Weyward

Product Information

In 2019, Kate inherited a shabby Weyward Cottage in the U.K. from her Great Aunt, Violet, who she barely remembers. The novel was ultimately published in 2023. Emilia Hart has also published short fiction that has been published in the United Kingdom and Australia.

Three women in different time periods who like nature are treated horribly by men. That's it, that's the book. Hart penned “Weyward” his debut novel while she was still working full-time as a lawyer. As such, her writing days were very varied as they were dependent on how much work she had and what day of the week it was. I wish I was more similar to Violet! I find her very brave and I really admire the delight she takes in life’s small moments, and in the natural world. I aspire to be more like her.Also, anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely adore puns — so the link to ‘wayward’ was definitely intentional!” 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! I just couldn't find any useful commentary or message in here to justify an entire book's worth of discomfort for me. I already know that men have been awful to women for a long time. I just don't get why I'd want to read about that. And yet somehow I also never felt particularly engaged with the characters. Storyline and Plot ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Weaving three time periods, plots and people was superbly done. Loved all three. If I had one request, then I would like to have spent more time in Altha’s story that involved witchcraft because I am intrigued with an older timeframe and all this period had to offer. A complimentary copy was provided by St. Martin's Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Violet (Kate's great aunt) 1940s-2018(ish) - After her mother died when she was a child Violets father did all in his power to erase her from his childrens memory. Violet was kept secluded, but when a cousin who's fighting in the war comes to visit everything changes and she's again exciled to her mother's old cabin where she learns the secrets about her mother that her father had been hiding.

Book Summary

Altha is awaiting trial for the murder of a local farmer who was stampeded to death by his herd. When Altha was a girl, her mother taught her their magic, a kind not rooted in spell casting but in a deep knowledge of the natural world. But unusual women have always been deemed dangerous, and as the evidence of witchcraft is laid out against Altha, she knows it will take all her powers to maintain her freedom.

Tension and suspense are skillfully maintained as these women seek to extricate themselves from dire circumstances and discover secret strength. The result is a tale of magic and female empowerment and an atmospheric, gripping read." –– Booklist Felicity sent Weyward out on submission, and I was absolutely blown away to have offers from Carla Josephson (Borough Press) and Sarah Cantin (St. Martin’s Press). I feel so privileged to have worked on Weyward with Carla and Sarah — they’re both incredible editors and I think the three of us make a great team.”Weyward is a story of three unique women who are connected in many ways. This book looks at how women are viewed, treated and lived at various times in history. Agatha lived in a time where women who were different or did not live by societies standards, were branded witches and put to death. Violet lived in a time where women were strange and different if they yearned for more or wanted to go against the current expectations of women. Kate lived in a time where she was abused by a man who feels he is superior to her. Altha is awaiting trial for the murder of a local farmer who was stampeded to death by his herd. As a girl, Altha's mother taught her their magic, a kind not rooted in spell casting but in a deep knowledge of the natural world. But unusual women have always been deemed dangerous, and as the evidence for witchcraft is set out against Altha, she knows it will take all of her powers to maintain her freedom.

Josephson said: “Altha, Violet and Kate have transfixed me. Though they are all from radically different times, these three women are connected by more than their family line: they share a resilience in the face of a kind of violence and abuse that is horribly unchanged over the centuries. The power these women discover within themselves and their affinity with the natural world is stunningly rendered by Emilia— Weyward is a wonderfully compelling, evocative debut and I know readers will fall under its spell as I have.”

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

A triumphant debut...the magic harnessed by the characters feels completely real in this captivating outing." –– Publishers Weekly (starred review)