T. Kingfisher does it again. As usual, this is a relatively short and sweet story that can be think of as a fairytale remix, broadly interpreted (for this one, branching off of the goose girl). Her trademark wit shines in writing of this story, and you can also expect her usual strong characterization, especially for the mature characters.

This story has some instances of darkness, and the villain is definitely villainous, but the gruesome moments are few and far between, and definitely not gratuitous. There is some psychological horror regards to manipulation and control, that definitely creates an unnerving mood for particular moments in the story. However, this book is also very heartfelt, and the friendships and bonds between our child MC and the rest of the characters who grow to care for her are well-executed. I especially loved the friendships between Hester, her female friends, and Richard.

This book is focused on relationships and mood more than worldbuilding or plot- there is plot, but it’s not particularly twisty or unpredictable. However, it serves as an excellent backdrop for Hester to shine or even Cordelia to on occasion. Hester I would say was the heart and soul of the book, with her intelligence and her compassion and her love for her friends and family. Cordelia is sweet and sympathetic, and I appreciated watching her grow, but is much closer to a typical YA/middle grade protagonist. The mood- magic and manipulation and nightmares and ghosts- was the other big presence in the book. Definitely an ongoing uncanny feeling, just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Overall, this was an excellent and pretty short read. Sweet and spooky moments, with humor throughout. 4.75

I plan to feature this book and my review on Instagram in the future, and I will update with the link here when I do (in the next week or two)

I think I read this book in under four hours. The pacing, the plot, the characters- all of it kept me hooked right from the beginning. The concept of the daughter of a sorceress being an unwilling companion of a horrible woman was a fascinating and very interesting plot. The use of magic that a “sorceress” posesses was also very interesting and unique and I found the concept of “obedience” to be a very beautiful metaphor about a woman trying to control everything in her life, and especially her child. Hester and the other nobles in the story also showed a side of wealth that I thought portrayed how people of different social strata view money, even within tiers of nobility itself. This came to light especially when the maid was upset that Cordelia was not ordering her around enough, as she felt confused in her role. T.Kingfisher did a wonderful job writing this story, and definitely kept me guessing as to the true extremes Evangeline would go to to get what she wanted, as well as kept me guessing as to what it was she actually wanted. There was also a gloriously satisfying conclusion and all in all I ate this book up!

"A Sorceress Comes to Call" by T. Kingfisher is an enchanting and captivating tale that will sweep readers off their feet and into a world of magic, mystery, and courage. Kingfisher's masterful storytelling transports readers to a realm where sorcery and darkness collide, and where one young girl must find the strength to stand up to the evil that threatens her newfound family.

At the heart of the story is Cordelia, a young girl whose life is upended when she discovers the true nature of her mother's powers. As Cordelia navigates the dangerous machinations of her mother's sorcery, she must also grapple with questions of loyalty, identity, and the meaning of family.

What sets "A Sorceress Comes to Call" apart is its richly drawn characters and immersive world-building. From Cordelia's mysterious mother to the kind-hearted Squire and his keen-eyed sister, every character leaps off the page with depth and complexity. Kingfisher's evocative prose and vivid descriptions bring the manor home and its surroundings to life, creating a setting that feels both magical and menacing.

But perhaps the true magic of "A Sorceress Comes to Call" lies in its exploration of themes of bravery, resilience, and the power of love. As Cordelia faces impossible odds and grapples with her own inner demons, readers will find themselves rooting for her every step of the way.

Overall, "A Sorceress Comes to Call" is a spellbinding and unforgettable read that will leave readers breathless. Kingfisher's skillful blend of fantasy and adventure makes this a must-read for fans of magical storytelling.

2024 has been a year of very, very few five stars and I'm so beyond pleased to have found another one in A Sorceress Comes to Call. This book was a pleasant surprise on all fronts, especially considering the fact that this is only my second T. Kingfisher novel (and that I gave the first one I read by her ~3 stars).

