Silvia Moreno-Garcia's The Bewitching is a captivating read that weaves together elements of horror, history, and the supernatural in a way that is both enchanting and thought-provoking. One of the standout features of the book is its relatively short chapters, which create a brisk and engaging pace that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. Each chapter feels like a carefully crafted vignette, allowing for a quick yet immersive dive into the world Moreno-Garcia has created.

The writing style is nothing short of mesmerizing. Moreno-Garcia has a unique ability to evoke vivid imagery and emotion with her prose, drawing readers into the atmospheric setting of New England. The references to horror writers from the region add an extra layer of depth, paying homage to the literary giants who have shaped the genre. It's a delightful treat for fans of horror literature, and it enriches the reading experience.

As the story unfolds, the way everything comes together at the end is truly satisfying. Moreno-Garcia masterfully ties up loose ends and reveals the intricacies of her characters' journeys, leaving readers with a sense of closure and fulfillment.

The Bewitching is a beautifully crafted novel that showcases SMG's talent for storytelling. It's a must-read for anyone who appreciates a blend of horror, history, and rich character development. I highly recommend it! On shelves July 15, 2025. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing an eArc. All opinions are my own.

Over the last several years I have become a big fan of Silvia Moreno-Garcia. I love that her books roam amongst genres and are imbued with culture and folklore. The Bewitching is Moreno-Garcia's newest and it embraces witch folklore.

The story is told in three timelines, covering the stories of three women who are all dealing with supernatural events. The stories weave together and make an interesting tapestry as these women all face bewitchings.

The book is steeped in both Mexican and New England folklore. It's a slow-burn horror novel that is genuinely spooky in a couple of places and comes to a satisfying conclusion. Which I won't say anything about because that would give the story away. And it's a good story.

Moreno-Garcia is one of those writers who knows how to both tell a story and teach you something. She has a knack for description and writes well. I loved this book and recommend it whole-heartedly.

Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy! I'll try to keep this spoiler-free for new readers.

My first foray into Silvia Moreno-Garcia's writing was Certain Dark Things, so I had a different expectation than some (who might have read Mexican Gothic first.) I love a strange, dark, folklore-infused tale, and The Bewitching checkmarked a lot of boxes for me!

The first half of this book is very academic, in the sense that the writing is dense and chock-full of literary references- considering the background of it is Minerva and her thesis statement in college, it makes a ton of sense. You get random little bits of the witchy lore of her family here and there, interspersed with Minerva living her life- it's a slow burn at times, but...

The second half is where the story really starts to take off, where the multiple timelines start to ramp up and the effects are seen across them. There are some really "whoa!" moments here, and some that might shock a few people.

It's dark, and heavy, and glorious- a tale not easily shaken.

Overall, I would absolutely recommend the title; Moreno-Garcia writes with such a unique strangeness that is *chef's kiss* to me, and The Bewitching 100% holds up to the standards set for me in Certain Dark Things. A crisp clarity in the writing, a feeling of unease in the background. Just how I like it.

I was really excited for The Bewitching, but I am REALLY struggling to read it with my eyes. I think Moreno-Garcia’s books are all books I have to have the audiobook for. I truly love their books, but reading them with my eyes is always really hard. I started this on 3/1 and literally just finished the first chapter today, because I put it down halfway through and gave up on it. The prose in this one felt way too flowery and I struggled with it. I will have to wait until the audiobook is out.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia has done it again, continually proving why she's an auto buy author for me. Her writing style, mastery of narrative, and characters are phenomenal. I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down. I finished it in less than 24 hours, I just couldn't put it down.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I am going to start this review by saying The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia was one of my most anticipated reads of this year, and I was not disappointed. In fact, the more I think about this book, the more I love it.

If I had one reservation going into this story, it was that multiple POV’s from across different time lines rarely works for me. I can’t think of a single book in the past in which I have become invested in every character’s journey when reading this style of writing.
I am glad to say this book has proved me wrong, and I can no longer claim that.

