Weyward: A Novel

Weyward A Novel by Emilia Hart

326 Pages

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Release Date: March 7, 2023

Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Domestic Violence, Generational

It’s 2019 and Kate escapes her London home for Weyward Cottage left to her from her Aunt Violet. She is hiding from her husband since he has total control over her life. In 1942, Violet wants to pursue an education. Her mother died when her brother was a baby. After a distant cousin comes to visit and charms their father, Violet and her brother are disowned except for Weyward Cottage which belonged to their mother. In 1619, Altha is a Weyward and was tried as a witch when a neighbor farmer was stampeded by his cattle. Since she was known as a healer and provided herbal treatments, some people believed that she bewitched the cows to run over the man.

The book has a pace that builds as the story progresses. The characters were developed, and it was mostly written in third person point of view. Altha’s parts are written in first person point of view. I loved this book. The characters feel real and as a reader, I suffered along with them. As someone with experience with domestic violence, I recognized that it does not have to be physical. It is always a power over another person. All three women are strong, and I rallied around them throughout the story. If you like generational stories with a touch of drama here and there, you will enjoy this book.