T. Kingfisher is magical. Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the chance to review A Sorceress Comes to Call as an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
We meet 14 year-old Cordelia, the daughter of an evil sorceress in this dark retelling of the Brothers Grimm's Goose Girl. I mean EVIL - like child abuse, lying, murdering sorceress. Cordelia's mother, Evangeline, takes Cordelia and Falada, her beautiful white horse, away to trick a squire into marriage. It was her hope that with money and prestige, Cordelia would be able to marry someone even more wealthy and powerful.
The squire is kind and a bit bumbling, but his sister, Hester, sees right through the sorceress. Hester and Cordelia work to expose Evangeline for the monster that she really is.

The book was narrated by Eliza Foss and Jennifer Pickens, who both did an amazing job bringing these characters to life. Diction, pace, and vocalizations were perfection.

Excellent book, I have no notes!! I will read whatever T. Kingfisher puts out, any time.

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review!

I had so much fun listening to this audibook and truly did not want to stop listening to it. It had such a unique storyline and unique POVs. I loved the resolution at the end and the found family in this book.

Synopsis:

A dark retelling of the Brothers Grimm's Goose Girl, which I am absolutely not familiar with. In this story, we follow the POV of Cordelia, the 14 yo daughter of a cruel sorceress, and Hester, the unwed sister of a wealthy unwed Squire. Cordelia has been locked away by her mother all of her life and forced into obedience by her mother's magic; her world is turned upside down when her mother sets her sights on marrying the wealthy Squire in order to gain money to marry her daughter off to another wealthy man, despite her young age. Cordelia begins to realize that she did not have a normal upbringing and must work together with Hester and the others at the estate to put an end to her mother's cruelty.

It was truly captivating and kept me hooked from start to finish. I really enjoyed both narrators. Definitely recommend giving this one a read (or listen)!

T. Kingfisher continues to prove why she is an auto-buy author for me! I loved this book so much. The dual POV was used so well in the telling of this story. It was nice having a young protagonist in Cordelia and then older more self assured Hester. The setting is dark and eerie and I really enjoyed the tension. There is also a really strong found family line running through the book.

I read this as a combo with the e-book and audiobook. Thank you to NetGalley, Tor, and Macmillan Audio for the ARC/ALC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such an easy going read. As always, this felt like a fairytale that I would have heard as a child, but made darker for adult ears/eyes.
The dark storyline was chilling and I loved the interactions among all of the characters. While I really did enjoy this, it wasn't as much of a slam dunk as her other books. I'd still definitely recommend this one though!

Picture your absolute worst house guest. Now imagine they were not invited, are actively trying to steal everything with a smile on their face, giving all the help creepy vibes, and have a very strange kid with them. Not the best way to relax right?

"A Sorceress Comes to Call" by T. Kingfisher is a dark(er) take on the Goose Girl story from Brothers Grimm. And since it is Kingfisher you know it is going to get wild at some point. Cordelia know her mom is not the same as others. Her home has no doors to hide secrets, she isn't allowed friends, her mother is a sorceress. Specifically one with a goal to marry rich and upgrade their life. Enter the Squire and his sister Hester, well meaning folks but the Squire is caught in a web of his doom. Thankfully, Hester has a good head on her shoulders and knows there is something afoot. After being treated like a human being for the first time Cordelia has some choices to make.

Narrated by Eliza Foss and Jennifer Pickens, from the heart wrenching moments to the weird bits I was enthralled.

Reasons to read:
-You probably don't know the Goose Girl story
-The way magic is viewed and the allowances that gives
-Comeuppance
-Probably a worse house party than the one you threw, you know which one
-Murderous older ladies and butlers, but for a good reason

Cons:
-If you can do that I'm pretty sure you can make your own money... She is the worst though

Out August 6th, 2024!

T Kingfisher has created another beautiful fairytale. Cordelia is a character you will fall in love with and want to protect like a younger sibling. Kingfisher knows how to develop characters you feel like you know deep down. Her villan is evil to the core. The plot moves along at a perfect pace and the shifting dual point of view is clear and does not confuse the reader. As always, her trademark snarky wit is also present with the character of Penelope. The narrators were wonderful to listen to and I didn't want the story to end.

I listened to the audio version of this ARC. It gives a dark fantasy the perfect eerie quality I think this book needs.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book, and the story as it unfolded. The characters are complex and well written, and the plot unfolds beautifully! A def pleasure to listen to.
Tha k you Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this gem!

