The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a multi-protagonist gothic horror set across three different eras. Alba, a young woman in 1908 Mexico, finds her family under attack from a supernatural entity. Beatrice, a scholarship student at a New England college in 1934, recounts the mysterious disappearance of a close friend who believed she was being persecuted by witches. Minerva, Alba's great granddaughter, is at the same college in 1998 and writing her thesis on Beatrice's fiction and noticing similarities between her and Alba's accounts of witchcraft.

I went into this book with high expectations and yet Moreno-Garcia still managed to surpass them. Much like Minerva, Moreno-Garcia was inspired by her own family's stories of witches from Mexican folklore. The witches in this novel are almost vampiric, drinking blood and eating hearts, as well as practicing a visceral form of folk magic. Moreno-Garcia weaves Mexican and New England folklore together into a coherent whole, finding points of similarity. This was exactly the type of magic I like to read about: an ambiguous, half-understood force that retains some mystery from the reader. This is a must read for fans of Mexican Gothic.

Thanks to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey and NetGalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.

Three women experience the impact of a haunting entity lurking and influencing lives that might prove to be more than simple superstition in The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
Growing up with stories of witches told by her great-grandmother Alba, Minerva has been fascinated by stories of that ilk ever since, which has guided her to pursue graduate studies focused on horror literature. As Minerva researches for her thesis on a lesser-known author of macabre stories, Beatrice Tremblay, she begins to uncover details that reveal that Tremblay’s most prominent novel, The Vanishing, was inspired by a true story of her friend’s mysterious disappearance from the very same university that Minerva’s studying at now and that has eerie echoes of tales her Nana Alba told her over the years of events that happened in her life when she was young. With frayed nerves and filled with suspicion that a specter of what haunted both Nana Alba and Trembley is now haunting her, Minerva carefully and craftily navigates the hallowed halls of knowledge relying on the insight gained from the women who came before her recognizing that witchcraft is sometimes more than mere superstition.
Thoroughly developing a convincing sense of the uncanny and eerie to underscore the unsettling paranoia and suspicion present within the three women who serve as the narrative focus of the interwoven story pulling surreal experiences from their respective time periods spanning different eras across the 1900s to depict and demonstrate the enduring nature, power, and reach of witchcraft, and the associated stories that detail how to defeat witches, an intriguing narrative is pieced together with gradually building tension. The behavior of two witches intricately involved in events was so overtly suspect throughout the scenes where they were present or discussed to such an extent that it took more effort to try to ascribe them innocent explanations rather than place the blame of witchcraft at their feet, though there is another character whose witchy status was left in flux and with a reasonably hefty sense of wariness within Minerva, perhaps as a counter of greater subtly to the more obvious that dominated in the other threads. The narrative offers a commentary on the dynamic where those with power and wealth seek to extend their reach and influence, always wanting more, aiming to attain that which they want through whatever means necessary, including supernatural means of witchcraft in this specific instance.
Overall, I’d give it a 4 out of 5 stars.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Bewitching is a delightful combination of Mexican and New England folklore involving witchcraft. I loved the intertwining stories of the three women and how each story was very different but informed and played off of each others. Moreno-Garcia is so skilled at weaving together familiar folklore and the propensity for purely human evil, each new iteration creeps me out more.

I would also say this is Moreno-Garcia's spookiest work to date, there were multiple scenes where I could feel myself tensing and the hair on the back of my neck rising. Overall a very fun and surprisingly emotional read.

Thanks to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey and NetGalley for this ARC of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's 'The Bewitching.'

Very few horror writers can capture a sense of place and time as Silvia Moreno-Garcia and in this case she's capturing those qualities for three different timelines - 1908, 1934, and 1998 - and she does it with aplomb.

A young graduate Mexican student in a posh Massachusetts liberal arts college who starts off researching a neglected but inspirational female horror author but finds herself enmeshed in a battle of magic and witchery (and we're not talking stereotypical witches' here) that's spanned generation. She expertly weaves a tale of family, witchcraft, magic, and otherness with great skill. Early 1900s central Mexico and great depression-era and end of millennium New England are the settings for this story of the supernatural, disappearances, poverty and privilege, friendship and fear.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia does it again, congratulations.

