Terrie Robinson (short break)'s Reviews > Weyward

"Weyward" by Emilia Hart is a mix of Historical & Women's Fiction with touches of Magical Realism!

In 2019, twenty-nine-year-old Kate Ayres escapes a physically and emotionally abusive relationship in London for Weyward Cottage. This rundown cottage, with its tangled gardens, was inherited from her Great Aunt Violet, who she barely remembers. Struggling with memories of her past, Kate soon discovers secrets Violet has kept hidden dating as far back as 1619 and the witch trials of the 17th century.

In 1619, twenty-one-year-old Altha Weyward remembers being taught the knowledge of the natural world by her mother. Women who are different are presumed dangerous and she finds herself accused of witchcraft and awaiting trial for the murder of a local farmer. She knows it will take all her knowledge and powers to sustain her freedom.

In 1942, sixteen-year-old Violet Ayres feels trapped, and longs for the education and freedom her brother Graham is allowed. She craves more detail about her mother who died years ago. All she possesses of her mother is a locket with the initial "W" and the word "Weyward" scratched into the baseboard in her bedroom.

Three timelines of three Weyward women with similar stories, living in three different centuries and bound together by their innate connection to the natural world.

This was a slow starter for me with simplistic writing and alternating chapters that initially hampered my introduction to the three main characters. However, the farther I read, the depth to the story continued to build and before I knew it I couldn't put it down.

I found each of the three women's stories equally compelling and mysterious, becoming fully invested in each of them. The short chapters were a plus for story's pace, and I enjoyed how just enough of a carrot was offered at the end of each chapter to lure you on to the next.

I believe Weyward Cottage to have special importance to this story. It provided shelter and refuge, a garden for nourishment, plants for medicinal purposes, and was surrounded by nature and wild life. The cottage felt like it was "living and breathing" from generation to generation and representative of another character in the story.

This story came together so beautifully and I buzzed through the last part because I couldn't wait to see how it played out. There was one characters that was in need of more development but it wasn't one of the main characters, and I felt the 'love and magic of nature' in the story over-shadowed any writing flaws.

This author has such potential and I'm excited for her! I hope she stays with this genre, but regardless of the direction she takes, I look forward to her next offering! I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy a blend of Historical & Women's Fiction with touches of Magical Realism!

Thank you to Melissa and Sheyla for the invitation to my first official Buddy-read! You're the best!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Emilia Hart for an ARC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.