I’ve read three other T. Kingfisher books and I can say without a doubt that this is my favorite one so far. I enjoyed pretty much everything about the book, from the characters to the magic to the plot, but I especially admire how Kingfisher’s characteristic humor shines here while also having a lot of heart and a dash of horror.

A Sorceress Comes to Call follows Cordelia, a fourteen-year-old girl who has always been under the control of her mother, the wicked sorceress Evangeline. When her mother sets her sights on marrying a wealthy man, Cordelia has to either watch the monster she knows enact pain on those she’s growing to love or try to escape Evangeline’s control and come into her own power.

While there isn’t a standout character that I grew to really love in the book, Kingfisher wrote a bunch of great female characters. From Cordelia, who has a rich internal voice that belies her timid exterior, to Hester and her friends, who end up taking Cordelia under their wing, I enjoyed them all. I appreciate that Kingfisher included a variety of women, both beautiful and not, both young and old, and she gave them each a distinct voice and personality.

The standout for me were actually the animal characters, especially the geese and Falada, the horse. I think Kingfisher loves geese (she also had a goose in her novella, Nettle & Bone) and they were a joy to read about. But Falada is special and I loved his purpose in the story and relationship with Cordelia.

Besides the magic, which reminded me of Ella Enchanted, I enjoyed the moments of horror the most. Kingfisher successfully made me creeped out at points but also laugh because I wasn’t expecting that from the book at all.

Overall, A Sorceress Comes to Call is a fun adventure with characters you can root for, an empathetic understanding of parental abuse, and a genuinely threatening villain. For fans of Kingfisher, this is a must read and for new readers, I think this is a great book to start with.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This review will be published on my blog (clearsummers.wordpress.com) and Goodreads on July 23, 2024. It will be published on Amazon on the pub date.

3.5 Rounded up. I really do enjoy T. Kingfisher's writing style. This story is a retelling, but it felt so fresh because of how well the characters are written. It wasn't my favorite, but I still had a good time with it.

Dark fantasy/horror is not usually my choice of genre, but A Sorceress Comes to Call was a gripping tale and it was hard to put the book down. The world that the author creates was self-contained and consistent, although not as creative and vivid as I would have expected. The most compelling character to me was Hester, and Cordelia does blossom throughout the book. I do think that the book should come with a trigger warning, as it depicts physical and emotional abuse.

I wasn’t that familiar with the tale of Goose Girl, but skimmed through the summary of it before diving into this book. It certainly does take elements of the fairy tale, but does add its own twists. I think the tale was simple and the intensity and Cordelia’s experiences as “obedient” did feel gripping, but I was hoping that Cordelia’s mother was more complicated than depicted in the book. I thought it was curious that Cordelia’s mother was so intent on securing a rich husband for Cordelia as well, and I thought the book was going to tie that motivation to the original story of Goose Girl, in that perhaps Cordelia’s mother would possess Cordelia’s body once her present body passed on.

I was also expecting Falada’s story to be more interesting, but was disappointed that his story came to an end as soon as it began at the end of the novel. There was so much more that the author could have done with the stories, but I did enjoy the relationships between Cordelia and the other women (especially Penelope). It was an easy and fun read, but not a novel I will be revisiting.

Much gratitude to Net Galley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this novel for review.

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.

Enjoyed this! I'm not familiar with the Grimm tale that this references, but it held my attention throughout. I've heard good things about Kingfisher but haven't read any of their work, so hopped on the opportunity to give it a shot when I saw this was available. I'm someone who's comfort zone is non-fiction, and I definitely don't read too much fantasy so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I like this book. I feel like the story and the writing are accessible to all ages and I liked that there was a good amount of sass from some of the feistier characters.

I did feel like the ending was somewhat predictable but sometimes that's okay. Will definitely be on the lookout to try some other works by Kingfisher!

4.5

I really like T. Kingfisher. Nettle & Bone is one of my favorite books, not just by her, but by any writer. This makes me both excited and apprehensive to read another book by her. While I didn't love, 'What Moves the Dead' I am so happy that I read this one. This is a re-telling of one of Brothers Grimm's famous fairy tales called 'The Goose Girl.' I never read it, so I can't make a comparison to the original, but I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It's one that was very hard to put down at night, which is a good sign for me.

The only reason I didn't give it a 5 star is because I wanted more. I needed to know what else happened! I wanted so much for Cordelia in the end. Since I don't know how the original story ended, I don't know if the questions I have were ever answered.
Highly recommended for T. Kingfisher fans anyone that still enjoys a good fairy tale.

*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Sorceress Comes to Call is based on the Goose Girl fairy tale. It tells the story of the sorceress Evangeline, her daughter Cordelia and the horse Falada. Set in a pseudo-Victorian era, Evangeline's quest for to ensure security and wealth for herself by any means necessary is an entertaining tale full of twists and turns.

This is supposedly a re-telling of the Grimm's fairy tale "The Goose Girl", but besides the fact that geese are present and there's a horse named Falada, there's not much connected between the two.

This is my second T. Kingfisher book (I previously read Swordheart) and I had a lot of the same pros and cons. Firstly, I do think Kingfisher has a strong voice in her writing. I like that there's an older female main character. I think the book has a fantastic premise, but ultimately doesn't deliver.

