A Sorceress Comes to Call

I loved this! I have been recommended T. Kingfisher's books often enough that I was curious and wanted to see what all the fuss was about, I get the hype now! This was a reimagining of Brothers Grimm fairy tale 'The Goose Girl' though honestly kind of a different story entirely, but featuring a lot of the tropes/ideas from the original. No romance. This follows a 14 year old protagonist Cordelia and a secondary POV of an older woman named Hester. Cordelia's mother is a powerful sorceress who keeps her daughter essentially in thrall. Tiring of her lover, the witch Evangeline wants to sink her claws into a new, more permanent relationship- a marriage to a wealthy squire. The only thing standing in the way of her plan is her daughter Cordelia and the squire's meddling spinster sister Hester. Definitely will be recommending this to customers.

T. Kingfisher is killing it. Her latest tale gets another five stars from me. This reimagining of “The Goose Girl” turns everything about the original tale on its head. From the very beginning, we know that Cordelia’s mother is someone not to cross. I felt Cordelia’s pain and anxiety every time she was forced to be in her mother’s presence. Kingfisher’s skill at creating unforgettable characters is on full display here.

I flew through this book and was genuinely sad when it ended. I want more, as is always the case with Kingfisher’s books. I’m glad she’s such a prolific author! I’d love to return to this world in a future book! 😉

Many thanks to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group and the lovely T herself for the advance copy. All opinions are mine alone.

T. Kingfisher can do no wrong in my eyes, and A Sorceress Comes to Call is no exception. A unique retelling/adaptation of the Brothers Grimm fairytale 'Goose Girl', this version finds our 14 year old protagonist, Cordelia, physically subjected to the whims of her sorceress mother. Literally, she's physically forced to obey her mother through magic. The descriptive and straightforward writing that Kingfisher is known for really drives home the horror of her situation. Being able to think and process but unable to even twitch a finger? While assuming your peers all live the same way? It gives an underlying creep factor to every moment, even the ones that aren't particularly action packed or gory. There's funny moments, relatable ones, a small love story, and of course, an epic villain. I found this one to lean much more dark than other Kingfisher works, just because of Cordelia's point of view and the horror of the mother/daughter dynamic there. But it is well balanced with the other 'good' characters and light hearted moments. Overall, completely recommend!

Controlled by her mother, Cordelia’s life is miserable, especially when her mother controls her body and thoughts as punishment. Losing her current benefactor Evangeline decides to get married to Samuel, a wealthy lord and weasels her way into his life and heart. But his sister Hester knows there’s something wrong and she’s determined to stop Evangeline and help Cordelia. A fast paced, fun read I didn’t put down.

"A Sorceress Comes to Call," a new take on the Brothers Grimm classic "Goose Girl", brings secrets, shifting alliances, and a treacherous journey to freedom, set to be published in August 2024.

Cordelia's life is controlled by her peculiar mother, an evil sorceress whose true nature becomes clear as the story unfolds. Fleeing their town for a new beginning, Cordelia and her mother find themselves at the country manor of the Squire and his sister, Hester. As Cordelia's mother schemes to ensnare the Squire with her dark magic, Cordelia finds herself torn between loyalty and fear. Recognizing Cordelia's silent cries for help, others vow to protect her.

The strength of the book lies in its well-developed characters and relationships. Kingfisher's storytelling skill shines as she weaves a tale that feels both familiar and mysterious, drawing readers into a world of intrigue and danger. The fairy tale essence adds charm, making it a captivating read for fans of the genre. Readers sensitive to gore may want to pass on this one, but there was nothing overly dark here.

One of the book's highlights is its development of magic, seamlessly integrated into Cordelia's coming-of-age narrative. As Cordelia learns about her mother's sorcery, readers are taken on an organic journey of discovery, making the magic feel both natural and intriguing. Despite occasional imbalance in the pace, Kingfisher's storytelling prowess ensures the story remains engaging and compelling throughout.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the advanced copy.

Ohh! This gave me a bit of Carrie vibes with the creepy mom who is a sorceress and her daughter! The strangeness of it all! I absolutely devoured this book and loved all the paranormal vibes! It had twists and turns that kept me turning pages. I love T. Kingfisher books, but I think this may have been my favorite. The mother and her daughter, Cordelia, have to run away and they end up at Squire's place where Evangeline, the mother/ sorceress attempts to entrap the Squire, but there are other forces at play. This book is a retelling of the Grimm's Fairy Tale, The Goose Girl. I absolutely loved it!

Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher is a fantastical horror retelling of the “Goose Girl.” Kingfisher is an excellent writer, and yet again, strikes a great balance with spooky and horror, without getting too grotesque in this novel.

Something I really enjoy about Kingfisher’s story is that even with the layers of magic and fantasy in their stories, Kingfisher’s characters still have a rationality to them. I understand their personalities and their actions/reactions make sense for them. I loved both main characters, Cordelia and Hester, and their respective points of view contrast well against one another.

I also found that while there are multiple characters, I was not overwhelmed or underwhelmed by any of them. All characters felt like they had a clear purpose in the story. Perhaps my only criticism is that I am left wanting to understand Cordelia’s mother’s end goal more clearly.

5 stars. I will be recommending this book to others.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing for the ARC.

I had the luck to snag an ARC of A Sorceress Comes to Call through Netgalley and I absolutely adored it. From page one, the voice, the characters, and the world had me in a stranglehold and I finished the book in less than 24 hours. (It would have been less than 12 if I didn't have to sleep.) Honestly, the book description doesn't really do it justice, so if you're lukewarm on the concept, I'd definitely recommend giving it a try. The characters are so vivid that they feel like real people. I adored them all immediately, particularly the supporting characters, and both the 14- and 50-year old protagonists stole my heart for different reasons. The villain is truly scary and the stakes were high throughout. Part of the reason I love T. Kingfisher's prose is because it reminds me of the fantasy authors I grew up with like Robin McKinley, Jessica Day George, Patricia C. Wrede, etc. The story felt both nostalgic and modern at the same time.

My only complaint is that the title and the blurb didn't capture the fierce bravery, fear, humor, and love encompassed in this book and I'm afraid readers will miss out because of that. Don't skip this one! A resounding five stars.

I've liked every book I've read by T. Kingfisher so far and A Sorceress Come to Call doesn't break that streak. This is a Goose Girl retelling, but I'm not familiar with the fairytale and I found the story to still be interesting and compelling. I've been on a little bit of a reading slump recently, but I easily made my way through this book. My interest never waned.

I really felt for Cordelia and loved how she changed and grew over the book. Hester could have easily only thought about her own family, but as soon as she figured out that Cordelia was in trouble, she adjusted her plans. I was really rooting for all of the characters and enjoyed the whole cast.

Overall, I really recommend this book if you are at all interested. It was well paced and well written. I'm definitely looking forward to future books by T. Kingfisher!

Another winning story from a talented author. Kingfisher’s style is quirky and unique. The book successfully combines elements of horror, sympathy and humor, with very relatable characters. I gobbled up the story in one long evening as I had to find out how the good guys would manage to win. The horse is disturbingly awful. As a horse person, I wish there were at least a few good portrayals of horses in Kingfisher’s stories! The story follows a young teenager who has been raised by an abusive, psychopathic mother. Fortunately, she comes under the positive influence of several older characters and this helps her to grow stronger and learn to fight back in order to protect others. I loved it.

I've loved T. Kingfisher since back when Digger was a webcomic, and A Sorceress Comes To Call may well be my very favorite thing she's ever written (so far). It's a powerful story of growing up with narcissistic abuse, agonizingly painfully true to life. Oh, and yeah, there's also magic and geese and absolutely heroic regular non-magical non-sword-wielding perfectly normal women in their 50s. I'm absolutely queasy with how good this book is.

Ok, let’s sum up what we have here:

An alt-history regency comedy of manners survival horror retelling of The Goose Girl with magic.

Oh and one of the main characters is an older, independent woman with a complex inner and social life, grappling with the choices she’s been forced to make in order to preserve that independence.

I absolutely cannot tell you how much I loved this book.

Having said that, be warned, the other main character, a child, faces some truly heinous abuse from her mother, many instances of which are depicted quite viscerally (not gratuitously, just…intensely).

Kingfisher weaves all these elements together into a WILD ride that somehow makes perfect sense and has the most cathartic, deliciously satisfying conclusion.

A Sorceress Comes to Call is a delightful fantasy fable by T. Kingfisher. Due out 6th Aug 2024 from Macmillan on their Tor imprint, it's 336 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

As always, brilliantly written and transportive, the author writes compellingly and so very well. This is a fairy tale in the classic style, but inside an original story framework. Evil sorcerous "mother", magical white horse, good vs. evil with real tension and some nail biting plot elements, there are moments of despair in the story and a few really scary moments before the denouement and resolution.

It's a standalone story, and self contained without any suggestion that there are plans to revisit the characters or setting in future.

Five stars. Perfect choice for public library, home use, or (the special foil stamped hardcover edition) gift giving. There are instances of body horror, animal death, murder and magic, some fairly graphic, so sensitive readers should be aware. There are also geese which play a fairly central secondary role; anatidaephobics should bear this in mind.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

T. Kingfisher does another fantastic job in writing this book, it had everything that I was looking for and enjoyed from other books by the author. The characters were everything that I was expecting and thought the use of the Goose Girl element that I wanted. I enjoyed the fairy tale retelling elements and thought this worked with everything that I was hoping for. I’m excited to read more from T. Kingfisher and glad I got to read this.

I love seeing the reimagined fairy tales and this one did not disappoint. I loved the characters and T Kingfisher managed to make an old story feel new.

Wonderful book giving voice to inner strength. Definitely recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the history of witchcraft.

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher

Summary:
Cordelia lives with her mother, who controls Cordelia's every move. When Cordelia tries to flee with her only friend, the family horse Falada, she starts a catalyst to propel Cordelia into a new life surrounded by a newfound family. Cordelia finally feels part of something bigger until her mother's control is now affecting more than just Cordelia. Cordelia's mother is a sorcerer, and her actions begin to be something Cordelia can not stand by anymore. Cordelia must find a way to free herself from her mother's control and save her newfound family.

Review:
I loved this book from the fantastic author T. Kingfisher. I was immediately drawn into the storyline and had so much compassion for the sweet Cordelia. This girl's sheltered existence led to a few humorous moments and pulled at your heart that she was so isolated. I found many of the characters to be people I wish I knew. I enjoyed seeing Cordelia's strength grow and her self-identity blossom. She had a beautiful heart and cared deeply for someone so secluded from others—observing how someone can meet their true potential with the right influences.

The book moved at a good pace and kept you interested in the storyline. It allowed for character development and emotional connection. The magic element created a dark and fearful component. The common theme of good versus evil boiled down to choices and consequences. The book was an immersive experience that invited the reader into the heart of the characters and made memorable connections for me. I highly recommend giving it a read.

In exchange for my honest review, I received an ARC copy of the ebook from Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group. Thank you for the opportunity.

"A Sorceress Comes to Call" by T. Kingfisher is a mesmerizing blend of fantasy and spine-tingling suspense! As a librarian with a penchant for the fantastical, I can confidently say that Kingfisher's ability to craft such a gripping tale is unparalleled. From the enchanting world-building to the heart-pounding moments of terror, this book has it all. The characters are richly drawn, each with their own secrets and fears that add layers of depth to the story. What truly sets Kingfisher apart is her knack for seamlessly blending elements of horror and thriller into the narrative, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. If you're looking for a fantasy novel that will leave you breathless, "A Sorceress Comes to Call" is a must-read. And with T. Kingfisher's impressive repertoire, you can bet there are plenty more thrilling adventures awaiting you!

Books, and T. Kingfisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! I sadly didn’t finish this one, but the writing was beautiful and the story was unique and captivating. I think I’m just not in a fantasy mood at the moment and it made it hard for me to get through. However, I plan to pick it back up, and I love this author. Be sure to pick it up when it comes out because if you love fantasy, you’ll love this one

A reimagining of Brothers Grimm fairy tale?? Sign me right up. Thank you to Tor & NetGalley for this ARC. T. Kingfisher is one of my favorite authors and did not disappoint. But I would expect nothing less. I feel so grateful to have read this early. This book publishes August 06, 2024!

T. Kingfisher's 'A Sorceress Comes to Call' is another winner, earning five stars from me. The story, a reimagining of the Brothers Grimm's 'Goose Girl,' dives into the dark theme of parental abuse with chilling vibes. Cordelia, trapped under her sorceress mother's control, finds solace only in her eerie horse, Falada.

As tension mounts and secrets unravel, Cordelia must confront her mother's evil. The story is filled with twists and turns that keep you hooked from start to finish. I eagerly await T. Kingfisher's next book, and I'm thankful to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the digital review copy.

You guys, it's warm and funny and sweet and spooky and gross and enchanting. It's perfect. It's simply, unequivocally, perfect.

T. Kingfisher has done it once again folks. I adore their writing style, compelling use of unusual characters, and just plain fun stories. Told from two viewpoints this story is fast paced, entertaining, and a little bit creepy. Highly recommend and easily an auto-buy author for me.

I don't even know where to start. I absolutely loved this book. I have nothing bad to say about it. So far everything I've read by T. Kingfisher is Phenomenal. She weaves this web around her reader. Blocking out the rest of the world and pulling you into hers.

I was drawn in completely. Cordelia's world is a nightmare, filled with helplessness and fear. Her Mother Evangeline has controlled everything she does her entire life. even if Cordelia wants to argue she can't. Evangeline is a Sorceress of great power. She can take over Cordelia's body locking in a small corner of her mind. She is powerless to stop her.

Now Evangeline has big plans for Cordelia. After setting that plan into action. Evangeline introduces Cordelia to a group of people who just might be able to help. If they believe Cordelia and can accept the impossible.

I wish I could tell you more, but I don't want to ruin anything. Just sit back and enjoy a dark re-shaping of Brother Grimm's Goose Girl.

This is a wonderful goose girl retelling meets regency romance and is full of delightful, biting wit. This is my first book that I've read by Kingfisher and I didn't realize I'd be so charmed by it. I found myself laughing out loud in surprise by the humor in the pages. I love how she takes the characters and forms them into a mostly middle aged scooby gang to defeat the ultimate evil. It kept me cackling the entire way. Everyone should pick up this wonderful book.

love this author! I had a blind, or perhaps nearly-blind, reading experience-- I didn't read any blubs or reviews, maybe jut a tiny peek to confirm it wasn't horror. I don't often get a chance to read a book I know absolutely zero about, so that made it a little bit more fun.

I read about 83% of this in one sitting, staying up way too late even though I had to work the next morning. I couldn't put it down! It feels inside its bones like a fairytale retelling, and I'm sure I would have read "the goose girl" at some point a decade or two ago, but I didn't find it overwhelming. Readers might assume it's modeled at least somewhat on the probably-better-known Rapunzel.

This is a good read-alike for those who liked the author's [book:Nettle & Bone|56179377]-- this one is maybe a pinch less dark, but there are definitely gothic undertones with some possible body-horror. Although this is a little darker, the fantasy elements reminded me a bit of [book:Half a Soul|60717747]+series, with a secret magic system in a vaguely Victoria setting, some manners humor, and strong cross-over potential-- there are two candidates for main character: one 14-year-old girl and one ~50-year-old women. The two pair up, with new and old friends, in this I-don't-want-to-be-the-chosen-one fight against magic, in a situation neither chose for themselves. Narration is third-person throughout, but chapters roughly alternate in focus between the two. Asides about women's independence and minor characters who may be LGBTQ+ feel authentically incorporated without being the point of the story.

