An intriguing blend of historical fiction and magical realism. The premise is captivating and the story is rich in historical detail, however the pacing was a little uneven at times and the transitions between timelines was sometimes confusing.
Still an interesting read.
Many thanks to Atria and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I had a hard time reading this one (I actually did not finished it but my rating it's for what I did read.)

I read up to chapter 9 and had trouble to continue because the story was not interesting enough to keep me reading, especially Marta's character. Nena's backstory was interesting but a bit confusing with all the sudden jumps in time.

The sex scene I read (the first one) seemed unnecessary to the plot, even if Nena says that "La Vista" makes one desire to make love. I didn't care for the interaction between Marta and Alejandro since it seemed flat and distant.

Another thing that made it hard for me to keep reading was the random Spanish words in between phrases or sentences. Some made a bit of sense but, most of the time, the words seemed to only fit in if translated to English (which is not how being "pocho" works.) Especially the "mi hija" instead of "mija" which sounds more natural.

Overall, I think the idea for this book was good but it needed more development and less focus on making sure the characters were "Mexican enough". The book could have been a lot better if it described more of the magic and explained a bit more on how or why Nena had "la vista".

Regardless, thank you NetGalley for the eARC copy of this book.

I was intrigued by the premise of this book and the fact that it takes place in El Paso, where I grew up. I loved all of the references to places and things related to El Paso as I have not been back to visit in over 10 years. I liked the dual timeline involving Nena and Maria. I just did not love the overall story. The witches were interesting, but the story just never really hooked me. It was not bad, just not for me. I am sure there are plenty of readers who will enjoy it.

From the publisher:
A lawyer and her elderly great-aunt use their supernatural gifts to find a lost child in this “wild, wondrous novel about the magic that is singing all around us” (Julia Phillips, author of Disappearing Earth)—in the vein of The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina and La Hacienda.

If you call to the witches, they will come.

1943, El Paso, Texas: teenager Nena spends her days caring for the small children of her older sisters and longing for a life of adventure. The premonitions and fainting spells she has endured since childhood are getting worse, and Nena worries she’ll end up like the scary old curandera down the street. Nena prays for help, and when the mysterious Sister Benedicta arrives late one night, Nena follows her across the borders of space and time. In colonial Mexico, Nena grows into her power, finding love and learning that magic always comes with a price.

In the present day, Nena’s grandniece, Marta, balances a struggling legal aid practice with motherhood and the care of the now ninety-three-year-old Nena. When Marta agrees to help search for a daughter Nena left in the past, the two forge a fierce connection. Marta’s own supernatural powers emerge, awakening her to new possibilities that threaten the life she has constructed.

Witches of El Paso by Luis Jaramillo was published October 8, 2024 by Atria/Primero Sueno Press.

My Thoughts: I gave this book 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars. It's a good story with multiple time lines that is both a strength and a weakness at times. If the chapters had had headers with the year, it would have been a little easier to follow. But, this was not necessary to enjoy the book.

There are 3 eras that are visited in this book. I made the mistake of reading this on two devices. With the change in timelines, it felt a little confusing and like I was reading two different books. I think the multiple timelines was necessary for the story and in general worked well otherwise.

The way the magic system worked was intriguing. The importance of song to the magic was interesting. Some members of the coven were stronger in magic than the others. The nuns seemed to need Nena because of this. Later on, Nena needs Marta in the same way. They both find that magic has a price and it is not always what you expect to pay.

If you've read The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina and enjoyed it, that is a good indicator that you will also enjoy this book. Also, if you like historical fiction and magical realism you will most likely enjoy this book. It's definitely worth a read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my review and opinions.

I gravitate towards magical realism. That being said at times I was a bit confused. Overall I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading more from this author.

Thanks NetGalley for the arc

I'm drawn to books with magical realism and a multigenerational lens, so I loved the themes of this book, as well as the alternating timelines and POVs. Overall, I enjoyed the read but it felt disjointed at times and fell short for me.

The Witches of El Paso is a short but completely immersive novel that blends Tejas Gothic with haunting magic. Told from dual points of view and spanning three different time periods, the story weaves together Catholicism, Brujas, and dark, atmospheric themes. Jaramillo’s writing pulls you in with its eerie setting and compelling characters, creating a narrative that's both spooky and thought-provoking. Perfect for the Halloween season, this book delivers a mix of mystery, supernatural intrigue, and deep cultural ties. A captivating read for fans of magical realism and gothic tales.

“The Witches of El Paso” by Luis Jaramillo is an atmospheric and magical story of a family in Texas blessed with supernatural gifts.

Jaramillo captured the beauty and wonder of El Paso. The characters were lovable and flawed, their magic woven into their very beings.
The dynamic between the family members was engaging a heart wrenching.

I was engaged all the way through the story, eager for the for next story, the next twist and turn.

If you enjoy stories of multi generational family stories, time travel, magic, and stories with rich culture aspects this is one for you,

Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for graciously providing me an opportunity to read the ARC.

This book sounded great and the reviews were pretty good but the different timelines were too much for me. This book had promise but it was too confusing.