The story is focused on two characters, the first being Cordelia, a 14-year-old girl who is under the thumb of an abusive mother who is a masterful sorceress. Her mother has lost her "benefactor" (a man she controls and elicits money from) and has her sights set on a new man, a naive squire living in a grand estate. The second main character is Hester, the older, unmarried sister of the aforementioned squire, who is immediately suspicious of the new woman, and is also stirred to compassion by Cordelia, who is plainly suffering.

The beginning of the book is great, displaying the unique forms of torture that having a controlling sorceress for a mother would entail. Cordelia feels real in this part of the book, with her internal thoughts screaming while her outer appearance appears shy and obedient. When the story moves to the estate of the squire, it begins to drag unfortunately.

Hester isn't as strong of a character and I never really understood her "situationship" with a Lord Evermore, a wealthy man who clearly adores her and wants to marry her, yet she refuses because she thinks him marrying her would mar his image in society. Yet later in the book, she posits a plan in which he becomes engaged to Cordelia, and even admits that this would be seen as scandalous!

The story meanders and drags a lot in the estate, with far too much time spent with people sitting around and talking. I also felt Cordelia's character gets lost here, with her merging too much with the character of Hester (both have these internal quirky thoughts that I just didn't feel match Cordelia with her past). Even when things did happen, it just immediately goes back to the same meandering plot, and made a short book feel way too long.

The ending picks up at least, but still feels disjointed and not wholly satisfying. Things are just a little <too convenient, in my opinion. I did like the darker elements in this book and there's some fantastic imagery that Kingfisher does a great job describing.

If you want a dark, fairy tale retelling with an abusive, magical parent I would say that Ava Reid's Juniper and Thorn does this much better.

I happen to love a goose girl fairytale retelling, & T.. Kingfisher spun this tale in such a unique & fresh way. I have read several of her fantasy and horror books and I've pretty much enjoyed every one of them. This was no exception.
The way she tackles complicated mother daughter relationships, but on a WHOLE other level, as the mom is an evil Sorceress, who is unnecessarily cruel, especially to her daughter.. After a horrific mass murder. they leave town suddenly and try to start anew by swindling a wealthy squire into marrying the Sorceress. I loved the character arc of the daughter and how she learns to come into her own through the women that protect her and treat her like family. There is a horse familiar, alchemy, fancy geese as bodyguards, found family, & a lot of empowerment. I think most people are going to really love this one!
#netgalley #tor

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!

The writing to me feels very stilted and robotic and heavily narrative. I wasn't personally getting into it so I stopped after chapter 2 (4%). Conceptually, it's really interesting. A solid 3-4 stars for the target audience and 5 for the right readers.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor for the ARC.

Loved it! T Kingfisher can submarines get stale during her narrative voice being similar between books, but I feel she’s been branching out lately. I found this humorous but touching and I loved the alternating perspectives between a 14 year old girl and a middle aged woman. Highly recommend!

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!

"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.

Possible Triggers:
Death | Mild Gore | Manipulation/Coercion

Summary:
Retelling of the “Goose Girl” fairy tale.

Characters:
The story flips perspectives between characters but predominantly follows Hester and Cordelia’s point of views.

Cordelia: This character wasn’t originally very high up on my list of likes, but she is super pivotal to the story and as it goes on I really appreciate how she interacts with all the other characters. Almost like she makes the other characters shine all the better by being herself. After thinking about it for some time I can really applaud her bravery in facing someone who terrified and controlled her for her entire life. Strength comes in interesting packages.

Hester: Is absolutely my favorite character in the book. I love that T. Kingfisher once again made an awesome heroine that isn’t a young teenage girl or baby-20 something. I love when I can read stories that have more mature adults overcoming fantastical trials. I appreciate her wit so much.

Positives:
+ Adoring all the female characters. Multiple age ranges? Check! Various physical and mental strengths and limitations? Check! Side characters that don’t seem like dandelion fluff sticking to the edge of a page? Check! Awesome Villainess? Check!
+ Fairy tales are already generally dark and violent, but T. Kingfisher has this magnificent spoop factor she adds to the story that I absolutely loved. Would I want to bump into this particular brand of enchantress? Absolutely hecking not. Not a person I would want to cross, especially seeing what she does when she feels slighted. Not to mention Falada; fantastically unnerving.
+ What a sweet romance. Not a huge part of the story but I still liked it a bunch.

Final Thoughts:
A modern fairy tale retelling of the “Goose Girl” that has creepy Edgar Allen Poe-ish vibes.

More of what I am coming to think of as T. Kingfishers trademark awesome fantasy writing; mature characters, charming romances, eerie spooky skin-tingly unexpected horrors, and highlighting characters' strengths that are so much more than just the physical kind.

I liked this story. The characters were compelling. The spooky energy increased drastically and really pulled you in. The villainess was creative in her horrible acts. The conclusion of the story was satisfying. Not my favorite T. Kingfisher work but it is certainly a solid positive entry to the collection.

Random aside: One of these days I'm really going to have to read the original “Goose Girl” fairy tale, as all I have ever read of it has been retellings, and now I don't know WHAT the creative step-asides are for the story.

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.

Thanks to #netgalley for providing this ARC copy for me to review.

I can’t say enough good about this book. I’ve read quite a bit of this author and this has got to be my favorite. The story is familiar and comforting while still being fresh and full of fun horror. Kingfisher is a genius at crafting engaging characters, setting, and events.

I’m so appreciative of the opportunity to read more of a very favorite author of mine.