T. Kingfisher is so brilliant, and I am in awe of everything they have written. Goose Girl was such a good one for their narrative voice to retell and I adored it!

Book Review: A Sorceress Comes To Call

◇Author: T. Kingfisher
◇Genre: Fantasy
◇Pages: 336
◇You might enjoy this if you like
-Ella Enchanted
-Found Family
-Brother’s Grimm retellings

3.5 stars

It's an honor and a privilege to be approved for an ARC of one of my all time favorite authors. I will read anything T. Kingfisher writes! This one ultimately wasn’t my favorite, but still a tender story that kept me on edge.

This is a dark retelling of the Brothers Grimm’s Goose girl. Cordelia often has to be obedient under her mother’s spells, where she has no control over her actions or words. Watching this happen is distressing, but this is contrasted with T. Kingfisher’s signature wit and laugh out loud humor.

This book has so much heart and is a very tender story. Ultimately, there was a lot of conversational fluff between all of the characters throughout this book that I didn’t care for. I thought it really slowed down the plot, and it felt too much like filler. That’s something that kept me from loving this one. However, the last fourth of this book was super fun and I was anchored to my kindle in an effort to keep reading. It felt like we finally got to the meat of the plot, and I couldn’t wait to figure out what happened to our beloved characters.

Thank you TorBooks and Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Having read and enjoyed Nettle & Bone, I was not disappointed by Kingfisher's telling of this story. I found it had just the right dose of Real Bad Stuff, without ever being afraid that Cordelia and Hester might not win out in the end. It was easy to feel fondly toward the posse they assembled to beat Evangeline, and the humble quiet good-ness that ran through the characters was a needed antidote to the horror elements that I don't engage with too often.

Only a side note, but I would not have been mad if this had been a longer read. Most of the characters besides Hester fell rather flat, and could have benefited from some dimensionality that I would have loved more of (looking at you, Penelope and Imogene). Overall, another well-balanced, "dark enough to take seriously with some sweet, honest protagonists" story by Kingfisher! Looking forward to the next.

4.5 Rounding Up

I have been hit and miss with T. Kingfisher lately so I am so happy to have loved this one. This combined a lot of things I think the author does well with the light fantasy elements, historical setting, and hint of romance. There were some really great light horror elements and scenes as well. All around very well paced and enjoyable from start to finish!!

I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't know the story of the Goose Girl, so it wasn't that it was a retelling that made me choose this book - just that I enjoy T. Kingfisher and this book was enjoyable! The sorceress, Evangeline is a villain you love to hate. Hester, Imogene and Penelope are all fun characters. The ending of the book gets a bit grim! But when I was finished with this book I read about the original and in True Grimm's fashion it had it's own disturbing ending. I was sucked into the story and rooting for Cordelia. I loved how the story incorporated geese too!

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Publishing for an advance copy of this book for review.

A Sorceress Comes to Call is a supernatural thriller written in the style of a regency romance. The result of the genre blend is a cocktail of dry witted characters with complex relationships, steadily growing suspense, and whatever it is about folklore that makes it feel true without having to bother with logical explanations for strange happenings. The elements made room for one another’s best features; scenes following Hester were all delighted laughter and romantic pining, where Cordelia’s sections encouraged the feeling of being an animal caught in a snare plucking up the courage to chew off its own limb. I don’t know how T Kingfisher makes all the tones and moods work together, but she does.

I’m a little more confident on the why of my next statement, which is that T Kingfisher is a master of the twisted fairy tale. I’m a big fan of subverting a traditional form to ask questions that preoccupy a modern audience. in particular, I found ASCTC challenges the oft-featured virtues of beauty, obedience, and the sanctity and security of blood-family from fairy tales in a particularly adept way, not by offering answers via counterexample, but by using said examples to ask questions:
What if the most beautiful woman in the room was considered to be so for her wit and warmth and the way she is true to herself (and indeed, she is not the Most Fair Bar None; if you ask Richard, nobody holds a candle to Hester), rather than for being the youngest with clearest skin and purest virtue?
What is obedience, really, when taken to an extreme, and how much agency can one truly be said to have when they’re being obedient?
What if it is your blood that presents the greatest danger to you and others? Where must your loyalty lie?
At no point did I feel preached at, or like I was reading an essay about fairytale, like old favorite tales with their obedient and lovely and youthful heroines were being looked down upon in the reading of ASCTC. I was just reading a gruesome, lovely story, that happened to be in conversation with ones that came before.

