3.5
The Bewitching
ByPublisher Description
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Three women in three different eras encounter danger and witchcraft in this eerie multigenerational horror saga from the New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic.
“In Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s sure hands, every uncovered secret is fraught with intrigue and creeping horror.”—Tananarive Due, Bram Stoker Award–winning author of The Reformatory
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: NPR, Elle, Kirkus Reviews, Book Riot, Library Journal, Crime Reads, She Reads
“Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches”: That was how Nana Alba always began the stories she told her great-granddaughter Minerva—stories that have stayed with Minerva all her life. Perhaps that’s why Minerva has become a graduate student focused on the history of horror literature and is researching the life of Beatrice Tremblay, an obscure author of macabre tales.
In the course of assembling her thesis, Minerva uncovers information that reveals that Tremblay’s most famous novel, The Vanishing, was inspired by a true story: Decades earlier, during the Great Depression, Tremblay attended the same university where Minerva is now studying and became obsessed with her beautiful and otherworldly roommate, who then disappeared under mysterious circumstances.
As Minerva descends ever deeper into Tremblay’s manuscript, she begins to sense that the malign force that stalked Tremblay and the missing girl might still walk the halls of the campus. These disturbing events also echo the stories Nana Alba told about her girlhood in 1900s Mexico, where she had a terrifying encounter with a witch.
Minerva suspects that the same shadow that darkened the lives of her great-grandmother and Beatrice Tremblay is now threatening her own in 1990s Massachusetts. An academic career can be a punishing pursuit, but it might turn outright deadly when witchcraft is involved.
“In Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s sure hands, every uncovered secret is fraught with intrigue and creeping horror.”—Tananarive Due, Bram Stoker Award–winning author of The Reformatory
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: NPR, Elle, Kirkus Reviews, Book Riot, Library Journal, Crime Reads, She Reads
“Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches”: That was how Nana Alba always began the stories she told her great-granddaughter Minerva—stories that have stayed with Minerva all her life. Perhaps that’s why Minerva has become a graduate student focused on the history of horror literature and is researching the life of Beatrice Tremblay, an obscure author of macabre tales.
In the course of assembling her thesis, Minerva uncovers information that reveals that Tremblay’s most famous novel, The Vanishing, was inspired by a true story: Decades earlier, during the Great Depression, Tremblay attended the same university where Minerva is now studying and became obsessed with her beautiful and otherworldly roommate, who then disappeared under mysterious circumstances.
As Minerva descends ever deeper into Tremblay’s manuscript, she begins to sense that the malign force that stalked Tremblay and the missing girl might still walk the halls of the campus. These disturbing events also echo the stories Nana Alba told about her girlhood in 1900s Mexico, where she had a terrifying encounter with a witch.
Minerva suspects that the same shadow that darkened the lives of her great-grandmother and Beatrice Tremblay is now threatening her own in 1990s Massachusetts. An academic career can be a punishing pursuit, but it might turn outright deadly when witchcraft is involved.
Download the free Fable app
Stay organized
Keep track of what you’re reading, what you’ve finished, and what’s next.
Build a better TBR
Swipe, skip, and save with our smart list-building tool
Rate and review
Share your take with other readers with half stars, emojis, and tags
Curate your feed
Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesStay organized
Keep track of what you’re reading, what you’ve finished, and what’s next.Build a better TBR
Swipe, skip, and save with our smart list-building toolRate and review
Share your take with other readers with half stars, emojis, and tagsCurate your feed
Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesThe Bewitching Reviews
3.5
“Silvia’s books never disappoint, and The Bewitching is no exception. She always delivers the best spooky vibes, but this one felt different in a way that really stood out. The eerie atmosphere was there like always, but the storyline took some wild and unexpected turns, especially the whole niece falling for her uncle situation. I did not see that coming at all.
I loved how the story moved back and forth between the past and the “present.” It made everything feel layered and intense, like each timeline was slowly revealing pieces of the same dark puzzle. Minerva’s story was hands down my favorite. There was just something so compelling about her and I honestly hope we get more of her story in the future. I would absolutely read another book connected to this one.
Valentin’s death was tough for me. I really wanted Alba and Valentin to get their happy ending, so that part hurt. And finding out Carolyn had everything to do with Ginny! Completely shocking. I did not expect that twist at all, but was laid out perfectly!
I will admit, I figured out it was Arturo before the big reveal, which took a tiny bit of the surprise away, but it didn’t ruin the experience. The atmosphere, the twists, the drama!!! It was still such a great read. Silvia really knows how to keep you hooked.”
“Omg omg this book is so perfect and full of things I love in books witches witchcraft ghosts gothic universities and almost perfect characters I loved all the timelines in this book it was so good and it really helped the story progress and I loved being in Albas POV second is Minervas I just found the story so interesting and I could not put this book down it was so creepy gothic and stunning I got chills and scared at many points in this book the only issue is near the end I guessed something so it slightly ruined the ending but it was so hinted at the end it slightly ruined the ending which is why it's not 5 stars still a very perfect and stunning book”“This was such a good book, like addictive. I needed to know what was going to happen next. This was going to be a five stars but I had to deduct because the uncle and niece relationship in the book was disgusting. Like I get it was the times so no one batted an eye. But it gave me such an ick.
I absolutely LOVED the interwoven three time lines. The description of the witches tied in with folklore. 👏 amazing!
The ending was left like there could be another book, I hope it is! I am loving Silva Moreno- garcia’s stories!”
BelievableChange and growDiverse representationMultilayeredStrong relationshipsStrong villainAction-packedAddictiveClever plottingFast-pacedSatisfying conclusionAtmosphericDarkMysticalPicturesqueSetting fits the storyUnique locationVivid descriptionsDescriptiveEasy to readOriginalBigotryDeathExplicit sexual contentMurderRacismViolence
About Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Silvia Moreno-Garcia is the author of Silver Nitrate, The Daughter of Doctor Moreau, Mexican Gothic, and many other books. She has won the Locus and British Fantasy awards for her work as a novelist, and the World Fantasy Award as an editor.
Other books by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Start a Book Club
Start a public or private book club with this book on the Fable app today!FAQ
Do I have to buy the ebook to participate in a book club?
Why can’t I buy the ebook on the app?
How is Fable’s reader different from Kindle?
Do you sell physical books too?
Are book clubs free to join on Fable?
How do I start a book club with this book on Fable?
