The Bewitching is a compelling novel that beautifully marries horror and fantasy. I absolutely loved the multiple timelines; it added such layers to the overall plot, as well as giving the characters a ton of depth. It also helped keep the pacing fresh, as I found Alba and Virginia's stories to be a tad more intriguing than Minerva's timeline.

I liked that the antagonists were not too tricky for the reader to identify - I think it really added to the suspense of the story, especially in the 1934 and 1998 timelines. Minerva is obviously intelligent, seeming to put the pieces together relatively quickly, yet she was so nonchalant and calm that she had me STRESSED!

Incorporating Mexican folklore and the portrayal of not so typical witches was another aspect of this novel that I really enjoyed. Sometimes witchy tales can feel stereotypical or overdone in a way, but Moreno-Garcia definitely steers clear of that with her fresh take.

I mainly listened to the audiobook, and absolutely loved it! A great read that goes by quickly and is extremely captivating.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion :)

📖 Book Review The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Gifted via #NetGalley

“Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches.” That opening line? A spell in itself. 🖤

I rarely reach for horror or gothic fiction, but this one found me at just the right time—and I was completely gripped. Silvia Moreno-Garcia weaves a haunting, atmospheric tale across three timelines, each featuring powerful, unforgettable women.

Minerva, from the late 1990s, stood out with her quiet strength and enigmatic presence. The layers of mystery, magic, and female resilience made this read utterly captivating.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ | 4.5 stars for a story that bewitched me from start to finish.

#TheBewitching #NetGalley #2025readingchallenge #SilviaMorenoGarcia #GothicReads #WitchyVibes #StrongFemaleCharacters #Bookstagram #HorrorWithHeart #QuoteThatHooks #MinervaMagic #DarkFictionLove

I could not get into this book. Unfortunately, it was just not the right story for me to be reading at the time.

This gripping supernatural horror spans three timelines, each centered on a remarkable woman bound by eerie disappearances, buried secrets, and the lingering presence of witches. In 1908, Alba searches for answers after her brother vanishes under strange circumstances. In 1934, Beatrice turns her roommate’s mysterious disappearance into a bestselling horror novel. And in 1998, Minerva’s academic obsession with Beatrice’s lost manuscript awakens something dark and unseen.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia masterfully blends gothic suspense, generational trauma, and creeping dread into a haunting tale that’s impossible to forget. Atmospheric, unsettling, and deeply layered, this is a must-read for fans of intelligent, slow-burn horror that leaves you sleeping with the lights on.

"When I was a girl, there were still witches"

Mexico, 1908: Alba's family is grieving the death of her father. Their farm is struggling despite what Alba's brother Tadeo wants to admit, and when strange things begin to happen, people in the area begin to believe that the family is cursed.

New England, 1934: Everything is going well for Barbara Tremblay. She attends an excellent college, has a great group of friends, and is quickly falling in love with her beautiful roommate, Virginia. But when Virginia starts to see strange figures following her around and disappears, Barbara's world is turned on its head.

New England, 1998: Minerva has done everything she can to gain admittance at her New England college in order to leave her homeland of Mexico and study the life and works of her favorite horror novelist, Barbara Tremblay. Though outwardly, the stories that Tremblay wrote seem very different from the tales Minverva grew up hearing from her great-grandmother, Nana Alba, she discovers that there are more links between these traditions than she ever imagined. When she begins to unravel the story of Virginia's disappearance, strange things begin happening to her, and she finds remembering her great-grandmother's tales may be the only thing that will save her.


—


Over the years, Silvia Moreno-Garcia has developed a skill for writing the uncanny, beginning her stories with ordinary people going about their ordinary lives and finding, piece by piece, that they have wandered into something truly horrifying. The Bewitching is no exception and is her strongest work since 2020's Mexican Gothic. In both books, the uncanny elements creep in, little by little, while the protagonists either don't notice or ignore what's happening around them until the horror is too great to ignore- at which point they must rely upon their wits to survive rather than strength or force. They are beguiling stories with characters the reader can sympathize with and want to see succeed.