All three timelines were immersive and suspenseful. Somehow, I was able to pick up on who the villain was in each timeline, and yet, doing so did not diminish anything from the story.

The most enjoyable aspect of this book for me was the blend of folklore, academia and mystery, which I felt has made this story unique and remarkable.

Blending horror, historical fiction, and academic intrigue, The Vanishing follows graduate student Minerva as she uncovers eerie connections between her thesis research and the chilling stories her great-grandmother once told. As she investigates the life of obscure horror author Beatrice Tremblay, Minerva unearths a dark history spanning decades—from Tremblay’s obsession with her vanished roommate during the Great Depression to her own great-grandmother’s terrifying encounter with a witch in early 1900s Mexico. But as the past reveals its secrets, Minerva realizes the sinister force that haunted both women may still be lurking in the present.

The novel takes its time setting up its three intertwining timelines, which can make the first part feel slow. However, once the mystery gains momentum, the payoff is worth the wait. The second half is particularly gripping, weaving together the historical and supernatural elements in a way that feels fresh and compelling. The incorporation of Mexican folklore into the narrative’s take on witchcraft adds a unique and fascinating depth to the story.

While the pacing might test some readers’ patience, The Vanishing ultimately delivers a haunting, atmospheric tale that lingers long after the final page. Fans of gothic horror, academic mysteries, and folklore-inspired supernatural stories will find plenty to love.

I enjoyed it most time if not that it took a really long time to pick up in the first part but i could get over it because i can understand getting the settings right for three timelines cannot be easy. They were all very interesting and loved how woven they were together, the second part was great when we get to know the main twist and the take on witches with mexican culture one was so amazing

Many thanks to Netgalley & Random House Publishing for providing an eArc to me!

Much like Moreno-Garcia's Mexican Gothic, The Bewitching is an atmospheric ride laden with dread and excitement in equal parts. I have always been enchanted, or bewitched perhaps, by stories of witches. I longed to wear a red cloak and wield a wand like Wendy from Casper Meets Wendy as a child, I loved The Craft and other such stories as a teenager, and still do now in my late 20's. The many types of witches in fiction has always fascinated me, whether they are kind, menacing, both, or something else entirely. The history of witchcraft in real life is equally as fascinating and Moreno-Garcia's own childhood stories of witchcraft vibrantly shone from every page. The witchcraft here is felt by characters before it is seen, if it's seen at all, and it is conveyed with such clarity that the magic is all-consuming.

The prose was addictive and I found myself unable to pick a favourite from Minerva, Betty, and Alba. Our 3 POV characters, each with a distinct voice in 3 very different eras. Though I will admit to my love and perhaps bias of Betty's perspective as a lover of stories about manuscripts, forgotten books, and the things that inspired them. Alba's arc was devastating and I do caution those with any potential triggers to consult Storygraph's content warnings before they read this upon its release. I personally thought it was handled with care and it was very fitting within the Gothic genre. Finally, Minerva was a great way to anchor Betty and Alba's stories, a way to connect the two eras together, whilst showing how one might fall into the same trouble as their predecessors.

I am further encouraged to read Moreno-Garcia's backlog as this hit every note for me. It was most certainly a bewitching, but not one I feared. Her ability to craft compulsively readable fiction that tackles upsetting topics is fascinating and I for one can't wait to see this widely available. I look forward to rereading it in the future!

Dark academia, multicultural witchcraft, and straight-up supernatural horror make a satisfying blend in Sylvia Moreno-Garcia's most recent foray into the shadows. As with many of her novels, this one is mostly a slow burn. The plotline stretches across three time periods -- 1908, 1934, & 1998 -- in both Mexico and New England.

Alba, a young Mexican woman (whose family may be cursed) in 1908, is the great-grandmother of Minerva, a 1998 graduate student -- who is in turn doing her thesis on Beatrice/Betty, a pioneering female writer of weird tales in 1934. When Minerva's research reveals Betty's own brush with the unexplained, she finds herself threatened by dangers both supernatural and otherwise. Her great-grandmother left her with a few valuable tips about witchcraft, but can the folk beliefs of rural Mexico possibly apply to the traditions of old New England? And if they do, will Minerva be able to access her own power in time?