Any contention I have with the pace at which information about the central conflict was revealed—eg. Penelope’s introduction as a ghost, when no mention of ghosts was made up to that point—only serves to make the story feel more in keeping with fairy tale tradition. The headless horse digs itself up, erupts into demon form, and disappears after being flapped at by a goose? Solid! Doesn’t even break the top 10 most non-sequiter moments of the folktales I’ve read. The fantastical felt true enough for story and rooted it all more in the genre.

As counterbalance to—or rather, a technique used in tandem with—the use of the fantastical in ASCTC, the realism of the story’s character work helped further root the story in believability beyond the sort you need for a fairy tale. This was true for all the characters, but especially so for Hester and Cordelia, and even Evangeline. Reading Cordelia was heart wrenching in that her POV ran me through an emotional gauntlet; the exhausting, ambivalent feelings landscape of an abused child are difficult to read. She balances a hatred of her abuser, fear, and a desire under it all that Evangeline will stop and love her the way she’s claiming she has been the whole time, all the way through. It is a triumph and a relief when Cordelia realizes that the only way she will ever be free is if she stops hoping for change on Evangeline’s part and instead takes matters into her own hands. For Hester’s part, her anxieties around her chronic pain and aging into oblivion hit as true today as they would in the Regency period. I was delighted to see an “older” woman take up space (both diegetically and as a POV character) and be desired; she’s not taking the usual roles of an older woman in fairy tale (1. Jealous villain, 2. Infallibly wise mentor, or 3. Dead virtuous Saint). The two of these characters in tandem carry the story’s emotional landscape, and I will be thinking about the both of them long after the book’s closed and this review is posted.

I recommend A Sorceress Comes to Call for readers who love fallible characters doing their best against stacked odds, and anyone disappointed by the toothlessness of the Grimm Brothers fairytales.

I don't always enjoy fairy tale retellings but T. Kingfisher does this retelling of Goose Girl justice. It captured the darkness of the Grimm's fairytales, while adding thriller and horror vibes. Cordelia and her mother are complex characters that evokes many emotions from the readers. Immersive, beautiful and dark story.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!

I have long heard of T. Kingfisher’s writing and was more than happy to see what all the fuss was about! Though this was my first novel by the author, it certainly won’t be the last!

I am unfamiliar with the Brother’s Grimm tale that lends inspiration to A Sorceress Comes to Call, but that didn’t matter in the end. I was purely entranced by the writing and storytelling and ate this right up.

This story is told from the dual pov’s of Cordelia, the young abused daughter of the sorceress, and Hester, the not easily fooled sister of the squire the sorceress is trying to trap into marriage.

Hester is a clever lady who knows something is amiss with Evangeline and does everything she can to thwart her brother’s attentions away from her. She cares for Cordelia and so tries to navigate both getting rid of Evangeline while also helping the young girl. I really enjoyed Hester’s character and reading from her pov.

In Cordelia’s pov, I could FEEL her fear and anxiety of upsetting her mother and the constant foreboding. Afraid of saying the wrong thing or stepping a toe out of line, added to the already eerie setting. As the story continues to unfold we see Cordelia gaining the strength to stand up to her mother and I quite enjoyed her character growth.

The writing was absolutely beautiful and immersive. I could easily picture the setting and was fully captivated throughout. The side characters were wonderful additions that felt just as fleshed out as the main characters. This story was dark and eerie with some magical elements, perfect for the Autumn season. I definitely recommend giving this book a read!

A creepy Regency fairy-tale from Kingfisher, showing off her horror chops. Cordelia is the daughter of a sorceress, a woman so powerfully manipulative that a fourteen year old has no chance to stop her. Or does she? Once again, Kingfisher pits an older, practical heroine against magical powers, and along with a flock of geese, they just might prevail.

Fascinating though this retelling is, with the horror elements ramping up and a slow-spun thread of dread, there was a chance to reflect more deeply on the imbalance of power: Cordelia and her mother are no one in society. They are poor. The sorceress’ wiles are already remarked upon as tactics that conniving women use upon rich men - but with no other option to rely upon, what woman wouldn’t use magic if she had access to it? I would have enjoyed a little more exploration of this, as Cordelia’s essentially reliant on the good nature of the wealthy in order to make any headway at all. Fortunately, of course, they are a benevolent and loveable cast.

