A lawyer and her elderly great-aunt use their supernatural gifts to find a lost child in this “wild, wondrous novel about the magic that is singing all around us” (Julia Phillips, author of Disappearing Earth)—in the vein of The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina and La Hacienda.
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 and longing for a life of 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.
Witches of El Paso by Luis Jaramillo was published October 8, 2024 by Atria/Primero Sueno Press.
My Thoughts: I gave this book 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars. It's a good story with multiple time lines that is both a strength and a weakness at times. If the chapters had had headers with the year, it would have been a little easier to follow. But, this was not necessary to enjoy the book.
There are 3 eras that are visited in this book. I made the mistake of reading this on two devices. With the change in timelines, it felt a little confusing and like I was reading two different books. I think the multiple timelines was necessary for the story and in general worked well otherwise.
The way the magic system worked was intriguing. The importance of song to the magic was interesting. Some members of the coven were stronger in magic than the others. The nuns seemed to need Nena because of this. Later on, Nena needs Marta in the same way. They both find that magic has a price and it is not always what you expect to pay.
If you've read The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina and enjoyed it, that is a good indicator that you will also enjoy this book. Also, if you like historical fiction and magical realism you will most likely enjoy this book. It's definitely worth a read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my review and opinions.
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