It takes a while for the three separate story lines to intertwine completely, although each is compelling in its own right. Fortunately, Moreno-Garcia includes the appropriate date with each chapter. She also seasons the dark academia sections with intriguing book titles, some of which I may need to look up later. They feel very real, as do the practices and descriptions of rural Mexican witches. There's always something interesting to learn in Moreno-Garcia's novels, and this one is no exception.

The conclusion of The Bewitching owes as much to thriller-style pacing as it does to horror, and may wind things up a bit too neatly for some readers. I tend to prefer clarity, however, and was gratified that the author took time to tuck in loose ends. There is also an informative Afterword, detailing some of the more autobiographical aspects of this novel. Recommended for anyone who enjoys dark academia with intelligent heroines, or folk horror with a Mexican/South American flavor.

**Review: *The Bewitching* by Silvia Moreno-Garcia**

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)

Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s *The Bewitching* is an eerie, slow-burning historical horror novel that weaves together three timelines, each connected by witchcraft, mystery, and generational trauma. While beautifully written and atmospheric, the novel struggles with pacing and predictability, making for an engaging but occasionally frustrating read.

The story follows Minerva, a graduate student in 1998 Massachusetts researching obscure horror writer Beatrice Tremblay. As Minerva delves deeper into Tremblay’s past, she discovers a chilling connection between the author’s experiences in the 1930s and her own great-grandmother Alba’s terrifying encounters with witchcraft in early 1900s Mexico. As the mysteries of the past unfold, Minerva begins to suspect that the same dark forces that haunted these women may now be coming for her.

Moreno-Garcia’s ability to craft immersive settings shines throughout the novel. The gothic atmosphere of a snow-covered New England campus, the desperation of the Great Depression, and the eerie superstitions of early 20th-century Mexico all feel rich and vivid. The book’s strength lies in its sense of place, its meticulous historical details, and its exploration of how folklore, power, and fear shape women’s lives across generations.

However, *The Bewitching* falters in a few key areas. The novel juggles three perspectives, and while each storyline is intriguing, they don’t all feel equally compelling. Minerva’s sections, meant to ground the novel in academic horror, sometimes drag due to excessive exposition and repetitive research sequences. Beatrice’s journal entries provide suspense, but the ultimate mystery lacks the tension needed for a strong payoff. Alba’s sections, while rich in folk horror, introduce unsettling themes (including incest) that may be difficult for some readers.

Additionally, the novel’s biggest twist is predictable, with obvious foreshadowing that takes away from the tension. The horror elements—though occasionally chilling—often take a backseat to lengthy character introspection, making the book feel more like a dark historical drama than a truly terrifying experience.

Overall, *The Bewitching* is a well-crafted but uneven novel. Fans of Moreno-Garcia’s previous works may appreciate her signature storytelling and gothic influences, but readers looking for a fast-paced, twist-filled horror tale may find themselves underwhelmed. A solid read for those who enjoy slow-burn historical horror, but not one of the author’s strongest offerings.

i love a good witch story!! what a beautiful introduction to silvia moreno-garcia, whom i have not read before and am now kicking myself for that decision! i loved the background of academia, then the introduction of alba’s life, and the slow reveal of ginny’s fate, it was all tied together so neatly. gorgeous prose, great characters, brilliant twist!

I'm still singing the praises of Garcia's "Mexican Gothic," and I also really loved "Silver Nitrate." I was quick to request a copy of this one, because the thought of her doing a witchy story was pretty exciting. There were spooky moments and an intriguing mystery, for sure, but overall "The Bewitching" didn't really compare to those other two novels.

Let's get this out of the way, first: The romantic tension between Alba and her uncle, while skillfully written, made me uncomfortable. I'm sure it was supposed to, and it became a purposeful plot element. But it's definitely worth noting before going into this read that if an incestual plotline is an automatic "nope" for you, then one of the three POV's in this book will give you trouble. Aside from that aspect, Alba's story was definitely the creepiest of the three due to the witch/curse elements and I was most invested in her storyline and her fate. Garcia is great at crafting women who at first appear to be damsels in distress but then flip the script and reveal more of themselves in a way that's inspiring. You root for them.

