T. Kingfisher is in the running for the author I've read most this year, and for good reason! Shes great at setting a scene, writing interesting characters, and building tension. In this novel, we get to see multiple poitns of view from people caught in one terrible woman's terrible web. I loved Hester as the no-nonsense older woman detective character and Cordelia as the brave young girl at the center of it all. At times I'll admit I felt some of Cordelia's timidness was over-the-top, but then I'd remember she was only 14 and having a totally reasonable reaction to her situation. If you're OK with a big CW for animal death, I'd recommend this novel and audiobook for a great summer-into-fall read!

I had a great time with this book! T. Kingfisher has quickly become one of my favorite authors so I was thrilled once I got my hands on this book. This book is described as a retelling of the Brothers Grimm’s “Goose Girl”. I don’t know that story so I can’t tell you how this one compares but I can assure readers that this book stands strong on its own. I started reading this book at the start of a long flight and didn’t stop reading until I reached the end. It was the perfect story to lose myself in for just a little while.

Cordelia was an incredibly likable character. She has had a difficult life, enduring the whims of her sorceress mother. Her mother keeps her very isolated and even can exert complete control over her, a skill that she does not hesitate to use whenever it suits her. Her mother insists they leave their home in the middle of the night and become guests of a wealthy man and his sister, Hester. Her mother hopes to marry the man and will stop at nothing to make it happen. Cordelia and Hester seem to have an instant connection that only strengthens as time progresses.

This story kept me on my toes. I was never entirely sure what Cordelia’s mother might do next so I worried about her. Hester was very relatable and seemed to notice things that others might miss. This story was told from Cordelia’s and Hester’s points of view which helped the reader really get to know these two characters. There was plenty of action to keep the story moving forward, especially in the later sections of the novel.

I paired the digital book with the audiobook and thought the narrators did a great job with the story. This was the first time that I have listened to Eliza Foss’s work and only the second time that I have had the chance to listen to Jennifer Pickens narrate. I was impressed by both narrators and thought that they did a remarkable job of bringing this story to life. I am certain that their performances added to my overall enjoyment.

I would recommend this book to others. This story hooked me early on and I cared about this group of characters almost immediately. T. Kingfisher’s books have found a permanent spot on my favorites shelf and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Tor Books and Macmillan Audio.

Young Cordelia has a tough life. Her father is no longer around and her mother, well-her mother is special. If Cordelia misbehaves, she could be made to sit for hours. In the same position. Without doing anything other than breathe. Her mother calls this making her "obedient." But in anyone else's eyes, this is abuse. One night, her mother rides off on the family horse and when she returns, she tells Cordelia they're moving. In a jumble of activity, soon Cordelia finds herself and her mother knocking on the door of a country squire and her life changes forever. Hester, the squire's sister recognizes immediately that something is wrong with Cordelia, and she sees that Cord is absolutely terrified by her mother. She also suspects that her mother, the evil Evangeline, is scheming to make this family her own. Will her awful mother succeed? Will Cordelia ever be able to get out from under her mother's thumb, (or spell?) You'll have to read this to find out!

This is supposed to be a type of retelling of The Goose Girl, a tale collected by the Brothers Grimm. I'll say up front that I haven't read it and am not familiar with it, so I cannot say how close this story is to that one. However, I can say this book was great fun!

I can easily picture all of these characters. I think Kingfisher is amazing at character development. She makes it all look and feel easy, if that makes any sense. She's a natural born storyteller, in my opinion. She doesn't ever labor over long-winded descriptions of her characters-their traits and personalities come through naturally in other ways. In this book, it was Hester and her gaggle of geese that really spoke to me-she was so sweet to Cordelia and it was plain that she not only wanted to protect her brother the squire, but she also wanted to protect Cordelia. It was easy to hate Cordelia's mother, and as the story progresses, the reader cannot help but wish that Evangeline gets what's coming to her.

A Sorceress Comes to Call is just plain FUN. It's an exciting tale and it moves quickly. Every minute I wasn't reading I wanted to be. 336 pages flew by in a matter of only a few days, (though the pace did slow a bit in the middle.) As I sadly finished, I realized I didn't want to say goodbye to these characters. I would love to see more Cordelia and Hester in the future. So if you could get right on that. Ms. Kingfisher, it would be appreciated!