Do check the trigger warnings for this one. I hugely enjoyed both the geese and the horse.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As always, T. Kingfisher doesn't disappoint. The macabre storytelling is balanced with comedic moments. Some pretty unhinged things occur, and trigger warnings will be important for some people before diving into this one. It was one that kept my attention and that I anticipate talking to my book friends in depth about.

The cast of characters were interesting, and it is easy to tell the ones who have been friends for a long time. Their banter and easy conversation helps the story flow well. It was amusing to see how some characters believed the mystical bits easily, but others seemed to need to see it to be completely convinced. In the end, it seems that it is not best to try to control others completely.

Thanks to NetGalley for my eARC of this book.

🧙Book Review🧙
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Summary- Cordelia knows her mother is . . . unusual. Their house doesn’t have any doors between rooms—there are no secrets in this house—and her mother doesn't allow Cordelia to have a single friend. Unless you count Falada, her mother's beautiful white horse. The only time Cordelia feels truly free is on her daily rides with him.

But more than simple eccentricity sets her mother apart. Other mothers don’t force their daughters to be silent and motionless for hours, sometimes days, on end. Other mothers aren’t evil sorcerers.

When her mother unexpectedly moves them into the manor home of a wealthy older Squire and his kind but keen-eyed sister, Hester, Cordelia knows this welcoming pair are to be her mother's next victims. But Cordelia feels at home for the very first time among these people, and as her mother's plans darken, she must decide how to face the woman who raised her to save the people who have become like family.
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Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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My thoughts- thank you @netgalley and @tor for the advanced copy. This beauty came out last week and I truly can’t recommend it enough. This book is so beautiful and so deep. I loved the characters, Cordelia and Hester were just absolute gems. This book read like a fairytale and was a retelling of goose girl, unfamiliar with that title 😂. I found this one to be super heartwarming and really beautifully written. I can’t recommend this enough 😍
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QOTD- how was your weekend ?!

This was my first T. Kingfisher book and I was pleasantly surprised. I went into this thinking it was going to be a fantasy book but in reality it was more paranormal thriller. It gave found family vibes as well which I always love. There are heavier topics such as child abuse but the ending made it worth it. I loved the characters, Cordelia and Hester were amazing. I loved Alice the ladies maid. And listening to the audiobook actually was very enjoyable especially with the dual narration. I will for sure be picking up more books by this author!

I have to admit I was maybe not paying complete attention when I signed up to read this book. Paying attention to the "fairytale retelling" and not enough to "dark". This really is dark and I would not recommend to younger readers or people who aren't into horror. That being said, for the rest of us, this is a gem. Great characters, absolutely atrocious villains, and a surprising take on a comedy of manners setting. Such fun!

This was by far one of my favorite reads this year! I enjoyed everything about it, the narrative, setting and tone were just perfect. I am a fan of Kingfisher so I had expected I’d like this book and I think it was so good.

T. Kingfisher never misses for me, and A Sorceress Comes to Call is no exception. A mix of engaging plot and endearing (or enraging, in the case of antagonists) characters, this book proved a quick and satisfying read.

I wasn't sure going in how I would feel about this book. I had not previously read anything by T. Kingfisher, but I had seen her around before and was curious. Based on the summary, I was certain I would like it, but I wasn't sure if the vibe was going to be my thing--it's definitely outside of my norm. I was quite pleasantly surprised, however, when I loved this book. I can see where the style wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea, but it ended up being just what I needed.

The plot and folktale retelling was intriguing and I loved the dual POV between Cordelia and Hester. This book was atmospheric and eerie with a bit of genre-bending that I found fascinating. The pacing and writing was top notch, the cast of characters brilliant, and the story overall very enjoyable.

Scheming for a wealthy husband, etiquette and sentiments befitting proper ladies, obstinate, headstrong women, witty turns of phrase. This may sound like a Jane Austen novel, but then a malevolent doom enters the room. A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher is like Pride and Prejudice and parental abuse. Mansfield Park but make it murdery. Or Sense, Sensibility, and Sorcery.

