“To be Weyward is to be wild and free.”- Emilia Hart, Weyward
Weyward by Emilia Hart is more than just a book—it’s a story that spans 400 years. It follows three women, each living in a different time, but all tied together by one name and the quiet power passed through generations.
At first, the book feels gentle. The writing is calm. But underneath, there’s something strong. Something lasting. This isn’t a story full of battles or big moments. Instead, it shows the slow, steady strength of women who face fear, control, and silence—and still move forward.
In 1619, Altha is called a witch because she knows how to heal and lives close to nature. In 1942, Violet is trapped in a rich home where she isn’t allowed to ask questions. In 2019, Kate is running from a life that hurt her, searching for peace in a place she barely remembers.
Their stories may seem far apart, but they come together like threads in a cloth. As each woman finds her way, she also learns that she’s not alone. Her past, her roots, and her name all carry weight—and a kind of quiet power that’s hard to see at first, but strong all the same.
Storyline
This novel follows three women, living in three different centuries, each facing her own fight for freedom, truth, and a sense of belonging. Their lives are tied together by a mysterious thread—one that runs through generations of women who’ve been misunderstood, silenced, and yet still found the strength to stand tall.
1619 – Altha
Altha is a young woman living in a time when fear and superstition often rule over reason. People whisper about her.
They call her strange. Why? Because she knows how to treat sickness with herbs. Because she seems to understand animals better than most.
When a local man is found dead, fingers quickly point to Altha. She’s accused of witchcraft and brought to trial—not for what she’s done, but for who she is. Her story explores how knowledge and independence could be dangerous for women in the 17th century.
1942 – Violet
Over 300 years later, during World War II, Violet is a teenager trapped in a grand but suffocating English estate.
Her father controls every part of her life. Books are banned. Her voice is ignored. As the war rages outside, Violet starts to uncover strange truths buried in her family’s history—secrets that could change everything she thought she knew about where she comes from.
Her curiosity becomes an act of quiet rebellion.
2019 – Kate
In the present day, Kate is a woman trying to heal.
After leaving an abusive relationship in London, she finds herself in a small, quiet cottage in the countryside.
The cottage was left to her by her late Aunt—someone she barely knew. It’s peaceful, but the silence hides something.
As Kate settles in, she begins to uncover pieces of a story that stretch back hundreds of years. Old diaries, clues hidden in the house, and whispers from the past begin to reveal how Violet and Altha’s lives connect to her own.
Characters and Character Arc
- Altha: Faces fear and danger as she stands alone during a time of suspicion and trials.
- Violet: Grows from obedience to curiosity as she uncovers what was hidden from her.
- Kate: Begins from a place of fear and moves toward independence and clarity.
Each woman’s experience leads her to discover truths about her identity and the past. Their lives reflect a pattern of silence, strength, and self-discovery.
Altha, Violet, and Kate live in very different times, but they all face the same problem—being told who they should be. Each one is expected to stay quiet, follow rules, and hide the parts of themselves that others don’t understand. But instead of giving in, they start asking questions. They notice things that don’t make sense. And slowly, they begin to uncover what was hidden from them.
For Altha, that truth comes with danger. People fear her connection to nature and the way she heals with herbs. They call it strange. They call it wrong. But Altha holds on to her knowledge, even when it puts her life at risk.
Themes and Plotline
- Generational strength through women
- Nature and the hidden knowledge passed down
- Freedom from fear and control
- Family, secrecy, and memory
These themes are carried through shifting timelines, forming a single connected story that reveals itself piece by piece.
What Genre Is Weyward?
Weyward belongs to the historical fiction genre with elements of magical realism. It includes emotional storytelling, family history, and soft elements of nature-based strength.
The historical parts are grounded in real places and times—like the witch trials of the 1600s and life during World War II. These settings help show how women were treated in different periods and how power, control, and fear shaped their lives.
The magical side of the story doesn’t involve big spells or fantasy creatures. Instead, it feels quiet and close to nature. It shows up in the way the women connect with the natural world—birds that come when called, herbs that heal, and feelings passed down through bloodlines
What to Expect
- Multiple timelines
- Family legacy
- The cottage as a place of refuge
- Female self-discovery
- Secrets passed through generations
- Interwoven narratives across different time periods
- Quiet, natural strength instead of loud conflict
- A central focus on women’s experiences
- A link between nature and identity
- A slow reveal of how the characters connect
Ratings and Reviews
“Somewhere along the line, being Weyward had come to mean something bad. Something to be afraid of. But I think it means something brave.”
Overall Ratings
Weyward has a 4.1-star rating on Goodreads, with more than 35,000 reviews, and a 4.3-star rating on Amazon, with over 2,000 reviews. The story structure, historical setting, and focus on women’s hidden strength are often highlighted.
What Readers Are Saying
- “A story about women connecting through time.”
- “Each timeline is layered and reveals more as the book goes on.”
- “Beautiful use of nature as part of character identity.”
- “Slow at first but grows deeper with each chapter.”
- “A thoughtful take on quiet strength and family secrets.”
The novel uses a three-part narrative to explore history and identity through a single family line. The nonlinear structure allows the story to unfold slowly as connections are made between the three women. It blends personal history with quiet supernatural elements, staying grounded in real events and emotions.
Who Should Read Weyward?
Age and Content Warning
Best for ages 16 and up. Contains:
- Domestic abuse
- Grief and loss
- Sexual violence (brief but present)
- Historical settings involving witch trials
People Who Liked These Books Will Enjoy Weyward
- The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
- The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
- The Familiars by Stacey Halls
- The Lighthouse Witches by C.J. Cooke
- The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec
Book Recommendations if You Liked Weyward
- The Lost Apothecary – A secret apothecary helps women across time.
- The Familiars – Set during the Pendle witch trials, focused on survival and belief.
- The Once and Future Witches – A mix of historical fiction and feminist fantasy.
- The Witch’s Heart – Based in Norse mythology with a focus on motherhood and strength.
- The Lighthouse Witches – Mysterious and emotional with a focus on family history.
Conclusion
Weyward tells the story of three women—Altha, Violet, and Kate—living in different times but connected by the same name and a hidden power. Each woman faces danger, loneliness, and the challenge of finding her voice in a world that tries to silence her.
The novel moves between their lives, showing how memory, nature, and a sense of place link them across generations. As their stories unfold, the strength they share becomes clear.
This is a quiet, powerful book. It shows how the struggles women face—whether in the 1600s or today—can be similar. And it reminds us that the past is never truly gone. It lives on, offering strength and guidance to those who come after.
