English language
Published Dec. 21, 2023 by St. Martin's Press.
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 …
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.
Its a debut that has good writing, great atmosphere, liked the witchy storylines, 3 girls centuries apart, the POVs were not jarring and flowed well together, but I found the storylines not gripping enough, especially Violet's, it was pretty much not a surprise what happened plus kinda depressing at times haha, i like how the family cottage was present in all the storylines and the connexion to nature
This is a truly excellent tale and novel. The characters, plot, and historical span are engaging, well researched, and impactful. The themes of abuse, women's rights, love, caring and hope will resonate with most caring and empathetic readers. Although I think that those who abuse others could learn from this tale, I rather doubt they will challenge themselves and their morals by reading it.
People have always looked at the Weyward women askance. It might be because of their independence. It might be because they have an affinity for creepy crawlies. Whatever the reason, the Weyward women have had to be very careful to keep their freedom from men who want to possess them…or burn them as witches. Weyward, by Emilia Hart, shows us the lives of three women from this curious family as, centuries apart, find themselves fighting for their lives...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.
