The Witches of El Paso

A Novel

By: Luis Jaramillo

Narrated by: Raquel Beattie

“Luis Jaramillo weaves a captivating tale of family, tradition, and the enduring power of love.” —Reyna Grande, author of A Ballad of Love and Glory

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.

“Sexy, smart, and soulful, Luis Jaramillo’s The Witches of El Paso pulls us across borders and time to get to the essence of what it means for families to survive this beautiful, fractured world” (Mira Jacob, author of Good Talk).

Critic reviews

"Raquel Beattie’s rich narration takes listeners on this multigenerational journey of self-discovery. Martha, a lawyer who is trying to juggle marriage, career, and two kids, suddenly has to care for her elderly Grandaunt Nena. Spending time with Nena, Martha finally acknowledges the magic pulsing inside her. Nena reveals that in her youth, witches took her to an eighteenth-century convent, where she gave birth to her daughter, who remained in the eighteenth century. Beattie lowers her voice when portraying the nonagenarian Nena, who longs to find her daughter. Martha has a smooth voice that reflects her analytical mind even when she’s faced with the supernatural. Beattie narrates this family saga in a warm, whimsical tone reflecting the power of family and the rich history of El Paso."

I loved this book and its perofrmance

When I listen to some books it seems that they were written to be read. The Witches of El Paso is such a book. Ordinarily witches and the supernatural and time travel are not my favorite genre, but Jaramillo makes it feel so right. It is full of sumptuous smells, tastes, sights, and intense feeling. I would be happy for a sequel--unless the magic is gone!

complex and intriguing

There are more forces around us than we are often aware of, this story walks with them.

Pay attention or you will be lost

I give this book three stars because it was a good and interesting read, even if it was not always easy to follow. I really enjoyed the way the story mixed historical fiction with present time and blended witchcraft and religion to show how deeply they are intertwined. The focus on the progress of women and the tale of the family, especially the bond between the sisters, was one of my favorite parts. I also loved the traditional aspects of Mexico and the Mexican culture woven throughout the story, along with the history of how part of Mexico became the United States. The only downside for me was the constant switching of timelines, which can get confusing if you are not paying close attention. Overall it was a thoughtful and unique story, just one that requires a little patience and focus to fully appreciate.

Great potential, subpar delivery

The story felt anticlimactic, neither the past nor present timelines were fully developed. The mix of English and Spanish also felt unnatural. I’m a Latina who switches between both languages regularly, but here it came across as forced, more for emphasis than as a reflection of how people actually speak. The performance was just okay, which made it even harder to stay engaged. Overall, a great concept that fell flat in execution.

Loved the Story!

Please tell me there is a book 2!

Narrator isn't from the Southwest. She mispronounced several commo words. Other than that I loved the female leads. Magic was great, not overwhelming and I liked the time travel part.