Silvia Moreno-Garcia is definitely rising to the top of my must-read authors list. Each story I've read of hers has not disappointed. They are historic, atmospheric, and scary. The latest I've read, "The Bewitching," stacks up well against my previous favorites.

This horror novel is told from three points of view. First, there is Minerva in a close third. She is a college student in the 1990s, studying New England's stories of witches and ghosts for her thesis. Then, there is the narrative of her great-grandmother Alba (who had a hand in raising her), told in third person in the early 1900s. She lives on a farm in Mexico. Finally, there is the story told through diary entries in the first person of Beatrice Tremblay, a writer who attended the same school as Minerva during the Great Depression. Both Alba and Beatrice face a mystery and a malicious, existential threat to themselves or loved ones, and their knowledge helps Minerva face her own peril in her time.

Like Minerva, I was in college, studying literature, in the 1990s, so I identified with this heroine. She's independent, kind, and inquisitive. She doesn't balk in the face of danger but instead relies on her wits and the wisdom of her ancestors. Alba, though young and rather sheltered, has pluck and fortitude. Beatrice delves into the mysteries around her, refusing to give up even when failure seems the only option. Each woman is well-rounded and engaging. The antagonists are equally interesting, but I won't go into detail on those so as not to give away any spoilers. I enjoyed the unwrapping of the mystery at each level as well as the historic and folk-magic details. The scares here were not intense but thorough. There were some solid tropes—abandoned factory, taxidermy in the setting, lost documents, fictional New England setting—used well.

I always look forward to Silvia Moreno-Garcia's next work, and "The Bewitching" satisfied. I can't wait to see what's next. I received this ebook from NetGalley.

My thanks to both NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for an advance copy of this novel about three different women dealing with no only the times they lived in and the discriminations held against their sex, but also threats of the supernatural, an evil that even time has no dominion on.

Horror is a genre that has no many things to scare people with. One can enjoy subtle horror, body horror, slasher horror, gothic horror, weird horror, literary horror, historical horror, monster horror, and even the horror that comes from living in these times. Like a character in the movie Scream I have often asked myself what I like most in horror. Most of my enjoyment and well horror, comes from the characters. One has to have characters a reader cares about. If one doesn't than it ceases to be horror, and more comedy waiting for detestable characters to be eliminated. The writing is important, as well as the way the story is told. Without that again one really has nothing. What is underplayed by many observers of horror, is the confidence of the writer. A writer has to not only make up a story, have good characters, they have to deliver that story, make it real to the reader. Only than can one can the proper thrill. Confidence and skill is something Silvia Moreno-Garcia has, and in each book Moreno-Garcia only gets better. The Bewitching is a story of three women dealing with something no one else believes, but hurting those they love around them.

The book takes place in three different eras, two of them related by blood, and one the subject of another's literary interest. In 1908 Alba is dealing with a lot as a teenager in Mexico. Things seem to be going wrong all around her, making Alba think the family is cursed. Things only get worse when Alba's brother disappears, and Alba must do something she never thought she would have to face. Beatrice Tremblay is a young woman attending college in 1934, thinking of a life as a writer. Tremblay's roommate and friend Georgia is acting strange suddenly, talking about witches and other odd things. Tremblay's worries soon get worse when Georgia vanishes, and no one seems to concerned. In 1998 Minerva , not Minnie, the great-grandaughter of Alba is attending the same New England school as Beatrice Tremblay. Minerva is studing the works of Tremblay for her master's degree, and is fascinated by the real life story that Tremblay used as the basis of her novel. Until strange things start occuring and the stories Alba used to tell Minerva about witches and Tremblay's tales start to merge together.

I have read almost everything by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and can not get over that in such a short space of time Moreno-Garcia has created so many different works of horror, from vampire, to classic, gothic to witches and Lovecraftian bent. The skill of the author shows in the story, and the execution, jumping in time, and a little space, but never losing the reader, creating characters that are all unique, and critical to the story. One can tell that Moreno-Garcia is a big horror, well I will use the word nerd. The book is loaded with horror jokes, names, characters and such which pay off for careful readers. I love that kind of stuff. The book moves well, with good pacing, and a sense of serial writing, always leaving the reader wanting more. And flipping pages to get it.

A book for the beach, one that should be read in the light of the day, to hide the darkness that lurks inside. This is a scary book, and one that really revels itself slowly. Just as good horror does. Another fantastic read by Moreno-Garcia, and I eagerly await what Moreno-Garcia has brewing next.

