue to the vibe of this tale is the main character's (s) penchant (love) for the Brothers Grimm ... yes & it delivers. That dark unnatural "nature" twist to stories that are closer to the truth -makes them more unsettling.It is what makes it haunting & unnerving to a non-believer. Not a fan of concurrent storylines, but this was done well and added to the suspense. The Weyward (Weird) is worth devouring

Emila Hart
Weyward is a multigenerational story about three incredible women. First we meet Altha. It is 1619, and Altha is accused of using witchcraft to murder the husband of her estranged best friend, Grace. Next is Kate. It is 2019, and Kate has fled an abusive relationship in London to find sanctuary in the Old Weyard cottage her great aunt Violet has bequeathed her. Finally, we meet Violet. In 1942 Violet is a young girl who unfortunately hears all sorts of rumours about her "mad" mother, who died when she was born. Neglected by her cruel father, Violet finds solace in befriending spiders and marveling at damselflies.
After their introductions, we quickly learn that the lives of each of these women are interwoven. Their histories begin to crossover and run parallel to each other. Violet eventually learns about her ancestor Altha and uses Altha's wisdom to help take direction of her own life. And Kate, well, Kate soon has to channel the wisdom and strength of all the strong Weyward women before her to not only survive but to protect her unborn daughter.
I really, REALLY liked this book. One of my favourite formats of novels is to have different chapters written from different characters' viewpoints and then have their stories diverge either with regard to plot or theme. It was an easy escapist read that was the perfect book to finish on a cold, snowy day. I may have to buy a hard copy once it is published because the cover looks absolutely beautiful.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions below are my own.

I will admit the cover drew me in before the synopsis. It’s absolutely gorgeous!

Emilia Hart delivers an amazing debut novel! The story is told from the perspective of three women across different generations. It is well written and does a spectacular job keeping you captivated.

I can’t wait to see what Emilia Hart does next!

This novel follows the lives of three women over several centuries in England. Altha lives in the early 1600s when witch hunts were being conducted. You get to know her and her connection with nature and the elements. Violet lives in the 1940s and she too has this uncanny connection with nature which she too harnesses. Lastly, there is Kate in 2019 who escapes an abusive husband and finds herself in her aunt Violet's cottage. Here she realizes her connection with nature. There is a wonderful, mystical quality to this book and I happened to read it near Halloween which made it even more fun to read.

The Weyard Sisters, hand in hand,
Posters of the sea and land,
Thus do go, about, about,
Thrice to thine, thrice to mine,
And thrice again to make up nine.
Peace, the charm’s wound up.’
MACBETH

’I am a Weyward, and wild inside.’

There must be something about these last few years that has brought so many impressive debut novels this year, including those that will be published in the year to come.

This story is shared through the voices of three women from different eras, the lives they lived are different in some ways, while in others, they all share a common thread. Men who perceive them as weak, needing to bend them to their will in order to confirm their own superiority, sharing a belief that this is the way it always has been, and always should be.

Their individual stories are connected, although these three women have never met as they were born in different eras. Altha’s story begins in 1619, a woman accused of witchcraft. Violet’s in 1942, as WWII is taking its toll on the country and the world, she is considered strange as a child by her father, and much worse as she reaches her teen years. Kate’s story is more contemporary, set in 2019, with her story a variation on the theme of men considering their wives to be property that they can rule over as they please. Underlying all their stories is an appreciation, a strong connection with nature, and the beauty as well as the power that is found within.

Throughout this story, there is also an almost reverent connection for these women to nature, the strength as well as pleasure they take in being surrounded by it. At its heart, this is a story about power, forging a way through darkness, and believing in oneself.


Pub Date: 07 Mar 2023

Many thanks for the ARC provided by St. Martin’s Press

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

THIS WAS SO GOOD. If you liked the vibe of the Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner, you will adore this - you follow three generations of women with a witchy secret, in three very different centuries and situations. I actually enjoyed all three perspectives, which is fun - often I find one skippable.

I loved seeing how all three stories tied together - this story is part historical, part contemporary, and part magical realism. The witchy vibes went in my FAVOURITE direction which is punishing men for hurting women!!!

Overall such a gorgeous read and a wonderful debut!