T. Kingfisher is always good at mixing fairytales and with horror in just the right balance and A Sorceress Comes to Call is no exception. This was a compelling story from beginning to end. Billed as a "retelling" of the Brothers Grimm's "Goose Girl", this is not the story you might expect. Told from two point of views, Cordelia is abused and controlled by her mother, Evangeline, a witch whose only priority is to see that Cordelia "marries a rich man". Hester is the spinster sister of the man Evangeline sets her own sights. When Cordelia and her mother come to visit, Hester knows she stands to lose her place in her brother's home and is convinced something is not quite right. But no one is prepared for the evil Evangeline possesses and the extent of her powers over her young daughter.

I am generally not a fan of horror, but I always make an exception for Kingfisher. This story does not shy away from disturbing themes, suspense and gore. But as always, it is the characters that make me invested. While Cornelia's POV is that of a 14 year old girl and indeed feels young as a result, Hester's POV brings a maturity an interest that makes the story quite complex. Moreover, while young, the way Cordelia's fear of her mother is portrayed is terrifying in its own right. Yet we also have moments of humor, plot twists, and even second chance romance. Kingfisher is a must read author for me and this story is a wonderful addition to her body of work.

Listening to the audiobook while reading added another detention to the characters and the suspense due to the wonderful duel narration of Eliza Foss and Jennifer Pickens. I enjoyed how they added to the depth of each POV character, and also how they each had a different perception and presentation of the other characters in the book. I'd highly recommend listening to this audio. It is well done and creates just the right atmosphere and tone for the story.

Thanks to MacMillian Audio and Netgalley for access to an ALC for review purposes.

Thanks to Netgally and Tor for early access to an e-arc of this book for review purposes.

I was provided both a print and audio ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

If you like dark fairytale retellings this one is worth picking up. I don't think I've ever read Goose Girl, but I'll be checking out the original tale this is based on. I always like to read the original work when reading a retelling if I haven't read. Kingfisher's retellings are quickly becoming my favorites and this is another one to add to your TBR. She always puts her own unique spin on the original work and makes it her own.

This is told from the perspectives of Cordielia a 14 year old girl who has basically lived her young life as a recluse, and Hester a 51 year old spinster set in her ways. Their paths collide when Cordelia's mother decides she must marry a rich man to support them. Hester immediately picks up that Cordelia's interactions with her mother are not normal, and that her brother is immediately smitten with the woman. Hester is determined unravel the puzzle that is the the woman she nicknames "Doom" and her daughter. Cornelia and Hester quickly become friends and team up to defeat Doom. This is highly atmospheric and has worldbuilding I've come to expect from Kingfisher. It has great fantasy and horror elements that aren't over the top.

Hester and Cordelia's parts in the audiobook are narrated by different people which I thought was a nice touch as they often switch POVs within a chapter. I makes it easy for the listener to know who the main point of view is even when Cordelia and Hester are talking to one another. Both narrators were fantastic and did a wonderful job brining this dark tale to life.

If you are a fan of Kingfisher or dark fairytales I highly recommend this. I can't speak to the aspect of the retelling as I haven't read Goose Girl. I found this highly engaging and entertaining

Thank you to Netgally for the eARC! I went into this audiobook blind. The overall story was good but definitely a dark retelling. Kingfisher hits the mark with this story. I would recommend this read to fans of T. Kingfisher. Lot of emotions with listening to this audio and I still need to sort it out.

The writing was well done but the story seemed to drag on. I kept thinking something big was about to happen and then it just, didn't. Compared to other T. Kingfisher books, this one missed the mark.

This is the funnest, most horrific, scandalously proper book I’ve read recently (this description makes sense right? lol).
Kingfisher, once again, brings together her wit and sarcasm, adds it to a horror of all horrors, puts some charming characters in the horrors way, and thus gives us a wonderful book that is perhaps my favourite of hers (that I’ve read) to date!

If you’ve ever had a day, or perhaps many of them in which you want an overbearing adult to back-off then you will sympathize with our leading teen Cordelia. Her mother is, quite literally, evil. Capable of unfounded horrors with her magic; and, what’s worse, she has inflicted many of those horrors on her own daughter.
Thankfully her mother makes a miscalculation in choosing new ‘prey’ to finance her desires, and Cordelia finds some adults she can trust. The beginning of this story is definitely the Goose Girl tale. By the end I was completely engrossed and had forgotten entirely about it being inspired by an old story. Kingfisher makes this one entirely her own.

Between vivid descriptions, clever and snarky characters to magic, ghosts, and demons(?), oh my! A Sorceress Comes to Call held me rapt in suspense and thrills, right up to the last page. If you have enjoyed any of Kingfisher in the past you will love this one. If you are new to Kingfisher but enjoy thrilling stories, magical rules, clever evil, horrific situations (a bit of gore) and bumbling heroes trying to repel said evil then feel secure in picking up A Sorceress Comes to Call. It really is a witty, horror story (with a couple magical twists) that won’t disappoint.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

I will admit that I don't think I've ever read or heard The Goose Girl story before, or if I have, I didn't realize it. But I've really enjoyed most everything I've read by T. Kingfisher so I was excited to read this.

