Weyward: A Novel

Beautiful fiction combined with fantasy. Excellent story that has no faults. This one showed me what I really like in fantasy genre - perfectly written with bits of suspense around main characters, mixed with realism and vibes that only the author of this book knows how to create it. It was delight to read, story is easy to follow and all details of it were just perfectly done. Everything was so vivid and I loved the description of surroundings, nature, the cottage, and circumstances. Book touches on so many important topics that it whole could be highlighted if You like to take notes. I surely do, and I loved reading this one. I'm looking forward to more stories from this author and can't wait to get the next one.

Interesting book. Shows women’s resilience. Their strengths and challenges. Witchcraft and pregnancy norms. Writing was very well done and kept my interest.

I loved this book. The three women’s lives were masterfully intertwined. I was a bit taken aback, maybe, by some of the language from Violet’s childhood. I believe it was set in 1942, but the language, word choice, and traditions seemed more like turn-of-the-century than almost mid-century. However, I was able to suspend my disbelief by considering the locale. Maybe 1942 England held a more provincial attitude than 1942 America? I’m ok with that. Was some of it predictable? Was it a retelling of much of witch folklore? Was it written as a vehicle to extol the strengths women share? Of course, but in this rare case, the stories were so well-written, that didn’t bother me. None of the smaller parts overshadowed the beauty of the prose, the vivid imagery depicted in the descriptions, the interplay among the characters. Well done, Emilia Hart!

"Unusual women have always been deemed dangerous."The story opens in 1619 with Althea accused of causing the death of a local farmer when the mans own cows stampeded him to death. She is in jail, awaiting her trial. In 1942 Violet is living with her father and brother in the family's run-down estate. She is forced to behave and follow conventional ways for women of the time. Her father ignores her and emotionally abuses her. He wants to marry her off. Kate has been caught up in an abusive relationship for years. He has alienated all of her friends and family. She is desperate to get away but is afraid. She decides to escape to her late great-aunt's "Weyward Cottage”. Although it is nothing but a run down hovel, it can provide her the safety she needs.This, then, is the tale of the Weyward women connected through their similar bonds with nature "that bonded... tightly with the natural world and across centuries”. The stories of the lives of these 3 extraordinary women over 5 centuries are superbly woven together in a captivating tale that is beautifully written and all engrossing. It is a wonderful combinationof magical realism and historical fiction. A story of female resilience and of the healing and transformative power of the natural world. A unique story, I could not put it down. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“Sight is a funny thing. Sometimes it shows us what is before our eyes. But sometimes it shows us what has already happened, or will yet come to pass."

This was a good read into the connections both visible and invisibleE that woman share with each other. It also brings into focus the power woman have due to their connections with natural forces of life.The book was entertaining and thought provoking. A good , light read.

3 stories of 3 Weyward women from 3 separate times in history. They have magic in their veins, speaking to bugs and birds, even plants. But they flit on the outside of society, their odd ways making them other and different.I enjoyed this novel and the lives of each women, who were similar despite the differences in how women were treated in their time period. Each woman is painted in vivid detail and my sympathies were stirred for all three making me want to read on to hear their stories.The tone is definitely dark though. I don’t necessarily mind dark, bc that can be so interesting but I don’t love how sad they all were! They found their power and voice in each story which is wonderful but they still seemed so lonely and unhappy in their separation from the world, so I couldn’t really celebrate their power and praise their female strength. I’m glad they needed no one, but who is really happy that way?Also, I really don’t like it when books rocket back and forth among several stories really quickly. I don’t mind having multiple stories but I want to spend a good chunk of time with each before switching POV or I get really annoyed. You sink your teeth in and get invested and a few pages later, you are dragged to a different world. I wanted more continuity so I could settle in and read!Overall, it’s a good book, rich and interesting, but not one of my favorites.

I couldn’t put this book down once I got started. The stories within and the way they are written are fascinating, heartbreaking and heartwarming. So much girl power without being crazy and in your face. A define must read!

I was enthralled with this book from the beginning. It was so captivating and so interesting!However, there were a few times I nearly had to put it down. And not continue. The triggers were fairly detailed. And it made me uncomfortable.However, I kept reading, because ultimately it is a beautiful story of coming into oneself and learning to love yourself and be strong.It was interesting to have different perspectives. Especially how they were all written in different tense or 1st/3rd person.The situation Kate lived in, gave me flashbacks to things I went through with an ex. It was sad and brought up a bunch of stuff but it was rewarding to see her heal.Triggers involved are - r@pe, SA, abuse, abort!on

I was initially hesitant about reading this book. So many novels set in multiple periods are just not compelling. However, reviews for Weyward were consistently positive and the Kirkus Review had me at “Thoughtful and at times harrowing, this novel is a successful blend of historical fiction and modern feminism.”Ultimately, I absorbed ‘Weyward’ from cover to cover. The three storylines could each be a stand-alone book. They were well written, the main and supporting characters interesting, and flawlessly developed.Kate (2019), Altha (1619) and Violet (1942) are socially isolated by suspicion, bad decisions and insecure men. Gradually, though, each will come into their power as a woman and healer while continuing to endure the mistrust of those around them.History has long revealed both men and women whose relationship with nature and the healing arts was unusual. Their skills were often branded as witchcraft, giving them a tinge of evil. The one certainty, unchanged over the centuries, is that possessing certain powers puts that person in a vulnerable position. Altha, Violet and Kate were forced to base their actions and decisions on that very vulnerability.Emilia Hart interweaves the three stories into an intelligent and heartfelt piece of fiction. The endings were devoid of the usual saccharine happy ever after but are more than satisfactory and real. This is a book to be both analysed and enjoyed.

It arrived very fast. It's hard cover but not as heavy as i feared which is nice. The dust jacket feels a little weird to the touch (i guess because it's plastic) but the shiny details of the bugs and the title are lovely. Can't wait to read it.

O livro é lindo, mas ainda não li.

Ein wunderbares Buch, ich kann es nur weiterempfehlen

Atmospheric writing with lush descriptions and strong appreciation of nature. It's an empowerment towards oppressed women and a message to always stand on your own two feet and continue, against all odds.A slight, short rut in the middle of the book, repeating over and over the same questions. But nonetheless well-paced and a thoroughly enjoyable book.4 and a half stars