A review by magsapt
Weyward by Emilia Hart

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Personally, I found this book a bit frustrating. While the pace was there, thanks to the short chapters that provided the story with a reliable rhythm, the plot had a lot of issues. First, I was not a fan of the generational trauma: I think it made the book a bit repetitive. The women could've had a myriad of other problems that would also be historically accurate OR socially relevant to broach. However, the author mercilessly went for that ctrl + C + P.
Secondly, I think there were a lot of tedious moments: I know I just said that the pace was good, but there were definitely some bits when Hart was dragging the plot. I felt this mostly during
Violet's chapters since she's the one who has the most "boring" life (given the fact that she's been under house arrest since she was born). I wish the author would've written more about her life after the ab*rtion, focusing on the woman she became after her trauma (since we were always reading about her scientific achievements) rather than spending so much time on the events before the ab*se. Violet is the perfect example of a character that has a lot to give but is forgotten by the writer.

Altha's storyline was my absolute favourite and
I LOVED the lesbian romance (even if nothing ever happened).
I think the way this was handled, considering the historical period, was very good.
Regarding Kate, where do I start?
Breaking the cycle of abuse is never easy, and it hurts me to see her suffer. However, the moment she knew she was f*cked (after ordering the baby things to her old e-mail) was when I stopped empathising with her. She could've talked to someone, alerted her friend or her mother, and taken bigger precautions like changing houses, installing cameras, and alerting the police. I don't think anyone who has suffered what she did would've just shrugged it off. And then, when Simon finds her, she acts like she's never seen a horror movie. It was very irritating and it was the main reason why I didn't give this book more stars.

Would I recommend it? Not really. It's a quick read, but it's not a book that will change your life or one you'll forever remember.

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