_A Sorceress Comes to Call_ is a magical, engrossing, and dark retelling told from the perspectives of Cordelia, the young daughter of the evil sorceress Evangeline, and Hester, the unmarried sister of a wealthy lord that Evangeline chooses to target for marriage. The narrators Eliza Foss and Jennifer Pickens give life to the author T. Kingfisher’s writing, keeping the reader engrossed in the world of dark magic as Cordelia and Hester, with the help of close friends, fight to defeat Evangeline.

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the audiobook ARC of this story.

I am a huge T. Kingfisher fan and was really excited for her newest book. A Sorceress Comes to Call is a loose retelling of the Brother's Grimm Goose Girl fairytale. It was a solid story, but I didn't love it as much as other works by T. Kingfisher. While our main character Cordelia was lovable, her absolute inability to have a backbone was grating at times. She did get better towards the end, but she never even thought about trying to fight against the magic when her mother would make her obedient and that in itself feels a little out of character for any teenager. Our other main character, Hester, was 50 but kept referring to herself in such a way that you would've thought she was 80. We did have a decent sized ensemble cast of characters that were great, but there wasn't as much banter between them as there normally is with a T. Kingfisher book and I really did miss it. The pacing did feel a bit off at times--we moved fast, then slow, then really slow, then rushed through the end. All in all it was a good story, but not one of my favorites from the author.

A Sorceress comes to call follows the story of Cordelia, a 14-year old girl living in the shadow of her controlling and abusive mother. Cordelia's story intersects with Hester's, a 50-year old woman who is the sister of Samuel the squire, and we get dual POV's as Cordelia and Hester try to stop Cordelia's mother Evangeline from sinking her claws into the squire.

Huge trigger warning for anyone who may struggle with reading about abuse perpetrated by a parent. There are fantastical elements to the abuse Cordelia faces at the hands of Evangeline, but quite a lot of it is more "mundane" like not having access to privacy in her own home. I kind of liked that aspect of it as it depicted a realistic abusive dynamic where the abuser happened to also have magic at their disposal. Think of the worst person that you know and then imagine that they can use magic to bend people to their will. Terrifying, isn't it?

This is a very loose retelling of the Goose Girl fable. I think it feels more inspired by it rather than a re-telling, but also, what do I know?

Anyways, I really liked the dark atmosphere and sense of dread that everyone feels at the hands of Evangeline. It was a believable tale of a manipulative woman using people to attain her own goals, the magical elements were really just a means to an end. I do kind of wish that more people had been taken in by Evangeline's charm, because that is what makes manipulative people so scary isn't it?

I really liked the audiobook and the fear that you could hear permeate through Cordelia's entries, and the dry humor that you could hear in each of Hester's. I really appreciate the way that T. Kingfisher gives older women like Hester agency in her own story rather than letting the young people decide the story like you see in a lot of fantasy books.

Overall this is a quick and fun read. Do I wish there were more geese? Yes. Did I get some weird monsters? Well, it's a T. Kingfisher book so that's a given.

My first T. Kingfisher book, and I fully anticipate it leading to a reading long list of Kingfisher titles. I love books with lesser-known magic systems or sideways looks at how magic works, and this one delivered that and more. Sorcery is so interwoven with nature and rituals and secrets instead of just spoken spells or innate power and it makes the plot progression so fraught with tension. Cordelia's narrative chapters broke my heart from the start, and I couldn't wait for Hester and her to start trusting each other so they were no longer alone in their struggles. All of the character work was so well executed and had me hanging on the edge of my seat to know who would make the next move.

***4.0 stars***

Overall,
I am pretty big T. Kingfisher fan, they are an insta buy author for me for sure. This new book, longer than most of her others did not disappoint. Kingfisher has a way of mixing fantasy with gothic/slightly spooky vipers. This was a very original and fun read. At its core, A sorceress comes to call is a story about finding your voice and facing your fears. I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you Netgally and Tor for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my free and honest review.

While it's not unusual for mothers and daughters to have conflicted relationships, we can all be thankful that few are as conflicted as that between 14 year old Cordelia and her sorceress mother. When Evangeline, as evil a witch as any in fiction, sets her sights on a rich husband, things get really complicated. Poor Cordelia, always terrified anyway, sees harm coming to the sweet bumbling man and his kind sister, Hester. She's quite convinced that there's no way to save them. But no one has really counted on intelligent and cunning Hester who has no intention of letting the worst happen to Cordelia or anyone else. This retelling of the Brothers Grimm's "The Goose Girl," is absolutely brilliant. Kingfisher's ability to create realistic and likable characters, as well as a truly horrible villain shines in one of this 2024's most charming fantasies. A lovely narration enhances a terrific story.

