I don't tend to read a lot of books billed as "gothic" because I find them gloomy (I know, they're supposed to be that way) and even sometimes formulaic. I wanted to be excited by this one because I do love magical realism books. I especially loved the cover. It was perfect and portrays what the book is about, in part.

I love dual-timeline books, and this one was a triple-timeline. I was really excited about that. Different generations of the same family in different time periods.

I really wanted to love it, but it just felt like nothing happened in the book. Of course it did, a lot of things happened! I was just never really excited about much of it, and guessed part of the last third of the book. I wasn't really rooting for Kate. I finished the book mostly to get over it. It cements for me that I have to be more careful with "gothic" books. That being said, if the author were to write a book that was a different genre, I'd happily read it.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are mine and freely given.
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THis books weaves the stories of three women. They are all Weyward's yet they don't know each other. This spans across decades and they all experience many things the same. It was a great story.

Weyward tried to be a lot of different things (historical fiction, magical realism, multi-generational, different point of views), but in my opinion, it didn't do anything super well. I really enjoyed the writing style, but I wanted more explanation around the natural "powers" that these women had. I needed more clarification behind what the point of the story was -- was this a story about three women who dealt with rough times or was it about three women who could use nature and animals to their will? If you're a fan of "The Lost Apothecary," I'd give this one a try!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for an advanced ebook in exchange for an honest review!

This is a really beautifully written story spanning across three generations of women. The story tells the tale of three women and their deep connection to the natural world. There women are relatable - they are strong, yet they are vulnerable and at the end of the day they all face the struggle of the fight against the patriarchy.

This book grabbed me and kept me entranced from beginning to end! I loved how the 3 timeframes/storylines intersected and related to each other. I connected with all three main characters in different ways, and wished I had their affinity toward nature and magic. I rooted for Altha, I hoped the best for Kate, and I wanted to be Violet! I was gifted an eArc of this book from Netgalley, but I will be buying a physical copy to keep on my shelves forever. I loved this book!

well I finished it 😂 i can see the hype if you like historical fiction/general fiction but as someone who needs something(Romance/mystery/suspense/anything lol) to get and keep me engaged this didn’t really do it for me. But that really is just a me issue with the genre. the shifting pov/timelines ever chapter made it especially hard to get it into, I would’ve preferred a couple chapters a piece before shifting or something different. By the end they had drawn me all in I just wish things had picked up quicker.

Weyward is the tale of three women. Altha is in danger of being executed for witchcraft. Violet, several generations later, is in the control of her cold, unloving father. Kate is.a modern woman in an abusive relationship. All three are from the Weyward family and as such have powers over nature but only Altha is aware of her own gifts. The novel goes back and forth between their timelines. It is one of the first timeline switch novels that I have read that I loved all the stories and was regretful at each switch! Three women coming into their own with some magic at their fingertips. Great read!

The story of the Weywards is a journey through history. There is a recurring theme from the first character, a victim of the witchcraft trials in Europe to a young woman living through World War II, and a modern descendant searching for answers about her own powers as she flees a controlling lover, "Weyward" is a a tapestry of
unlocked powers that each woman discovers as she reacts to her own challenges. Historical elements blended with magic and some not so nice male antagonists in each generation enliven this story and had me cheering on the Weyward women as they found their power to overcome the evil in their worlds.

Weyward tells the story of 3 women over multiple generations and the significance of Weyward cottage to all of them. In 2019, Kate flees to Weyward Cottage to escape her abusive partner. In 1942, Violet is trapped in her family home because of societal convention. In 1619, Altha is on trial for murder and using witchcraft. I devoured this book in one sitting because I needed to see the outcome of these 3 women. Each of their POVs were equally interesting and there was not a time when I preferred reading one over the other. I think that is why I could not put this book down. I also really enjoyed the way witches were portrayed. Instead of casting spells and making potions, power comes from nature and is most used for healing. This story shows women defeating the men who believed themselves to be superior to these powerful women. It was satisfying to see especially when the men were terrible people. I was surprised that this is the author's debut novel because the story was intriguing and the writing was great. I am excited to see what she comes up with next!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a review!