I'm not a regency era person by any stretch of the imagination, but the setting and atmosphere of Sorceress was absolutely delightful. I loved the references to high society and learning about it through Cordelia's eyes. I also loved that, though we were in the head of a 14 year old for a good portion of the novel, we also got to experience parts of this novel from Hester, who is in her fifties, as well. That duality lent this novel such a unique voice and I loved when we swapped between perspectives (a rare occurrence for me, as I typically don't always vibe with some of the perspectives I read from). On top of that, the characters were all so loveable and compelling. T. Kingfisher managed to write such believable, interesting relationships for people that we aren't even really introduced to until the ~35% mark of the novel. It takes really excellent skill as a storyteller, in my opinion, to make a reader believe that characters have been friends for decades, and Sorceress accomplishes this easily.

And though this book is NOT love story, I couldn't help but root for the romance subplot and all that it entailed. In particular, I just loved Hester. I love how relatable her fears and anxieties are, and I love that despite all of that, she still got a happy ending that aligned with her own terms. Honestly, I'd read an entire novel on Hester and Richard alone -- give me their goose breeding shenanigans, I'd eat it up!

Finally, I want to talk about how carefully T. Kingfisher handles abusive parental figures and what it means to break the cycle of abuse. Cordelia is a wonderfully written character because she's so ridiculously relatable. Both her guilt and fear were so visceral that, like Hester, I felt my own sense of dread build and build and build as this novel progressed. It's difficult to break free from a parent who sees you as an extension of themselves and nothing more, and I love Cordelia's growth and the development of her autonomy!

Okay I guess this is the real final thing, but T. Kingfisher really is a master at atmosphere and subtle horror. There were so many times throughout this novel that I was genuinely frightened, which really is just another example of how excellent a storyteller Kingfisher is.

Definitely put this book on your radar and pick it up on release. It's a masterpiece.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

T. Kingfisher's latest book sucks you in and keeps you glued to the page waiting for resolution. The story starts with the typical unhappy mother/daughter relationship, but it becomes apparent that this relationship is wrong. Really wrong. The mother is a sorceress and has plans for herself and her unwitting daughter that will shatter the innocence of those caught up in the path of destruction. I am not familiar with the fairy tale "The Goose Girl" so I don't know how closely this tale follows the original but I will have to remedy that soon.

Gosh, T. Kingfisher can do no wrong.

This blends so many different elements of various genres, it's hard to pin down what to technically call it. It's part fantasy, part Agatha Christie-style English Country House mystery, and part supernatural and horror. There's also a bit of upstairs/downstairs comedy, a lot of working through still-present trauma and abuse, and a lot of talk of marrying eligible bachelors and going to the city for the "season."

Anyway, as always, Kingfisher knocks it clean out of the park. I loved this. It was unexpected and delightful and then also very horrifying and a horse (or what used to be a horse) is described as "scuttling like a crab." No thank you. But definitely read it!

I read this immediately despite it being deep in my TBR pile because it was the first book from this author I have heard so much about that came into my possession. I was so happy to not be disappointed! This book went by quickly, exceeding my expectations, and I truly hope more are published in this universe. This book at its core is about taking control after a lifetime of helplessness. It is inspiring and lovely. There is a very sweet romance involving a demographic we rarely see in love in literature: two people in their 50s. The villain is truly villainous to their core, and the ending was extremely satisfying. The only slight thing I wish was different was Cordelia’s characterization. I did not understand her the way I should with the amount of time spent on her in the text. I know this is largely because she does not understand herself, but I really wanted her to spend less time cowering and more time self-realizing. Would love a sequel where she explores her potential more!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for this ARC!

A Sorceress Comes to Call is T. Kingfisher’s newest fantasy, a regency retelling of “Goose Girl.” Cordelia has always been enslaved by her mother (sometimes literally as Evangeline is a sorceress with mind control powers) and has long been cowed into submission. But when her mother forces her friend’s father to go after his family with an axe, steals his carriage, and brings them to the city to marry well and find 14-year-old Cordelia a wealthier husband, Cordelia’s conscious won’t allow her to be obedient…except when forced.

Cordelia finds allies in the people her mother targets and together they see about bringing down the sorceress and her evil horse.

Overall, A Sorceress Comes to Call is not the closest of fairytale retellings…but it is an amazing book.

