this is like the 2024 release of Nosferatu but like 1000 times better thanks to the three simultaneous timelines that are told to write this book. It’s so atmospheric in a deeply spooky way. Thoroughly enjoyed it and definitely lost some sleep over how spooked I was.

Once again, Moreno-Garcia has absolutely nailed it. I’ve said it before and I will say it again - she can do no wrong in my eyes and I will always go for her books.

The Bewitching did not disappoint - told from alternate time periods and POVs, this is a story that spans almost a century. Part mystery, part ghost story, this haunting tale ticked all the boxes for me. In 1904, Alba is struggling with a potential curse on her family in rural Mexico. In 1998, her granddaughter, Minerva, is studying an obscure gothic author in New England. And in 1934, that obscure gothic author is living a reality that will turn into an infamous horror novel. How these three women’s lives interconnect is intricate and fascinating. An impossible to put down novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a digital ARC of this title!

The Bewitching follows three different timelines which helps to keep the story intriguing. There is also a mystery element present which I really liked. It took me a bit to get invested in the story, but once I was, I really enjoyed it.

Self-proclaimed witch lover and warlock hater!!!! I thought this book would be more gay, but I am not dissatisfied. This multigenerational saga blends Mexican folklore and horror in unpredictable ways that kept me reading. The feeling of impending doom that the author weaves into its pages seeps out so viciously I had to remind myself that I was not in the middle of writing my PhD thesis whilst being haunted by an unknown entity. I thoroughly enjoyed the buildup this story created, but was not completely wow-ed by the ending. Overall would recommend for anyone looking for a bit of a sinister vibe this fall.

The Bewitching follows three timelines of young women that is more of a mystery than a witchy tale. All three women are in their late teens or early twenties as mysterious things begin to happen, and we do not know who is doing such things or why. The book is a slow burn, with little actual action, but the mystery is strong enough to keep you coming back for more. While I found the 'who' of the 'who-done-it' to be very predictable, I was still intrigued, which is a rare occurrence for me.

The author's note of this book made me appreciate it a lot more than I already did. Not only is the witchcraft in this story based on the stories she heard growing up in Mexico, but one of the main characters seems to have been inspired by Moreno-Garcia's own path from Mexico to New England. I wish I had known this from the get go, so I could have appreciated it more while I was reading.

Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for an ARC in exchang for an honest review.

I love a book by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. The Bewitching is no exception. From Alba’s story, all the way to Minerva, and everything in between this tale was beautifully told. With three timelines at play throughout, it would have been pretty easy to feel lost – but Moreno-Garcia is such a talented author that she is able to act as a remarkable guide. I promise that not only will you never feel lost, but that you will have no problem keeping the timelines separate.
“Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches”

I thought all three interconnected stories were well fleshed out. Alba may be one of my favorite protagonists of late – she’s a perfect balance between tough and vulnerable. And normally I don’t love tales of “bad witches,” but I love that The Bewitching carries a balance between good, bad, and morally grey people involved in the practice of (or at least acts of) witchcraft.

I really don’t want to give too much of the story away, because I definitely think this one deserves to be experienced as fresh as possible, so I’m actually going to stop there. I’m just going to say that this is a truly incredible convergence of Mexican folklore, gothic horror, and Northeastern academia (is that Ivy League? I honestly don’t know – I’m not fancy enough). READ THE BEWITCHING.
Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.

Look for all the nods to her contemporaries! It’s fun!

4 ⭐ 0.5🌶️

I loved the way this book was written. The three stories complemented each other beautifully. It took me a hot sec to get into it but around the 15-20% mark I couldn't put it down and finished almost in a day.

Thanks to the author and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey for the ARC. All comments are my own.

The pacing was slow to start making it difficult to get into the story and focus on details. But once the three storylines were established (and I started listening via audiobook) I was much more interested in the story. Will definitely read again to see what I missed at the beginning when I was too annoyed by the narration switches and wasn’t attached to the characters yet. Love Minerva and Alba.

Really great story with such a nastologic hit but not overly so. The characters were real and funny. The story beautifully blended it 3 different perspectives without a bother it was great just like anything else I read by this author. Uncomfortable at times but bloody fantastic

She is my go-to for FRESH books with unique storylines and compelling characters. I have LOVED every SMG book I’ve read, The Bewitching maybe most of all!

Told in three timelines with three different (but connected) FMCs, this book gives all the gothic witchy vibes I crave this time of year. It has the macabre feeling I’ve grown to expect from Moreno-Garcia, combined with the cultural elements that sets her work apart. I truly cannot say enough about this book and want everyone to read it.

