A sorceress comes to call by T. Kingfisher

Kingfisher, the author of the Hugo Award winning Nettle and Bone, and other award nominated books like Wizard's guide to defensive baking and The Twisted ones has written a complex and unique take on the Goose Girl by the Brothers Grimm. Cordelia is a 14-year-old girl whose mother, Evangeline, is unusual. There are no doors in her house and as a punishment she is forced to be still and silent for hours on end. The only time Cordelia finds peace is when she is riding Falada, her mother’s white horse, to whom she confides all her feelings and secrets. Then one day her mother packs up their belongings and together they ride away from their home, following a suspicious murder in the nearby village. They finally arrive at the Squire’s house, a kind man that Cordelia’s mother is determined to marry. But Evangeline does not consider the fierce intelligence and determination of Hester, the Squire’s sister. Will Hester be able to combat the sorceress’ wicked magic? And what will happen to Cordelia, an unwilling victim of her mother’s evil?

It is Kingfisher’s melding of two disparate women that makes this a memorable story. Cordelia’s plight is described vividly in the first part of the book, leaving the reader to imagine that she may be able to stop her evil mother. But it is Hester, crippled with arthritis, who must work out ways of outwitting her and help Cordelia who sits terrified under her mother’s spell. With the help of a family friend Penelope, and her suitor Richard, Hester hosts a party hoping that she can expose Evangeline before it is too late. Danger follows, with the suspense building up to thrilling climax.

A sorceress comes to call is a compulsive read with overtones of a Regency style novel, coupled with engaging characters, witty repartee and a group of geese. It is likely to appeal to readers who enjoy unique retellings of  fairy tales, and when they finish it, they might like to pick up The seventh bride, a retelling of Bluebeard and Thornhedge, a retelling of Sleeping Beauty.

Themes: Witches, Magic, Mothers, Fairy tale retelling.

Pat Pledger