Name: Michelle Miller's review of Weyward by Emilia Hart
Item: Weyward
Rating: 3
Author: Michelle Miller

Emilia Hart

A Novel

Weyward

Lindsay

The connections between and among women are the most feared, the most problematic, and the most potentially transforming force on the planet.

I am a Weyward, and wild inside.

2019: Under cover of darkness, Kate flees London for ramshackle Weyward Cottage, inherited from a great aunt she barely remembers. With its tumbling ivy and overgrown garden, the cottage is worlds away from the abusive partner who tormented Kate. But she begins to suspect that her great aunt had a secret. One that lurks in the bones of the cottage, hidden ever since the witch-hunts of the 17th century.

1619: Altha is awaiting trial for the murder of a local farmer who was stampeded to death by his herd. As a girl, Altha’s mother taught her their magic, a kind not rooted in spell casting but in a deep knowledge of the natural world. But unusual women have always been deemed dangerous, and as the evidence for witchcraft is set out against Altha, she knows it will take all of her powers to maintain her freedom.

1942: As World War II rages, Violet is trapped in her family's grand, crumbling estate. Straitjacketed by societal convention, she longs for the robust education her brother receives––and for her mother, long deceased, who was rumored to have gone mad before her death. The only traces Violet has of her are a locket bearing the initial W and the word weyward scratched into the baseboard of her bedroom.

Weaving together the stories of three extraordinary women across five centuries, Emilia Hart's Weyward is an enthralling novel of female resilience and the transformative power of the natural world.

ella

Il mondo e tutto ciò che di selvaggio vi è in esso.

Per un po’ aveva pensato di aver perso per sempre la capacità di godersi la magia della lettura: la capacità di immergersi in un altro tempo, un altro luogo. Era stato come dimenticare di respirare. Ma non avrebbe dovuto preoccuparsi. Adesso le ambientazioni, i personaggi, persino le frasi restano sospesi e brucianti come raggi di luce nel cervello. Ricordandole che non è sola.

Rebecca Harwood

Laura Mei

I am trying to think of where the beginning is. Who decides where things begin and end? I do not know if time moves in a straight line, or a circle. Here, the years do not pass so much as loop back on themselves: winter becomes spring becomes summer becomes autumn becomes winter again. Sometimes I think all of time is happening at once. So you could say that this story begins now, as I sit down to write it.

Ellie 

“The connections between and among women are the most feared, the most problematic, and the most potentially transforming force on the planet. 

“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.”

“She clutched desperately at the dream, but only fragments remained”

‘“I love you, Kate.’ She blinks away the sting of tears. When did they last say this to each other? Not since Kate was a teenager. It was her fault: she never said it back. She couldn’t bear the weight of it, this love she didn’t deserve. But now the words are there, familiar shapes in her mouth. ‘I love you too, Mum.’”

“My breath was like crystals in front of me. The valley was always at its most beautiful in the morning. I remember thinking that it was as if it had been made so on purpose, to remind us to keep living.”

“She had thought, for a while, that she’d lost the magic of it: the ability to immerse herself in another time, another place. It had felt like forgetting to breathe. But she needn’t have worried. Now, worlds, characters, even sentences linger – burning like beacons in her brain. Reminding her that she’s not alone.”

“She remembered the way that her heart had punched in her chest while Frederick kissed her. There was that feeling again, of being pulled by a tide. Her lungs tightened. She hadn’t expected that love – if this was what she felt – to be so similar to fear.”

“Though she wonders now if ‘friends’ was ever the right word for the women she met at university. She never managed to match her speech to the cadence of theirs, never quite correctly timed a joke or a laugh. It’s a feeling she’s had since childhood: that she is somehow separate, closed off from everyone else.”

“she just went to the library to read, to escape into other people’s imaginations.”

Michelle Miller

Devastating but also a sense of relief in the connection between generations of women.

Jordan

A powerful reminder that men can be real pigs.

