A Sorceress Comes to Call: A Dark Retelling with Magic, Secrets, and Twisted Relationships

T. Kingfisher’s A Sorceress Comes to Call offers a dark retelling of the Brothers Grimm's Goose Girl, blending themes of secrets, manipulation, and forbidden magic. The story follows Cordelia, a girl controlled by her sorceress mother, Evangeline, whose sinister plans uproot them from their town to a remote manor. There, they encounter the kind Squire and his intelligent sister, Hester.

While the premise is intriguing, Cordelia feels too weak as a main character. She rarely takes control of her situation, and her bond with Evangeline is more reminiscent of Rapunzel and Mother Gothel than a traditional Goose Girl story. This dynamic could have been compelling, but Cordelia’s inability to act on her own makes her feel underdeveloped.

The other protagonist Hester, on the other hand, adds some depth to the story. She sees through Evangeline’s manipulations and wants to protect Cordelia and her brother. However, her romantic subplot feels unnecessary and forced into the story, adding little to the main plot and detracting from her otherwise strong character.

The story builds up tension around Evangeline’s power, but the climax is underwhelming, and it feels like the characters could have dealt with her much sooner. The resolution is rushed, leaving the ending unsatisfying after so much buildup.

Overall, the novel has potential with its dark atmosphere and eerie magic, but the weak protagonist, forced love interest, and a rushed ending prevent it from fully delivering on its promise. The marketing as a Goose Girl retelling feels misleading. The story didn’t meet my expectations but I liked the writing style of the and looking forward to reading more books by the author.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️