The story was compelling and I didn't struggle to finish it, but this was very middle ground for me compared to other books by T. Kingfisher. The contrasting POVs worked very well together and had very distinct personalities. I liked that it was fourteen year old Cordelia paired with 50 year old Hester. Hester and her friends in particular, I found very amusing.

Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!

**4.5-stars**

A Sorceress Comes to Call is an Adult Fantasy release from T. Kingfisher, one of my favorite authors. It's a release I've personally been anticipating for almost a year. This is a re-imagining of the Brothers Grimm's Goose Girl fairy tale, and while I've never read the original source material, I am familiar enough with it to appreciate the clever connections Kingfisher made here.

In this story, we meet our girl, Cordelia. She lives with her Mom and her Mom's equine companion, Falada. Cordelia's Mom is...let's say, eccentric. Reading of their relationship is a bit painful at times, be forewarned. Her Mom rules their house with an iron fist. Cordelia is made to bend to her will, always. One may wonder how Cordelia's Mother is able to exude such authority and I guess, the answer is fairly simple, she's a sorceress.

After a suspicious death in their small village, Cordelia is forced to flee town with her Mom and Falada. They end up at a remote country manor, where a wealthy bachelor, known as the Squire, lives with his unwed sister, Hester. Cordelia's Mom sets her sights on the Squire, hoping to lure him into a marriage arrangement. Cordelia sees her Mom's intentions and fears for the well-meaning older gentleman and his kind, intelligent sister. Hester isn't fooled though and has no desire to see her bro end up with such a conniving witch. It's not just her brother she's worried about though. She's noticed Cordelia shrinks into herself anytime her mother approaches.

That can't be a good sign.

What follows is an insanely humorous romp where good battles evil. There's magic and intrigue, hijinks, betrayals and lies. Humor and love and kindness and wrath, all rolled into one. Witty banter and lovable characters like only Kingfisher can do. Unsurprisingly, I fell in love with this story. It was so creative and well-crafted. I was transported while reading it. It felt all-consuming.

I'm sure some of you are wondering, if I loved it so much, why didn't I give it 5-stars? I think upon reread, I probably will bump it up. There's a lot happening, bordering on chaotic, and I feel like I maybe missed some of the finer details. Now that I know where it's all going, I feel like upon reread, I'll be able to pick up, enjoy and retain more of those smaller details.

Let's be clear though, a 4.5-star is still a super stellar-rating from me, and I do absolutely plan on reading this one again; as I do with most of Kingfisher's works.


The character development was fantastic. I felt so bad for Cordelia initially. She was such a timid thing, all at her mother's hand. It def tugged at the heart-strings. The best thing that ever happened to her, IMO, was meeting Hester. Hester was by far the star of the show for me. I loved her so much. Maybe because we have a lot of common. We're both old maids, both way more witty than people give us credit for and both ready to kick some ass if necessary.

With Cordelia and her Mom staying at the Squire's, Cordelia and Hester get the opportunity to spend time together and it was nice to watch their relationship blossom. There was such a fun element too involving a house party, planned by Hester, and the horrific aftermath of that leads to a bit of a suspicious death investigation. I wasn't expecting it to go in that direction, so was delighted when it did.

Our good characters band together to try to vanquish the evil which surrounds them. It was hilarious and wacky and wild and fun. Kingfisher's writing is sure to make you forget everything else going on in your life. This story becomes your life when you're reading it. It was just as darkly magical and enchanting as I was anticipating.

This was an absolute delight to read. I can't wait to get a hard copy for my shelves, although I would recommend the audiobook to anyone who has that available to them. The narration by Eliza Foss and Jennifer Pickens truly brought this story to life.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Tor and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. Kingfisher is such a talent.
This is a perfect blend of humor with darker Fantasy elements! Recommended for all!

This started dark and sad, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, but once we got into the meat of the story I was *hooked*.
I adored the magic, the truly wonderful found family, the character growth we see in the MC, and the whole cast of supporting characters!
If you’re a fan of T Kingfisher’s other work, or just enjoy a dark, tense, but funny read, I would highly recommend A Sorceress Comes to Call!

Thank you Tor Nightfire and Macmillan Audio for my free ARC of A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher — available Aug 6!

