The Bewitching, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

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Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches. So says Minerva's great-grandmother, Alba. Minerva will learn that witches are still around her. This is actually three stories, occurring in three different eras and features incredibly strong female protagonists. 

We are introduced to Minerva first, in the year 1998, at a small New England university near Boston. She's traveled from her native Mexico to study at Stoneridge and to write a thesis focused on Beatrice Tremblay, who has authored of a novel based on the real-life disappearance of a young woman she knew who went missing from Stoneridge in 1934.

The earliest story contained in this novel focuses on Alba, in 1908, in Mexico. I found Alba's account to be the most intriguing part of this book, though also the most triggering, in the creepiness and gore departments. It is she who has given Minerva the curiosity and fascination with witches and the horror genre, in general. 

There are obvious parallels in the happenings in these three eras, some interesting, some predictable. What should have been the most mysterious reveal became predictable a little too early, in my opinion. Still, the details that were filled in, in the end, were engaging. 

I certainly enjoyed this novel, my first experience with Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and will definitely read her work again. Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the opportunity to preview this novel in exchange for an honest review. 

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