I’m sorry to say that after listening to about 5 chapters I couldn’t continue and decided to DNF the audiobook.

The story just couldn’t grab my attention and I felt bored while listening. I know some people who absolutely love this book and the premise is intriguing but for me I was just not pulled into the story like I would’ve been at the beginning of a story.

This is a beautifully atmospheric and empowering novel that intertwines the lives of three generations of women connected by secrets, resilience, and a deep bond with nature. The narrative shifts between Altha, persecuted as a witch in 1619; Violet, trapped in the confines of 1942 societal expectations; and Kate, seeking refuge from an abusive relationship in the present day. Hart’s writing is lush and evocative, capturing both the brutality and beauty of the natural world, but the frequent references to spiders felt overused and, at times, unsettling—distracting from the story’s otherwise mesmerizing qualities. Despite this, Weyward is a spellbinding tale of strength, healing, and reclaiming one’s power, leaving a lasting impression as a celebration of feminine resilience and the magic found in nature.

*Weyward* by Emilia Hart is a beautifully atmospheric and haunting novel that intertwines themes of family, magic, and resilience across generations. The story follows three women—Katherine, who is accused of witchcraft in 1619; her descendant, Altha, who lives in a secluded cottage in the present day; and another woman named Violet, whose path connects them all. Hart’s prose is lyrical and evocative, creating a richly immersive world that blends historical fiction with elements of magical realism. The women’s struggles for autonomy and empowerment resonate deeply, making *Weyward* both a captivating and thought-provoking read. Fans of historical fiction with strong, complex female characters will find this novel mesmerizing.

This was better than expected. If you like a feminist twist on a witchy fake was this is it! Plus I love the crow on the cover

Even though the content was original and stood out from anything I've come across, it didn't completely resonate with my taste. I acknowledge that individuals who value sarcasm would likely find it engaging and relatable.

The story spans three eras and chronicles the atrocities committed on three women by men. The book had a lot of disturbing and difficult-to-read material, and I was one of the few people who thought it was uninteresting and confronting. There is a lot of male abuse and oppression of women in this novel, as well as r*pe, sexual assault, domestic violence, pregnancy, loss, miscarriage, abortion, stillbirth, and more. Since actual abused women do not find salvation and protection from magical components, the magical realism subverts any "empowering" tone. The reader feels uneasy with the emphasis on women as mere carriers of genetic material. Although it has received great reviews, I was ultimately unsatisfied with the book.

Thank you to @netgalley for this ARC for an honest review.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* I have wanted to read this book for so long and don't know why it took me so long to get to it but i loved it! would recommend and buy for sure, This is exactly the type of book/story i love to read!

This book made me feel uncomfortable yet also bored. How is that possible? Some parts were good but they don't outweigh my overall dislike of the story. I usually love witchy books but this one felt like it had a victim complex? I don't know, it's hard to describe.

I’ve seen SO MANY amazing reviews for Weyward. And then it was a finalist for BOTM BOTY. I’ve given it several tries but it’s just not for me. I think I’m just not a magical element girlie. It’s me, not you. 🤷🏻‍♀️

If there were ever a book to label spell-binding, this would be the one! Mystery meets magic in this story highlighting resiliency, introspection, and adventure between three women across four centuries. I thought Emilia did a great job with world building, especially considering the fact that this is a debut novel. Kate, Violet and Altha must all face their inner demons while deeply immersed in nature, which I is a message we can all get behind - go on a walk, go touch grass, you'll feel better I promise! The feminist undertones will also get you, offering Weyward cottage as a safe haven from overbearing men. This is a place where women are safe to explore girlhood! Also, the cover art is STUNNING!!!! (I bought a physical copy of this book because I simply had to have it on my shelf!)

Hard subject. The conjugal violence. Sometimes I felt like I was choking sometimes with the characters. The multiple years appart, the love, the hate, the magical power. I love it to much that could stop myself from buying the book. I think that the choice of word, the ambiance and the period chosen made the story more reflective.

The conjugal violence was sometimes a bit much. I had some major flashback. I knew it wasn't my situation, but when she was in the attic... I got chills all over again. Her baby, her life...

This was great! It had elements of Alice Hoffman, with the focus shifting between 3 generations of woman who are witches and how each find their voice and strength to live their life on their own terms.

So this book is told from 3 points of view. 3 different generations dealing with basically horrible men. They have a magically ability that is hard to understand that is used in some way to save them all. It wasn't a bad book just boring. I did enjoy the writing and the narrator was very good. The story was just very predictable and felt to long.

I love a book told from different points of view and also from different time periods. I loved Violet's story the best and was happy that was the main focus. The narrator did a great job and I would have given it 5 starts except for the end. I really did not like the attic scene and felt the ending of that storyline was rushed.

Wow. Wow wow wow. I rarely give 5 stars, but this one was just that good. I could not put this one down. The three storylines centered on witchery and the strength of maternal blood lines was so well-done. One of my fav reads this year.

3.75 stars, rounded up.

I really enjoyed this one! This was an enjoyable witchy, gothic, historical fiction with just a touch of magic. It was the perfect October read, giving some Halloween vibes.

I loved the multiple time lines and multiple POVs. I thought all of the main characters were developed well, I was rooting for all three of them!

I'm really glad I listened to the audiobook, the narrators did a great job! I was kind of surprised the three main characters didn't have their own narrators (there was one female and one male narrator), but the narrator did a great job distinguishing between the three.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this book. I’ve always enjoyed books with witches. I especially am interested in witches that went through trials.

I liked the characters and their storylines. I liked the way the author brought everything together in the end. A very enjoyable read!

I really liked the narrators. They emoted well and brought the characters to life.

Weyward by Emilia Hart is a very strong debut – a wonderful mix of historical fiction and magical realism.

Written about three women from three different time periods, Weyward threads together the lives of Violet, Altha, and Kate in an immersive and compelling way. These women are endearing characters who all experience upheaval due to ingrained patriarchal values. All three are easy characters to root for, and their resilience works to ensure their survival.

Weyward cottage offers the perfect setting which links these women across centuries. Hart’s writing style was atmospheric, captivating, and suspenseful. Weyward is an excellent witchy and gothic read. I am very excited to follow Hart’s career in the future!

Thank you, NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Emilia Hart for this ARC of Weyward.

Weyward is a story about three Weyward women in different eras. Altha, in 1619, a young woman accused of witchcraft. Violet, in 1942, a young woman on the verge of adulthood. Kate, in 2019, a married, pregnant twenty-something fleeing from an abusive marriage. Though they don't personally interact, they are aware of each other's stories and find strength from the previous generation.

Weyward women have a deep connection to the natural world when they accept and embrace it. I found each story fascinating in its own right. There are heavy themes of abuse, but they find strength in their lineage. The different generations of women learn to come into their power through their travails. It was a little hard to connect with each character, but the writing was beautiful and the stories intriguing. Each perspective was perfectly narrated by Aysha Kala, Helen Keeley, and Nell Barlow.

Thank you to the publishers for providing this ebook and audiobook ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Three women in different time periods who like nature are treated horribly by men. That's it, that's the book. Also, a lot of triggering content coming at readers from all sides: sexual assault, domestic violence, pregnancy loss, suicidal ideation and a lot of uncomfortable situations and I couldn't see how exactly they played into the story.