Weyward

CW: rape/ marital rape, domestic violence, bloodletting, pregnancy, stillbirth, abortion

This is my third back to back 4.5 star read and I'm just so glad that I'm reading again and loving the books.

This book was totally off my radar, which actually surprised me because I'm usually on top of my debut releases. It was only when my dear friend received an arc and then mentioned that she loved it that I realized that I may wanna give it a try too. And I'm so wowed by this audiobook.

This story is told in three POVs, all taking place across different timelines, centuries apart but I was really amazed at how well the author kept every single storyline engaging and compelling. We have an idea that the three women must be related but the author does a wonderful job revealing bits and pieces of information very slowly, so that we can figure out along with the characters how they are related. The magical aspect is also very present but subtle, with the characters being one with nature and being very attuned to insects and birds and animals - how these creatures provide solace and a feeling of safety is one of the beautifully written parts of this book. But what really is a prominent underlying thread of the story is also what made me extremely sad and angry - the characters may all be living across different time periods but the issues they face are too similar and it's so unfortunate that not much has changed despite women gaining many rights.

Kate in the present day is escaping an abusive husband and trying to figure out a way forward, which is complicated by her pregnancy. She finds solace in her deceased great aunt Violet's cottage and through finding out her story, gains the strength needed to move ahead in her life. Violet on the other hand is a young woman during WWII struggling to be more than a girl is allowed to be during her times, confronted with stunning truths about her mother's legacy and what that means for her future. Altha is a young healer in the 17th century who is accused of using witchcraft for murder and is scared of being executed, taking the time to pen down her real story. How these three amazing women find about their shared legacy and how this knowledge gives them the resilience to fight for what they want during adverse circumstances makes for a heart touching story.

Wow what an experience this was. With sublime narration by Aysha Kala, Helen Keeley and Nell Barlow, Weyward is a well paced, beautifully written debut - a compelling and exquisite tale of three women, their connection to nature and to each other, and how powerful female solidarity can be even when they aren't physically present with each other. This story is really unforgettable and I'm gonna keep thinking about this for a while. Highly recommend, but do checkout the content warnings.