This was my first Kingfisher book and it did not disappoint. Intisar Khanani's "Thorn" is one of my favorite books, as well as a retelling of The Goose Girl, so I was interested to begin with the author's newest book. I was surprised to find that it was loosely inspired by the fairytale, seeing as Falada played a different role from the original.

The characters were well-developed, especially Cordelia who finds the courage to defy her mother and save her friends. Cordelia's mother, who is a sorceress, played the role of a villain and was very well-written. I was also invested in the side characters, as well as Hester's relationship. As mentioned before, the twist on Falada's character was surprising, who was both evil of sorts but also someone to feel sympathy for. Despite my expectations, the characters were well-written and enjoyable to read about.

My one problem with the book was Penelope's ability to talk as a ghost, which felt too convenient. I wish this was explored more, rather than implying that it just happened somehow.

4/5 - would recommend

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: August 6, 2024

4.75 stars
I just love T. Kingfisher's writing. If you haven't picked up any of her books yet I highly recommend doing so! I loved the characters and that there were changes of pace in the book to keep you engaged. Plenty of tension too to keep you reading!

I am a huge fan of T. Kingfisher's work, especially her fairytale retellings. NETTLE & BONE was one of my most recent favorite reads. So when I say that A SORCERESS COMES TO CALL lives up to (and surpasses!) that book, you know it's something really special. The intrigue! The intergenerational friendship! The love story for the older characters! The idea of innocent youth vs tackling something terrible! There's so much to love here. And T. Kingfisher's quirky sense of humor is on full display. I had the best time reading this book and cannot recommend it enough to everyone who loves fantasy novels with heart, fairytale retellings, or wonderful characters created in full detail.

I can only explain T. Kingfisher’s style as moody elegance. My favorite parts of this story have to be the characters. They are so well written, have their own nuances and habits, and I can’t help but enjoy (most of) them. As with other Kingfisher stories, it’s not all laughter and good banter - there is still enough gore to go around without it being gratuitous.

This story follows a girl and her mother, who is essentially a violent con artist hoping to ensnare a rich husband. I always appreciate smart and clever characters who react to their circumstances intelligently, and you definitely get that in this book. The plot was unique, and the rules and systems of the world were interesting, but it’s definitely the characters that shine.

I really did enjoy this one and I will continue reading into T. Kingfisher’s backlist. Also, a certain character from a previous book gets a sneaky reference! 🦴

Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley, Tor, and to Ms. Kingfisher for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

I do love a fairytale retelling. Considering the many of the Grimm fairytales are, well, pretty grim, I think that Ms. Kingfisher is the PERFECT horror-adjacent author to tackle this story, inspired by the Goose Girl. I really liked The House with Good Bones, and while Sorceress doesn't *quite* have that "turn-all-the-lights-on" creep factor, it is a great adaptation. Certainly of the four ARCs I was reading in a row it is by far the stand-out of the bunch.

As per the blurb, Cordelia, a fourteen-year-old girl, has grown up alone with only her mother Evangeline (a controlling, manipulative, vindictive sorceress) and her (mother's) horse, Falada, for company. Cordelia is frequently forced by her mother to be "Obedient", in which her mother pilots her like a skin suit and her personality and will is forced to to submit completely. Cordelia's world is turned upside down (a) when her mother's "benefactor" cuts her off, forcing Evangeline to take drastic measures, and (b) Cordelia finds out that Falada, whom she thought was her only friend in the world, is actually Evangeline's familiar and has been reporting everything Cordelia said back to her mother all along. Evangeline sets off for town to snare a rich man and will not tolerate any obstacles in her way, whether that obstacle is Cordelia, or Lady Hester, the Squire (aforementioned rich man)'s sister, or Hester's friends. Can she be stopped? Will she be stopped in time?

I really liked almost everything about this. I flew the chapters, eager to find out if Cordelia would find some inner strength to stand against her mother, and whether all the characters would make it. It is definitely more of a fairy-tale style, fantasy horror than House with Good Bones, but I LOVE fairy tales, so I was in heaven. I also particularly enjoyed all the side characters, Lady Hester's friends and the household staff, who try to help. Special mention to Alice, aspiring lady's maid and first person who truly helped Cordelia build her self-esteem.


4 1/2 stars, highly recommended to fantasy readers, particularly those who like (dark) fairy tales.