This was such a fun book!

T. Kingfisher has a way with characters and Cordelia’s arc may be my favorite thus far. As a social anxious person, see her fumble through society and doubt herself was like looking in a mirror and I was so proud of the growth she experienced.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor for the ARC!

4.75/5

Kingfisher just gets better and better - this sideways retelling of "The Goose Girl" has a lot of my favorite elements of her work including a found family, believable older women characters, and some delightful body horror! Falada is a truly memorable touch, A+!

This is my first T. Kingfisher book and it has opened me up to a whole new magical world of possibilities. I have seen a lot of praise for this author's writing online and now I know that T. Kingfisher is the real deal. I was completely engulfed in this sad, occult, scary, and even downright laugh out loud book. I read it in less than 48 hours. Halfway through the book I went on Amazon and added at least half a dozen books by Kingfisher into my wishlist. I am now obsessed.

Back to this story, within the first five pages, I was hooked. Cordelia is a meek, scared, yet delightful, fourteen year old with a ruthless and ambitious sorceress for a mother - and that's really all you need to know (I don't love going into books with a lot of knowledge of the plot because I like to be surprised so I'll do the same for you.) Kingfisher delivers such masterful and enchanting writing in this story that I could imagine each scene and feel every emotion.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group for this arc. Honestly one of my favorite books of the year.

T. Kingfisher continues to prove her talent with A Sorceress Comes to Call, a delightful novel based on the Grimm fairytale "The Goose Girl". The story follows a toxic mother and her obedient daughter who seeks to break free from her control. When the mother, an evil sorceress, targets new victims, the daughter is determined to stop her. Despite the weighty premise, the book is a breezy and captivating read.

The supporting characters truly shine in this story, each one vibrant and human, leaping off the page. It's impossible not to root for the good guys, flawed as they may be, in contrast to the wicked mother who is convincingly villainous. While lacking sympathy, the mother is well-developed and excels at being bad.

A Sorceress Comes to Call offers something for everyone, blending fantasy, human romance, adventure, and a hint of horror. I highly recommend this book to those seeking a fun read that delves into the complexities of family dynamics.

T. Kingfisher isn't the only exceptionally talented paranormal thriller author whose books I eagerly devour; she's the one I'd even volunteer to read if she ever ventured into writing scripts for Bachelorette shows (though thankfully, she's far too smart for that). Her books are simply phenomenal, consistently earning nothing less than five stars from me. After realizing that I've devoured ten of her books, with only one receiving a four-star rating, I can confidently say that each one deserves all the praise it gets. They're unique, eerie, heart-throbbing, and utterly unputdownable, featuring original characters and eccentric plot lines that keep me hooked from start to finish.

Her latest paranormal thriller, a reimagining of the Brothers Grimm's "Goose Girl," delves deep into the disturbing theme of parental abuse with horrifying devilish vibes. Cordelia, a fourteen-year-old girl, finds herself trapped in a nightmarish existence under the tyrannical rule of her sorceress mother, Evangeline. Controlled and manipulated for years, Cordelia is isolated from the outside world, her only confidant being the eerie horse, Falada, who serves as her mother's familiar.

But Cordelia soon discovers that her mother's powers extend far beyond mere manipulation, as Evangeline sets her sights on the wealthy Squire and his companion, Hester. Unbeknownst to Evangeline, Hester senses the impending danger and begins her own scheme to thwart her. With the help of family friends, Miss Penelope Grenn and her lover Richard, Hester orchestrates a gathering at their home, hoping to expose Evangeline's true nature before it's too late.

As tensions rise and secrets unravel, Cordelia must find the courage to confront her mother and the horrors that lurk within their household. Can Hester and her allies stop Evangeline before she unleashes unspeakable evil upon them all?

Overall, this reimagined paranormal thriller is a quick, heart-throbbing ride filled with twists and turns that kept me eagerly turning the pages. I can't wait to dive into T. Kingfisher's next book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This is my second Kingfisher book and I think I'm now hooked!

