Reviews tagging 'Murder'

Weyward by Emilia Hart

232 reviews

gwalt118's review

dark inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

It's the best time of year to read a book about witches and female empowerment, and this buzzy book from last year may be a great choice. Massive disclaimer that the thread of abusive men and miscarriages throughout this novel made it unexpectedly difficult for me to read at times. 

Weyward is a feminist novel about misogyny, witchcraft, power, justice, and sin through the eyes of three women in three very different time periods. It is about society's - mostly men's - repeated attempts throughout history to control women's bodies and the ways in which women have had to fight back. Some of the abuse felt gratuitous, but it serves a purpose -- abuse of power by men is closely linked to accusations of witchcraft, and Hart is making a statement about modern-day iterations of the same practice. Know that not all men in the novel are abusive and terrible, though. I loved the inclusion of some good and kind men. 

The connections between Altha, Violet, and Kate are incredibly well-plotted and well-written. I loved the insight in the author interview in the back of my book (not sure if it's in all of them), where I learned more about Hart's idea generation and writing process. I also appreciated the continued reading suggestions in the back of this one, most of which I haven't read. I'm intrigued by Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, which I've added to my fall TBR for this year. 

Hart's next novel, The Sirens, releases in March 2025. Fingers crossed my request for an ARC on NetGalley comes to fruition! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, and Abortion

Moderate: Murder

wncowling's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense 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? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Abortion, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Death and Death of parent

Minor: Murder

jessrox's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Loved this book so much! The feeling of womanhood and love is enough to make you cry. It will be added to my bookshelf because I will want to read it over and over again.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail

ksilvio's review

challenging dark inspiring tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail

phighum's review

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Abortion, and Murder

mrsipson's review

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy

slherbel's review

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy

bmatth3's review

dark emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Domestic abuse, Incest, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Classism

Moderate: Infertility

Minor: War

kitfkat's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Incest, Infertility, Miscarriage, Medical content, and War

tina_lou_'s review

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense 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

This books was very interesting and left me wanting more, I feel like I would have been more satisfied with the ending if there were just a few more chapters

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Abortion, and Murder