Opening line: “Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches.” THE BEWITCHING is a soft spine-chilling multi-generational gothic horror tale, three women from distinct time periods face peril and the supernatural forces of witchcraft.

Minerva grew up with tales about witches from her great-grandmother. As a Mexican foreign transfer, she is now a graduate student specializing in the history of horror literature in the state of Massachusetts. Minerva is gathering her thesis on the life of college alumnus and author Beatrice Tremblay. Tremblay’s one and only novel, The Vanishing, released in 1969, was inspired by a true story.

In 1934, during the Great Depression, while Tremblay attended school, she became enamored with her beautiful, lyrical roommate, who vanished. As Minerva begins to uncover more clues from Tremblay’s personal papers about her roommate’s final days, she senses a malign force that has turned its sights on Minerva. This force stalking Minerva eerily mirrors the stories from Tramblay’s written accounts and her great-grandmother's tales about the witch she encountered as a young girl.

Verdict:
I’m not going to lie, the beginning is very slow going, but the opening line had me invested. Quickly grabbing me with the three timelines of these women’s stories, which intertwine seamlessly and connect beautifully. Elegantly written story of witches, warlocks, and Mexican supernatural folklore. Not overly frightening, though there are a few scenes that will chill your spine. This book leans more towards historical fiction with a supernatural element. The timeline set in 1908 Mexico, with Alba, is the most chilling, and Nana Alba's stories of witchcraft prove crucial for her great-granddaughter exactly one hundred years later. Excellent representation of Mexican witches, they are not to be messed with. (8.5/10)

Another winner from Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Her strengths have always been realistic characters and dialogue, and visually descriptive details that set the scene and mood. Magic and mayhem in Massachusetts and Mexico, with witches and warlocks, deaths and disappearances. Highly recommended.

his is SO GOOD. There are 3 timelines, but they all connect in the end, and the gothic vibes are so good. This is my first book by the author, and I'm glad I have a nice back catalogue to get into. My only complain is the author could've gone deeper regarding the social commentary on rich vs workers/the poor. I recommend this if you liked the new book by V E Schwab, the vibes are kinda similar, and also if you like Shirley Jackson and Isabel Allende (for the magic realism).

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

In The Bewitching, we follow three different women in three different eras as they grapple with the dangers of witchcraft.

I DNFed at 92% (second-to-last chapter). I couldn’t even finish that chapter, I had to stop because I found it completely vile. From the beginning of the book at chapter 2, I wanted to DNF. I found the Alba chapters to be absolutely disgusting. But I powered through because I found the rest of the story engaging and really wanted to see how Alba’s story coalesced with the other stories, and also wanted to see if those Alba chapters redeemed themselves in the end. I guess I’ll never find out.

I appreciate how the author set up the story (for the most part), though I found some parts of the story too obvious from early on. I liked what little horror we got, and hoped there would be more. And maybe I’m one of those sensitive people, but I could’ve used a warning about what went on in the Alba chapters. That one part of the Alba chapters was definitely not for me and completely ruined the book for me.

This is a close second for me in terms of my favorite books by Silvia. I'm usually hesistant about books that even partially take place in the past but Silvia balanced the timelines perfectly. I am a sucker for 90s anything so having one of those timelines be during that time was a huge appeal to me.

I normally don’t enjoy reading novels with multiple timelines, but The Bewitching blew away all my concerns.

The latest offering from Silvia Moreno-Garcia tells three different, yet interrelated, stories, taking place in 1908, 1934, and 1998, and the author satisfyingly ties it all together in a banger of an ending. The overarching storyline introduces us to Minerva, a student from Mexico who comes to a college in New England to do a thesis on a little known horror writer who had attended school there in 1934. The 1908 storyline involves Minerva’s great grandmother, Alba. All the timelines involve witchcraft. This is a slow burn of a novel, but Moreno-Garcia skillful writing kept my attention and I never lost interest in the book.

Highly recommended.

My thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing an ARC of the novel.

