What a beautiful story and debut this was. Told interchangeably from three different perspectives of Weyward women across 3 timelines, I was completely enchanted. We meet Altha in 1619 amidst the 17th century witch hunts for which she’s on trial. We meet Violet, in 1942 entrapped in her own sort of prison of an estate. And finally, we meet Kate, in 2019 fleeing her abusive husband and finding solace in the one place connecting her to the other two women: Weyward cottage. These women were resilient, mesmerizing, and watching them overcome the unimaginable and reach their full potential of strength and power made for a truly unforgettable reading experience. One of my favorite parts was how their witchy powers were so connected to the natural world. I find the most peace being in nature and the way they were so in tune with nature, insects, and animals was a beautiful element to this story. There were definitely some triggering content in this that made it all the more emotional as you learn more about these women’s intertwined lives. I cannot recommend this book enough and think it makes for the perfect fall read. You’ll find yourself mentally transported to the cozy Weyward cottage as you unravel the Weyward women’s history. Thank you to Netgalley and St Martins Press for this gifted ebook!

8/10

Violet, Altha and Kate have something in common. They all have been out in threatening positions by men in their lives.

When Kate sneaks away from her abusive husband and hides in the Weyward cottage, she discovers her past. And the discovery begins to unravel truths about who she is.

Taking the reader on a journey from the 18th century to the present, this novel is a wonderful study on the strength and resilience of women, especially in times when they are being crumbled by men.

This is a pretty darn powerful book, written about three pretty darn powerful women who are connected through time.

Great read.

#netgalley #weyward

Witchy books are my favorite! And to explore the throughlines of witchy abilities, and see how society doesn't really like powerful women at all (or ever) with such a deft writing hand. I loved the way that all three timelines merged into together so that great reveals of the character development and plot were paced with each other (and I might have clapped toward the end - no spoilers).

I can't wait to read more of Hart's work.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this ebook for an honest review.



Absolutely thought this cover was beautiful. I had enjoyed the atmospheric writing. Story of 3 generational women with 3 different time lines from 1619, 1842, 2019. Interesting throughout but was  kind of let down at the end.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to read this book early! I really enjoyed it. I thought the writing was very well done, and the story kept me interested. I believe my students/patrons would also love this book and will be acquiring it for the library!

My fat butt is not eating many carbs right now.

This book is carbs. Hot donuts, mashed potatoes with gravy, mac and cheese with the string of cheese from the plate to the fork.

I loved it. I'd eat it.

Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I loved loved loved this atmospheric and beautiful tale of powerful, magical, strong, and resilient women.

Weyward is a beautifully written book about brutal things. Told on three timelines in 1619, 1942, and 2019, it's the story of three women bound not just by ancestral blood, but also by their experiences with men and motherhood.

Emotionally resonant and profound, Emilia Hart's debut is a celebration of women and the natural world. She combines elements of historical fiction, women's fiction, and magical realism to weave a multigenerational family saga about the strength and resilience of the female spirit. Hart's writing is lush and vibrant in this slow-burning, perfectly paced, character-driven story, and I was completely captivated by her words and immersed in her worlds.

Although I wouldn't call Weyward "male bashing," it definitely deals very directly on all three timelines with the injustices women are dealt at the hands of men. Across five centuries, the Weyward women experience eerily, sadly similar instances of abuse and adversity and find fellowship and empowerment in their connection to nature and to other women. Readers sensitive to topics like sexual assault, abortion, miscarriage, and physical and emotional abuse should take care, as all of these topics are explicitly discussed.

Weyward is unapologetically witchy and feminist, and while it did leave me feeling empowered and uplifted, I also couldn't help but feel a bit sad when I finished it. Women in the real world, after all, don't have a magical connection to nature to punish their abusers. There is still so much work to be done.

⭐⭐⭐/5

• historical fiction/magical realism
• multiple POV/timelines
• atmospheric setting & writing

I enjoyed these three generations of resilient women and their stories. It was slow paced for me, but this was a debut and I look forward to more from this author.

🗣️ Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinpress for the opportunity to read and review this book via gifted eARC! All opinions are honest and my own.

Weyward by Emilia Hart is a striking and thought-provoking debut novel that weaves a mesmerizing tapestry of magic, mystery, and personal discovery. The story is set in a world where magic is an integral part of life, and Hart's lush prose creates a vivid and enchanting backdrop for the narrative. This novel takes readers on a journey into the heart of a young woman's quest for identity and purpose, all while unraveling the secrets of her extraordinary abilities.

Hart's writing is a true highlight of Weyward. Her lyrical and evocative prose effortlessly transports readers into the enchanting realm she has created. Through her vivid descriptions and compelling characters, Hart explores themes of self-discovery, family bonds, and the intersection of magic and humanity. The protagonist's journey of self-acceptance and growth is beautifully portrayed, making it easy for readers to empathize with her struggles and triumphs.

