A dark twisted retelling of the classic Goose Girl fairytale.

This book is tense - the mother is so incredibly manipulative of her daughter and everyone else around her and it’s honestly crazy the lengths she goes to in order to get what she wants.

You’ll fall in love with some of the other characters - like the daughter who’s trying to get out from her mother’s spell (quite literally) and those around her who take the risk in helping her.

I listened to this on audiobook and it was such a good one to listen to!! I truly felt like a fly on the wall witnessing the story.

Overall, definitely recommend for a fast paced dark twisty read! Thank you so much to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Well, T. Kingfisher has done it again! While I've not read all of her books, every one I have read has been thoroughly enjoyable and she's never let me down. I love Kingfisher's style of humor, whether in an otherwise creepy novel or in a more charming tale like A Sorceress Comes to Call. Never fear, there is still plenty of darkness and gore in this one!

Cordelia is the daughter of a powerful and utterly ruthless sorceress, Evangeline, who is also a pretty terrible mother. She wants to marry well so she can marry Cordelia to a wealthy man and she'll stop at nothing, not even murder, to get her way. Cordelia has spent her life in fear of "being made obedient" to her mother's whims, but as she starts to become close to Hester, the spinster sister of the squire Evangeline plans to marry, and Hester's friends, Cordelia begins to realize she has the power to stand up for herself.

Every character is utterly delightful, from the anxious Cordelia and vindictive Evangeline to the charming Penelope and unflappable Willard. I loved them all and they made me laugh plenty as they tried to outfox Evangeline's sorcery. Eliza Foss and Jennifer Pickens were great narrators. This is one of my favorite books so far this year.

Thanks NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of this book.

Interesting read!

This one borders on Magicks and other worlds…but still has a firm foot in reality!

Cordelia is a young teenage girl, whose mother is a sorcerer, but she’s not aware of this. She just knows that her mother, Evangeline, is able to do things to her to make her obedient. And trust me, one thing you’d never want to be in this book is obedient!

When her love crush kind of abandons her, well, she picks up, with Cordelia and flees in the middle of the night.

She then sets her sights on a wealthy Squire man…and woos him with tales until he asks her to stay with him for a while. Of course his sister, Hester, is there to supervise, or it would not be right in the eyes of the community…
And, funny thing, Cordelia feels at home with Hester. Feels like she might be the only one in the world that she can trust…

As the story unfolds, we get to see the lives of these ‘kind of royals’ through the eyes of a child. We see the relationships and bonds that form. And we also see a bit of Magicks, or magical realism…

It’s sweet at times, and utterly GORY at others…but hold on to your hat, and the edge of your seat, for this ride! This is one you will not want to miss!

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook which releases in about 10 days, on 8/6/24.

#ASorceressComesToCall by #TKingfisher and narrated nicely by #ElizaFoss and #JenniferPickens.

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I have loved everything that I’ve read by T. Kingfisher, and A Sorceress Comes to Call is no exception.

Bewitching and dark — I could not stop listening to this grim retelling of the classic Goose Girl fairytale. 🪿 T. Kingfisher is a master storyteller, bridging elements of fantasy with horror.

The atmosphere felt eerie and haunting and serves as a perfect setting for this story. This retelling is undeniably dark, yet it still maintains a fairytale structure.

The narrators were excellent! I highly recommend listening to the audiobook.

Thank you @macmillan.audio for the gifted ALC! Opinions are my own.

4.5. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I typically do not read this genre, but the author does well capturing your attention. The author writes beautifully.

I loved the main characters and loved the narrators. The book did read as though it was fantasy/YA. I was surprised it was not YA, especially with Cordelia being 14.

I would have like more of a follow up to where they all ended up in the end, perhaps years later.

If you like fantasy/sci-fi, you should check it out.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy of this book.

This was my first book by this author so I really did not know what to expect. I really enjoyed the audiobook. It was interesting to have one of the FMCs being an older woman, I feel like that is pretty rare. It could have moved a little faster but overall I really enjoyed it and would definitely check out other books from this author.

This was my first T.Kingfisher book, but not my last. This somehow had such a perfect balance of dark/horror and somehow cozy vibes? I don't know how else to describe it but it was great. O times that it pulled me out of the story each time. And to be hones

T. Kingfisher is an author who at this point has written a book for everyone, I feel like with each book they write, they fine tune their story telling more and more and that goes without saying for this new fantasy release. It’s a dark retelling of the Brothers Grimm’s Goose Girl, where a girl takes the place of another in the hopes of swapping lives with her. Rife with secrets, murder, and forbidden magic. Perfect for the upcoming spooky season.

