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The Witches of El Paso
A lawyer and her elderly great-aunt use their supernatural gifts to find a lost child in this richly imagined and empowering story of motherhood, magic, and legacy in the vein of The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina and La Hacienda.
If you call to the witches, they will come.
1943, El Paso, teenager Nena spends her days caring for the small children of her older sisters, while longing for a life of freedom and adventure. The premonitions and fainting spells she has endured since childhood are getting worse, and Nena worries she’ll end up like the scary old curandera down the street. Nena prays for help, and when the mysterious Sister Benedicta arrives late one night, Nena follows her across the borders of space and time. In colonial Mexico, Nena grows into her power, finding love and learning that magic always comes with a price.
In the present day, Nena’s grandniece, Marta, balances a struggling legal aid practice with motherhood and the care of the now ninety-three-year-old Nena. When Marta agrees to help search for a daughter Nena left in the past, the two forge a fierce connection. Marta’s own supernatural powers emerge, awakening her to new possibilities that threaten the life she has constructed.
If you call to the witches, they will come.
1943, El Paso, teenager Nena spends her days caring for the small children of her older sisters, while longing for a life of freedom and adventure. The premonitions and fainting spells she has endured since childhood are getting worse, and Nena worries she’ll end up like the scary old curandera down the street. Nena prays for help, and when the mysterious Sister Benedicta arrives late one night, Nena follows her across the borders of space and time. In colonial Mexico, Nena grows into her power, finding love and learning that magic always comes with a price.
In the present day, Nena’s grandniece, Marta, balances a struggling legal aid practice with motherhood and the care of the now ninety-three-year-old Nena. When Marta agrees to help search for a daughter Nena left in the past, the two forge a fierce connection. Marta’s own supernatural powers emerge, awakening her to new possibilities that threaten the life she has constructed.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2024
589 people are currently reading
27089 people want to read
About the author
Luis Jaramillo
5 books149 followersLuis Jaramillo is the author of The Witches of El Paso. He is also the author of the award-winning short story collection The Doctor’s Wife. His writing has appeared in Literary Hub, BOMB Magazine, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and other publications. His honors include fellowships from Aspen Words, the Sewanee Writers Conference, and the New York Institute for the Humanities. He is an assistant professor of creative writing at The New School. He received an undergraduate degree from Stanford University and an MFA in creative writing from The New School.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 605 reviews
January 15, 2025
are they taking applications?
anyway. this is a weird one. nothing quite adds up — i guess the simplest way to put it is that the people who are supposed to be bad aren't that bad and the people who are supposed to be good aren't that good. our protagonist (good) tells her husband (bad) to turn down a transformative donation to the hospital where he works in order to help her career, and is then mad when he won't quit his job (?) to support hers (?), instead saying they can hire their babysitter for more hours (seems nice to me).
a character who for all intents and purposes should hate another character instead strikes up a romance with him out of genuinely nowhere.
our protagonist claims she is obsessed with her job and wants to become a supreme court justice, and yet she literally never works.
she also judges a woman who was raised by her aunt for suggesting she move her into an assisted living facility, assuming she’s getting free childcare, and then moves the aunt into her house where all she does is cook and clean and take care of her kids.
and don’t even get me started on the magic system (read: lack thereof).
unfortunately a lot of books are just mediocre. this was that for me.
bottom line: not bad, but completely unmemorable.
(thanks to the publisher for the arc)
anyway. this is a weird one. nothing quite adds up — i guess the simplest way to put it is that the people who are supposed to be bad aren't that bad and the people who are supposed to be good aren't that good. our protagonist (good) tells her husband (bad) to turn down a transformative donation to the hospital where he works in order to help her career, and is then mad when he won't quit his job (?) to support hers (?), instead saying they can hire their babysitter for more hours (seems nice to me).
a character who for all intents and purposes should hate another character instead strikes up a romance with him out of genuinely nowhere.
our protagonist claims she is obsessed with her job and wants to become a supreme court justice, and yet she literally never works.
she also judges a woman who was raised by her aunt for suggesting she move her into an assisted living facility, assuming she’s getting free childcare, and then moves the aunt into her house where all she does is cook and clean and take care of her kids.
and don’t even get me started on the magic system (read: lack thereof).
unfortunately a lot of books are just mediocre. this was that for me.
bottom line: not bad, but completely unmemorable.
(thanks to the publisher for the arc)
August 7, 2025
I have not been this engrossed in a story in quite some time. I binged half of this at a hair appointment and eagerly sat down the next day to finish the rest.
Brujas are a mythos you encounter frequently when you read Mexican and Mexican diaspora fiction. While the witches not called as such here, witches they are, and they are very powerful.
What I find beautiful in Mexican culture is the importance of women, and the power they hold. A story told in two parts, we begin the story with Marta, a lawyer fighting for social justice. Her great aunt Nena (Elena) turns up in both timelines, and her story is engrossing in each.
While magical realism is difficult for some to grasp, I loved each and every bit of this story. There is love. There is friendship. There is magic. There is power. There is betrayal. There is comeuppance. I wanted more, while realizing that this was just enough.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Atria/Primero Sueno Press
Brujas are a mythos you encounter frequently when you read Mexican and Mexican diaspora fiction. While the witches not called as such here, witches they are, and they are very powerful.
What I find beautiful in Mexican culture is the importance of women, and the power they hold. A story told in two parts, we begin the story with Marta, a lawyer fighting for social justice. Her great aunt Nena (Elena) turns up in both timelines, and her story is engrossing in each.
While magical realism is difficult for some to grasp, I loved each and every bit of this story. There is love. There is friendship. There is magic. There is power. There is betrayal. There is comeuppance. I wanted more, while realizing that this was just enough.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Atria/Primero Sueno Press
May 23, 2024
I want to wax lyrical about this book but I also want you to enjoy it for yourself! Here are all the things I loved about reading the Witches of El Paso, without any spoilers.
The themes in this book were *chefs kiss* - the nature of life, boundaries and borders, trust, morality and family. Of course, there were plenty of witchy vibes too.
As someone who comes from a matriarchal and very female family, I really appreciated how Jaramillo portrayed the complicated relationships between the women in this book. The layers of conflict and competition between sisters felt so authentic.
