“Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches.”

This book is amazeballs. Or that's what I'd say if I were the type of person to use the word “amazeballs,” anyway, which I totally am not. Ahem. The Bewitching is a witchy blend of horror and historical fiction that weaves together three distinct timelines (1998 and 1934 Massachusetts and early 1900s Mexico) into a captivatingly creepy multigenerational saga that will keep you reading long into the night.

This book is filled with witches and warlocks and all kinds of supernatural folklore, but it's not exactly what I'd consider to be scary. There are some creepy parts, sure, but we're not talking Stephen King levels of horror here. This is more historical fiction with a supernatural twist, not that 1998 can be considered “historical” because I turned nineteen in 1998 and that was basically, like, ten years ago. Ahem. Alba's timeline from 1908 Mexico is by far the creepiest, and it's no wonder that Nana Alba's stories of witches and witchcraft are so useful to her great-granddaughter almost a century later.

It's not hard to deduce who the villains of each timeline are, which, contrary to what you might expect, makes things all the more suspenseful. In Alba's timeline especially, you just want to grab her and shake some sense into her as you anxiously wonder what terrible thing the sorcerer or sorceress is going to do next.

And the ending(s)? Fantastic. Alba's timeline (again) was my favorite, but Minerva's has a The Craft-esque epilogue to it which was fun. Beatrice's ending is more tragic than the others – you know that's going to be the case from almost the very beginning – but in a way her story doesn't truly come to a conclusion until Minerva's does, so it's not all doom and gloom.

As an aside, I really enjoyed the little nods to other famous horror writers that Moreno-Garcia worked into this novel. Writer Beatrice “Tremblay” is a focus of the 1934 timeline (and of Minerva's thesis in 1998), and “ancient department heads” of Stoneridge College include “Stephen Graham Jones” (Philosophy) and “Nicholas Mamatas” (Classics). I figured from the very beginning that the “Tremblay” thing could have been a tribute to Paul Tremblay, but it wasn't until I got to the department heads bit that I was all, “Hey, wait a minute!” Stephen Graham Jones is a rather distinctive name, so there's pretty much no missing it at that point.

Overall, this is a fantastic novel and Moreno-Garcia is quickly becoming one of my favorite horror writers. If you enjoy stories about witches, multigenerational (and multicultural) sagas, and/or horror novels set in quaint New England towns (and Mexico), definitely consider giving The Bewitching a read. It's a creepy and sorcery-laden ride.

4.75 stars, rounded up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is July 15, 2025.

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s The Bewitching hooked me right from the start. The story weaves together three timelines—Minerva in the 1990s, Beatrice Tremblay in the 1930s, and Minerva’s great-grandmother Alba in early 1900s Mexico—and they’re all so well done that it’s hard to pick a favorite. Minerva, a grad student researching Beatrice, uncovers that her most famous novel, *The Vanishing*, was inspired by a real-life disappearance. The deeper Minerva digs, the clearer it becomes that the same shadowy forces stalking Tremblay and her roommate might still be hanging around.

The triple timeline is the star of the show here. You’ve got a bit of everything: historical fiction, dark academia, witchcraft, and a good dose of literary mystery. Moreno-Garcia’s writing makes you feel like you’re right there, whether it’s early 1900s Mexico, a Great Depression-era university, or the ’90s with Minerva and her Discman full of The Pixies and Sneaker Pimps. I’ll admit, though, the constant ’90s references started to feel like overkill. At first, it was charming, but by the end, I was rolling my eyes a little.

What really stands out is how well Moreno-Garcia handles atmosphere. Every setting feels rich and alive, and the transitions between timelines are smooth and purposeful. The witchcraft elements are especially well done—not just spooky, but deeply tied to the characters’ fears, desires, and the ways people wield power over each other.

The mystery is solid, though if you read a lot of them, you might see some of the twists coming. That said, I didn’t mind, because the story kept me hooked. It’s more about the journey than the big reveals, and the writing makes that journey worth it.

That said, there’s an incest subplot late in the book that didn’t sit right with me. It’s not the focus, and it’s there to show how repulsive a certain character is, but I can’t help wondering if there was another way to achieve that. For anyone who’s experienced SA, those scenes could be a tough read, so it’s worth being aware of.

Overall, The Bewitching is a fascinating blend of genres that works surprisingly well. It’s dark, eerie, and incredibly atmospheric, with characters and timelines that all tie together beautifully. If you’re into academic mysteries, witchcraft, or historical fiction, it’s well worth a read.

