I adored this book. It was my very first T Kingfisher book, and it will not be the last. I love her writing style and can't wait to dive into more of her books.

This book is more character-driven than fantasy, but the characters are so beautifully written that you are more than ready to go along on the ride with them.

In this book, we are introduced to Cordelia, the teenage daughter of a sorceress named Evangaline. She is more than prepared to do whatever it takes to achieve her goals, and she has the power to pull it off. What she wants is a rich husband to live off, and then she can focus on getting Cordelia married off to a wealthy husband as well. Evangaline has set her sights on a wealthy older man, the Squire, who lives in a large home with his unwed sister Hester.

The book is told from two points of view - Cordelia's and Hester's.

As Evangaline starts to work her way into the heart of the Squire, Cordelia quickly becomes very close to Hester, and doesn't want her mother to do anything to ruin their lives, which she will have no problem doing. She doesn't know what she can do as her mother has the power to control her, making rebellion difficult.

Cordelia is such a sweet and trusting young woman; you want the best for her. Hester is a force to be reckoned with, and I love reading from her point of view where she can show off her fiestiness.

This is such a wonderfully enjoyable book, and I loved delving into the world of these marvellous characters. If you love to read strong female characters with a dash of fantasy thrown in, then this is the book for you.

T Kingfisher knocks another one out of the park. Her character building, world building, and tension building work in perfect tandem to create a new take on a classic fairytale.

This story features love and loss, betrayal and hope, and the wonderful friendships we can forge in the most unusual of circumstances. A must-read for anyone who loves the darker side of fairytales

In typical Kingfisher fashion, this book captures you from the beginning with its omnipresent feelings of dread. I loved every page and couldn’t put it down. I think I‘ll also need to buy myself a print copy.

Having read only a couple of T Kingfisher novels previously, I'm still pretty new to the worlds she weaves, but my gosh, she hasn't missed yet; long may her reign continue! She is quickly becoming a new fave - autobuy author.

Kingfisher's character work is impeccable and I am always delighted with the chemistry she is able to create between characters on page. I really enjoyed Hester and Cordelia's burgeoning friendship; something Cordelia was truly lacking thanks to her mother. Found family is possibly one of my favourite tropes and to see this done so well is truly delightful.

Thank you Netgalley and to the publisher for the opportunity to read this - I've already snapped up a copy of my own to highlight and annotate!

T. Kingfisher has done it again!
Right from the start, you had the constant feeling of dread. It was great learning about all the characters and watching them come together as the story went on. This is a wonderful, dark, gothic tale that leaves you feeling uneasy the whole way through. Fabulous story that I would recommend for fans of T. Kingfisher.

T. Kingfisher has quickly become one of my favourite authors, however this might be my least favourite of her books so far.
Don’t get me wrong, it still has the author’s impeccable writing, beautifully crafted characters and a good dose of dark humour!
It just felt like maybe it was a little bit too long for how small the scope of the story was. We mostly spend our time trapped in three different houses without learning very much about the rest of the world.
I do think this is obviously intentional as our main character has grown up sheltered and is still trapped by and under control of her mother but it did make parts of the book feel quite repetitive.
This is first and foremost a story about both emotional and physical abuse by a narcissistic parent. Kingfisher skilfully explores the devastating consequences this can have on the victims psyche and how powerless it leaves both the one affected and even well meaning outsiders.
I do think this is such an important topic and was so well done that it deserves five stars for this alone. Just be aware that it’s a bit different than the authors other books before going into it!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really enjoyed this- cosy fantasy mystery and didn’t know what was going to happen next. T kingfisher is a well loved author by me now for cosy fantasy and this didn’t disappoint. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a low stakes read

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher is a darkly whimsical delight, blending gothic atmosphere with sharp humor and a fiercely charming cast. The story plays with familiar fairytale tropes—evil stepmothers, magic gone wrong, mysterious strangers—and twists them into something fresh, clever, and emotionally resonant. The heroine is a standout: witty, grounded, and wholly capable, navigating cursed estates and magical threats with a mix of grit and exasperation.

Kingfisher’s writing is effortlessly engaging, balancing eerie tension with moments of warmth and absurdity. The pacing never drags, and the world feels richly alive without overwhelming the plot. It’s a near-perfect blend of spooky and smart, with just the right emotional heft. A 4.5-star gem—unexpectedly moving, wildly fun, and utterly original.

I've always heard incredible things about T. Kingfisher but A Sorceress Comes To Call is the first book I've read, and it certainly won't be the last.
I devoured the book in just a couple of sittings; it was beautifully written and utterly compelling.