4.5 stars
This was my first book by T Kingfisher. I’ll be honest and say that some of the covers have kind of scared me off. While the Brothers Grimm’s stories aren’t exactly not scary, I thought it would be a safe entree into the author’s work. And I was right! This retelling was cozy, even through the horror of Evangeline’s actions over the course of the book. The narration was good- one narrator was better than the other for me. I definitely recommend this to everyone and will start reading through the back catalogue!
*Thanks to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the audiobook copy.

This is a retelling of a fairy tale classic. Young Cordelia and her sorcerer mother leave their home after the suspicious death of a local man. They find themselves in the home of a wealthy squire whom Cordelia's mother intends to trick into marrying her. Cordelia knows something isn't right, and enlists the others at the estate to take down her mother and make things right.

A beautifully dark tale full of wonder and forbidden magic. I listened to the audio of this, and the narrators did a fabulous job of making this book as eerie as could be. Characters that you can't help but love! Found family in the most unique way! I really enjoyed this one!

4.5/5 stars!

This dark reimagining of Grimm’s Goose Girl was, in true T. Kingfisher style, absolutely delightful despite (and because of) its dark themes.

A Sorceress Comes to Call follows main character Cordelia who, alongside her evil and abusive sorceress mother, moves into the home of a well-to-do squire with the intention to obtain his hand in marriage thereby improving the social, romantic, and financial prospects of Cordelia. However, the squire's older sister, Hester, who is our second POV, tracks the sorceress’s nefarious intentions from the get go and calls in a team of friends to help put a stop to her surreptitious scheming.

T. Kingfisher is a master of characterization and this is clearly on display in Sorceress where characters were multidimensional and had distinct personalities. The relationship development between the characters, especially between Hester and Cordelia and Hester and her closest friends were especially rich and wonderful to partake in. Though both POVs were strong, I particularly loved Hester’s character, a woman in her 50s with bad knees, whose desire for freedom and independence has kept her unmarried; she was funny and entirely relatable and had a crew of loyal friends that gave the most wonderful Found Family feels.

Our Sorceress villain, Evangeline, who, much to my enjoyment, Hester called “Doom” has all the makings of an excellent villain who you love to hate and hope she gets exactly what she deserves by the end of the story. Despite the fact she is continuously referenced as beautiful, I could not picture her in ANY OTHER WAY but as a reincarnation of Mother Gothel.

I read this as an advanced listener copy and found the audiobook narration to be excellent with the voice actors perfectly matched to Cordelia and Hester’s personalities. Fantasy books can often be difficult for me to listen to without first establishing myself in the world in some other format but I did NOT find that to be the case with this audiobook. The pacing of the book was also so consistent and had just enough action to keep me continuously engaged in the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one and will definitely be purchasing a finished copy for my collection!

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to review this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

What a wonderful, magical book!

Cordelia is the shy, bullied daughter of Evangeline, a shallow, narcissistic sorceress. Trapped within her mother’s whims, she lives as a prisoner in a cottage away from other’s. When Evangeline loses her benefactor, and she punishes him in an extreme fashion, she and Cordelia venture to town with their horse, a familiar, to find rich husbands.

As Cordelia slowly learns what her mother is and what she is capable of, as she meets kindness and makes friends, as Evangeline goes too far and Cordelia tastes freedom, a plan is hatched.

Clever, funny, frightening and dark, T. Kingfisher once again tells a magical fairy tale with strong characters and a compelling story line. I loved Thornhedge, with its good vs evil and black magic, out of control family members and a prisoner who does not know how imprisoned they are. Redemption and courage with a delicious comeuppance and some really frightening elements is a magical concoction of a story. I think I must read Nettle and Bone next.

I must discuss the narration, where two voices, Cordelia and Hestor meld wonderfully to bring this story alive.

Very good book.

Cordelia has always lived in fear of upsetting her mother, Evangeline. While it's common for young girls to seek their mothers' approval, Cordelia's mother is a harsh sorceress who takes pleasure in finding new ways to control her daughter. Evangeline imposes strict regulations on Cordelia, and the only moments of freedom Cordelia experiences are during her daily horse rides with falada, her mother's horse. Facing financial difficulties, Evangeline determines they must depart their town to find a new patron for her schemes.