A Sorceress Comes to Call follows Cordelia, the daughter of a sorceress who is prepared to do whatever she deems necessary to get her way. Cordelia has seen that firsthand most of her life as her mother can physically control her and her behavior. She isn’t allowed to have friends, go to school, or close any doors. One day, her mother decides to marry a wealthy older man, the Squire. However Hester, the Squire’s sister, quickly realizes something is odd about the mother-daughter pair that arrived at their door. Now she just has to figure out how what to do about it.

In true T. Kingfisher fashion, there are an elements that are peculiar but it is not unnerving. And despite the looming threat, the story retains a mundane atmosphere. I didn’t know what to expect with a goose girl retelling, because I am not familiar with the story. I really enjoy that T. Kingfisher uses characters who do not immediately display the typical archetypes for main characters or heroes. All her characters are dynamic with multiple layers. As readers we get to see Cordelia slowly find her voice as she gains more autonomy We also get to see Hester navigate her fears surrounding aging and relationships. The ragtag team they created with friends new and old made the story more compelling. I’ve also heard good things about the audiobook, and I'm thinking of checking it out

I found A Sorceress Comes to Call charming and evocative, with strong characters, driving plot, and vivid atmosphere. I’d recommend it to readers of fairytale retellings, fans of historical fantasy, and those seeking a new-adult level standalone not prioritizing a romance plot.

This was a fantastic read. 👏 I'm not going to do this book justice in this review. T.Kingfisher has a wonderful way of weaving the plot in with the action and taking the characters that could have fallen flat full bodied. My heart ached for Cordelia and the unfortunate situation she was born in to. My only complaint would be that Hester kept referring to herself as being old AT 50!!! That is not old at all to modern standards. Still she was a badass. I will be adding T.Kingfisher to my must buy when they release a new novel.

A Sorceress Comes to Call is a brand new fantasy novel by the one and only T.Kingfisher.

I’m absolutely obsessed with this author’s fantasy books. I find her stories original, addicting, dark and somehow still cozy.

In this novel, we follow Cordelia, whose mother is not quite like other mothers. She wants to control Cordelia’s every thought and action. There are no doors in their house and no privacy whatsoever. One day, they suddenly move away to live with a wealthy man and his sister, Hester. While Cordelia is trying to figure out her mothers’ plans, she finds herself confining in Hester who knows that something is not quite right with the whole situation.

I found this story to be so incredibly moving. Getting to know Cordelia was so heartbreaking. I felt her pain and suffering every step of the way and it just felt so genuine and important.

My favourite part of the novel was just seeing all these strangers start to care for her and show her genuine compassion. This novel had some of my favourite characters I’ve ever read - Hester, Penelope, Imogene and Willard (and omg the GEESE)!!

Hester and her friends were such a stand-out to me because these characters were in their 50s and I loved the amount of focus and storyline they had. It was so beautiful seeing them not just being part of Cordelia’s story but having actual storylines, character development and so much page-time. It’s not something we see every day in literature but I’m so happy that authors like T.Kingfisher are changing that.

There was just so much to love here. The sorcery, the friendships, the little bit of romance. But I also want to point out that this book got quite dark as well. There was murder, evil, abuse, selfishness and a very toxic mother-daughter relationship.

I loved this book so much. If you enjoyed Nettle & Bone, you will absolutely love this one as well.

4.5 stars.

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This is marketed as a goose girl retelling and while there is a horse or something pretending to be a horse named Falada, and there are geese, it otherwise does not follow the original goose girl story.

Cordelia is controlled by her mother Evangeline, a sorcerer of great power in a world that believes sorcerers can only do small acts of magic. Having lost the support of her “benefactor,” Evangeline announes that she must marry as Cordelia is too young yet. She picks out an older country squire and moves them both to his estate.

The story switches between Cordelia’s POV and that of Hester, the squire’s sister, who are both well developed. The story was interesting and often suspenseful. It at least edged toward horror if not fully stepping over into it. It is basically a story about an abused girl and her toxic mother and how to get Cordelia to safety.

Overall I liked this book a lot. The central characters, and most of the larger supporting characters are well developed. More minor characters tend to be a bit cookie-cutter. Evangeline is very one note villain, but given that Cordelia is terrified of her and Hester wants nothing to do with her, this is not, perhaps, surprising. Also she’s the villain. There’s also a romantic subplot that I completely adored.

This book is amazing another brilliantly written work by T.Kingfisher. I wish the book was longer. I absolutely loved the characters and wasn’t ready for it to end. Heater was by far my favorite character an old spinster who is smart, funny, loving and brave. The way she not only tries to protect her brother but a girl she didn’t even know. While the planning was flawed and crazy at most points she kept moving forward. I loved the camaraderie of these three older women coming together for this strange scared girl they barely know.
The book is about a terrified girl who is dragged along by her evil mother. Normally in fairy tales we hear about the evil step mother but not this one. It’s about the evil mother and the family she marries into. It’s about a girl who’s sheltered and denied contact with the world. While at the squires house she makes friends, laughs and closes doors for the first time in her life.

