A while back, I read Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic. While I found it a little underwhelming, I liked it enough to want to read more of her work. When I read the description for her new novel, The Bewitching, it captured my attention and has turned out to be a better fit to my tastes. Exploring mysterious disappearances and sinister forces that echo through time, The Bewitching beautifully interweaves a trio of narratives that drive one another forward. Though there isn’t a lot of surprise as far as whose malice drives the action, there is plenty of delicious suspense and twists along the way to inescapable confrontation.

In 1998, Minerva is working on her thesis project at a university near Salem, Massachusetts. Fascinated by horror fiction, she is determined to make Beatrice Tremblay, the author of her favorite novel the focus of her project. Working as a resident director for the handful of students left on campus over the summer, Minerva learns that not only was Beatrice’s novel inspired by true events, but the woman left behind a manuscript of her recollections of the friend’s disappearance that was at the heart of it all. The manuscript is in the care of another friend of Beatrice and the missing girl. The wealthy and eccentric Carolyn Yates actually married the missing Virginia’s fiancé after her disappearance was determined to likely be the result of an elopement with another man. As Minerva begins to study the manuscript and look into Virginia’s disappearance, lessons her Nana Alba used to tell her about witches and curses come to mind. Sinister forces similar to those Nana Alba once faced appear to be at work around Minerva. Will she have the wherewithal it takes to confront them the way Nana Alba once did?

While I found the main character of Mexican Gothic annoying (and that hindered my ability to enjoy the book), with The Bewitching, I found the three characters the narrative focuses on far more agreeable. They had their moments of eye-roll inducing obliviousness and willful denial and sometimes that slowed things down for me a bit, but the nature of the narrative where the story switches between them each regularly certainly helped reduce how annoying those moments felt. The way the three narrative threads related to and supported one another helped prevent the novel from feeling like it was just treading water to build tension – it felt like it was still advancing, if not in one thread, then in one of the others.

Perhaps unsurprisingly given the role witchcraft plays in the novel, The Bewitching explores a variety of power dynamics but the exploration of class particularly caught my interest. In each narrative time period, individuals from the poorer classes are both quick to latch on to the idea of a supernatural source for troubles that certain people experience and they’re also easily dismissed and rebuked for that belief by those of a higher class. Of course, that dismissal serve the purposes of the upper classes in myriad ways, reinforcing the existing social (and financial) structures. Meanwhile, the three characters at the heart of the story are from the space between the classes (not necessarily “middle class” but more stuck in the middle). As much as they may want to dismiss the beliefs expressed as superstitious, there’s another part that wants to believe and, at the very least, learn some protective charms or “spells” since, if it’s just superstition, what’s the harm.

The Bewitching is available July 15, 2025.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t my favorite of Garcia’s work. I had trouble connecting with the characters there are 3 POVs and I didn’t like the middle one as much.

It did pick up in the last 20% and I enjoyed the ending.

If you are fan of her work, I’d give it a shot.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

My first Silvia Moreno-Garcia read, and it did not disappoint! The writing style was easy to follow with nice, vivid descriptions. The pacing worked well for me, creepy and suspenseful without rushing anything. It did start off a little slow, but I didn’t mind. Once it picked up, I was hooked!

The story itself was solid. Definitely creepy and disturbing at times, but not in an over-the-top way. I kind of wished it scared me a little more, but that’s more of a personal preference. I still greatly enjoyed the overall tone and atmosphere. A great pick for Halloween or summerween vibes!

Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the eARC!

Once again, Silvia Moreno-Garcia has come up with a winner. Her book, Mexican Gothic, is another historical fantasy with a hint of gothic horror, and is one of my favorites from her. This book, The Bewitching, ranks right up there.

On a farm in Mexico in 1908, Alba's brother vanishes without a trace, animals begin to die, and strange things happen. Alba, who is superstitious, suspects a bewitching has occurred, but who is the witch, and why is she focusing on Alba's family?

In 1998, at Stoneridge College, a small liberal arts college in New England, a student is missing. Alba's great-granddaughter, Minerva, who is working on her thesis there on author Beatrice Tremblay, wonders if there is something unusual about his disappearance.

It's 1934, and Beatrice Tremblay's roommate vanishes from Stoneridge College. Convinced something is amiss, she begins investigating.