The “modern” (1990's) chapters with Minerva were the least interesting to me. Every male character was such a nosy POS and even her best friend kept bossing her around. The action in these sections grew repetitive after a while. And did we really need to know what band she was listening to every time she pulled out her discman? But I loved the many specific references to places in the Boston area! I lived there for ten years and I miss it SO much. Garcia even name dropped Emerson College, the one I graduated from! (I will never be able to pay off that student loan. Wicked sad.) The setting of a snowy university in New England was a great one for a creepy story.

I’m not the sort of reader who tries to predict endings, or who gets any sort of smug satisfaction when I do. But the conclusions of each of the narratives were not surprising to me. Maybe because many clues were left along the way, or because they were simply a little bit formulaic. I wouldn't say the story is dripping in atmosphere, either, but there are effective moments throughout. The witchcraft aspect is a little sporadic and heavier in some sections than in others. Much of the plot involves the mystery of a woman's disappearance and Minerva trying to find out what may have happened to her, though I got the feeling that she didn't care THAT much about the answer. I will say that I deeply related to Minerva's aversion to socializing and her desire to just stay at the dorm and read.

This story made me pause and think about which of my friends would actually take me seriously if I claimed I was being cursed by a witch. (Answer: Most of them!)

Thank you to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

Biggest TW: Mention of animal harm/death, Incest, Self-harm

This story was interesting in that it follows three timelines that interlock with each other, in different ways. Each chapter focuses on a different time period and shares similar plot pacing: you meet the characters, threats and peril looms closer, there is a question on whether there is a bewitching afoot or the character is mad, and then there is death (either of the witch or a victim). There is a mystery element within the book, which is intriguing, firstly in terms of witches identities but also around people who have gone missing. However, I did feel that the downside of this triple timeline was that I wasn't that invested in the characters and actually I wasn't too bothered if the protagonists particularly lived or died. Also with the generational link between Alba and Minerva the ending for Minerva felt a little predictable, for if Alba survived then no doubt Minerva would to.
Having said that it was an interesting take on the witch/horror genre and would be an enjoyable twist for someone who enjoys these types of books.

The story is told in 3 parts: Alba in 1908, Beatrice's journal written about 1934 events, and Minerva in 1998.

Alba is dealing with the disappearance of her brother and a possible bewitching (cursing/prolonged attack) of her family by a witch. Her mother and uncle don't believe her but she tries to figure out ways to help her family.

In the 1998 present, Minerva is a college student who's writing a thesis on a mostly forgotten horror writer, Beatrice Tremblay. She connects with rich, elderly Carolyn Yates who has Beatrice's papers. When Carolyn and Beatrice were in school together, another student, Virginia, disappeared one night. Rumors were that she ran away with someone but Carolyn's husband and Beatrice never believed it. Minerva reads Beatrice's journal of her remembrances of that time. But Minerva starts to feel like she's being targeted by a witch.

One aspect that I love is that Minerva can't read the whole journal in one sitting. She's reading and transcribing in limited time windows, based on what Carolyn allows. One of my complaints with books with journals is when the character will just read a chapter at a time since the journal needs to unfold with the character's story. However, that's unrealistic most of the time, since it would be reasonable for a character to read the entire journal in a sitting or two. Moreno-Garcia addresses this by limiting Minerva's access to the journal. (I'm not sure if this was intentional or just a happy plot point)

The story was interesting and I appreciated the three perspectives. Overall, it was easy to keep them straight. The chapters were also on the longer side, which was nice. I was able to spend more time getting to know each character without jumping around.

Moreno-Garcia does a great job of weaving the supernatural into her stories and this was no exception. The reveals for who the witches are were painfully obvious, which was a bit disappointing. But it was still an engrossing story.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this advance review copy.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia delivers yet another atmospheric, eerie delight in The Bewitching, blending witchy Mexican folklore with the gothic chill of 1990s New England. The novel weaves together three generations of women, each facing the lingering shadow of something dark and supernatural, from early 1900s Mexico to the Great Depression and into Minerva’s present-day research on an unsettling horror novelist.