The majority of our central cast are women, and I love how Jaramillo has captured their jagged edges and their meanness - these women are daughters, mothers, sisters, wives, but we experience them primarily in the light of their own desires and vices.
This book felt appropriately witchy. I loved the grossness and the grisly bits, especially how they related to summoning La Vista. I thought this really pulled in the theme that this is a force of nature, because nature is nothing if not grisly. The atmosphere and the setting were so evocative, too - the smell of unwashed bodies, the hot cocoa, the lengthy descriptions of local flora. It all added to the tapestry and I felt myself fully transported.
The chaotic and capricious nature of La Vista echos the unpredictability and unfairness of life and nature. While one day things might go your way, the next day they could go terribly. Mother nature giveth and she taketh away. Life can be cruel.
Jaramillo jumps us around in time and narrative - I would frequently start a chapter momentarily lost and confused before being anchored. This felt deliberate and provided a window into the confusion and lack of control our characters are experiencing as they are swept along in the wake of La Vista.
There are literal borders in the book - we get some beautiful imagery of the border between Juarez and El Paso - and our characters crossing them always carries significance. There are also metaphorical boundaries crossed - greasy fingers on an ancient artwork, a kiss stolen from the beau of another, an innocent woman cursed.
For a male author, I thought Jaramillo elegantly capture the constant sense of unease evoked by the men in this book. None of the men on page can be fully trusted, they all exploit or unsettle our female protagonists in various ways, and this was so delicately and faithfully written that I could almost feel myself sitting across from these men at dinner, in the confessional, at the kitchen island, eyeing them between my lashes and trying to judge if this was the moment they would reveal themselves.
I really enjoyed this book, and would heartily recommend it to anyone who enjoys some witchy vibes, complex female relationships, evocative settings and an exploration of what it means to be family.
The themes in this book were *chefs kiss* - the nature of life, boundaries and borders, trust, morality and family. Of course, there were plenty of witchy vibes too.
As someone who comes from a matriarchal and very female family, I really appreciated how Jaramillo portrayed the complicated relationships between the women in this book. The layers of conflict and competition between sisters felt so authentic.
The majority of our central cast are women, and I love how Jaramillo has captured their jagged edges and their meanness - these women are daughters, mothers, sisters, wives, but we experience them primarily in the light of their own desires and vices.
This book felt appropriately witchy. I loved the grossness and the grisly bits, especially how they related to summoning La Vista. I thought this really pulled in the theme that this is a force of nature, because nature is nothing if not grisly. The atmosphere and the setting were so evocative, too - the smell of unwashed bodies, the hot cocoa, the lengthy descriptions of local flora. It all added to the tapestry and I felt myself fully transported.
The chaotic and capricious nature of La Vista echos the unpredictability and unfairness of life and nature. While one day things might go your way, the next day they could go terribly. Mother nature giveth and she taketh away. Life can be cruel.
Jaramillo jumps us around in time and narrative - I would frequently start a chapter momentarily lost and confused before being anchored. This felt deliberate and provided a window into the confusion and lack of control our characters are experiencing as they are swept along in the wake of La Vista.
There are literal borders in the book - we get some beautiful imagery of the border between Juarez and El Paso - and our characters crossing them always carries significance. There are also metaphorical boundaries crossed - greasy fingers on an ancient artwork, a kiss stolen from the beau of another, an innocent woman cursed.
For a male author, I thought Jaramillo elegantly capture the constant sense of unease evoked by the men in this book. None of the men on page can be fully trusted, they all exploit or unsettle our female protagonists in various ways, and this was so delicately and faithfully written that I could almost feel myself sitting across from these men at dinner, in the confessional, at the kitchen island, eyeing them between my lashes and trying to judge if this was the moment they would reveal themselves.
I really enjoyed this book, and would heartily recommend it to anyone who enjoys some witchy vibes, complex female relationships, evocative settings and an exploration of what it means to be family.
October 31, 2024
Happy Halloween to those who celebrate. It’s not a day I observe but I’m in a junior high today and both the staff and students are costumed and buzzing with energy. I could use a jolt of caffeine after staying up last night to see baseball’s season come to its conclusion. Now, it’s five months with no baseball, freeing up even more time to read. In light of my low energy level and the hyperactivity around me, I could not see myself jumpstarting nonfiction November a day early. What I needed was what a Goodreads friend refers to as brain candy. I read my share of mysteries, but I did not crave a whodunit, rather I craved something witchy that fit with the mood of the current season. I have been drawn to the Latin American brand of magical realism for most of my life, my favorite instance a three legged table that communes with the spirits. Thus, I am always on the lookout for Latinx magical realism authors, having exhausted many of the classics. One title stood out this year on the list of new books to read for Hispanic heritage month, a witchy book said to be full of magical realism that I always savor. The Witches of El Paso’s cover called to me from the card catalogue, so I selected it as the brain candy that I needed to complete my month’s reading.
Elena Montoya has a gift of La Vista. As a girl she knew that she could make the supernatural occur but did not know what the buzzing or energy inside her was. Her parents were hard workers living on the American side of El Paso, Texas, her father’s family living in Albuquerque since 1584, two hundred years before American independence. The Montoyas enjoyed a long, illustrious history that brought then from New Mexico to Texas, some forebears participating in the skirmish between the Kiowa and Apache at Huerto Flats in 1849. By the time Elena’s father became a breadwinner, the family had fallen on the hard times of the Depression. Elena attempted to use her gift, her encanto, to better her family’s fortune, but her actions lead the family into deeper debt. The youngest sister in her family, Elena cared for her sisters’ babies during World War II so that they could work to support their families. All Elena, called Nena or baby by her family, longed to do was escape from the vagaries of her life, to become more than a housewife and make something of herself in the world. One day she hears buzzing, which is La Vista calling to her across centuries. Her dreaming opened a crack in the space time continuum, transporting Elena back to the El Paso del Norte of 1792. Here she would learn the true power of La Vista.
