"The Witches of El Paso" | Reviewed by Tonya O'Connell

“The Witches of El Paso,” by Luis Jaramillo, is the story of Nena and her grandniece Marta. From the beginning of the book, readers realize the characters are faced with some big problems. Nena’s kitchen seems to have burned a large hole in the wall, all by itself, and Marta’s husband keeps disappearing just as a big court case is getting all her attention.  Nena and Marta need each other’s help, especially when they both start getting troubling, witchy visions that suggest the real supernatural source of their problems lies in the distant past.

Back in 1943, then teenage Nena spends her days caring for the small children of her older sister.  She longs for a life of freedom and adventure.  Nena prays for help, and when mysterious Sister Benedicta arrives late one night, Nena follows her across the borders of space and time to a convent. Once there, Nena discovers if her dreams are real and meaningful or if they are just dreams. 

As Nena experiences the other side, where Sister Benedicta lives, she worries about her sister’s children—how they are being taken care and if she will be able to return to her old life.

Nena has visions and discovers she has powers that Sister Benedicta doesn’t have, powers none of the other sisters possess either. Nena is both afraid and amazed at what she is capable of doing. She also worries about how Sister Benedicta will react to the special powers Nena has.  Nena also is concerned that Sister Benedicta will try to eliminate her or not let her cross back over to her old life.

In the present-day, Marta is trying to balance a struggling legal practice with motherhood and care for her now 93-year-old Nena. The two form a strong connection as they search for a daughter that Nena left in the past. Marta’s own supernatural powers emerge and awaken her to new possibilities.

“The Witches of El Paso” will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they try and discover if the women’s special powers will bring Nena back from the past, and if the women can find Nena’s daughter so that Nena can finally meet her.

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