Unfortunately, this is a DNF. I've read a quarter of it and have found nothing interesting about the plot or the characters. Plus, it moves at a glacial pace. The writing is clear and professional, Perhaps the story just isn't for me. My thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with a complimentary ARC. I'm sorry my opinion couldn't be more positive.

Dangerous witches, powerful curses, and unseen, unidentifiable entities lurking in the shadows—this supernatural tale intertwines three timelines into a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you leave the lights on for a month. Yes, I’m sold! This is another masterful supernatural horror from Silvia Moreno-Garcia that I simply couldn’t resist. It’s gripping, terrifying, and endlessly fascinating—proving yet again her unmatched talent in the genre.

The story unfolds across three timelines, each centered around remarkable women and bound together by ominous words: “Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches.” Indeed, witches are still out there, lurking in the darkness, waiting to strike.

Timeline 1: 1908
We meet Alba, mourning the sudden loss of her father and tormented by the mysterious disappearance of her brother, Tadeo. Her family suspects no foul play, dismissing any talk of curses or supernatural forces, but Alba remains unconvinced. Valentin, her brother’s close friend, is the only one who believes her family is bewitched, and he vows to help her uncover the truth.

Timeline 2: 1934
Beatrice Tremblay is a college student and budding horror writer, gaining fame with her debut novel, Vanishing, inspired by the real-life disappearance of her eccentric roommate Virginia. Virginia was rumored to have a connection with the dead, channeling them through abstract art. But her sudden disappearance remains shrouded in mystery. Beatrice’s story is as much about ambition as it is about the ghosts of the past.

Timeline 3: 1998
Minerva, Alba’s granddaughter, is a student at the same academy where Beatrice once studied. Obsessed with Beatrice’s unpublished manuscript for her thesis, Minerva seeks out Carolyn, Beatrice’s former friend, now married to Edgar—the former fiancé of the vanished Virginia. Through Carolyn’s grandson Noah, Minerva gains access to Carolyn’s estate, where the manuscript is kept.

But as Minerva delves deeper into her research, she unwittingly unleashes something dark and malevolent. She begins to feel a sinister presence stalking her—something no one else can see. To survive, she must connect with the two women from decades past to unravel the mysteries that bind their fates. Can she defeat the force that threatens her life?

Overall:
This is a fascinating, unputdownable read that I wholeheartedly recommend to devoted fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia and lovers of supernatural horror sagas.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Del Rey/Inklore for providing a digital reviewer copy of this incredible book in exchange for my honest opinions.

I haven't read any previous novels by Silvia Moreno-Garcia however have heard mixed reviews. I am very happy to say I loved The Bewitching and will be reading more of her work! It took me a while to get into the 3 separate timelines of all the female characters but once I did I was quite hooked. The main character Minerva is very distrustful of everyone however her grandma's storyline as a young Alba is quite the opposite and trusting of everyone. It was also for me a bit predictable however I still enjoyed this and needed to know how it ended! I will definitely be putting this onto our Halloween/Witch display next year

The plot is steeped in dark magic, horror, and witchy stuff, creating an eerie atmosphere perfect for gothic/horror enthusiasts. As expected, Silvia Moreno-Garcia's writing is captivating, keeping me hooked until the very end.

The story unfolds across two generations, exploring the struggles of women dealing with witches, one in early Mexico and another in New England. Both heroines are equally compelling and intriguing. What resonates most with me is Moreno-Garcia's masterful portrayal of character growth, showcasing how her heroines discover their strength and independence against all odds.
This is a fantastic read from my favorite author! I highly recommend it to fans of dark magic, wicked witches, level-headed heroines, Dark Academia, gothic/horror vibes, haunting spells, and strange disappearances.

Thank you for allowing me to read this EArc

I finished reading the book in one day! The plot is filled with dark magic, horror and wicked witchcraft. It's eerie and perfect for gothic/horror fans. As usual Silvia Moreno- Garcia's writing is magical to keep me hooked till the end. The story is told from two different generations on dealing with witches, one in early Mexico and one in New England. I found both heroines to be equally interesting and engaging. The best part of her stories that connect with me is the ARC of growth and character she gives to her heroines as they learn they can be strong and independent despite the odds. Overall, a great read from my fav author! Pick it up if you like *Dark Magic * Wicked Witches *levelheaded heroines *Dark Academia *Gothic/horror vibes *haunting/spells *strange disappearances.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group, Del Ray for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

The book’s narrative centers on a young woman, an outsider, who arrives in a small, isolated village and becomes entangled in the local myths and mysterious events that seem to haunt its people. What Moreno-Garcia does so well here is create an atmosphere that's both eerie and richly immersive, drawing you into a world where the boundaries between the living and the supernatural are blurred. Her prose is elegant and layered, capturing the mood and tone perfectly, while the pace maintains an undercurrent of tension throughout.

