Book Review: A Sorceress Comes to Call – T. Kingfisher | Summary |

T. Kingfisher’s A Sorceress Comes to Call is a gothic and interesting tale inspired by the Brothers Grimm’s “The Goose Girl,” but it has its own uniqueness. The story is about Cordelia, a young girl of age 14, who lives with her sorceress mother, in a village. Cordelia’s life is filled with fear as her mother uses magic to manipulate her, making her like a puppet which we’ll see further. If you like reading fanatasy and fiction, you can read Lady Macbeth Book Review by Ava Reid.

About the Author (T. Kingfisher):

T. Kingfisher is the pen-name of Ursula Vernon. She is known for children’s books and fantasy comics and her work has been nominated for the Eisner, World Fantasy etc.

A Sorceress Comes to Call Summary by Ursula Vernon

The story starts with Cordelia’s restricted life under her mother’s strict rule. Cordelia constantly tries to predict her mother’s moods to avoid punishment. Her only escape is riding her mother’s horse, Falada. One day, her mother decides to marry a wealthy man, and they leave their cottage behind.

When they move to the manor of a wealthy squire, the setting changes from a typical fairy tale to something resembling a Regency-like story. The manor, with its grand property and high societal expectations, is perfectly opposite with Cordelia’s old life and adds a gothic feel to the story. The squire quickly becomes infatuated with Evangeline, and Cordelia, fearing her mother’s anger, stays silent about the deceit that brought them there.

The story is told from Cordelia’s point of view, allowing readers to feel her fear and confusion. As the plot unfolds, Cordelia starts to see how deeply her mother has manipulated her. Her mother’s control is terrifying, soon Cordelia gradually sees her full extent.

Hester, the squire’s unmarried sister, is introduced as a key character. Hester, an older woman with physical limitations, brings a new perspective and courage to the story. Her presence balances Cordelia’s helplessness, offering humor and direction. Hester’s close friends, Imogene and Penelope, also add depth to the story and help drive the plot forward.

The tension builds steadily as Evangeline’s schemes become clearer and the stakes for Cordelia and the others rise. Kingfisher captures the emotions of an abused child who slowly understands her situation. The story shows Cordelia’s gradual transformation and fight for freedom with realistic feel and care. The gothic atmosphere is enhanced by the setting of Lord Evermore’s estate, where the story reaches its climax. The vivid descriptions and well-crafted settings pull readers into a world filled with danger and suspense.

Despite the dark themes, the story also explores resilience, friendship, and the struggle for self-identity. Cordelia’s journey is one of slow empowerment, supported by the new characters she meets. The pacing is well done, keeping a steady buildup of tension that keeps readers hooked. All in all, A Sorceress Comes to Call is a dark fairy tale with elements of gothic influences. The characters are well developed, especially Cordelia and Hester, and the richly described settings create an engaging story.

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A Sorceress Comes to Call Book Review and Analysis

T. Kingfisher’s “A Sorceress Comes to Call” is inspired by “The Goose Girl.” The story takes the pace when Evangeline decides to marry a rich man, they move to a grand estate. There, deceit and danger follow them. The story seems to shifts from a fairy tale village to a gothic manor, adding depth and tension. Cordelia’s journey from fear to finding her own strength is really inspiring and good to follow.

Hester, the squire’s sister, adds humor and courage to the story. The well-crafted settings and their descriptions keep readers hooked in. Themes of resilience, friendship, and self-identity are explored in a way that keeps you hooked. Kingfisher’s writing skillfully conveys deep emotions and maintains suspense, making this book a standout addition to her works. “A Sorceress Comes to Call” is a good and interesting read, having dark fairy tale elements with a gothic twist.

Favourite Quotes

“I forget that most well-bred ladies have nerves. Hester hasn’t any at all, you see.”

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