Weyward is a captivating blend of fantasy and coming-of-age, offering a fresh and unique perspective on the genre. Emilia Hart's storytelling prowess is evident throughout the book, as she crafts a narrative that is both spellbinding and emotionally resonant. This debut novel is a testament to Hart's talent and leaves readers eagerly anticipating her future works. Weyward is a must-read for fans of fantasy and anyone seeking a rich, immersive tale of magic and self-discovery.

5 of 5 stars
Pub Date: 07 Mar 2023
#netgalley #weyward

In a truly impressive novel – even more so considering it’s a debut – Emilia Hart has woven the stories of three women from three very different times into a tapestry of resilience and hope.

Kate, in 2019, finds a sudden inheritance may hand her the opportunity she needed to finally break free of her abusive boyfriend.

Violet, a teenager in 1942, learns the story of the mother she never knew, and learns she may not be the disappointment her father has always made very clear he sees her as.

And finally Altha, all the way back in the 1600s, must defend herself from accusations of witchcraft, even as she faces a world not ready to accept women as independent.

These women will make their way through the trials that face them – some of those literal, all of them truly testing – with courage, determination, and a dawning realization of their own strengths and abilities. Emilia Hart has done an impressive job, making each woman a distinct individual, while allowing them to share enough common ground to pull their stories into a cohesive novel overall.

There were elements of magical realism here, too – to different degrees in each story thread, but very present and worked in naturally with the more grounded elements of the story. There’s parts that would have been too harrowing without those hopeful magical touches – these women do have to live through some awful events, but the promise of their unusual abilities keeps the story from sinking too deep into that darkness.

Overall a very enjoyable debut, and one that has me excited for more from this author.

At first this took a bit to get into, having to follow different characters on different timelines. But once it got into the story, it all flowed seamlessly.

With strong female characters and all the Witchy vibes, this book was beautifully written. What a wonderful debut.

The narration style and overall atmosphere was very reminiscent of The Lost Apothecary, of which I’m a fan. While a gorgeous exploration of women and their connection to nature, some characters fell a little flat and into categories that are black and white with little gray. Nonetheless, a bewitching and vivid story from a promising writer. Excited to see what Hart does next!

I DEVOURED this book. Listening to the audio, I could not stop. I listened all day and didn’t want it to end.

Weyward is about a family line of witches, women that lose their knowledge and link to their power and past through (of course) the selfishness and violence of men. We come to know Altha a fierce friend being tried for witchcraft; Violet an aspiring botanist and entomologist who has been confined to her family estate her entire life and is just beginning to search for the reasons why; and Kate, finding the courage to escape her abusive husband by running away to the cottage left to her by her estranged great aunt.

I loved all these characters and the way their stories entwine. I love how they grapple with their own abilities and when to attempt to intervene, I love how much this novel had that push and pull of duty and desire, a deep calling and the resistance to it, and ultimately how trauma is generational, yes—but, so is power. So is magic. So is the deep knowledge inside us that will come to light despite suppression.

Ahhhh just loved this book and loved how it ended. It awakened something in me—maybe it will for you too.

This was more of a 4.5 star read for me but would have been a five star read for me, but that it did feel a bit repetitive at times. I’m ok with that though, sadly some of the worst things have a way of being repeated generation to generation.

Thanks for the review copy. The writing was great but I couldn’t really connect with the characters. I’m sure other people will enjoy this one more than I did.

I liked all the voices i read, and how they wove around and affected each other. This books reminds me of what women have always and sometimes seems like, we'll always have to go through but we always remain strong.

Weyward is a debut fantasy multi-generational fable by Emilia Hart. Released 7th March 2023 by Macmillan on their St. Martin's Press imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out from the same publisher in first quarter 2024. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a beautifully written paranormal historical novel told in three timelines and three women in the same familial line. The story itself is compelling and richly interwoven with flashbacks, journals, and visions. All of the women are gifted with psychic, healing, and wild natural gifts which, when used, run afoul of the local populace for witchcraft, at peril for their lives.

For sensitive readers, there are numerous descriptions of sexual assault, abuse, psychological torture, and murder. There are frank discussions of miscarriage and fairly graphic passages discussing pregnancy loss and miscarriage and trauma.

Four stars, with the strong codicil that although it's beautifully written, there are parts which will likely be difficult to read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I had to dnf this at like 25% which I know puts me in the minority for people that really love this book. I think unfortunately the content of this book was a little too triggering for me and I didn't feel like I was in a headspace to finish it. However, if the trigger warnings seem okay with you I would trust the numerous other reviews of people loving this book!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was right up my alley. Its hard to do multiple perspectives and timelines and do it well, and it's even harder to do it with two perspectives in third person and one in first person. Hart nailed it. The prose is absolutely beautiful, and there were several moments that left me sitting there reading a description a few more times to really absorb it.

Hart has perfected the art of changing perspectives at just the right time so it keeps you reading. From about 30% in, I couldn't put this down.

I found this story to be unputdownable. I loved all of the characters and house each timeline wove together. I can’t wait to read more from this author.