eARC Review: A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher ✨

I think I had a very high expectation going into this book and I think that’s to blame for my really mixed feelings about it. I’ll preface this review by stating that I’m very familiar with The Goose Girl tale from the Brothers Grimm as it was one of the first retellings I read and loved as a child (shoutout to Shannon Hale for her wonderful Books of Bayern series!), and while I knew this was going to be much darker in content, all I felt while reading it was “meh.” 😕

The story follows two POVs, Cordelia and Hester as they are thrown into a situation where a social climber is willing to kill to get what she wants. Cordelia is the abused 14 year old daughter of Evangeline, a sorceress who uses her magic to manipulate her daughter into submission. I found her plight incredibly moving but I was really waiting for her to stand up to her mother only get a rather lackluster version of it. 😣

Hester was my favorite of the two simply because she’s plucky and quick-witted. I loved her relationships with her brother, Lord Evermore, Mrs. Green, and Lady Strauss, and when she started taking Cordelia under her wing, I couldn’t have loved her more. Her refusal to give up her independence was totally understandable, but I feel like Evermore would’ve understood from the get-go and they didn’t have to do this whole charade of “I love you, but I don’t want to marry you.” 🪿

The things that I felt were missing from the book as a whole was a POV from Evangeline’s side. I feel like she was a fantastic femme fatale-like character who could’ve brought some much needed clarity to this story. For one, where and how did she learn magic? Was she self-taught or did she have a mentor? This would’ve also answered my lingering question of how does the magic system work in the first place? I also would’ve like to know why she decided to be a cold and ruthless social climber in the first place and what her real motive with her daughter was. 🐴

In the end, I’m just miffed by what should’ve been a fantastic read for me what with a German folktale retelling and a femme fatale figure in the mix. A big thank you goes to Tor Books and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest review; I wish I had enjoyed it more. 😞

Publication date: August 6!!

Overall: 3/5 ⭐️

Another wonderful and terrifying fairy tale from T. Kingfisher. Loosely based on "The Goose Girl," A Sorceress Comes to Call tackles some pretty dark subject matter while still offering assurance that even when the situation seems hopeless, we are not alone and our efforts do make a difference. Cordelia's story was truly horrifying, and seeing her find friends and discover her own strength was powerfully affecting.

Trigger warnings for violence and emotional, mental, and physical abuse of a child. It was intense, but I don't mind giving the spoiler that everything comes out right in the end.

My thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this loose fairy tale retelling of Goose Girl. However, the back and forth between Cordelia’s fear and her mother’s duplicity and evil nature grew tiresome. Cut out some of the middle, including Penelope’s storyline (as much as I liked her character) to tidy it up a bit… This was my first T. Kingfisher and I’m interested in reading something else by them. This story grew repetitive and the story was slow to move forward.

My first T Kingfisher book, and a retelling of The Brothers Grimm “Goose Girl”, both unfamiliar territory for me. This Regency era story starts with our MC being physically controlled by her sorceress mother as a punishment for disobedience. Definite creepy factor to set the atmosphere for what is to come. Young teen Cordelia has no friends, and no activities, just her mother and a horse as a companion. The mother uses her considerable powers to enhance her life style with the ultimate goal of marriage for herself and Cordelia. Setting her sights on a wealthy Squire brings nothing but misery to his family and friends. Fortunately his intuitive sister Hester feels something is amiss, befriends Cordelia and together they try to stop the impending (Doom).
Eerie and alarming events give this story just the right amount of chills.
Thank you Netgalley and Tor Books for this read

🖤 A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. kingfisher🖤

Thank you so much @macmillan.audio, @tornightfire & @netgalley for this beautiful Arc.

Pages: 336 🎧 & 📚
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book Goal 2024: 80/100 🎧 & 📚

What a grim tale. Cordelia recognized that her mother is odd but doesn’t realize why. She lives in a house with no doors and has no freedoms. Strict rules and limited access to the outside world keeps Cordelia isolated from having friends. As her mothers secrets start to unveil, Cordelia realizes she must confront her mother for her behavior. Cordelia discovers not only has her mother been manipulating people, her actions are causing severe harm.

