The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia: A Magical Horror Fantasy Book Review

I never know quite how Silvia Moreno-Garcia will break me open with her exquisite prose when I open her latest novel—her works span genres, but every book she writes captures my imagination long after I’m finished reading it.

She writes with such beautiful language, but never at the expense of the plot—her stories are so compelling and pull me in from the first word, and The Bewitching is no exception.

Minerva is a grad student researching a lesser-known female horror author one summer on a mostly-abandoned New England college campus when the undergrads have all scattered back to their families of origin.

As she unravels the mysterious disappearance that inspired the author’s best-known work, Minerva remembers her grandmother’s version of Once Upon a Time: “Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches.”

As a former academic and current adjunct archaeology professor, I can vouch that the depiction of academia was spot on: the burnout, depression fog, wasting time and feeling listless even when urgent and even interesting tasks beckon were very true to my experience, along with the spurts of curiosity and productivity along with the occasional fortunate discovery of sources that carry you through a finally-finished thesis.

I also really appreciate Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s approach to horror. She writes these stories interwoven with lines that bring on the most delicious chills but still allow me to sleep at night.

She really captures how even when spooky things are happening, it’s so easy to rationalize it all away in the light of day when the vibes are normal.

I always get a bit wistful reading Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s books. She often draws from the stories and folktales she heard from her elders (according to her author’s notes), and my living grandparents were not that sort of elder. This book was inspired in part by her great-grandmother’s witch tales from growing up in the Mexican countryside.

This book is perfect for those looking for a spooky but not terrifying tale to read in solitude, preferably on a foggy autumn day.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance copy for review.