The plot revolves around these three women as they delve into the world of witchcraft and folklore. Told in alternating timelines, this is a multi-generational story featuring strong women who aren't afraid to acknowledge the supernatural to come to terms with what is happening. Although it started slowly, I enjoyed how the story unfolded and the role witchcraft played in it. I did figure out who a couple of the witches were, but there were enough surprises to keep me engaged. 4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Del Ray, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is July 15, 2025.

The Bewitching is a layered gothic tale that is beautifully written and reads more like literary fiction than horror.
The story blends gothic atmosphere and historical fiction so beautifully.
Moreno-Garcia’s writing is lush and vivid, painting the setting with rich detail.
Overall, The Bewitching is a beautifully written. A great read for fans of gothic fiction and literacy.

This book is a solid read. The characters are interesting and well-developed. This book intertwines three different stories across three different time periods in a way that is enjoyable and makes sense. Each part of the narrative is well-written with solid pacing and a satisfying conclusion. The connections between the stories are logical and enhance the individual pieces. I will say, this book is incredibly predictable. The big twist was in no way a surprise. That’s not necessarily a detriment to this book, as it is enjoyable regardless, but this enjoyment comes from the execution of the plot rather than any great suspense or shock.

I’m a huge fan of Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and leapt to get my mitts on this book. Unfortunately, I was approved before the Del Rey debacle with Homegrown Magic (where the book overtly makes use of just about every trope that has been used to justify the killing of Jews throughout history, and Del Rey has not only refused to engage with the many Jewish readers calling attention to the harmful representation in a time of increasing antisemitism, and even deleted and closed comments on *only* posts featuring that book), and I promised myself that I would not be hyping any Del Rey books until they have at least acknowledged the harmful representation. However, since they haven’t bothered to respond, even to multiple emails that I have sent, I won’t be posting this anywhere other than NetGalley. Also, I've stopped requesting any books published by Del Rey, and will continue to do so unless there is resolution.

Now that my issue with the publisher is out of the way, Moreno-Garcia is an outstanding author and this book is somehow even better than the last one, allowing readers to see her growth as an author. In this one, she merges fantasy and magical realism with gothic horror, mystery, and historical fiction, with elements of dark academia. Moreno-Garcia shines brightest when she blends genres to create something uniquely her own.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Gisela Chipe, and she was fantastic. She narrates all three timelines—featuring Nana Alba’s experiences as a young woman in rural Mexico in 1908, Beatrice’s experiences in 1934 at a university near Boston, and then the experiences of Minerva, Alba’s great-granddaughter, during her time as a graduate student and resident director in 1998, bring the story full circle. Alba had a heavy Mexican Spanish accent, while the women in the 1934 timeline have a proper, upper-class Massachusetts accent, and Minerva speaks English with a beautiful, soft accent; all of the accents sounded natural, although I did find the tone that she used for the 1934 women to be a little affected. However, just hearing the name Minerva with the Spanish pronunciation made me love how it sounded.

Typically, when reading a book with multiple timelines, I connect more with one or another of the timelines, yet I found myself equally invested in all three. It helped that there was a common thread running through all the stories: each of the characters have eerily similar experiences, seemingly inexplicable except for paranormal explanations. Minerva, having grown up on the tales her great-grandmother told her about witches (not the Disney-fied ones, the really scary ones) that seemed to intersect with vampire lore, is now an adult formulating a graduate thesis about an overlooked female author of a horror novel, based on her own experiences, which is none other than Beatrice Trembley. Her search for any personal correspondence written by Trembley leads her to the grandmother of an undergraduate student, who was a contemporary of Beatrice and the woman who disappeared in that timeline.

As the story went on, I was able to see the shape of things more clearly, but I still had a tough time predicting who the monster was in two of the three timelines until there were too many clues to ignore, and in another I saw the monster a mile away, but had no idea how bad it really was. In all three timelines, there is mention of a person being ‘bewitched,’ or seeming stalked by something otherworldly, and not being believed. The disbelief about the experiences led to some very different discussions about mental health, as I’d expect from two different countries and three timelines covering nearly 100 years, and while Moreno-Garcia doesn’t get deeply into discussions of the changing attitudes towards women and mental health, I think that was a good move. It would have been too heavy of a detour, especially when that wasn’t necessarily a central theme, but rather something that might have contributed to each woman’s experience, and potentially places them as unreliable narrators.

Overall, this is a fantastic book, and the plot, the characters, the different timelines, the mystery, and even the way Minerva’s timeline gave me nostalgia for my high school years, full of similar music, an ever-present Discman, and a simpler life without social media and a complete reliance on computers and the internet. But, luckily my high school years didn’t involve any bewitching, so I have to live vicariously through books. And after reading this version of witches and bewitchment, I’m glad the only place I see it is in books.