Secrets, murder, and forbidden magic.
A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher is full of secrets, murder, and forbidden magic. Cordelia’s mother is an evil sorceress who mistreats her daughter by forcing her to be silent and motionless for hours and even days on end. Claiming this act is to teach her obedience. The act leaves Cordelia timid and unsure of herself. Her only friend is her mother’s horse Falada. Yet not everything with her mother is as it seems.
One day Cordelia’s life is up ended, and they move into the home of a squire and his older sister Hester. As Cordelia’s mother weaves her web of deceit Cordelia befriends Hester and they embark on an adventure to stop her mother’s evil plans.
A Sorceress Comes to Call is the first work I have had the pleasure of reading by T. Kingfisher. Though I did not read the written work I did listen to the audiobook. It did not disappoint. Eliza Foss and Jennifer Picken did an amazing job with their narration. Their ability to bring Hester and Cordelia to life in an entertaining fashion was astonishing. You were able to hear just how timid Cordelia was and how snarky Hester is. I found myself laughing a lot especially when the characters threatened to kill people. It seemed everyone wanted to throw someone down the stairs.


I gave this work 5 stars because I found it to be entertaining. It made me laugh and I could relate to the characters. The work was a good balance between dark and humorous and is worth a listen. I was entertained throughout.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the copy of this book!

This is my first T. Kingfisher book and I adored the way she wrote such an atmospheric witchy book. This is gothic, slowburn, and so eerie. While I loved the setup of the first half, I audibly gasped at a certain turning point in the book, and from then on things just didn't really slow down! I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the dual narration for Cordelia and Hester. It was a perfect way to highlight the different backgrounds and positions of these two ladies, and I loved how everything came together in the end!

Another gem by T Kingfisher. I adore all of their works, but this one stood out as it had more depth and character. Dark and enchanting, each character in this book was intricately developed. "Sorceress Comes to Call" by T. Kingfisher is a haunting retelling of the Brothers Grimm's Goose Girl, delving into themes of parental mistreatment and mystical taboos. The narrative follows Cordelia, a 14-year-old ensnared in a nightmarish existence under her sorceress mother, Evangeline's oppressive regime. Isolated and manipulated for years, Cordelia finds solace only in her mother's horse, Falada. That is until Evangeline relocates them to the countryside in search of a prosperous suitor. Cordelia is given a chance to blossom and find her place but must remain obedient to her mother. However, as Cordelia quickly uncovers her mother's dark intentions, she must muster the courage to confront her own fears. With a riveting plot full of unexpected turns and chilling moments, T Kingfisher skillfully crafts this tale, leaving me eagerly anticipating her next release after enjoying this advanced copy. Thank you MacMillan publishing for another wonderful ARC.

Thank you NetGalley for a free arc of the audiobook.
This is not my first T. Kingfisher and I may love "A Sorceress Comes to Call" more than "Nettle and Bone". I would say that if you enjoy Nettle and Bone, that this T. Kingfisher will be more to your taste.
A Sorceress Comes to Call is a cross between a regency romance and a twisted fairy tale. The young daughter of a sorceress is caught between forced obedience to her mother and a desire to save the lives of her mother's prey.
Told from the perspectives of an abused teenager and a world-weary fifty-year-old, T. Kingfisher gives the reader a look into victimhood of different ages and how society's expectations both change and remain the same as women progress in age and experience. Having two very different characters as narrators lends to both a fascinating and fun take on female-friendship and how women young and old can have power if only they choose to believe in each other. The hero is not physically strong or masculine, exactly as a true heroine ought to be.

Cordelia's life is anything but ordinary, with a mother who forbids friends and imposes strange rules in their doorless house. When they move to a wealthy squire's manor, Cordelia realizes her mother plans to target their kind hosts, and she must find the courage to stop her.
T. Kingfisher weaves a dark, magical tale with rich character dynamics, especially between Cordelia and Hester. The narration enhances the vivid storytelling, making it an engaging listen with well-developed characters and a historical yet timeless setting.

𝙎𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙜𝙤𝙙𝙙𝙖𝙢𝙣 𝙞𝙩, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙛 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙙 𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨, 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝘿𝙤𝙤𝙢 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙖 𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩.

This was my first T. Kingfisher book, and it will not be my last.

It is marketed as a “dark retelling of the Brothers Grimm’s Goose Girl”, which I am unfamiliar with, but I thought the world that T. Kingfisher created here was so atmospheric, with an engrossing plot, interesting characters, and a general sense of unease and it kept me engaged throughout.

I loved how each of the POV characters were so different from on another: a spinster in her 50’s and a sheltered 14 year old girl, and I thought they worked really well together.

The side characters also felt fully realized, and I really enjoyed their parts of the story as well.

Overall, I was sucked into this story, and really enjoyed the dark, eerie vibes.

Audiobook notes: Both narrators were fantastic! They both did a great job with their different POV characters, creating a unique experience for each of their POV chapters, while also bringing consistent performances across the other cast of characters.

Thank you @macmillan.audio for providing me an ALC of this book. All opinions are my own.