The Bewitching follows three women in three drastically different time periods as they slowly realize they have run into the bad side of witchcraft.
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review. As much as I am a fan of Silvia Moreno-Garcia and her previous works I was not a fan of this one and can only give this book 3.5⭐️.
While I did enjoy aspects of this book including the three main characters, the settings and the general spookiness of this book I found myself disappointed by this book. I do want to add that I really enjoyed the shifting POV style for this book. I liked how the characters that were more actively affected by the bewitchings were told in one narrative style while the character that was more of an observer to the action happening to a side character switched to another style.
What I didn’t like for this book was the predictability of the revelation of who the witches were in the book. Both characters were an easy guess so the suspense was long gone by the time it was revealed.
The main issue I had with the book was the inappropriate relationship between the 1908 heroine Alba and her uncle. I really feel like her storyline could have been handled without any of this occurring and think other readers will be put off from this as well.
3.5⭐️ rounded up to 4 for review purposes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey for the advanced reader copy!

When I first saw this book on NetGalley, what piqued my interest was the cover and the blurb. I love horror, and recently I’ve been interested in stories about witches, so this came at the perfect time. Then I realised it was by the same author who wrote Mexican Gothic (a book I’ve been wanting to read for a while), and I was even more grateful to receive the ARC.

The Bewitching is a horror-fantasy novel, set across three different timelines, focusing on Minerva, her great-grandmother Alba, and Betty—three women who are experiencing the same sinister events in different eras. When Minerva researches Betty’s works for her thesis, she discovers that the disappearance of the author’s close friend eerily resembles the stories her great-grandmother used to tell from her own youth. And when a similar incident occurs in Minerva’s timeline, she starts to believe the same dark force is marring her life.


The Good Stuff

I haven't read a book like this in a long time, and I wonder where I was looking when I wanted to choose an atmospheric novel for October's book club last year. Whilst Moreno-Garcia's writing didn't force me to look over my shoulder for possible danger, she still managed to hook me with her eerie scenes and the suspenseful atmosphere she created in The Bewitching. It helped that the story focused on folklore, an area already full of mystery and intrigue. Moreover, the different timelines and their conflicts were equally compelling, each with a distinct voice that catapulted you into the past or present, fleshed out characters with strong personalities, and bizarre events that kept you questioning reality.

Moreno-Garcia successfully throws in hints and red herrings throughout the book, so that when the big revelation finally comes at the end, it is all the more satisfying to have put all the clues together. I didn't feel snubbed by the plot twist because it was something I guessed sometime in the second half of the book. Still, the motives of the antagonists and the thrilling climax at the end still surprised me.

Lastly, I enjoyed the female rage. Strong women taking matters into their own hands? Give me more of that! It was empowering to read a book where men didn't come to the rescue of these female characters, where women recognised their own abilities and fought for their lives.


The Not So Good Stuff

Because it was such a good read, I had to sit down and really think about why I couldn't give The Bewitching that final star. What I realised was that it just came down to three points. Firstly, there were a couple of scenes that threw me off slightly because I didn't find out who was talking to whom until halfway down the page. It could be a stylistic choice, but I couldn't see any reason for it. Secondly, the pace of the story would sometimes slow down (especially during great-grandmother Alba's timeline), and I felt that it could have been tightened up a bit more. Thirdly, I would have expected more of a shock factor, considering it's a horror novel, but The Bewitching lacked that element.


Rating

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒

Overall, I really enjoyed this book because of the intrigue and mystery surrounding the three different generations. The twists and turns had me wanting to turn the pages quickly. I thoroughly look forward to reading Moreno-Garcia's other books.

Sylvia Moreno-Garcia scores again with a Mexican Gothic infused with witchcraft, spells, brews, folklore and fully developed characters. The darkness traverses three timelines.

In 1908, Alba, with her mother and brother mourn the death of her father. Her mercurial, handsome, charming and materialistic uncle moves in and wants the family to sell their farm and move to the city where Alba would thrive. During this time, Alba’s brother disappears , animals start dying and her boyfriend is killed.

In 1934, Beatrice Tremblay was secretly in love with her engaged college roommate,Virginia. One night, Virginia disappears and after a protracted, unfruitful search, Beatrice and Edgar, Virginia’s fiancé,never recover from the loss. Beatrice writes a novel based on the disappearance.

In 1998, Minerva, Alba’s great granddaughter, mourns her loss while remembering all the local folklore and spells. Like Alba, Minerva has portents and can sense the past and future. Minerva has come to Massachusetts to attend the same college as Beatrice and is writing her masters thesis on Beatrice. Minerva always loved horror and witch stories.
She learns Edgar married Carolyn, another of Beatrice’s college friends and that Carolyn was in possession of Beatrice’s private papers.

In each time frame there are shadows lurking. The language captures the dread and fear making them into a palpable character ready to do harm to all who interfere. At times you want to scream “watch out” or “are you blind?” You can guess some of what is happening but there are still surprises that make you want to continue turning pages.