» READ IF YOU «
🖤 are a big fan of dark fairytales and fantasy
🧙‍♀️ love quirky, immediately-in-you-heart characters
🐦‍⬛ enjoy anything else written by T. Kingfisher

» SYNOPSIS «
Cordelia knows her mother likes control, but sometimes she goes too far with the need to compel of those around her, including Cordelia. But fortunately, Cordelia can escape her troubles with a ride with their beautiful horse Falada, until one day when everything goes wrong. When her mother drags her to the home of a wealthy Squire she hopes to trick into marriage, Cordelia will discover unlikely allies in her quest to break from from control and save those she cares about.

» REVIEW «
Listen, if you haven't read a T. Kingfisher before, you are seriously missing out. Her characters are just so well-written and so deliciously quirky — they immediately worm their way into your heart, even the side characters. Cordelia and the gang are no exception. I love how these light, adorable characters are always placed into such dark, sinister stories; it's a juxtaposition that is a true specialty of T. Kingfisher, and probably why I love all of her stories so much. It's kind of like Tim Burton movies, in book form?

But I digress. Cordelia's story enraptured me from the very start and I never really put this book down. I love me a dark fairytale, and this one checked all of my boxes. Highly recommend it if you like similar vibes!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this Audio ARC Copy! 4.5 Stars

I was so thrilled to get an ARC copy of this book. I have loved every T Kingfisher book I ever read and this one is no exception. They write such wonderful worlds and characters that are wild, creative, creepy, and creative. The narrator did a fantastic job immersing you into the story instantly.

This story has a bit less body horror than I am used to in T Kingfisher books, but it still had all the elements that keep me hooked and keep them on the list of top authors for me. I do not know the original story of the Goose Girl but I am a sucker for a retelling and this one was so interesting and well done. In so few words the way that they author is able to convey so much about the characters always blows my mind, the level of distain that can be developed for a character within the first chapter is quite the feat. Also, Hester as a character was my favorite, she was so smart relatable in ways that just don't even make sense but its impossible not to get attached.

This week’s review is on A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher, a retelling of The Goose Girl by the brothers Grimm. It’s an intriguing blend of gothic horror and fairy tale, set in a genteel Regency world.

Whew! This novel hit me on a personal level, especially Kingfisher’s portrayal of the toxic, narcissistic relationship between Cordelia and her domineering mother, Evangeline. Kingfisher captures Cordelia’s desperation and yearning for love and connection with an eerie clarity that left me both unsettled and captivated.

As someone who’s had a complicated relationship with my mother, the story resonated deeply with me. The emotional manipulation and amount of control Evangeline demands over her daughter…*shiver*.

I loved how Kingfisher contrasts this twisted mother-daughter dynamic with the nurturing strength of Hester, the Squire’s childless sister. Hester is one of my favorite kinds of characters. With no magic or power of her own, this middle-aged woman sees through Evangeline’s facade and embarks on a quest to battle her and save Cordelia.

Kingfisher relegates the men in this tale to sidekick roles, love interests, or outright victims. They’re there, but the true power in this tale lies with the women—a refreshing change, especially in a genre that often leans heavily on male heroes.

I listened to the audiobook of A Sorceress Comes to Call, thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio. The narrators, Eliza Foss and Jennifer Pickens, tell the story through Cordelia and Hester’s points of view. Their performances made the horror of Cordelia’s desperate situation even more dire.

​A Sorceress Comes to Call is a slow-burn regency fantasy with a horror twist. It might not be for everyone. The pacing of this novel is deliberate, letting the tension simmer before things finally boil over. But if you appreciate a story that takes its time, immersing you in a richly atmospheric world, this one’s a gem.

A retelling of Goose girl....This was even a Bit scary at times....

Cordelias mother is a sorceress and not a very nice one - after making her latest benefactor go crazy she has decided better to marry well.

Cordelia always fearfull of falling under a term she calls obedience in which her mother controls her body is frightfull.

The only solace is Falada who is not what he appears.... becoming a part of a new family cordelia gains some confidence and backbone

Cordelia is a lonely, strange girl. Her mother has very strict rules and high expectations. The minute Cordelia deviates from her mothers rules she is punished, sometimes for days. The only freedom she has is her daily rides on her mother’s horse, Falada. She is truly herself when she is with the horse, whispering to him her secrets, hopes and dreams. One night her mother returns and tells Cordelia that they must leave immediately. They find themselves riding out of town leaving everything behind. Cordelia fears that her mother did something terrible. Evangeline, her mother is a powerful sorceress that uses her magic and beauty to manipulate and harm others. . They find themselves in a small town where Evangeline quickly sets her sights on a wealthy older man that lives with his sister, Hester. She sees through her facade but also sees Cordelia as a young lady that is in a situation that is not by her choice, she is shy and withdrawn Hester must find a way to expose the Sorceress before it is too late and she loses her brother for good.