As mentioned, the setting is vaguely-Victoria, based on social rules and technology. The universe is alternate, though-- not merely a paranormal layer on ours; the geography is kept very vague, but there are references to the culture's history, specifically immigration, that I didn't recognize as matching anything. This book is structured like a stand-alone, but it's a universe I would be happy to see in a series!

eARC from NetGalley.

T. Kingfisher does it again - a fabulous fairytale retelling that breathes new life into old tropes. Her writing remains comfortable, like a pair of old shoes or a chair by the fire. You'll always want to curl up in it again and again.

Cordelia's mother is not like other mothers. Cordelia's mother is a sorcerer who can make Cordelia be Obedient so that Cordelia has no will of her own and her mother can control her like a puppet. Other than this, Cordelia's life is like most other people's lives. Cordelia helps out around the house, and goes horseback riding. One day, though, her mother decides to remarry and introduces Cordelia to her fiance's family. Cordelia immediately hits it off with Hester, the Squire's sister, and knows that she has to intervene before her mother does something terrible.

I've liked everything I've read by Kingfisher, and this is no exception. I do not read a lot of fantasy but if more of it were written like this, I would. The female characters are three-dimensional and not just representations of tropes. The women propel the action and keep it moving forward, but some men play important roles as well. And, perhaps most important, the book is a lot of fun with good pacing and character development.

I just love T. Kingfisher and this book was no exception! I love the weird spooky fairy tale vibes. It was so unique but also so just Kingfisher. Very interesting characters and setting! Will be recommending and adding to our library.

T. Kingfisher writes some of the most satisfying fantasy out there, and A Sorceress Comes to Call is no exception. Part of what makes Kingfisher’s novels so compelling is that they trace the familiar path of fairy tale, only in prose so rich and delicious that the horror and victory feel alive instead of page-bound. This newest novel begins in horror, with Cordelia, the main character, having been “made obedient” by her sorceress mother, a state that gives her mother complete control over her body. Cordelia is trapped in a nightmare of magic-inflected abuse, with no privacy, no autonomy, and no hope of escape.

Things change somewhat when her mother decides to seduce a Squire and whisks Cordelia away to a manor house with such luxuries as wallpaper, servants, and the ability to close doors. Unlike most fairy tales, which tend to keep the cast list small, this is a house populated by big personalities and rich back stories. Hester, the Squire’s spinster sister, is level-headed, compassionate and immediately attuned both to the destruction promised by Cordelia’s mother and to the signs of Cordelia’s distress; she is also the subject of the book’s only romantic plot line, in another twist on the fairy tale formula. (Kingfisher’s repertoire broadly declares that love is for everyone, not just damsels in distress). With her friends Lady Strauss, a card shark, and Penelope Green, an unexpected charmer, she sets out to free Cordelia and her brother from the sorceress’s grip.

The plot points of A Sorceress Comes to Call are relatively unsurprising, but the book is populated by excellent characters and written with keen attention to atmosphere and pacing. If I could read it again for the first time, I would!

T. Kingfisher does it again with the just-creepy enough fairy tale retelling. If you like Nettle and Bone, the gothic mystery parts of books like Belladonna or the original Grimm fairytales, you will like this book.

As someone who generally doesn't like too much horror/gore in her books/movies, I think Kingfisher strikes just the right balance of storytelling, body horror and humor with this story. The characters are all interesting and unique. The story is told from two perspectives: that of 14 year old Cordelia and 50-something Hester. The combination provides an interesting contrast to each other and the supporting characters are all distinct and unique as well.

If you enjoy fairytale retellings or want more adult fairytales, highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Net Galley/Tor books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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)

"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.

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.

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.

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!

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.”
-=-=-=-=-=-
　Chapter 8 -- Page: 69
Doom’s glance was quick and cold. Hester smiled comfortably and adjusted her shawl.
-=-=-=-=-=-
　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.
-=-=-=-=-=-
　Chapter 17 -- Page: 154
“The student has, I think, outshone the master.”
-=-=-=-=-=-
　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.
-=-=-=-=-=-
　Chapter 28 -- Page: 244
and dogs made of bones.
-=-=-=-=-=-
　Chapter 28 -- Page: 247
Willard
-=-=-=-=-=-
　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.
-=-=-=-=-=-

I cannot even put into words how much I loved this book. Okay, I mean, I guess I can put it into words since that's kind of the whole point of this review, but I know I'm not going to do it justice at all. I've been in a minor reading slump lately and have just been slogging my way through even my most exciting reads, but I finished this one in under twenty-four hours. And the reason for that is because it's awesome!

Based on the NetGalley and Goodreads blurbs, I figured that this book would be rather dark. I've read a lot of really dark books lately and wasn't sure that I was quite ready for another one, but I ended up being pleasantly surprised. Sure, there are some dark parts and the villain is very, very evil and, um, villainous (I'm not Shakespeare, okay?), but overall it's a delightful tale full of heart and bravery and … defense geese. There's humor and (admittedly dark) magic and even a little bit of romance, and if you've read my previous reviews, you might recall that I'm I'm not a big fan of the lovey-dovey stuff. This romance is absolutely perfect, however, and Hester and Lord Evermore make quite the entertaining (non)couple.

And, oh my gosh, the characters in this book are simply outstanding. Cordelia is a perfectly fine main character, but it's really the side characters that make this book what it is. Hester and and Imogene and Penelope and Willard are all wonderfully witty and entertaining, and they are totally the type of people that I'd want to be friends with. Other than the obvious villain (and her creepy familiar), there's really not a single unlikeable character in this book.

Honestly, I can't think of a single bit of criticism for this novel and that's a rarity for me. I've enjoyed most of T. Kingfisher's other books, but she's definitely outdone herself this time – it's by far my favorite of anything she's written.

I feel as if this review should be longer considering how much I enjoyed this story, but I guess it ultimately just boils down to me saying that you should read this book as soon as possible because it is seriously brilliant.

My overall rating: a resounding five stars! A Sorceress Comes to Call will undoubtably be one of the highlights of my 2024 reads.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. The expected publication date is August 6, 2024.

Got the email that I was approved to read this.
Thought, "oh, I'll just download that so it's ready to read."
Thought, "oh, I'll just start it to see what it's like."
A few hours later, thought, "oh. Now I've finished it and I no longer have a Kingfisher novel to look forward to."

So that's my tragedy. Of course, I DID get to read it in the first place, so it's not MUCH of a tragedy.

This book is, unsurprisingly, fantastic. I adore Kingfisher's work and this is another exemplar. Cordelia's mother is able to literally control her body - she calls it 'obedience' - and as a result, even when she is in control of herself, Cordelia is always on her best behaviour. She has no other family, and no friends except for Falada, the horse, and the passing acquaintance of a neighbouring girl. She has no control over anything - doors are never to be closed in their house - and all she expects of the future is that she will marry a rich husband: so her mother has told her.

Things begin to change when her mother's current 'benefactor' decides to stop seeing her, and providing for her. In order to remain in the style to which she is accustomed, Cordelia's mother decides to find herself a rich husband, both so that she herself will be looked after and to aid in the effort to marry off Cordelia. This brings the pair into the orbit of Hester and her brother, a rich squire. Through the mother's machinations, they come to stay at the squire's house, and Cordelia's mother sets about wooing the squire. Meanwhile, Hester gets to know Cordelia, and... well. As you might expect, there are ups and downs and revelations and terrible things happen and, eventually, most things turn out okay.

The writing is fast-paced and glorious. The characters are utterly believable. Apparently this is a spin on "The Goose Girl" but it's not a tale I know very well, so I can't tell you where Kingfisher is being particularly clever in that respect. But it makes no difference; this is a fabulous novel and Kingfisher just keeps bringing the awesome.

I just finished A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher, provided as an eARC by NetGalley.

Cordelia knows something is weird about the way she grew up. For one, it's just her, her mom, and their impossibly beautiful horse Falada. Cordelia is 14, and since she has aged out of school her social interactions are limited to basically only Church. But she's pretty sure other people don't get puppet controlled by their sorceress mothers, right? When Cordelia's mother decides it's time for her (Evangeline) to leave their town behind so she can get married, Cordelia must stop her before there's more death and devastation left in her wake. Inlcuding a fabulous cast of characters, from Alice the maid to middle aged Hester, Cordelia learns about found family, and finding herself at last.

This one was really fun. It's a very loose retelling of the Goose Girl by the Brothers Grimm. Kingfisher turns basically every fairy tale trope on it's head, Cordelia is not described as particularly pretty, the noble steed is not in fact noble. I really loved the space given to these middle aged women too-- the POV swaps between Cordelia and Hester. Middle aged women never get to be heroines in fairy tales, and I loved Hester and her plotting. It was a quick enjoyable read, not quite as dark as Nettle and Bone, but refreshing in its quest to place female agency at the forefront of a classic fairytale. Highly recommend, as I do with all T. Kingfisher novels!

A Sorceress Comes To Call is T. Kingfisher's reimagining of the Grimm's fairy tale, "The Goose Girl". Cordelia has long lived under the thumb and *absolute* control of her mother, Evangeline, a solitary sorcerer who maintains a home of no secrets or closed doors. Evangeline forces Cordelia to operate as maid and cook for their home while also being able to take absolute control of Cordelia when she so desires. When Evangeline's benefactor cuts her off, and the unfathomable and suspicious murder of a family occurs, Cordelia and Evangeline flee in the night on their mother's horses Falada, seeking a societal leg up from the Squire, a wealthy older man, and his unwed sister, Hester.

Determined to marry the Squire, Evangeline's plan form and quickly spirals out of control as Hester tries to protect and save her brother, friends, and Cordelia.

In true Kingfisher title, this story pulled me in immediately. Kingfisher has such a way with prose, imagery, and the ability to make shiver as you wait to see what's coming through the trees. I was not familiar with The Goose Girl prior to this story, but I really loved how it threaded into the broader story that Kingfisher wrote. This book reminds me of a folk horror classic, with a flavor of historical fiction and magic.

Thank you to Tor/Forge for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of A Sorceress Comes to Call.

Wow. This one! Cordelia knows there’s something strange about her mother. The book takes us through her perspective as she gains an understanding of the world she lives in and her mother’s desires for them to marry rich men. I loved this book which is part magic, mystery, and horror all wrapped into one. The characters were so full and enjoyable with their own unique flaws and reasons to love them. I couldn’t stop thinking about this book.

Okay, this book totally caught me by surprise. It was a dark, fairytale-esque book AND IT WAS SO GOOD. I loved all the characters, the plot was awesome and I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. I’m definitely a mood reader and this fit the bill of being totally different from anything else I’ve read lately. Nothing was overused or overdone, I didn’t want to put it down.

So good!!! This is a book I wish I could experience for the first time again! T. Kingfisher's work is exceptional and this book is another wonderful example of how well she creates a thriller. I was sucked in quickly and devoured this book!

T. Kingfisher is brilliant at taking the skeleton of familiar stories and deepening them, making such fantastic three dimensional characters. While they can be characterized as horror, they are appropriate for older middle-school and high school students. This may be her best novel yet, with a fantastic, twisty story that is difficult to predict and two main heroines of differing ages that are both inspiring and endearing.

What a beautiful and special book, it blew me away! This is my second T. Kingfisher book, having only read Nettle and Bone so far, but I loved that and jumped at the chance to get to read the ARC of her newest book, A Sorceress Comes to Call. I was a little worried going into it that it might be too dark for tender heated little me, but I shouldn’t have worried. It felt like the perfect combination of gothic and yet heartwarming.

The story begins with Cordelia and her mother alone but for me the magic really started as we were introduced to the other characters, and what a wonderful bunch they were! I loved the way the layers of the story were unveiled in such a clever way. I was utterly absorbed in the story and didn’t want it to end.

I highly recommend this new book by T. Kingfisher and I plan to buy a copy to add to my growing collection of her books when it comes out August 6, 2024.

Thank you to Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for the digital ARC to review.

A classic about a girl who feels burdened, chained by her mother and the story of how she escapes and finds love. A new family.

Definitely relate to Cordelia feeling trapped under her mother’s overprotective and controlling umbrella, and shocked when she’s able to escape from it. As if a weight has been lifted off her chest and she can finally breathe. And yet, the guilt that sets in thereafter and her mother’s (Evangeline) repercussions if Cordelia doesn’t achieve every single little thing to Evangeline’s perfection . . . The toxic dynamic and subliminal sickening fear were written so realistically. When Alice, Cordelia’s friend, was able to break her mother’s chains away, my favorite yet heartbreaking moment was when Alice had to help Cordelia be free of her mother.

Asking for help is not something many people who truly need it feel comforting doing. In other words, victims of abuse and neglect don’t feel they can speak up or else they’ll find themselves in a more painful situation, judged, or outcasted. More so, they don’t even recognize they are being abused, and don’t believe they are worthy enough to seek support. Having a friend like Alice shows Cordelia and the audience a perfect representation of paying attention to what’s not being said vocally—speaking up for those that may not or cannot for themselves. From Cordelia’s excessive pauses and large amount of gratitude for the most simple acts of kindness, she upholds these things as if it’s a beloved gem. As someone that has gone through something similar and feels represented by Cordelia’s weight and internal conflict, I was able to immediately attach and care for our main character. Kingfisher establishes why the main character’s goals matters to us and why we should also be motivated by them in the first 50 pages. Outstanding pacing and strong framework!

By the time we get around 100 or more pages in, Evangeline’s wrath and over-controlling behavior to intimidate/puppeteer Cordelia into unhealthy obedience becomes clear to everyone. While the other characters are unsure of how to care for Cordelia and show her worthy of love while her oppressive mother oversees all, Penelope Green is the first to show her such worth. Cordelia feels that she is pathetic to cling onto the littlest of compliments, but it brightens up her entire day.

I’d retort that it isn’t pathetic at all, but rather beautifully heartbreaking that Cordelia values small acts of compassion and friendship as rare diamonds in a desert. On one end, it’s a gift that Cordelia is able to be grateful and cherish the smallest amounts of love. On the other, it’s a tragedy. The fact that she could not be more used to love, feeling that she was wanted around, is something no one deserves to live by and know nothing else.

Finally, towards the buildup to the finale, Evangeline is made to be taken away for a time and Cordelia is left with her newfound loving caretaker: Hester. In addition to the great friend that is Penelope Green, Hester also assumes a mother-like role to Cordelia. She is able to understand when Cordelia is Evangeline’s puppet, and devises a plan to stop Evangeline’s evil sorcery all together. After Hester has proven to Cordelia that she wants nothing more than peace and an escape for her, Hester sighs as a weight is lifted off her own shoulders and Cordelia cries tears of joy.

Hester returns Cordelia to the safe haven she has made—with the help of Hester, Alice, Evermore, Penelope and Imogene—into a home. Honestly, I could do character analysis’ of every single person in this story and never tire of talking about how much I love them all. How Kingfisher was able to write the subtle thoughts, decisions, quirks, faults, weaknesses and strengths all together in the elegant work that is A Sorceress Comes To Call is beyond words.

