The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia delivered an atmospheric tale about three women in three different eras steeped in witchcraft. Narrated by Gisela Chipe, I quickly found myself caught up in the tale as Minerva Contreras works on her thesis surrounding Beatrice Tremblay and uncovers something sinister.
by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Narrator: Gisela Chipe
Length: 14 hours and 7 minutes
Genres: Horror
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.5x
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.
“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 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.
I listened to and enjoyed Mexican Gothic, an eerie and atmospheric tale from this author, so I was eager to listen to The Bewitching.
Minerva Contreras is a graduate student at a prestigious Massachusetts college working on her thesis in the late 90s. Her focus is on literature in the horror genre, more specifically on Beatrice Tremblay, the author of The Vanishing and other macabre stories, who attended the school in 1934.
The story shares three timelines.
- Minerva – as she studies the life works of Beatrice, gaining access to some of her journals and letters through a fellow student’s family. Events in her timeline take place in 1998. As she researches, she suspects these malevolent forces still stalk the campus today.
- Beatrice- a student at the same college who writes The Vanishing — about a fellow student named Virginia who goes missing after dabbling in the supernatural. These events took place in 1934, and despite knowing what will happen, you cannot help but be scared.
- Alba (Minerva’s grandmother). Her timeline is from 1908, where she claims to have met a witch. Her father dies, and her brother goes missing. Alba suspects supernatural forces.
I was completely caught up in the three timelines and the supernatural forces at work. The tale was dark, disturbing and not for the faint of heart. Silvia Moreno-Garcia blends historical fiction, witchy elements and sheer horror as she shares events that occurred. As we search for the villain in each timeline, the author builds suspense with creepy elements and hair-raising events. This was a well-written, dark tale that will have you looking over your shoulder and perhaps leaving the lights on.
Gisela Chipe narrates and did a wonderful job of capturing the tone of the story and the voice of each of the women. This story works well in audio format. Listening enhanced my enjoyment, from the chill factor to the different timelines.
Perfect for fans who enjoy a fast-paced, dark horror novel steeped in historical fiction set against a New England campus.
About Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Silvia Moreno-Garcia is the author of several novels, including Gods of Jade and Shadow. She has also edited a number of anthologies, including the World Fantasy Award-winning She Walks in Shadows (a.k.a. Cthulhu's Daughters). Mexican by birth, Canadian by inclination.
About Gisela Chipe
Gisela was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and grew up speaking Portuguese, Spanish and English. She moved to the United States (Louisville, KY) at the age of 8 and studied voice, cello, chamber music and theatre.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2025 Audiobook Challenge
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
I still need to give Mexican Gothic a try. I like that you say this is fast-paced, because often books like this are kind of slow for me and that’s why I don’t gravitate toward them. Great review!
Katherine
I didn’t realize this was the same author who wrote Mexican Gothic. That one has been on my TBR for awhile. This looks really good and like one I’d really enjoy it!
Rachel @Waves of Fiction
I read Silver Nitrate by Moreno-Garcia and I wasn’t a fan, but this sounds really good. I’ll have to give her another try.
Kimberly
I have not read that one.
Sophia Rose
This looks like a good spooky read for your old Fraterfest challenge. 🙂 but not for me. Haha!
Mary Kirkland
I like the witch/supernatural elements of the story.
Bree Dalton
I love the cover of this book. I think I need to add it to my fall TBR.