The atmosphere all round was disgustingly creepy, with every chapter that passed it felt like the hairs on my body were standing on end. The incest was …. Something, but it made sense for the themes and That Scene was soo Nosferatu it made everything click

Woooow. I absolutely love Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s writing. This story had me hooked from beginning to end.

Make sure to add The Bewitching to your 2025 reading list because you don’t want to miss it.

Thank you NetGalley and to the publishers for this wonderful ARC!

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a multi-generational fantasy horror that explores three timelines of women and their encounters of witchcraft. Moreno-Garcia did a fantastic job of spinning three different but connected stories simultaneously, and making all three equally as gripping and tense. We watched as these women struggled with the same things in different ways, each step learning enough to keep us interested to come back for more, but not so much that it ruined all anticipation. Each of our three point of view characters were strong and interesting in different ways, showcasing how three different people can react and cope with similar problems. I felt the least connected to the Betty and Ginny chapters, but they had so much importance for the overall plot and were still gripping enough that this didn't hold back my enjoyment very much.
The writing is something that really stood out to me - there were beautiful quotes about life struggles and mental health, but I mostly loved the quotes about writing, classical stories, and the connection that Minerva felt to Ginny and Betty through reading their stories.
As is the case with good horror, through the scary and spooky moments we explore poignant themes relating to humanity and society. Without trying to spoil too much of anything, the way the women struggled with issues that people would not believe them about, and the threat of what would happen if they were too open about their struggle with something that other people do not understand really felt true to the experiences as a woman navigating mental and physical health struggles in our world.

I am such a fan of Moreno-Garcia and was thrilled to get a chance to read this book!
It is told from the perspective of three different women in three different time periods.
I absolutely loved how this story came together!

Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s The Bewitching is a compelling blend of horror and historical fiction, weaving together three timelines—1998 and 1934 Massachusetts, and early 1900s Mexico—into a gripping multigenerational saga. While steeped in supernatural folklore, the novel leans more toward eerie suspense than outright horror, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy the occult but shy away from intense scares. Alba’s 1908 storyline is particularly haunting, as her encounters with witchcraft ripple through generations.

The novel’s villains intensify the suspense, making it impossible to put down. Each timeline’s ending is a mix of twisted and tragic, yet all are deeply satisfying. Moreno-Garcia also weaves in subtle nods to classic horror literature—an engaging touch for genre fans without distracting from the story.

For readers drawn to witchcraft, multigenerational sagas, and atmospheric New England settings, The Bewitching is an enthralling read. As a Boston native, I especially enjoyed the novel’s setting and historical depth. I highly recommend this as an addition to personal and public libraries.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group | Del Rey and NetGalley for this eARC! Look for this on the shelves on July 15, 2025.

4.5 Rounded up to 5
Silvia's best work to date. I absolutely loved it. A great mesh of Mexican and New England witch lore.

Silvia Moreno Garcia never fails to excite and entertain. I had missed her horror genre in spooky locations so much since her breakout hit, Mexican Gothic. This story tells of three women trying to find out the truth of many mysteries spanning years to decades. Despite my apprehension at multiple points of view, each narrative gave me enough to get hooked and eagerly await the end of each tale. I hope to read more of Silvia Moreno Garcia’s literary mind more!

I read "Mexican Gothic" a few years ago and devoured that in a weekend. Needless to say that I had high hopes for "The Bewitching" and I was not disappointed. From the very beginning, this book will captivate any lover of horror and witch stories. I loved the tie-in between Mexican witch folklore and New England witch folklore. Give me a story with New England witchcraft vibes and I am 100% there. I was slightly intimidated by the 3 storylines occurring simultaneously but Moreno-Garcia transitions flawlessly. This is the book to get you out of your reading slump.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is my go-to author for suspense and a touch (if not more) of supernatural. This novel focuses on the witch superstitions of New England in the 90s and ties them to the superstitions of rural Mexico in 1908 via a disappearance in the 1930s. While that may sound complicated from how I describe it, Moreno-Garcia's writing makes it seem natural and effortless.