Spooky, atmospheric, and unsettling, this gothic multigenerational tale weaves together three POV's and three time-lines that span over a century. Moreno-Garcia masterfully intertwines Mexican folklore and witchcraft to create a story that makes witches scary again! It's the perfect read to lead into spooky season!

I wasn’t familiar with Moreno-Garcia’s work before this, but I was immediately struck by her brilliant writing—beautifully descriptive yet engaging and easy to read. I loved the use of different POVs, and found myself fully invested in each timeline with Alba, Betty, and Minerva. Their individual stories were compelling, and the way the author wove them together—making them both distinct and deeply connected—was masterfully done.

Each timeline held its own magic, and the layers of Mexican folklore added a rich, atmospheric depth to the narrative.

It’s a perfect recommendation for anyone who enjoys light fantasy blended with historical fiction, some horror, strong female leads, and a witchy, haunting vibe. A truly captivating and rewarding read.

I'm a huge fan of Silvia Moreno-Garcia. I'm still working my way through her catalogue but everything I've read so far, I've loved. Her writing reminds me of my favorite writer, Alix E. Harrow. They're both true story-tellers and have just the most magical way of writing that pulls you into their worlds of beautiful words.

The Bewitching is no different and was just what I was hoping for - a spooky, vibey jaunt through time with witches and dark magic. We travel to 1908, 1934 and 1998, all connected through our MC, Minerva, in 1998. I appreciated the way the story unfolds through time. Moreno-Garcia is an expert writer though, and you can tell this is her passion.

I will say that this IS a slow burn of a novel. If you don't like slow burns then this is not for you. Personally, I love it. I love the drawn out vibey aesthetics of wintry New England. I could practically smell the farm in 1908. This is one writer who does atmosphere wonderfully well.

I also really enjoyed the particular mythology for the witches and magic of this story - it was something different from the usual witch mythology and I greatly appreciated it. It was exciting to learn and encounter this new witch type, which is based on witches of Mexican legend, teyolloquani.

I read this as slow as I could to keep it with me as long as I could, same as I did Mexican Gothic and Silver Nitrate. I think I loved Mexican Gothic the best among the three but all three are great. I think The Bewitching might be slow to garner love but I think it will be loved all the same. I love witchy books lol

If you're in the mood for a vibey autumn/winter witch read, this is for sure for you. Also, if you're just a fan of a good story, haha

This Bewitching is definitely a Silvia Moreno-Garcia style. I even felt like it's the same story as before just different names/setting.

That said, it is a good story, though a slow burn. It takes a long time to get to the point and the meat of the story. It is a story of two different girls, during two different times. One is being pursued by a witch, who is a very vindictive character. And then we have a research scholar, who wants to find out what happened to a girl from years past.

I loved the idea that the missing girl is connected to the biggest horror writers in our history. That was such a nice treat/connection. And how the witches are portrayed in this tale - not the misunderstood girls that are being pursued because of denied love, but actually power grabbing, vindictive people. However, at the same time, this book was just so so slow. And it makes me want to break up with the author for good. Especially after this book, where there is no big "theme" that's new. Just more historical hunting of girls.

This was such an eerie and beautifully layered story that pulls you in slowly but completely. I loved how the three timelines wove together—each felt distinct yet connected by a dark thread of witchcraft and obsession. The folklore elements, especially rooted in Mexican traditions, added so much depth and made the story feel fresh and haunting. It’s not fast-paced, but the creeping dread and rich atmosphere had me hooked by the halfway point. Perfect for readers who enjoy stories that feel both literary and quietly unsettling.

Filled with mystery and haunted by magic, this is a novel that makes you pay attention to things that go bump in the night. Told in three time periods by three strong female voices, it creates both fear and resolve in the reader to discover the evil and bring justice to those who were wronged. The characters are amazing as are the descriptions of the worlds in each time period.

Thanks to NetGalley and DelRay Books for the ARC to read and review.

