Early Review – A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher (5/5 stars)
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 336 pages
Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: August 6, 2024
ASIN: B0CFJSP5N1
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: eGalley from NetGalley
Rating: 5/5 stars
“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.”
Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book. I got a copy of this book on ebook to review through NetGalley.
Thoughts: I have read almost all of T. Kingfisher’s books and this was one of my favorites. I also loved; “Nettle and Bone”, “Clockwork Boys”, “Minor Mage”, “Nine Goblins”, and “The Raven and the Reindeer”. I have enjoyed a lot of her other books as well. This was an amazing read, it was funny and heartfelt and just all around well done. It is about family, friends, magic, manipulation, and a young woman trying to get out from under her mother’s thumb while saving the people her mother is threatening.
Cordelia has suffered under her mother for her whole life when things suddenly change. Her mother comes home in a rage and then arranges for them to move into the house of a wealthy older Squire in an attempt to manipulate him into marriage. Cordelia doesn’t realize that the evil sorcery her mother performs isn’t normal. Now Cordelia will have to find a way to join with the members of the Squire’s household to outwit her mother’s manipulation before Cordelia’s mother gains even more power.
This book has a humorous and strangely cozy feel to it given that it deals with an evil sorceress and dark, gruesome magic. I enjoyed the irony of this blend of themes. I also really enjoyed the characters here. It was wonderful to watch them form a sort of family of their own and band together to defeat this evil and manipulative sorceress. For Cordelia this is also a coming of age story as she gains life experience and learns to stand up for herself. For Hester (who is in her 40’s) this is a chance to revisit her past, make peace with the aging process, and possibly rekindle a love from her past.
The writing style was engaging and easy to read. The story sucked me right in and I found this difficult to put down. Kingfisher has a unique writing style that I always enjoy.
My Summary (5/5): Overall I would highly recommend this book, especially if you are a Kingfisher fan. This is a lovely cozy fantasy coming of age story that involves evil magic, strangers banding together to become a family to fight that magic, and a young woman who is trying to get out from under the control of her mother. There is a lot of humor and a heartfelt feel to the story, as well as some darkness and gore. It’s a unique blend that makes for a wonderful read.