The Bewitching is slated for publication on July 15, 2025, and I was so happy to be able to read an advanced digital review copy. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital arc. I loved this latest offering from Silvia Moreno-Garcia. We get three timelines and three women who encounter witchcraft.

this was my first book by Silvia and it was bewitching, It was haunting and gripped you from the start.

4 stars

Silvia Moreno-Garcia consistently pumps out sinister, atmospheric tales that send chills down spines and thoughts of horrific scenes through my brain, and this may be her best effort yet.

This time, readers follow three distinct timelines, and each of the women featured in these scenes has something tying her to the others. You can judge this book by its cover and title because that connection is absolutely witches.

While multiple perspectives and timelines can become tedious to track, this novel never scratches that surface. Because the characters are well devised and their circumstances are so distinct, it's easy to distinguish them, and this makes the powerful connections between their experiences all the more satisfying.

It's also refreshing that this author consistently features inquisitive, bold women who, regardless of their circumstances and identities, express their agency and intentionality. These characters could easily fall into damsel in distress territory, and while there is a lot of distress, the simpering wimp factor is (happily) not part of the package.

I really enjoyed this read and look forward, as always, to more from this author.

Another mesmerizing - and unsettling - book from one of my favorite authors.
Three timelines, three women who's stories have a likeness to each other. Alba, a teenager in 1908 Mexico, dealing with the curse on her family farm, Beatrice Tremblay, a future horror writer dealing with the disappearance of her friend in 1934 New England, and Alba's great granddaughter Minerva in 1998, a student trying to solve the curse on her New England college campus, and becoming more aware of how similar it is to stories her Nana Alba told.
The heavy darkness is palpable in this book, almost from the very first page. These stories are all fully formed, the characters interesting, and the momentum builds page after page. I have to admit that Alba's story may be my favorite, the ending very satisfying.
Witches have not always been the heroes.
Please, please be aware of the trigger warnings: sexual content, including incest, animal death, animal cruelty, gore.
Thank you to the NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

Silvia Moreno- Garcia NEVER disappoints. This was such a fantastic read, I got so sucked into this book. it takes a bit before the action takes off, but there's never a dull moment with her writing. The way she describes things is so eloquent yet seems effortless to her

The Bewitching follows 3 interconnected stories. In 1998 Minerva is trying to unfold the mysteries of her favorite author and the disappearance that inspired her one novel, In 1908 her great grandmother, Alba and her family keep suffering tragedies that seem like a curse, and in 1934 Betty is recounting everything that led up to her friend going missing. Minerva is recalling the stories Alba told her of and how they could be connected to Betty's missing friend Ginny and with the strange things happening around Minerva as she does her research.

I love this book, I enjoyed the mystery, the horror, the pacing, and traditional Mexican lore. I'd recommend this book to everyone, including my mother.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for the digital advance reader copy.

I enjoyed this combination of folkloric horror and missing persons.

In 1998, Minerva is trying to write her thesis about Beverly Tremblay, a little known horror author whose closest friend disappeared in 1934 at the same small northeastern college Minerva is currently attending. One of Beverly's surviving friends allows Minerva access to some of her letters she saved.

In 1908, Minerva's great-grandmother Alba believes her family is cursed by a witch when her brother goes missing. Alba will do anything to stop the bewitching. Anything.

In 1934, future author Beverly is worried about her roommate and friend, Georgia, who is acting strangely and talking about witches. Then Georgia is gone.

Moreno-Garcia connects all of these women together through folklore that she grew up hearing. The author's note is definitely worth the read.

While I don't think this creepy, unnerving story held any surprises, as I think Moreno-Garcia's purpose was to build dread rather than twists, it kept my attention, and was so, so readable. I wanted to see how the fears and curses of each generation would be resolved, and I was satisfied with the ending.

Two thumbs up.

*language, sex, violence

I wanted to love this and there was plenty that I did enjoy, but I found both timelines too predictable by far. The slow build atmosphere was done really well and I enjoyed the Minerva timeline but I was less sold on the 1908 timeline, although the atmosphere in that one was great. Overall, it was a bit too much style over substance for me but it was an entertaining read nonetheless.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I absolutely love the storytelling of three generational witches where every story serves a purpose, lots of dark mysteries set in Mexico folklore! I found this so creepy compared to other horror medias I consumed and it piqued my interests on finding more medias set in other countries. From seeing Minerva being passionate about horror witchcraft that Nana Alba told stories about, to her figuring out mysteries hidden behind Beatrice Tremblay's "Vanishing" and truths behind them, letting readers getting a glimpse of a Beatrice, a queer women who attended the same college as her back in 1934.