The witchy elements? Chef’s kiss. The creeping horror and sinister undertones? Absolutely excellent. Moreno-Garcia knows how to craft an unsettling, immersive atmosphere that lingers long after you put the book down. However, the one thing that kept this from being a full five-star read for me was that the story’s trajectory—especially regarding who the villains were and the broader mystery—felt a little too easy to predict. That said, the journey was still mesmerizing, and the execution of the folklore-meets-gothic horror blend was masterful.

If you love slow-burning horror with richly woven storytelling, strong female leads, and a touch of gothic intrigue, The Bewitching is well worth the read. Just don’t expect too many surprises—this one unfolds exactly as you suspect but in good way.

The Bewitching is dark, twisted, and compelling. Perfectly eerie and with gothic undertones, the story is an ideal accompaniment for a rainy day and a hot cup of tea (or coffee).

The story follows three women and their circles as they experience the supernatural, love, and loss. Each faces a spectral horror linked to dark witchcraft while battling between the dark forces beyond modern science at play and negotiating with contemporary understandings of reality.

For readers trying to compare this book to other reads, it's reminiscent of A Study in Drowning and Spells for Forgetting with an element of If We Were Villains.

The book's dark academia, gothic and supernatural elements were highly enjoyable. If you enjoy any of the above categories in your reading, this could be for you.

Queen of haunting gothic horror is back again with a multi narrative dual pov masterpiece, atmospheric and utterly immersive prose with characters so authentic and intricate they feel absolutely real, this was such a dense novel (not in a bad way) I feel like it's a 3 course meal disguised as 1? Does that make sense (maybe I shouldn't write this when hungry) it was rich and lush and I couldn't put it down, the multi narrative was done well I was worried I'd be confused at first but it flows nicely, loved this haunting historical horror, another 5 star read from this author!

In The Bewitching, Silvia Moreno-Garcia weaves a haunting tale about a curse that spans generations, told through the perspectives of three women: Minerva, a graduate student in the 1990s; Beatrice Tremblay, a horror author whose diary entries from the Great Depression reveal her experiences; and Minerva's Nana, Alba, who lived in Mexico during the early 1990s. While working on her graduate thesis, Minerva begins to notice the similarities between Nana's story and Tremblay's writings, leading her to suspect that the witch who haunted them may now be stalking her. She must uncover the truth before she too falls victim to the curse.

Moreno-Garcia's writing is beautifully crafted, immersing readers in every setting. While the story captured my interest, I felt it would have been stronger without Nana Alba's narrative, as it seemed unnecessary to the plot. Additionally, it felt unlikely that Minerva would know all the details about her grandmother's life. Some parts of Nana Alba's story contain sensitive themes, including incest and sexual abuse. I was unprepared for these scenes and I think book publishers should provide warnings for this type of content. The book would have been more effective if Minerva had experienced flashbacks to her childhood and the stories her Nana shared, rather than chapters from Nana Alba's perspective.

Minerva and Beatrice's stories are compelling and thrilling, and I wish more pages had been dedicated to this unraveling mystery. The resolution felt rushed and relied on a disappointing deus ex machina.

I recommend this novel to fans of historical horror fiction. While it has a gothic feel, it leans more towards vampire or ghost stories than a traditional witch's tale.

Witch and witchcraft horror saga with three women from different eras.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have hard time reading multiple POV if I’m not interested all the characters the same. Start of this book I had little bit hard time with that. I always wanted to just go back to the other character. After the beginning I did really enjoyed the plot and the stories started to entwine more together.

This was never who done to me. It’s was really clear from the beginning to me. It was more of a how the horror slowly unraveled and how the stories end. The old folk stories about witches are more scary and I loved how those were part of the plot.

I recommend this to anyone that likes horror stories with black magic and scary witches.