I loved this book. It was like reading a dark fairytale instead of the fairytales I grew up on and it just spoke to my dark little heart. 🖤

Having the option to read ebook and audio was perfect. The narration was brilliant and I loved having dual narration. It really made the characters personalities come to life and I will for sure be looking for books narrated by Eliza Foss and Jennifer Pickens again.

This latest from T. Kingfisher is a retelling of the somewhat obscure (because Disney never made a movie of it) fairy tale of the Goose Girl. My familiarity with the Goose Girl story is limited to reading the Wikipedia synopsis before starting this book; it was, as nearly all the stories collected by the Brothers Grimm, dark and bloody. That being said, because I was so familiar with the source, this being a retelling was more or less irrelevant to me. But as a book, this was terrific.

Cordelia is the much-abused daughter of the sorceress Evangeline. She is kept isolated and is thoroughly in her mother’s thrall; literally sometimes, as when her mother feels the need she will puppet Cordelia’s body. Cordelia remains conscious and feeling through this, but can’t exercise any control. Cordelia has never had any other life, and doesn’t really expect anything different. This is just how things are. Her only real joy is her daily rides on her mother’s wonderful, enchanted horse Falada.

However, things take a turn when Evangeline (for reasons unclear) loses the support of the wealthy man who has been providing them with support. So she sets off, with Cordelia in tow, to score another wealthy patron. Long-term, she intends for Cordelia to marry someone even more wealthy so they’ll be set.

The only real hitch in this plan: the man she has her sights set on lives with his middle-aged spinster sister Hester, who immediately recognizes Evangeline as trouble (though not as a sorceress) and Cordelia as, basically, a thoroughly kicked puppy. Hester loves her kind-hearted, well-meaning, and not-overburdened-with-intelligence brother, and doesn’t want Evangeline to get her claws in him. She also wants to help Cordelia. So she starts doing what she can on both fronts.

Cordelia was a wonderful presentation of an abused child of a narcissistic parent. Her reactions to the kindness of strangers, her utter terror of anything upsetting her mother - all very well done. Hester, meanwhile, is 100% over everyone’s shit. I love them both.

The story progressed very well, with some expected twists and some unexpected ones. It also gets rather dark - I’d call this horror-lite. How does this compare to Kingfisher’s other books? No idea, as this was my first of hers, but after reading this I certainly intend to find out.

I grew up reading Robin McKinley, and for the longest time, I've thought that nothing could make me feel the way her retellings did. Boy am I glad at how wrong I was. T. Kingfisher makes me feel like I'm discovering fairy tales for the first time. They are full of wonder and enchantment and just the right amount of creepy/gross to make a Grimm brother smile.

I picked this up knowing almost nothing about the story other than being a Goose Girl retelling, and I’m so glad I picked it up. This story was equal parts amazing and heartbreaking. My heart hurt for everything that Cordelia experienced at the expense of her mother. Hester was an equally intriguing character. I really enjoyed the regency era time frame and the cast of friends that Hester surrounded herself with. The characters were richly developed with uniquely interested backstories. I also enjoyed the plot pacing and felt it moved the story along well. There were plenty of betrayals and twists to keep me fully invested in the story. I also appreciated the magical intricacies woven through the story. I read combo read this via audiobook and ebook, and I can’t recommend the audiobook enough. It’s a truly transformative experience and I found myself enjoying the experience significantly more via audiobook. I loved that two narrators, Eliza Foss and Jennifer Pickens, were chosen to represent Cordelia and Hester’s POVs.If you’re even remotely interested in this story, I recommend giving it a chance. You won’t be disappointed.

I’ve read several of Ms. Kingfisher’s books now and cheerfully and whole-heartedly recommend her to anyone looking for books to read!

I very much in particular adore her fantasies. So, when I had a chance to review her latest, ‘ When A Sorceress Comes To Call’ I leapt at the chance and was NOT disappointed!

This struck me very much as a mixture of Regency/Fantasy. Think ‘Wuthering Heights’ meets Maleficent. And the Sorceress in particular is a special case of VILE wrapped in a pleasing appearance.

Our poor heroine Cordelia is gaslit from birth, and her circumstances were frankly horrifying to read. But that’s what makes the story so satisfying when everything is finally done and dusted.