The pacing was slow at first, yet sinister, dark, really tense and keeps you curious for more.

This was a great horror occult fantasy novel! It explores different generations in the years of 1908, 1934, and 1998. It follows three different women, whose names are Alba, Beatrice and Minerva. I usually don’t like multiple timelines in a story, but this book was the exception! It captured my attention right away! It is about witchcraft and historical events. This book is extremely mysterious, dark, emotional, tense, adventurous and hopeful. The atmosphere in this book is very eerie and left me feeling anxious. It is a medium paced read that comes with lovable characters.

These female characters were diverse, intriguing, engaging, strong and powerful. This story explores the impact of past traumas, generational trauma and the exploration of witchcraft and the occult! This is my first book read by this author and it definitely won’t be last! I loved her writing, it really brought this whole book together. Overall, I rate this a 4 out of 5 star rating!

Content warnings include death, incest, blood, animal death, animal cruelty, sexual content and gore. I think if you’re a fan of horror occult books, you would really enjoy this one!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is expected to be published on July 15, 2025!!

This author does have other books out right now as well, if you would like to check them out!

Thank you to Del Rey for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

I am the self-proclaimed "biggest fan" of Silvia Moreno Garcia, have read all of her work and find countless ways to make my whole personality about her books. The Bewitching was one of my most anticipated books this year and it was every bit as haunting, atmospheric, somber, and edifying as I expected it to be.

When SMG announced this book would be based on witchcraft, I prepared myself for a comprehensive glimpse into the history of witchcraft as it relates to colonialism and capitalism and that's exactly what I found. We go on a journey through three timelines and three protagonists, all connected through an eerie haunting, or curse, by way of evil witchcraft. Each character POV we received was unique enough to for me not to mix any voices up and I appreciated all the historic facts presented about early 20th-century Mexican rancherias, pre-WWII New England, and 90’s New England academia. There is so much labor and class struggle history present in these regions and I think we were presented perfect examples of both.

Silvia's books always explore the nature of power and control, who has historically held that power, and how people who have been historically disenfranchised reclaim that power. The Bewitching was one of her more violent books, and if I'm being honest I wish I had checked the content warnings to prepare myself. <spoiler>There is on page incest, with dubious consent and grooming. While I did see the necessity in including this to highlight that imbalance of power, it didn't make it any less disturbing. </spoiler>

The pacing of this book is also on the slower side with an achingly eerie build up. When I say Silvia is the queen of gothic horror I truly mean it, because this book will have you looking over your shoulder and questioning what your eyes saw in every dark corner. It's the PERFECT Halloween book. I found myself pondering the many "evils" that could be represented in this book's portrayal of witchcraft which include the ills that come from colonialism and the White supremacist ideologies that institutions of so-called higher education uphold (timely).

I'd recommend The Bewitching to fans of atmospheric gothic horror, folks who are comfortable reflecting on the nature of power and control, and those seeking stories about retribution for historically marginalized communities.

This is beautifully written; it's got strong characters, an eerie athmosphere you can feel, and impeccable witchy vibes. What didn't work for me here was the plot, unfortunately. The setup here is "three women in three different eras", and it's the way these three narrative interweave (or... don't) that I think is where things failed to connect with me. It felt like the book was trying to do two distinctly different things at the same time, and therein failed to do either as well as it could have.

It's definitely made me want to read more by this author, as the prose is enchanting, but I suspect this is not her strongest work.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia has done it again with The Bewitching, weaving a spellbinding tale that hooks you from the very first page. With her signature blend of folklore, mystery, and a dash of the supernatural, she transports readers into a world where ancient stories and modern fears collide. We follow Minerva, a graduate student obsessed with uncovering the truth behind obscure horror author Beatrice Tremblay—a woman whose haunting tales seem to bleed into her real life. As Minerva digs deeper, she uncovers a chilling link between Tremblay’s work and a mysterious disappearance during the Great Depression, all set against the backdrop of her own university campus in 1990s Massachusetts. The nostalgia for Nana Alba’s enchanting childhood tales of witches in Mexico adds an extra layer of mystique and cultural richness. What I loved most was Moreno-Garcia’s masterful storytelling—creeping unease, evocative settings, and complex characters kept me hooked as the lines between reality and the supernatural blurred. The University corridors were thick with secrets, and the sinister presence lurking in the shadows felt almost palpable. While the story delivers plenty of chills and a dash of academic intrigue, it also explores themes of family, history, and the power of stories themselves. A perfect read for anyone who loves a ghostly, witchy tale that’s as thoughtful as it is terrifying. In short, The Bewitching is a captivating journey into the dark corners of history and myth—worthy of your bookshelf, and a reminder that sometimes, the past truly never stays buried.

