Thank you to NetGalley and Atria/Primero Sueno Press for this opportunity to read, rate and review this arc which will be available 10/8/2024!

Wow. Powerful story. It was a lush interwoven story of Nena’s past and present. Of her lost daughter and niece. Of magic, familial bonds and self journies. I highly enjoyed this even though a few things were lost in translation for me.

I enjoyed the writing in the book and the characters, but the book didn't grab me and draw me in. There was something missing, but I will try another book by this author.

Title: The Witches of El Paso
Author: Luis Jaramillo
Rating: ★★★★☆

Review:

OMG, “The Witches of El Paso” by Luis Jaramillo is such a wild ride! This is my first book from Jaramillo, and I feel super honored to have received an ARC. Major thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity!

Set in both 1943 and the present, this book follows Nena, a teen with some serious magical mojo, and her grandniece Marta, a lawyer juggling her career and supernatural surprises. Their quest to find Nena’s lost daughter is full of twists, magic, and heartfelt moments. The way Jaramillo blends history, family, and witchcraft is just chef’s kiss.

I can’t wait for the release on October 8th and to get my hands on the physical copy. If you’re into magical realism with a touch of historical fiction, grab this book ASAP. It’s a spellbinding read you won’t want to miss!

Loved this read! It was interesting to cross the boarder and learn. I enjoyed the different timelines creating the story. It sucked me in from the very beginning and I couldn’t put the book down!

**Review of *The Witches of El Paso* by Luis Jaramillo**

Luis Jaramillo’s *The Witches of El Paso* is a captivating and richly imagined tale that masterfully blends elements of magic, family legacy, and personal transformation. In a narrative that echoes the enchantment and emotional depth found in *The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina* and *La Hacienda*, Jaramillo crafts a story that is both empowering and deeply resonant.

The novel is set against the backdrop of two distinct eras—1943 and the present day—intertwining the lives of two extraordinary women. Teenage Nena, living in El Paso, Texas, dreams of escape from her mundane life caring for her sisters' children. Her premonitions and fainting spells, which have troubled her for years, seem to mark her as a candidate for the supernatural, especially when the enigmatic Sister Benedicta arrives, guiding her into the realms of magic and ancient traditions. As Nena journeys back to colonial Mexico, she discovers both love and the heavy cost of wielding magical powers, setting the stage for a rich, multilayered narrative.

Fast forward to the present day, and Nena’s grandniece, Marta, is grappling with the challenges of running a legal aid practice while caring for her elderly great-aunt. When Marta agrees to help find a daughter that Nena left behind in the past, she uncovers her own latent supernatural abilities. This personal revelation propels Marta into a world of magic that threatens her carefully constructed life, leading her to confront profound questions about identity, power, and family.

Jaramillo’s storytelling is both vivid and evocative, bringing to life the lush settings of 1940s El Paso and colonial Mexico with equal finesse. The dual narrative structure allows readers to explore the generational impact of magic and the burdens it imposes. Nena’s journey is both a physical and spiritual one, reflecting her growth from a girl constrained by her circumstances to a woman who embraces her extraordinary abilities. Marta’s parallel journey of discovery adds a modern dimension, exploring how personal and familial legacies shape our lives and choices.

The novel’s themes of motherhood and legacy are explored with sensitivity and depth. Jaramillo weaves these themes seamlessly into the narrative, showing how the past continually influences the present and how personal sacrifices are part of a larger, often mystical, continuum. The relationship between Nena and Marta is a cornerstone of the story, showcasing the transformative power of family bonds and the ways in which magic can both bind and liberate.

Mira Jacob’s description of the book as “sexy, smart, and soulful” aptly captures its essence. *The Witches of El Paso* is a mesmerizing blend of the magical and the real, rich with emotional intensity and insightful reflections on what it means to navigate a fractured world while honoring one’s heritage.

In summary, *The Witches of El Paso* is a standout novel that offers a compelling mix of magic, family, and self-discovery. Luis Jaramillo’s eloquent prose and imaginative storytelling create a deeply engaging read that will resonate with fans of magical realism and anyone interested in the intersection of personal and supernatural histories.

This was such a good book I would rate it a 3/5 stars it kept me on my toes and I really enjoyed it! Thank you so much NetGalley and the publisher for the copy to read.

I think this book must be...unfinished. The main characters are well-developed and rich, and the plot is solid--until about the last 20%. The ending is weka. it leaves a lot of loose threads, so many that I wonder if those plot points are needed at all. The lawsuit gets built up, and we discover the family connections, and then--nothing. Marta's kids seem like an afterthought, used for any effect in only once scene, and her husband is much the same--is he just there to make the reader wonder if he's having an affair, to complicate Marta's life? I really hope that this gets another round of developmental editing and writing, because it has great ideas and is evocative and otherwise well-written.

My eARC for Kindle had two chapter 20s and no chapter 21.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book.

Oh wow!!!!! This was a first for me by this author but will not be my last! Such a good story! The characters worked so well together. Such great chemistry.

I was really intrigued by the set up, but ultimately Nena's POV grabbed me much more than Marta's- I just couldn't get into her character and her head as easily, so I really struggled to get through it. I also struggled with the pacing at times, and it took me a few tries to get through it. The magic system and settings were interesting, but the earliest timeline was the most compelling and the easiest to get lost in. The family dynamics were sweet, and they helped knit the storyline together for me and brought Marta more firmly into a character you rooted for.

Magical realism. La Vista. This is a coming of age story of a young woman who is not quite sure what age she belongs to and which age she wants to be. The time travel is confusing at times although most of the story takes place in a convent in the 15th century. Being cloistered means the women are more in touch or willing to accept their spiritual side. Leaving the convent exposes them to the world. The question is, is LaVista controlling the eventual outcome?