Jaramillo writes a duel timeline book, the other half nor the story focusing on Nena’s great niece Marta, who lives in modern day El Paso with her husband and sons. Like all women across time, Marta struggles with advancing her career, raising her two sons, and standing by her husband’s side as he rises toward the top of his profession. Marta and Alejandro met in graduate school and are all that each other knew. She dreamed of becoming a Supreme Court Justice one day, the first for a Latinx woman. In her forties, some of her law school classmates had already reached the level of federal judgeship. Marta’s career took her to a legal aid firm when Alejandro went to work in a hospital due to being one of few doctors who spoke Spanish. Marta’s grandmother Olga and aunts were thrilled that she would rise to prominence in their home town, but supporting the little person was not necessarily what Marta wanted. As a younger woman, Nena foresaw rhat one day Marta would live in El Paso with her husband and sons in a house with a pool. Reaching middle age, this premonition has come true. Nena knows that Marta is one of the last of the Montoya women and is waiting to see if she possesses La Vista. Marta is rooted in the regulations of jurisprudence, but Nena is convinced that she is the next in line of the aqualarre, an ancient word deriving from the Basque Country signifying coven. This passing down of witchcraft through generations is the gist of the novel, but it is not a plot I could take too seriously. I read purely for fun.
An astute reader will quickly realize that Jaramillo is a debut novelist. That is usually a red flag for me. I have read extensively on witchcraft over the years, my favorite family being the Owenses of Practical Magic. Those witches possess a grimoire of spells and pass down their knowledge throughout many generations. The Montoya’s gifts at times skipped generations, Marta’s mother and cousins leaving El Paso as soon as they could to enter professions that would help them to rise in prominence. The women who possess La Vista do not know enough about the phenomenon to pass their knowledge along to others; women educated in the ways of La Vista are only knowledgeable because they have self taught themselves over the course of lifetimes. Then there is the issue of time travel. Witches, and normal people, have gone crazy over seeing themselves and interfering with time even if their intentions were sincere. My kids tell me that even if I want to time travel to fix one event, altering time would have a butterfly effect and might alter our own history. Jaramillo’s crux of his exploration of witchcraft is that Nena traveled back in time one hundred fifty years to learn about witchcraft. The characters she encountered there appeared stereotypical archetypes and did not work for me. I would have enjoyed the story a lot more if Nena recounted family history to Marta while teaching her about La Vista while being rooting in one time, the present.
The Witches of El Paso is an example of why I rarely read debuts or newly published books. I need to see how they stand the test of time first. I do appreciate a new Latinx voice in literature, especially a man, whose presence seems to be lacking, or perhaps I am not looking to hard for their work. Luis Jaramillo interviewed a myriad of family members across generations to research the history of El Paso and insert magical realism into their story. I enjoyed the characters of both Nena and Marta Montoya and would love to see if Marta ever achieves that federal judgeship by age fifty. One can see that his work is not as polished as a seasoned writer. His ideas ooze in the magical realism that I love, so I look forward to see where the trajectory of his career brings him. In the meantime, I have five months of no baseball to get through. I am sure that there will be more magical realism in my reading future, and I don’t need to be a witch to forecast that. I just hope that my next book in this genre is more polished in rhe brand of Latinx writing that I have grown to love over the course of many reading years.
3.25 stars
Elena Montoya has a gift of La Vista. As a girl she knew that she could make the supernatural occur but did not know what the buzzing or energy inside her was. Her parents were hard workers living on the American side of El Paso, Texas, her father’s family living in Albuquerque since 1584, two hundred years before American independence. The Montoyas enjoyed a long, illustrious history that brought then from New Mexico to Texas, some forebears participating in the skirmish between the Kiowa and Apache at Huerto Flats in 1849. By the time Elena’s father became a breadwinner, the family had fallen on the hard times of the Depression. Elena attempted to use her gift, her encanto, to better her family’s fortune, but her actions lead the family into deeper debt. The youngest sister in her family, Elena cared for her sisters’ babies during World War II so that they could work to support their families. All Elena, called Nena or baby by her family, longed to do was escape from the vagaries of her life, to become more than a housewife and make something of herself in the world. One day she hears buzzing, which is La Vista calling to her across centuries. Her dreaming opened a crack in the space time continuum, transporting Elena back to the El Paso del Norte of 1792. Here she would learn the true power of La Vista.
Jaramillo writes a duel timeline book, the other half nor the story focusing on Nena’s great niece Marta, who lives in modern day El Paso with her husband and sons. Like all women across time, Marta struggles with advancing her career, raising her two sons, and standing by her husband’s side as he rises toward the top of his profession. Marta and Alejandro met in graduate school and are all that each other knew. She dreamed of becoming a Supreme Court Justice one day, the first for a Latinx woman. In her forties, some of her law school classmates had already reached the level of federal judgeship. Marta’s career took her to a legal aid firm when Alejandro went to work in a hospital due to being one of few doctors who spoke Spanish. Marta’s grandmother Olga and aunts were thrilled that she would rise to prominence in their home town, but supporting the little person was not necessarily what Marta wanted. As a younger woman, Nena foresaw rhat one day Marta would live in El Paso with her husband and sons in a house with a pool. Reaching middle age, this premonition has come true. Nena knows that Marta is one of the last of the Montoya women and is waiting to see if she possesses La Vista. Marta is rooted in the regulations of jurisprudence, but Nena is convinced that she is the next in line of the aqualarre, an ancient word deriving from the Basque Country signifying coven. This passing down of witchcraft through generations is the gist of the novel, but it is not a plot I could take too seriously. I read purely for fun.
An astute reader will quickly realize that Jaramillo is a debut novelist. That is usually a red flag for me. I have read extensively on witchcraft over the years, my favorite family being the Owenses of Practical Magic. Those witches possess a grimoire of spells and pass down their knowledge throughout many generations. The Montoya’s gifts at times skipped generations, Marta’s mother and cousins leaving El Paso as soon as they could to enter professions that would help them to rise in prominence. The women who possess La Vista do not know enough about the phenomenon to pass their knowledge along to others; women educated in the ways of La Vista are only knowledgeable because they have self taught themselves over the course of lifetimes. Then there is the issue of time travel. Witches, and normal people, have gone crazy over seeing themselves and interfering with time even if their intentions were sincere. My kids tell me that even if I want to time travel to fix one event, altering time would have a butterfly effect and might alter our own history. Jaramillo’s crux of his exploration of witchcraft is that Nena traveled back in time one hundred fifty years to learn about witchcraft. The characters she encountered there appeared stereotypical archetypes and did not work for me. I would have enjoyed the story a lot more if Nena recounted family history to Marta while teaching her about La Vista while being rooting in one time, the present.