The Bewitching is a mesmerizing read—compact yet rich, and a perfect choice for those looking for a moody, atmospheric story with a touch of the supernatural. Silvia Moreno-Garcia once again proves herself to be a master of blending genres, creating a tale that's both chilling and thoughtful! Highly recommend!

i think i need to listen to this one on audio. Sometimes with multiple POVs or many people listening to it allows me to focus more on the story. I adore Silvias writing and this book was great. I will be excited when I can have a physical copy and the audio of this book. I enjoyed the premise, the storyline, the characters, It was all very well done.

I am full of admiration for Sylvia's work whilst at the same time never clicking with her stories enough to award more than three stars. This was another such book. Great concept but somehow it didn't fully land for me.

I love a good spooky witch book and this was perfect. Reminded me of Louisa Morgan but dark. It was pretty suspenseful which I enjoyed thoroughly.

Please note that this ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I very much enjoyed the latest book by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. She is undoubtedly a talented writer with a particular skill for weaving multiple timelines and characters into a story. The foremost of 1908 to 1934 to 1998 kept me hooked- so many chapters ended with a cliffhanger that made me keep reading. I also think the book was twisty in just the right ways. I honestly didn’t see many of them coming and it all connects so beautifully.

Silvia Moreno Garcia wrote another epic book. I did nothing but eat, sleep, and read The Bewitching for three days. It’s an incredibly written story of three women’s lives; Alba, the daughter of a farmer whose land in Mexico seems to be bewitched in 1908, Beatrice, an aspiring writer who recounts the last days of a friend who vanishes in 1934, and Minerva, Alba’s great-granddaughter a college student living in the Massachusetts searching for answers in Beatrice’s writing and her great-grandmother’s wisdom. The story engulfs you from the first page and the mystery, suspense, and witchy tales keep you in from page to page. I loved it!

This is easily Moreno-Garcia’s best. Truly exceptional work.

The three storylines stand alone as fully fleshed out and equally as compelling stories but blend together and call backwards and forwards to each other in such a masterful way.

The tonal shifts between stories was stark but captured the literary style of the times they were reflecting so perfectly it was a treat to be reminded every chapter how well the author could capture each time period. What was particularly standout was Moreno-Garcia’s ability to capture Jackson’s essence in the 1930’s storyline. Many authors have attempted with varying degrees of success, but wow did she succeed.

Thank you to Del Rey, an imprint of Random House, and to NetGalley for providing an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

Creepy, unsettling and atmospheric, this ambitious new horror saga from the author of Mexican Gothic spans generations, as one family contends with the horrors of witchcraft and the dangers their second sight - or "portents" - expose them to.

Minerva, a stressed, antisocial grad student, finds the story of a student who disappeared decades earlier while researching her thesis. When a drunken run-in with a privileged fellow student gets her exclusive invitations to The Willows, the estate of a wealthy family, to study papers related to her thesis, Minerva finds herself pulled deeper into a world of secrecy, avarice and shadows.

Meanwhile, Minerva's grandmother, Alba, faced her own confrontation with evil as a young girl. Amid a delicate love triangle, danger shadowed her every step. When animals mysteriously turn up dead and her brother vanishes, Alba begins to question whether her home is a sanctuary—or a trap.

This is one of the creepiest books I've read in a while, making me want to sleep with the lights on! Not every character will survive their encounter with powerful witches. Whether we're in 1900's Mexico with Alba, 1934 with the missing girl, Ginny, or 1998 with Minerva, this book pulls you deep into the world of frightened young woman discovering their deep inner strength in their fight for survival.

Another masterpiece from a brilliant author.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Silvia Garcia-Moreno weaves classic witchy horror with dark academe in her latest, which braids three timelines together into a multilevel tale of the supernatural.

The three time lines are rural Mexico in 1908, a private women's college in 1934, and the same college, now coed, in the 1990s. Minerva is a grad student writing about a pretty obscure writer of horror, but her research finds the disappearance of a fellow student haunted Beatrice Tremblay. Keeping in mind her great-grandmother saying,“Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches.” Could witchcraft have something to do with the disappearance of Beatrice's friend and her. best known book, the Vanishing? Minerva is inclined that way anyhow, and Alba's timeline looks at Minerva's ancestral connection with the supernatural.

Garcia-Moreno makes a valiant attempt to make each strand equally gripping, but Alba's story is the one I felt was the creepiest. I appreciate the way she is dabbling in various styles of horror fiction and making them her own.

Fans of Silvia Garcia-Moreno will be joyfully horrified and delighted by The Bewitching. If you love horror and need your fix, her novels are a dark and spooky place to go.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a digital review copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars

I wasn't ready for this book.
It's so spooky and atmospheric, and the setting was impeccable!
The back and forth between timeliness was amazing... it kept me on my toes. So good!
The way the stories are knit together is fantastic, and when you start connecting the dots... was so satisfying.
This book was everything I wanted and more.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Highly recommend this book.
The woman were relatable characters and the plot was so enticing.
The building dread had me of my seat.

