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icecreamsoldier's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
I really tried to like this book as I saw great reviews everywhere, however I think this book is my on my top worst books. There’s spoilers ahead :
The premise of the book is to tell women’s stories on different periods that are tied together not only for being women, but also related and witches. I enjoyed reading Altha and Violet (to an extent), however I found myself dreading whenever I had to read a chapter about Kate. I felt that her character was very one dimensional and it could have been interesting learning along Kate who Kate is, specially after loosing all of herself in an abusive relationship, however we just get a very one dimensional Kate who is constantly stealing from her dead aunts closet and the only thing she can think about is the baby, (do it for the baby, the baby needs this, etc) and when her whole role is not being a pregnant woman she is just blatantly dumb. That tied with the fact that I don’t understand how Kate belongs to the witchcraft lineage as she is not the daughter of the first woman born but instead her father is Graham’s son who is Violet’s brother so she fits through this lineage because of men.
The other characters while their stories where more interesting and more developed I still had a lot of issues with them for instance this is supposed to be a book about feminism however Violet feels like “I am not like other girls” by bashing on other girls who wear skirts.
Altha on the other hand was my favorite character, and I really enjoyed her queer romance with Grace, however at the end she just gets the “seed” of a man just so that she can be pregnant and continue the lineage of women in her family (Which honestly as a lesbian woman it felt like a slap to the face). All of these stories really just made me feel as if a woman will only reach their true potential and be fulfilled through motherhood, as Altha the only queer character in the book gets pregnant, Violet who aborts her first daughter as it is from the conception of a rape even though she is very successful in her career and life she feels like something is missing and was the chance to be a mother (and it’s confusing why she could not have had another baby, since based on Kate’s story it is unclear whether the witches only the first women born, or is it all the women? What is wrong with having a boy and teaching them to be better? Or what about adoption or other sources of being a mother figure?), and Kate which the only thing she talks about is her pregnancy.
The writing at times was overly decorated ranging from cliche phrases and absurd amount of insect metaphors (we get it all these women love insects). Finally this book while I understand that is telling the stories of women abused by men it felt like it fell under the spectrum of “all men are bad” and even the ones that weren’t like Graham they are defined as like “okay”. I am not saying we should give a cookie to every man that is not an abuser however I think this problem is not a problem that could be solved by segregation of the woman but instead of teaching men to be better
The other characters while their stories where more interesting and more developed I still had a lot of issues with them for instance this is supposed to be a book about feminism however Violet feels like “I am not like other girls” by bashing on other girls who wear skirts.
Altha on the other hand was my favorite character, and I really enjoyed her queer romance with Grace, however at the end she just gets the “seed” of a man just so that she can be pregnant and continue the lineage of women in her family (Which honestly as a lesbian woman it felt like a slap to the face). All of these stories really just made me feel as if a woman will only reach their true potential and be fulfilled through motherhood, as Altha the only queer character in the book gets pregnant, Violet who aborts her first daughter as it is from the conception of a rape even though she is very successful in her career and life she feels like something is missing and was the chance to be a mother (and it’s confusing why she could not have had another baby, since based on Kate’s story it is unclear whether the witches only the first women born, or is it all the women? What is wrong with having a boy and teaching them to be better? Or what about adoption or other sources of being a mother figure?), and Kate which the only thing she talks about is her pregnancy.
The writing at times was overly decorated ranging from cliche phrases and absurd amount of insect metaphors (we get it all these women love insects). Finally this book while I understand that is telling the stories of women abused by men it felt like it fell under the spectrum of “all men are bad” and even the ones that weren’t like Graham they are defined as like “okay”. I am not saying we should give a cookie to every man that is not an abuser however I think this problem is not a problem that could be solved by segregation of the woman but instead of teaching men to be better
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, and Gaslighting
Minor: Forced institutionalization
thevioletfoxbookshop's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
There's this strange misconception that humans are separate from the natural world. That somehow, the plants and animals that surround us are foreign, dangerous even. And anyone in tune with nature is labeled a witch. Is it really so crazy to think that we are a part of nature and that being connected to the earth might actually be... natural? I think we have to stop labeling anyone connected to nature "a witch" - whether in a positive or negative light. Being in tune with the natural world should be the norm, not some exotic concept.
So do I have some gripes? Yes. But they may be more gripes with the world at large than with this book if we're being really honest. Now that I've had my TedTalk, here's what I loved about the book - because I did love a lot of it!
Weyward is the story of three women, across five centuries, connected to each other by blood, nature, and their struggle for independence. It's emotional, rich in detail, with a hint of magic.
Altha is a healer on trial for witchcraft in 1619. Violet is a young girl in 1942 struggling with isolation, societal standards, and other unwanted circumstances. And Kate has recently escaped her abusive boyfriend in 2019. While their stories are different, you'll find layers and parallels connecting each. You'll find yourself wondering how much progress we've made since the 1600's, if any at all. The burdens may change shape, but the weight remains the same.
Weyward comes with a load of trigger warnings, so be sure to look those up. It deals with a lot of heavy topics, speaking to the deep pain and incredible strength required of women. But it's also about healing from that pain and trauma, finding your freedom, listening to your inner voice, exercising your power, and finding the magic within yourself and nature.
I did find the descriptions of nature and the landscape beautiful and calming. I got serious Secret Garden vibes! And I loved the message that we can all connect to nature, if only we would stop and listen and look. The beauty and the magic is there, all around us.
Weyward is a tapestry of interwoven stories that both mourns the pain women endure and celebrates their strength and beauty.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Animal death and Colonisation
Minor: Death, Homophobia, Incest, Grief, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail