I received a free copy of the eARC from NetGalley, and devoured in a couple of sittings. The three main characters really caught my attention and investment early on, and I was on tenterhooks on how things would progress in their respective histories. The characters were strong, likeable and interesting women who were caught up in circumstances beyond control, all at the mercy of controls established by men in different timescales.

I really enjoyed how the author nicely wrapped up the queries/mysteries that cropped up as the book progressed, though felt that the fate of the antagonist in Kate’s story could have benefited with a bit more content. Great debut, looking forward to the next book!

Tw: rape, assault, miscarriage, domestic violence

Gripping, beautifully descriptive and sometimes uncomfortable, I read it in one sitting.

Weyward follows three generations of women with an extraordinary connection to nature. The novel is told from each of their points of view and the time jumps are masterfully woven together. I found the changes in tense between the POVs a little jarring, particularly Kate's being told in the present tense. However, as the book went on, it became clear this was a deliberate stylistic choice and increased the tension to an almost unbearable level.

I enjoyed the descriptive language around the witchcraft; it brought it to life in a hugely believable way by using everyday sights and sounds of nature and amplifying them. Despite arguably being a fantasy/magic themed book, the plot is rooted in everyday trauma and human experiences. I saw some of the twists coming but the pacing meant I was on edge waiting for it to happen to the point where I had almost started to think I was wrong and relax, which made it more of a gut punch when it finally happened. A stunning debut, I look forward to reading more from Emilia Hart.

Weyward’s eerie, spooky atmosphere is very reminiscent of Collins’s ‘the Binding’, and the characters remind me a little of those from Beautiful Creatures, covering a hole and beginning to fill it. The book was more dynamic than Bridget Collins’, which I quite appreciated, although the action built and really climaxed in the last 100 pages, something I often find happens with début authors. However in this case, it really helped bump the rating up. I also found it very satisfying to see all the timelines merge as the characters came together.

Although I rounded my rating up due to the character development and action in the latter half of the book, there were still some inconsistencies in the story and slight mishaps in grammar in general that haltered me giving it a higher rating, but as this is still an early copy I’m sure these will get ironed out soon! It also slightly annoyed me slightly that the actions of the three female protagonists were all shaped by men, although I believe the point of this was to critique toxic masculinity and misogyny experienced by women in all periods of time.

Overall, this was a really good read, and another great addition to my Autumnal reads pile! As mentioned, I definitely recommend this to fans of the atmosphere of ‘the Binding’ and characters of ‘Beautiful Creatures’, but with a more feminist cast!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for sending me an early copy in exchange for an honest review!

My goodness what a book - it completely blew me away! Without a doubt one of my favourite reads of 2022 - such a clever concept and what talent to weave the very different lives of these three women together in one powerful, emotive and thrilling novel. You have left me speechless.

A brilliant tale of three women from the same ancestral line told across five centuries. They all have a great affinity with nature that seems to be as essential to them as oxygen, a gift that others are frightened of. Despite living centuries apart, each of them face the controlling power of men as they journey to find their power, their identity and hold onto their family legacy, even at risk of death.

I really enjoyed this book. I found the movement between centuries to be really well done. There are plenty of books which, in my opinion, have not achieved this well and I’ve been keen to get back to a particular story line. The balance between characters felt right and I came to love each of them in turn. I particularly loved the connection between the women and the thread of female power being passed on through the generations.

Heads up - this book does touch on abuse (verbal, physical, emotion and sexual) abortion and child loss. Whilst I think it is necessary to story and isn’t described at enormous length, I recognise that it will be a trigger for some.

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

I really liked "Weyward" by Emilia Hart. It brings together three Weyward (family) women in different time periods: Altha accused of witchcraft in the 1600s, Violet who learns how to deal with a difficult change in family circumstance in the 1940s and Kate who flees from her abusive partner in the near-present day. A fine balance of witchcraft and those who stand in the way of these women. Will be on the look out for the next book by Emilia Hart.

I loved this book!
I think this will be a favourite of many when it is published.
The story was incredible and the characters and the writing was amazing.
I absolutely recommend this to everyone!
I found it a bit slow in places which is why I am giving it 4 instead of 5 stars.

An interesting mix of stories from three generations of women from the same family. Their magical gift of healing bringing them into conflict with the world around. Sadly all the males are abusive. Gender stereotyping took away some of my enjoyment of the story. I do not want my granddaughters growing up to think all males are controlling and abusive.

I was offered this novel as an ARC via NetGalley. It is an interesting novel, written from the perspective of three generations of women. It is unusual in that Altha's sections are written in first person and the other two in third. The characters are complex and engaging but the reader should probably be aware that there is a strong theme of domestic violence running through the whole novel.