When Cordelia crosses paths with Hester, the sister of the wealthy squire her mother is eyeing, she finds the courage to be bold for the first time in her life. Hester is puzzled by her distrust of Evangeline. Perhaps it's Cordelia's timid demeanor in her mother's presence, or maybe it's the sly glint in Evangeline's eyes when she believes no one is watching. Regardless, Hester is resolute in preventing Evangeline from further ensnaring her brother, and if she can rescue Cordelia in the process, all the better. However, Hester soon discovers that challenging Evangeline has consequences, leaving Cordelia torn between loyalty to her mother and doing what is right.

My first dive into T. Kingfisher's work, and it just didn't hit the spot. The length was dragging, and the plot felt like it was stuck in neutral with not much going on.

"A Sorceress Comes to Call" immerses readers immediately into the chillingly manipulative and abusive mother-daughter relationship, The story revolves around Cordelia, whose life is overshadowed by her mother Evangeline, a malevolent sorceress scheming to improve her station by ensnaring a wealthy older man known as the Squire. Reluctantly drawn into her mother's schemes, Cordelia finds solace and unexpected companionship with the Squire's spinster sister, Hester.

From the outset, Cordelia emerges as a compelling protagonist whose journey toward self-discovery and empowerment forms the heart of the narrative. As she navigates the complexities of her fraught relationship with Evangeline, Cordelia evolves into a resilient and charismatic character, earning the reader's empathy and investment in her quest for freedom and happiness.

I loved the diverse female characters, each imbued with distinct personalities and strengths. Hester, with her sharp intuition and protective instincts, stands out alongside the vibrant personalities of Lady Strauss, the cardshark, and Penelope Green, whose bubbly demeanor adds a touch of levity to the darker themes explored in the story. The camaraderie and witty banter among these women create a dynamic and engaging narrative that invites you to feel part of their inner circle.

The introduction of horror elements through the presence of Evangeline's familiar, a horse named Falada, adds an eerie/ horror-like dimension to the tale, weaving suspense and intrigue without overwhelming those averse to the genre. (#NotAHorrorFan!) This blend of dark fantasy with moments of coziness and humor enriches the storytelling, offering a balanced and multifaceted reading experience.

Overall, "A Sorceress Comes to Call" delivers a captivating blend of classical fantasy elements with contemporary themes of trauma, abuse, and manipulation. It navigates these sensitive subjects while maintaining a narrative pace that keeps readers engrossed from start to finish. I recommended for fans of standalone fantasy novels seeking a story that is both haunting and heartwarming, dark yet imbued with moments of levity and camaraderie.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC.

4.5 stars rounded down

Cordelia lives with her sorceress mother whose goal is to entrap rich men as benefactors and be financially cared for. Cordelia feels alone and trapped in her mother's care - often quite literally as she is made 'obedient’ by her mother and bodily controlled. Cordelia is torn between the secrets she knows and the freedom she craves when she and her mother are whisked away to the Squire's house as her mother attempts to become his new bride. There we meet Hester, the Squire's sister, who figures out early on that Cordelia's mother is Doom incarnate and becomes invested in preventing her from marrying the Squire.

This audiobook was a fun ride with two great narrators - one for Hester and one for Cordelia. I was immediately immersed in the setting and characters and T. Kingfisher's classic storytelling and wonderfully descriptive prose are on point in this story. The ending felt a bit quick, and I would have loved a few chapters from the mother's point of view, but otherwise I think this story was solid. I would recommend to any fantasy reader, especially those who have read T Kingfisher's previous works!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

T. Kingfisher has done it again!

I would give this book more than 5 stars if I could! I have been obsessed with T. Kingfisher's writing since I read my first book, and previously Nettle & Bone and The Twisted Ones had been at the top of my list, but I think A Sorceress Comes to Call has just blown past them to the top!

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Summary:
Cordelia knows things about her mother that no one else seems to know. Like the coldness that hides behind her mother's charm and smile and the way her mother is able to control Cordelia and others in a way that seems magical. But it isn't until her mother sets her sights on marriage and moves herself and Cordelia into the household of a wealthy and kind old Squire and his clever older sister that Cordelia begins to see what her mother is truly capable of.

Hester knows from the moment she sees Cordelia's mother that the woman is a harbinger of Doom. There's something not quite right about Evangeline, and there's a look in her daughter's frightened eyes that tells her that something dark is lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike. Hester only hopes that she can figure out Lady Doom's secrets before it's all too late.
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What a fantastically dark and lovely fairytale this was! I grew up on Gail Carson Levine and Robin McKinley, and I adore stories that draw from fairytales and folklore like Senan McGuire's Wayward Children series, so this book was incredibly satisfying for me for the concept and vibes alone, but T. Kingfisher's execution of the novel took it to another level.