The Witches of El Paso is an example of why I rarely read debuts or newly published books. I need to see how they stand the test of time first. I do appreciate a new Latinx voice in literature, especially a man, whose presence seems to be lacking, or perhaps I am not looking to hard for their work. Luis Jaramillo interviewed a myriad of family members across generations to research the history of El Paso and insert magical realism into their story. I enjoyed the characters of both Nena and Marta Montoya and would love to see if Marta ever achieves that federal judgeship by age fifty. One can see that his work is not as polished as a seasoned writer. His ideas ooze in the magical realism that I love, so I look forward to see where the trajectory of his career brings him. In the meantime, I have five months of no baseball to get through. I am sure that there will be more magical realism in my reading future, and I don’t need to be a witch to forecast that. I just hope that my next book in this genre is more polished in rhe brand of Latinx writing that I have grown to love over the course of many reading years.
3.25 stars
October 6, 2024
Luis Jaraimillo is a new author for me. I selected this book because it is about witches, and I do love reading about them - in all their various forms.
Description:
If you call to the witches, they will come.
1943, El Paso, teenager Nena spends her days caring for the small children of her older sisters, while longing for a life of freedom and adventure. The premonitions and fainting spells she has endured since childhood are getting worse, and Nena worries she’ll end up like the scary old curandera down the street. Nena prays for help, and when the mysterious Sister Benedicta arrives late one night, Nena follows her across the borders of space and time. In colonial Mexico, Nena grows into her power, finding love and learning that magic always comes with a price.
In the present day, Nena’s grandniece, Marta, balances a struggling legal aid practice with motherhood and the care of the now ninety-three-year-old Nena. When Marta agrees to help search for a daughter Nena left in the past, the two forge a fierce connection. Marta’s own supernatural powers emerge, awakening her to new possibilities that threaten the life she has constructed.
My Thoughts:
The story is told in two timelines. What happened to Nena in 1943, the timeline in the past is intertwined with present day and what is happening to Maria now. The "gift" the witches have in this story is like none I have read about previously, so this was definitely different. These witches weren't in control, and that's pretty scary stuff I think. I found the story interesting and unique, and it has multicultural interest. Not my favorite, but not bad. I think anyone who likes the supernatural would enjoy this.
Thanks to Atria Books - Atria/Primero Sueno Press through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
If you call to the witches, they will come.
1943, El Paso, teenager Nena spends her days caring for the small children of her older sisters, while longing for a life of freedom and adventure. The premonitions and fainting spells she has endured since childhood are getting worse, and Nena worries she’ll end up like the scary old curandera down the street. Nena prays for help, and when the mysterious Sister Benedicta arrives late one night, Nena follows her across the borders of space and time. In colonial Mexico, Nena grows into her power, finding love and learning that magic always comes with a price.
In the present day, Nena’s grandniece, Marta, balances a struggling legal aid practice with motherhood and the care of the now ninety-three-year-old Nena. When Marta agrees to help search for a daughter Nena left in the past, the two forge a fierce connection. Marta’s own supernatural powers emerge, awakening her to new possibilities that threaten the life she has constructed.
My Thoughts:
The story is told in two timelines. What happened to Nena in 1943, the timeline in the past is intertwined with present day and what is happening to Maria now. The "gift" the witches have in this story is like none I have read about previously, so this was definitely different. These witches weren't in control, and that's pretty scary stuff I think. I found the story interesting and unique, and it has multicultural interest. Not my favorite, but not bad. I think anyone who likes the supernatural would enjoy this.
Thanks to Atria Books - Atria/Primero Sueno Press through Netgalley for an advance copy.
September 18, 2024
ARC Review: The Witches of El Paso by Luis Jaramillo
Luis Jaramillo’s The Witches of El Paso is a captivating blend of historical fiction and magical realism that beautifully captures the essence of the Sun City. As a native of El Paso, I was immediately drawn to the title and synopsis, and the author’s vivid descriptions transported me back to my hometown. He perfectly captured the desert, the mountains, and Juarez and even mentioned the city's local university which had me in giggles.
The book's exploration of multiple time periods adds depth and intrigue, but keeping track of the different timelines can sometimes be challenging. I believe including chapter titles indicating the year they focus on would enhance the reader's experience.
While I found the historical aspects and magical elements fascinating, I felt less invested in the present-day storyline. The book's pacing also fluctuates, with some parts feeling slower than others.
Overall, The Witches of El Paso is a well-crafted novel that offers a unique perspective on the city's history and culture. It's a perfect choice for readers who enjoy historical fiction and magical realism, especially during the spooky season.
Thank you to Netgalley and Luis Jaramillo for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Luis Jaramillo’s The Witches of El Paso is a captivating blend of historical fiction and magical realism that beautifully captures the essence of the Sun City. As a native of El Paso, I was immediately drawn to the title and synopsis, and the author’s vivid descriptions transported me back to my hometown. He perfectly captured the desert, the mountains, and Juarez and even mentioned the city's local university which had me in giggles.
The book's exploration of multiple time periods adds depth and intrigue, but keeping track of the different timelines can sometimes be challenging. I believe including chapter titles indicating the year they focus on would enhance the reader's experience.
While I found the historical aspects and magical elements fascinating, I felt less invested in the present-day storyline. The book's pacing also fluctuates, with some parts feeling slower than others.
Overall, The Witches of El Paso is a well-crafted novel that offers a unique perspective on the city's history and culture. It's a perfect choice for readers who enjoy historical fiction and magical realism, especially during the spooky season.
Thank you to Netgalley and Luis Jaramillo for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 25, 2024
Short but completely emersive. This is: tejas gothic, atmospheric, haunting magic, and dual pov. It takes place in 3 different times and has everything from Catholicism to Brujas. It’s perfect for spooky season.
# The Witches of El Paso
# 10/23/2024 ~ 10/24/2024
# 4.5 / 5.0
# The Witches of El Paso
# 10/23/2024 ~ 10/24/2024
# 4.5 / 5.0
October 4, 2024
2🌟
I hate giving low ratings 😭 I wanted to love this. The historical elements blended so interestingly with the magical realism! The witchy vibes were there ✨ I also enjoyed the deep family traditions & cultural ties. My mouth was watering at a few of the food descriptions lol.