I especially loved how she incorporates her Mexican heritage in her books; the cultural elements of this one were the icing on the proverbial cake. Not to mention the fun 90s throwbacks! Highly recommend!

I’d give The Bewitching a solid 4 out of 5 stars. Silvia Moreno-Garcia has such a talent for making the supernatural feel grounded and believable, and that quality shines through in this book. I especially appreciated the dual storylines of Minerva and her grandmother—both weaving folklore, family, and dark magic together in ways that felt immersive.

That said, it was fairly clear from the very beginning who the villains were in both narratives, which took away some of the suspense. Because of that, certain sections felt like they dragged, since the outcome seemed predictable. Still, even with those moments, I found myself drawn into the atmosphere she created, and I enjoyed the way the author layers everyday life with touches of the uncanny.

Overall, while not my absolute favorite from her, it’s a story worth reading—beautifully written, haunting, and vivid, with that signature Moreno-Garcia blend of realism and the supernatural.

Witch season is here, and The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is the perfect way to dive in! 🌙✨ Darkly atmospheric, full of folklore and magic, this book feels like slipping into a haunted fairytale you don’t want to escape. I’m obsessed with witch stories, and this one delivers all the spooky, enchanting vibes I crave. Moody, mysterious, and utterly immersive—consider this your sign to grab it and let the witchy season officially begin! 🖤🔮

Ok I’ve heard about this author but confess this is my first book by her . I’ve read duel points of view obviously but never three different timelines and kudos for the author for making them feel seem less confusing or clunky . We know that the grandmother obviously survived, the author we learn about as we delve into the story but it’s the central character living in present day that causes the reader to hold their breath in anticipation .
This is definitely a story for those who enjoy haunting gothic reads and certainly is very well executed and thought about. The twists and revelations are truly creepy and this would be a perfect read as we settle into the spooky season. There's mild horror and the magic is enticing without being overdone.
This voluntary take is of an advanced copy and my thoughts are honest and I believe fair

I am devoted to the horror novels of Silvia Moreno-Garcia. I think universally, they're exquisitely lush, while being simultaneously gut-churningly suspenseful and horrific. Often she sets her novels in Mexico or populates them with people of Mexican descent, and half the horror is usually just the colonialist, racist mindset her characters encounter. The Bewitching is a great new entry in her oeuvre, with a Mexican foreign transfer student at a college in Massachusetts, studying horror herself, and researching real local events that influenced her favorite writer and that harmonize with the evil witchcraft she's been warned about from her own family history.

My first Silvia Moreno-Garcia didn’t disappoint!
I loved the multiple POV, as I haven’t read a book with this in a while, however did find the proof copy a little clunky for remembering which time zone I was in!
I enjoyed the writing style, the gothic atmosphere and the haunting vibes throughout.
Can’t wait to read more from this author and will be picking up some backlist titles in store soon.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia's gothic horror is a treat for both the eyes and the brain! A delightfully bewitching read!

The Bewitching is a darkly enchanting thriller that follows Minerva as she uncovers her family’s shadowy past tied to witchcraft and old secrets. The story moves between generations, blending eerie folklore with suspenseful, slow-building dread. Moreno-Garcia’s writing makes the atmosphere feel thick and immersive, and the twists land with satisfying creepiness. It’s mysterious, haunting, and impossible to put down.

I apologize for writing this review so late. I have been in some sort of crisis all summer long, one after another, I feel like the women in the book would relate, although maybe theirs were more terrifying.
Wow. I loved these women. I loved their families. I loved the mess and the setting too.
The ending was OMG I was not expecting that.
It was perfection.

The Bewitching is the perfect kind of Gothic other-worldly fantasy novel. The book tell Los the story of multiple characters whose fates are intertwined. If you loved Mexican Gothic, you will love this one, too!

Minerva, a doctoral student is researching her thesis, she 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.. Down the rabbit hole we go. There are three women in three different eras who are all connected in some way and Minerva and her these weave them altogether into a perfect fall gothic horror reading experience.

If you have ever read one of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s books and loved them, then you will be a happy reader. If you are put off by crazy occultism with a Lovecraftian homage, suspense, and a great mystery, Then you should skip this one. If you have been to grad school you will further feel at home with the characters. Her characters are well drawn. Her plots are tight. If you like this one you must read Mexican Gothic and Silver Nitrate as well.