The only editorial concern I faced was differentiating the voices of Minerva and Alba as they were both in 3rd person and I would get slightly lost with she when switching narratives; however, the settings are so different it was easy to pick back up. Just wish they were a little more defined. There was also a side character in the 1990s timeline that seemed to be thrown in as a red herring and then never really developed or had closure. Would have liked to have known more about what they may have been able to offer the story.

Finally, by the end of the book, you can guess who the "witches" are and who you shouldn't trust, but only because our main characters are figuring it out at the same time. Very engaging and reads fast to keep you interested.

The Bewitching was the first Silvia Moreno-Garcia book I've fully enjoyed, and I'm so glad I've finally found something of hers I love. I really liked the dark academia setting of this one. I also love when books revolve around a situation involving another, fictional book, and this was a great example of that. Minerva was a great main character, and I also loved her great-grandmother.

Silvia Moreno Garcia has quickly become one of my favorite authors for sheer terrifying prose. The Bewitching continues the trend and delivers a knuckle-whitening wild tale that will keep you up at night, even after you've finished the book. This should be on everyone's "Best Of" lists this year.

First my thanks to Del Rey- Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity for an ARC copy of this novel 🫶

Silvia Moreno-Garcia has bewitched me. I’ve had The Daughter of Doctor Moreau on my TBR for a while and after reading this story of hers, I’m going to have to get to it sooner than anticipated. This book drew me in from the beginning. Women, wives tales, witches. Check. Check. Check.

We mainly follow the story from the points of view of Minerva, current day, and the story of her great grandmother Alba from the early twentieth century. We see how some stories we brush off as ramblings and old wives tales may just have some truth in them. And that truth may save us in the end.

This horror/mystery/thriller kept me hooked from the start. If you like witches, mysteriously vanishing people, history and wives tales then this book is for you!

Another great Silvia Moreno-Garcia story! I love how she leaned more into the gothic elements in a non-traditional gothic setting. It was just the perfect amount of creepy and thrilling. Her story-telling is superb and the alternating timelines were pretty easy to get a hold on.

The only thing that didn't make me LOVE LOVE this book was the writing style. I believe Moreno-Garcia was going for a more literary vibe, especially in her Beatrice Trembly sections. At times the writing felt stilted and I had to look up a lot of the descriptor words used which took me out of the story. I'm excited for her to branch out in style, but I don't believe she is there just yet!

thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review!

My favorite thing about this author is that she always does such and amazing job of transporting the reader to whatever time and place the book is set in. This one is no different. She skips between time and place effortlessly. I liked the story and the characters over all. Overall I really enjoyed this and will be looking forward to her next book.

4 stars.

To be reviewed in Charleston Gazette Mail month of publication. For copy of review lease email me at erinb25314@yahoo.com.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia effortlessly transitions between three separate timelines in this haunting supernatural thriller. Starting off in 1998 we meet 24 year old grad student, Minerva, who moved from Mexico to New England to pursue higher education at Stoneridge College.

Next, we're taken back to 1908 where we meet 17 year old Alba who lives on a farm in rural Mexico with her widowed mother and her younger brother, Tadeo. We are also introduced to Alba's maternal uncle, Arturo. While this was my favorite timeline, I feel there should be a content warning in regards to the relationship between Alba and Arturo. I'll just say it was giving a sort of "Flowers in the Attic" vibe and I felt it wasn't all that relevant to the overall storyline (although I can foresee it being an intriguing topic of discussion in book clubs--"Was this relationship relevant to the story? Why or why not?")

The third storyline takes place in the 1930s and focuses on Stoneridge student Virginia Somerset and her mysterious disappearance.

The girls from each timeline are connected, and each one finds themselves caught up in a world of dangerous witchcraft. It was very easy to predict who the villains were, which I'm assuming was intentional. I really appreciated how Moreno-Garcia included folklore from both rural Mexico and Salem, Massachusetts. It was interesting to note the similarities and differences of the lore between the two cultures.

Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to those who like supernatural horror, especially if you also like historical fiction and multi-generational storylines.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.