What stuck out were the characters. They all felt lived in and filled with history. Cordelia was a delight, her growth from this timid, abused child into someone who has seen the world opened up to her. I LOVED Hester! There is something about older female protagonists that speaks to my soul. She's felt a full and complex inner life that felt lived in and bigger than her relationship with Cordelia and the plot.

Kingfisher does a good job at making Evangeline delightfully evil but also grounded at the same time. I get the whole being scorned by a man and how not being given the life you wanted for yourself could drive a person off the cliff. It's clear that no one has ever given her much of a challenge and her downfall is expected but so good to watch.

I was surprised by the regency setting!

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Books for this arc!!

A Sorceress Comes to Call
By T. Kingfisher

No surprise, I absolutely loved it! Kingfisher just has this way with characters and ideas that make her books so magical. There’s humor and tenderness and a little bit of the horrific. Definitely add this one to your list!

Thanks to @netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Femme fatale with creepy horse

The publisher identifies T. Kingfisher's (AKA Ursula Vernon's) A Sorceress Comes to Call as 'a dark reimagining of the Brothers Grimm's "The Goose Girl," rife with secrets, murder, and forbidden magic'. That's fairly accurate. The Goose Girl (Die Gänsemagd) is one of the more obscure Grimm's fairy tales, by which I mean it has never, to my knowledge, been the basis of a Disney feature film, and therefore is less known than, say, Cinderella or Snow White.

If you're familiar with Grimm's Fairy Tales, you might be inclined to remark that they're pretty dark already. We owe the familiar upbeat children's romances mostly to such Bowdlerizers as Andrew Lang and, of course, Walt Disney. However, The Goose Girl strikes me as dark, even for Grimm. Most Grimm's Fairy Tales are more gruesome and bloody than scary. But The Goose Girl is more than that. There are terror and psyops. In The Goose Girl a servant woman tries to trap a prince into a marriage under false pretenses, by taking the place of a princess, whom she intimidates and from whom she forces an oath of silence.

Also, there's a super creepy horse called Falada. This is right in Ursula Vernon's wheelhouse. She's still working through some trauma resulting from a scary horse incident when she was twelve years old. Set her lose on a story with a Falada in it, and she'll give you one Hell of a scary horse. Give her the opportunity to include some heroic birds, and she's right at home. (There are no Evil Rose Bushes in this one, though.)

"Reimagining" is a good word. A Sorceress Comes to Call is not so much a retelling of The Goose Girl as a new story built on its bones. In A Sorceress Comes to Call the seductress Evangeline is a powerful sorceress -- a classic femme fatale with extra magic mojo. Much of the story is told from the point of view of her oppressed daughter Cordelia, who in part plays the role of the princess in the original story.

The first 80% of the book is a straightforward femme fatale story -- the entrapment of the male quarry by the sorceress, resisted by his and her relations. But at 80% the "dark, weird" turns up to 11. The story ends with a satisfying Bang.

I thank Tor and NetGalley for an advance reader copy of A Sorceress Comes to Call. Release date 6-Aug-2024.

I'm a huge T. Kingfisher fan so I was really excited to get this ARC. I'm a bigger fan of her fantasy books specifically her Paladin series. I'm not as familiar with her horror writing but I liked that this book fell somewhere in the middle. I would put this book in the same category as Nettle and Bone or What Moves the Dead. I really liked the characterization work and the suspense was artfully done. I loved the dry, witty humor and I liked that we got to bounce between POVs of the daughter Cordelia and the sister, Hester. The story kept me on the edge of my seat and I really liked how the plot wrapped up in the end.

Absolutely amazing! T. Kingfisher has truly done it again, I'm a huge fan of everything they've put out and this didn't disappoint at all! It gave that usual cozy fantasy vibe while providing such a unique plot line. That's my favorite aspect of their writing! It never feels like a story I've even somewhat heard before. Will absolutely be recommending this to others! I'm hoping this can be a purchase for our library as well. It's at the top of my list!

This was a fabulously satisfying read, full of magic, found family, and drama with just the right amount of tension. Cordelia’ struggles with a wicked mother who aspires to wealth and status finally finds herself in a small community that teaches her what love truly is. This story grabbed me from the first page and didn’t let go. I will definitely share this with our customers and I am adding T. Kingfisher’s other books to my TBR.

