Reviews tagging 'War'

Weyward by Emilia Hart

124 reviews

jkunke's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I loved this book! The women are strong and well-developed characters.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

Minor: War

savouris18's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage and Pregnancy

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, and Religious bigotry

Minor: War

quinna_corinne's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

4.25

Very engaging. Gave me a different perspective on the insects of my hometown that once frightened me. The world of Weyward feels alive and the environments very vivid. I’ve heard some people didn’t like it because a perceived anti-abortion message/portraying women as only valuable for their wombs. Personally, I didn’t get that impression while reading but I definitely understand why some people would. I don’t *think* that was the author’s intention, but the themes could’ve been developed or explored in a better way that would offer a more nuanced view on pregnancy, abortion, and parenthood. That being said, I overall really enjoyed the book and would recommend it with that caveat attached.

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Miscarriage, Rape, Blood, and Death of parent

Minor: Cancer, Vomit, Car accident, and War

I really enjoyed seeing how the three women’s stories differed but also paralleled each other, in the particular the revenge/justice they all take on the men who wronged them. Also, the difference in Violet’s and Kate’s views and experience their respective pregnancies. They’re both in essentially the same position, but one chooses to keep the child and the other doesn’t. I appreciated how the book treated both of these choices with respect and understanding, while not trying to diminish the heavier emotions that come with both. Personally, I think Altha’s perspective was my favorite, mostly because it offered the most interesting world building aspects as they relate to the Weyward women’s abilities and connection to nature.

kmoz's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, and Rape

Moderate: Sexual assault, Abortion, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and War

madmantha's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious sad tense slow-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? It's complicated

3.75

Entrancing book and concept. 

Lost a star from me because the r*pe scene halfway through was unnecessarily detailed and descriptive.

I feel like in this day and age, we have many tools and resources that we don’t need scenes such as this one mentioned to be written on the page, or worse, recorded audibly. 

There’s hundreds of ways this scene could have unfolded to make the reader understand what happened without triggering readers and survivors with such graphic details. 

Other than the graphic scenes and descriptions, and the lack of trigger warnings, I rather enjoyed this book. It’s difficult to look back on it in a positive light because some of its scenes are so triggering, dark, and contrast the other themes of this novel greatly. 

If you do decide to read this book, I highly suggest reading up on the triggers before hand so you know what you’re getting yourself into. Beware of the halfway mark and Violet’s chapters. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Cancer, Racism, and War

bookforthought's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

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

3.5

Let me start by saying that there should be so many trigger warnings for this book, as virtually every conceivable bad thing happens to women, and some scenes are quite vividly depicted and can be graphic. I have listed some content warnings, but I'm sure there may be some I've missed as so many things happen throughout the book. Please be mindful of your own wellbeing before approaching this.

Weyward was a slow start for me but eventually it drew me in and kept me going to the end, even though I contemplating abandoning this fairly early on. I listened to this in audiobook and the narrators do a great job keeping the three POVs distinct, something which might not have worked quite as well if I'd only read this. I liked how the three storylines came together in the end, tying up all the loose knots and having the story come full circle. The author definitely shows a lot of potential for a debut, with vivid descriptions of the natural world and the settings carrying most of the book.

The underlying themes of female resilience and embracing one's true nature and self were interesting (albeit not innovative) but they were slightly undermined by the magical realism element in my view, and came across as rather simplistic in their development and resolution. I would also have liked for the side characters to be better developed and nuanced, especially for a book ostensibly focused on the power of female relationships, as well as a larger focus on the good men in these women's lives. They absolutely didn't need to take centre stage, but it would have been nice to see some more attention being given to recognising their existence and support instead of sidelining them to focus almost exclusively and in excruciating detail on the (also one-note) men who wish to hurt the Weyward women.

Overall, an interesting read but not the most memorable book I've read on the topic. Perhaps my expectations were too high after all the hype surrounding this and I would have enjoyed it more had I expected less… still worth a read if you're curious about it though.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Abortion, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Medical trauma, Car accident, and Gaslighting

Minor: Suicide attempt and War

dna_books'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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Incest, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Abortion

Moderate: Suicide attempt and Pregnancy

Minor: War

mangofraiche's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Abortion

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Incest, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Pregnancy

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and War

pollyhall's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and War

kshuler's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense slow-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

4.5

Read content warnings before reading this book!

The writing: absolutely beautiful
The story: heartbreaking
The cover: gorgeous
The vibes: immaculate

Summary - women with the gift of magic get back at the men who wronged them and find strength in themselves and each other
I picked this book up randomly at a library book sale. It's not what I usually would choose for myself but I bought it because it was 50 cents and I loved the cover art. I had zero expectations before reading it. Don't go into this book expecting fantasy, it's historical fiction with a touch of magical realism that deals with a lot of sensitive topics. The story was extremely slow-paced. It felt like nothing was happening for half of the book but I didn't even care because the writing was so beautiful. I would read Emilia Hart's grocery list. At times it was so lovely the way she described the garden, noting the bird and insect sounds, the sway of the breeze, the sunlight. At other times it was so hauntingly, heartbreakingly vivid when she described the tragic things happening to her characters.
I certainly would not recommend this to just anyone, considering the subject matter, genre, and pace.
Will this be everyone's cup of tea? No. Was it mine? Hell yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment

Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement, Mental illness, Misogyny, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Stalking, Car accident, and Murder

Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Incest, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Vomit, Suicide attempt, and War