The novel follows Cordelia, a young girl raised under the suffocating control of her mother – a powerful sorceress who keeps their house devoid of doors and forbids Cordelia from making friends. Her only companion is a white horse called Falada. When a mysterious death forces them to flee, Cordelia finds herself at the remote estate of the kind-hearted Squire and his sister, Hester. As her mother schemes to ensnare the Squire in marriage, Cordelia and Hester form an unspoken alliance.
Kingfisher excels at conjuring an atmosphere of creeping dread, making even the smallest details feel infused with quiet menace. Cordelia’s trauma is subtly and painfully rendered, with her mother’s cruelty not just overt displays of power, but a slow erosion of Cordelia’s autonomy. Hester, as the novel’s unexpected hero, provides a refreshing contrast: pragmatic, fiercely intelligent, and unwilling to be deceived. Their dynamic builds with careful tension, leading to a deeply satisfying reckoning that is both chilling and cathartic.
Beneath the story’s supernatural horror lies a poignant meditation on control, survival, and found family. The novel explores what it means to break free from an oppressor, not with grand, sweeping rebellion, but with quiet defiance and the bravery to seek help. The magic itself is both beautiful and terrifying – a constant reminder of the power imbalance at the heart of the story.
With its gothic atmosphere and unnerving twists, A Sorceress Comes to Call is perfect for fans of dark fairy tales and feminist folklore.
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