I am blown away by this devastating retelling of the Brother's Grimm's Goose Girl. It has so many highlights: gossip, 50+ romance, found family, dual-POV, comeuppance, magic, horses, 18th century(?) setting, and of course, geese.

As soon as I began reading this book, I felt as if it came straight from a dark fairytale (of course, this is the point, but you know what I mean!!). It has so many classic fairytale plot points- specifically the "relationship" between the evil sorceress Evangeline and her the abuse of her daughter, Cordelia.

I felt like I was able to understand so well what Cordelia and Hester were thinking during their respective POVs. The differences between the two were vast while still feeling very cohesive for the story. At first, I was wondering how the two would tie together, but it works itself out as the story goes. Trust!!

The magic was horrific, and this is definitely not for the faint of heart.

This is one of my favorite books - T. Kingfisher honestly never disappoints!!! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-ARC.

We have another solid story by my favorite author. I will read anything they write. This story was wonderful. I could not put it down. I love a book with a good fairytale vibe paired with some darker themes and this was it. Please read this. So so so good.

4.5 stars

A captivating fairy tale-like story, where the heroines are a 14 year old girl and a 51 year old woman, each trying to figure out how to fight back against the evil sorceress who is trying to shape their lives for her own benefit. These are some dark times, but through perseverance, bravery, and working together with this group of found family, hope shines through.

Cordelia has had a rough childhood - though her mother would claim it wasn’t that bad, she just needed to be more obedient. Of course, Evangeline often MAKES Cordelia be obedient, taking control of her body like a marionette, forcing her to move and speak and act as she wants. Cordelia lives in fear of disappointing or angering her mother, and that terror is evident to everyone who meets her, like Hester, her friends, and pretty much all of the servants at the Squire’s house.

As for Hester, she saw Evangeline for who she really was the second she stepped through their front door, even though she didn’t know at forest exactly what that was. Hester knew evil at first sight, and spent the rest of the story trying to protect her brother, friends, and other loved ones from it, to the best of her abilities.

I loved getting to see both Cordelia and Hester’s perspectives throughout this story, because they see the world so differently. Cordelia is traumatized and innocent and blames herself for everything that goes wrong, but has a kind heart and a brave spirit. Hester has lived a life of relative privilege, in her youth escaping what would have been a life of married abuse, having a real love affair with Richard, and being able to run her bachelor brother’s household. Part of me had to roll my eyes at Hester’s reasons for refusing Richard’s proposals time and time again, because they could have been happy, but there’s nothing like near certain death to make you realize that maybe you’re thinking too much and should seize all the joys you can in life.

The magical elements in this story were also fascinating - I loved the idea of salt, water, and wine being the elements that broke an enchantment, and that each person has an affinity for a certain element. It’s also interesting to think of sorcerers as territorial, and purposefully taking out each other when they sense power, in order to fly under the radar and let the general population continue to think of all sorcerers as minor tricksters. Whatever demon was inside Evangeline’s familiar was very powerful, and she must have had a lot of skill and power herself to call, trap, and contain him.

One of the very few fantasy horror novels that actually feels grounded in reality--that feeling that it could all actually happen to us real people in the real world, and not just between the pages of a book.

Incredibly well-executed and an absolute delight to read. Who would have thought horror and humor could work so well together?! I'll be checking out this author's other works!

***Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book to review.***

This highlights all the things I enjoy about reading a work by T. Kingfisher. We have a young, naive but well intentioned main character and a wiser and sassier older main character switching point of view spot lights the entire book. It is one part fairy tale retelling and another part spooky horror/ghost story and of course has a dash of that T. Kingfisher banter and whimsy that makes you think its a cozy time until she does something to shock you. If you have never tried one of her works I think this would be a great one to start with and if you already love her works I don't think this will disappoint you.

I will not properly be reviewing this book because my interest has changed since I requested it. I have heard good things about it, but it’s not something that I am currently interested in.

A Sorceress Comes to Call was a bit of a surprise book for me, it wasn’t really what I expected it to be at all, but not in a bad way!

I think I expected something a bit darker based on the blurb, but this really reads like a fairytale. There’s something nostalgic about the way it’s written that reminds me more of books I read growing up than of more modern books.

The story follows Cordelia, whose mother is a powerful sorceress who is able to control people or “make obedient”, a quiet young girl and her mother who manipulates everyone around her.

The almost locked room mystery style of this book was really interesting, although they travel to a couple of different locations, the cast of characters remains really small and the setting is very intimate. It worked really well for the story, it added to the intensity and feeling of being trapped that Cordelia must have felt.

This is my second Kingfisher book and I definitely want to pick up more!

Thank you to Tor for the opportunity to review this ARC.

T. Kingfisher’s 'A Sorceress Comes to Call' is a spellbinding gothic fantasy brimming with sharp wit, eerie magic, and unforgettable characters. With her signature blend of humor and haunting atmosphere, Kingfisher crafts a tale of resilience and dark enchantments, where a determined heroine must unravel a dangerous mystery lurking within the shadows of her world. Perfect for fans of eerie yet heartfelt fantasy, this novel is both chilling and deeply charming. A must-read for those who love their fairy tales with bite!

