Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Weyward by Emilia Hart

1445 reviews

erinreading's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Rape

Minor: Vomit, Alcohol, and War

alejandra_reyes's review against another edition

4.5

4.5 stars…check your trigger warnings. The female characters of this book experience so many different types of violence from the men in their life. I think it basically covers every form of abuse women face which makes it a hard read. With that being said it is a fascinating tale of 3 women who are related and their experiences at different points in history. We have a modern day woman, one in post WWII, and one during the early witch trial days. They each have a very unique experience but are still tied to one another. I loved seeing how each generation had struggles but found strength to be better for the next generation. There are witchy elements and a cabin which made it the perfect fall book in my opinion 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Abortion, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

clairebartholomew549's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really loved this book. It's dark and moody and vaguely mysterious, and the scene-setting is impeccable. I've always been intrigued by the Salem witch trials, and this retelling felt fresh and new and interesting. At its core, this is a story about men trying to control women and women breaking free of patriarchal expectations and realities. I rooted for Kate, Violet, and Altha, and I enjoyed each of their perspectives and didn't find myself itching to get back to one perspective (which I find rare in books with multiple timelines). I also deeply loved the depictions of nature and animals and attunement with the world.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Classism

emma_jane_000's review against another edition

dark 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, and Abortion

courtld90's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I had to put the book down a few times due to some of the content, but this is a highly enjoyable book. I really like the interwoven timelines of the 3 povs of the women of the family. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Abortion

gkaltam's review against another edition

dark emotional sad 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, and Abortion

seamtressstenny's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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? No

4.5

Amazingly well-written but hard to read. The pain experienced by the main characters is haunting. Check the content warnings before starting this book!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Car accident, and Alcohol

seraphinin's review against another edition

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment

gwalt118's review against another edition

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

jennw3415's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective tense 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Abortion, and Gaslighting