Unfortunately this book wasn’t my cup of tea. Typically I’m not bothered by there being plots in two different timelines, but I just couldn’t get into this one. Nana Alba was too disconnected and seemed unnecessary. The ending plot was disappointing.

I loved The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. This is the fourth book that I’ve read by this author and I think it’s one of her best yet. This is a historical novel with three timelines: the main storyline is set in 1998 and is the main character, Minerva’s, story of being a student investigating a writer of gothic fiction, Beatrice Tremblay, who attended the same school years before and who, she discovers, was friends and roommates with a student who disappeared suddenly (the same student who inspired one of Tremblay’s stories about witchcraft); the second timeline follows Minerva’s grandmother, Alba, as a young woman in early 1900’s Mexico; and the third timeline is the timeline that follows Beatrice Tremblay and the disappearance of her friend.
The way the stories are interwoven through time and through the novel is so well-done and the author touches on aspects of colonialism and classism and perhaps my favourite part of this book is how so much of the plot is driven by women and their interactions with other women.
If you liked Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic you should pre-order this book and read it on the day it is published! You won’t regret it!

Bewitched: an apt description of the feeling that the reading of the latest of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's novel elicits. Plunged in the folklore of Mexican witches via different experiences spanning several decades, the reader finds themselves captivated throughout the chapters. The author brilliantly weaves the narrative arcs together and breathes acute life to the supernatural and historical aspects of the story.
Beware! For upon turning the last page, the reader might have to fight the urge to carve witch's marks on their door.

I really, really liked this one. I have to say though, I was way more interested in Alma's story than I was in Beatrice or Minerva's. Beatrice's was the weakest of the three, and I just didn't feel the same connection with either of the other two women the way I did with Alma. I also wish that Minerva's storyline would have delved into more research on the numerous missing persons cases that are mentioned a few times. However, I loved the focus on the Mexican and Latin American witchcraft lore. I was very unaware of a lot of their old stories and folklore, and the book explores a lot of it effortlessly while weaving it into the story. Beautifully done!

Three dark tales woven into one beautiful, dark tapestry. I was swept up in all three plotlines, invested. The atmosphere/descriptions were stunning, gothic, mesmerizing. The Bewitching describes a slightly different concept of witches, thank you Moreno-Garcia for including in the Afterword the witches of your great-grandmother's youth. Now I've gone down a rabbit hole of Mexican folklore, magic, and witches. What a wonderful gift to a reader.
As for the novel, it was gorgeous. Three points of view/timelines easily followed and you can slowly see how they may be woven together. I do wish at the end that two plotlines were not mashed into one chapter as they had been separate since the beginning. I also would have loved for Minerva to find out more about her great-grandmother's story, maybe a sequel?

From the first line, this haunting mystery had its claws in me. Set across three timelines, this book masterfully braids folklore, academic obsession, and gothic horror into a compelling story that lingers in a foggy dream. A graduate student researching horror literature, Minerva stumbles upon a dark secret while investigating Beatrice Tremblay, a forgotten author of eerie tales. She begins to suspect that Tremblay's writing may be more true than fiction, and the forces behind the disappearance of Tremblay's college roommate, who may have never truly left.

This book echoes Mexican Gothic's unsettling style, delivering a rich atmosphere and a steady sense of dread. Minerva's academic research begins to unravel, Tremblay's obsession with her roommate, and Nana Alba's encounter with a witch in the 1900s. All three timelines give clues and misdirections that keep the reader turning the pages. It's about the silencing of women and the ominous things that survive in forgotten corners of history. The result is twisty, evocative, and deeply satisfying. And sometimes, the scariest stories are the ones that might be true.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group / Del Rey / Inklore for the opportunity to review and provide my honest feedback.