I love T. Kingfisher so I was so excited to see her publish a new book!

A Sorceress Comes to Call is a dark retelling of the fairy tale: The Goose Girl and it’s a wild ride.

Cordelia’s mother, Evangeline, is a sorceress who wields her power to make Cordelia obedient. When things get tough, and Evangeline realizes they need a new source of income, she leaves her past behind, in literal pieces, and moves on to a squire, she hopes will fall in love and marry her.

The squire has a sister though, Hester, who feels like something isn’t quite right, and aims to put an end to this romance before it even begins.

Of course, nothing comes easy, and the story is full of plotting, murder and magic.

I enjoyed this book a great deal, though at times I did feel it dragged. While this was my least favorite T. Kingfisher novel, it is still well worth reading for anyone who loves a good fantasy/ magical realism novel!

Thank you to NetGalley and T. Kingfisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wow! What a wild ride! Admittedly, it took me a while—maybe 15% or so—to get into this, but once I did, I sped through it!

I love T. Kingfisher's writing and this book, a retelling of a fairy tale I'd never heard of (The Goose Girl). Cordelia has lived under the oppression of mother, an evil sorceress, her entire life. She has no friends and no hope of escape... until her mother finds a wealthy man and starts to attempt to ensnare him in marriage.

It's a great story, full of the quirky humor and characters I've come to expect from T. Kingfisher.

A dark fantastical retelling of the Brothers Grimm Goose Girl set in a type of regency-romance era. 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?

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for this e-arc.*

A big thank you to @netgalley and @torbooks for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book! 🫶

I really loved this one! It has cozy fantasy vibes with just a touch of horror. If you’ve read Kingfisher’s other novels, then you probably already know what to expect style-wise. Kingfisher’s writing voice is as pleasant as ever, and this book is simply an enjoyable read.

A Sorceress Comes to Call is slow paced (the plot doesn’t start to pick up until almost halfway through the book), but it’s such a fun story that I barely even noticed. The characters really make this story, especially Hester, who I absolutely adored. She’s the kind of character that’s stern but sassy. Not gonna lie, I was totally picturing her as Olenna Tyrell from Game of Thrones. If you’re a fan of Olenna, you will love Hester. Honestly, there are so many wonderful characters in this book, I could go on and on. This is definitely a book for lovers of character-driven storytelling.

The mother and daughter relationship in this book is about as toxic as it gets, but this novel also contains elements of found family and friendship. There’s also a bit of a love story in this one that is about the sweetest thing I have ever read. And geese! Did I mention geese? A Sorceress Comes to Call is a retelling of the Brothers Grimm’s story The Goose Girl, which I have never read, but now feel like I must!

If you’re a fan of cozy fantasy or have enjoyed T. Kingfisher’s other novels, I highly recommend checking this one out!

Truly adored this dark fantasy book.

This was my first time reading T Kingfisher and it absolutely will not be the last.

A loose retelling of the Brothers Grimm's Goose Girl, A Sorceress Comes to Call tells the story of Cordelia, daughter of a sorceress who has been abused her whole life by her mother. Don't worry, there's nothing graphic on page but there are memories of being forced into obedience where her mother takes over her daughter like a puppet and forces her actions, think Get Out where you go into the sunken place.

Evangeline, Cordelia's mother, has designs for a wealthy husband for herself and her daughter and finds her paths crossed with Samuel The Squire, the hopeful husband to be, and Hester, his skeptical spinster sister who knows something is terribly amiss.

This book combines a dark moody foreboding atmosphere with horror elements and some carefully placed comedic banter courtesy of Hester and her elderly friends. The supporting characters are a delight in this and help the plot move along quickly without ignoring character development.

It's so rare to find a standalone fantasy book nowadays that has intriguing characters, a carefully built world, and a fascinating plot. T Kingfisher did a perfect job with this book.

Thank you so much to Tor Publishing to the arc, and to NetGalley as well. I will definitely be buying a trophy copy for my library.

Oh my goodness, where do I even begin gushing about this book? I mean, seriously, I am floored! This book just swept me off my feet! No kidding, I've been in this reading slump lately, trudging through books, trying to find one to hold my attention. Then, I was miraculously granted this ARC, and bam! My slump was gone! I was captivated! This one had me hooked from the first page.