I picked up The Witches of El Paso, because I love a multigenerational story, especially with magic of some sort. However, I unfortunately found the story to be simultaneously hard to follow and yet boring. I didn’t care for any of the characters; past or present. Marta’s POV was insufferable and watching her make poor decision after poor decision was exhausting. Nena was an interesting, multi-faceted character, but unfortunately her part of the story suffered from somewhat unclear timelines. I also found Marta’s character arc to be flat and definitely rolled my eyes at the ending. While Jaramillo’s writing style was beautiful, I didn’t find it nearly immersive enough to give the story the kind of attention I wanted to give it.

The Witches of El Paso" by Luis Jaramillo has an intriguing premise that sets a tone of magic and mystery against the peculiar backdrop of El Paso; still, I could not connect to the characters or become immersed in their stories. The plot was vaguely familiar and did not add originality or depth that I was expecting. Also, spanish is my native language and i just couldn't deal with the spanglish, if felt overly used. It might work for readers in love with atmospheric settings and witchcraft-themed tales, but alas, it was not the right read for me.

This was an interesting story of family legacy. I liked the use of magic or witchcraft as an element passed down through the women in a family. I really enjoyed Nena's story. The switching between timelines took some getting used to, but overall Nena was an engaging narrator. I found her experiences and emotional journey to be moving. Marta's story was not as strong to me. I enjoyed her relationship with Nena, however I found her work experiences and family tensions less convincing. I was not as strongly connected to her, and therefore found her journey to be flat.

Even though the story didn't completely work for me, I am very interested to read more from Luis Jaramillo.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing an eARC in return for my honest thoughts.

This was such a fascinating novel. A multi-timeline, multi-generational novel that flicks between the modern day, the 1940s and the 1700s, it's set in El Paso, a city straddling the border between the US and Mexico.

This is not a part of the world I'm familiar with, so the vibrant descriptions of the barren desert landscape, adobe architecture and the interweaving of Mexican culture and folklore throughout the story added real depth to the story. Blending magical realism with thought-provoking social commentary The Witches of El Paso by Luis Jaramillo tells the story of Marta and Nena, two women learning to navigate supernatural powers that they don't wholly understand or want.

The story alternates between each woman's perspective which was occasionally jarring, and the ending itself felt slightly rushed after so much build-up of tension and mystery but I enjoyed it immensely nonetheless.

It's an intriguing story that explores ideas of identity and female power through the medium of witchcraft and I'll definitely be watching out for what Luis Jaramillo writes next.

High level;
Third person
Single POV
Slow paced
Descriptive writing


Overall solid read, but not my preference for writing style. I absolutely do not believe in bombing reviews of the reason I didn’t love a book had more to do with me than the author. For that reason, I’m giving this read 3 stars.

The magical realism, multiple timelines, generational stories, empowered women, and vivid descriptions of locations made it difficult for me to put this book down. The author did an amazing job weaving together the characters and propelled the story forward across different timelines and spaces. The descriptions of the locations and people were so vivid and tangible, I was immediately transported each time.

This book is definitely for fans of The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina, Mujer de Luz, and La Hacienda.

Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

1943 El Paso. Colonial Mexico. Present day. The Witches of El Paso follows a women and her elderly great-aunt and their powers. I loved every minute of this book. Jaramillo did a masterful job of portraying intergenerational trauma (and love).

A huge thank you to Luis Jaramillo, NetGalley, and Atria Books | Atria/Primero Sueno Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Witches of El Paso was a nice addition to my fall reading list, and it was a book that I enjoyed, though I almost immediately forgot many of the details upon finishing it. Magical realism can often be a challenging genre for me, but I quite enjoyed the magical elements of this book. Jaramillo also jumps back and forth in time, which I often find confusing, but I felt it was navigated well in this book, and I was invested in both narratives. I did find the ending to be a bit anticlimactic, and I just wanted a bit more, but overall I'm glad I had the opportunity to read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced reader copy.

The Witches of El Paso by Luis Jaramillo is a unique and thought-provoking novel that blends magical realism with sharp social commentary. Set in the Texas borderlands, it follows a group of women with supernatural powers as they navigate both the magic of their heritage and the challenges of living in a world that doesn’t fully understand them. The novel deftly explores themes of identity, belonging, and the complexities of culture, while weaving in elements of witchcraft and mysticism.

Jaramillo’s writing is vivid and poetic, grounding the fantastical in the everyday struggles of his characters. The women at the heart of the story are compelling and multifaceted, each one dealing with personal struggles while grappling with the legacy of their powers. The book’s pace is steady, building tension while also offering moments of introspection and emotional depth.

Told in alternating timelines and from the perspective of two different women, this novel is magical realism at its finest. In the 1940s, Nena wants more out of life amidst her discovery of unwelcome magical powers. In present day, Nena’s grandniece, Marta is not necessarily unhappy, but is unfulfilled - taking care of her children, feeling a disconnect from her husband and working at a legal aid practice where she feels unappreciated. When Nena, in present day, comes to stay with Marta, she tells her of the impossible: when she was young, she was transported to colonial Mexico, in order to learn how to be a bruja by the nuns there. During her time in the past, Nena not only comes into her own powers but falls in love and has a child - who she left in the past. Nena now wants Marta’s help going back.

Impossibly hard to put down, this was a spectacular journey of the imagination grounded in reality. Highly recommend!

This is a really unique mix of historical fiction, magical realism, and family drama, with multiple timelines and a lot of cultural depth. The atmosphere and concept are really interesting, but it can be a bit tricky to fully connect with all the moving parts and characters.