Omg. How can she scare me , make me comforted, and then break my heart?

Likes:
Well it's T. Kingfisher and she is one of my favorite authors. I will love and support her work whenever it comes out.

The characters, especially Hester. I enjoyed her character and point of view the most. I have a friend that reminded me a lot of Hester, and so was able to envision her. Let me just tell you, it was like having my firend I haven't seen for years besides me for a few days.

Penelope Green - ugh! She seems like an old-school cool type person that I know I will never be, but have tried many times to emulate.

Lady Strauss - just an all around defender of her friends. I love it.

Willard and Alice. Dependable, good-natured people to be surrounded by.

Finally the bad guys! They are actually bad you know? Like there is no redemption for them and they were truly scary. For example, being made obedient, and just watching your mother use your body as a puppet... The opening description of being made to sit still in a church pew, unable to move, as a fly walks across your hand. Feeling the individual hairs of the fly's foot pierce the skin, the idea gives me the ick. Look, here's a picture of a fly's foot. No thank you.

(I wasn't able to post the picture here for Netgalley. Believe me, lots of prickles .)

Ok, enough about flies. I know they are mostly harmless, but I would definitely have sent that fly flying.

The amazing thing about T. Kingfisher's writing here is that all the characters are flawed, but it isn't portrayed negatively. I have never cared for books where the main character is flawless, beautiful, and perfect. I have never met anyone like that in real life and it all feels so fake. I mean, I get that fiction is usually a suspension of disbelief, but I want to be able to relate to most of the characters I am reading about.

Dislikes:

The pacing. I adore novella's and T. Kingfisher writes the best of them. So when I saw that this was over 300 pages I was a bit surprised, and this might be why I felt that it got a little slow to the action.

The romance. Listen, it might not even be fair to write this. I was not in the mood for a romantic tale. I found Hester's reasoning's to be selfish and frustrating. Also, when I talk about flawed characters, this was the one spot where I was the most disappointed. Every single time she talked about how old she was and how undeserving she was for love, made me roll my eyes.

Anyways, this is a 4.5 star book for me. I loved it. I wish T. Kingfisher would actually hire me as a beta reader and email me everyday with her newest writings. I think it would be a win win really. She would get my undying loyalty (which I mean she already has), and I in turn would get awesome things to read without having to wait.

Which actually brings me to the last bit of my review. As I don't have an in with T. Kingfisher, I'd like to give my thanks to the awesome people over at Netgalley and Tor who approve my requests for her books. THANK YOU!


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　Chapter 8 -- Page: 68
“None whatsoever,” said Hester dryly. “Otherwise people might get on them.” She turned to Doom. “There was a terrible murder in Little Haw, you see, and your daughter was overset by the thought that she might know the victims.”
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　Chapter 8 -- Page: 69
Doom’s glance was quick and cold. Hester smiled comfortably and adjusted her shawl.
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　Chapter 10 -- Page: 82
“Walk,” she ordered finally. “To the far wall and back.” Cordelia obeyed, trying not to stumble. She wasn’t used to thinking about how she walked, and suddenly the whole concept of walking seemed completely absurd. You fell forward and put out a foot to catch yourself before you sprawled on the ground. And then you did it again? And this was normal?
It’s like thinking about blinking. The moment you think about it, you start to worry that you aren’t blinking often enough, or too often and now I’m thinking about blinking, oh dear . . .
Still, her feet took care of themselves while she was worried about blinking too much, so that was a small mercy.
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　Chapter 17 -- Page: 154
“The student has, I think, outshone the master.”
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　Chapter 20 -- Page: 180
She let her mouth witter on, hoping that her brain would come up with something brilliant in the interim. It declined to do so.
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　Chapter 28 -- Page: 244
and dogs made of bones.
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　Chapter 28 -- Page: 247
Willard
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　Chapter 29 -- Page: 248
Worse than the eyestrain was the fear that she would miss something vital. She would often find herself halfway down a page with no memory of what she had just read, and would be forced to start again.
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