T Kingfisher will never lead me wrong. A Sorceress Comes to Call is a fantastically unsettling read, discomfort entwined with whimsy. The looming, menacing presence of Evangeline creeps through the pages, but the sense of camaraderie and trust between Hester and the guests in support of Cordelia is a wonderful tonic.

The arrival of Cordelia and her mother at the home of the Squire brings some unsettling observations. Hester the squires sister sets out save Both her brother and Cordelia from Evangeline's sorcerous grip.
A wonderful dark gothic fairytale that gripped from the start.

I am so glad that T Kingfisher is finally in the constant main stream because her writing deserves it.

A rewriting of The Goose Girl by the Brothers Grimm. t Kingfisher consistently writes characters that you cannot help but love. They all have so much heart and wit, even in darker moments the characters bring a levity that is very hard to create. Cordelia and her mother have a relationship unlike any other.

Don’t read into this before reading just enjoy the journey it takes you on. Felt like a nostalgic read.

Cordelia is a 14 year old girl who lives with her mum, Evangeline. She’s had a tough childhood, living under the tight control of her mother - who just so happens to be a sorceress who can make her obedient. When Evangeline sets her sights on marrying a wealthy squire, Cordelia is taken to stay with them and is introduced to the squires sister Hester. Little does Evangeline know that Hester has sensed Evangeline is not the polite , delightful widow she seems and Hester does not want her marrying her brother.

This is a reimagining of the Goose Girl fairytale by Brothers Grimm. I found the characters of Cordelia, Hester and Lord Evermore really likeable and enjoyed seeing them come together during their efforts to free the squire from Evangeline’s attempts to marry him. It’s an exciting story with some dark magical elements to it and it was a quick read. I found myself struggling to put it down.

A Sorceress Comes to Call is another of Kingfisher's wonderfully dark fairytale retelling, though perhaps loosely inspired would be more appropriate. The story drawn from this time is The Brothers Grimms' Goose Girl, in which we follow 14 year old Cordelia as she survives under the thumb of her abusive, social climbing sorceress of a mother, Evangeline.
There's a balance of dread and warmth within the book, with Hester and friends countering the menace of Evangeline with humour and resistance, they really shone in the book and got me through some of the slower parts.
I've only knocked a star off as some scenes really dragged for me and would have enjoyed a little more of a faster pace, it felt like everything kicked off just a bit too late in the book for me.

I'll also note that the artwork from the cover and various special editions had me expecting something a little more light and whimsical, but it was not a disappointment to find out otherwise, just a bit of a surprise.

Easy recommendation for any T. Kingfisher or dark gothic fairytale fan!
Thank you to Titan for the E-ARC copy of this book <3

Thank you Netgalley, Titan Books and T Kingfisher for the eArc of The Sorceress Comes to Call.

When it comes to Gothic, dark retellings, my go to is T Kingfisher. Especially, if it's a retelling of one of the Brother's grim Tales. in this case, this would be based on " The Goose Girl "

There is something about Kingfisher's style of writing that's mesmerising. It just pulls you in with its delicate balance of gothic horror, sorcery, gentle romance and a thrilling adventure that takes you into a fantasy, far away land that you could just lose yourself! We have Cordelia a gentle soul who is being controlled by her Mother and her " Obedience " A spell in which bends Cordelia to her will, even for days at a time. having no friends apart from a horse called Falada. Cordelia and her Mother have to flea their village and settle in a remote Manor House owned by a wealthy man,. There on in, you see how wicked her Mother is. But all is not loose for Cordeila because she meets Hester, a wise women who " sees " what's going on.

I love Kingfishers world building and her character building. You just feel that you have escaped to a far away land and her characters feel mystical, real and complex all at once, Having read part of this book and had to convert to the audio version because I was lacking physical time to sit and read made the experience of this book all encompassing. Before I knew it, the stage was set, the finale coming and you just want more!

Eliza Foss and Jennifer Pickens did a wonderful job narrating these complex, well written characters which further brought this book to life.

5 stars

Another fantastic story from T. Kingfisher, which combining magic and horror wonderfully. I was swept up in the dark plot, which manages to bring together twisted sorcery, friendship, family and love with just enough humour to balance it all out. I’m at the stage where I no longer read the blurbs for Kingfishers books and instead dive in blind.

Cordelia’s story tugs at the heartstrings but for me, the star of the show is Hester. She’s warm, clever and full of love for those deserving of it. It’s great to see an older character and one with a disability shine. She’s got a strong personality and a great group of friends - essential when defeating dangerous sorceresses!

