davidaguilarrodriguez 's review for:

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

3.0

mysterious tense fast-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

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Gothic, spooky, but ultimately disappointing. Silvia Moreno-Garcia nails the atmosphere — eerie vibes across timelines, a steady sense of unease, and the aesthetic pleasures of witchy horror. That’s the part that carried the novel and kept me reading. 

But beyond the mood, it fell flat. The story was predictable from the start, every character beat telegraphed early, and the cast itself felt thin — with even the protagonist hard to root for. The prose is serviceable, but the plot coasts on atmosphere without offering surprise, depth, or genuine tension. Memorable for its spooky mood, sure, but not one I’d recommend unless you’re really craving the vibes alone.