Unlike Mexican Gothic, however, The Bewitching has multiple timelines that follow characters in 1908, 1934, and 1998. Oftimes, novels with multiple timelines fail thanks to one or another of those timelines being uninteresting, filled with flat characters, or failing to properly mesh with the other timeline/s in the book. Fortunately, Moren-Garcia knows how to quickly build sympathetic characters and compose tightly written stories, so while the 1908 and 1934 sections don't receive quite as much page-time as the 1998 story, they are compelling and essential. The reader cannot skip one timeline without losing context vital to the overarching story.

The settings, too, are well-considered. At first glance, one might wonder what Mexican folk stories have to do with New England-based horror novels inspired by H.P. Lovecraft, but there comes a point when Moreno-Garcia suggests that there are strange links between these disparate tales. Because they provide a glimpse into humanity's general fears, that there is something consistent to them, regardless of where in the world they come from. Principles of physics are the same no matter where you are; drop a ball in either Tokyo or Buenos Aires, and it will fall to the ground. Human fear is similar: we fear death, and so ghosts and blood-drinking monsters show up everywhere. And so the means to fight them might be the same from one tradition to another, if only we open our ears and hearts to the stories told by the generations before us.

Like Mexican Gothic, The Bewitching has a satisfying conclusion, though that's not to say that evil is defeated forever. In both books, there is a sense that the darkness could continue, could become someone else's problem in the future. But while evil might remain, there are good people everywhere, and if they remember the stories of the past, they, too, have a chance to hold back the darkness.



Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with an advance copy for review.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a very talented author and this had potential...and then I got to the incest part. That's not for me, so I'm setting aside, which is a bummer because it's only in one of the POVs and the others were interesting. DNF at 23%.

4.5 stars and my thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the eARC!

The Bewitching tells the stories of 3 women throughout the 20th Century and their run-ins with supernatural forces. Minerva, in 1998, is writing her thesis on a local horror author who was also a witness to a woman's disappearance. Said author, Beatrice Tremblay, in 1934, tells the story of her friend who vanished without a trace. Alba, Minerva's grandmother in 1908, starts to realize the terror she's experiencing is coming from a witch.

I really loved how the stories weaved together. Alba and Minerva had the familial connection, Minerva and Beatrice had the author/reader connection, but I couldn't see how Beatrice and Alba were connected, if at all. I would have loved more with Alba's story most of all, but honestly? All three were fascinating and terrifying all at once.

I loved the vibe of this book. There are multiple timelines and it explores the lives of three different women from different generations. Loved the characters of Nana Alba and Minerva. She discovers a book that was inspired by true events and then she begin her investigation about the girl who disappeared under the mysterious circumstances. So, the stories are told in alternating perspectives. This book is perfectly enticing and atmospheric with mysterious disappearances, ghosts, and witchcraft.

In the first timeline, Alba go through the loss of her father and her brother disappears. In the second timeline, Beatrice is a horror writer. She writes a book called Vanishing which is inspired by true events ( missing girl). In the final and third timeline, Minerva gets access to a manuscript named Vanishing. Minerva has grown up listening to Nana Alba’s stories. And as she investigates the case, she finds a deeper connection between the past and unsolved mystery.


Read it if you like
- Multiple Timelines
- Multigenerational stories
- Family Saga
- Witchcraft
- Otherworldly characters
- Mysterious disappearances
- Secrets and lies
- An Unsolved Mystery

Thank you to NetGalley, author Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and Random House Publishing Group- Del Rey for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

One of my favorite aspects of Moreno-Garcia's writing is how atmospheric it is, and The Bewitching might be the most entrancing of hers that I've read yet. The three timelines split between Mexico and New England felt so distinct in each story line and perfectly complimented each other. I personally enjoyed the story of Betty and Ginny the most, but I loved how the stories all interconnected. I found the type of witches described fascinating as they were more like vampires overall, and now I want to do more research into different folklore/creatures. I did think the twists were a bit predictable, and the ending felt a bit rushed for me after setting up so much of each of the characters' struggles. It didn't detract from how hooked in I was to find out what was happening though! In a lot of ways, this felt like a read-alike to V.E. Schwab's newest release, Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, which I loved earlier this summer, and I'm interested to read/hear dialogue surrounding both titles. I look forward to diving into more of Moreno-Garcia's backlog and continuing to check out her newest releases.

Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for this eARC!

