Silvia Moreno-Garcia came on my radar with Mexican Gothic. But Silvia Moreno-Garcia became one of my favorite authors with Silver Nitrate. This one really takes the best of both worlds and gives us something right in the middle. Cozy and Scary and I want more. Will def. be a rec. for all my friends.

I have always been a fan of generational narratives, and this one surpassed all of my expectations. Three women, three tales, all interconnected by eerie atmospheric events. I especially felt Alba's story, but Minerva was so me-coded. It was horror, but more specifically felt like folk horror. I cannot wait for the book to hit the shelves two days after my birthday! I will gift this book to me, as a post-birthday selfcare gift.

A solid 4.5/5 read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Bewitching is a multiple POV story that follows three women (Alba - 1908, Beatrice - 1934, and Minerva - 1998) who are all dealing with similar supernatural forces. It combines magic, folklore (Mexican and New England), mysterious disappearances, and witches. It has all of the elements to be my kind of story! But in reality it missed the mark.

First, I love stories that are told through multiple POV. Sadly, the only point of view I cared about was Alba's. I liked the Mexican folklore a lot; I really wish the story would have focused on this time and place alone! The characters in this timeline had some depth to them, and Alba went through some shit that had me rooting for her. The other two timelines, however, were slow, underdeveloped, and boring.

Minerva (Alba's great-granddaughter) is such a drag at times. All you get to learn about her is she is: 1) introverted (yet ends up at multiple parties as if she has no other choice), and that 2) she loves music (and you're going to hear at least 20 times what she's listening to on her Walkman). She learns about magic and witchcraft from stories Alba told her before she died, or from researching Beatrice's account of her missing friend, Ginny. Most of Minerva's story feels like an exposition dump. It was very "tell versus show" heavy. I didn't connect with her character at all. I was also disappointed that there wasn't (at least in my opinion) any real sense of a spooky mood or tense atmosphere like there was in Alba's timeline.

Beatrice's story, which was the shortest of the three, is also pretty dull. She is a horror writer (she apparently was friends with H. P. Lovecraft) who left behind an unpublished manuscript about the disappearance of Ginny. This story is supposedly written in Beatrice's own words. So instead of reading a tale of terror from a horror writer it feels like reading dull diary entry after dull diary entry (again, very little mood setting which led to a lackluster atmosphere). The only emotion you get from Beatrice is that she loved Ginny. This POV was simply a means for Minerva to piece together the clues to solve the mystery of Ginny's (and many other local people's) disappearance. In fact, one clue was so vital the resolution of the plot that it was quite frustrating the Beatrice mentioned it ONCE and then seemed to forget all about it.

Finally, while I'm not one who HAS to have plot twists to enjoy the book, I correctly guessed the evil entities and resolution to both Alba and Minerva's stories. Everything felt pretty obvious to me which is impressive because I almost always miss something when reading! Overall, this book felt like it was missing emotions, the appropriate mood, and characters to care about. For once, I did not think the multiple POV was necessary. I would have happily read a full length novel about the horrors of Mexican witchcraft and folklore. In the end I think that would have had more heart and soul. Unfortunately this one didn't work for me. I'm rating it two out of five stars.

This was a great horror folkloric novel. I loved the 3 different stories we got to see and watch weave together....and because this was my first Silvia Moreno-Garcia, I was pleasantly surprised.

Thanks to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for the eARC!!!

Another trimuph from Sylvia Moreno-Garcia. Creepy, personal and atmospheric. Follows three times and narrators dealing with being bewitched. Excited for the world to get this one.

The Bewitching weaves together three stories spanning a century, all connected. In 1908, young Alba is living on a struggling farm with her nugget and siblings in rural Mexico after the death of her father; Beatrice Tremblay is a young queer woman in 1934 recounting the story of her vanished friend and unrequited first love Virginia from their small college in Massachusetts; and lastly Minvera, the great-granddaughter of Alba in 1998, attending at the same college as Beatrice. As Minerva researches the life and works of horror novelist Beatrice, three timelines divulge as each of the women encounter strange occurrences and experience supernatural horrors... Witchcraft.

Moreno-Garcia has this magical way of blending the eerie and the enchanting that makes you feel like you’re sipping tea with a witchy aunt who’s spilling all the best family secrets. I rooted for her as she unraveled the mystery of her family’s past, all while dodging danger.

I could practically smell the damp earth and hear the rustle of leaves in the creepy, gorgeous Mexican countryside she paints so vividly. Moreno-Garcia sneaks in these clever little nods to folklore and history. I enjoyed all the timelines and how they weaved together.

This is a fantastic novel and Moreno-Garcia is an amazing horror writer. If you enjoy stories about supernatural folklore, then this is for you! Just go ahead and pre-order, you won't be disappointed.


Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for eARC

Pub Date Jul 15 2025

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