What a superb book. Well written, engaging the reader from the start. Author wise, it is a Barbara Erskin meets Stacey Halls amalgamation. Set in 1600’s. 1930’s and current day offering a wide scope for mindsets and attitudes towards women.

This is the first book I have read from this author and won’t be the last!

Three women, three timelines and their stories interwoven revealing a thread of abuse, feminism, nature, witchcraft and ultimately power. I felt connected to each of them in equal measure and that is a testament to the quality of the writing and depth of character achieved. Hart maintains a deftness and pace that ensures it is a page turner while creating three distinct worlds and voices that seamlessly move together yet separately. It is all at once magical, realistic, thought provoking and ultimately empowering. Hard to believe its a debut!

Kate flees London and her abusive partner by moving into a cottage willed to her by a great-aunt. It's here that she frees herself from the life she fell into and recreates her own. She is helped along by the two other protagonists, her Aunt Violet and her ancestor, Altha, from the 17th century. Each of them has a story but there are parallels in their lives and it's through understanding her ancestors that Kate is able to be true to herself for the first time in years.

Much of the book is about women who have been ostracised, either by society or by individuals. Altha is thought to be a witch because she is good with herbs. Violet is the daughter of another who was not accepted and grows up an outsider despite having been confined to her home all her life. Kate has allowed her partner to coerce and control her to such a degree that she must break away from him and the life he has created for her.

Within these stories, there's a bit of magic that moves things along, sometimes to great advantage. It's all a matter of discovering one's abilities and making the best of use of them. Each of the three women develops within her own story and it's interesting to see where each is led by what she learns. I mostly liked this book but I do ponder the generations between Altha and Violet due to the huge gap. I realise it's impossible to cover all of them but they seem to be quite hidden away from the history of these women. Still, it's quite a joy to read about each of them and see how they make something of themselves.

Overall, I give this four stars. I would like to thank Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for giving me an advanced reader copy with no obligation. I have provide this review voluntarily.

I loved this multi layer story spanning four hundred years, telling the story of 3 women in different generations in the same family and how they used their own innate powers to survive and enact revenge on the men that hurt them and others.

A very powerful, moving read, with the most beautiful, lyrical description of nature and buildings.

Loved this one!

I saw a lot of talk about this book on social media before I requested it and DO believe the hype!

A beautifully tense story full of twists and turns. The atmosphere and prose were absolutely addictive! Believe me when I say that I sought out every opportunity to read this book, even on the loo!

The main character Kate, is so well developed and I enjoyed following her thoughts as she tries to escape an abusive relationship.

A very satisfactory ended too. Highly recommend.

This is an absorbing blend of historical fiction and women’s fiction. It is about three related women separated by decades or even centuries and their individual battles to escape the shackles of their gender and find their strength. Kate is the modern-day character who leaves her abusive partner and hides out in a house inherited from her great-aunt. Violet is the great-aunt who longed to be a scientist but was pushed into a more traditional woman’s role. Their ancestor, Altha, was a naturalist and tried for witchcraft in the 17th century. All three women’s stories are told in alternating chapters and highlight their similarities, both in their connection to the natural world and in the abuse suffered at the hands of men and their struggles to empower themselves.

Witchcraft through 3 different centuries told by 3 different women, this is intriguing, enchanting and compulsive reading. I hope this novel inspires more writers to pen in this style the composition reads well. I really liked it a lot.

Beautifully written, engaging and evocative, this was a joy to read. I raced through it and was utterly absorbed by the characters and the interwoven narrative threads.

A beautifully tense story full of twists and turns. The atmosphere was absolutely addictive, and tense throughout and I especially liked the intensity of Kate's character and her thoughts as she tries to escape an abusive relationship. The threads of the story came together very nicely Would highly recommend.

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE READS OF THE YEAR. This has to be one of the best debut novels I've ever read. It has something for everyone. I love the multiple POV's and timelines, generational trauma, relationships (familial, plantonic and romantic), and the magical elements of the story. The depictions of nature and the Weyward cottage in particular are so beautiful.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this story weave together; you can definitely tell that the plot was so well thought out before reading.

I am looking forward to getting my hands on a physical copy of this book in 2023 and cannot wait to read more from Hart.

Thanks: Received from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Saga about Weyward women, weird, wise, healing women, women who were declared as witches in our past.

The story starts at 17. Century with Altha, who is accused as a murderer and a witch, continues with Violet, an entomologist, and Kate, the modern woman of today, yet abused by her husband, who escapes from him to Cumbria, where she inherited a little cottage from her great aunt Violet.

Can Kate finds herself again, connects with her ancestors, and reveal all the secrets that suffocate her family for so long?

It is a story about emancipation, empowerment, and raising women's awareness. It also describes the violence of men against women and ignorance of times that didn't respect the healing power of nature and balance of duality in the world.

Beautifully written, the novel is poetic and an ode to nature and love.