A delightful, fast-paced, dark read with an old-timey feel. Significantly less dark than the last work I read by this author (which I also enjoyed, but disturbed me more).

This is T. Kingfisher at her best. I adore Nettle & Bone and in some ways I like this one even better. (Maybe...I need to reread Nettle & Bone before I can truly decide. Side note: there's a fun little detail that is a reference to Nettle & Bone in this book.)

We get two POV characters: Cordelia, whose mother is a sorceress who seemingly will stop at nothing to make sure she and her daughter are wealthy (mostly by marrying fairly well herself so she can then set Cordelia up for an excellent match). Cordelia tries so hard to please her mother but is uncomfortable with her mother's actions--and that discomfort turns to rebellion (although, quiet rebellion) as the story progresses.

Then there's Hester, the spinster sister of the man Cordelia's mother has set her sights on. Hester did have a chance to marry--someone she loved and who loved her--but she decided it would be better not to marry. So she's settled in her life with her brother and thus is completely unsettled when Cordelia and her mother stay with them. But she had a feeling that doom was going to arrive even before that, and she eventually realizes that there's more going on that just a woman trying to marry her brother.

I had the great enjoyment of listening to an audiobook advance copy (thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for making the ALC available to me), and there are two narrators, one for Hester's POV and one for Cordelia's. The voices fit the roles so perfectly and really brought these two characters even more to life.

I completely connected with the characters (Hester invites some of their friends for a house party so there are a few more people who get involved) and had moments of sadness and happiness and tension and horror and just so many other emotions as I was listening to this book. The pacing of the story worked well and the story itself and the writing style helped set the atmosphere.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

I have a rule that if T. Kingfisher writes it, I read it. That has worked out again with the absolutely fabulous A Sorceress Comes to Call.

This story is told from two points of view. First, there is Cordelia, the 14-year-old daughter of an evil sorceress. She’s sheltered and abused. You’re instantly rooting for her. Second, there is Hester, the 51-year-old sister of the wealthy nobleman the sorceress hopes to trick into marriage. The two team up to thwart the sorceress’s plan. Hester brings in three friends, including a man who has been in love with Hester for years. (Hester’s desire to be independent had her turning offers of marriage down.)

The pace is fast and Kingfisher’s signature humor made me almost wish it took longer to read! There are a few suspenseful action scenes that have you thinking a “happily ever after” can’t be possible for all of the characters and that’s partially true, but the conclusion is incredibly satisfying.

As a Gen Xer, I found the romance delightful, though it’s a secondary plot line.

I just want to preface this review by saying that I previously received the digital ARC of A Sorceress Comes to Call and it was one of my favorite books this year! When I saw it offered as an audiobook, I quickly requested it so that I could place voices/expressions with this truly intriguing story.

Previous review of this ARC: 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.

Review after audiobook: I absolutely am still so obsessed with this book! I think that the narrator for Hester was absolutely perfect. I wish that the narrator for Cordelia sounded younger, like a 14 year old. She sounded definitely like a fully grown adult and I think that took away from the naivete of her character. Since I have already read the book, I had preconceived notions about what I imagined Cordelia to sound like. Overall, I still really enjoyed it!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this arc.

I’ve read a few T. Kingfisher books and I can’t tell if they are good literature, but they are certainly entertaining to listen to the whole way through. I’m not sure if this one is YA but it felt that way. I think what makes T. Kingfisher books hook your attention so is her style of weird, bizarre, almost horror-esque tellings of not-quite familiar conventions.

It did bother me though that this story was supposed to be a retelling of The Goose Girl and it had absolutely nothing to do with the fairy tale except for a few character names.

If Kingfisher writes it, I’m going to read it. This was my first time reading an audiobook from her and I was not disappointed! A Sorceress Comes to Call was the perfect combination of whimsical, dark fantasy with a splash of horror and it was a great time!

A Sorceress Comes to Call is a dark fantasy that follows Cordelia and her evil sorceress mother Evangeline as they move to a new home in hopes to ensnare the mother's latest victim, the Squire. Cordelia has spent her life being obedient to her mother, but what happens when Evangeline is faced with the Squire's headstrong sister Hester? Told in alternating POV between Cordelia and Hester, a variety of secondary characters are introduced. I felt connected to each character through their eyes and found myself on the edge of my seat as they raced to stop Evangeline. Narration performed by Eliza Floss and Jennifer Pickens was outstanding, and I highly enjoyed their performances.

I received an ALC from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

There are no secrets.

Cordelia and her mother live in a house where there are no doors between rooms. Her mother is an evil and controlling sorceress and affects everyone around her, even the secrets people keep. She doesn’t allow Cordelia to have any friends and makes her be still and silent for hours on end. Cordelia finds a friend in her mother’s horse, Falata.
Her mother eventually moves them into a rich man’s home and her actions catch up with her while living there.
This mysticism portrayed by Cordelia’s mother in this dark fantasy is malicious in nature.
She wants power and money. The only way to get that is by her use of powerful sorcery and manipulation.

The audiobook was narrated by Eliza Foss and Jennifer Pickens. Eliza’s voice provided an even transition for her characters’ highs and lows. Jennifer’s narration gives off a fervor and intensity that the reader wouldn’t otherwise get without audio.
They both bring life to the characters and renders the reader an insight into the feelings and emotions of the character.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This was a nail-biter. I really felt for the characters and what they were being put through. Cordelia really broke my heart and I wanted to reach in and give her a hug.

Special thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for the #ARC to review. Publication date is set for August 6, 2024.

I love T. Kingfisher, and this one was as delightful as I have come to expect her works to be. The characters are well written, though I found myself wishing for a little more background information on some of them. The plot was fantastic, and I was very invested in the story and outcome. The writing was lovely and added a dreamlike quality to the reading experience. This was a lovely fantasy of manners book, and if that is your jam, I cannot recommend it enough.