This is a brilliant, dark, and often hilarious retelling of the fairy tale The Goose Girl: A Story from the Brothers Grimm. So, one would think it'd be all doom and gloom. But no! This was a surprise package wrapped in humor and courage and, get this, defense geese! Yes, you heard me right.

And the characters! Oh boy, let me tell you, they're the real magic here. Cordelia's remarkable, but the ones around her—Hester, Imogene, Penelope, and Willard—stole the show. Wit? Check. Charm? Double check. They were giving me Downton Abbey vibes but with much more mischief!

And the romance? It's not your typical lovey-dovey nonsense of enemies to lovers or insta-love. Hester and Lord Evermore? They're the real ones. A love for the ages, making sparks fly faster than a misfired spell. It's sweet, it's legendary, and it's perfection.

I'm struggling to find any faults here. This book? It's a masterpiece, the rare unicorn in a herd of donkeys. T. Kingfisher? She's outdone herself. When I think she has reached the top, she puts out another book that is even better than the last! This is the magnum opus, folks. Five stars? Heck, yes, five galaxies if I could! A Sorceress Comes to Call is hands down my top pick for 2024.

So, listen up, fellow book lovers: grab this gem, pronto! Trust me, you'll thank me later. This book is the real deal, and it's ready to whisk you away on a fantastical journey,

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for the sneak peek—I owe you big time. And to everyone else, mark your calendars for August 6, 2024. This is the day your reading list gets a significant upgrade.

Cordelia's mother has a very novel, and horrifying, punishment for infractions, perceived or actual; Cordelia is made obedient. She is present in her body, aware, but unable to make her own movements or speak her own words. Cordelia is made her mother's puppet. This is because Cordelia has a sorcerer for a mother. After her mother rather ruthlessly cuts ties with her benefactor in the middle of the night, Cordelia and Evangeline flee their hometown. They wind up on the doorstep of a wealthy landowner, and it's no accident. Can Cordelia finally fight back against her mother's control to help save more innocent lives?

I'm not sure my synopsis does this book any justice, but I absolutely loved it. I gobbled it down and enjoyed every bite. It is dark, and funny, and has a generous sprinkling of heart. It's delightful. Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Books for the review copy.

My thanks to NetGalley for the free eARC in exchange for a review and also, accidental thanks to Jaysen Headley on Insta- because I pretty much read this in two days upon seeing his videos featuring it ...and realizing anew I had the eARC.

A sorceress comes to call upon a Squire with marriage and wealth in mind for her, and her unwilling daughter with little between them but a white uncanny horse.

Told between the perspectives of Cordelia, the sorceress' daughter and the Squire's spinster sister Hester- who come to be united in a plan to stop the sorceress from achieving a end to their lives as they know them.

Cordelia's ladies maid Alice is very sisterly and protective of her not being blind to the kind of abuse Cordelia suffers from her mother. I enjoyed too all of Hester's "house party" guests being old friends (and more than friends?) and was genuinely sad when Cordelia's stepped up the game, so to speak.

If you're looking for something that follows the fairy tale of the Goose Girl, this does not, I sort of see Cordelia as the "maid" who fakes being a princess to marry and Hester as the "goose girl", but it's of course quite buried.

The twist to how it's true to the Goose Girl is in the rising unease of Falada, headless yet uncanny and knowing what's going on in a way a horse should not, maybe speaking, maybe not...

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for access for this arc. This releases tomorrow August 6 2024 and I highly recommend it. Especially if you already a fan of T Kingfishers work.

While this is a dark retelling, its a very loose retelling of the brothers grimms goose girl. Just geese wondering about.

"Crying was not acceptable. That had been one of the first lessons of being made obedient. Cordelia was fourteen and to old to cry for seemingly no reason, because of course, she could not tell anyone the reason." (This quote is in the arc, this can change once published/release to the public)

This book had everything I was hoping it would. Great world building with such good detail on the sorceresses. This does take a while to get to but when it does I was very interested. I will say, while I wasn't very fond of Cordelia or Hester, our 2 main characters we follow, the other characters in this story such as Tom, Richard, and even Cordelia's evil mother, Evangeline. The banter in this one as well, had me laughing out loud and kicking my feet sometimes. The friendships between our characters, even including the maids and workers on the properties, everything felt so fresh and fun. This is exactly what I was looking for. Lastly, the ages for our characters, aside from 14 year old Cordelia, were all of much older age and I just really overall enjoyed that.

T Kingfisher is slowly climbing my rankings for best authors, or maybe even most consistent.