Frederik De Bosschere

This books immediately pulls you in with its atmosphere and premise that three women, across different centuries are somehow connected by a hidden legacy. I loved how the three women’s stories gradually wove together, connecting them throughout their lives. 

The themes were often heavy, but yet heartbreakingly realistic unfortunately showing the reality of a lot of women throughout history. This book didn’t shy away from showing how power, control, and abuse have shaped a lot of women’s lives but more importantly how women, this sisterhood of women especially, proved their resilience again and again. 

The pacing was mostly strong, though I felt it dipped a little in the middle, still, the payoff of watching all the threads come together kept me hooked. Out of the three women, Violet was my absolutely the star for me. Starting out so innocent, then having that stripped away without a choice, and then watching her grow into herself over the course of the book was touching and powerful.

Weyward was a fantastic and moving read and yes, it basically confirms at its core confirms: men suck!! women rule 😛

Eimear O'Connor 

This books immediately pulls you in with its atmosphere and premise that three women, across different centuries are somehow connected by a hidden legacy. I loved how the three women’s stories gradually wove together, connecting them throughout their lives. 

The themes were often heavy, but yet heartbreakingly realistic unfortunately showing the reality of a lot of women throughout history. This book didn’t shy away from showing how power, control, and abuse have shaped a lot of women’s lives but more importantly how women, this sisterhood of women especially, proved their resilience again and again. 

The pacing was mostly strong, though I felt it dipped a little in the middle, still, the payoff of watching all the threads come together kept me hooked. Out of the three women, Violet was my absolutely the star for me. Starting out so innocent, then having that stripped away without a choice, and then watching her grow into herself over the course of the book was touching and powerful.

Weyward was a fantastic and moving read and yes, it basically confirms at its core confirms: men suck!! women rule 😛

LOVED! It was so different and interesting 

Allysen

You know how sometimes you finish a book and you think you'll give it a high rating but then you start writing the review and it really makes you doubt whether you really want to give it a high rating? Yeah, that.

Overall, I found the novel much more engaging that I had expected it to be. I thought it had a lot of compassion for its characters and there was something really comforting in that. I liked that it played with parallels between the different historic periods and fleshed out the lives of each of these women.

However! it also had a propensity for the melodramatic (which often threatened to veer into caricature). While I appreciate the focus on female relationships, I also wish that it had not come at the price of corny pop feminism and/or a little too much focus on women whose existence seems to be defined through their wombs. I understand that the latter is almost unavoidable, given the structure of the novel (and even though I said I loved the play with parallels) but I cannot help but feel like there was a smarter, more interesting way to deal with this. I simply do not belive that the blood relation between these women and the parallels between their stories needed to be tied so strongly to pregnancy and birth.

Also the epilogue was a bizarre decision; just a couple of pages to explain conclusions that were secondary to the purpose of the novel and the reader would have been perfectly fine inferring on their own.

MAYBE 3.5☆

You know how sometimes you finish a book and you think you'll give it a high rating but then you start writing the review and it really makes you doubt whether you really want to give it a high rating? Yeah, that.

Overall, I found the novel much more engaging that I had expected it to be. I thought it had a lot of compassion for its characters and there was something really comforting in that. I liked that it played with parallels between the different historic periods and fleshed out the lives of each of these women.

However! it also had a propensity for the melodramatic (which often threatened to veer into caricature). While I appreciate the focus on female relationships, I also wish that it had not come at the price of corny pop feminism and/or a little too much focus on women whose existence seems to be defined through their wombs. I understand that the latter is almost unavoidable, given the structure of the novel (and even though I said I loved the play with parallels) but I cannot help but feel like there was a smarter, more interesting way to deal with this. I simply do not belive that the blood relation between these women and the parallels between their stories needed to be tied so strongly to pregnancy and birth.

Also the epilogue was a bizarre decision; just a couple of pages to explain conclusions that were secondary to the purpose of the novel and the reader would have been perfectly fine inferring on their own.