3.5 stars. Moreno-Garcia is a very talented writer, and she's great at creating a strong sense of atmosphere in her novels. The Bewitching is a story of evil witches across three different timelines, featuring three different young women who encounter malevolent witchcraft. The book was very slow-paced to start, and it was only in the last quarter or so that I was racing through the pages. I think this could have used tighter editing. Also, I was unprepared for a relationship in the earliest timeline that gave me such a huge ick factor that it haunted the rest of the book for me, and I'm still struggling to understand why it was necessary to the plot. (I'm trying to be vague in order to avoid spoilers.) Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for a digital review copy.

Once again Silvia Moreno Garcia hits it out of the park with this dark, witchy tale told in three alternate timelines that intersect in a thrilling climax.

1908 Mexico- Alba is a young woman living on her family’s farm, mourning the death of her father and doing her best to help her mother with the younger children, when her uncle comes to visit. After the disappearance of her brother and the mutilation and death of animals around the farm she comes to realizes her family has been cursed by a witch. Her mother and uncle won’t believe such nonsense, but her friend and would be suitor, Valentin, promises to help her.

1934 Massachusetts- Beatrice Tremblay is a college student and budding horror writer living in the dorms during the great depression. The disappearance of her college roommate Virigina Somerset, who was affectionally called Ginny, will cast a shadow over the rest of her life and inspire her most famous work, The Vanishing.

1998 Massachusetts- Minerva, Alba’s great granddaughter, and college student at the same university as Beatrice is working on her thesis. Focusing on Beatrice Tremblay’s work and unfinished manuscript, she immerses herself in her research and seeks the help of one of Beatrice and Ginny’s college friends Carolyn, hoping to read through Beatrice’s papers and writings.

As Minerva dives deep into Beatrice’s unfinished manuscript and personal papers, she is sucked into the events of 1934, and the disappearance of Ginny. She soon realizes that the evil that permeated Ginny’s last days has never really left and as she puts the pieces together of what really happened the night she vanished, her life might be in danger as well.

I might have mentioned, I LOVE storytelling with alternate timelines. I feel like jumping from one time period and narrator to the next holds my attention and amps up my desire to see how they all converge at the end. It really works here, even with three different time periods and POVs. Just when you feel like you are getting answers to what’s going on with Alba, Minverva jumps in with more research and falls deep into 1934 and Beatrice’s POV. This is a dark, slow-moving, but captivating tale that kept me turning pages. Highly recommend for fans of historical fantasy and horror.

Final grade- B+

Favorite Quote:

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

I had such a great time with The Bewitching! Silvia Moreno-Garcia takes us through three timelines; 1908, 1934 & 1998. It blends witchcraft, history, and horror seamlessly! Each generation of women felt vivid and real, and I loved how their stories slowly intertwined.

Minerva, in 1998, was such a sweet main character. Her obsession with the history of horror literature and the mysterious author Beatrice Tremblay is what really drew me in. And then you get these chilling glimpses into the past, especially through Nana Alba’s haunting childhood memories.

This is classic Moreno-Garcia…witchy, atmospheric, and full of strong women. I loved how she tied trauma and magic together across generations. I def recommend if you like horror with a historical twist, folklore, and a bit of academic obsession.

Pub date is July 15. *thanks to NetGalley and @random for this great arc opportunity!

The creepiest most scary summer read this year!

This book proves that yet again SMG is superb at storytelling and giving such character driven stories. The way that she builds people in books sparks such deep curiosity for me. It doesn't matter if they are hero or villain, I must know them and learn them.

With the three timelines and three capitol characters intertwined fates, I was at the edge of my seat formulating theories and anticipating the next scare.

The noises and bumps in the night of this book all have meaning and something is def behind all the spooky things. Which just added to the layers that one could pick apart. This would be such a great book club pick! I can see vivid debates about each character in here.

Three time frames, three strong women. And witchy Gothic vibes. Minerva in the 1990s finds herself researching events from the past and learns so much more than she expected. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Good world building and fine storytelling combined with likable characters make this a very good read.

Oh how I love my witchy reads and Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s newest novel has jumped to the top of my list for favorite books of 2025. Told in triplicate, with timelines spanning a century, we travel from early nineteenth century rural Mexico to modern day New England in this bewitching tale that immerses us in each culture’s legacy of witchcraft.

