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
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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.

Having read and loved 'Mexican Gothic' I was delighted to find out about 'The Bewitching', and even more delighted to get an advanced copy.

'The Bewitching' weaves together three timelines; Massachusetts in 1998 and 1934, Mexico in the early 1900s, introducing us to a range of complex characters spanning generations. Each timeline holds up on its own, but bringing them together makes for a gripping gothic, historical horror read.

Following three women, Minerva, Alba, and Beatrice, bound by their encounters with the supernatural; the reader is led along three haunting journeys which make up this alluring, creepy, and Mexican folklore-inspired mix of mystery, horror, witchcraft, and generational trauma.

I am always struck by Moreno-Garcia's writing, her work has really made me fall in love with the gothic horror genre, and 'The Bewitching' has only reaffirmed this. There were some minor setbacks with the pacing, but it picked up as the book went on and made for an overall enjoyable read.

I'd highly recommend this for readers looking for a gothic historical read.

Firstly I’d like to say this book was the most interesting read of the year . Garcia entrances you into page turning with her in depth research of the different time periods , how witches are viewed in cultures time and status.

I cannot say whose story I enjoyed the most a thriller , fantasy and the supernatural are all present in each perspective the creeping over the shoulder anxiety ridden feeling you get from the unknown seeps into this story .

I gasped as the stacks !!!!

I cannot wait to own my signed special edition it arrives today ! Pride of place next to her other books .📕

I cannot began to express in words how I look forward to her stories .

This is an author that refuses to be typecast, however there are often recurring themes of the uncanny and supernatural and to be honest this book bewitched me.
The narratives of three women are played out across a 90 year time span. We are first introduced to Minerva (1998), a graduate research student from Mexico who has come to New England to study at the college of the subject of her thesis - Beatrice (Betty) Tremblay. Tremblay is a little known gothic horror writer influenced by Lovecraft, who wrote a novel The Vanishing based on events that happened at college during her studies.
We then meet Alba (1908) whose family live on a farm in rural Mexico, who has recently lost her father and has a gift for portents. It transpires that Alba is Minerva's great grandmother and she brought Minerva up on tales of witches, spells and local folklore.
Lastly we hear Betty's (1934) voice through her letters and journals which tells the story of her room mate Virginia (Ginny) Somerset who could speak to ghosts and believes in the supernatural. Ginny is a free spirit who is engaged to Edgar Yates, a handsome, wealth young man, much to the envy of some of her acquaintances. On 19 December 1934 Ginny disappears into the snow , without a coat, hat or gloves never to be seen again. This disappearance deeply affects Betty and Edgar and is a mystery that they never resolved.
The narratives twine together with Minerva able to dig deeper into the mystery although this brings her into the sights of a witch. The folklore of New England and Mexico have many similarities in relation to witches and the supernatural and these stories seem to part of the greater human unconscious. With her memories of her Nana Alba's stories and her own innate gift she armours herself as best she can to fight the evil bewitching that comes upon her.
I was hooked by this novel and read late into the night and the witching hour to finish it. I would highly recommend this and my thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for access to this ARC. All views are my own.

The Bewitching is a blend of horror and historical fiction that weaves together three distinct timelines (1998 and 1934 Massachusetts and early 1900s Mexico) into a creepy multigenerational saga.

This book is filled with witches, warlocks and all kinds of supernatural folklore, but it's more historical supernatural fiction rather than horror. Alba's timeline from 1908 Mexico is the creepiest, which in due course makes Nana Alba's stories of witches and witchcraft very useful to her great-granddaughter almost a century later.

While it is fairly obvious who the villains are in each timeline, that doesn’t make the story any less suspenseful.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia may be one of the best horror writers of all time.
I say this with no sense of hyperbole or exaggeration, but her work is fast becoming a special interest of mine. This is the second of her novels that I've read, the first being Mexican Gothic, and whilst I hungrily devoured MG, The Bewitching hooked its claws into me and took me on an unimaginable ride, in a way that few novels ever have before.
For the second night in a row, I have stayed awake reading until nearly 4am, desperate to consume this incredible novel and unravel its secrets. I finished reading a little over an hour ago, and I should be sleeping but I can't stop thinking about it.

It's hard to know where I start to praise it because it's fucking flawless. From the opening line, "back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches", I was done for. I highlighted most of the first page with the completely inadequate description of "brilliant opening." The story opens in 1998 with Minerva, a Mexican student at college in New England, reminiscing on her great-grandmother, Alba, and desperately struggling with her thesis for university.

I've never visited New England, but it didn't matter because Moreno-Garcia is a master of atmospheric narration. Within a few paragraphs, I was transported to a grand old college in another country, feeling like I was experiencing the biting winter chill Minerva describes. The incredibly clever prose sets up so much lore and legend in less than two pages, which I feel is a testament to Morena Garcia's outstanding skill.
She doesn't stop there, though. The story is paced extremely Well, in a style reminiscent of Ian McEwan's Atonement. Whenever a character feels depressed, unmotivated or sluggish, the story replicates it for the reader. Instead of being frustrating, it adds a fantastic relatability and realness. Likewise, high-stakes moments are adrenaline-fuelled, fast-moving and packed with plot. It's incredible.

Not only does Moreno-Garcia pull this off flawlessly with one story, she created three entirely unique, but inextricably woven narratives and she aces each one.

The next woman you're introduced to is Alba, Minerva's great-grandmother whose story is seemingly completely different.
Set in 1908 shortly after her father's death, Alba is forced to confront multiple awful situations in quick succession and must adjust her mindset at breakneck speed.
In the hands of a lesser author, Alba's story would feel contrived and weak, but Moreno-Garcia has crafted a tale that makes perfect, terrifying sense.
It's incredibly satisfying to read and I adored the development of Alba's strength, fortitude and bravery.

Finally, we meet Beatrice Tremblay, studying at the same college Minerva will attend 54 years later. Their backgrounds are very similar, with both women experiencing the pressures of attending an elite institution as outsiders relying on their own ability to support themselves.
Beatrice's perspective is told through first-person narration, which gives the reader such a bittersweet insight into her character and the loss that continued to haunt her until her death.

Each woman has an amazing story and their chapters are told with care and brilliant continuity. They also weave together to create an overarching puzzle that is a joy to read and explore. Details are dropped in that make you question connections that, in the end, don't exist. This could be frustrating but it is a sign of the excellent crafting of the story and it made me relate to the characters even more. Like them, I was desperate to figure out the enigma, so I created clues and foilloved the wrong leads, just as the women telling the tale do.

To unite 3 characters divided by time, race, opportunity and beliefs is no small achievement. To do so with such poignant clarity and closure is award-worthy.
This was, hands down, the best horror story I've ever read.

The Bewitching is one of those books that quietly draws you in and leaves you thinking about it long after you’ve finished. Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s writing is as elegant and atmospheric as ever. She creates a world that feels both grounded in history and laced with just enough unease to keep you leaning in.

The story moves at a slower, deliberate pace, but I found that suited the mood perfectly. It gave space for the tension to build and for the characters, particularly the women, to really take shape. There's a creeping sense of dread throughout, not from dramatic twists, but from the subtle unraveling of trust, belief, and power.

It’s not a typical “witchy” story in the way some might expect, but that’s what I appreciated most. It’s quiet, thoughtful, and more unsettling in the way that real history can be. If you enjoy historical fiction with a touch of the uncanny and beautifully restrained storytelling, this is well worth your time.