"Weyward" by Emilia Hart is a mix of Historical & Women's Fiction with touches of Magical Realism!

In 2019, twenty-nine-year-old Kate Ayres escapes a physically and emotionally abusive relationship in London for Weyward Cottage. This rundown cottage, with its tangled gardens, was inherited from her Great Aunt Violet, who she barely remembers. Struggling with memories of her past, Kate soon discovers secrets Violet has kept hidden dating as far back as 1619 and the witch trials of the 17th century.

In 1619, twenty-one-year-old Altha Weyward remembers being taught the knowledge of the natural world by her mother. Women who are different are presumed dangerous and she finds herself accused of witchcraft and awaiting trial for the murder of a local farmer. She knows it will take all her knowledge and powers to sustain her freedom.

In 1942, sixteen-year-old Violet Ayres feels trapped, and longs for the education and freedom her brother Graham is allowed. She craves more detail about her mother who died years ago. All she possesses of her mother is a locket with the initial "W" and the word "Weyward" scratched into the baseboard in her bedroom.

Three timelines of three Weyward women with similar stories, living in three different centuries and bound together by their innate connection to the natural world.

This was a slow starter for me with simplistic writing and alternating chapters that initially hampered my introduction to the three main characters. However, the farther I read, the depth to the story continued to build and before I knew it I couldn't put it down.

I found each of the three women's stories equally compelling and mysterious, becoming fully invested in each of them. The short chapters were a plus for story's pace, and I enjoyed how just enough of a carrot was offered at the end of each chapter to lure you on to the next.

I believe Weyward Cottage to have special importance to this story. It provided shelter and refuge, a garden for nourishment, plants for medicinal purposes, and was surrounded by nature and wild life. The cottage felt like it was "living and breathing" from generation to generation and representative of another character in the story.

This story came together so beautifully and I buzzed through the last part because I couldn't wait to see how it played out. There was one characters that was in need of more development but it wasn't one of the main characters, and I felt the 'love and magic of nature' in the story over-shadowed any writing flaws.

This author has such potential and I'm excited for her! I hope she stays with this genre, but regardless of the direction she takes, I look forward to her next offering! I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy a blend of Historical & Women's Fiction with touches of Magical Realism!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Emilia Hart for an ARC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.

Kate lives in London and feels trapped in her abusive relationship; but finally, she finds the courage to break free. She flees to a cottage she inherited from her Great Aunt Violet, though she hardly knew the woman. As Kate does her best to deal with her trauma, she begins to uncover secrets about Aunt Violet’s past, as well as her ancestor Altha Weyward who was put on trial for witchcraft in 1619.

This was an interesting book that was made up of three storylines – it followed Altha (1619), Violet (1940s), and Kate (2019) as they all went through various tribulations relating to traditional gender expectations and the patriarchal control. As the story followed all three women, the first third of the book was a little slow, taking a while to introduce and situate the characters. The writing is also exposition heavy, which adds to the slower feeling of the beginning of the work. But as the work continues, the pacing picks up and the plot moves forward at a steadier pace.

I enjoyed getting to read from the POV of the three different women. Violet’s plot was my favorite, and I became most invested in her. I enjoyed how the author incorporated magic – it was related mostly to the beauty of nature rather than brewing potions or spells, which was an interesting take on it. I did feel that all three plots were relatively predictable. This work was also quite dark with more of an emphasis on the trauma and abuse by males than the magic, which detracted from it some for me. The focus was more on three women doing their best to survive the traumas of their time rather than the magic that bound them together.

While I did find the plots a little cliché overall, this was a well-done debut novel and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author. My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for allowing me to read and review this work.

TW: rape, domestic abuse, emotional manipulation/abuse, child loss

This is a good book to judge by its cover: twining, botanical, a little spooky. I liked the setting and the way the stories folded together. A solid read

What a fabulous debut by author, Amilia Hart! Weyward is told from the viewpoints of three women from different generations of the Weyward family. The Weyward women face horrendous obstacles in their lives and persevere due to their inner strength and a little bit of magic.

Weyward is well-written with storylines which draw you in from the start and will keep you reading until the very end. Have I mentioned how wonderful the cover looks?

I look forward to reading more from this author!

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own.