No big secret that I love books about witches and magical realism is my jam. So getting a copy of Weyward from NetGalley was a happy day for me!

The story is written in three timelines, and normally time hopping is not a problem for me. However, in this book, I could palpably feel the difference in my enjoyment based on which timeline I was currently reading.

I think I liked Violet's stary best of all, but I wish they had spent more time on her adulthood, and how she became the woman that left the cottage to a niece who doesn't even remember her. I felt like that part of the story could have been explored.

I absolutely despised Violet's cousin, but in some ways her dad was even worse. He actually encouraged her cousin, and then punished her for the transgression later. It always kills me to read about how women were treated during that time.

But her brother was a good man. I truly with we had learned more about how he and Violet continued to grow up without their father's help.

Interestingly, the current time period was the least interesting part of the book for me. Kate didn’t seem like she could come from the same bloodline as Altha and Violet. They both broke barriers in times when doing so was dangerous. They used their knowledge to help other women, and to help themselves to break free from the choking hold men in their lives have over the women of their time.

The story was good and kept me interested, but Kate’s portion of the story didn’t really pick up any steam until the end.

My rating 4 stars!

✨ Review ✨ Weyward by Emilia Hart

When I first saw this cover MONTHS ago, I knew that this was going to be a book that I would love. I'm obsessed with its intertwining POVs across time, its short chapters, and just its overall nature-witchy vibe.

The book tracks three characters -- Kate in contemporary times, Violet in the 1940s, and Altha in the 1610s -- all in a rural area of the UK. Each of the women faces abusive men and systems of power that constrict their actions; and each has a deep connection to plants, birds, insects, and the nature that surrounds them. As the author interweaves their stories, we learn of female strength and power that draws from nature.

A brilliant story of familial connection across generations and female power and the dangers they face from that power. Such an enjoyable read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
Genre: historical fiction, magical realism
Setting: rural UK 1619-ish, 1940s, present time
Reminds me of: The Change meets T. Kingfisher's A House with Good Bones
Pub Date: out now

Read this if you like:
⭕️ short chapters
⭕️ women's stories across time
⭕️ nature + witchy magic

Thanks to St. Martin's Press, MacMillan Audio and #netgalley for advanced e-copies of this book!

4.5 stars

This is a multi-generational tale of three women who persevered despite the abuse and oppression they endured.

Kate Ayres escaped her abusive husband and found sanctuary in a cottage left to her by her late Aunt Violet - Weyward Cottage. While there, she learned of the legacy left behind by the incredible women in her family.

In 1942, Violet Ayres lived a secluded life in her family’s estate, but she longed to explore beyond the confines of their property and to receive an education like her brother. After her father denounced her for bringing shame to her family, she was cast out from her home and kept hidden in her late-mother’s cottage where she was left to fend for herself. But her mother too had been cast out and was rumored to have gone mad before she died. Would Violet succumb to the same dismal outcome?

In 1619, Althea Weyward was put on trial for the death of a local man and accused of witchcraft. But like her mother, she was a healer with a deep connection to nature. Women possessing powers that others cannot understand have always been deemed dangerous, but were Althea’s intentions sinister or meant to help another?

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. It was the perfect blend of mystical realism and female empowerment, with characters who embodied these traits so well. I felt the story fizzled out a little toward the end, but as a whole, the book was definitely worth reading. I look forward to reading more from Emilia Hart!

*Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing a copy of this book to review.*

I loved this book and the power of women it depicted. Witchcraft through three generations of women abused in some way are the narrators. Suspense is built and mysteries keep the pages turning. Strong characters have been created. Definitely an author to watch.

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

Three stories of women spanning across five centuries, at arguably their lowest points, alternating into a beautifully written tapestry, a testament to their resilience as Weywards and as women.

Kate in 2019, fleeing her abusive husband for the cottage her great-aunt inexplicably left to her after passing. At first the embodiment of memory that has plagued her since childhood, the cottage eventually reveals more about her family, and herself, than Kate ever anticipated.

