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.

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.

This was my first T. Kingfisher book, and it was so good! I don't typically read horror books, but I really enjoyed this. This was described as The Goose Girl x Sorceress? It's very roughly based off of the goose girl, based in a regency time period. We get dukes! and looking for marriage! and a who-dun-it.

Cordelia, our FMC and narrator, is the daughter of Evangeline, who exerts control over every aspect of her life, to the point where her mother even moves her as a marionette. Each scene we read in the village displays how little autonomy Cordelia has, and throughout the course of this book we see how it impacts Cordelia.

When her mother, the sorcerer, wants a husband, is where the story really picks up. We meet Hester (the proposed husband's sister), who had foreshadowing of Doom coming for their family. Hester + the servants (Alice, the butler, etc.), the Squire, Hester's friends and her beau will need to join forces to fend off the evil sorceress.

I will say it lagged a little bit for me in the middle, but it really picked up ~75-80% of the book. From there it was non stop until the ending and I loved it. It's not as much HEA as what I normally read, but it had a satisfactory ending that I enjoyed! Great first book for me to read of T. Kingfisher imo!

TW: Abuse, Death, Suicide

Thanks to Tor + NetGalley for the ARC

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.