This tale of mysterious disappearances & witchcraft seemed like a solid spooky read. There's a triple timeline, with a trio of female narrators giving a slice of an overarching mystery. There's the current one (late 1990s) with Minerva, a student researching an obscure female writer & a disappearance of her best friend. The second one is set in the 1930s, and is focused on the disappearance of that friend, and how that affected the people around her. The third one is the earliest set one (the early 1900s), and is all about Alba (who is Minerva's grandmother).
I only enjoyed the parts with Minerva & the 1930s narrative. Minerva's parts felt like a supernaturally tinged detective story, where the young student was slowly piecing together the parts of a narrative someone had deliberately obscured through the decades. The 1930s recollections also were intriguing, with a young woman trying desperately to solve the mystery of what happened to her friend one winter day.
The parts with Minerva's grandmother Alba dragged down the flow of the story, and honestly any revelations from it could have been easily incorporated into the main timeline (I also absolutely hated reading about the relationship between Alba & Arturo, which unfortunately was strongly tied into how she overcame the evil plaguing her family).
The pacing of the book is pretty slow, and it's only really around the 80% mark that everything truly picks up, and I feel like I'm in the middle of an engaging & fast paced supernatural mystery. A slow buildup in a story is nice, but not when it takes up the majority of the book. A triple timeline maybe was too much, or "The Bewitching" just needed better pacing overall.

This eerie, multigenerational tale of witchcraft and danger is a testament to the power of Moreno-Garcia’s exquisite and beautifully crafted storytelling. Spanning three eras and weaving together the lives of three compelling women, this horror saga offers both chilling suspense and haunting emotional depth. Moreno-Garcia masterfully connects Minerva’s modern-day academic pursuit with the mysteries surrounding Beatrice Tremblay’s life and Nana Alba’s harrowing encounters with witches in early 1900s Mexico.

The gradual unraveling of dark secrets, paired with the sinister atmosphere of a campus haunted by its own history, kept me spellbound. Each narrative thread is rich with gothic imagery and emotional resonance, blending folklore, horror, and historical intrigue. Fans of Mexican Gothic will find themselves captivated by the subtle interplay of dread and humanity that defines this novel. It’s a chilling reminder that some shadows refuse to stay buried.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House/DelRay for providing an eARC of The Bewitching prior to publication.

I have read so many multiple person narratives which have become tiresome and confused details. This is not one of those times. The book masterfully interweaves the three stories. Small details carefully paced to feed into the next one. An expertly written piece. My own wish was that the ending had a few more chapters dedicated to it. The build up was so sublime. I wish there had been more.

Another spellbinding and enchanting book of witchcraft from Silvia Moreno-Garcia — “The Bewitching” is told across 90 years in the 20th century in three time periods (1908, 1934, and 1998) with each tale starring its own mesmerizing young woman who brushes against vile magic in her life.

In 1998 Minerva Contreras (our main character whose life has threads to the other two) is a Mexican grad student at a small private college in New England. She’s studying women horror authors and a famous one, Beatrice Tremblay, attended her school in the 30’s. Beatrice was also a contemporary of the Minerva’s school’s primary benefactor, the crotchety and irascible Carolyn Yates. Minerva’s subject, author Tremblay’s major work, “The Vanishing,” was partially inspired by the disappearance of a third student at the college who lived in the same dormitory with Beatrice and Carolyn. Minerva is also greatly influenced by the ethereal old stories her great-grandmother, Alba, told her before she died at 101. And Nana Alba would often say “Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches.”

Interspersed with Minerva’s story are two other POVs:
1908: Alba, as a teenager in Mexico, whose brother mysteriously disappears (gossip blamed a bewitching); and
1934: Beatrice/Betty, while she attended college, and was captivated by the girl who vanished, Virginia/Ginny Somerset, a self-proclaimed Spiritualist.

Carolyn Yates, who wasn’t much of a friend to Ginny (although she did marry Ginny’s wealthy fiancé) appears mildly impressed by Minerva’s persistence and allows her (with restrictions) to view her inherited cache of Beatrice’s papers, including an unpublished manuscript. Minerva, as a resident director, is also bothered by the absence of a student who everyone presumed simply transferred, but increasing evidence suggests he suddenly disappeared like Ginny decades ago. Both had complained of someone or something following them around campus.

As the stories progress, we get three climaxes: Alba as she fights evil incarnate, Ginny as she encounters the darkness surrounding her, and Minerva as she puzzles together the coincidences of her discoveries vs. Alba’s and Ginny’s experiences.

Moreno-Garcia writes so beautifully and intensely — we feel the growing terror of the women but each one is uniquely drawn. The three stories get entangled in an ending that is surprising and perversely satisfying. I loved the portrayals of Alba, Beatrice and Minerva. I think this is the author’s best novel since “Mexican Gothic.” 5 stars! Be prepared for a dark and spooky experience!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Alba has an encounter with some creepy green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO There is the mystery of Alba’s quickly wilting flowers once a foulness befell her home.

Thank you to Random House/DelRay and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!