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torturedreadersdept's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Blood, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual violence, Stalking, Violence, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Car accident, Classism, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Murder, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Abortion, Alcohol, Animal death, and Body horror
angebrown's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, Child death, Chronic illness, Classism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Confinement, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Violence, Abortion, and Rape
Moderate: Terminal illness, Incest, and Addiction
Minor: Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Car accident
ellaford's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Violence, Animal death, Classism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Abortion, Incest, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Blood, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Medical trauma, Mental illness, Car accident, Abandonment, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
merlinscove's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Rape
Domestic Abuse
Miscarriage
Stillbirth/late term miscarriage
Death
I’m not even sure how to classify this book, there are elements of mild fantasy but this is mostly a study of a bloodline, of three women from said bloodline centuries apart, yet suffering from recurring themes and traumas. So, read on to find out what I thought!
Here’s the blurb for Weyward…
“KATE, 2019
Kate flees London – abandoning everything – for Cumbria and Weyward Cottage, inherited from her great-aunt. There, a secret lurks in the bones of the house, hidden ever since the witch-hunts of the 17th century.
VIOLET, 1942
Violet is more interested in collecting insects and climbing trees than in becoming a proper young lady. Until a chain of shocking events changes her life forever.
ALTHA, 1619
Altha is on trial for witchcraft, accused of killing a local man. Known for her uncanny connection with nature and animals, she is a threat that must be eliminated.
But Weyward women belong to the wild. And they cannot be tamed…
Weaving together the stories of three women across five centuries, Weyward is an enthralling novel of female resilience and the transformative power of the natural world.”
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book from the blurb. As a pagan I’ll admit I was worried about the portrayal of ‘witchcraft’, as I usually am in such situations, but I needn’t have worried as this is not witchcraft as most would know it. In fact, it is closer to my belief system - the respect of the natural world, although I am sad that I don’t have the Weyward women’s extra touch of power! As much as I have an affinity for animals I am not able to get them to do my bidding, my cat is evidence of that!
The true story of this book has less to do with such power than it has to do with the stories of women. Of hardships and traumas we have suffered throughout history. Of rape and domestic violence. Of accusations of witchcraft if we lived outside the norm for society. Of the dangers of maternity, the risks involved with pregnancy and childbirth. Of men’s fear of strong women. All three stories, which run parallel to each other in alternating chapters, follow similar patterns and themes. From Altha and her trial and the reasons behind the accusation, to sheltered Violet and her cruel awakening to the ‘real’ world, and lastly Kate who believes she is running away from something yet may be running towards her salvation, these stories truly came alive for me and resonated so deeply. Generations of women fighting to survive against the odds, while keeping the truth of their line and its history alive for hundreds of years, despite the best efforts of men!
If you think that all sounds terribly depressing, you’d be very wrong. Emilia Hart has managed to create an uplifting and inspiring story that draws you in and hooks you from the start, each tale layered and linked to the others. Even when you start to realise what links them all there are still surprises, and more LIFE to discover.
I think that the word ‘life’ is what truly sticks in my mind after reading this book. How precious it is, how easily lost in can be, and how its beauty can be seen in so many unexpected ways. Not to mention that life wins, just when you think all is lost life somehow finds a way.
This is a truly beautiful book. Fascinating and alive. It’s unlike any other book I’ve read and is one of my favourite books of the years so far…and I think I’ll still be saying that in December too! An easy and happily given 5 stars. I look forward to reading more from Emilia Hart!
Thank you to Emilia Hart, NetGalley and Harper Collins for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review. As always all opinions are my own.
Graphic: Miscarriage, Misogyny, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, Death of parent, Blood, Classism, Gaslighting, Vomit, Car accident, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Abortion, Child abuse, Sexism, and Sexual assault