Silvia Moreno-Garcia does it again! Every time I get to read one of her books, it's always such a treat and this was no different. I loved the multi-voice and multi-generational storytelling to bring this book to life. It was such a gripping read from beginning to end. Silvia Moreno-Garcia has a way of crafting and weaving history and fiction together so well. I also enjoyed the bonus and accompanying Spotify playlist! I can't wait for the next book from Silvia Moreno-Garcia!

This is such a moody book that I just devoured. Moreno-Garcia's best since Mexican Gothic. I tour through all three storylines that come together for an epic conclusion. Perfect summer reading.

The Bewitching is a story told in 3 timelines of women who have had encounters with witches. And dude, we are not talking cute, cat familiar, brewing potions witches. These are carnal evil entities and I am here for it!

Silvia Moreno-Garcia spins the most beautiful, terrifying tales. Her prose is always so beautiful and paints such vivid pictures. Another great entry in the SMG universe.

I do feel that this moved a little slowly but I was so steeped in the lore that it was fine. I could see how this could throw people off though, but the pay off is so worth it.

I am bewitched! But not in the way I thought I would be.

The honest truth is I would read everything and anything Silvia Moreno-Garcia writes. Her storytelling is enchanting and immaculate. Some of her books (e.g. Silver Nitrate, The Beautiful Ones, Untamed Shore, Mexican Gothic) moved me beyond words, but others didn't resonate with me (e.g. The Daughter of Doctor Moreau, Velvet is the Night, Certain Dark Things). The Bewitching is in the latter category.

I enjoyed the ride nonetheless, especially since I read the e-arc ahead of its release (thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!)
I loved the different timelines and the way the story was told, but something felt off, something was missing. Maybe I didn't feel the author's heart in this piece? Am I pushing it too far with this statement?

And in a strange twist—I even spotted a typo! That’s rare for me, as I usually only find those in my own (already published) books 😅

Overall, The Bewitching was an intriguing and worthwhile experience. Even when a book doesn’t quite land for me, Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s voice always holds my attention. I’m eagerly awaiting whatever she conjures up next.

This Gothic supernatural horror was unputdownable! It follows three generations of women: one in 1900s Mexico, one in the great depression in Massachusetts, and one in 1990s Massachusetts. Grad student Minerva is a student of horror literature doing her thesis on Beatrice Tremblay. She discovers that one of this author's books is rumored to be a true story. Throughout her research she's reminded of the tales her Nana Alba used to tell her, tales that inspired her to study literature. But the deeper she digs into her research, the closer she gets to the evil that she's starting to realize never went away.
This is the author that wrote Mexican Gothic and Daughter of Dr. Moreau (which I loved). The story started out slow with Minerva's research and the building timelines of the other women but there was this building tension and creepy vibes that made me want answers to so many questions. And by the end I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! Loved it!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Witchcraft meets gothic horror, and it’s fantastic! I’ve read Silvia Moreno-Garcia before and already knew she could write, but The Bewitching takes the top spot for me. It’s a bit creepier than her previous books, but still has that same deliciously gothic, haunting vibe that fans will love. This one does not disappoint.
What really stood out to me were the three different timelines, they’re distinct enough to feel fresh, but woven together so cleverly that they make the story even more gripping. Witches are always a win in my reading world, and this book was no exception. I absolutely loved it!

I need to sit and think about this book more, but I don’t want to. It’s very creepy, and I don’t recommend reading it at night, especially when it gets closer to the end. The plot concerns several timelines: One in Mexico in 1908 and one in New England in 1998, and then another from 1934 interspersed throughout. A great-grandmother and her great granddaughter, both encountering malevolent forces and trying to banish them before they themselves are killed. .Minerva, in the latter timeline, is trying to research for her thesis about a novel based on the true story of her roommate mysteriously vanishing over sixty years prior.

I honestly can’t decide which timeline I liked better. I grew attached to young Alba, but I also identified with Minerva with her post-graduate studies in snowy climes (although it’s summer when the events occur) and listening to obscure bands on her Discman. I was in college in 1998 and often walked around with my Discman, so that brought back a lot of fond memories. I didn’t connect much with Ginny, in 1934, but I liked her personality and was easily drawn into the investigation of what happened to her.