Altha in 1619, suspected of witchcraft, awaiting trial for the murder of a local man who was trampled by his cows. An unusual woman by birth, she and her mother used their nature-oriented gifts to heal their village for decades, only to forever live under suspicion and in semi-isolation.

Violet in 1942, longing to spend her time immersed in nature, caged to be “a lady”. For better or worse, she unknowingly, then deliberately, follows in her mother’s footsteps.

These three women are all moments in a long line of Weywards - strong, resilient women who derive their power from the earth and its offspring. A collection of women who have been consistently wronged by men, seen as objects and vessels to be dominated, rather than the wild, awe-inspiring creatures they prove to be.

As a woman who has been wronged by men in one way or another, I found this novel to be both relatable and empowering. I’ve seen some reviews on Amazon saying that they feel the narrative of all men being abusive is tired, and I suppose I can see that. However, the book isn’t saying that ALL men are abusive monsters, but the men that wronged these three women do indeed belong in that category. There are men in the novel that aren’t horrible people, but unfortunately a great deal of women have had abusive encounters with men, so let’s stop with the “not all men” nonsense. If you’re upset about a few men being portrayed as the villains, then this book is simply not for you.

Overall, I loved this book and would definitely recommend it. I finished this longing to be part of the nature-centric world that all three women end up inhabiting and envying their confidence in living a life on their own and for themselves. If you’d like to come out of a book a little more healed and a little more inspired, definitely pick this up.

Please be warned that there are mentions and depictions of abuse, sexual assault, and rape.

I was given access to this title courtesy of NetGalley and St. Marin’s Press. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars

Weyward has a gothic feminist witch vibes. It follows 3 women across 5 generations and their struggles and how
they Learn to harness their power and strength. This is a VERY HEAVY BOOK so check TW.

Despite the heavy nature i enjoyed this book. I identified with the women’s love and pull toward nature. Each POV brought something new and enthralling. I found myself getting sucked in by the mysterious letters the two younger generations found from the older generations. Such a great reminder of the impact we can have in young generations.

I absolutely loved the cover of this book when I first requested it. After having just finished reading it, it has also become probably one of my favorite books this year. I absolutely loved connecting with the characters and having empathy for each of them, particularly Altha. This book was beautifully written, and very atmospheric. If you are a lover of nature, don’t hesitate to read this. Also, if you love books about the strength and union hood of women, this is a great book for you to read. I love the different timelines, and I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a little bit of historical fiction, drama, a bit of magic, and a beautifully written novel. I look forward to many more books by this author!

Three Weyward women: Altha in the 1600s, Violet in the 1940s, and Kate in present day. All three share an affinity with the natural world and find both solace and power there. All three have been taken advantage by the men in their lives. All three will find refuge in Weyward Cottage.

This sterling effort from a debut novelist skillfully juggles three storylines in three time periods. The author avoids the trap of making one storyline more interesting or prevalent. I found myself eager to hear the story of each character as the story jumps from one character to other. There is almost a gothic foreboding that`penetrates the story.

I enjoyed seeing how each character's story developed. There were not exactly happy endings, but there were hopeful ones. I was very impressed that this was the author's first novel.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Emilia Hart, and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this ARC.

Weyward tells the story of three women of Weyward family, across several generations, how their lives share similarities and their strength and resilience continued to be the legacy.

Weyward reminded me of several books I've read (The Change, Hour of the Witch, The Mercies for example), and will definitely recommend it to those who enjoy these. Nothing really new nor shocking in the book, but I enjoyed Emilia Hart's writing and how the stories of three women came together at the end.

I can't help but wish that instead of Snow White and other fairy tale princesses, we should let kids read about strong princesses who can command nature to kill villains or I guess men, in most cases, and live happily ever after with her and herself.

4.3 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the stitching together of generations in this book. Each of the three timelines was equally interesting, which is rarely the case with multiple timelines. And though all the women have similar themes of happenings in their lives, they had very distinct personalities, so I didn't get lost in the story. It just made me so sad that the present day woman was still struggling with similar things as her ancestors...

Great page turner.! I found myself waiting to know more about the characters & what will happen next. Will recommend to others.