My favorite work by this author so far! The two narrators were equally fantastic at developing the characters and bringing the pages to life. This book complicated the typical matriarchal mother to daughter magic-inheritance narrative that I often see. And, I'm always a fan of "found family" dynamics and central characters who branch away from stifling relationships and find people who truly love them. Evangeline was a great, scary villain and Cordelia and Hester were easy to root for. I recently said this about another book, but I found that the magic system and world building were unique and didn't fall into the trap of over-explaining or getting too into the weeds with the mechanics and rules of that, but focused more on vibe (which I found really effective).

Firstly I want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an audio ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I’m a big fan of T. Kingfisher. She’s just got a way with retelling stories you already know and making them her own. A Sorceress Comes To Call is no different. This is a Goose Girl retelling, with fantasy, intrigue and even some horror elements. And T. Kingfisher somehow makes it all cozy! She’s so good at setting the atmosphere, making the reader feel like they are in the story with her characters. You feel Cordelia’s struggle and heartbreak, her terror and her bravery. You empathize with Hester and her struggle with chronic pain, and her feelings of inadequacy around the man she loves. I even found myself rooting for the geese in this book! Everything Kingfisher does is magical and a touch spooky, and I will happily read it all!

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher is in short the story of a young girl with a horrible mother. Cordelia is "made obedient" by her mother Evangeline by controlling her body with magic, who has intentions of marrying her off for great sums of money. When her current benefactor loses interest, Evangeline moves them to a new town to find a new one.

I am already a huge fan of Kingfisher, and this book just solidifies how much I love their writing! This story feels very fairy tale like, but with harrowing scenes. There were some truly terrifying moments throughout the story, and it really will take you by surprise.

The characters in this book were also all amazing. Every single one was fleshed out and I loved that it was split into two perspectives. There is a bit of romance between two characters, but it is so sweet and wholesome and you will definitely be rooting for them!

Even with such a scary concept, Kingfisher is able to add humor. There was dialogue that made me chuckle at times, and it makes you feel like you're in the story with these characters. It also helps that the audiobook narrators were great! There was one for each perspective, and both were very soothing and held my attention with all of the emotions portrayed.

Overall another great book by Kingfisher!! If you like fairy tales with dark turns, this book is for you.

I really liked the idea behind this story. I really liked the characters in this story. I really liked the ending of this story. I really liked the beautiful writing.

I didn't like the pacing of this book. The middle half of this book moved very slow for me. The beginning was exciting because you are learning about this world, the sorcery, and the characters. The ending of the book was exciting because you are getting all your questions answered and the characters are getting a resolution. The middle part where the characters were living together and being passive aggressive with each other was slow and could have been shortened.

T. Kingfisher does it again with another incredible story packed with interesting characters, exciting twists, and enchanting writing. Imagine having a mom who's a sorceress, can make you and anyone else obedient, causes chaos and destruction, and destroys anyone who stands in her way. That's what you get here!

The range of T. Kingfisher’s writing is honestly unmatched. I’ve now read seven of Kingfisher's books, and I still have no idea what I’m getting into until I’m deep in the story. I wasn’t familiar with this story from Grimm’s, but that is definitely not a limitation for reading this story.

Kingfisher has a knack for crafting believable and precocious teenage characters, as well as older women. The dual POV in this book—following Hester and her friends (in their 40s/50s) along with 14-year-old Cordelia—works brilliantly. Hester and her gang, with their creaky joints and irreverence for social norms, are incredibly relatable. Cordelia's perspective, on the other hand, brings a lot of depth and a genuine sense of fear and horror to the story, adding a crucial layer to the narrative.

The audiobook was a treat with different narrators for each perspective. Both did a great job of embodying different characters and providing a distinct voice for them, and their voices matched the mood of this story so well.

In typical T. Kingfisher fashion, this book has its share of gruesome moments, with a demon horse and guard geese adding to the horror. If you're looking for something to scratch that horror itch, this book is perfect!

Another hit from T Kingfisher! This book is one of her most difficult to classify, landing both solidly within the fantasy and horror categories, not feeling quite at home in either. The story of Cordelia and Hester is beautiful, talking about found family, boundaries, love, and the importance of staying true to yourself. Some of the characters are people I will be thinking about for a long time to come. Thank you Tor and Netgalley for the advance audiobook.

The atmosphere of the book is in typical T. Kingfisher style eerie with humor. I did enjoy most of the tale though there were a couple elements that left me confused on their addition. As for the narrating of the story, the narrators were a solid 5/5.

T. Kingfisher dazzles again with this tale set in a magical, Regency-Era world. 14-year-old Cordelia is the star of the show as she gathers courage and a group of middle-aged, yet stalwart, friends to stop her mother, who just happens to be a sorceress. This tale will appeal to both the old and the young (and to those who prefer whiskey in their teacup). Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I have never read a T. Kingfisher book, but it’s easy to say she is going to be added to my favorite author list! The audiobook was a little rough starting out, the two narrators confused me a bit because I thought they would each voice one specific character. Once I started understanding the characters, it was an easy listen and I devoured it. Both narrators portrayed the characters well!