I found the way that the story came together at the end was really cool considering you were reading from three perspectives from different time periods. The beginning was a little depressing, but the motif of female perseverance and strength was inspiring. 

Anna

Magical book full of powerful witchy women. This is a keeper for me. 🩶

Sooo good!! Loved the 3 different stories of the ladies. 

Allyson McMillen

I loved this book so much that now I need to buy it to reread it once a year. Beautifully written through 3 POVs, it’s a story that is both heartbreaking and gorgeous in how problems are resolved. 

Kristen Savage

This book was really beautifully written. Its cozy, earthy magic was a perfect fall transition book. The three stories wove together to form such a beautiful allegory  of the strength and power of women, united by common struggles and cycles. Despite the cozy atmosphere of the stories, this book had an edge of suspense as the stories unfolded that held me captive the entire time. It also has some heavy topics, so check TW’s just in case. 

If you’re looking for a book to rival Alice Hoffman’s Lessons in Magic, this is the one. I will take no criticism on Practical Magic, but this felt like a better lessons in magic with the similar energy. 

Katie Avila

This book was really beautifully written. Its cozy, earthy magic was a perfect fall transition book. The three stories wove together to form such a beautiful allegory  of the strength and power of women, united by common struggles and cycles. Despite the cozy atmosphere of the stories, this book had an edge of suspense as the stories unfolded that held me captive the entire time. It also has some heavy topics, so check TW’s just in case. 

If you’re looking for a book to rival Alice Hoffman’s Lessons in Magic, this is the one. I will take no criticism on Practical Magic, but this felt like a better lessons in magic with the similar energy. 

Rebecca Hurd

The women in the book…Top Tier!! Most of the men in this book…TRASH!! The three ladies stories are so complex but woven together through 3 different generations so beautifully!! Emilia Hart really has written a remarkable piece of literature!! Highly recommend this book!!

Shannon C

SO GOOD! Nice combination of women’s fiction, historical fiction and fantasy realism. Every woman needs to read this at some point of their life. I loved that they were all related being five centuries apart; Altha 1619, Violet 1942, & Kate 2019. I was so invested with each woman's story and their own struggles in those time periods.

I loved this one! I’m a sucker for books with multiple characters whose stories intertwine with each other and this one did it so beautifully. this is a story of resiliency, womanhood, and, ya know, some witchy vibes.

emily learmont

A beautiful story about generations between women in family. The love they have and share but also the hardships and trials that women endure sometimes. It’s a look at keeping your family close but also letting go of the toxic family that can ruin your life. 

A little slow in areas but overall beautiful & emotional. 

Brianna Hickey 

A beautiful story about generations between women in family. The love they have and share but also the hardships and trials that women endure sometimes. It’s a look at keeping your family close but also letting go of the toxic family that can ruin your life. 

A little slow in areas but overall beautiful & emotional. 

Beautifully written. A story that absolutely engulfs you. A fascinating take on witches, and reclaiming feminine power. 

Cecilia Bala

This is going to stay with me for a long time! Loved this! I dare any woman to read this and not feel weyward afterwards.

Samantha Cummings

Sónia GB

Quando as expectativas são grandes fica mais difícil corresponder. 
Talvez por isso não tenha achado o livro nada de especial. Talvez esperasse outra coisa, mas garantidamente esperava mais.

A escrita é fluida e interessante. Mas não me consegui entusiasma com nada…. Foi uma leitura linear, monótona.

Não esperava que um livro tão elogiado estivesse tão recheado de clichês… E confesso que me fez alguma confusão a forma como o homem, no geral, é retratado. Não se trata de feminismos ou empoderamento feminino, mas de redução do homem ao opressor, agressor, o mau da fita (sempre).

Não deixa de ser um livro bem escrito e bom de ler… mas não foi livro para mim.

2,5⭐️

Felt a bit surface level for me. Wasn’t sure between 2.5/3 Also wish there were more descriptions of the beautiful scenery!

