Always a treat to read something by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

This is really solid overall, to the point where I don't have too much to say about it. I liked all three POV characters, as well as the side characters, and everyone felt like a real person to me. The small HWC college in New England setting was fun for me, guy who went to an HWC. I loved the ace legend Benjamin. The twists were well-foreshadowed, to the point where I guessed most of them, but not in a way that I felt like Minerva in particular was stupid for not guessing them. The prose is good, as always, and evocative, particularly in the Betty sections. The prose in that section felt very first half of the twentieth century to me, but I'm an early modernist, so take that opinion with a grain of salt.

The major issue I have is with the pacing. The beginning of the book drags a little, particularly because of the three POVs. They all feel necessary, which is good, but you spend a lot of time getting caught up on the characters in each time period before you get into the action (particularly in Alba's because she has a lot of family that all get mentioned at the beginning, and it was a little overwhelming for me). The pacing at the end felt REALLY rushed, and it worked to an extent, but it also felt a bit fast? I think because there are three narratives going on, you hit the "let's start wrapping things up" stage pretty early and three separate times. It seems like it's just part of the having three separate but interwoven stories in your book issue. I don't know if it's possible to make that stuff go completely seamlessly, especially when one of the stories has to end end before the others because one of the characters is reading it.

I enjoyed it! My favorite Moreno-Garcia book is still The Seventh Veil of Salome, but I'm always down to read something by her.

The Bewitching

Rating: 3.75

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is truly a master of the gothic horror genre, and with this novel takes a truly fascinating twist on witches.

Following Minerva, Betty and Alba in three different time periods the story follows the impact witches have on their lives and their fight against it.

A book that brought a genuine chill to the back of my neck, thank you to Netgalley for this ARC!

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is an author I want to love.
I enjoyed her debut, Gods of Jade and Shadow, and Mexican Gothic was a fun foray into light horror, but I've not been able to connect with any of her other works. Unfortunately, the Bewitching is no exception.
The concept and structure Moreno-Garcia has chosen appealed to me - dark academia, witches, multiple timelines, all wrapped up in the beautiful settings that the writer favours, together with the injection of her culture. All of these things are wonderful, but I was unable to connect with the text.
My main issue was with the character voices. The dialogue felt stitled and overly formal (which made sense in the 1908 timeline, less so in 1998) and the characters sounded largely the same to me. As a result, I couldn't connect with Minerva or Alba.
The prose was overly descriptive at time (for me, I know some readers prefer detailed scene setting) and the POV felt distant. I never felt truly in the characters head - which is what I expect from a close third-person narrative.
Readers who prefer a slower pace and more detailed prose should give this one a go, but I think it's time to accept that Moreno-Garcia is not the author for me.

This was incredible, as all Silvia Moreno Garcia’s books are of course, but this one? It really went past my expectations. The Bewitching was fraught and coiled tight like a snake until it sprang at the end. There was a lot of mystery, trickerie and sadness woven into these pages as well as a great look at folklore and family and how easy it is to exploit those who are vulnerable in society.

Considering the three timelines and perspectives, I switch between Alba and Minerva’s timelines being my favourite (1908 and 1998). I loved the feel of Alba’s, the folkloric aspect and the doomed love story ( oh Valentin!!) as well as the doomed family story too. But Minerva’s world felt the most familiar and therefore the easiest to connect to. I like how through Alba and Minerva, SMG managed to highlight the importance of family relationships and how traditions must continue.

This is my second favourite Silvia Moreno Garcia book, second only to Mexican Gothic. She’s so good when she does horror and she’s so good when she weaves in gothic. And she’s so romantic — romantic outside the love aspect and in terms of the sublime, that is. I was bewitched by this book and already want to reread it.

4.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy of The Bewitching in exchange for an honest review.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia may very well be one of the most masterful horror writers working today. This is the first of her novels I’ve read—and it absolutely will not be the last. Mexican Gothic and Silver Nitrate have been immediately bumped to the top of my TBR after this unforgettable experience.

The Bewitching gripped me from its opening line—“Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches”—and did not let go. I stayed up reading into the early hours of the morning, entirely consumed by the story and desperate to uncover its secrets. Even hours after finishing, I can’t stop thinking about it.

The novel begins in 1998, with Minerva, a Mexican student studying at a college in New England, reflecting on her great-grandmother Alba and struggling through her thesis. Though I’ve never visited New England, Moreno-Garcia’s atmospheric prose made the setting vivid and immersive. Her ability to layer lore, tension, and emotional nuance in just a few pages is nothing short of extraordinary.