"Your secret is your prisoner. Once you reveal it, you become its slave." (Solomon Gabirol)

Luis Jaramillo creates quite the stir in the cauldron with The Witches of El Paso. Clever, creative, and satisfying, this novel is deeply layered in Mexican folklore and threaded through with the sizzlin' kiss of a most mysterious bruja who elbows her way into these pages.

Marta Montoya works for a non-profit legal office located in the San Jacinto Plaza in El Paso, Texas. In her mid 40's, Marta starts to wonder if all her efforts over the years have been in vain. She still waits for Jerome, the executive director in his 80's, to retire. She's currently advocating for the female workers of Soto Pecans in a harassment case. But now, her main witness, Sofia, threatens to quit the lawsuit and collapse all of Marta's efforts. Frustration lines her face and her soul.

Marta is married to Alejandro, a handsome and successful doctor. She has two lively sons, Rafa and Pablo. But the biggest trial in her life is her Tia Nena who is in her 90's. A call comes through from Nena after the firefighters have left. Nena accidentally set fire to her kitchen scorching everything. Nena must either live with Marta now or join the ranks at Los Pinones Nursing Home. Nena chooses Marta.

And that, folks, will light another fire........a fire of cataclysmic proportions. Nena shares the story of her past life that will shake Marta to her core as well as us readers. Nena has "bruja" tattooed upon her inner soul. We'll travel back in time to El Paso del Norte in 1792, El Paso in 1943, and El Paso in the present. So buckle up and feel the vibrations of horses' hooves and loud musica in the background.

The Witches of El Paso is almost a love letter of sorts from the pen of Jaramillo. He paints wide open spaces as well as the limitations of closed minds. It's filled with the flavor of Old Mexico and lined with folklore and historical facts. I savored this one as I sat with joy from my place in Central Texas. So open yourselves to a new experience. It's one you won't soon forget.......ask Nena.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Simon & Schuster Publishing and to Luis Jarmillo for the opportunity.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. This is my honest review.

This book was an interesting blend of magical realism, Latin culture and history. Alternating timelines added interest as the author Segway smoothly between them Although I found the characters were well done, I never had a sense of connection with any of them

The inclusion of Spanish words and phrases added authenticity. However, with my limited Spanish, I also found it distracting. Footnotes would be helpful.

this is a great witchy read with culture and family. it's nothing groundbreaking but it kept me intrigued till the very end.
I enjoyed the dual timelines, i did not find it hard to follow as some reviews have said.

Spell-binding and haunting, The Witches of El Paso by Luis Jaramillo captures you in its chaotic nature of past and present witches. Gritty and grisly, I enjoyed reading this book of Nena’s bruja origin story and Marta embracing her life in its current state and what is yet to come. Centered around strong women, I fell in love with all the characters – good and bad. Full of witchy goodness, this is the perfect fall or Halloween read. I did find the pacing to be just a little awkward – the time jumps from past to present sometimes through me off, but I always managed to find my way back. If you're looking for a supernatural witchy read, I recommend The Witches of El Paso for you next read.

If you want witches with a Hispanic twist, then you are in luck! Thank you so much for this arc and I want to say I really enjoyed it. The author is able to navigate the past and the present seamlessly. There was magical realism and strong female main characters. I feel like I related to this book so much coming from a Spanish and women dominate house hold. The flow of the story was chefs kiss along with the plot. If this is up your alley then please read it, you won’t regret it!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I wanted to love this book. The description of it immediately caught my attention and the style of magic was fascinating. I love a multi-timeline and multi-POV, however, I struggled with both in this book. The jumping around wasn't clearly denoted which took my brain extra time to get used to and took me out of the story as I worked to figure out who I was following and when. I didn't feel like I got enough of either character to make me care about them truly which made me apathetic to their struggles and wants.

I forced myself to finish this book because I needed to know how it ended and I honestly was left unsatisfied.

I am sure there are people who will love this book but unfortunately I wasn't one of them. And that's okay. I'm still glad I got the opportunity to read something new by a new-to-me author.

The Witches of El Paso
Written by Luis Jaramillo
Published by Atria Books
Release Date October 08, 2024

“ If you call to the witches, they will come.”

Ok, I think if ever there was a review that said you need to read it to understand it, it would be true about this one. It is full of superstition, magic, family drama, lyrical prose and descriptions that make you feel that you are right there. This book takes place in different timelines yet the ease in which the author changes them is perfect. The stories told will captivate you.
Nena has longed for a life of independence and a freedom from the fainting spells that have brought with them visions of things yet to happen….or have they? We are thrust to time where Nena is much older are her grand niece Marla must use the magic they have learned to find Nena’s child. Cast as witches, this book is.impeccable and the characters are so very well developed. The author takes their time to ensure that the reader grasps the storyline and will enjoy it long after the story is over.


5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley, the author as well as the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

It's a good story but I had a hard time following what and when stuff was happening. I enjoyed the magical parts of the story a lot.

I found this book difficult to follow. Although I normally LOVE a dual timeline, this one was difficult to follow. There was nothing to mark that you were changing timelines, you rather you figured it out throughout the chapters. I was not able to finish this book.

The Witches of El Paso is full of magical realism that wraps around first a young woman, Nena, in the past who is 99 years old in the present. Then it wraps around her niece, Marta, who goes back in the past to find a long long daughter of Nenas. They both learn that magic has consequences - even as they form a tight bond together.

Supernatural and a twisting of the tie space continuum make this a marvelous book to read. The characters are very real and the book flows in a lyrical style.