I am always impressed by the range of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's work and her mastery of atmosphere, secrets, and unease. This occurs again here with The Bewitching, a story following three women in 1908, 1934 and 1998, tied together by a novel and family stories. It starts with Minerva, a graduate literature student who finds a novel she's studying is based on a true story from the past, at her own university, and also seems reminiscent of stories that her great-grandmother told her. In this atmospheric, gothic novel, Moreno-Garcia has turned to witches, and as ever, she expertly combines historical detail with fantasy, sci-fi, and horror as well as an academic setting. It's a bit of a slow burn, but the alternating timelines keep the story interesting and the mystery really picks up. This will make a great fall, spooky season read.

This was my first book by this author and I was blown away. This was such an atmospheric read and I was sucked in right from the start. I was deeply enthralled in the mystery of what happened to Ginny and that entire story line. The story line with Alma wasn't my favorite just because of the relationship with the uncle but I thought that it still played its role in the overall story. I did think that that one was a bit predictable and I realized who the witch was way before it came to head. I did find it super interesting to see how the situations were handled in different time periods. Especially when it came to the women being labeled as crazy, or hormonal. I loved Minerva and her determination to solve the mystery. Over all I was completely transported by this book in all the best ways.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore and NetGalley for an ARC of The Bewitching in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 3/5

While I enjoyed some of the quotes from the narrator, I felt that the story was longer than necessary, which made it difficult to stay immersed at times. I believe it could have worked better as general fiction without the romance elements, allowing for a greater focus on the themes and character development. Overall, the story had potential but would benefit from more streamlined storytelling.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia does not disappoint!
I thoroughly enjoyed The Bewitching—from the rich family history to the seamless weaving of timelines and the magical elements, everything was artfully tied together. The vivid contrasts between the two settings added so much texture to the story: the heat and vibrancy of Mexico, with its lush, wild landscapes, haunting folklore, and deep-rooted traditions, versus the wintery but equally harsh in some ways atmosphere of Massachusetts, with its gray skies, Puritanical undercurrents, and rigid societal structures.

The divide between the wealthy and the struggling characters was equally compelling, adding a layer of social commentary that felt both timely and timeless.

As someone who loves books with a magical thread, I often find familiar patterns repeating themselves predictably. The Bewitching was something else—it felt completely original, filled with wonder and mystery without ever feeling contrived. There were stories within stories, each one captivating, and I loved being swept away by all of them. Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing an ARC of the novel.

Opening line: “Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches.” THE BEWITCHING is a soft spine-chilling multi-generational gothic horror tale, three women from distinct time periods face peril and the supernatural forces of witchcraft.

Minerva grew up with tales about witches from her great-grandmother. As a Mexican foreign transfer, she is now a graduate student specializing in the history of horror literature in the state of Massachusetts. Minerva is gathering her thesis on the life of college alumnus and author Beatrice Tremblay. Tremblay’s one and only novel, The Vanishing, released in 1969, was inspired by a true story.

In 1934, during the Great Depression, while Tremblay attended school, she became enamored with her beautiful, lyrical roommate, who vanished. As Minerva begins to uncover more clues from Tremblay’s personal papers about her roommate’s final days, she senses a malign force that has turned its sights on Minerva. This force stalking Minerva eerily mirrors the stories from Tramblay’s written accounts and her great-grandmother's tales about the witch she encountered as a young girl.

Verdict:
I’m not going to lie, the beginning is very slow going, but the opening line had me invested. Quickly grabbing me with the three timelines of these women’s stories, which intertwine seamlessly and connect beautifully. Elegantly written story of witches, warlocks, and Mexican supernatural folklore. Not overly frightening, though there are a few scenes that will chill your spine. This book leans more towards historical fiction with a supernatural element. The timeline set in 1908 Mexico, with Alba, is the most chilling, and Nana Alba's stories of witchcraft prove crucial for her great-granddaughter exactly one hundred years later. Excellent representation of Mexican witches, they are not to be messed with. (8.5/10)

Another winner from Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Her strengths have always been realistic characters and dialogue, and visually descriptive details that set the scene and mood. Magic and mayhem in Massachusetts and Mexico, with witches and warlocks, deaths and disappearances. Highly recommended.

his is SO GOOD. There are 3 timelines, but they all connect in the end, and the gothic vibes are so good. This is my first book by the author, and I'm glad I have a nice back catalogue to get into. My only complain is the author could've gone deeper regarding the social commentary on rich vs workers/the poor. I recommend this if you liked the new book by V E Schwab, the vibes are kinda similar, and also if you like Shirley Jackson and Isabel Allende (for the magic realism).

