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Weyward by Emilia Hart: A Book Review



Emilia Hart tells the tale of three women, connected across centuries yet each facing the dangers of the world in their own time. From the start, I was hooked—the main characters, Altha, Violet, and Kate, are incredibly likeable and relatable.


Altha (1619) is accused of witchcraft and imprisoned during the height of the 17th-century witch trials.


Violet (1942) is trapped in an aristocratic life that stifles her freedom, but a shocking family secret changes everything.


Kate (2019) is fleeing an abusive relationship, seeking refuge in an old cottage left to her by her aunt in Cumbria.


Though separated by centuries, all three women experience oppression and confinement—Altha in prison, Violet in her father’s home, and Kate in her marriage. Their stories are bound together by knowledge, strength, and resilience, each woman fighting for her survival and independence.


The novel is set primarily in Crows Beck, Cumbria, a fictional rural village in northwest England. The area’s rugged landscapes and ties to folklore make it the perfect backdrop for this story. Its proximity to Pendle, Lancashire, infamous for the 1612 witch trials, adds a historical depth that makes Altha’s persecution feel all the more real. Hart’s writing captures this atmosphere beautifully, grounding Weyward in both history and myth.


“Witch. The word slithers from the mouth like a serpent, drips from the tongue as thick and black as tar. We never thought of ourselves as witches, my mother and I. For this was a word invented by men, a word that brings power to those that speak it, not those that it describes. A word that builds gallows and pyres, turns breathing women into corpses.” - Emilia Hart

Nature themes run throughout the book, with the women sharing a deep connection with the land, insects and animals. The freedoms of nature, starkly contrast the societal constraints humans impose upon one another.


Each protagonist — Altha, Violet and Kate — face oppression and show a great deal of female resilience and their journeys highlight the strength and resilience required to ensure such difficult circumstances and survive. They face adversity and develop independence and discover their identities during their experiences.


Emilia Hart’s vivid descriptions of the English countryside and the characters’ emotional journeys pull the reader into the world of Weyward. The pacing is steady, the careful unfolding of each woman’s story keeps the narrative engaging and impactful. Her writing is rich and immersive, blending history and folklore with strong, relatable female characters who demonstrate depth and growth.


I thoroughly enjoyed Weyward, it was a very emotional and thought-provoking read, a glimpse into the lives of three women and the time periods which influenced their life experiences. Weyward will appeal to fans of historical fiction, especially that with women's perspectives. Hart's strong, complex female protagonists, historical settings, and themes of survival and empowerment, weave together in this beautifully written novel. If you enjoyed books like The Familiars by Stacey Halls and The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, this is a great choice!





YEAR ONE PROMPTS WEYWARD WOULD MATCH:

  • 20: Feathers on the Cover

  • 36: Reviews on the Cover

  • 43: Fierce Females

  • 45: Not All as it Seems



YEAR ONE SIDE QUESTS WEYWARD COULD BE USED FOR:

  • Comfort Crusher - Supernatural elements

  • Alphabet Alpha - 'W'

  • Genre Genie - 'Historical Fiction', 'Women's Historical', 'Suspense', 'Women's Fiction', 'Paranormal Fiction', Magical Realism'

  • Global Guide - Cumbria, England

  • Page Prefect - 381 Pages, 10hrs 50mins audio

  • Rainbow Rover - Pink

  • Women's Warrior - Emilia Hart



YEAR ONE DODECAGON THEME THAT WEYWARD MEETS:

  • May: The Mayflower Chronicles — Embark on a journey for a better life with a tale about adventurous new beginnings

  • October: The Shadows Whisper — Hide away with a tale that will keep you up all night searching the shadows















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