Loved the one sentence easter egg tying back to my favorite of her books, ‘Nettle and Bone’.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I tried with this book, but I think I’ve discovered I don’t gel with T. Kingfisher’s writing for the most part. There are great ideas here, but something is missing that keeps me from being invested.

T. Kingfisher is my favorite author who writes twisted fairytales that bridge the gap between standard folklore and horror. A Sorceress Comes to Call is no exception. Cordelia knows her mother is different, like probably processes magic different. Her life has been ruled by her mother's whim, so much so that Cordelia has even been made to be, what she calls, "Obedient." If that wasn't bad enough, Cordelia's life is upended when her mother has her sights set on the wealthy Squire and his kind spinster sister, Hester. Cordelia and Hester form a friendship and realize that the resident mother/sorceress must be stopped before terrible things happen to them all.

A Sorceress Comes to Call was another dark but dazzling novel by T. Kingfisher. The details were rich and very creepy in a few scenes. I loved the emotions from all of the characters and especially Cordelia. She had the most to overcome and I enjoyed her well deserved rage moment so so much. Hester and her friends were a delight and I hope to be those snarky women as I age. Also, I see what you did there Kingfisher.....the mention of the skeletal dog during the research scenes, well done you!

4.5 stars

Okay, I don’t think I’ve ever read a cozy horror fantasy before, and I kind of loved it! A Sorceress Comes to Call is expected to be published on August 6. Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

ASCTC opens very strongly: a sorceress, Evangeline, can mind control her fourteen-year-old daughter, Cordelia, to make her obedient. Evangeline claims to want nothing more than for Cordelia to marry a wealthy man, and she even commits heinous acts to connect herself to a husband (like mind-control axe murdering). Cordelia’s only real companion is her mother’s horse (and familiar), Falada.

Evangeline finds a new husband target and comes to call on his doorstep. But his sister, Hester, senses impending doom. She enlists the help of her friends and house staff to help prevent Evangeline from marrying her brother. What follows is a tale that is somehow heartwarming, cozy, atmospheric, creepy, and unsettling. At some point, there is murder, mayhem, funny jokes and card games, witchcraft gone awry, and secret romance. All in all, an excellent time.

Honestly, I was hooked from the start of this novel. Kingfisher weaves a tale of found family, control, manipulation, power, love, growth, and friendship. It was equally disquieting as it was comforting and would make an excellent autumnal read. I absolutely adored the geese, the older women who are excellent foils to Evangeline, and the entire cast of characters. They were wonderful. I recommend A Sorceress Comes to Call!

A SORCERESS COMES TO CALL, by T. Kingfisher, is a fairytale retelling of "The Goose Girl". Having never read that story, this novel was completely new to me.

Cordelia's life is not a happy one with her mother, Evangeline. She isn't allowed to close a door in her home--her mother insists on no secrets, and will not tolerate them. Then there's the fact that her mother can make her "obedient" whenever she wishes--sometimes for days at a time--a state where Cordelia is aware, but unable to control her own body and voice. No matter how uncomfortable, she must stay in her skin and simply "watch" what her mother makes her do and say. The pain coming out from those sessions, she's learned to suppress her screams from.

Of course, Cordelia's mother is not an ordinary person. She is an extremely powerful sorceress, and to displease her brings great misfortune.

When Evangeline suddenly announces it's time for them to move, and takes off with Cordelia and their oddly obedient horse in the middle of the night, it's already a preplanned move. She has set her sights upon a rich Squire, and decided he will marry her. The Squire's sister, Hester, immediately has a bad feeling (referring to Evangeline in her mind as "Doom"). Seeing the fear in Cordelia's eyes when her mother is near, and the carefully practiced expressions of Evangeline, Hester isn't sure how to protect her brother--and Cordelia--from whatever this woman plans.

The one thing--besides the banter and often darkly comic situations--that I truly admire about this author is her ability to bring all of her characters to "life"--even the minor ones. She doesn't rely on info dumps, but is a master of showing you all you need to know to understand a character's personality through their thoughts and actions alone.