The book is wonderfully written. It was a first of its kind for me! And much needed to help me through my book slump! The story has a wide variety of characters from the shy timid girl, to the funny humorous older ladies, to the evil villain of the story. All of them are fantastically written. You’ll follow these characters through a vast array of love, danger, abuse, friendship, and revenge.

This book will keep you on the edge of your seat begging for more! Twist, turns, love, suspense, humor, magic, it has it all! It was an easy, fun read. I felt like the pacing was fantastic, not once did I feel like it dragged on. I recommend this book 100%

Thank you to MacMillan Audio, NetGalley, and T.Kingfisher for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook!

Is Cozy Horror a thing? Because if I had to shove this into a niche subgenre, it's that plus Regency and light fantasy. And I loved it.

A Sorceress Comes to Call is a masterclass in genre-blending, showcasing T. Kingfisher's unique ability to infuse whimsical elements into the narrative. The book touches on themes of magic, abuse, love, danger, revenge, family, friendship, and the classic battle of good versus evil. The prose perfectly sets the tone, gradually building a sense of unease that left me both creeped out and anxious. Sidenote: name a more iconic duo than T. Kingfisher and absolutely despising horses.

I enjoyed this book from start to finish—the prose, the atmosphere, and the eerie humor. Kingfisher excels at creating vivid, atmospheric settings. Cordelia, our main character, is timid yet brave, embodying the type of unexpected heroine I prefer. However, it’s the side characters that truly make this book stand out. Hester and Penelope were a riot, Richard charming and odd, and even Evangeline was so delightfully wicked that you had to love her role in it all. From wily card games to grotesque murders and tense dinner conversations, the book delivers Jane Austen levels of Regency charm mixed with horrific elements, like a decapitated horse, all in one neat package.

This was truly a delightful blend of cozy fantasy, horror, and Regency, offering a really captivating read. This further solidifies, that if T. Kingfisher writes it, I will be reading it.

I loved this book. This is a story about abuse, about victims breaking free and finding their own power. The character building was a joy to read, and I loved seeing the romance between Hester and Richard. In typical T. Kingfisher fashion, there are some gruesome moments, and so I think this book would be perfect for those looking for something to scratch the Summerween / horror itch. The ending happened faster than I expected, and as a result I'm left wanting more for my girl Cordelia! I would love to get a sequel where Cordelia is older and learns more about herself in a non-dire situation.

Also, geese play a very large part in this one, and I was not disappointed.

This was spectacular! I love this story to bits and the audiobook is so well done. The narrators did a great job at bringing these characters to life and their voices matched the mood of this story so well. I enjoyed every minute.

This is a reimagining of the Brothers Grimm's "Goose Girl" story, which I'm not at all familiar with, but this is T. Kingfisher, so of course I was going to request this and I'm so happy I got it.

It's an immersive and atmospheric paranormal thriller where we follow Cordelia, a girl who lives under her sorceress mother's yoke, Evangeline. She's 14 years old, kept in isolation, and Evangeline sometimes even uses magic to control her body and lock her in her own mind. When her mother sets her sights on a Squire, intending to marry him, they have to move to his house, where they meet his sister Hester. Hester can sense exactly who Evangeline really is and plans to expose and stop her. Will Cordelia find the courage to finally stand up to her mother with Hester's help?

I just loved this. The characters felt like real people and had a wonderful depth to them, the twists and turns kept me interested, the atmosphere was great and I could feel the tension rising, and I really liked the magic. It's the perfect blend of fantasy, thriller, horror, and coziness if that makes any sense.

Very few modern stand-alone books make me fall for the entire cast of character quite like T. Kingfisher books do. This time around we get a wide range of favorites of all ages to pick from as they navigate their Brothers-Grimm-meets-Jane-Austen-setting with a healthy dose of demon horses and guard geese. A Sorceress Comes to Call is also my first Kingfisher fairy tale retelling and, much like those original stores, has a lot of darkness at the foundation of the tale. My only real criticism here is that is that the toxic mother/daughter relationship very occasionally felt a little one-dimensional, and I would have liked a little more depth (or maybe just more page-time) to the pair's obviously complex relationship, but maybe the point there is that sometimes bad is just bad, and that can work too with such a fantasy tale.

Here are a few more things I loved:
-The audiobook narrators (Eliza Foss and Jennifer Pickens) and their fantastic performances.
-The ending! What a bang, what a deliciously achieved conclusion.
-Kingfisher's fresh and unique style that always feels familiar and comforting while also keeping you desperate for the next chapter.

t. kingfisher never disappoints! i absolutely loved this retelling!
i could not stop listening to this audiobook. it was captivating, it had plot twists in all the right places. this is a very quick read, just like all of t. kingfishers books. i can’t wait for this published so i can read it again!