Weyward

I cannot recommend this book enough. It is a book about three women in very different times and different circumstances, who, despite this are very closely tied together. The way this book manages to thread these stories together and reveal a common red thread across time, is masterful.

WOW! I was more than surprised to find out that this story is Emilia Hart's debut novel. The composition of her characters, the story's outline, its setting and even the tone of narrative is nothing less than perfect. This novel was therefore the best debut I have read in a long time. We follow Kate, Violet and Altha (all women of the Weyward family) through different stages in time and bear witness to their unfailing efforts for a self-determined life against an abusive boyfriend, the Weyward's patriarchal family system and last but not least against the accusation of witchcraft. The stakes are high and the Weyward women seem to have a special connection to the elements and nature itself - but are they able to save themselves? Even though each Weyward woman has her own point of view, the extraordinary quality of Hart's narrative style makes it easy to tell the three perspectives apart but also to make out hidden similarities that connect Kate to Violet and Altha. As many chapters end in thrilling cliff-hangers, I was always hooked to keep on reading and was moved to tears by the story's unexpected final chapter, as it completes and perfects the mosaic picture of the Weyward family to its fullest.

I didn't know, what to expect from this debut novel, but WOW. This book is about three independent, powerful women/witches over three different centuries, all struggling against the patriarchy. Each discovery of their individual gifts is well-crafted and these story lines, unfolding seamlessly, makes it a beautiful read. I really enjoyed these vivid details and the triple narrative which makes it not just ANY witchy book. This book is about so much more than that. I definitely wasn't expecting to be so blown away but then again, sometimes it's even better to have no expactations. This was pure enjoyment.

"After all, I am a Weyward, and wild inside." This book blew my mind. I can hardly express how much I loved reading it. The writing is exceptional and I was on edge the whole time reading. The three different storylines are (everyone for themselves) very unique and interesting. It's about the Weyward woman, beautiful but strange. They all have been wronged and have to find strength facing their darkest moments. All their storys (despite many years seperating them) collide with one another making it a formidable reading experience. This book is a masterpice and maybe the best book I have read this year so far.

This book follows three Weyward women over history. They all face obstacles, like witch trials, rape, abuse and other things, all connected to men. And they have to find their inner power to become the women they are born to be. Reading this book made me very angry. It is filled with the rage of being a woman, the unfairness, the fear. And with that it is deeply feminist and emotional.