The dialogue flows naturally, as it should. Each line both spoken and unspoken points towards a greater purpose or strengthens the character themselves. From beginning to end, we witness real character growth and a satisfying cycle of achievements both internally and externally. The writing in between dialogue scenes are just as important and encapsulating to read, sometimes humorous while other times tear-worthy. Kingfisher knows that characters aren’t meant to be within solely on looks, but focused on personalities, both the good and the bad. Her craft really shines when developing the two villains themselves, whom you can probably guess one being Evangeline but the other I’ll let the reader discover on their own. They’re both deeply rooted in pure evil, losing themselves in greed and power with intentions that stem from realistic motives.

It’s refreshing to see an author that hasn’t lost themselves to the over-abundant consumerism that is so often pushed in today’s publishing. Kingfisher has written A Sorceress Comes To Call with all the right points, and I’m proud to say that such a story will remain as a favorite in my heart for all time.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing an ARC (Advanced Readers Copy). This review is based off of an uncorrected proof. Best of luck for this release!

A villainous sorceress, a meek young girl, a heroic gaggle of geese, and a monstrous horse-demon. What more could anyone wish for?

T. Kingfisher has such a brilliant way with words. I devoured this book from start to finish! The atmosphere is perfectly crafted and the characters are excellent. Overall, this is absolutely a five star read and quite possibly one of the best books I will read in 2024!

Thank you so much to Tor Books/T. Kingfisher for this ARC offered via NetGalley in return for my honest opinion.

A Sorceress Comes to Call is a dark reimagining of the classic Brother's Grimm tale "A Goose Girl." I've never read the original story, so I can't speak as to how these two stories compare to each other - but I can say that this was a super fun read. T. Kingfisher is one of my favorite authors so I was glad to snatch up this ARC on NetGalley when it was free to read for 24 hours.

The story revolves around a mother (Evangeline) and her daughter (Cordelia). Evangeline is an absolute trash mother. She controls everything her daughter does which in turn has made Cordelia become absolutely terrified of her mother. Cordelia spends most of her time with her only friend, her horse Falada. When Evangeline sets her eyes on a new beau, the mother/daughter duo move into his palace where mysteries begin to happen.

I did really enjoy reading this, but take note that it's a slow burn. I honestly started thinking I might DNF it right around 45%, mostly because the story was based around a lot of dialogue between characters, and there really wasn't much magic involved. It wasn't boring, I was still interested in reading it, I just felt it was slow. Then right around 50% the story really took off and I couldn't put it down.

As a whole, the magic in the book wasn't really in your face. It was written in a subtle way - mostly green flashes here and there, and some smells. As someone that needs to connect to the characters, I enjoyed all of them. The story does revolve around Cordelia (14) but I don't find this to be a coming of age tale. There are plenty of age ranges for a reader to connect to. This novel reads like a Magic Mystery, and honestly, I gave it 5 stars because it is worth a read. T. Kingfisher's writing is so unique and quirky, and she really has a knack of keeping the reader interested.

As always, Kingfisher does it better than anyone else in the game. I love the original story this is based off of and enjoyed the twist on it. Thought the writing was phenomenal and can’t wait to read more by this author.

This was fabulous! T. Kingfisher is truly a master at their craft! Nobody does a retelling quite like they do. Their quirky style always puts a fresh spin on things. Everything about this was perfect. A plot that didn't feel predictable. A diverse cast of characters with amazing character development. Steady pacing and impeccable world-building. I absolutely loved it!

This book is an incredible mix of Horror, fantasy, witty fun and regency shenanigans (plus the mandatory evil horse of course), think Jane Austen’s Lady Susan but with more dead people and magic.
It’s amazing how well Kingfisher puts together themes I never would have thought could be turned into a great story.
It’s about Cordelia and her journey to break free from her evil sorceress mother and her unlikely allies she finds along the way. It’s refreshing to have pure evil in a book again. No grey shades, no redemption arc just pure evil, it was a delight. Great characters all around, a thrilling atmosphere and a refreshing genre mix make this book one of my absolute favourites of this year!

Also big bonus point for the Nettle & Bone Bonedog reference 😄

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the earc!

Another book that proves T. Kingfisher is one of the most versatile writers of the day, and an absolute master of it.

I think this may be my favorite of hers so far. This retelling of The Goose Girl has all elements and nostalgia of reading a dark fairytale--we have an abused and somewhat naive main character and an evil, villainous mother (who so happens to be a sorceress). It definitely gets grim at times but there is also humor, some lovey-dovey romance, and a good dose of the supernatural. I will say that I generally dislike any romance in a book, but this worked; it was sweet and believable. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the romance aspect was kind of a side story but nevertheless, it was a wonderful addition to the book.

This is simply brilliant. It is exciting, fresh, and completely satisfying. Again, I reiterate that T. Kingfisher is so incredibly talented and in my opinion is one of the most versatile writers in these modern times.

I recently had the pleasure of reading T. Kingfisher's A Sorceress Comes to Call, and I have to say that I was thoroughly impressed with the book. The story is engaging and filled with well-developed characters that will keep you hooked from beginning to end.

I enjoyed the changes in Cordelia as she grows in strength in the book from being terrified of her mother, to finally standing up to her face-to-face in the end. I also enjoyed Hester who defies the typical image of an old spinster sister and brings a bit of comedic relief and practicality as well.

Overall, I highly recommend A Sorceress Comes to Call to anyone who loves a good fantasy adventure. T. Kingfisher has been added to my reading list and authors to look out for.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this prepub ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Everything about this book, from the characters to the dark fairy tale vibes to the horror elements to the suspenseful pacing, was so enticing. The villains in particular gave me the honest-to-goodness creeps. There were a few instances where I would read this before bed and get so unsettled that I would have to put it down and turn on some self-soothing mindless television to calm me down enough to sleep.

The thing that made this unique for me was that one of the villains was a horse. Apparently this is a common theme for T. Kingfisher due to a traumatic incident involving a horse when she was a youngster, but as God has wired my brain to be obsessively passionate about horses no matter how many ways they try to kill me, I can’t identify with her in this way. This is only my second Kingfisher book, and my first encounter with this thing she has about horses, but I have to say that if you can write a horse in a way that makes me afraid to sleep and wish it would just die already… well, that’s quite a feat. I’ve never been afraid of a horse, ever. Props to you, madam, for scary me out of my cowgirl boots.

The team of protagonists were just as lovable as the villains were scary. I loved Hester’s ability to discern the situation between Evangeline and Cordelia, and how protective she became of Cordelia, and how she encouraged everyone else to do the same. I loved Penelope’s aunt-like friendship that eventually became a catalyst for motivating Cordelia to fight back against her mother. And I admire Cordelia for her tremendous courage, overcoming her timidity and fearfulness in spite of the terrifying circumstances surrounding her.

I am so glad Kingfisher has written so many fantasy stories. I will be jumping with both feet into as many as I can get my hands on - even though she feels the way she does about my beloved horses - and if I enjoy all of them as much as the first two I’ve read, I think I’m going to have a new favorite author on my list. So spooky and thrilling!

T. Kingfisher hits it out of the ballpark again with this gothic reimagining of the classic fairytale The Goose Girl. True to style, A Sorceress Comes to Call centers on a young woman’s journey to do what’s right against all odds and the family she finds along the way. Cleverly quirky characters that are never overdone, livestock behaving in unexpected ways, along with witty and comedic dialog, keep the reader engaged from the first page to the last.
Thank you to Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this fantastic ARC.

T. Kingfisher is becoming one of my favorite authors.
This is the perfect mix of fairy tale, fantasy and horror.
A retelling of the Goose Girl, A Sorceress Comes to Call follows the lives of Cordelia and Hester as their worlds collide and they become friends while trying to figure out what to do about Cordelia's mother who is not quiet what she seems.

A Sorceress Comes to Call is a dark and twisted story about a girl named Cordelia with a Sorceress, Evangeline, as her mother. Cordelia has been living under her mother's terror and has grown to be a timid and jumpy girl. The mother and daughter went to live with a wealthy old Squire and his sister Hester. Evangeline was planning to marry the Squire herself and marry Cordelia off to a wealthy man. Everyone and everything that stands in Evangeline's way was in danger. Cordelia, Hester, and the group of house guests needed to find a way to face the sorceress.

This book did an awesome job building up the atmosphere of repression and fear. It's a total page-turner that makes you want to find out what happened to the characters and how they can overcome the unknowns and challenges. It's a retelling of the fairy tale Goose Girl, but the story is only loosely related to the original. It has a life of its own.

If you like a spooky story that has dark secrets, ghosts and demons, and of course sorcery, but also with heart-warming found family and love, then this book is for you!

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Books for the ARC!

I loved this. T. Kingfisher is one of my favorite authors. I haven’t read one book yet that I didn’t like. You get so immersed in the story without being bogged down. I loved all of the characters, and truly this was a delightful read.

This is the first I have read a book by this author (Kingfisher). The opening scene was arresting and the overall story unfolded at a great pace to keep my interest. I don't have a tremendous amount of free time to read, but I found myself thinking about the story, wondering where it would move next and looking forward to the next opportunity to continue reading. Well written, descriptive with a satisfying ending. Will recommend.

5/5 stars
Recommended if you like: fantasy, sorcerers/sorceresses, Victorian era, fairytales, T. Kingfisher

This review has been posted to Goodreads as of 5/11 and will be posted to my review blog on 5/30 and to Instagram on 6/7.

As usual, Kingfisher does not disappoint. Her books tend to fall into two categories: fairytale-esque or fantasy horror, and this one is one of the fairytale-esque ones. Like Nettle & Bone though, it does have some creepy elements.

The world this book is set in is a world of small magics. Sorcerers and sorceresses are known to put magic on things for petty reasons, such as to change hair color, cheat at cards, or get more money for a horse than it's worth. Big magic, like controlling people, is thought to be an old wives' tale. But Cordelia knows better. She may have led a sheltered life and not know what everyone else thinks of magic, but she knows what her mother can do, and her mother definitely utilizes the world's perception of magic to her advantage.

This book is very much a story of escaping abuse, and the support system that's necessary for doing so. Cordelia has lived her entire life under her mother's thumb, and while her mother doesn't lay a hand on her, she certainly prevents her from having any privacy and she does lay her magic on her. Hester recognizes something is off about Evangeline, Cordelia's mother, immediately, as does Cordelia's lady's maid (Alice) at the Squire's house. Hester wants to get rid of Evangeline before she can do something to her brother, but at the same time she wants to protect Cordelia. The scheme ends up involving multiple different people as they try to save Cordelia and the Squire. I really liked how everyone who was let in on what was going on immediately jumped on the bandwagon of getting rid of Evangeline, and even if they didn't believe Cordelia about the magic at first, they definitely believed her when she said something was wrong.

Hester is very no-nonsense and pretty much takes things in stride. She clocks Evangeline as Bad News before the woman even arrives at the door, and her perception ends up being frighteningly correct. Once Evangeline and Cordelia move in, and Hester gets to see how Cordelia behaves, she immediately sets about inviting some of her closest confidantes to the house in order to figure out what's going on and then get rid of Evangeline. I liked Hester and enjoyed seeing her interact with her friends. I also liked seeing the camaraderie she had with the staff of the house. She does harp a bit on being old, but if I'm not mistaken she's only in her 50s, which is middle-aged, not old (and this is coming from someone in her 20s, you're not old until you're in your 70s!).

Cordelia is a young teen who's been almost entirely isolated from the outside world and subject to her mother's cruelties and whims for her entire life. When exposed to the world, she's not only not quite sure how to act, but also terrified of getting something wrong and bringing her mother's wrath down on her and the household. I liked seeing Cordelia get the chance to blossom and discover that she's charming and has her own strengths. I also liked that she made friends with Hester and Hester's friends, and that they took her under their wing not just for protection but because they liked her. Cordelia definitely grows into herself throughout the book and becomes quite bold. By the end, while she's still scared of her mother, she understands that she's her own person and that she does have the strength to fight against her, particularly when there are other people on her side.

The side characters were all lovely (not Evangeline) and I really enjoyed reading their interactions. Imogene is a longtime friend of Hester's and is not only very no-nonsense, but she's sharp as a tack and has a nice streak of ruthlessness in her. She has no qualms about suggesting they push Evangeline down the stairs to solve their problem. Penelope Greene was a wonderful character of a person and I enjoyed her not-too-over-the-top over-the-topness. She's bold and doesn't care what anyone else thinks. Richard (Lord Evermore) balances out the group with a gentle pragmatism. He and Hester used to be lovers, and Hester kind-of-but-not-totally regrets not marrying him when he offered. Regardless, he stands as a good solid presence in the group and is immediately ready to believe Hester and do what needs to be done. You can also tell he's a man written by a woman because enduringly understanding of Hester and continues to love and support her, as well as the fact that (view spoiler). I also treasure Alice, Cordelia's lady's maid, who immediately clocks that something is wrong between Cordelia and Evangeline and immediately acts as Cordelia's protector before going to Hester with her concerns. The girls strike up a friendship and I liked that they got along so well. Tom is the butler of the house and a longtime friend of Hester and the Squire. He also immediately notices something off and is willing to go all-in on a plan to get rid of Evangeline. Tom also has some funny jokes that subtly reference the "butler did it" trope, which I enjoyed.

While the geese take a while to come into the story, I do appreciate the geese. There are a bunch of goose families where I live and I love seeing the babies each year, but a lot of people seem to dislike geese on principle, so I like that the geese are the good guys in this story. They add a humorous element to the story as well, once it's clear what their purpose is.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this story and thought the characters were very strong. I liked seeing their relationships with one another and how they all interacted.

T. Kingfisher has done it again! My very first book was Nettle and Bone and I loved it. This book had me falling had over heels in love again. The writing is superb, witty and clever. The characters are so thoughtfully layered. The conversations are effortless. The whole plot was full of imagination. Do not delay and read this book now!!! My review will NEVER do this justice. This book is a super 5 star read. I could not stop reading it and found so many things relatable even in a regency fantasy setting.

Truly fantastic. It was equal parts cozy and terrifying, with some truly interesting bits of magic and some very charming characters. The story was excellently paced and felt neither too long nor too short. I especially enjoyed the focus on a more psychological form of horror and the exploration of familial abuse.

I suppose, if I was really trying to dig around for a complaint, I might say that I wish Cordelia's arc had been concluded in a little more definitive of a way, but her ending the story without any clear plans for the future seems fairly realistic for her situation.

Altogether, this felt like a combination of Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking and A House With Good Bones, and it's definitely going in my list of the top-five Kingfisher books.

It is fair to say that anything T Kingfisher writes, I will read. This book was no different and written in true dark fairytale, Kingfisher style. I finished this 320 paged masterpiece in a day and don’t regret in one bit. Kingfisher’s usage or dark imagery and ability to spin a fairytale for adults is what has made her an autobuy author for me. I will read anything she writes.

I won’t lie, some of the imagery in this book is graphic, but if you’ve read T Kingfisher before you know what you’re signing up for and you’ll love it just as much as I did. A sorceress who can take over people’s minds including her own daughter’s? A plan to seduce a squire and set them up for life no matter who or what she has to hurt to get there and her daughter who uncovers dark secrets about her mother.

This book was everything I needed and more. It was dark, secretive, enchanting, and unputdownable in the best way. The only book I haven’t read by Kingfisher is Nettle and Bone and after finishing this newest one I am going to pick it up IMMEDIATELY!!

If you want a dark, enchanting story about a sorceress with terrifying powers and her determined daughter who will do anything to make things right, be sure to pick this one up in August!

Delightful classic T Kingfisher wit and humor with a wonderful, slightly dark, fairy tale retelling flavor.

