Review: The Bewtiching

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A multi-generational account of witchcraft interactions, craftily told in a split-timeline novel from the perspectives of three women in different eras. Moreno-Garcia absolutely delivered on this suspenseful thriller until the last page!

I am usually not one that finds split-timeline novels gripping enough to remain interested in the intertwined plots, connections, and backgrounds. However, Moreno-Garcia executes this method in a way that kept me invested and eagerly looking forward to the next chapter from each era. The book is told from the perspective of characters in 1908, 1934, and 1998, each chapter alternating between the eras. Although with most novels told from the perspective of different people, and especially those told generations apart, there is the initial barrier of setting the scene and getting acquainted with characters that is almost three times the depth of a novel told from one perspective. Despite that, the intros were interesting enough to get you to the main plot without dragging too long.

I think this lands right in the realm of dark academia as Minerva’s, the main character’s, thesis on witchcraft and horror authors stands as a primary driver of plot progression. I found the research and rich history of horror authors to be a great addition to the backdrop and theming of The Bewitching. That being said, I believe this novel fits more comfortably as a multi-layered supernatural thriller with touches of graphic scenes and themes that scratch the edge of horror. The pacing is done well and is a true thriller with portions being unsettling, albeit not to the point of creating any sleepless nights.

The plot itself is strong and kept me hooked throughout the entirety of the book. Even though I was able to identify the twists and reveals at about the 75% mark, the way each plot was executed and played out was enough to keep the suspense and intrigue. I also found the links and connections between the three generations to be done extremely well and was ultimately satisfied with how they joined. The suspense created by going into a life-or-death situation with a witch that has feasted on those around her for decades is further amplified by the characters’ plan to take her down essentially being folklore from three generations prior.

I greatly enjoyed this one and I think it’s great for anybody that is a fan of supernatural suspense. It’s presented well throughout and shines by staying true to its darker depictions of sinister witchcraft.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

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Review: News From The Fallout #1

News From The Fallout #1 by Chris Condon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

News From The Fallout #1 opens with a gripping Cold War horror premise and immediately pulls you into a bleak, irradiated world where silence and shadow do most of the storytelling. Jeffrey Alan Love’s stark black-and-white artwork is stunning and unsettling, creating a heavy atmosphere that feels both timeless and deeply eerie. The creative restraint in dialogue and exposition gives the issue a haunting, dreamlike quality, where every panel feels deliberate and loaded with tension. It is visually bold, atmospheric, and completely committed to its tone, making for a memorable and striking opening chapter.

Where this debut shows its limitations is in how spare the narrative feels. The story is so minimal that some moments land more as impressions than fully grounded beats, and readers looking for stronger character context or a clearer foundation may find themselves wishing for more substance beneath the excellent style. That said, the sparse approach does serve the mood, and the intrigue it builds sets the stage for something bigger. If future issues expand the world and deepen the emotional stakes to match the aesthetic strength, this series could become something truly special.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

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Review: Stalin's Army of Apes: The Mechanized Puppeteers

Stalin's Army of Apes: The Mechanized Puppeteers by Itamar Friedman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A bold Cold War sci-fi concept with strong pacing, but the execution feels trimmed and underdeveloped, leaving narrative gaps where context should be.

Thank you to the publisher for the early review copy.


What Worked

The premise is extremely engaging. A Soviet-era genetic engineering project tied to real historical experimentation provides an immediate hook, and the story loops back to the protagonist’s past in a way that gives the plot a satisfying arc.

It is fast paced, imaginative, and easy to move through. The speculative elements land well, and the overall concept feels fresh. When the book leans into its scientific-thriller angle and Cold War tension, it is energetic and entertaining.

What Didn’t Work

Where the book falters is not in the idea, but in the execution and structure. The story is linear and clear in intent, yet it often reads as though significant passages were cut without updating the surrounding context to support those edits. Characters react to things that were never established, emotional moments arrive without setup, and motivations appear suddenly instead of developing naturally.

Instead of unanswered mysteries, it feels like missing connective tissue. Narrative beats that should bridge scenes, relationships, or decisions seem absent, and the text does not compensate by adjusting dialogue or narration to fill those gaps. It gives the impression of a draft that was shortened for pacing but never structurally reinforced afterward.

Character development suffers as a result. Emotional and interpersonal moments come across shallow not because the ideas lack depth, but because the supporting detail that would make them resonate seems removed.

Terminology and phrasing around intelligence work and military structure also frequently feel inaccurate or simplified, breaking immersion in a story grounded in real geopolitical history.

The effect is a reading experience where you find yourself repeatedly acknowledging something happened, mentally noting the missing context, and pushing forward. Over time, that cumulative "accept it and continue" effort makes it hard to fully believe in the reality the story gestures toward.

Overall Thoughts

This is a creative and engaging speculative premise handled with speed and momentum. If you approach it as pulpy Cold War entertainment and do not expect deep character grounding or fully fleshed-out espionage realism, it can be a fun ride.

However, the narrative feels trimmed rather than crafted at times, and the missing connective context keeps the story from achieving the weight the subject matter invites. A concept this compelling could support more depth, and the lack of development limits the impact this narrative deserves.

For readers who enjoy high-concept alternate history and fast reads, this is worth picking up. For those looking for fully-realized character arcs and tightly constructed realism within speculative fiction, it may fall short of its potential.

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

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