The biggest problem for me was the three different timelines. I did this book via audio, and while the narrator did a WONDERFUL job, I’d recommend a physical copy bc of the 3 timelines alone. There were so many characters/times/places to keep track of without any sort of written info, so you just had to infer. I spent most of the book trying to figure out what was going on. Lastly, had I known this was such a female forward story written by a man, I may have skipped it.
I hate giving low ratings 😭 I wanted to love this. The historical elements blended so interestingly with the magical realism! The witchy vibes were there ✨ I also enjoyed the deep family traditions & cultural ties. My mouth was watering at a few of the food descriptions lol.
The biggest problem for me was the three different timelines. I did this book via audio, and while the narrator did a WONDERFUL job, I’d recommend a physical copy bc of the 3 timelines alone. There were so many characters/times/places to keep track of without any sort of written info, so you just had to infer. I spent most of the book trying to figure out what was going on. Lastly, had I known this was such a female forward story written by a man, I may have skipped it.
January 9, 2025
The thing that stuck out to me most on this book was the writing style, because it was absolutely beautiful. It was atmospheric and brought me into the world so well. I also really enjoyed the time travel elements, which added a very interesting element to the story. Definitely worth the read.
May 1, 2024
Enjoyed it! So much culture, magic, and I loved the descriptions, it was nice to picture while reading along.
March 16, 2025
Mixed generations, time travel, nuns, witches, superpowers, litigation, musica and a baby born out of time. . . .
A delightful, mystical magical read.
*A sincere thank you to Luis Jaramillo, Atria Books, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* 25|52:15b
A delightful, mystical magical read.
*A sincere thank you to Luis Jaramillo, Atria Books, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* 25|52:15b
April 23, 2025
1943, El Paso: teenager Nena spends her days babysitting and dealing with fainting spells while dreaming of a life of adventure. One night she is visited by a nun who takes her under her wing...in 1792. In present day El Paso, Marta gets word that her grandaunt can no longer live on her own. Upon moving her in, Marta becomes taken with Nena’s story of her missing child and the two begin to work together to try to find her.
This is a fabulous new novel, featuring witches and time travel, but ultimately centered around the power of a mother’s love. Steeped in rich Mexican culture, women are the true heroes of this book, whether Nena, Marta or the coven of witches using the cover of the cloth for their survival.
I found myself connecting more with Nena and her story than Marta, however, all of the characters are incredibly well developed and relatable in their own right. And while this is not a romance, I appreciated its inclusion as a subplot, and how it rounded out this really complex and unique story.
🎧 I read this with my ears while also reading it with my eyes to get the full immersive experience. Raquel Beattie does a terrific job of voicing these two strong FMCs while also keeping each character distinct. I don’t think you can go wrong reading either format.
Read if you like:
▪️stories about witches
▪️historical fiction
▪️time travel
▪️multi-generational dramas
▪️dual timelines
▪️Adrienne Young
Thank you Atria Books, Primero Sueno Press and Simon Audio for the gifted copies.
This is a fabulous new novel, featuring witches and time travel, but ultimately centered around the power of a mother’s love. Steeped in rich Mexican culture, women are the true heroes of this book, whether Nena, Marta or the coven of witches using the cover of the cloth for their survival.
I found myself connecting more with Nena and her story than Marta, however, all of the characters are incredibly well developed and relatable in their own right. And while this is not a romance, I appreciated its inclusion as a subplot, and how it rounded out this really complex and unique story.
🎧 I read this with my ears while also reading it with my eyes to get the full immersive experience. Raquel Beattie does a terrific job of voicing these two strong FMCs while also keeping each character distinct. I don’t think you can go wrong reading either format.
Read if you like:
▪️stories about witches
▪️historical fiction
▪️time travel
▪️multi-generational dramas
▪️dual timelines
▪️Adrienne Young
Thank you Atria Books, Primero Sueno Press and Simon Audio for the gifted copies.
October 10, 2024
I hate to say this, but I'm just not loving this book like most others. While the different timelines were interesting in theory, they just kept pulling me in a direction that I don't think the author meant for me to go. The differing timelines are not about the same person either. In one, you have a very young Nena; in the modern timeline, you have an over 90-year-old Nena and her grandniece Marta. Sounds confusing? Maybe, maybe not. I suppose it's all about how you cope with all of this. And let me tell you the last couple of chapters confused me even more!
The author tried very hard to explain how one becomes a witch, how one can time jump, etc., but I think he tried just a little too hard (at least for me). The explanations just kept making me more confused and frustrated.
I loved the 1700s timeline and learning about life in a convent, even if nefarious practices were taking place there!
This was a fast read that even if it weren't my glass of wine, it would most likely be yours!
*ARC was supplied by the publisher Atria/Primero Sueno Press/Simon and Schuster, the author, and ATTL/Edelweiss. My thanks to all.
The author tried very hard to explain how one becomes a witch, how one can time jump, etc., but I think he tried just a little too hard (at least for me). The explanations just kept making me more confused and frustrated.
I loved the 1700s timeline and learning about life in a convent, even if nefarious practices were taking place there!
This was a fast read that even if it weren't my glass of wine, it would most likely be yours!
*ARC was supplied by the publisher Atria/Primero Sueno Press/Simon and Schuster, the author, and ATTL/Edelweiss. My thanks to all.
March 5, 2025
oh my this was definitely something.
the constant switching of POVs, extremely different timelines, uninteresting magic system, characters, and storylines just ruined this book for me. PLUS the stakes were so low I didn’t care about any of the characters or how the book would end.
I’m looking forward to hearing what my class thought about this book because something tells me I won’t be alone in hating it😭
the constant switching of POVs, extremely different timelines, uninteresting magic system, characters, and storylines just ruined this book for me. PLUS the stakes were so low I didn’t care about any of the characters or how the book would end.
I’m looking forward to hearing what my class thought about this book because something tells me I won’t be alone in hating it😭
August 26, 2024
’If you call to the witches, they will come.’
A story shared between three timelines in El Paso 1792, 1943, as well as the more present time. A story of magic, of family, the present and the past, this story blends magical realism with a love story, culture, witches, loss and love, and an interesting cast of characters.