The pacing is striking—echoing the emotional states of the characters. When they feel stagnant or unmotivated, the narrative mirrors that, not in a way that slows the book, but in one that deepens its realism. In contrast, moments of tension and danger are fast-paced and electric. This rhythm reminded me of Atonement in its emotional precision and shifting tone.

What’s especially impressive is how Moreno-Garcia weaves together three distinct yet intricately connected narratives. First, we meet Alba in 1908, a young woman dealing with devastating personal losses and harsh realities in the wake of her father’s death. Alba’s storyline is haunting and powerful, and her transformation into a resilient, brave woman is both moving and believable.

Then there’s Beatrice Tremblay, a student at the same college Minerva will attend decades later. Her chapters are written in first person, offering a tender, introspective look at her life, loneliness, and the lingering effects of grief. Like Minerva, Beatrice is an outsider—navigating an elite world through her own hard-won intellect and perseverance.

Each woman’s story is compelling on its own, but it’s the way they intertwine that makes this novel truly remarkable. Moreno-Garcia drops clues and red herrings with expert precision, letting the reader feel the same uncertainty and urgency the characters experience. The mystery isn’t just what connects these women—it’s how the answers slowly unfold, sometimes misdirecting you, sometimes revealing unexpected truths. That sense of chasing something just out of reach is beautifully executed.

Uniting three protagonists across vastly different time periods, identities, and societal roles is a bold challenge, and Moreno-Garcia does it with elegance and emotional clarity. The result is a chilling, layered, and deeply satisfying story—one of the most compelling horror novels I’ve read in a long time.

4.5 stars.

Witchy goings-on abound in this captivating, tightly-paced novel following young women from different time periods in the twentieth century, whose stories interlink.
I thought this was brilliantly chilling at times, venturing into unsettling, and I cared about all these women.
The only reason it didn't get five stars was that I guessed some of how the plot unfolded, although saying that it did not affect my enjoyment at all.
I think Sylvia Moreno-Garcia is going to become an auto-buy author for me.

Minerva grew up on her great-grandmother Nana Alba’s stories which always began the same way about the family and witches. Now a grad student researching horror literature, Minerva is drawn to the eerie life of Beatrice Tremblay, a forgotten author whose most famous novel may have been rooted in a real disappearance. But the deeper Minerva digs into Tremblay’s past, into her own family history, the more she begins to believe the same darkness is reaching for her too.

This novel follows three women across different time periods: Alma in 1908, Beatrice in 1934, and Minerva in 1998. Here, they are connected by strange events, magical threads, and an unsettling university at the centre of it all.

It’s a slow burn dark academia story, more supernatural mystery-thriller than horror. The atmosphere was there, the creepy campus setting had promise, but it didn’t hit as hard as I hoped. It certainly doesn’t carry the same weight of dread as Mexican Gothic. The mystery brews slowly and doesn’t offer a big twist; more of a gentle, steady unravel.

That said, I really enjoyed Minerva’s POV. Her storyline felt grounded and current, and I liked the way it explored modern interpretations of the craft while still honouring tradition.

The female characters were really well written - Moreno-Garcia has a talent for capturing the strength, vulnerability, and complexity of women across time. She also has a knack for writing both the absolute worst and surprisingly tender male characters. The dynamic between young Alba and her uncle Arturo was deeply unsettling and genuinely hard to read at times. I loved the quiet longing between Beatrice and Ginny. And while Minerva’s friendship with Noah was odd and interesting, I do wish we’d seen more of it as it felt like it had more to give.

A good pick if you’re in the mood for something slow, atmospheric, and layered in quiet mystery. 3/5.

Thanks to Quercus Books and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Available on the 15 July 2025.

The bewitching is a brilliant supernatural novel told across three timelines. It weaves seamlessly between the different periods. I love an eerie witch story and this book Ticks all the boxes!

A creepy, dark well woven tale of witchcraft and wickedness, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
The story spans three eras of women tying together a plot of disappearances. Minerva, a thesis student, her great grandmother and the memories of Beatrice Trembley who is the research subject of Minerva. Moreno-Garcia does an excellent job of creating tension and tying together elements of plot just enough to keep me guessing until everything fell together at the end. A satisfying conclusion however I would recommend readers checking trigger warnings due to the genre and unsettling tone of the book. Which is my only reason for not making it a 5 star.

