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A review by orionmerlin
A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Characters: 9/10
Kingfisher absolutely nails character work—especially with Cordelia, who’s caught in the kind of maternal nightmare that would make therapy bills skyrocket. Evangeline is the kind of villain that makes you want to physically fling the book across the room out of sheer frustration (which is, of course, a testament to how well she’s written). Hester is the much-needed voice of reason in the chaos, and even the secondary characters hold their own—though, let’s be real, some of them could’ve used a bit more page time. Cordelia’s journey from “compliance is survival” to “actually, screw this” was gripping from start to finish.
Kingfisher absolutely nails character work—especially with Cordelia, who’s caught in the kind of maternal nightmare that would make therapy bills skyrocket. Evangeline is the kind of villain that makes you want to physically fling the book across the room out of sheer frustration (which is, of course, a testament to how well she’s written). Hester is the much-needed voice of reason in the chaos, and even the secondary characters hold their own—though, let’s be real, some of them could’ve used a bit more page time. Cordelia’s journey from “compliance is survival” to “actually, screw this” was gripping from start to finish.
Atmosphere/Setting: 9/10
The gothic vibes in this book are immaculate. Cordelia’s house is so suffocating you can practically feel the walls closing in, while Chatham House provides just enough contrast to keep you from losing your mind entirely. And let’s not forget the ever-present creep factor—Falada’s eerie presence, the scent of wormwood, and the overwhelming sense that something awful is lurking just out of sight. Sure, there are a few moments where the tension loses a little steam, but overall, the setting does exactly what it’s supposed to: make you deeply uncomfortable in the best way.
The gothic vibes in this book are immaculate. Cordelia’s house is so suffocating you can practically feel the walls closing in, while Chatham House provides just enough contrast to keep you from losing your mind entirely. And let’s not forget the ever-present creep factor—Falada’s eerie presence, the scent of wormwood, and the overwhelming sense that something awful is lurking just out of sight. Sure, there are a few moments where the tension loses a little steam, but overall, the setting does exactly what it’s supposed to: make you deeply uncomfortable in the best way.
Writing Style: 9/10
Kingfisher’s prose strikes that perfect balance between elegant and readable—none of that “overwritten gothic novel” nonsense here. The dialogue is sharp, the narration is fluid, and the emotional beats hit hard without ever feeling forced. Sure, the pacing occasionally drags when things get a little too introspective, but honestly? The writing is so consistently good that it’s hard to care. If this is what Kingfisher does with gothic horror, I’ll happily read whatever she writes next, even if it’s her grocery list.
Kingfisher’s prose strikes that perfect balance between elegant and readable—none of that “overwritten gothic novel” nonsense here. The dialogue is sharp, the narration is fluid, and the emotional beats hit hard without ever feeling forced. Sure, the pacing occasionally drags when things get a little too introspective, but honestly? The writing is so consistently good that it’s hard to care. If this is what Kingfisher does with gothic horror, I’ll happily read whatever she writes next, even if it’s her grocery list.
Plot: 8.5/10
This is one of those stories that simmers before it boils over, which mostly works in its favor—except when it doesn’t. The slow-burn tension is masterfully handled, making every reveal feel earned. But let’s be honest: the middle section could’ve used a little caffeine. Some parts dragged just enough to make me check how many pages were left. That being said, the final act slaps—twists land, payoffs hit, and it all comes together in a way that makes the slower sections feel worth it.
This is one of those stories that simmers before it boils over, which mostly works in its favor—except when it doesn’t. The slow-burn tension is masterfully handled, making every reveal feel earned. But let’s be honest: the middle section could’ve used a little caffeine. Some parts dragged just enough to make me check how many pages were left. That being said, the final act slaps—twists land, payoffs hit, and it all comes together in a way that makes the slower sections feel worth it.
Intrigue: 9/10
You ever start a book thinking you’ll just read a chapter before bed, and then suddenly it’s 3 a.m. and you’re contemplating life choices? Yeah, this is that kind of book. The sheer psychological horror of Cordelia’s situation, the gradual descent into dread, and the gnawing need to see how it all unravels kept me hooked. Even when the pacing slowed, the eerie, oppressive tension never let up. The best part? This book doesn’t just entertain—it lingers.
You ever start a book thinking you’ll just read a chapter before bed, and then suddenly it’s 3 a.m. and you’re contemplating life choices? Yeah, this is that kind of book. The sheer psychological horror of Cordelia’s situation, the gradual descent into dread, and the gnawing need to see how it all unravels kept me hooked. Even when the pacing slowed, the eerie, oppressive tension never let up. The best part? This book doesn’t just entertain—it lingers.
Logic/Relationships: 9/10
The relationships in this book are top-tier in the “oh no, this is deeply messed up” kind of way. Cordelia and her mother’s dynamic is a masterclass in psychological horror—equal parts terrifying and tragically believable. Falada’s big reveal? Gut-wrenching. The way Kingfisher establishes the rules of magic is subtle but rock-solid; she doesn’t spoon-feed the reader, but she also doesn’t leave you floundering in a sea of vague nonsense. If anything, I just wanted more—more exploration of the magic system, more insight into how it shapes the world beyond Cordelia’s nightmare of a household.
The relationships in this book are top-tier in the “oh no, this is deeply messed up” kind of way. Cordelia and her mother’s dynamic is a masterclass in psychological horror—equal parts terrifying and tragically believable. Falada’s big reveal? Gut-wrenching. The way Kingfisher establishes the rules of magic is subtle but rock-solid; she doesn’t spoon-feed the reader, but she also doesn’t leave you floundering in a sea of vague nonsense. If anything, I just wanted more—more exploration of the magic system, more insight into how it shapes the world beyond Cordelia’s nightmare of a household.
Enjoyment: 9.5/10
Look, I devoured this book. The gothic horror elements, the twisted family dynamics, the creeping dread—it all worked. Sure, the pacing had its hiccups, but at no point did I consider not finishing it. The emotional depth, the unnerving atmosphere, and the sheer quality of the writing make this a book I’ll be shoving into people’s hands for years to come. It’s not quite perfect, but it’s damn close. If you love gothic fantasy that actually delivers on its eerie premise, you need this in your life.
Look, I devoured this book. The gothic horror elements, the twisted family dynamics, the creeping dread—it all worked. Sure, the pacing had its hiccups, but at no point did I consider not finishing it. The emotional depth, the unnerving atmosphere, and the sheer quality of the writing make this a book I’ll be shoving into people’s hands for years to come. It’s not quite perfect, but it’s damn close. If you love gothic fantasy that actually delivers on its eerie premise, you need this in your life.