This begins with Marta Montoya’s life, a woman in her 40’s who feels unseen at her work at the non-profit office where she is currently working on a case which she finds increasingly frustrating. Marta and her husband, who is a doctor, have two sons. She also needs to keep an eye on her Tia Nena who somehow managed to ignite a fire in her kitchen, and she realizes she will likely have to care for her, as well.
This shares Nena’s story of her life, a story that is somewhat haunting as the story progresses, a sprinkling of magical realism, with moments of beauty, love and, ultimately, Nena discovering herself and her strength after all these years.
Pub Date: Oct 08 2024
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Atria Books / Atria Primero Sueno Press
August 19, 2024
This book tells the story of a 92 year old woman called Nena who, for most of her life, has had premonitions that, more often than not, come eerily true.
In 1943, she spends most of her days caring for her two sisters' babies and wishing for a more exciting life. One day, she gets her wish when she is somehow transported back in time to 1792 and is taken to a nunnery where the sisters (who are actually also part of a coven) tell her she has a power called La Vista and that they must help her to control it before it takes control of her.
The story went back and forth between three timelines (1792, 1943, and the present). It wasn't always immediately clear when the timeline changed, which made things a bit confusing at times. But the story was intriguing enough to keep me interested and wanting to see how it all worked out in the end.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster for the advance copy!
In 1943, she spends most of her days caring for her two sisters' babies and wishing for a more exciting life. One day, she gets her wish when she is somehow transported back in time to 1792 and is taken to a nunnery where the sisters (who are actually also part of a coven) tell her she has a power called La Vista and that they must help her to control it before it takes control of her.
The story went back and forth between three timelines (1792, 1943, and the present). It wasn't always immediately clear when the timeline changed, which made things a bit confusing at times. But the story was intriguing enough to keep me interested and wanting to see how it all worked out in the end.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster for the advance copy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2024
✨ARC Review✨
I love witchy books and this one is included! Getting into the book was a little slow for me for the first 20 or so pages. The style of writing is a little different than what I am used to and just took a little time to adjust.
Once I was in it, however, I was IN IT. The story is filled with such rich and beautiful storytelling and it was hard to put it down. I loved the dual timeline and thought it was done really well!
The characters were also just really well developed. Personally, I felt that Nena was magnetic and I felt so connected to her and her story - I was invested in her journey from start to finish!
Some themes I picked up on and enjoyed in this book were:
- family and generational connections
- being you, the whole you
- collaborating vs dominating
Overall, I had a great time reading this book and will be recommending it to anybody who will listen. Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and the author for making this advanced readers copy available!
Overall Rating | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love witchy books and this one is included! Getting into the book was a little slow for me for the first 20 or so pages. The style of writing is a little different than what I am used to and just took a little time to adjust.
Once I was in it, however, I was IN IT. The story is filled with such rich and beautiful storytelling and it was hard to put it down. I loved the dual timeline and thought it was done really well!
The characters were also just really well developed. Personally, I felt that Nena was magnetic and I felt so connected to her and her story - I was invested in her journey from start to finish!
Some themes I picked up on and enjoyed in this book were:
- family and generational connections
- being you, the whole you
- collaborating vs dominating
Overall, I had a great time reading this book and will be recommending it to anybody who will listen. Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and the author for making this advanced readers copy available!
Overall Rating | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 13, 2024
It's been a difficult week for reading (for me) so it was nice to hit a book that had such female strength, love, and compassion. I liked learning about the family, the lineage and to read the back and forth. It was a good story, one that I wasn't instantly drawn to but slow burn brought into. The flipping back and forth is a little jarring at first but I found myself finally settling into it.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
October 4, 2024
I won a Goodreads giveaway for this ARC and, unfortunately.... this draggggged for me and I if i could go back, I'd have DNF'd it😭😭😭
I was really excited by the plot description!!
My thoughts:
1- the flipping between one timeline and another wasn't executed great and the flipping points didn't make sense
2- the story itself never really got to a climax point?? and a court case in the plot wasn't really tied in to anything, but, was talked about a whole lot..
***s i g h 💔***
This is set for release October 8th, 2024
I was really excited by the plot description!!
My thoughts:
1- the flipping between one timeline and another wasn't executed great and the flipping points didn't make sense
2- the story itself never really got to a climax point?? and a court case in the plot wasn't really tied in to anything, but, was talked about a whole lot..
***s i g h 💔***
This is set for release October 8th, 2024
October 2, 2024
Thanks to Atria/Primero Sueno Press and Simon Audio for the copies of this book!
I think the advertising of "in the vein of The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina" was accurate - I really enjoyed that book and felt similar vibes in EL PASO. I adore a generational story and time travel,and these honestly made this a really great witchy story. Sometimes I'm a little hesitant knowing it's a man writing a romance element in a story because I don't connect as well but Luis really just did such a fantastic job writing the romance and this entire story!
I think the advertising of "in the vein of The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina" was accurate - I really enjoyed that book and felt similar vibes in EL PASO. I adore a generational story and time travel,and these honestly made this a really great witchy story. Sometimes I'm a little hesitant knowing it's a man writing a romance element in a story because I don't connect as well but Luis really just did such a fantastic job writing the romance and this entire story!
September 16, 2025
Wow! This book swept me away. The writing was gorgeous and full of heart.
The dual POV from two strong women gave the story so much depth. Their voices felt distinct yet intertwined and flowed perfectly.
This felt empowering, enchanting, and deeply moving.
The dual POV from two strong women gave the story so much depth. Their voices felt distinct yet intertwined and flowed perfectly.
This felt empowering, enchanting, and deeply moving.
June 30, 2024
Wild how both books I read over vacation were about the golden threads of the universe and plagues and magic-wielding nuns. I wasn't expecting that with one set in 1300s Italy and this one present day/1940s/1790s El Paso. But it makes sense at the same time, right? All those strings connecting everything.
La Vista is such a cool way to explore magic and nature and forces out of our control that we think that we have figured out until we realize we're just looking at a small piece of big picture. Nena was such a cool character. I preferred her POVs to Marta's mainly because Marta's kids and husband annoyed me and I worried that Marta would just ignore Nena's stories as fanciful rather than truths.