At the end, I felt there is a sequel waiting in the wings. I hope so!

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing, Del Rey for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was my first book from this author. I'd been meaning to check out her work for a while, and when I saw this title available on Netgalley I jumped for it.

I will admit it took me a little bit to get used to - of the three narrators I found one to be, well, annoying, and dreaded her chapters. I'm glad I stuck with it though, as her character did develop from a bit of a whiny self obsessed girl to a strong and resilient person. I'll definitely be adding this to our preorders and look forward to having it on our shelves.

Moreno-Garcia's writing is magic. As soon as I start in on a new story by her, I'm completely sucked in. Her characters come alive as soon as they are introduced and the descriptions of the setting send your down the rabbit hole from the first page. Considering this is a story about witches and questionable disappearances only heights the experience. Moody and fun and beautifully written, this is a fantastic book!

Silvia Moreno-Garcia does it again! This was an atmospheric tale of dangerous magic and well kept secrets. The Bewitching follows three women across different generations whose lives become entangled in the same magic. I absolutely loved the multiple timelines (especially the 90s, so much nostalgia), they knit together so well! Fans of dark academia and witchy things will 100% enjoy this.

I will for sure be suggesting this for our book club in a bag program. It's a unique choice, filled with suspense.

This book felt very cinematic and was gripping as it moved through its story. The author did an excellent job giving each timeline a unique voice that made it easy to know what era you were in. I have some minor criticisms of the ending feeling a little rushed and how the 1908 story line not having enough connection to the other two but ultimately, this didn't take away from the overall story. Had a good time with this one.

This one was deliciously unnerving. Another great horror/thriller from the always impressive Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

Minerva is working on a PhD project on horror author Beatrice Tremblay, who attended her university in the 1930s. She manages to connect with Beatrice's former college friend, who has some of Beatrice's personal documents pertaining to the disappearance of Beatrice's roommate--a mystery that shaped Beatrice's fiction and haunted the rest of her days. As Minerva begins to probe Beatrice's past, strange things begin to happen to her, similar to those that happened to her once bewitched grandmother Alba back in the early 1900s. Could Beatrice have crossed paths with a witch, and could Minerva now be in danger many decades later?

The three stories intertwine and unfold in alternating chapters, just enough to keep the reader a few steps ahead of Minerva and thus desperately worried for her safety. This is horror at its best. I was tense at the beginning, and as the perpetrators in both Alba's and Beatrice's stories became clear, I was on the edge of my seat to see if (and how) the bewitched people would discern their antagonists before they were cursed forever. It was creepy and thrilling, and I loved every minute of this. It made me want to read more good witchy horror.

Highly recommend for anyone wanting to stay up until the wee hours, hiding under the covers with a flashlight and a book you're afraid to put down.

The Bewitching was such an atmospheric read. I loved how it was told in different perspectives, each voice added so many layers to the story and the overall mystery of the book.

I loved being able to go back in time and get the stories of Nana Alba and Ginny. I felt like I was trying to unravel the mystery right along with Minerva.

This is a different take of witches/witchcraft from the previous books I've read about witches. What's interesting is that it's based on a cultural belief/superstitions similar to that of the Filipino culture. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and got easily invested by the characters and the whole mystery of this book. The jump on timelines is very smooth and easy to follow.

I am a simple woman: if Silvia Moreno-Garcia writes it, I read it.

This novel follows three women across three eras, their stories intertwined by brushes with witchcraft.

I was invested in all three lead characters, and enjoyed the jumps between eras in each chapter, which weaves you in and out of their tales and ultimately connects in a satisfying way.

Moreno-Garcia jumps between genres and mood with each novel she releases, but this is closest in feeling to Mexican Gothic. Which I loved! So I definitely recommend this for both existing fans, and new readers.

Three enchanting timelines merge to create the tragedy of The Bewitching. We first meet Minerva, a college student slogging through a thesis based on the stories of her favorite horror writer, Beatrice Tremblay, in 1990s New England. As she delves deeper into the inspiration behind Tremblay's stories, she uncovers decades-old depression-era mysteries that seem to be manifesting all around Minerva as she researches. Minerva reflects on her great-grandmother Alba's tales of witchcraft and sorcery from the early 1900s to make sense of Tremblay's journals, as well as the events transpiring right before her own eyes.

This story is one I absolutely could not put down once I got started. Mysteries seem to manifest at every corner in all three timelines, so I was constantly working to make connections and solve them as I read. The folklore and tales of sorcery were entrancing and added additional depth to the mysteries so the reader questions if the events were paranormal or acts of deviant humans, as either and both could be likely. Moreno-Garcia's nods to real authors, events, and locations throughout the book were satisfying little Easter eggs.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the opportunity to read and review a free eBook ARC of this title. This was my first introduction to Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and she's secured a place as one of my favorite authors.

