A Sorceress Comes to Call

I received this book for free from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher
Narrator: Eliza Foss, Jennifer Pickens
Published by Macmillan Audio, Tor Books on August 6, 2024
Length: 11 hours 7 minutes
Pages: 336
Format: ARC, Audiobook
Source: Publisher
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From New York Times bestselling and Hugo Award-winning author T. Kingfisher comes A Sorceress Comes to Call—a dark reimagining of the Brothers Grimm's "The Goose Girl," rife with secrets, murder, and forbidden magic.

*The hardcover edition features a foil stamp on the casing and custom endpapers illustrated by the author.*

Cordelia knows her mother is . . . unusual. Their house doesn’t have any doors between rooms—there are no secrets in this house—and her mother doesn't allow Cordelia to have a single friend. Unless you count Falada, her mother's beautiful white horse. The only time Cordelia feels truly free is on her daily rides with him.

But more than simple eccentricity sets her mother apart. Other mothers don’t force their daughters to be silent and motionless for hours, sometimes days, on end. Other mothers aren’t evil sorcerers.

When her mother unexpectedly moves them into the manor home of a wealthy older Squire and his kind but keen-eyed sister, Hester, Cordelia knows this welcoming pair are to be her mother's next victims. But Cordelia feels at home for the very first time among these people, and as her mother's plans darken, she must decide how to face the woman who raised her to save the people who have become like family.

"Kingfisher never fails to dazzle."—Peter S. Beagle, Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Award-winning author of The Last Unicorn

"Kingfisher is an inventive fantasy powerhouse."—BookPage

Also by T. Kingfisher
Nettle & Bone
Thornhedge
What Moves the Dead
What Feasts at Night
A House with Good Bones

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

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.

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