The POV switches between Cordelia (nervous and unsure and tormented by her evil mother) and Hester (middle-aged spinster-by-choice suffering from chronic pain but who’s sharp and clever wit is nothing short of delightful). I adored them both. If you’ve read and loved T. Kingfisher’s books, you know that the humor and quirkiness of the characters and dialogue are always perfect. And this one is no exception. Even when the pace of the novel slowed down a bit, my attention never strayed, because the characters’ thoughts and dialogue are just so entertaining. And I am convinced I spotted a Taylor reference.

By the time I reached the last fourth of the book, I was sure that A Sorceress Comes to Call would be my favorite by Kingfisher. The action leading up to the climax was so intense. I was on the edge of my seat. And then…poof. It was like everything I expected from the ending just disappeared in a cloud of smoke. But, this may just be me.

The more I’ve thought about it, the more I’d say I did still love A Sorceress Comes to Call, and I highly recommend it to T. Kingfisher fans and fans of witches and gothic literature.

Thank you Tor Books for the copy to read and review.

I was thrilled to get an ARC of A Sorceress Comes to Call, because Kingfisher has become one of my to-to authors. This is a retelling of The Goose-Girl… but a little loosey-goosey with the details. (Apologies for the pun. I couldn’t resist. ) It’s more of a reimagining than a retelling, all-in-all. For being billed specifically as a “dark retelling,” it honestly wasn’t much darker than the original. That marketing is probably meant for people who only know the watered-down Disney versions and think the world “fairytale” is synonymous with words like “happy” and “charming.” So A Sorceress Comes to Call is much more in line with the original. And since I cut my teeth on The Brothers Grimm, it is no surprise that I enjoy Kingfisher’s novels so well.

"It was the calm of a burned-out house or a ravaged field, the calm that comes where there is no longer anything to lose."

I loved the characters. The story has two third person POVs: Cordelia, the isolated, abused but stalwart daughter of the sorceress and Hester, the wily spinster sister of the sorceress’s latest target. Both of them were endearing and entertaining.

It was also a story that centered on women. The main characters and the villain are all women as well as several side characters. And nearly all of them are strong in their own way. The story expertly explores the different relationships between those women while contrasting supportive female friendships with toxic relationships. But it was all handled in a subtle way, not the in-your-face preachy kind.

This story did not have as much snark as many of Kingfisher’s other books. It had heart for sure, but it did not have that trademark sass that I expect from Kingfisher books. Oh, there were certainly moments of it. And I enjoyed those snippets greatly.

“‘Eh?’ Hester realized that her brother had been speaking. ‘What was that? You have to speak up, my hearing’s not what it was.’ (This was entirely untrue, but she had found that it was a very good excuse when she had simply been ignoring a dull conversation.)”

A Sorceress Comes to Call was macabre and creepy but not as horror based as some of Kingfisher’s other books. The scariest part was probably how the sorceress could control other people’s bodies and Cordelia’s descriptions of her mother forcing her “obedience” by controlling her body and making her outwardly act like the perceived perfect daughter.


There also was not much worldbuilding. It was vaguely set in late 1800s England but without giving specific details. I suppose, not much detail was needed if you just accept it was very close to the rules of that time and place but with magic added in. For a real-life anchor, the story frequently quotes The Ladies' Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness – a real book from 1860 full of repressive strictures for young women.

It did take the horror elements a long time to build steam. For a novella, it was fairly slow-burn with nearly all the action happening at the end of the book. But then again, since it was a novella, readers don’t have long to wait to get to that part. For me, the characters were compelling enough to hang around even in the parts that were mostly dialogue. Though I can imagine that if the main characters don’t resonate with a reader, they probably won’t enjoy the story.

Although not my favorite of Kingfisher’s stories, I did still appreciate A Sorceress Comes to Call. I will continue to read pretty much anything she writes, because I love her witty, creepy writing style!


RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 4 Stars
Writing Style: 4 Stars
Characters and Character Development: 4 Stars
Plot Structure and Development: 3 Stars
Level of Captivation: 4 Stars
Originality: 3 Stars

T Kingfisher is an absolute master of storytelling. I devoured this clever, heartfelt book. I think this is the fourth book of hers I’ve read and I’m struck again and again by the creativity of her storytelling, the way she breathes new life into old stories and tropes.

A Sorceress Comes to Call was a great fantasy with more horror elements than I initially expected. Cordelia’s mother is absolutely horrible, and much of the tension of this comes from how terrified Cordelia is of her. This book is a bit slower paced than some others by T. Kingfisher, but it does pay off in the end.

Note: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.