Weyward

A Novel

By: Emilia Hart

Narrated by: Aysha Kala, Helen Keeley, Nell Barlow

Long-listed, Barnes and Noble Best New Books of the Year 2023

This is a multicast program.

"A spellbinding story about what may transpire when the natural world collides with a legacy of witchcraft."—Sarah Penner, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary

"Narrators Aysha Kala, Helen Keeley, and Nell Barlow are a magical, moving trio. Their emotional and expressive performance of the parallel narratives ranges from touching and timid to tense and twisting."—Library Journal

I am a Weyward, and wild inside.

2019: Under cover of darkness, Kate flees London for ramshackle Weyward Cottage, inherited from a great aunt she barely remembers. With its tumbling ivy and overgrown garden, the cottage is worlds away from the abusive partner who tormented Kate. But she begins to suspect that her great aunt had a secret. One that lurks in the bones of the cottage, hidden ever since the witch-hunts of the 17th century.

1619: 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.

1942: As World War II rages, Violet is trapped in her family's grand, crumbling estate. Straitjacketed by societal convention, she longs for the robust education her brother receives–and for her mother, long deceased, who was rumored to have gone mad before her death. The only traces Violet has of her are a locket bearing the initial W and the word weyward scratched into the baseboard of her bedroom.

Weaving together the stories of three extraordinary women across five centuries, Emilia Hart's Weyward is an enthralling novel of female resilience and the transformative power of the natural world.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

©2023 Emilia Hart (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

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

"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

"Gripping...Thoughtful and at times harrowing, this novel is a successful blend of historical fiction and modern feminism."–Kirkus

LOVED

This is exactly the book needed in this empowering age of the Feminine awakening.

A book you'll want to read again and again

As soon as this book ended I wanted to go back and start all over again. The narration of this audio book was very well done. I loved the different voices for the 3 story lines. The pacing of this book also kept me so engaged. Each story line peaks at a different time with all of them culminating and colliding at the end to tell a beautiful story that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

Beautiful story

Weyward is a beautiful story of the Weyward women across centuries. It is a must read for anyone who enjoys and appreciates stories about powerful women.

Great read!

CW: SA & DV

Excellent story of multiple women surviving their various eras and the patriarchal beliefs that allowed mediocre men to do awful things. Involves three generations of a lineage each empowered by their connections of the generations that had come before them.

Good story & performance

I enjoyed Weyward very much. I liked the relation between the earth, the women and nature and the bond you discover. I recommend this book.