When horror literature graduate student Minerva begins her thesis on author Beatrice Tremblay, she becomes pulled into the real-life disappearance that inspired her novel The Vanishing.

However, Virginia wasn’t the first person to dissappear from Stonebridge, and she wasn’t the last. Whatever took them is now coming for Minerva and only Nana Alba’s stories can help her.

A fascinating blend of dark academia, crime, and withcraft folklore, which makes for a compelling gothic mystery.

A big thank you to NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this EARC.

This book was always going to be a bit marmitey for me, I have read Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and that fell flat for me, but The Bewitching sounded super promising with the academic setting but unfortunately it was super slow paced and sadly I had little interest in the characters.

That being said SMG writes beautifully it just didn't do it for me.
2 stars

There's a lot to love in this book, a sort of mix of dark academia mixed with horror. There're multiple timelines, intriguing characters and stories.
A there an eerie atmosphere since the beginning that kept me hooked even if I had to struggle with my mind that wanted to go to the action and the frightening part.
And then i was hooked and couldn't stop reading and being on the edge and a bit scary.
An excellent book i loved.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Wow, this was a haunting, or should I say bewitching tale told over three generations about three women and their encounters with a possible dark magic that seeks to take their lives and even souls for power. These are not your Practical Magic witches, no, these are based off more of the dark folklore of witches and they weave into this story into a gothic and dark academia of missing students and even further back to Nana Alba and her experiences as a young woman back in 1908. I really enjoyed this novel, especially as the main characters of Minerva and Alba (plus the written tale of Virginia) were quite likeable and I wished to help in their struggles to figure out the mysterious deaths/disappearances of those around them, along with the signs that dark magic may be the cause and how it can be countered, or if it is all in their minds. I feel like I learned a lot, at least with all the research Minerva was using to write her thesis plus the folklore of magic, how to protect oneself, or how to tell if you are being cursed, or how to destroy a witch that Alba ends up looking into after the disappearance of her brother. There is heartbreak in this tale, but also the strength of these young women as they fight their fate to become victims and forgotten.

A well written story that is full of great characters and strength to fight the darkness, both supernatural and the everyday hardship of life. I highly recommend this book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A spellbinding triumph of gothic horror, folklore, and feminist storytelling!

Silvia Moreno-Garcia does it again with The Bewitching — an atmospheric, chilling, and exquisitely layered novel that lingers like smoke long after the last page. This multigenerational tale of witchcraft, obsession, and feminine power spans decades and continents, seamlessly weaving together the eerie stories of three women across time.

Minerva’s academic journey in 1990s Massachusetts pulls readers into a haunting literary mystery, where a thesis becomes a portal to something far more sinister. As she digs into the life of horror writer Beatrice Tremblay and uncovers the truth behind The Vanishing, she begins to unravel a chilling thread that connects her to both Tremblay and her own great-grandmother, Nana Alba — a woman whose childhood brush with a witch in early 1900s Mexico set this dark legacy into motion.

Moreno-Garcia’s prose is elegant and razor-sharp, capturing the creeping dread of gothic horror with the emotional resonance of generational trauma and resilience. The narrative shifts between eras effortlessly, each voice distinct yet deeply connected. It's equal parts ghost story, literary mystery, and feminist horror — and every element works.

Fans of Mexican Gothic and The Death of Jane Lawrence will devour this. The Bewitching is an intoxicating, richly told story about the power women carry, the myths that shape us, and the shadows that never fully disappear.

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno- Garcia is a disturbing blend of folk horror and dark academia perfect for those who like their horror with a slowly building sense of menace. There are three linked timelines that carry the story from 1908 Mexico to 1998 New England and as is so often the case with books by this author there is a vividly descriptive quality to the writing that really brings the story to life. The tension and sense of impending doom builds beautifully over the course of the book as the link between the three time lines is revealed but it is difficult to talk too much about this without spoiling the book. There are some gory moments, but not too many and those that are there serve the story well. This is not a book to read for jump scares or cheap thrills but if you are in the mood a dark mystery that will send a shiver up your spine, it might serve you well.
I read an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
3.5 stars rounded up

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              The Bewitching Review
⛧ · · ─────── ·☽◯☾· ─────── · · ⛧

Happy Publication Day!!!!

SPOILER FREE

The Bewitching follows the story of three women across different generations trying to solve the disappearance of their family and friends. While searching, they are faced with an evil witchcraft threatening to stop them from discoverying their answers...