I went into this book fairly blind, requesting it because I've loved everything else by T.; Kingfisher that I've read and this book was no exception.
A retelling of the Grims fairytale The Goose Girl this story had me hooked from the beginning.
A Sorceress Comes To Call is the story of a young girl who, for her whole life, has been controlled (quite literally) by her mother who after a terrible tragedy in the town she lives in goes (along with her mother) to live with a man her mother hopes to marry and his sister.
Filled with secrets and magic and twists this story reads with the grace of a classic..
For a more in depth review you can check out my spoiler free youtube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYavEIktquw&t=247s

I am a little bit obsessed with this book! I found it hard to put down and even dreamed about it last night, which was scary! I loved the time period this was set. Magic was perfect for this era. I also loved all of the characters. I love a book based on how much I care about (or hate) the characters and I felt strongly about all of them. I’m impressed by this, as I can’t remember the last book that had me so intrigued by every character’s chapter equally. Even the old man who ran the stable (the one who had to hold Falada) was someone I was invested in because the lord had such faith in him and what he was capable of. I might need a horse spin-off story about him!
I will definitely be purchasing it for my high school library. It has aspects that will appeal to so many different readers-historical fiction, horror, fantasy, magic, and’ even a little romance. I can see myself recommending it to both girls and boys so that is a bonus for me as well. I’ve read What Moves the Dead and I enjoyed it but I really loved this story.

"A Sorceress Comes to Call" is a reimagining of the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale The Goose Girl as only T. Kingfisher can write it!

The story opens with teenage Cordelia frozen in church unable to do something as simple as itch the end of her nose. Afterwards, we realize that she is under the thumb of an overly controlling, abusive mother, Evangeline, who is also a sorceress. Cordelia’s only comfort and source of escape are her rides on her mother’s magnificent horse Falada. However, things go horribly wrong when her mother’s current benefactor casts her aside and she is forced to search for another rich man to help support them. Evangeline soon sets her sights on the wealthy Squire a few towns over. From there we meet Hester, the Squire's sister and a middle-aged spinster with the gift of presentiment. Hester is awoken in the middle of the night by a sense of impending doom. This doom soon arrives on her and her wealthy brother’s doorstep in the form of Evangeline and her daughter Cordelia. From there the story unfolds with Hester and Cordelia desperately trying to stop Evangeline from ensnaring Hester’s brother and harming the friends and people of the Squire’s household, including the Squire himself.

I have long been a fan of T. Kingfisher’s fantasies and her latest one did not disappoint. I was immediately sympathetic to Cordelia’s plight when I realized her mother could use her magic to make Cordelia “obedient.” In other words, she can take over Cordelia, literally making Cordelia her puppet. Not only that but we learn that Evangeline can do the same to others without magic, allowing her make them do whatever she wants. It is a terrifying prospect for everyone good in the story as well as being a horrifying form of abuse for Cordelia. Then later, after Hester is introduced, I realized she is the goose girl in this story. Hester used to breed and raise geese, making her a middle-aged goose girl, in fact. I loved that interesting character twist from the original fairy tale!

Kingfisher does not pull any punches with this dark fantasy, either. Along the way, we meet side characters who are wonderfully developed, lovely people, but who are not able to be kept safe from Evangeline if she feels they are standing in the way of what she wants. I also liked the interesting way Kingfisher changes the narrative for the horse Falada. Anyone who is familiar with the fairy tale knows that the goose girl has a horse that is her saving grace throughout the story, even after said horse is killed by the girl’s evil rival. However, I have always found that part of the fairy tale to be simultaneously heartbreaking and creepy. Heartbreaking because in the original tale Falada is a good character and a loyal and loving friend. Creepy, because after he is killed, the horse in the original tale goes on to help the girl by speaking to her, offering her advice. In "A Sorceress Comes to Call," Falada is not the loving, loyal creature he is in the original fairy tale. Instead, he is something much, much darker. So, I wasn’t sad to see him cut down. But the way Kingfisher still has Falada help his mistress is no less creepy or gross.

I give this novel 5 out of 5 stars. It was well-paced, a wonderfully inventive take on the original "Goose Girl" by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, and keeps you guessing how the heroines will not only win but survive at the end. If you love works such as "Uprooted" and "Spinning Silver" by Naomi Novik or "The Bear and the Nightingale" series by Katherine Arden, and you enjoy strong female character leads, then you will love this book. However, I will say that if you are looking for a fantasy with a strong romance thread, this may not be that book. There is some element of romance for Hester in the novel, but it is not the focus of the story. It is an action-packed fantasy adventure, though, and I am very grateful to both NetGalley and Tor books for giving me an eARC of it to read in exchange for this honest review.

Ok, so I am a HUGE T. Kingfisher fan. Like, the biggest, so I was absolutely THRILLED when I was given a chance to read her newest book as an advanced copy. Kingfisher is the absolute GOAT when it comes to subversive fairytale retellings, and A Sorceress Comes to Call is no exception. The story follows a girl who has been cursed to be obedient to her mother. The girl has some neuro-spicy traits that makes her day-to-day difficult already, forget the fact that her mother is an evil sorceress who's commitment to her hustle makes it especially unpredictable and difficult for our protagonist. Eventually she makes a handful of friends who not only have her back, but meet her where she's at emotionally and help her save the day. Every single thing Kingfisher puts together is startlingly brilliant. While you can identify what existing fairytale she's working with, you can never imagine what direction things will go. 11/10 no notes.

Loved this retelling of The Goose Girl--it really is its own story, with just a few elements from the original fairytale that give it a bit of shape. Frankly, I much prefer this version! It's an interesting look at mother/daughter relationships, women at different ages, and at found family. Kingfisher always does found family so well, and this story is no exception. Really enjoyed it, and I so love how the ending came together.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

4.75/5 stars

I absolutely LOVED this, as I expected to because T. Kingfisher is a beast. This was the perfect blend of dark and creepy but also beautiful and funny - the unique mix that I've only really experienced with Kingfisher. The characters were rich and unique and the story had my attention from the beginning. I was invested and curious and couldn't ever 100% figure it out, but I wasn't confused either.

I loved every bit of this and I think anyone that enjoys a good mystery with some humor and dark fairytale elements will LOVE this too.

This was an awesome twist to the Goose Girl fairy tale! Some of the same features, geese, a white horse named Falada, and a girl trapped by, in this one her mother and not a handmaid but similar circumstances. So, yes, those elements but then thrown in a blender and add more magic, creepy familiars, murder, and a group of people trying to stop the sorceress Evangeline and it is a fresh and wonderful story that I enjoyed very much. I would definitely say that it is a bit darker of a fairy tale than the original (though that one also had dark bits) as Evangeline kills or destroys anyone that gets in her way to power and riches. Luckily Cordelia finds help when her mother sets her eyes on Samuel (a Squire) who has a sister with a bit of an uncanny sense for Doom. Hester is a very likable character and her friends are up for the challenge, even when it ends up with a woman going over the balcony to her death and a headless horse running around and spells for obedience.

I have read several T. Kingfisher books now and I have really enjoyed them, especially the ones that are fresh takes on fairy tales. This one actually might be my favorite though I also really enjoyed Nettle and Bone. Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book to read and review.

This was my first read from Kingfisher and I absolutely devoured it! I loved everything about it! I was invested in all of the characters, villains and all! The story was well paced and so engaging. I loved the magic and sorcery element and I didn’t think I would! It was just so well done. It was witty and funny and I couldn’t put it down!

Cordelia’s mother is an evil sorcerer who can compel people to behave as she pleases, including murdering others. They move to a new town so Cordelia’s mother, Evangeline can seduce a wealthy man to become her husband. Cordelia discovers the real reason they left was because her mother had made her ex lover murder ibid whole family. However, once they arrive, Cordelia forges a relationship with the family and befriends Hester and they try to come up with a plan to stop Evangeline’s evil plots.

I just absolutely loved this story. This will definitely not be my last book by Kingfisher!

Thank you to Net Galley and Tor Publishing Group for my advanced reader copy in exchange for this honest review.

This book was phenomenal from page one! This is my first T. Kingfisher book but I am quickly adding her others to my TBR.

This is a retelling of Goose Girl by the Brothers Grimm. I haven't actually read the original so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this dark story. The characters were vibrant and so dynamic. The story was well paced and kept me intrigued all the way through.

Thank you so much for letting me read this! It was a sinister delight!

Yet another delightful story from Kingfisher. A retelling of "The Good Girl" (I've read so many re-tellings, I should really get around to reading to original!), this tale focuses on the plight of young Cordelia, daughter of a sorceress. Determined to marry Cordelia to a welathy man, her mother must first pave the way with her own marriage, to a well off man who can provide Cordelia with the dresses and introductions one requires in society.
With this in mind, Cordelia's mother brings them to the lovely country manor of the Squire and his sister, Hester, so that she may marry on comfort and put young Cordelia out on the marriage mart. While not a sorceress herself, Hester nevertheless senses that a great doom is approaching even before they arrive.
A lovely setting, a delightful cast of characters, an evil villain... it was all just so much fun!

This was sooooo good! I couldn’t put it down. The writing was great, the characters likable and well-developed. Thanks so much for this!

Fantastic author! Great pacing and great development for the characters. I was heavily invested in the plot and descriptive settings.

T. Kingfisher is the leader in writing complex characters, female trauma, and gothic horror books. This book was so creepy to read, and you can feel the main characters despair. I will say this book is not for the faint of heart, as there is a lot of childhood trauma and abuse that just makes you feel so sad. Also, if you have a bad relationship with your mother, this book may be difficult to read. But, I do think Kingfisher does a great job explaining the complexity of what life is like with a narc mother and the emotions the child feels.

Also, witches. Love witches.

First of all, I want to say that it feels like marketing this book as a retelling is probably a mistake. I haven’t read Goose Girl myself, but based on some other reviews I read and also my own vibes, I would call this more of a ‘loosely inspired by’ situation instead. That being said, I loved it! A Sorceress Comes to Call stays very much true to Kingfisher’s usual tone, being both hilariously lighthearted and simultaneously horrifically dark. If I had to describe this book in terms of genre, I would probably call it cozy fantasy horror.

T. Kingfisher knocks it out of the park with this twisted retelling of 'The Goose Girl'. Cordelia has lived all of her life under the control of her evil, powerful sorceress mother. When the two women need to leave town after a suspicious death, Cordelia's mother ingratiates herself into the household of a well-to-do Squire, intent on securing his hand in marriage. What neither woman expected was the Squire's spinster sister, Hester, who is determined to save her brother and rescue Cordelia from her mother's clutches. Set in a Regency-like world, Kingfisher once again makes heroes out of the characters who are usually left on the sidelines. Give to folks looking for a dark Regency fantasy with unlikely leads like Zen Cho's 'Sorcerer to the Crown'.

I cannot think of a way to put into words the ways in which I adore this book!
I mean obviously there’s the hate filled villain aspect which made me want to burn her alive. Evangeline inflicts unspeakable horrors on her daughter and while the story does explore parental abuse through isolation and evil magic.

But there are also so many incredible characters that are fun and witty and enjoyable. Hester has such a dry sense of humor I would want to be friends with her. She guides Cordelia in this new world she has found herself in.

It’s a story of courage and bravery and overcoming. But there is also murder and defense geese and sarcasm and humor.

This book caught my interest from the very first page. I absolutely loved everything about Cordelia, Hester, Penelope and all of the crew. Every character was superbly written and well-thought out. I will definitely be reading more books by T. Kingfisher.

T. Kingfisher is a must-read for me, but this is definitely going down as one of my favorites. Tailor-made for fans of Downton Abbey and Bridgerton, with a side helping of fairy tale evil mothers.

While there's definitely teen appeal coming from 14 year old Cordelia, the true star of the show is Hester. Who doesn't love a subtle age and disability-positive second chance romance featuring a 50-year-old heroine?

(Listened on Audiobook, dual narrators were excellent)

This is my first Kingfisher novel and I am blown away. It’s the exact dark fairy tale vibe that I love to read. It’s dark but also funny and hopeful, and has an unexpected goose cameo. Besides the main villain, all of the characters are very likeable, I was a bit sad to leave them when the book was over. I gobbled up this story so quick, I could not put it down. Overall this is fast paced dark and sometimes funny, and will probably be one of my favourite reads of the year.

Thanks to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group and T Kingfisher for this e-ARC

T. Kingfisher gets me every time. A wizard with building magical worlds, she’s unafraid to make her heroines utterly normal. A Sorceress comes to Call follows Cornelia as her mother Evangeline seeks a marriage to an aging (and very wealthy) squire. Evangeline is riddled with power, and has no qualms with using it to manipulate anyone around her.

Cornelia, at 14, bears the brunt of her mother’s whiplashing desires. She’s cowed until she meets Hester, the spinster sister of the squire, and starts finding her voice.

A Sorceress Comes to Call is a cautionary tale of power left unchecked. Much of the book is dedicated to understanding magic and trying to stop a villain who doesn’t play by the rules. This generally worked well, but sometimes felt lopsided as Cornelia would blunder into a magical aspect of the world which should have been explained to her by her mother or any other guardian. I wish more of the book could have been dedicated to Evangeline's backstory. While she often references behind abandoned by Cornelia's father, there's no explanation on how she gained her skills, if it was natural or taught, or why she can't just magic herself a ton of money and be done with all the manipulation.

At times, I wish Cornelia or Hester had some magical powers to fight back. I want magic to be a power for good. And I want animal familiars to be helpful, not spiteful. But those wants are flipped, and that originality gives A Sorceress Comes to Call a unique spot within the pantheon of fairy tales.

T. Kingfisher can do no wrong in my book! I was instantly captivated and swept away by this tale of forbidden magic, secrets, danger, and cunning. A Sorceress Comes to Call is a brilliant, gripping, and dark retelling of the Fairy tale The Goose Girl: A Story from the Brothers Grimm by the Brothers Grimm. T. Kingfisher is such a unique, gifted, and talented writer. If you have not read a book by this author, you are missing out!

Cordelia's mother, Evangeline, is a sorceress who demands obedience and wields her 'magical' control whenever she can. Cordelia is forced to remain still for various lengths of time. She lives in fear and must flee their home with her mother after Evangeline gets into a little hot water and they end up at the home of the Squire. A man Evangeline hopes to woo and wed. Cordelia feels out of her element in such a grand home but is quickly befriended by the Squires sister, Hester, and is treated with kindness by the staff of the manor. Hester knows something isn't right. She is very observant and clever; she knows that Evangeline is up to no good. How can she save her brother from this evil sorceress???

A Sorceress Comes to Call is simply brilliant. Seriously, it's amazing! I had a hard time putting it down when life got in the way. I loved all the characters, even Evangeline who is so wickedly drawn. T. Kingfisher has a knack for creating characters that are fully fleshed out, interesting, and quirky. I adored the collection of personalities, their motivations, and banter. T. Kingfisher also excels at creating unique settings/locations which ooze with atmosphere. I could imagine the manor, the woods, and felt as if I was immersed in the action as a silent observer.

What a brilliant book that touches on magic, abuse, love, danger, revenge, family, friendship, and good vs. evil. I loved the sense of unease which grew as the book progressed. I also enjoyed the mounting danger, the tension, and the suspense which grew throughout the book.

I was lucky enough to have both the e-book and audiobook version which made for a wonderful reading experience! The narrators of the audiobook did a fabulous job.

I was literally on the edge of my seat and loving every second. I devoured this book. I could gush about this book all day, but I will end by saying READ IT!

Dark, brilliant, and captivating. Highly Recommend.