What I loved:
- A phenomenal cast of characters! T. Kingfisher has a way of writing characters and populating her worlds that resonates with me, and this book was no exception. I will admit that Cordelia was occasionally a bit frustrating with how weak and timid she was, but it was all completely in line with the character's experiences and history, and she was balanced nicely by having Hester as an additional POV.
- I really enjoyed the world this story was set in! It had the feel of a classic fairytale world with the gilding of a Regency novel, and it was delightful. Even if it was not directly plot relevant, I enjoyed the attention paid to period-appropriate manners, social expectations, and gossip as it made the world and story feel more rounded and complete. (And I found the house party gossip sessions quite entertaining! And they did so much to add depth to all the characters!)
- What a despicable, well done antagonist. I don't want to give too much away, but the way Evangeline treated others was so on point with a narcissist and abuser and it made me hate her soooooo much.
- The general darkness and horror vibes were nicely balanced! There was a sense of darkness throughout sprinkled with notes of horror up until closer to the end when the horror tones got stronger, and it made for a wonderful build and flow of the story.

Notes on the Audiobook:
- Excellent narration! I enjoyed the voices of the two focal characters! I think the narrators both did a wonderful job of capturing the voice of their individual characters and conveying the appropriate vibe of the book.
- Great consistency of side character's voices and characterization! Sometimes in books with multiple narrators, the side characters are voiced differently by each narrator, which can make things a bit confusing for readers, but I had zero issues with that in this book!
- My only real complaint is that something about the voice or accent for Alice grated on me, especially as the book progressed. I loved everyone else's voices, but Alice was not my cup of tea.

Overall, this book was phenomenal and I cannot recommend it highly enough to fans of fairytales, dark fantasy, and books with excellent vibes!

received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.

The style of writing in this book reminds me of classic literature like Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and David Copperfield.

The character building is great.

Our book has 2 main narrators - Cordelia and Hester.

Cordelia is the 14-year-old daughter of a sorceress that uses her like a puppet whenever her mother feels she isn’t being obedient enough. She is sheltered, lonely, scared all the time, just absolutely terrified of her mother. She has two friends - a horse, and a girl and they are her only solace in life.

The sorceress mother, Evangeline, decides she needs to shop for a rich husband and drags her daughter along. The target of her gold-digging affections, Sam, is clueless about her cunning ways, but his sister, Hester, knows something is up.

Hester is smart as a whip, has excellent taste in friends, she’s loyal, and her sixth sense is impeccable.

The story unfolds from there.

This is a book that has a lot of magic and supernatural elements, but the heart of the book is the people. Each of them are something worthy of notice: compelling, fierce, loyal, clueless, cruel, faithful, etc. I could easily see this as a movie.

I recommend this book, but I do give the warning that this book is riddled with possible triggers (death, suicide, animal death, free will taken away).

I definitely enjoyed this author’s style.

The narrators both did a good job too.

A Sorceress Comes to Call is a historical fiction/horror tale, that backloads the horror into the last ten percent of the book, and dumps truckloads of the historical fiction on you throughout the rest. It's very well written, and the author does a good job of getting into the character's heads, which is a good thing because we never, ever, get out of them, picking apart every single thought the main character's have, sometimes literally to the point of how the way they walk will be perceived. It's insufferable.

Because the writing is so good, I'm sure that you'll enjoy the historical fiction elements just fine, if you frequently read that sort of thing, I personally felt so bogged down in the minutiae of etiquette, navigating systems of romance, and shawls, (oh the shawls!) that anytime something interesting happened I was struggling to find a care.

I should also mention, as I listened to the audio book, the narrators did perfect jobs portraying the character's they represented. Sadly that meant an elderly woman who's occasionally got something interesting to say, but is mostly the one guilty of focusing on the "keeping of appearances" of the time, and the other an insecure girl who whines with every breath and questions every actions she takes. Perfectly played for the roles written, but it didn't help me get invested with the material given.

Not my cup of tea, but if historical romance with some hints of horror that only pay off in the 11th hour sounds good you, you'll likely be pleased.

*ARC provided by NetGalley & Macmillan Audio*

This audiobook is a must have for grownups who love fairy tales, and I loved everything about "A Sorceress Comes to Call", by T. Kingfisher. Kingfisher is a master at story telling. Both narrators did an outstanding job bringing this story to life.

The premise was intriguing. The mythology was interesting, but overall the story was predictable. The two main characters were pretty simple but propelled the story along