The paranormal scenes are chilling, and I guarantee you will feel something similar to what Alba describes as a “portent” as you read them. Spooky, spooky stuff.

I recommend this, if you think you can handle stories about witches. Moreno-García once again delivers a compelling, mysterious novel that will keep you up at night…that is, if you disregard my warning about reading it at night.

Also, close your windows!!

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

Absolutely loved this Gothic novel that spans three different generations of young women encountering the maybe-supernatural. Our main character is on a New England college campus, lonely and mostly deserted over the summer. Then we have early 1900s in rural Mexico, and the story of women at that same college in the 1930s that our main character investigates. The stories are woven together fantastically, with the developments and reveals happening at approximately but not exactly the same time. And with all your Gothic tropes, including someone running out of the house in their nightgown, mysterious messages, and (see content warnings) incest.

I absolutely loved the climax and resolution: I wasn’t surprised by the villain but that did not detract. Very atmospheric very dramatic, totally fascinating. Another great hit from Silvia Moreno Garcia.

I got an ARC from the publisher via netgalley; opinions are my own.

Minerva had always been entranced by her great-grandmother's tales, and is now researching author Beatrice Tremblay as her graduate thesis. As she researches, it seems that Tremblay's last novel was inspired by the disappearance of her roommate. The malign force that stalked Tremblay and the missing girl might still walk the halls of the campus. These disturbing events also echo the stories Nana Alba told about her girlhood in 1900s Mexico, where she had a terrifying encounter with a witch. Minerva now suspects that the same shadow is threatening her in 1990s Massachusetts.

In a dual timeline, 90 years apart, we get Minerva and Alba telling their stories. Once Minerva gets access to Beatrice's novel, we have a third timeline full of creepiness. Minerva likes the weird stories from Lovecraft's time and circles, of which Beatrice Tremblay was a part. Her last novel reminds Minerva of Alba's stories, and sets the tone from the start that we're in for a supernatural tale. A student had already left campus by the time she got access to the novel, and she began digging into the past. Soon, similar things happen to her, and stories she heard from her great-grandmother Alba make more sense, and might help keep her alive.

Alba's introductory chapter shows us the girl raised on a farm, hoping that she'll live the life of a cultured lady instead. Her uncle is only a few years older than her, and goes out of his way to flirt with her, push for life in Mexico City, put down folk remedies and superstitions, and aggravate her brother. The farm starts to suffer more, and whispers begin of the family being cursed. Alba's search for the truth doesn't go where she thinks it will.

Splitting the novel into three stories means it feels slower to start up, but the different threads start picking up tension a few chapters into each thread. Beatrice didn't know what she was dealing with at the time, so she couldn't help Ginny in the weeks prior to her disappearance. Alba's and Minerva's stories mirror each other, and both threads come to a thrilling and tense conclusion. Magic is real here, not in flashy ways, but in manipulating threads of power. This is a fantastic look at folk magic and the power of belief and bloodlines.

Three stories about three generations of witchcraft remarkably assembled. I have loved all of Moreno-Garcia's books and this one did not disappoint, and is close to the top of my favorites! Each story line was well crafted and tied together with the other two. This book was a gem, perfect summer read and I highly recommend it.

Three women, one mystery, and the witches that connect them. When a graduate student with a love of horror literature decides to write her thesis on a specific author's most famous novel that was inspired by true events, she finds herself spiraling down a rabbit hole that she was never prepared for. Minerva has grown up listening to stories about witches from her great grandmother Nana Alba and she specifically finds herself drawn to the horror literature and researching the life of Beatrice Tremblay, an obscure author who's most famous novel was based of a true story that happened while Tremblay attended the same university where Minerva is now studying. Tremblay's best friend disappeared and Minerva is determined to uncover what happened... yet the story itself is divided between the three women: Minerva in the present, Beatrice in the past, and Nana Alba's past as well... and how there is a darkness that has connected all three women and the mystery of the disappearance of a girl. This was definitely a unique mystery that unfolded throughout different times. I loved how distinct each character was and how each of their lives and the mystery in it was so clear. It's a slow burn mystery that draws you in and definitely makes a fantastic autumnal read!

Release Date: July 15, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*