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher was such a fantastic read. As always, T. Kingfisher knows how to deliver a creppy and spooky read that is hard to put down. I basically read this in one sitting because I couldn't make myself stop reading. It's fast paced and totally enthralling. I loved it. I cannot wait to recommend this book to EVERYONE.

While I had never heard of the fairy tale this was based on, it didn’t detract from how much I LOVED this story. As with all of Kingfisher’s books, the writing has a friendly ease that draws you into the fantastical world she describes. I was immediately terrified by Evangeline and her cold ruthlessness, and rooting for Cordelia to escape her clutches. The characters were ABSOLUTELY delightful, and I especially loved the banter between Hester and Evermore. The tension was skillfully built with plenty of good humor sprinkled in to keep it fun, and I feel extremely satisfied with how things ended. Obviously, I’m not surprised with how enjoyable this was, but it’s always a breath of fresh air when a great story comes into your life.

I enjoyed this story, I don't know what I thought I was expecting but I never would have anticipated what I got. While it goes to some dark places, I never felt like this was a dark book. It goes back to when villains were truly villains. And at the end you are left with such a cozy feeling of found family. Plus the geese.

This book was absolutely a delight start to finish. It was charming, magical, sweet, mysterious, and funny. Top favorite fantasy book I’ve read this year!

Told from two POVs, starting with young Cordelia as we learn about her sorceress mother, Evangeline. Then Hester, sister to Samuel, the Squire, whom Evangeline set her sights on.

I adored Cordelia, she has a wonderful character arc spanning from her innocence and gullibility, to more confident in the presence of Lady Hester and her friends.

Hester is a spinster in her fifties, she sees right through Evangeline’s trickery and is helpless to get Samuel away from her clutches.

When Cordelia realizes her mother’s plans will hurt her new friends, she seeks their help to stop Evangeline at all cost.

I loved all the storytelling and the fast paced plot, it was a very concise tale with fantastic setting - regency with a little bit of magic, so charming and funny. All the various characters added entertainment to the book and made it insanely enjoyable. Hester’s friends, Penelope and Imogen were just the kind of company you’d want to keep! The small romance subplot for Hester and Richard was SO cute. I loved their shared history and the moments they had together. Richard Evermore is totally swoony! And can’t forget Willard, the butler, with the jokes.

I devoured the audiobook in a short amount of time! Both narrators were phenomenal. Eliza Foss voicing Hester and Jennifer Pickens, Cordelia. Their voices and chapters blended seamlessly. This was my second book narrated by Pickens, she brought a childlike innocent quality to Cordelia. Eliza Foss had a wonderful delivery for Hester and all her friends, very high class with the time period. I’m looking forward to listening to more books with these narrators and picking up the next T. Kingfisher book off my shelf!

I was sent a copy of this book without having requested it… and it’s the best thing that’s happened to me in so long!

T. Kingfisher has very quickly become one of my all time most recommended authors at my bookstore, as well as one of my favorite authors to read in my downtime. Their stories are comforting yet terrifying, cozy yet thrilling, and just completely unputdownable. A Sorceress Comes to Call is no exception! In fact this may be my favorite one yet.

This book is a reimagining of The Goose Girl, and I say reimagining instead of retelling because it is wildly different than its supposed source material, with T. Kingfisher putting their very own special spin on the classic tale. It’s darkly funny, richly told, and downright horrific at times.

Special thank you to Tor Publishing for knowing my personal reading tastes so very well, you guys are the best at what you do; diehard fan for life. And to T. Kingfisher themselves for writing banger after absolute banger and allowing me to read them.

4.5, rounded up to a 5. The geese and the Acknowledgements at the end really give it that extra .5 star!!

I love Kingfisher's ability to write in older characters that FEEL their age while still being so active in the story. Cordelia and Hester being the main POVs were fantastic choices, and their voices felt distinct. I never know what I'm getting into when I pick up a book by this author but I KNOW I'm in for a good time, and this one did not disappoint!

Book: A Sorceress Comes To Call
Author: T. Kingfisher
Publisher: Tor Publishing Group
Pub Date: August 6, 2024

I have been curious about T. Kingfisher’s books for quite some time now. I have been on the Libby List to get “House With Good Bones” forever so I was thrilled when NetGalley granted me this one. This was definitely a step outside my box kind of book and I loved it.  This is a retelling of the Brothers Grimm fairytale “Goose Girl” which I am not familiar with. Cordelia, 14 years old, is physically forced to obey her mother who is a evil sorceress. I never thought I would be reading a fantasy/horror book about a sorceress. Ever. But here we are. The characters in this story are very well developed as are their relationships. I loved Cordelia and Hester and the magical geese. It is spooky with just the right amount of horror and humor. If it isn’t your kind of book then give it a chance you are going to love it. If it is your kind of book then you are going to love it even more. I am looking forward to reading more books by T. Kingfisher.

Thank you Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for this sneak peak! Publication date is August 6, 2024.

T. Kingfisher never disappoints and she doesn't here either. An emotionally abused daughter finds a way to escape her evil sorceress mother in this quick, delightful read.

This intriguing novel takes readers on a journey with Cordelia, a young girl raised in an unconventional household by a possible sorceress. The lack of privacy and the strange silences Cordelia endures hint at a dark secret, and the revelation of her mother's true nature ups the stakes considerably.

The author masterfully creates a world where the line between eccentricity and evil blurs. Cordelia's only solace lies in her connection with Falada, the horse, and the kindness she finds with the Squire and Hester. The warmth of this newfound family creates a stark contrast to Cordelia's chilling reality.

The looming threat of her mother's plans keeps the plot moving, and the central conflict – Cordelia's loyalty to her only family versus the safety of the people she cares about – is a compelling one. Readers will find themselves invested in Cordelia's difficult choice and eager to see how she navigates this complex situation.

I expected something great, and I wasn't disappointed! Kingfisher is such a master of tone that I somehow came away from this book filled with tragedy and thought, "well that was fun!" She knows how to keep characters on their toes and readers on the edge of their seat. While the stakes were high there was always room for humor, which only endeared me to the characters even more. Something I loved in this book was her ability to balance the young character with the older ones. Everyone had their strengths and weaknesses, and I always was happy to read more about them. A great book that I am already recommending to all my friends.

A Sorceress Comes to Call is a lovely fairy-tale in T. Kingfisher's trademark blend of the cozy and the horrific. Cordelia's mother is the titular sorceress, a woman bent on living in luxury on someone else's money. Cordelia is imprisoned by her mother in many ways and longs for escape. When they cross paths with a genial squire and his sister and her friends, Cordelia finds allies for the first time in her life. But getting rid of a sorceress isn't easy or painless, so there's a lot of work to be done. The world-building is fabulous and rich, I loved the characters, all of whom felt real and had depth, and the plot and pacing are excellent. Horror fans may find the book too whimsical at first, but be patient--the horror deepens as the novel progresses.

Beautiful. Almost cozy, were it not for all the blood. Bridgerton with magic. And more evil. Much more evil.

T Kingfisher makes books that I am afraid to read and yet simultaneously cannot put down. She introduces characters, makes you fall in love with them immediately, and instantly they are put in mortal peril. I know this is pretty much the basis of all fiction (characters + stakes = a story) but there is something about the way she can twist the knife ever so gently into a character's back that makes you feel the fear, pain, and betrayal acutely right along with them. Cordelia is in a pickle. Her mother uses magic to make people around her, including Cordelia, experience horrible things. What can a 14-year-old with seemingly no special talents do when she is at the mercy of her all-powerful mother? Hester is also in a pickle. Her brother is at risk of being swept away by a newly arrived woman with a terrified rabbit of a daughter and a mysterious brute of a horse who arrive on their doorstep. Cordelia, Hester, and a group of loyal friends must band together to save themselves from an entity bent on her own destructive ends. Kingfisher's readers will be pleased by the usual sprinkling of hilarious dialogue that cuts the tension just enough that continuing to read is a possibility.

Another entry in the column marked "reasons I love T. Kingfisher's writing". A dark fairytale containing a Sorceress (of course), an abused daughter, an evilish faimilar, a clueless Squire, a badass older sister (with bad knees) and a long running love story. I enjoyed this so much! It was so easy to fall into the story with the characters all fully rounded and described. I wanted to be part of Hester's emboidery circle! There were several laugh out loud moments, the writing was as usual top tier, just MAGICAL!!

I received this book as an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley. I am in love with T. Kingfisher’s work! Her books are an actual wonder. They are extremely well-written, fascinating, and spooky. I love her characters, especially the strong, female lead. Evangeline, a sorceress, and her daughter, Cordelia, a lovely girl who is her mother’s victim, move in with Squire Samuel and his sister, Hester. Evangeline intends to marry the Squire and use his money to marry Cordelia off to a wealthy man. Her familiar, Falada, reports back to her with all of Cordelia’s secrets. The story is rich and wonderful - truly an enjoyable read.

𝑀𝑒𝓂𝑜𝓇𝒾𝒶𝓁 𝒟𝒶𝓎 𝒲𝑒𝑒𝓀𝑒𝓃𝒹 𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝑀𝒶𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓃

What if the next Bridgerton series was a gothic horror story with some Grimm fantasy inspo?
You’d get 𝘼 𝙎𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙏𝙤 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙡

T. Kingfisher continues to be a favorite author of mine as she remixes classic tales, bends genres, and creates characters for readers to worry about. There is a creepy horse again. I did Google to find out why😩😂

Read this if:
📖 you like reading twisted tales
🧟‍♀️ you enjoy creepy horror (a pinch of gore)
🍿enjoy Regency romance intrigue with conspiring characters

Will be released on August 6, 2024, so preorder now. 336 pages.

Thank you T. Kingfisher, @torbooks & @netgalley for the opportunity to read this fun Regency-like horror pageturner. I will read all of this author’s stories. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

#horrornovel #romancehorrorbooks #regencyromance #genrebending #fantasybooks #TKingfisher #asorceresscomestocall #newbooks #arcreads #bookreviews #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookstagram #currentlyreading #amreading

As a kid the retelling of Goose Girl by Shannon Hale was one of my favorite books so when I saw that T. Kingfisher was doing an adaptation I couldn't wait to read it. It didn't disappoint. All the characters had a depth and interestingness that kept me wanting to know what happened next. Though the storyline itself appears at first glance very simple, the writing style and characters added a beautiful level of complexity and horror. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes retellings, a little fantasy-horror, and strong female lead characters.

Wow! Kingfisher has once again produced a smart, savvy, fairy tale that has delicately horrific elements that demonstrate peril but don't inspire nightmares. This regency era reimagining of the Grimm's fairy tale The Goose Girl is exquisitely crafted. Cordelia, a believable 14 year old heroine is trying to surviver the machinations of her mother, an evil sorceress who plots to snare a wealthy husband or two. This enthralling combination of murder, mayhem, and found family is irresistible.

T. Kingfisher never disappoints and this was another example of that. I was delighted to read this regency-esque fantasy story that bordered between fairy tale and historical fantasy. The characters were delightful as always, and I was pleased at all the twists it took from the original Goose Girl fairy tale.

I don't know how T. Kingfisher (Ursula Vernon) comes up with this madness but I'm so freaking happy she does!

From a bonedog and demon chicken in Nettle and Bone to a helpful hedgehog in The Seventh Bride, and now a Sorcerer's familiar that survives...some serious unpleasantries... that reveal just how strong wicked bonds can be.

I devoured this book. The author has a sense of humor which is infused in her characters so efficiently that you can't help but laugh while simultaneously being creeped out and/or worried for their lives. It's like she invented her own genre fantasy-comedy-thriller or...thrilcomasy 😂😂 and I'm here for it!

I am relatively new to reading anything that could be considered fantasy or magical realism. I have also not read The Brothers Grimm story that this is a re-telling of (Goose Girl). The good news is that you don’t need to know that story to thoroughly enjoy this story. This is also my first read by T. Kingfisher and it will not be my last.

This book had an ease about it, like the author is so comfortable with her characters that she feel comfortable having fun with them. As a result, this book is was a complete pleasure to read. The wit and vivid descriptions grabbed me immediately and kept me invested all the way to the end. It was fun to read! If you read the synopsis and are at all interested, I highly recommend picking this book up.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Tor Books, T. Kingfisher, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this for an early review.

T Kingfisher continues to be a favorite author. I love how she takes classic fairytale and makes them entirely her own. I don't think I will ever get tired of her practical characters or her creepy plots.

Whenever I reach for a T. Kingfisher book, I know that I am going to get well-written characters, incredible atmosphere, an interesting story, and maybe a really messed up creature (if I am lucky). A Sorceress Comes to Call delivers on all these fronts, and when it comes to messed up creatures, well... lets just say I was treated to a truly nasty specimen that could be an all-timer from Kingfisher. The author carefully balances every element in this book, with Cordelia's story of resistance against her mother's horrific abuse and the people who help her push back firmly placing this book near the top of the retellings Kingfisher has done recently. Highly recommended and an easy must-have for library shelves.

My favorite part of finishing a T. Kingfisher book is closing the last page and getting to lean back, knowing she's done it again. It's the perfect bow on top, the little chef's kiss, another point in the running for favorite author. A SORCERESS COMES TO CALL became one of my most anticipated reads for the summer as soon as I saw who'd written it, and I am beyond glad I was blessed with an ARC.

A SORCERESS COMES TO CALL is an inventive twist on the Brother Grimm's Goose Girl tale, following Cordelia and Hester as they contend with an evil sorceress who will stop at nothing to get her way. For Cordelia, that woman is her mother; for fourteen years she's done her best to survive under her roof, knowing any misstep or sign of dissent will give her mother an excuse to take over her body and force her to be obedient—not that she really needs one. When her mother has them flee in the middle of the night to enact her plan of snaring a richer husband to give Cordelia a better position to find an even richer one, all Cordelia can do is what she asks.

For Hester, that woman is the doom angling to marry her brother. She doesn't trust Evangeline for a moment, and the worrying behavior of her young daughter only builds Hester's suspicion. Summoning her allies, including a few of her closest friends and her old flame, she prepares to go head-to-head with the worst kind of witch there is.

I was charmed by this book, start to finish. I am always so enamored by the way T. Kingfisher builds her characters and the diversity of the age ranges. I've felt this way for the last several books I've read by her, but this one truly cemented how excited I am to reread her work for the rest of my life. The care and attention paid to the rich lives of older characters add something truly special, and I think Hester and Richard emerged as my favorites because of it.

This is definitely the book to pick up if you love character-driven stories that balance the heavier aspects with humor and compassion. The plot isn't full of twists and turns to the end, though it certainly has its moments, (the biggest one for me was revealed right at the beginning, especially given the original tale!), but there's no less drama and stakes for it. I enjoyed watching Cordelia grow into her own while Hester and the other side characters wormed their way into my heart, and I am very much looking forward to revisiting this world in the future!

Cordelia’s abusive, narcissistic mother, Evangeline, is seeking wealthy marriage matches and is willing to do anything, including using her powerful sorcery to get her way. When Hester’s brother becomes the target of Evangeline’s machinations, will Cordelia and Hester be able to stop Evangeline from destroying everything they hold dear?

This incredible fairytale reimagining delivers Kingfisher’s usual engaging writing style and rich characters. There is an incredible balance of the horrifying events that Evangeline sets in motion with the beautiful relationships among Cordelia and Hester’s found family. The contrast creates an immersive world around a dark and compelling story.

(This was a review of a free advanced review copy. Thanks to Tor, T. Kingfisher, and NetGalley for that privilege!)