While the premise was nice, the writing was... not what I expected. I wanted more from the characters because I felt that what was on the front cover and the front flap was not what we were given.

A Sorceress Comes to Call is a compelling and atmospheric experience, but you'll need patience for slow-burn to really make the most of it.

This is my first read (listen) by this author and I am putting all her books on my TBR for sure. Regency story with such a wonderful otherworldly atmosphere that had me completely captivated from beginning to end. Told from different points of view including 14 year old Cordelia who is as naive as they come, Hester who will do what needs to be done to protect her family and friends, and Evangeline who is set on burning the world down if it won't bow to her. Throw in some amazing side characters that may or may not include some of the animal realm and you have a story that has you enthralled and cheering for the bad guy to get their comeuppance.

This was one of my first T. Kingfisher books and it did not disappoint! The setup and atmosphere was done SO well and I was intrigued from the get go.

I went in not knowing the original Goose Girl story so I probably may have missed some elements here and there but I'm 100% going back and doing another read once I'm able to catch up on the original tale.

I will read every T Kingfisher book I can get my hands on.

This wasn't my very favourite of her titles but it was still a solid dark fairytale novel. It's dark and eerie and has all the vibes. While I never quite connected with the characters, I felt very drawn to the worldbuilding and the tension woven into the story and it was hard to put down because I needed to know what happened next.

The main themes of this book are around controlling, abusive parenting and navigating autonomy (quite literally, as the character can be controlled by magic). It's dark, and it's tense, but the ending is rather satisfying. You really have to take the journey.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor for a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

A Sorceress Comes to Call was an absolute delight.

I’ve not read anything by Kingfisher prior to this, so I was captivated by the seamless mashup of fantasy, a little historical fiction, and horror.

I was not sure what to expect and am very happy that I just let Ms. Kingfisher take me along on this literary joyride.

This book was good. I love this author and the way they tell a story. I really liked how this story explored mental abuse from a parent, but also about finding friends in unexpected places. Overall, I would continue reading from this author.

Oh how I wanted to love this book but I unfortunately DNFd it about 20% in. I don't think this author is for me, but I completely believe there are MANY readers who will love this.

4/5 Stars

This was my first book by T. Kingfisher, and I can confidently say it won’t be my last! A Sorceress Comes to Call is a dark and compelling fairy tale retelling that blends eerie magic, strong female friendships, and just the right amount of dry humor. Inspired by The Goose Girl, this story follows Cordelia, a young woman trapped under the influence of her sorceress mother, Evangeline, whose magic forces people into obedience. When Evangeline sets her sights on a wealthy squire, Cordelia is swept into a dangerous plot—one that might finally give her a chance at freedom, with the help of the squire’s sharp-witted sister, Hester.

The writing immediately pulled me in with its unsettling atmosphere, and I loved how the horror elements wove seamlessly into the fairy tale setting. Hester was a standout character for me—her practical, no-nonsense personality was a perfect contrast to Cordelia’s quiet strength, and their growing friendship was one of my favorite aspects of the book. While the story delves into heavy themes of control and manipulation, it also offers moments of warmth and resilience, making for an emotionally engaging read.

T. Kingfisher’s take on magic was refreshingly eerie, and I loved how the tension built throughout the book. The mix of dark fairy tale vibes, compelling characters, and a satisfying conclusion left me eager to explore more of the author’s work. If you enjoy gothic fairy tale retellings with strong heroines and a touch of horror, this one is definitely worth picking up!

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The titular sorceress is the world's worst mother to 14yo Cordelia, the sweetest, nicest girl around. Evangeline sets her sights on a wealthy squire and will stop at nothing to win his hand. Cordelia, with the help of the Squire's badass sister, Hester, takes her own. The story is an old one, but Kingfisher gives it a darling treatment, making it a coming of age story, a witchy tale, and the most horrifying horse I've ever read!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher!

5/5 Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC
I'm not a fan of horror fantasy or movies, so I hadn't read any of T. Kingfisher's work until I discovered Nettle and Bone and immediately became hooked on the author's 'inspired by' fantasy stories.
ASCTC is, again, loosely inspired by the Grimm story of the goose girl, but most of the plot points are turned upside down - the faithful horse is not, and the evil servant girl (Cordelia's mother) holds the power from beginning to the very end.
Kingfisher's writing style conveys the tension and menace that Cordelia feels every day, the horror of being physically controlled, and her dawning realization of what her situation really is. Cordelia has to use all she's learned about self-preservation throughout her short life, recruit friends, and develop her own magic in order to save her new family, and herself, from the growing power of her mother.
Even though she sets her retellings in fantasy worlds, they seem very relevant to contemporary examinations of female power and agency. And are damn good stories!
Recommend for fans of contemporary and urban fantasy.
Significant violence and gore.