I loved reading this book! Blurring horror and folkhorror with fantasy and a bit of dark academia, the errie atmosphere was crafted so expertly that it felt like a cold foggy October night close to Halloween. The novel is well written with strong imagery that described the horror scenes in a way that vividly played out like a film. There were some lovely lines and gursome foreshadowing that aided in building the image. I generally hope it gets a film adaptation.

In addition, I enjoyed the characters and particularly liked the main women from each generation. I loved how the different generations intertwined but were still unqiue and distinctive. The depiction of the witches was not the usual one I have read which was refreshing and interesting to read - I will be doing some research behind the folklore as I am sure it is super interesting and this book has peaked my interest!

Overall, the plot was interesting and entertaining. However, it was slightly predictable who was responsible and I was not a massive fan of the motivation. I cannot explain that in much depth without spoiling the book, but it is definitely a personal preference thing.

This is my introduction to Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and I cannot wait to dive into her blacklist.

I would definitely recommend, espically if you like witches and spooky vibes! I'm ready for Halloween now 🧙‍♀️

Thank you @netgalley , @silviamg.author , @quercusbooks , @arcadia_books for the eArc!

'The Bewitching' by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a fantastic slow-burn, gothic horror that I found to be richly atmospheric, unsettling, and beautifully written.

This haunting tale unfolds across three timelines, each fascinating in its own right, with the 1908 storyline featuring Alba being especially vivid and chilling. The 1998 timeline offers a moody, dark academia backdrop which contrasted so well to Alba's story and the tension of the 1950s timeline with it's slow and eerie build up to Ginny’s disappearance. I found that all the threads came together in a really satisfying and shocking way, complete with a splash of gore to jolt the senses!

Character wise I found Minerva reminded me of Montserrat from 'Silver Nitrate' - fierce, strong-willed, and emotionally complex and Alba called back to Noemí from 'Mexican Gothic'.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia excels at creating deeply uncomfortable atmospheres, and 'The Bewitching' is no different. The characters, much like the reader, never quite feel stable or settled in their surrounding and I always felt slightly off-balance and always on edge waiting for the reveals to come. It’s this constant unease that makes the book so effective to me.

I feel that this book stands well alongside 'Mexican Gothic', 'Silver Nitrate', and 'The Island of Doctor Moreau', and, much like them and last year’s 'The Seventh Veil of Salome', features powerful, flawed, and truly believable female leads.

SMG is an autobuy author for me, and 'The Bewitching' is a wonderful addition to her bold and beautifully varied body of work.

This is a very atmospheric and unique take on witches. And while the story is pretty easy to figure out regarding where it's going, it doesn't feel like it's relying on twists and turns to keep the reader invested. Rather, you can't put this book down because you want to stay with these characters and you want to discover more about how magic of this world works.

This story is split into 3 PoVs from very different generations. 1998 narrative follows Minerva, who's working on a thesis on a female horror writer whose only novel is rumoured to be inspired by a real life disappearance. 1934 follows Betty, the writer Minerva admires, through her reflections on the disappearance of her friend. Finally 1908 follows Minerva's grandmother Alba who struggles with responsibilities of being the eldest daughter after her dad's death when some evil powers start coming after her and her loved ones.

I love how all three of these women have their unique stories and voices, even though ultimately their storylines revolve around the same mysterious powers it doesn't feel repetitive or boring. It was easy to feel connected to these women and want them to succeed in taking back the power in their own lives.

I don't want to say too much about the type of witches this book deals with because I think it's a fan journey to go on with this book, but I couldn't get enough of this aspect of the book. I wanted to know more about these witches.

This is definitive recommendation for everyone who enjoys books about witches but also just books about women not allowing others to dictate their stories.

The title should have been a dead giveaway, but I still had no idea this was a book about witches. I think it has a slight dark academia feel and is definitely a slow burn. My favourite POV was Minerva's.

The name Silvia Moreno-Garcia, is synonymous with gothic horror - and for excellent reasons. "Mexican Gothic", and "The Daughter of Doctor Moreau" are two books that I regularly recommend for fans of dark, suspenseful novels with a gothic overture.
And I know that I will be adding "The Bewitching" to this list.
"The Bewitching" is an intergenerational tale, crossing three timelines: Massachusetts in 1998 and 1934, Mexico in the early 1900s and introducing us to a series of intriguing female characters. Each woman encounters the supernatural and these events connect them through the decades.
The writing is beautiful and slowly builds up the fear & tension through slow events, events that could be innocent, yet in this storyline are anything but harmless. As the fear & tension build, our protagonists must battle for their souls & survival.