The Bewitching twines three narratives together to tell the tale of three women who have to reckon with circumstances that defy explanation. As a New Englander it was delightful to read, as the college prominently featured is located in a MA town is lovingly rendered. The way SMG meticulously researches and fabricates a narrative involving an unsung horror writer, the family lore of a graduate student struggling with her sense of purpose creates a tension that is both existential and imminent. She takes her time to build a trajectory of suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat. I love works by this author and continue to be excited to read anything she writes.

Blurb: 'Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches': That was how Nana Alba always began the stories she told her great-granddaughter Minerva - stories that have stayed with Minerva all her life. Perhaps that's why Minerva has become a graduate student focused on the history of horror literature and is researching the life of Beatrice Tremblay, an obscure author of macabre tales.

In the course of assembling her thesis, Minerva uncovers information that reveals that Tremblay's most famous novel, The Vanishing, was inspired by a true story: Decades earlier, during the Great Depression, Tremblay attended the same university where Minerva is now studying and became obsessed with her beautiful and otherworldly roommate, who then disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

As Minerva descends ever deeper into Tremblay's manuscript, she begins to sense that 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 suspects that the same shadow that darkened the lives of her great-grandmother and Beatrice Tremblay is now threatening her own in 1990s Massachusetts. An academic career can be a punishing pursuit, but it might turn outright deadly when witchcraft is involved.

My opinion: This book was a blast! I was really sad I had to work and do some housework duties, as it interrupted my reading. The story, told by three different PoVs, hooked me from the beginning.

Moreno Garcia's writing style is so dark and beautiful, it made the story a real page turner. I needed to know what had happened to Ginny and who murdered her. Also, as Minerva was doing research, she seemed bewitched as well. For her surrounding, she might have gone crazy. It was very interesting to get to know more about farm life in Mexico in the early 20th Century and about Mexican supernatural creatures and folk beliefs. Witches are known in every culture, but the way they are described and the abilities they have, vary. This tory is built the way you have to eat one chapter told by one PoV, and need to read two other chapter told by different PoVs. So if one chapter ended with a cliffhanger, you read two more chapter to get to the chapter after the cliffhanger. This was a real smart move! Also, the American setting is in New England, a typical location for horror writers. Loved it!

I would recommend this book to horror reader and readers who love mystery and stories about witches, as well as female power and rage. Silvia Moreno Garcia is definitely one of my favorite authors!

I read her other book "Mexican Gothic" and enjoyed reading this new offering. I loved how all three of the story lines were woven together to form a wonderfully scary story. All three of the main female characters in this book were wonderful to see them grow throughout the story. The reveal was one I did not see coming. Thanks again NetGalley for the chance to read this book.

I’m convinced that this author cannot write a bad book. At this point, I’ll read anything this author writes. This was definitely one of my favorite books by this author. It was not quite as good as Mexican Gothic but it was definitely top tier. The chapters told from Alba’s POV reminded me of Mexican Gothic. Alba’s story was the story I enjoyed reading about the most. I also liked the chapters told from the POV of Beatrice and Minerva. However, I loved Alba’s character and her story the most.
Like Mexican Gothic, classism was a key theme in this book. I liked what the author had to say about privilege and wealth. City life vs. country life was also a theme that the author discussed in this story. The author touches upon xenophobia in this book, too. I appreciated that the author included LGBTQ+ characters, like Hideo and Benjamin.
It was kind of obvious who the villains were. Still, I enjoyed reading about the witches/vampires. The story was sometimes scary to me. Unlike Mexican Gothic, it wasn’t gross. However, this story was very creepy.
I cannot wait to read whatever this author writes next. I hope other readers enjoy this book as much as I did.

A really solid story. It really got to the heart of how we’ve failed women throughout history by refusing to listen to them and believe in them when they tell us they are being hurt or in danger or worried about something.

Moreno-Garcia did a fantastic job of flipping back and forth between the three timelines and I really enjoyed how they bounced off each other at the right points. However, I will say that I expected to be more of a connection between the 1908 and 1998 timeline other than the just the two main characters being related to each other. It felt like the story was building to a stronger connection or crux between the two stories that didn’t really feel like it paid off at the end.

Overall, though, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Most of it is set in summer of 1998 but it reads like a fall book. It was cozy and dark and creepy at the right times.

This is going to be a hit. I have no doubt in my mind. The atmosphere layered with the mystery of it all kept me engaged and unsettled throughout. She weaves each generation into each other so well and the story unfolded so beautifully. I’m never going to stop recommending this book!