What this book is giving:
✅ Historical Fantasy
✅ “Goose Girl” Reimagining
✅ Spinster in her 50’s & 14 year old Protagonists
✅ Magic
✅ Unease
✅ Atmospheric writing

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ / 5

An abusive sorceress mother can literally MAKE her non-magical daughter (Cordelia) be obedient, has a spooky horse familiar, and eyes set on a rich golden retriever-type squire husband. Can Cordelia trust in other adults enough to rid her mother of the dark magic before she brings ruin to everyone?

This book is HAUNTING and so, so good. Cordelia is such a sweet child, believing whatever lies her mother has told her, but when the squire’s family manage to sense that Cordelia needs out of this abusive situation, they band together to stop the marriage without causing Cordelia harm. There’s a lot of darkness at play, and many very sad things the sorceress causes, but the way the story is written, they don’t feel out of place, and we aren’t left without hope for a happier ending.

There’s also a side plot romance that was DARLING and it added some much needed lightness to the story, as well. I’ll read anything Kingfisher writes. One thousand points for creativity, vibes, and execution.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, and Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoy reading fairytale retellings, especially of beloved classics. A Sorceress Comes to Call was my introduction to the fairytale Goose Girl, and even though I was not familiar with this fairytale I loved this retelling! This was my first T. Kingfisher novel and honestly I can understand the hype. She writes a haunting tale, with a nice cast of characters - who you truly grow to know.

After reading the authors interview in the August BookPage, I was excited to get get to know Hester and Cordelia. The two characters complement each other so well! I felt like I knew their emotions, and reactions. It was such an entertaining and captivating read.

Another splendid masterpiece in the voice and style I've come to love from T. Kingfisher. This story is a little dark and twisty and a whole lot of magical goodness all bundled up together. I loved the dynamic between the characters, and Hester was a solid favorite. Kingfisher writes with a vibrant prose that draws you into the story with character development and relationships without skimping on the world building details. The narration for this audiobook is fantastic. The voices bring another level of depth to the story and bring the already vivid details to life. I could listen to the audiobook on repeat and never get bored.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley, for the free audiobook for review.

This dark and complex fairytale for adults puts a unique twist on the classic Brothers Grimm story of The Goose Girl. The protagonist, Cordelia, is a young woman deeply lacking in confidence, trapped under the controlling grip of her peculiar mother. Yet, as the story unfolds, Cordelia finds unexpected allies and friends who help her navigate the complexities of society.

Both Cordelia and Hester, the Squire's kind-hearted sister, undergo profound transformations throughout the narrative. Hester must come to terms with her own decisions about love, finding the chance to rectify past mistakes. Meanwhile, Cordelia experiences a fresh start, finally surrounded by a semblance of family support.

This was quite an adventure, with scenes that kept me on the edge of my seat, rooting for Cordelia, Hester, and their group of friends. For fans of Stardust, I highly recommend this captivating story.

The narration, particularly Cordelia's perspective, is exceptionally well-executed. Readers can viscerally feel her frustration, terror, and gradual awakening as the story progresses. This layered, character-driven fairytale offers a truly engaging experience. The performances by both narrators, Eliza Foss and Jennifer Pickens, are fantastic.

I struggled with the first half of the book, where the background and story was being set up. I love the historical vibe of the setting, and definitely felt the dark factor early on. I do wish there was more background on how the mother mind-controlled Cordelia because that is so fun. The book read slower than I was expecting so it makes the readers really focus on each character. The women were great. I loved when the characters banded together to plot to take down the mother. There was some fun banter between them as well.

I have not read the fairy tale this is based on, so perhaps that would have provided me with a little more context to understand the plot.

I do really enjoy this style of writing and the gaslamp type fantasy. It felt like we were back in time, but in a timeless place. Women focus on being wed off to wealthy or powerful men, manners must be minded, and everyone has a place in society. I almost got Sleepy Hollow feelings from the story at certain parts, especially with the horse for some reason. I do think I would have liked a little bit more magic since the main character was a sorceress.

The ending really kicked into gear and once the action started I flew through the rest of the book.

The narration was perfect for the style of book and the time period. I listened at 2x, but probably would have bumped it to 2.25x if that was an option. Each voice was done well, and I did not often struggle to remember who was speaking (which can be very difficult with larger casts of characters).

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and T. Kingfisher for an ARC of this audiobook narrated by Eliza Foss and Jennifer Pickens in exchange for my honest review.

Holy shit, I am absolutely speechless with how phenomenal this book was! This is a reimagining of The Brothers Grimm’s “The Goose Girl”, but I went into this story completely unaware of the premise of the source material. I was immediately drawn into the gothic setting while the premise is deliciously eerie and the story kept me in suspense!

The characters were wonderfully fleshed out and each one shines in their own light. There’s wit, charm, wry humor, chivalry and by the end of the story, they feel like old friends.

This is the perfect book if you’re looking for suspense, murder, magic, and will definitely put you in the autumn mood!