There is a reason why T. Kingfisher is quickly becoming an auto-read author for me and nothing says why better than this book! T. Kingfisher has such a way with words and really getting you immersed into the world of the story - I wish every book was as captivating!

What would you do if your mother was… well, different? Not in the usual ways but in a weird, could-she-be-magical somehow way? For Cordelia, she just knows that her mother can make her be “obedient” and that she isn’t allowed to keep secrets from her, EVER. Imagine Cordelia’s surprise when her mother announces she needs to marry a rich man, which in turn would guarantee Cordelia to also marry a rich man! Cordelia has no friends except for her mother’s beautiful white horse, Falada, who almost seems to know what she is saying and understands Cordelia’s struggles.

What would you do if your brother started to fall in love with someone who only filled you with doom and dread… and you couldn’t say why? Hester is the spinster sister of the Squire and when Cordelia and her mother, Evangeline, show up on her doorstep, Hester notices that things aren’t quite what they seem. There is magic afoot, and not the warm and fuzzy kind, either. Will Hester and Cordelia be able to stop Evangeline?

Immediately, the characters are well-rounded and inspire all of the sympathy and feelings. The story reads half like a fairy tale and half like an old story you might find in a dusty book that is just begging to be read, and you don’t want to miss it! I also love that one of our main characters is an older woman, whom you don’t often see written from their perspective. Give this one a read - you won’t be able to put it down!

Big thank you to Netgalley, T. Kingfisher, and Tor Fantasy for the chance to read this ARC and the opportunity to give my honest thoughts and review!

As someone who loves a good Regency romance situation (you best believe I'm watching the new season of Bridgerton lol) this was right up my ally. This book leans into some of the best Regency tropes and turns them on their head to create a horror-adjacent situation. And this is now like my manyth T. Kingfisher book, because I love the way she writes (humorously and...well, look I'm not the writer here) and her sense of humor and solid plots are on display in this book. The horse is creepy as hell, but the real draw for me was the side-characters, which are a super lovable group of folks indeed. I've long wanted to name a cat Hester (based on the Golden Compass character) and like this book has not disabused me of that notion. Anyway, if you like regency, light horror and hilarity, you can't go wrong here. 5 stars. Get me my next Kingfisher book, stat.

There’s something really special about this book and these characters. The story is rich, the writing enchanting, and the characters are impossible not to fall in love with. Kingfisher, truly is one magician!!

Thanks to Netgalley and Tor Books for an eARC of A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher. What made this novel a breath of fresh air to me was how it changed notions and plot devices seen in fantasy and gave them a unique spin. The story revolves around Cordelia, a 14-year-old girl who is being treated badly by her mother. Besides the maltreatment, Cordelia knows she is in a very unique situation that not all teen girls deal with. After the mother decides to relocate them in pursuit of marriage, the novel's plot quickens as it plows full steam ahead to an insidiously intense climax. I highly recommend A Sorceress Comes to Call for readers who love fantasy as well as people who may be trying to get into fantasy and love the weird and strange.

This book is now in my top 10 reads! Kingfisher's prose is engulfing. I was immersed in the story from page one. I found the vibe to be similar to Ava Reid's Juniper and Thorne. Kingfisher does so well in giving the reader the same sense of overwhelming dread that comes from a controlling parent that Cordelia feels.

Any book by T.Kingfisher is always a delight. She writes so lyrically, that each book feels more like an extended poem. Add into this wonderful combination a retelling of the fairytale "Goose Girl?" - well, you will get nothing but pure magic. and magic is what this book is about, and magic is what this book is. I loved every page, it was such a perfect retelling and I don't know anyone who could have done it better. Highly recommended for all fiction lovers, but especially those who are looking for their Naomi Novik fix, this book will draw you in and won't let go!

Another fantastic outing for T. Kingfisher! A thrilling magical tale about outwitting an evil sorceress. I couldn’t put it down and read the whole thing in one day. I highly recommend to all fantasy lovers.

I absolutely loved this book. I’ve never read any books from this author before and I think this book was a good one to start with. The writing was marvellous. I could see and feel what the characters were experiencing.

This is the first book I have read from this author and now I will have to go looking for me. This book was well written, and the characters had depth. You could feel how awful Cordelia felt when around her mother. It was easy to see that people do not cross Evangeline, but Hester makes the exception to save her brother and Cordelia.

What a fantastic read!

This was my first T. Kingfisher book and I can tell you it won't be my last. I had no idea what to expect when I started reading, and was immediately drawn in. The characters were so well done, and the story was absolutely gripping.

Cordelia's journey from meek to...well I don't want to give anything away. But her journey was so rewarding to follow. As for her mother, Kingfisher certainly knows how to write a villain. I hate that woman more than some non-fictional villains I know. Hester was a pure delight, the perfect audience surrogate, thinking what we all are as the story unfolds, and tackling it all with humor and smarts. The relationship between her and Richard was one of my favorite parts of the story. I fell in love with entire cast of characters, and their coming together at a manor home to solve a murderous problem had a tinge of Agatha Christie that was a lot of fun.

If you enjoy fantasy with a dark edge, found family, and a main character you can root for, get this book immediately.

Kingfisher is an expert at this sort of insidious horror story. There is some violence and gore, but most of the actual horror comes from the horror that is human behavior. I'm not particularly familiar with the story that this one is based on, so I can't make any commentary on how good a retelling it is, but it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time and all of the characters are absolutely wonderfully developed.

Another banger!! Kingfisher's writing is captivating and evocative, bringing each scene to life with a vividness that pulls you deep into the characters’ world. The way they intertwine the imagery in their storytelling with the amazing word building is truly masterful.

Wow, what an ending!

Cordelia is a young girl with a mother (Evangeline) so domineering she forces Cordelia into "obedience" with magical powers. When Evangeline loses her most recent benefactor, she must make arrangements to find a new one. So Evangeline and her familiar, a horse named Falada, drag Cordelia along in search of a rich husband.

While this is a fantasy/horror book, and some gruesome horror is in store, where this book shines is in the characters and relationships. Cordelia has grown up knowing no one but her mother. Thankfully, she meets the most amazing people as they all work to defeat the evil Evangeline before she can destroy their family. I grew to love Hester, Richard, Willard, Penelope, Imogene, Alice and all the new people Cordelia meets and forms relationships with.

Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

5 stars all around, even for the acknowledgments section 😂. If you like your fairy tales in Brothers Grimm horror fashion with a side of regency romance, this is the book for you!! Fun quick read.

I’d not read any of Kingfisher’s work before, but I’ll certainly look at her earlier titles now. From the beginning when we’re first introduced to the practice of Obedience—despite not fully understanding it so early in the story—I was hooked. I appreciated that it wasn’t overly dark and disturbing while still dealing with some pretty sinister behavior. Loved the characters and it was just overall a really enjoyable read!

I appreciate Net Galley and the publisher for providing the arc of this book.

What a great ride! This was my first T. Kingfisher, and A Sorceress Comes to Call makes it clear why the author is so beloved.

Fairytale, regency, darkness and humor all in one delicious read with a cast of fantastic characters.

Holy moly, I loved this book.

A Sorceress Comes to Call is a dark fairytale that follows 14-year-old Cordelia as her mother (Evangeline, who is also an evil sorceress) tries to weasel her way in and marry the wealthy Squire Samuel Chatham, who lives in his family manor with his sister, Hester. Cordelia and Evangeline's arrival at the home of the Squire and Hester spurs on a deadly house party, a wedding, and a whole lot of geese.

While this is a dark story, T. Kingfisher weaves in humor masterfully and brings every character to life. Cordelia is a great main character, and I loved seeing her growth throughout the story, but I think the side characters are what make this story shine. Hester, Imogene, and Penelope serve as excellent comedic relief; the Squire is perfectly oblivious and good-hearted; and Evangeline is an absolutely wicked viper, and she would be so even if she didn't have her sorcery.

A Sorceress Come to Call is very likely to make my top 10 books of 2024. I would highly, HIGHLY recommend this book.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Tor Publishing Group for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

T. Kingfisher again masters the darkness in this compelling retelling of Grimm’s Goose Girl. Not being familiar with the original I went into A Sorceress Comes to Call happily embraced by Kingfisher’s beautiful prose. What this book has—is claws! As soon as the situation with our heroine, Cordelia, is clear, the pages fly and I become more and more desperate to find out what’s going to happen. The layers fall away showing more and more about the dangers that lie ahead.

I loved Hester as a character and the uniqueness of her friends. The paranormal elements were artfully done  and really I loved everything about the book until about the last ten percent. There I have wishes that the resolution might have been different. When the darkness lingering in the shadows throughout the opening blossoms towards the end, with it comes the final battle which I had hoped for even a more extreme showdown - but then I also didn’t really want the book to end at all. A Sorceress Comes to Call is a book that lives sharply in memory with characters to care about, and be concerned for, and a heroine you want to hug.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for providing an Advance Reader’s Copy for an honest review.

Wow, T. Kingfisher is a genius and I will read anything she writes. I DEVOURED this book. I loved the way she built suspense and intrigue; I literally couldn’t put it down. I loved the way she depicted the emotions, fear, and anxiety within the characters, which really helped me connect with them and set the tone beautifully. I also LOVED the found family vibes in this!

10/10.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the eARC! All opinions are my own.

This is my fourth T. Kingfisher read, and it is by far the best of the four! The protagonists were relatable, lovable, and flawed in their own very human ways. The supporting cast were brilliant in their roles. The antagonist was absolutely horrible (I don’t know if I’ve loathed an antagonist this much in a great many years). The horrific elements were wonderfully executed. The prose was great, solid and elegant without veering into flowery territory. With this being a Goose Girl retelling, I was worried that it would feel flat and uninspired (the author’s previous fairytale retelling was painfully dull), but this was wonderful. It strays so far from the source material and in the best of ways. Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for the ARC!

T Kingfisher is a master of her craft. I've loved everything she's ever written and this is no different.

The story was rich with fairy tale characters, compelling narratives and moments of love and family that transcend the ties of blood.

Kingfisher plays expertly with some tropes, whilst twisting others on their heads and her interpretation of Goose Girl was fresh yet familiar, sinister and satisfying.

Highly recommend for fans of Naomi Novik and Leigh Bardugo.

This book felt like a horrifying fairytale. It was so thrilling, I couldn't put it down! Similar to 'the last unicorn' in that we have an unlikely band of heroes, and a terrifying villian. The world is incredibly immersion and rich. The characters were relatable, interesting, and flawed. I would recommend this book to any fans of twisted fairytales.

Once again, I’m wowed by one of T. Kingfisher’s reworked fairy tales. Found family, geese husbandry, and the odd bit of sorcery, this book has it all. This books is a lovely bit of cozy fantasy.

I've not read T. Kingfisher before, so this was really excellent! It was a great story, and I didn't even realize it was a Goose Girl retelling until I looked at other reviews. I really enjoyed it, and will be looking for more from this author!

Thank you to Tor Books and NetGalley for the chance to read the e-arc of A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher.

I have never done this before, but I will start by saying this was a 5-star read for me. I loved the writing, the fairytale elements, the found family, the strong female characters, the humorous moments and even the very evil scheming of the Sorceress at the center of the mayhem. From the very first moment that we meet her, I was rooting for obedient daughter Cordelia to find a way from under her mother’s sinister thumb. Who knew that finding kinship with Hester, the spinster sister of her mother’s next conquest, would be what she needed to finally find the strength to break free. The whole cast of witty and thankfully resourceful characters, including Penelope, Richard, Imogene, Willard, and even the geese enhance the story in a satisfying way. I was very sorry to leave this world and look forward to re-reading when the novel is published in August 2024. 5/5 star read all the way.

What a perfect fairy tale. Huge thanks to @netgalley and @torpublishing this was an amazing read. Cordelia’s mom is insistent she marry rich and have an easy life like every mother wanting the best for her daughter only she’s a sorceress. As the sorceress finds her own rich husband to bankroll her daughter’s future the pair moves in a squire and his spinster sister. As Cordelia grows close to the family and their friends she realizes she has to find a way to stop her devious mother from ruining their lives and break free for good. Well written and fast paced this one delivers everything you could want. 5/5 ⭐️

Cordelia has lived a sheltered life. Kept mostly at home by her mother, her only real friend is their work horse, Falada. Spending her days toiling away in their tiny house, Cordelia can't even close a door and have a moment to herself without being punished for insolence. But Cordelia's mother isn't just an every day overly controlling parent, she is a sorceress, and not the benevolent kind. The moment she steps out of line her mother takes control of her body and has Cardelia do her bidding, like a puppet. Cordelia is constantly walking on egg shells to try and avoid the horror of being possessed. When Cordelia is suddenly thrust from her sheltered life into high society in order to find a husband, it sets her world upside down. She can barely cope with the extra expectations of charming her hosts, social rules and trying to attract a rich husband. Now that she has so many new and interesting people she is forced to interact with Cordelia has the chance to try and make allies. Hester is the lady of the house, she has never married and is comfortable in her bachelorette ways. That is until Cordelia and her mother come to stay. They are trying to marry into the family fortune and throw Hester's comfortable life out the window in the process. As Hester and Cordelia become unlikely allies they must try and find a way to fend off this powerful sorceress one way or another. Kingfisher uses a pleasing mix of dark fantasy and regency style social pressures to put a very unique twist on the classic Goose Girl fairy tale. This woman-driven story is full of likeable and engaging characters and it would be perfect for fans of retellings or fans of more accessible fantasy.

I think I’ve probably said this before, but I am a T. Kingfisher loyalist, and she never disappoints. I especially love her fairy tale novels (Nettle and Bone, Thornhedge), so I was very excited for A Sorceress Comes to Call, a retelling of Goose Girl, by the Brothers Grimm. Once again, Kingfisher has created a world full of magic, death, and sarcastic jokes.

The novel opens with young Cordelia under a spell which prevents her from having control over her body. Her sorceress mother, Evangeline, is the one who has weaved the spell, so the reader quickly gets the idea that this is so much worse than your standard helicopter parent. Evangeline relies on wealthy male “benefactors” to maintain her lifestyle, and when she is spurned by her latest paramour, Evangeline drags Cordelia off to live with her latest conquest, the Squire.

However, the Squire’s sister, Hester, sees Evangeline for the succubus she is, and notices how Cordelia is absolutely terrified of her mother. When Evangeline meets the Squire’s social circle, and people start dying, Cordelia must use all her courage to defy her mother, and prevent further tragedy.

Predictably, I loved this book. It’s funny, gripping, and absolutely terrifying. There are some scenes towards the end of the novel that will forever change the way I look at horses (also nice to note that in the acknowledgements, Kingfisher shares a real-life horse horror story). But also, I have a newfound respect for geese.

This was so damn GOOD.

This was such a delightful mix of regency, fantasy, and horror. While the story primarily follows Cordelia, our fourteen year old protagonist, I was so smitten with the subtle romance in the novel between the adults. We don’t get enough romance novels about people in their 50s still trying to figure it out 🥹 And while the romance is only about 10% of the novel, it was very very sweet.

However!! the best part was the moments of horror. I don’t know if it was because I wasn’t expecting it or what, but man! there were quite a few times were I was genuinely creeped out. Some of those scenes were so grisly! I think I was clenching my jaw and grimacing the entire time I was reading through these INCREDIBLY DESCRIPTIVE moments. I was truly obsessed.

