Overview

In A Sorceress Comes to Call, T. Kingfisher delivers a dark and unsettling retelling of The Goose Girl. Cordelia lives under the absolute control of her mother, Evangeline, a powerful sorceress who governs her daughter’s body and will through magic. Cordelia has never been allowed privacy, choice, or safety.

When mother and daughter arrive at the country estate of a wealthy squire and his sister Hester, cracks begin to form. Away from isolation, Cordelia is exposed to kindness and quiet resistance for the first time. As Evangeline tightens her grip, Cordelia must decide whether obedience is survival, or whether escape is finally possible.

Writing & Voice

We found Kingfisher’s writing sharply controlled, mixing polite manners with genuine horror. The calm tone makes the cruelty feel more chilling, especially as magic is treated as routine and inevitable. Moments of dry humour surface just enough to keep the story from becoming overwhelming.

The blend of fairy tale, domestic drama, and dark fantasy feels effortless, making the story unsettling in quiet, persistent ways.

Characters

Cordelia is a restrained but powerful lead. Her growth is slow and believable, shaped by fear and careful observation rather than sudden rebellion. Evangeline is terrifying in her calm certainty, convinced that control is care.

Hester, the squire’s practical and sharp sister, becomes an unexpected source of strength. Her intelligence, patience, and refusal to be dazzled by magic make her a crucial counterbalance to Evangeline’s power.

Themes

This novel explores control, abuse, and the long work of reclaiming autonomy. It asks what it means to grow up when your body has never been your own, and how resistance can take many forms. The fairy tale framework sharpens these ideas rather than softening them.

What Worked

• Fresh retelling – The familiar story is reshaped into something darker and more personal.
• Strong character focus – Cordelia and Hester drive the story with quiet resolve.
• Effective atmosphere – The mix of manners, magic, and menace is handled with care.

Minor Quibbles

• The opening moves slowly as the oppressive dynamic is established.
• Some aspects of the magic remain deliberately unexplained.

Final Thoughts

A Sorceress Comes to Call is a dark fairy tale about control, courage, and the long road to claiming yourself.

Rating: ★★★★☆ / 5