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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
It is a very slow book. The main section following the character of Minerva reads more like a research paper than a novel. There are too many details added at times, especially extra information on authors and academia, that slows down the book. Minerva is awkward and the dialogue and interactions reflect that. My favorite section is the 1908 timeline, however the incest aspect (and pregnancy) was uncomfortable, and in my belief, unnecessary.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest, Rape, Sexual assault
Minor: Car accident, Murder
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was my first Silvia Moreno-Garcia book and generally I really liked it. It wasn’t too scary but there was enough suspense and a bit of a thrill for a good read. I had a bit of a hard time with how formal all the dialogue was. I think there could have been a touch more scene setting in the 1998 timeline to really feel the New England summer heat and humidity. I also had a hard time figuring out how much time was passing in that time line. I did see the Carolyn reveal from a mile away. I think I would have like more witch lore. Still fun and would recommend. Excited to read Mexican Gothic.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I received a digital review copy of this book from NetGalley.
I was a little disappointed. In previous books Moreno-Garcia excelled at creating atmosphere and immersive experiences. It's one of her strengths. So I expected The Bewitching to be spooky and pull me into a story filled with dread and horror. But it just seemed so... normal. The story was fine. All three timelines had interesting characters and stories, but nothing really stood out or seemed special.
I was a little disappointed. In previous books Moreno-Garcia excelled at creating atmosphere and immersive experiences. It's one of her strengths. So I expected The Bewitching to be spooky and pull me into a story filled with dread and horror. But it just seemed so... normal. The story was fine. All three timelines had interesting characters and stories, but nothing really stood out or seemed special.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
From the start, it must be understood that Silvia Moreno-Garcia is my favorite contemporary author. Her books outside of my typical genre tastes are outstanding. The ones within my preferences (Gothic horror, magical realism, etc.)? *chef's kiss*
And as for The Bewitching? Gothic horror with the supernatural told over three overlapping timelines? It's everything I could've wanted.
It makes the case to be right up there with Mexican Gothic (which is my highest praise possible). It's at least in the upper tier of Silvia books with Mexican Gothic, Silver Nitrate (next in my Silvia re-read cycle), Signal To Noise, and Certain Dark Things (not necessarily in that order). Maybe one day I'll outline my rankings, but not today.
I don't want to spoil any more of The Bewitching than the bare minimum I already have (all of which I believe is part of the marketing materials). It's fantastic. It's probably my #1 book on the year. I've done all I can to sell you on it.
Now go read it.
Review on Yesterday's Triumph on Substack.
Review on Yesterday's Triumph on Substack.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another great novel from a titan