Lastly, I just have to say that I loved her acknowledgments and the HIGHLY RELATABLE story about horses 😅 I see you, Kingfisher.

So much fun, can’t recommend enough.
Final rating: 4.5/5

Thank you to Tor for an early review copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was hard for me to get into to start. This is the very beginning so no spoilers. Cordelia's mother, Evangeline, does magic to totally control Cordelia's actions and words, during which Cordelia is completely aware it's happening and having pretty emotional reactions to it. The description of that and her reaction to it was really hard for me to read.

After slowly making my way through the beginning, I could not put the book down! As always, T. Kingfisher writes lovable and compelling characters, with a huge focus on character growth.

I love that her fairytale vibes can walk the line between dark descriptions and light hearted humor. This is a total win for me!

Thank you TOR publishing and Netgalley for advanced access to review this book!

I cannot thank the author, publisher, and netgalley enough for the opportunity to read an e-arc!

Words cannot express how much I loved this book. I know with 100% certainty that I would have devoured and loved A Sorceress Comes to Call when I was in grade and middle school. I also love it so much now. Perfect for anyone who loves Ella Enchanted and Fairest by Gail Carson Levine. I cannot recommend this book enough!


A 14-year discovers her mother is a sorceress who will do horrible things to get what she wants. I not only grew to love Cordelia, detest the horse and mother, but also greatly enjoyed all of the secondary characters who made the book and story that much more enjoyable.

Definitely a 4.5 and sure I am rounding it up.

At this point, I don’t think I even need to review a T. Kingfisher book because she is yet to disappoint me. While I went into this having heard it’s a Goose Girl retelling and knowing nothing about the original tale, I have to say it doesn’t really matter. Coz this wonderful author is only here to wow us with her words.

What a horrific tale of narcissism and abuse, but with equal amounts of hope and resilience to tide us through. Evangeline with her absolute horrible control over her daughter and her scheming for an even richer life; sweet little Cordelia who has been sheltered and abused all her life but still knows right from wrong; Hester who may have been relegated to the life of a rich spinster but can still sense “Doom” coming from a mile away; Penelope with her charming repartee who deserved better; Richard and his unwavering love and loyalty - and more wonderful and absolutely unforgettable characters make up the heart of this thrilling, scary, dreadful but deeply satisfying tale of good triumphing over evil.

The writing is just instantly immersive right from the get go, and I just had to continue reading/listening every free moment I got. The feeling of impending doom just keeps us on our toes, guessing what’s gonna happen next. The vibe is perfectly reflected in the narration of the audiobook by Eliza Foss and Jennifer Pickens, making this a thoroughly enjoyable book in any format. Can’t wait to soon jump into another T. Kingfisher book coz I can’t get enough of them.

I love Kingfisher’s horror books but she’s absolutely found a niche with the dark fantasy genre because this is truly where she shines. A Sorceress Comes to Call is a retelling of the Grimms’ Goose Girl, a story I love, and wow! So good! A+, no notes. The characters were fantastic, the writing clever and atmospheric, and everything resolves in a very satisfying way. Thanks to Macmillan Audio, I got to enjoy the audiobook as well and if audio is a format you like, they did a great job. I have to admit, this is right up there with Nettle & Bone for me.

So, a meandering path led me to the discovery of this author. It started with needing to use an audible credit and stumbling upon A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher. T. Kingfisher is the pen name of Ursula Vernon. Ms. Vernon writes under her own name for children (series include: Dragonbreath and The Hamster Princess); however, to avoid confusion for readers she uses the pen name of Kingfisher for adult books.

A Sorceress Comes to Call is in a Regency-esque setting in a fantasy world where people no longer really believe in big magic. And lest you are wondering from the beginning, a sorceress coming to call is not a good thing in this case. It is told primarily from the views of Cordelia, a 14-year-old girl, and Hester, a middle-aged, self-selecting spinster with bad knees. Cordelia’s mother is a sorceress, and she controls (literally) ever move of her daughter. It is heart-breaking to see the emotional abuse that Cordelia suffers at her mother’s hands, which makes Cordelia afraid of everything. In contrast, Hester is a wise, perceptive, capable, independent, and self-assured woman, who is doing her best to avert Doom. It was refreshing to have a heroine like Hester.

The characterization of all the characters–from the primary to the supporting ones–is outstanding. Alliances are made, and Cordelia starts to fight back. The narrative pacing is spot-on and there is some droll humor artfully thrown in at just the right moments. The conclusion of the narrative is satisfying and of such a nature that this is probably a stand-alone novel.

So, after only two novels by this author, my feet are now set upon the road of fandom for T. Kingfisher, and luckily, there are many more books already published so I don’t have to wait to continue the journey. Lovers of fantasy be sure to check this author out, and young adults might want to also reach up to sample this author. Happy reading!

Review of a Digital Copy provided by the Publisher

First I want to say that I was not ready for this book to end. I was hoping there'd be another one coming, that this was the first in a series, but I was disappointed that it was a standalone. That being said, I loved this book and I was so into the characters, both good and bad.

Cordelia is a 14 year-old girl, one who is definitely not beyond her years of age. She's made to be "obedient" by her mother, Evangeline, who happens to be a sorceress. So when Cordelia crosses her mother in the smallest of ways, Evangeline will cause her to be obedient doing any number of things. The sorceress will stop at nothing she'll cause her daughter to do. I felt so bad for Cordelia, who was so fearful and afraid of her mother. It was so evident that she was fearful to try to cross her...until one day she just had to try.

One of my favorite characters was a horse named Falada; however, Falada became one of my more disliked characters eventually but I won't say why. Cordelia's relationship with him was so beautiful in the beginning and she just seemed so free riding him. Until one day she wasn't.

Evangeline had one purpose in mind for Cordelia: marry a wealthy man. Along with that came being very proper. Cordelia had no idea how to be around a man, she was too innocent of her knowledge. Her mother made her lie and say she was 17, even though she didn't want to lie. Obviously, Evangeline's motives were not altruistic.

The most suspenseful part of the plot to me was how on earth "they" were going to get the Sorceress to stop her evil-doing, or if they were. It seemed like around every corner (page) there was a new twist, another betrayal, even a ghost...or was it really a ghost or another manipulation by Evangeline.

There were two different narrators for the two POV's and both did an excellent job capturing the spirit of the characters. The voice inflections were done well, which made it easier to recognize the voice of each character. I would most definitely listen to both authors again. They are Eliza Foss and Jennifer Pickens. I loved them both.

I highly recommend this book by T. Kingfisher. One of my new favorite authors..

Absolutely enthralling! I read this entire book in under eight hours because I simply could not tear myself away from it. The story gets its hooks into you fast, and the characters are wonderful -- particularly the three older women, Hester, Imogene, and Penelope. The magic is chilling and threatening; the human emotions at the core of the story are vulnerable and aching. Wonderful, wonderful book -- highly recommend!

My first T. Kingfisher and it won't be my last!! This is a really creepy book that skirts the edge of horror. Cordelia is the 14-year old daughter of Evangeline, an amoral sorceress. Cordelia's been raised to be a perfectly obedient daughter: no locked doors, no talking back, no free thought... and if she does slip up, she's made forcibly "Obedient" as her mother controls her body from the outside.

One day Evengeline decides that she's going to find a husband for herself. She's chosen the man: a rich squire from the next town over. But his sister, Hester, knows that her brother's new love interest isn't what she seems.

I loved the juxtaposition of Cordelia and Hester: Cordelia is a young teenager who's been raised to be absolutely submissive. Hester, on the other hand, is a woman in older middle age who has always made her own decisions. Kingfisher gives us these two very different women with great interiority and distinction. We see Cordelia learning to fight back, and Hester learning that she can rely on others. And throughout, we get a sense of dread, as Evangeline carries through with her plans without worrying about the resistance Cordelia and Hester put up.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the book.

It wasn't until I sat down to write this review that I realized that the blurb for this book says it's a retelling of the Brother's Grimm Goose Girl! Clearly I'm a fan of Goose Girl retellings, so I should probably read more of them (and maybe the original while I'm at it). This has all the dark whimsy I've come to expect from T. Kingfisher's fantasy books, and it's longer than I was expecting which was nice since I really ended up loving this story! And like most of her stories, you can expect some horror elements to show up - this time in the form of a dead/undead horse. I loved the characters, especially Hester, Cordelia and Imogene. I found I had a hard time putting this down as these three women join together to find a way to defeat Cordelia's evil sorceress mother. And of course you can expect to really feel the atmosphere of this book, I envisioned a slightly dreary setting with these grand manor houses. In a way, the setting reminded me very much of the setting in Belladonna by Adalyn Grace with this opulence that's kind of gone to seed. Overall a great book and I'm excited to continue reading more T. Kingfisher books!

Exactly what I've come to expect from and love about T Kingfisher. It's weird and funny. A fun plot. There are little shots of messed up, scary stuff happening. Characters you root for and enjoy. It's got all the hallmarks of her books while not feeling like the same old story.


I really liked both our main characters. Poor little Cordelia, how can you not love her and want her to be free of her mother after all she's been through? I love that Hester is immediately like "aw, crap. I already need to save my brother, now I have to save the kid too." And the other characters were also likable. Penelope is the rare character who's as charming and great as everybody says they are. I'd definitely be down to play some cards (and spike our tea!) with Hester, Imogene, and Penelope and Cordelia.
I liked the way the plot starts with Evangeline's plot to snare rich men and moves to the other characters plotting to get rid of her.

I absolutely adored Kingfisher's newest fantasy novel, a dark and disturbing retelling of one of my favorite fairy tales, The Goose Girl. This book does not shy away from exploring horrific parental abuse, so be aware of that going in. Cordelia, trapped in a miserable, lonely life by her sorceress mother, is a thoughtful and engaging heroine I was rooting for from page one. The story alternates between Cordelia's POV and that of Hester, the fifty-something sister of the wealthy man Cordelia's mother has set her sights on. Hester is a fantastic character as well, and I loved how she took Cordelia under her wing as the two teamed up with a few other people to try to break Cordelia's mother's powerful magic. I'm going to have to read all of Kingfisher's backlist, as not one of her books has been a disappointment for me. Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group | Tor Books for a digital review copy.

I picked this book for my bookstore's book club before reading it. A gamble I know... but one that paid off. The book has the perfect blend of suspense, mild horror, fantasy, and mythical elements to it. Absolutely fantastic!

T Kingfisher + retellings and I am sold! This was a bit dark, a whole lot of eerie, but absolutely fantastic.

T. Kingfisher has a gift. I love how she takes elements from folklore and fairy tales and makes them fully realized settings for her characters to inhabit. Where a stock character from an old story has to follow unspoken rules or fulfill predestined roles, Kingfisher’s characters have opportunities to resist and rewrite their stories. A Sorceress Comes to Call, Kingfisher’s latest, delivers a story of a wicked mother and a sheltered daughter à la Rapunzel but adds a clear-sighted and stubborn middle-aged heroine, angry geese, and a terrifying demon horse. Readers, I inhaled this book in a single day.

Cordelia lives in fear of her manipulative mother. Her mother, Evangeline, has the power to render Cordelia completely helpless and under her control. The young girl is so isolated that she has few friends and few opportunities to escape her mother’s reach. When Evangeline runs through all of the wealthy men in their village, she packs Cordelia up and heads for a bigger city where she has an even bigger fish on the hook. It’s only later that Cordelia learns that the carriage Evangeline uses was stolen from her last benefactor after using her magic to make the man commit a horrific crime to cover her departure.

Hester, the sister of Evangeline’s next target, Henry, takes turns with Cordelia to tell the story of what happens when Evangeline comes to call at Henry’s well-appointed home. Being much savvier than Henry, Hester spots what Evangeline is up to immediately—though she has no idea, at first, that she’s dealing with someone a lot more dangerous than the usual fortune hunter. Hester is an absolutely delightful character; she has the knack for using the way people underestimate her because of her age, gender, and bum knee to get what she wants.

The tension in A Sorceress Comes to Call ratchets up as the terrifyingly powerful Evangeline schemes to capture Henry and eliminate any potential rival. And because Kingfisher isn’t playing entirely by fairy tale rules, I frequently wondered if it would be possible for our heroes to defeat the sorceress unscathed. This book is definitely one that you’ll want to read when you have a clear schedule.

I was so lucky to be given the chance to both listen and read the new Kingfisher book! This was a charming edition to previous fairy tales such as Nettle and Bone or What Feasts at night. I do miss her more gruesome and spooky novels, but these are just sweet and magical.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

A Sorceress Comes to Call is a retelling of Goose Girl, a Brothers Grimm story. If you enjoy retellings and unique/spooky stories, this one may be worth checking out!

I appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC. I'm basing this review off of the plot description.

This is the first T. Kingfisher book I have read, and I really enjoyed it. I read the book and listened to the audio when I wasn't able to read. I found listening to the audio more enjoyable than the book.

Cordelia is a 14 year girl who is terrified of her own mother. She has a good reason for that fear. Her mother can force her to be obedient, and do things against her will. Hester is an older woman, in her 50s, who wakes up one night with a terrible sense of doom. After a suspicious death, Cordelia and her mother flea under the cover the darkness. Luckily for them, a wealthy man and his sister (Hester) take them in. That sense of Doom has come right into Hester's home. Hester must rely on her friends and wit to save her brother and Cordelia from the evil sorcerer.

This book will not keep you on the edge of your seat with action, but there are loveable characters, humor, and some darkness thrown in the book. Because it is a tad bit slower than what I normally read, the audiobook added to my enjoyment of the story. The narrators did a wonderful job.

Wow! I can't tell you how much I loved this book. I'm such a fan of T. Kingfisher, but this one tops the cake. It's dark, imaginative, eerie, quirky and unique... everything that I love about T. Kingfisher, but more. There's added humor and I felt like I was there with our characters as they tried to stop the evil-evil, horrid Evangeline.

Fourteen-year-old Cordelia is trapped and controlled by her mother, Evangeline. Or more like what Cordelia calls "made obedient ". She is so afraid of making her mother unhappy and she doesn't know anything aside from what her mother tells her. Poor Cordelia doesn't have any real friends except a horse named Falada. One day something suspicious happens, and Cordelia begins to realize that she must get away from her mother, and that her mother can be much worse than she thinks.

In an attempt to "have a better life", Evangeline tries to snag the attention of The Squire and marry him. But unbeknownst to Evangeline, Hester, The Squire's sister, is aware that something is just not right with Evangeline.

I could not stop turning the pages. The more I read, the more and more I hated that horrid Evangeline and her treatment of the people that were in her way, especially how she treats Cordelia. I loved all the characters, especially our side characters. The twists kept coming and that ending was awesome. I wish I could go onto more detail, but you'll have to read the book to see how the story unfolds. So good!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and TOR Publishing for the eARC. A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher is to be released on August 6, 2024.

I had so much fun with this one, definitely one of the best I’ve read from this author. I was a little apprehensive since it was a goose girl retelling, but really it’s a *very* loose adaptation, more of a wink and a nod to the original than anything else.

What I loved:
- the sorceress of the title, Cordelia’s mother, is so creepy and such a good villain to hate (I shivered when I first realized what “being made obedient” meant)
- the rest of the characters are so lovable, from Cordelia who really needs a big hug and a large bowl of soup, to Hester and her friends, who went from just trying to deal with growing older and now have to contend with this evil sorceress.
- Hester in particular is such a great character - unmarried, practical, and a dedicated goose breeder; the wrong side of 50 and feeling it but not but learning to accept it
- Falada, but not for the my usual horse girl reasons

What I didn’t love:
- the pacing. While I was hooked with the first 20%, the plot dragged a bit in the middle.