I was not familiar of the Grimm tale that it was inspired by but I really loved the characters and the pure evil that was Evangeline. I enjoyed the growth and strength of Cordelia as the story progressed. The only thing that was a little bit of a miss for me was the ending. It just seemed too abrupt. I expected more after everything that the characters had gone through. Overall though it was a great story loaded with action and complex characters that were captivating.

4 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This wasn’t my first T. Kingfisher book and it definitely won’t be my last.

Wow, what a story! I have read some other works from this Author but this one definitely exceeded my expectations!

I did not know what to expect from this story, as someone who grew up even knowing The Brothers Grimm existed, it definitely piqued my interest. That and of course one review that I saw that used the phrase “Defense Geese” which actually turned out to be a perfect description lol

This was a spooky one! Very eery at times, but overall a fantastic book, and it has not only made me look into the Grimm Bros tales but also actively seek out other works from this Author. 4.5 ⭐️’s

Thank you to the Author T. Kingfisher for writing this, and to the Narrators Eliza Foss and Jennifer Pickens for your incredible work, you guys really brought the characters to life!

Big thank you as well to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for my no cost Audiobook copy of “A Sorceress Comes to Call”.

I received an advance review copy at no personal cost and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was one of my favorite fantasy reads so far this year, and absolutely cemented for me why T. Kingfisher's flavor of fantasy is so well loved.
A Sorceress Comes to Call follows young Cordelia as she lives under her mother's tyrannical and sometimes magical control, until she meets Hester, the spinster sister of a wealthy man her mother intends to marry. Hester notices that something is not quite right with Cordelia's behavior towards her mother, and with the help of her fascinating cohort of clever friends, helps to coax Cordelia out of her fear-induced loyalty to her mother, uncover the plan to ensnare Hester's brother, and explore Cordelia's own burgeoning magical gifts.
The opening scene of this book set the tone in the most exquisitely unsettling way, as we see how Cordelia is "made obedient" by her mother's magic, becoming a prisoner in her own physical body, and it is a perfect analogy for the invisible nature of parental emotional abuse. I loved Cordelia's character growth as she learns to find trust and safety in other adults, learns to accepts her situation as unusual and unacceptable rather than inevitable, and finds the strength to fight against not only her mother's magical powers, but to fight against the ingrained notion that her mother is entitled to Cordelia's loyalty. This story is such a beautiful explanation of the psychology and unique challenges of emotional abuse, especially towards children. While the subject matter is quite dark, T. Kingfisher is a master at finding moments of hope and levity, somehow assuring the reader that the good will prevail and all will be well without giving away the ending.
I absolutely loved Hester and her friend group. They are clever, determined, and truly kind. And it was great to see a developing romance with an older couple- I think they're only in their 50's or so, not so old really, but definitely an age bracket that could use more representation in the romance sphere.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for a free advanced listener’s copy. I received this copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was the most ghibli-esque horror I’ve ever read. Eliza Foss and Jennifer Pickens embodied their characters so well in this dual POV book that, though they never shared a scene, I could hear their characters in each other’s chapters. I thought T. Kingfisher’s choices for depicting abuse in a fantasy setting were very interesting and they chilled me to the bone from the first chapter I read, though I will through out a trigger warning for it because the way Cordelia is treated may not sit well with people who have abusive/toxic parent/child relationships as a trigger.

I thought the friendship between Cordelia and Hester was so sweet and the way Cordelia grew a family around herself despite her mother’s influence was all the hope I needed to continue the book despite the overwhelming feeling of helplessness I had for our main characters. I thought the whole book was so fantastical and eerie, a perfect flavor read for me. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for something creepy and fantasy, reminiscent of an old Grimm’s Fairy Tale.

**𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘** 𝑨 𝑺𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒚 𝑻. 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒇𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒓

Release Date: August 6, 2024

4⭐️0🌶

This is a cozy little spooky read. Imagine if you took a Victorian times drama and place a gold-digging Sorceress and her unsuspecting daughter in a rich household.

Cordelia is the 14 year old daughter to a penniless sorceress who has used to her powers all of Cordelia's life to control her. Literally, she takes over her mind and performs actions for her. Cordelia can do nothing to stop her and has often wondered how she might get away. Until she realizes her beloved horse is also under the mind control of her mother as her familiar. One day, her mother declares that her current "benefactor" has decided to do away with her, and they must move to find another rich man for her to bespell into marrying her.

This book has drawn me in, and I couldn't put it down until I had finished it!