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

In The Bewitching, we follow three different women in three different eras as they grapple with the dangers of witchcraft.

I DNFed at 92% (second-to-last chapter). I couldn’t even finish that chapter, I had to stop because I found it completely vile. From the beginning of the book at chapter 2, I wanted to DNF. I found the Alba chapters to be absolutely disgusting. But I powered through because I found the rest of the story engaging and really wanted to see how Alba’s story coalesced with the other stories, and also wanted to see if those Alba chapters redeemed themselves in the end. I guess I’ll never find out.

I appreciate how the author set up the story (for the most part), though I found some parts of the story too obvious from early on. I liked what little horror we got, and hoped there would be more. And maybe I’m one of those sensitive people, but I could’ve used a warning about what went on in the Alba chapters. That one part of the Alba chapters was definitely not for me and completely ruined the book for me.

This is a close second for me in terms of my favorite books by Silvia. I'm usually hesistant about books that even partially take place in the past but Silvia balanced the timelines perfectly. I am a sucker for 90s anything so having one of those timelines be during that time was a huge appeal to me.

I normally don’t enjoy reading novels with multiple timelines, but The Bewitching blew away all my concerns.

The latest offering from Silvia Moreno-Garcia tells three different, yet interrelated, stories, taking place in 1908, 1934, and 1998, and the author satisfyingly ties it all together in a banger of an ending. The overarching storyline introduces us to Minerva, a student from Mexico who comes to a college in New England to do a thesis on a little known horror writer who had attended school there in 1934. The 1908 storyline involves Minerva’s great grandmother, Alba. All the timelines involve witchcraft. This is a slow burn of a novel, but Moreno-Garcia skillful writing kept my attention and I never lost interest in the book.

Highly recommended.

My thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing an ARC of the novel.

Spooky, atmospheric, and unsettling, this gothic multigenerational tale weaves together three POV's and three time-lines that span over a century. Moreno-Garcia masterfully intertwines Mexican folklore and witchcraft to create a story that makes witches scary again! It's the perfect read to lead into spooky season!

I wasn’t familiar with Moreno-Garcia’s work before this, but I was immediately struck by her brilliant writing—beautifully descriptive yet engaging and easy to read. I loved the use of different POVs, and found myself fully invested in each timeline with Alba, Betty, and Minerva. Their individual stories were compelling, and the way the author wove them together—making them both distinct and deeply connected—was masterfully done.

Each timeline held its own magic, and the layers of Mexican folklore added a rich, atmospheric depth to the narrative.

It’s a perfect recommendation for anyone who enjoys light fantasy blended with historical fiction, some horror, strong female leads, and a witchy, haunting vibe. A truly captivating and rewarding read.

I'm a huge fan of Silvia Moreno-Garcia. I'm still working my way through her catalogue but everything I've read so far, I've loved. Her writing reminds me of my favorite writer, Alix E. Harrow. They're both true story-tellers and have just the most magical way of writing that pulls you into their worlds of beautiful words.

The Bewitching is no different and was just what I was hoping for - a spooky, vibey jaunt through time with witches and dark magic. We travel to 1908, 1934 and 1998, all connected through our MC, Minerva, in 1998. I appreciated the way the story unfolds through time. Moreno-Garcia is an expert writer though, and you can tell this is her passion.

I will say that this IS a slow burn of a novel. If you don't like slow burns then this is not for you. Personally, I love it. I love the drawn out vibey aesthetics of wintry New England. I could practically smell the farm in 1908. This is one writer who does atmosphere wonderfully well.

I also really enjoyed the particular mythology for the witches and magic of this story - it was something different from the usual witch mythology and I greatly appreciated it. It was exciting to learn and encounter this new witch type, which is based on witches of Mexican legend, teyolloquani.

I read this as slow as I could to keep it with me as long as I could, same as I did Mexican Gothic and Silver Nitrate. I think I loved Mexican Gothic the best among the three but all three are great. I think The Bewitching might be slow to garner love but I think it will be loved all the same. I love witchy books lol

If you're in the mood for a vibey autumn/winter witch read, this is for sure for you. Also, if you're just a fan of a good story, haha