Overall, highly recommend for anyone who likes their fantasy with a liberal dose of creepiness, or wants to see older characters featured center stage for a change.

Fourteen-year-old Cordelia is in an impossible situation: her awful, abusive narcissist mother, Evangeline, is also a powerful sorceress with the power to take over people's bodies and make them “obedient.” Evangeline often makes Cordelia “obedient” as punishment for any kind of wrongdoing, real or perceived. Every aspect of Cordelia’s life is controlled by her mother - she’s not allowed to have any friends and isn’t even allowed to close her bedroom door. Her only friend is her mother’s beautiful white horse, Falada.

After being dumped by her latest male “benefactor”, Evangeline completely uproots herself, Cordelia and Falada to the remote manor house of Evangeline’s latest target: Samuel, a wealthy squire. Samuel’s clever sister, Hester, sees right through Evangeline’s plan, but there isn’t much she, an older spinster with a bad knee, can do to stop it. But Hester knows there’s something more to Evangeline than the average fortune hunter - she can see it in the way Cordelia is so obviously terrified of her own mother. Meanwhile, Cordelia is wracked with guilt - she knows her mother’s plans for Samuel and Hester, who have shown her nothing but kindness. But how do you stop a woman with the power to control others?

I loved this book so much. Once I started, I literally could not stop reading - it’s one of those books where you ignore your bedtime in favor of just one more chapter. It seamlessly combines elements of Jane Austen, witchcraft and Eldritch horror - T. Kingfisher knows how to describe a monster, both human and demon. The way she writes from the perspective of Cordelia, a terrified fourteen-year-old and Hester, a fifty-something woman who projects confidence while keeping any weakness very close to her chest is just masterful. Do yourself a favor and read A Sorceress Comes to Call.

500,000/5 stars, highly recommend, please don’t skip this one! The audiobook is pretty great, too.

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher is a dark and mesmerizing retelling of the Brothers Grimm's Goose Girl, imbued with secrets, murder, and forbidden magic. Kingfisher skillfully weaves an old tale with a fresh and compelling narrative.

The story centers around Cordelia, a fourteen-year-old girl who lives under the oppressive rule of her sorceress mother. Their home is devoid of doors, symbolizing the lack of boundaries and freedom in Cordelia's life. Her only solace comes from her daily rides with Falada, her mother’s beautiful white horse, who serves as her confidant and companion in an otherwise lonely existence. Cordelia’s mother is not only eccentric but also dangerously controlling, forcing her daughter into obedience for long periods of time.

The plot takes a dramatic turn after a suspicious death in their small town forces Cordelia and her mother, Evangeline, to flee in the dead of night. They arrive at the remote manor of the Squire and his unwed sister, Hester. Cordelia’s mother schemes to marry the Squire, but Cordelia knows this can only spell trouble for the kind-hearted gentleman and his intelligent sister. Hester notices Cordelia's fear and stillness and the doom that surrounds her mother. Determined to save her brother and rescue Cordelia, Hester must find a way to confront the formidable sorceress.

Kingfisher's prose captures the eerie atmosphere of Cordelia’s life and the tension that builds as the story unfolds. The characters are richly drawn, with Cordelia's quiet strength and Hester's bravery standing out as beacons of hope against the darkness of the sorcery. The narrative seamlessly blends elements of magic and realism, creating an enchanting and chilling story.

While the connection to the original Goose Girl tale may not be immediately apparent to all readers, Kingfisher's retelling stands strong on its own merits. The themes of control, freedom, and the power dynamics within relationships are explored with depth and sensitivity, adding layers of meaning to the story.

Whether or not you are familiar with the Brothers Grimm’s Goose Girl, this novel offers a fresh and engaging take on the classic fairy tale, making it a must-read for lovers of magical retellings with a somewhat YA vibe.

T. Kingfisher can do no wrong! This book was perfection and I enjoyed every second of it! T. Kingfisher really has a way to make you connect to her characters and feel all emotions they are feeling. I could feel Cordelia's anxiety and pain every time she had to be near her mother. This made me so invested in the book and made it impossible to put down.

T. Kingfisher is one of my auto-buy authors. I love the worlds and characters she creates. Her newest book, A Sorceress Comes to Call, is a Goose Girl retelling.

Kingfisher’s story, set in an ambiguous English-esque 1800s world, is rather dark. Our female main character, Cordelia, is 14 years old and lives with her cruel sorceress mother, Evangeline, who can control Cordelia. Cordelia’s only solace is Falada, Evangeline’s beautiful white horse. Evangeline’s benefactor tosses her aside, leaving Evangeline no choice but to move and find a new man. She sets her sights on a wealthy Squire and plots to marry him so that she can marry Cordelia off to a rich man.

Several unlikely heroes arise to save the Squire and Cordelia. My favorite is Hester, the Squire’s 51-year-old sister who has bad knees, desires independence, and breeds geese. Something I admire about Kingfisher’s stories is that she always uses regular people to save the day. There are no special snowflakes here. Cordelia finds a friend and ally in Hester—their relationship is a joy to witness after all the abuse Cordelia endures from her mother. As Evangeline’s motives and power become clearer, Cordelia must learn to fight to protect her new friends.

As always, Kingfisher’s writing is atmospheric and draws you in. Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for the ARC.

Trigger warnings: child abuse, suicide, animal death, murder, insanity

This was a great retelling of a Brother's Grimm tale - the Goose Girl. I have enjoyed T. Kingfisher's alternate retelling of the House of Usher in What Moves the Dead and What Feeds at Night so I was excited to be approved to read and review A Sorceress Comes to Call. Perfect for fans of dark fantasy.

I've read a few Kingfisher books and absolutely loved them all, except one (Thornhedge; absolutely hated it), which was the most recent one I read. I, however, remained optimistic for A Sorceress Comes to Call and I thank NetGalley and Tor for the ARC ahead of publication. Let me tell you, it was perfect. No notes.

I loved all of the characters so much, from the main protagonists to the supporting cast of house staff in what seems like a Regency-era setting. They are well-formed personalities and most of them are hilarious in a way that really makes this story cinematic. It felt like I was watching Knives Out...stylish, smart, and witty. I especially loved Hester, who, despite a bad knee, is a total badass in so many ways. I honestly would read a sequel to this book that included just Hester and Richard, without much plot. Actually, a book about the butler and Richard writing a book together would be awesome, too. Anyways...

Somehow, Kingfisher has seamlessly blended a period piece, sorcery, horror (takes awhile to get there, but whoa boy, it's a doozy), the paranormal, coming-of-age, and romance into a book that never felt too long or too short. I cannot recommend this book enough!

I have been so excited for this book for so long! I grew up with Shannon Hale’s Goose Girl and love the original Brothers Grimm’s tales and adore T. Kingfisher so I am very excited to review this book (and just get the chance to read it!). But on to the particulars.


This is a lovely book, if a little gory. The threads are definitely family, complicated relationships, confidence in one’s self, love, and knowledge as a key factor. I thought that the different versions of a family present throughout the novel were striking and realistic. I enjoyed the subtle love thread. And I went from laughing out loud to crying through Kingfisher’s compelling writing. The characters were fantastic. The plot was fun, if not terribly surprising. I didn’t feel as if any of the “twists” were out of left field and enjoyed the differences from other variations of this story I’ve read.


It is told from the perspectives of Cordelia, the daughter, and Hester, the sister of the Squire pursued. I believe, though I haven’t done the math, that we get more from Hester’s perspective. I enjoyed both perspectives, though Hester was an amazing lead.


Hester is fifty years old, tired, and not inclined to heroics. But she loves her brother and just generally is a good person. Though she is not just a beacon of radiating light, she curses, hesitates, and doubts. I really always admire Kingfisher’s leads. They are so brilliantly human. What are you supposed to do when a sorceress runs amok in your house? What’s the plan? Where’s the guidebook for that? At least in this telling, there is no guidebook. Hester calls together the best course of action that comes to her. But she recognizes her limitations, most of the time. She knows she has to adapt when new information is revealed, she knows she doesn’t have the answers. She does however have bad knees that do affect her. As someone with bad knees (I know, I’m too young for it, tell my knees that), I understood and related to her struggles with her body’s limitations. I adored Hester and her journey in this book. Cordelia is so young in this book. And she is so alone. She tugged at my heartstrings in her story. I could feel her pain so well and believed in her struggles.


I love this book and really enjoyed Kingfisher’s rendition of the Goose Girl. I honestly wish it was longer and things like the geese were expanded upon. I only want to read more of this. It is bloody, it is dark, it is sad, and it is uplifting.

I think I simply must read everything that this woman writes. I really enjoyed this - from the way it was set up to introduce the characters, and through to the story. I absolutely loved the way all the characters played off each other!

I will say, if there was one thing that was fixed, I almost wished… the man behind the mask, so to speak, was a little more elavorated on? I did love how that unmasking went - all of it, truly - but i felt that once we knew what was fully going on, we didn’t get a chance to fully explore what that meant for the characters at large. But beyond that, I felt like everything played into it really well, and just. Just!!!

Also the relationship between Cordelia and Hester… truly a chefs kiss of a relationship. From how they were introduced to how they worked together … ugh! So good.

If you’re looking for retelling with a bit of a darker twist (although I’m pretty sure this story is fairly dark already!), T Kingfishers stories are going to have to be your next go-to, and this one is no exception.

4.5 rounded up to 5.

Thanks so much to Tor Books and NetGalley for a chance to read and review!

This is my favorite book of the year so far. I loved everything from the characters’ strong personalities, to the occasional witty comment made, to the way every situation in this book was thought out so well.

I loved the characters in this. Cordelia could’ve been really unlikable and simpering. But Kingfisher does an excellent job of depicting the horror of her situation and of giving her a few key moments of bravery to make you really root for her. Hester could be a modern-day Jane Austen character with her wit, snark, and rebellion against the rules of society. Secondary characters like Lord Evermore, Hester’s ex-lover, and Hester’s friends Isabel and Penelope round out the cast and make the whole story more colorful. Kingfisher balances moments of levity in the character's conversations with real moments of dark horror. The creativity to create an original fairty-tale-like story out of nothing is so impressive. I definitely want to read more of T. Kingfisher’s stories after this.

This is the book that solidified T. Kingfisher’s place as one of my all-time favorite authors. A Sorceress Comes to Call truly shows off her fantastic character work and ability to deconstruct and rebuild a fairy tale like no one else.
Cordelia has spent her entire life under the thumb of her sorceress mother, being shoved to the side, or worse, made obedient whenever she steps out of line. But when she is brought to the home of her mother’s latest wealthy suitor, her world begins to expand like never before. Meanwhile, the suitor’s sister, Hester, must fight to keep her beloved brother from falling under the sorceress’s influence while navigating her own complicated personal matters.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Cordelia’s dynamic with her mother is gut wrenching to watch, and the level of control she has lends an effective tension to the entire story. Hester is a tough woman who has reached middle age while holding most people at arm’s length, but she has so much heart and fortitude to share. I hope you love them as much as I did.

Advanced copy provided by NetGalley, all opinions my own.

Narrated by Eliza Foss & Jennifer Pickens

Genre: fantasy horror

Cordelia's mother, Evangeline, is a very powerful Sorceress with the ability to control people. Unfortunately, this sometimes means controlling Cordelia, but it's all for her own good. When Evangeline's benefactor no longer suits her needs, she decides to take matters into her own hands and approach a squire of some means and worm her way into his heart. But the squire's sister, Hester, is an insightful woman who recognizes that Cordelia needs more than just someone to watch out for her....

Part fantasy, part murder mystery, this has a delightful gothic tone in the signature style I come to expect from T Kingfisher. It's just the right amount of horror to give you chills but not enough to keep you up at night. It’s a house party, a murder mystery, a coming of age story, and a love story all at once.

The split perspective - where Cordelia knows what her mother is and is too afraid to say anything and where Hester has strong suspicions but doesn’t entirely know what to do about it - frames the pacing of the novel well. From Cordelia’s nervousness and need to hide behind every door imaginable from her mother to the keen observations from Hester, we get these different views that feel like peeking around corners in a clever way.

This is the longest work I’ve read from Kingfisher, and I think her experience in writing novellas with her judicious word choices and plot arcs translates well into novel length.

I think this is my favourite T. Kingfisher. Loosely based on “The Goose Girl” somehow everything is flipped and just works perfectly. The regency setting is vivid and transportive. What I most adored was the unraveling and sinister undertone this story created. Although it also does have cozy elements that balance out the impending peril. Character wise, they are all brilliant and utterly believable. Even the horse has major personality. The story uses wit and wisdom all wrapped into one. I cannot recommend this book more - I read it in a day! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

It’s no secret that I love everything T. Kingfisher writes, and this may have topped them all. (Still debating if this is my favorite of all or my favorite of her non-horror books, What Moves the Dead is so hard to topple).

This is a dark retelling of the Goose Girl story, but it is a very loose retelling that stands well on its own even if you don’t know the original story. Cordelia’s mother is a sorceress, who uses that power to control her. When she sets her sights on marrying the Squire, it’s up to Cordelia and the Squire’s sister Hester to stop her.

Most of all I loved our cast of supporting characters who all came together to help Cordelia, who has been so sheltered and abused until now. They way they all took her under their wing, believed her, and chose to do whatever it takes to free her was so heart-warming and wonderful to see. There’s also Kingfisher’s signature humor and fun, even though it’s a darker story. I was so invested to see what was going to happen, and I thought the story concluded mostly satisfyingly.

Absolutely would recommend this one when it comes out on August 6.

Thanks to #TorBooks for the digital arc

What a gorgeous, stunning book. Its hard to find a book that really manages to walk the line between paranormal fiction and fantasy without getting too murky, but T. Kingfisher has knocked this one out of the park. I am a big fan of "the goose girl" and have read several re-tellings, but this one might be my new favorite. T. Kingfisher imbues every sentence with emotions: I chafed with Cordelia when her mother was making her "obedient," cried with her when she learned the truth about her horse, and cheered when she made any movements to get away from her mother's control. All the side characters in this story and the historical regency setting were just perfect to tell this weird, wonderful story about a girl who endures a horrible life until she manages to find the strength to build a new family and escape her mother's clutches. I didn't want to leave this world - I see a reread in my future!

In "A Sorceress Comes to Call," fourteen-year-old Cordelia leads a miserable, lonely life under the control of her mother, Evangeline, a powerful sorceress capable of making anyone obedient. Cordelia lacks bodily autonomy and privacy, only learning of her mother's true abilities and intentions when Evangeline loses their male benefactor in the village. Determined to find a suitable husband, Evangeline reveals her plan to launch Cordelia into society to secure a wealthy spouse. Their lives take a turn when they move into the household of the Squire of Chatham Manor, where Cordelia finds solace in the company of the Squire's middle-aged sister, Hester. As Cordelia uncovers the extent of her mother's ambitions, she realizes she must summon the courage and means to stop her, regardless of the cost.

The story adeptly explores how women's lives are controlled by society through their bodies. Evangeline's obsessive control over Cordelia's body and thoughts, coupled with Hester's physical disability and desire for independence in a society that recognizes only the legal constraints of marriage or the celibacy of spinsterhood, highlight the lifelong struggles women face in a culture that values only their surface while suppressing their true selves.

With humor, suspense, and richly developed characters, this reimagined fairy tale captivates readers until the very last page.