The witches of this novel, or teyolloquani as they are called, have their roots in Mexican folklore. Their bewitchments both horrify and haunt. They are not content with merely cursing their victims, they delight in their torture and have a hunger for blood. This folklore element was my favorite part of the book and I found it fascinating.

Moreno-Garcia is a master of her craft and the story she has constructed is complex and wonderfully done. Multiple timelines can be tricky and I often find myself drawn to one over the others, but all three here are equally strong. I could not get enough of any of them. I sometimes find violence in horror novels to be inexpertly wielded. The author goes for shock value and it just feels gratuitous and loses its impact. That is not the case here. Moreno-Garcia builds an atmosphere of dread and when the violence comes it is not a surprise but rather the logical destination in the journey she has constructed for us. Was I scared? Perhaps not, but I was severely unsettled and that lingers longer in your psyche.

And beyond being a tale of witchcraft. This is the author’s reverent homage to the masters of horror and the genre’s legacy. The names of many are sprinkled throughout the book along with allusions to their works that are intertwined in the plot. I particularly enjoyed the ode to Shirley Jackson’s Hangsaman. There was just so much about this book to love and I couldn’t get enough. Thank you to @netgalley and @delreybooks for this arc.

Loved this one! I really enjoy this author and her style of writing. Very easy to lose myself in the story.

Set in 3 time periods; 1908, 1934 and 1998. 3 stories entangled and revolving around witchcraft. There’s missing people, decadence, dark academia, mystery, and found “footage”. All things that make a great horror/fantasy/dark academia book.

My favorite time period and character was 1998 and our heroine, Minerva. Suffering from social anxiety, she surrounds herself in the comfort of research and academia. All stories line up with Minerva and she’s a strong force for good. One of my favorite characters that I’ve read this year!

For fans of dark academia, witchcraft horror, and mystery.

“Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches,” Alba tells her great-granddaughter Minerva. The Bewitching tells three interwoven stories in alternating chapters. Alba is a young woman in Mexico in the early 1900s, Minerva is a graduate student attending a New England college in 1998, and Beatrice is a student at the same college in 1934.

SMG’s work is always so deliberate and delicate, and this is no exception. The book blends different folkloric traditions, bringing together both Mexican and New England legends of witchcraft just as different generations fuse together in the book (and these are not your witches with pointy hats– these witches are dangerous). The pace is very slow, and some readers will dislike this; however, I found myself luxuriating in it and I think it contributes to the building horror. And while some reviewers commented on a favorite POV character, I think all three voices were mesmerizing.

So, I loved it, but I found most of the twists of the book quite predictable. SMG is a remarkably talented writer though– if she wanted to obfuscate things more, she certainly would. So why not? I think part of it is to the reader’s benefit: the satisfaction of being right and feeling superior to the characters in the novel for seeing what they cannot see. But wait, there’s more. The inevitability contributes to that building dread. The horror lies not in surprise but certainty that the worst will happen. It evokes a sort of Lovecraftian horror of modern society’s insignificance compared to cosmic horrors. The book draws heavily on folklore, and some predictability more deeply connects the story to mythic traditions (there will be three trials, the bargain with the fae will always go sour, etc.). Last but not least, it’s a way to subvert our expectations.

TLDR: SMG is amazing.

Moreno-Garcia may be my favorite active writer right now. Her versatility is astounding. I've read a dozen of her novels, and each one has been in a different subgenre and an absolute treasure in its own right including this one, Prime Meridian (a cutting critique of techno-futurism and capitalism), Certain Dark Things (a haunting tale about vampires in Mexico), Gods of Jade and Shadow (a modern day Mayan fairy tale and road trip novel), Mexican Gothic (an incredible take on gothic horror) Signal to Noise (an unusual coming of age story), and Silver Nitrate (a combination of the 1970s Mexican horror movie scene and the occult). If you liked this one, I recommend trying out Mexican Gothic next or perhaps Silver Nitrate.