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A review by norahhm
Weyward by Emilia Hart
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The prose was very beautiful and raw at points, particularly in the perspective of Kate, describing her experience with domestic abuse. But much of Violet and Altha’s stories are told in a way that feels very young adult, which felt discordant with the very violent and emotional content…like the quote on the front “they call us witches…we call ourselves weyward” was so Wattpad lmao.
I didn’t think the witch theme was explored enough for the amount of suspense built up throughout the book about what that entailed…I think delving more into the ways the women used their powers aside from just punishing the men would have better served the message the author seemed to be sending about finding empowerment from within—rather than from a man. Because the culmination of each woman’s journey was finding their power through hurting abusers, it decentered their personal journeys to emancipation and refocused the way they found freedom on the involvement of men.
I didn’t think the witch theme was explored enough for the amount of suspense built up throughout the book about what that entailed…I think delving more into the ways the women used their powers aside from just punishing the men would have better served the message the author seemed to be sending about finding empowerment from within—rather than from a man. Because the culmination of each woman’s journey was finding their power through hurting abusers, it decentered their personal journeys to emancipation and refocused the way they found freedom on the involvement of men.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Miscarriage, Medical trauma, and Car accident
Minor: Cursing and Forced institutionalization