The beginning, and last third of this novel simply flew by! I loved getting to know the larger cast of characters, their interactions with each other, and how they "adjusted" to the current situation they found themselves in. My only complaint was that the middle seemed to drag on, and rather than further the plot, left it at a virtual "standstill" for a while. However, the action eventually picked back up, and I couldn't have put this book down if I tried!

Overall, another fantastic tale from T. Kingfisher! I found this to be unique, with captivating characters, and some great action scenes. In fact, I adored this particular world and so much, that I would jump at the chance to read more, if the author decided to revisit these characters and create additional adventures for them.

Recommended.

*I received an e-arc of this book through NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are uniquely my own.*

A Sorceress Comes to Call is a compelling and clever fairy tale. In this retelling of the Goose Girl, Cordelia is bound into obedience by her cruel mother. Obedience is far worse than it sounds: imagine the inability to scratch an itch or move even a finger out of line. Cordelia’s mother Evangeline soon sets her sights on remarriage to a wealthy lord. Fortunately, the Squire’s wise sister Hester is less enthralled by Evangeline. Will Cordelia be able to break free of her mother’s clutches before doom befalls them all?

I couldn’t put this book down from the opening line. T. Kingfisher is an auto-buy author for me at this point! I love how she reimagines fairy tales and creatively infuses them with mild horror. Kingfisher’s writing is witty and filled with hilarious dialogue. I loved Hester and her commitment to saving her brother from himself. Hester and Cordelia share a special bond and it was a relief to see Cordelia breaking free of her mother’s clutches. I would highly recommend this for anyone who loves excellent fairy-tale retellings and clever characters.

Thank you to T. Kingfisher, Tor Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc.

Thank you @macmillan.audio #macaudio2024 @torbooks @netgalley for this 5 star magical book!

Loved this one way more than I expected! A weirdly eccentric mom who doesn’t let her daughter have friends and a house with no doors between rooms?! How about forcing her to be silent and motionless for long periods of time. Just who is this lady? A sorceress of course! This is just the start of a book that completely enthralled me. A death in their towns leaves Cordelia and her mother fleeing town in the middle of the night. They land far away at a rich man’s home, the Squire, where Cordelia’s mother’s goal is to sweep the Squire off his feet so he becomes madly in love with her and marries her. There are some obstacles however in accomplishing that feat…the Squire has a smart sister and the help suspect something is up. The relationship between Cordelia and her mother is really what sparks the extra interest into them and ultimately what will change the course of what happens next!

This was my first Kingfisher book and it most certainly won’t be my last. I was completely absorbed watching this relationship between the mother and daughter. It was abusive, manipulative and a bit horrifying but I loved how this one ended up! The tension built perfectly and before I knew it, I flew through the book! The audio was executed beautifully with a historical sense and different points of view that made me feel like I was amongst the characters. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to picking more up by this author!

This was such a fun book and I’m sad I finished it! It was intriguing and dark but fun and the characters very likable. I found myself invested in all of the characters and their storylines. I especially loved the way the female characters were written! They were brave and strong but also messy and unruly during a time when women weren’t allowed to be. This was my first T. Kingfisher book but it definitely will not be my last! Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the arc!

T.Kingfisher never lets me down. This is another beautiful and original fairytale retelling that I ate up

A Sorceress Comes to Call was a triumphant story of a brave girl, an evil and abusive sorceress, an older cast of heroes, and a horse with questionable intent, set in a Regency(ish?) setting with dark fairytale(ish?) vibes. I very much enjoyed the writing, pacing, and themes of agency and empowerment; and wish there were a few more highs or climatic moments than I felt there were. It was otherwise an altogether smooth and enjoyable read. 🐴

Thank you to Tor Books and NetGalley, for the free E-copy for review.

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

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

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

In this rare gem of a fantasy novella, Cordelia behaves to avoid her mother’s disciplinary sorcery. As a young teen in a small town, she has never had a friend or privacy. But when her mother moves them to her next mark’s estate, she meets Lady Hester, the nobleman’s cleaver and kind sister. Hester is far too old to accept the trickery happening in front of her, but she never imagined she was dealing with sorcery. If Hester wants to protect her home and the endangered young lady in front of her, she will have to gather her wits, allies, and strength to evict the sorceress once and for all.