A cracking story with a lively and intriguing array of characters. I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley.com for providing me with an ARC of this title.

A Sorceress Comes to Call is a loose re-telling of Goose Girl by The Brothers Grimm.

It's a fairytale laced with darkness set in a magical regency era. This is my first T Kingfisher book and I enjoyed it. The writing was beautiful but easy to read.

This is at its core a story about abuse, manipulation and coercive control. Evangeline is a terrible person who abuses Cordelia to suit her own needs. Farada is Evangeline's familiar and he too was awful!

My favourite character was Hester, she is the spinster sister of Samuel. She was smart, kind and took Cordelia under her wing. The found family element of the story was my favourite part.

I was a little underwhelmed with the ending and the story wasn't as gripping as I first thought it would be. I found myself bored in parts.

Overall I did enjoy it and would recommend it and I look forward to reading more of her works.

An incredibly engaging, character led fantasy following a young woman whose terrifying mother schemes to try and marry rich to elevate their status. (Simplified one line I must say)

On the surface it seems very simple and something we have seen in the likes of The Gilded Age, Bridgerton or Downton Abbey for example but Kingfisher adds a secondary layer to her story following a narrative of abuse, manipulation and dark magic. Cordelia, the daughter of a very powerful sorceress, struggles to exist through the day dealing with her mother’s machinations and emotions. Never being allowed to close a door to not being able to control her own body when her mother puts her under a spell.

Reading the pages and pages of suffering Cordelia goes through and how that impacts how she views and interacts with the world is a heartbreaking read. But I loved watching her grow, learn how to trust and how to gain strength in herself.

I loved the comedy of manners style to this book. The fantasy, especially in the first half, is minimal as we focus on our collection of characters. Their motivations and their wants. And honestly I was so entertained by the the plotting of our Sorceress to woo a man under the confines of polite society. I felt like I was watching a historical piece of scheming and plotting but don’t worry if you came for the fantasy Kingfisher is known for you will NOT be disappointed. That second half is a gut punch but you need that more characters focused half to really set the groundwork for why you should care about these characters and why the magic is important.

This would be perfect as a play! I want it on the stage!

I loved this! It's a fantastic remix of the Goose Girl tale with a compelling cast of characters while managing to keep the creepy gothic fairy tale vibe.

T. Kingfisher is one of my favourite contemporary fantasy writers, and I have read most of her back catalogue, but I would very rarely rate her books very highly (with some exceptions, like Nettle&Bone). You always know what you are getting with a T. Kingfisher book - a bit of magic, a bit of mischief, a neurodivergent-coded awkward female protagonist (yup, she can only write one of those) and a stoic but boring male love interest. A Sorceress Comes to Call has all of these things, but it is all somehow brilliantly executed and elevated to unquestionably one of the best Kingfisher books ever.

Technically, we are dealing with a reworking of The Goose Girl, a fairy-tale which had the (mis)fortune of never being picked up by Disney and thus vague and flexible enough in most readers' minds to accommodate almost anything as its retelling. Even with that in mind, there is little of The Goose Girl left in here, so you can enjoy it even if you've never heard of the original story - I hadn't and I loved it.

Cordelia's mother is a sorceress who can control people's minds. She is a cold, calculating and cruel woman, whose only ambition in life is to marry Cordelia off to the very highest bidder. In her schemes, she sets out to marry the Squire, whose shrewd and wise sister Hester will do anything to prevent the marriage.

A Sorceress is a mannerpunk book masquerading as cosy fantasy, with a hint of Kingfisher's trademark faerie horror. Most of the book is occupied by embroidery, tea parties and card games, but don't be fooled, there is plenty of darkness in here. People get maimed, people get mind-controlled, people die.

Two things really elevate this novel: the achingly precise capture of a controlling parental relationship and beautifully composed and accomplished prose. The relationship between Evangeline, the mother, and Cordelia is, of course, cranked up to 11, as this is a fairy tale fantasy, but at its core it is grounded in very relatable frameworks of parental over-control and emotional abuse. The devil is, as always, in the details - Cordelia's realisation that doors of her room can be closed, or the extent to which she had conditioned herself to not even consider writing her true feelings in her personal diary are beautifully rendered. Additionally, Kingfisher's unique selling point was never her prose, often under-edited and somewhat sloppy. Not in A Sorceress - the sentences are expertly crafted and cut deep. Coupled with, as always, competent and well-designed narrative structure, A Sorceress presents a polished text of a fantasy master at the height of her craft.