There's also a big plot thread that's completely wound around Marta's storyline that never resolves that I saw. I have more to say on this, but I try to keep my reviews spoiler-free.
Overall, cool cover and a very enjoyable read--I read it in one sitting even if that sitting was a 10-hour car ride, lol.
La Vista is such a cool way to explore magic and nature and forces out of our control that we think that we have figured out until we realize we're just looking at a small piece of big picture. Nena was such a cool character. I preferred her POVs to Marta's mainly because Marta's kids and husband annoyed me and I worried that Marta would just ignore Nena's stories as fanciful rather than truths.
There's also a big plot thread that's completely wound around Marta's storyline that never resolves that I saw. I have more to say on this, but I try to keep my reviews spoiler-free.
Overall, cool cover and a very enjoyable read--I read it in one sitting even if that sitting was a 10-hour car ride, lol.
October 8, 2024
This book was just not for me.
I don’t know if it was the witchy story I didn’t like or just this specific writing and story.
I wish there was POV and time called out in each chapter.
The modern day chapters felt very disjointed and the different timelines didn’t seem to flow together too well.
The past timeline at least seemed to reach a breaking point but the present timeline just felt like it was along for the ride.
I received this eARC in exchange for an honest review
I don’t know if it was the witchy story I didn’t like or just this specific writing and story.
I wish there was POV and time called out in each chapter.
The modern day chapters felt very disjointed and the different timelines didn’t seem to flow together too well.
The past timeline at least seemed to reach a breaking point but the present timeline just felt like it was along for the ride.
I received this eARC in exchange for an honest review
October 25, 2024
This books had so many calls to home in it for me. El Paso, witches, a great aunt named Nena. I loved hearing different things from El Paso that I remembered as a child. The description of chicos tacos made my mouth water. Certain things I checked with my parents to see if they really existed. They did. When it finished I had to double check I was actually done. I wanted more.
November 21, 2024
Such a beautiful story with time travel, magical realism, and some of the most excellent character development Ive read in a long time!
October 11, 2025
The Witches Of El Paso absolutely enchanted me with the story of Elena "Nena" Montoya, an elderly woman who recently moved in with her great-niece Marta in current day El Paso, Texas. As Marta begins to discover the allure of magic, Nena finally shares the story of how she, as a young woman, opened a portal to colonial Mexico and discovered her own magic while living in a convent.
Nena ultimately ended up leaving the convent because her magic became too powerful - she was sent to the home of a wealthy local family to heal their son Emiliano who was dying of smallpox. She fell in love with Emiliano after healing him and became pregnant. Without spoiling too much, I will say that Nena ended back up in 20th Century El Paso, but her baby stayed behind in Colonial Mexico and this absolutely broke my heart. In the current timeline, Nena asks Marta to tap into her magic and help find her lost child.
I saw a lot of reviews complaining about the POV and timeline shifts. We shit between Marta's present day POV, Nena's early 20th century POV (I'm guessing it is maybe in the early 1950's?) and Nena's colonial Mexico POV. While there are not explicit titles in the book delineating the POV or date of each chapter, I really didn't find it difficult to determine. As a non-Spanish speaker, I also had no problem with the mix of Spanish and English throughout the book, but I live in South Texas, so maybe I'm used to it? If I found a Spanish word I didn't recognize, I looked it up - it really wasn't that hard (I do the same thing when I encounter any word in any language with which I am not familiar).
Overall, I thought this was a beautiful story about family, religion, history and magic. I cried so hard while reading the last few chapters, which were beautiful and heartbreaking. Someone here described this book as Tejas Gothic, and I think that is a perfect description. I highly recommend this book, especially to anyone seeking to better understand cultural traditions and history that may differ from their own.
I also need to spend some time dissecting my thoughts on the common theme of sexual abuse and misconduct that were mirrored in Marta's present court case (she is an attorney) and what happened to Nena's frenemy Eugenia with the priest in the convent.
Also, I wish I could eat lunch at La Sirena.
Content Warnings: Separation of mother and newborn, Abuse by clergy member, workplace sexual harassment/abuse
Nena ultimately ended up leaving the convent because her magic became too powerful - she was sent to the home of a wealthy local family to heal their son Emiliano who was dying of smallpox. She fell in love with Emiliano after healing him and became pregnant. Without spoiling too much, I will say that Nena ended back up in 20th Century El Paso, but her baby stayed behind in Colonial Mexico and this absolutely broke my heart. In the current timeline, Nena asks Marta to tap into her magic and help find her lost child.
I saw a lot of reviews complaining about the POV and timeline shifts. We shit between Marta's present day POV, Nena's early 20th century POV (I'm guessing it is maybe in the early 1950's?) and Nena's colonial Mexico POV. While there are not explicit titles in the book delineating the POV or date of each chapter, I really didn't find it difficult to determine. As a non-Spanish speaker, I also had no problem with the mix of Spanish and English throughout the book, but I live in South Texas, so maybe I'm used to it? If I found a Spanish word I didn't recognize, I looked it up - it really wasn't that hard (I do the same thing when I encounter any word in any language with which I am not familiar).
Overall, I thought this was a beautiful story about family, religion, history and magic. I cried so hard while reading the last few chapters, which were beautiful and heartbreaking. Someone here described this book as Tejas Gothic, and I think that is a perfect description. I highly recommend this book, especially to anyone seeking to better understand cultural traditions and history that may differ from their own.
I also need to spend some time dissecting my thoughts on the common theme of sexual abuse and misconduct that were mirrored in Marta's present court case (she is an attorney) and what happened to Nena's frenemy Eugenia with the priest in the convent.
Also, I wish I could eat lunch at La Sirena.
Content Warnings: Separation of mother and newborn, Abuse by clergy member, workplace sexual harassment/abuse
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2024
The Witches of El Paso
by Luis Jaramillo
Thank you so much partner @primerosuenopress @atriabooks for the gifted ARC!
About the book 👇🏽
If you call to the witches, they will come.
1943, El Paso, Texas: teenager Nena spends her days caring for the small children of her older sisters, while longing for a life of freedom and adventure. The premonitions and fainting spells she has endured since childhood are getting worse, and Nena worries she’ll end up like the scary old curandera down the street. Nena prays for help, and when the mysterious Sister Benedicta arrives late one night, Nena follows her across the borders of space and time. In colonial Mexico, Nena grows into her power, finding love and learning that magic always comes with a price.
