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moh_reads 's review for:
The Bewitching
by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
DID NOT FINISH: 99%
Interesting concept, but I did not care for the writing style. Dialogue was fine but narration/prose felt staccato and tended to over explain for my taste.
For example: "Minerva supposed she could walk back. Patricia shared a house with three other students in Temperance Landing and it might not be that convenient to walk home at night, but at least she was wearing comfortable shoes.
The girl sitting next to her laughed, and in her own excitement she elbowed Minerva. Minerva spilled beer on her own shirt. The girl didn't notice. Minerva hurried to the bathroom, locking the door." I don't know. It just feels like it could have been edited down better. "Minerva" being used in three sentences in a four sentence paragraph felt cumbersome.
It's a slow read - even when it picks up. I genuinely read through around page 146 and then I thoroughly skimmed the rest of the book. None of the characters are particularly likeable nor are any of them very deeply developed. In terms of dark academia, I feel like A Secret History has better pacing, a more interesting narrative voice, and a stronger stance around the unsympathetic characters. There were also so many books name-dropped especially at the beginnings of chapters that frequently made my eyes glaze over.
The romantic tension and sex scene between Alba and Arturo was really offputting. From start to end. It doesn't make it better that she was attracted to him and fantasized about him prior to learning that he is a warlock. Uncomfortable through and through. Obviously the assault is not written about warmly, but their dynamic prior kind of is. Any urge that I felt to celebrate Alba's survival of Arturo's Nosferatu (2024) esque assault and subsequent ending was immediately spoiled by the realization that she was pregnant and that it's undeniably Arturo's child. Just gross.
Quite a letdown based on the premise, for me. I think if you enjoyed Blood Ink, Sister Scribe, you might enjoy this as well. Their writing styles and general storytelling approach feel comparable to me. I think some people will absolutely love this book. I will not be recommending this to anyone that I know. I would be open to trying some of Moreno-Garcia's other works.
For example: "Minerva supposed she could walk back. Patricia shared a house with three other students in Temperance Landing and it might not be that convenient to walk home at night, but at least she was wearing comfortable shoes.
The girl sitting next to her laughed, and in her own excitement she elbowed Minerva. Minerva spilled beer on her own shirt. The girl didn't notice. Minerva hurried to the bathroom, locking the door." I don't know. It just feels like it could have been edited down better. "Minerva" being used in three sentences in a four sentence paragraph felt cumbersome.
It's a slow read - even when it picks up. I genuinely read through around page 146 and then I thoroughly skimmed the rest of the book. None of the characters are particularly likeable nor are any of them very deeply developed. In terms of dark academia, I feel like A Secret History has better pacing, a more interesting narrative voice, and a stronger stance around the unsympathetic characters. There were also so many books name-dropped especially at the beginnings of chapters that frequently made my eyes glaze over.
Quite a letdown based on the premise, for me. I think if you enjoyed Blood Ink, Sister Scribe, you might enjoy this as well. Their writing styles and general storytelling approach feel comparable to me. I think some people will absolutely love this book. I will not be recommending this to anyone that I know. I would be open to trying some of Moreno-Garcia's other works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Incest, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Classism
Moderate: Racism, Car accident, Death of parent