Three Women, Three Timelines, and One Sinister Curse
I am beyond excited to cross another Silvia Moreno-Garcia book off my list! This makes four books of hers that I’ve devoured, and she has officially moved to my “must-read” list. I especially love how she utilizes Mexican settings; I feel like I learn so much through her vivid prose.
The Bewitching weaves together three alternating timelines centered on dark forces and the supernatural. In the present day, Minerva, a graduate student, researches Beatrice Tremblay, a forgotten 1930s horror novelist. As Minerva digs into Tremblay’s papers—which were inspired by a real-life disappearance—she begins to feel a sinister presence following her. This connects back to Nana Alba in 1908 Mexico, who sought out witches to ward off a curse, and Beatrice herself in the 1930s, recounting the life of her scandalous, Spiritualist roommate who vanished without a trace.
Moreno-Garcia consistently delivers imaginative worlds and compelling characters, and the atmosphere here is deliciously eerie. While the pacing occasionally slows to explore the depth of the characters’ traumas, the storytelling remains highly entertaining. Be aware that there are a few graphic moments and one particularly disturbing scene.
The only reason this wasn’t a perfect five stars for me is that I spotted one of the villains quite early. However, that didn’t stop me from being totally gripped by the mystery. I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