In the present day, Nena’s grandniece, Marta, balances a struggling legal aid practice with motherhood and the care of the now ninety-three-year-old Nena. When Marta agrees to help search for a daughter Nena left in the past, the two forge a fierce connection. Marta’s own supernatural powers emerge, awakening her to new possibilities that threaten the life she has constructed.
🐞🍂 My thoughts:
Completely atmospheric and bewitching. The longer I sit with this story, the more it penetrates my thoughts. I finished it days ago and still, it’s creeping into my mind. It’s the dark parts of La Vista that I can’t stop thinking about and ultimately my favorite part. With multiple timelines, culture, and the way this story is layered this story was just incredible and I loved everything about it. Not quite like most witchy books I read, this was unusual and innovative and one that will stick with me for some time. I highly recommend giving this book a read! The Witches of El Paso hits shelves 10/8/24!
Happy reading 📖 🍂🐞
by Luis Jaramillo
Thank you so much partner @primerosuenopress @atriabooks for the gifted ARC!
About the book 👇🏽
If you call to the witches, they will come.
1943, El Paso, Texas: teenager Nena spends her days caring for the small children of her older sisters, while longing for a life of freedom and adventure. The premonitions and fainting spells she has endured since childhood are getting worse, and Nena worries she’ll end up like the scary old curandera down the street. Nena prays for help, and when the mysterious Sister Benedicta arrives late one night, Nena follows her across the borders of space and time. In colonial Mexico, Nena grows into her power, finding love and learning that magic always comes with a price.
In the present day, Nena’s grandniece, Marta, balances a struggling legal aid practice with motherhood and the care of the now ninety-three-year-old Nena. When Marta agrees to help search for a daughter Nena left in the past, the two forge a fierce connection. Marta’s own supernatural powers emerge, awakening her to new possibilities that threaten the life she has constructed.
🐞🍂 My thoughts:
Completely atmospheric and bewitching. The longer I sit with this story, the more it penetrates my thoughts. I finished it days ago and still, it’s creeping into my mind. It’s the dark parts of La Vista that I can’t stop thinking about and ultimately my favorite part. With multiple timelines, culture, and the way this story is layered this story was just incredible and I loved everything about it. Not quite like most witchy books I read, this was unusual and innovative and one that will stick with me for some time. I highly recommend giving this book a read! The Witches of El Paso hits shelves 10/8/24!
Happy reading 📖 🍂🐞
October 30, 2024
I loved the magic in this book and the family history. A young lawyer learns that she’s a descendant of witches on her aunts death bed and while spilling family secrets, another bomb is dropped, she also has a cousin that her aunt abandoned years ago, and in a completely different timeline. There’s magic, time traveling and found family. Such a good read!
September 16, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy to read
The Witches of El Paso chronicles the life of Nena through 3 different timelines and showcases her experiences with La Vista and being a witch in 1792, 1943, and present day.
In the present day timeline, Marta, Nena's grand-niece, takes care of her while also trying to maintain her marriage, care for her children, and winning a case to keep the law firm she works for afloat.
I loved the elements of magical realism, ancestral pride and family. Where this story shines is the sheer creativeness and originality of what it means to be a witch. I enjoyed how much the author deviates from the stereotypical "witch" and the 1792 timeline was my favorite part to read.
Unfortunately, this book fell kind of flat for me. I think there was so much potential but I think having 3 timelines made it difficult to fully flesh out all aspects of the story that was introduced. More often than not, I was confused about which timeline I was reading about. There was not enough clarity at the beginning of each switch between chapters, and towards the middle and end of the book the multiple timelines felt convoluted.
The ending was also lackluster. Going back to stories not being fully fleshed out, Marta's lawsuit aspect was the biggest culprit. There was no resolution which led me to feel like overall it did not add anything to the book. This story would not only survive without that conflict, but it would be better for it.
I wanted to like this book more than I did and I'm sad that I don't. This book could've been at least a 4 star for me, but there were too many elements that made it difficult to get through as a reader.
The Witches of El Paso chronicles the life of Nena through 3 different timelines and showcases her experiences with La Vista and being a witch in 1792, 1943, and present day.
In the present day timeline, Marta, Nena's grand-niece, takes care of her while also trying to maintain her marriage, care for her children, and winning a case to keep the law firm she works for afloat.
I loved the elements of magical realism, ancestral pride and family. Where this story shines is the sheer creativeness and originality of what it means to be a witch. I enjoyed how much the author deviates from the stereotypical "witch" and the 1792 timeline was my favorite part to read.
Unfortunately, this book fell kind of flat for me. I think there was so much potential but I think having 3 timelines made it difficult to fully flesh out all aspects of the story that was introduced. More often than not, I was confused about which timeline I was reading about. There was not enough clarity at the beginning of each switch between chapters, and towards the middle and end of the book the multiple timelines felt convoluted.
The ending was also lackluster. Going back to stories not being fully fleshed out, Marta's lawsuit aspect was the biggest culprit. There was no resolution which led me to feel like overall it did not add anything to the book. This story would not only survive without that conflict, but it would be better for it.
I wanted to like this book more than I did and I'm sad that I don't. This book could've been at least a 4 star for me, but there were too many elements that made it difficult to get through as a reader.
October 9, 2024
★⁹⁄₁₀ — netgalley desperately needs a sample option because a blurb being interesting doesn't mean the writing will be. the prose in this was not compatible with me at all. i don't know how else to phrase it. there was literal buzzing in my ears whenever i picked this up. i wasn't able to connect with the story or the characters, and while i didn't care enough to hate anyone, i definitely wasn't feeling any love either. also, i feel like this is the third time i've read this plot? it has a motherhood × family history × time travel thing going on, similar to the unmaking of june farrow and the fallen fruit. similar plots don't really bother me, considering i mostly read ya, but this seems like a very niche concept? and comparing it to the other two made me realize how underwhelming this is. the prose and the voice in twoep were very different from the other two and were far less compelling for me.
thank you to netgalley for the advanced copy.
thank you to netgalley for the advanced copy.
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