Lindsey Arenson

Victoria 

Really enjoyed this one. I could've done without the epilogue — didn't really need all that neatness wrapped up in a bow. Really enjoyed the perspectives of all 3 characters and the adjacency to witchcraft without the whole book being about magic. Super character driven. TW for domestic violence, abortion/pregnancy loss, sexual assault.

Katelyn Caillouet

The story of 3 women, same place in England, different times, and a mystery to solve.

“Witches” because that’s the label the society at that time put on some “behaviours” and that was certainly not a compliment or a prize. 🙄

I enjoyed the style. It’s very pretty: 

The way the author describes the connection between the women and the insects is as graceful and elegant as a ballet. The mother/daughter relationship is tender, protective but not overwhelming or abusive. 

I found the depiction of nature very lovely and the reassurance a lonely child can find with animals even the size of a spider well written. I could “feel it”.

As for the mystery part: interesting, a bit predictable and I was not a big fan of the part where the boyfriend enters the house etc, a bit deja vu scene, like in a TV film…🥴

but … it’s ok for me as I enjoyed this promenade through times. A good one!

Barbara

The story of 3 women, same place in England, different times, and a mystery to solve.

“Witches” because that’s the label the society at that time put on some “behaviours” and that was certainly not a compliment or a prize. 🙄

I enjoyed the style. It’s very pretty: 

The way the author describes the connection between the women and the insects is as graceful and elegant as a ballet. The mother/daughter relationship is tender, protective but not overwhelming or abusive. 

I found the depiction of nature very lovely and the reassurance a lonely child can find with animals even the size of a spider well written. I could “feel it”.

As for the mystery part: interesting, a bit predictable and I was not a big fan of the part where the boyfriend enters the house etc, a bit deja vu scene, like in a TV film…🥴

but … it’s ok for me as I enjoyed this promenade through times. A good one!

It was intense in parts, dark and lots of triggering topics (rape, abuse, child loss, suicidal ideations, imprisonment, to name the most prominent), but I feel like, for me, this was a really enveloping story, I grew to care so much about the characters by the end, and the affinity for nature that all the characters shared in some way was one of my favorite parts. 

I've been really loving reading Witch related books this year, and while this leads more along the lines of a horror novel (due to the traumas the characters all deal with), it had many parts that were comforting and cozy and inspiring

Emma Lechner

I loved this book!

It was intense in parts, dark and lots of triggering topics (rape, abuse, child loss, suicidal ideations, imprisonment, to name the most prominent), but I feel like, for me, this was a really enveloping story, I grew to care so much about the characters by the end, and the affinity for nature that all the characters shared in some way was one of my favorite parts. 

I've been really loving reading Witch related books this year, and while this leads more along the lines of a horror novel (due to the traumas the characters all deal with), it had many parts that were comforting and cozy and inspiring

This is not a book I would’ve chosen for myself but I’m so glad it was selected for my book club.  Three women across time share a family trait given to the first born girl of the Weyward lineage.  A connection with nature that outsiders think is strange, weird and even bewitching.  This book takes you through their struggles, hardships and their survival and transformation.

Trigger warnings:  domestic abuse, child abuse and rape.

Barbara Williford

This is not a book I would’ve chosen for myself but I’m so glad it was selected for my book club.  Three women across time share a family trait given to the first born girl of the Weyward lineage.  A connection with nature that outsiders think is strange, weird and even bewitching.  This book takes you through their struggles, hardships and their survival and transformation.

Trigger warnings:  domestic abuse, child abuse and rape.

Q&D- easy read that draws you in. Writing is simple, accessible. CW for abuse, sexual assault and pregnancy loss/abortion. I enjoyed the story, the strong women vibes, the narrative of women across generations facing similar circumstances and rising above. Wish there was something new to add to the conversation, which is why I didn’t rate it higher. 

Michelle Miller &
Weyward by Emilia Hart

Reviews

Highlights

Join the club

Michelle Miller &Weyward by Emilia Hart

Reviews

Highlights

Join the club

Michelle Miller &
Weyward by Emilia Hart