A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher

The Blurb:    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.

I'm a huge T. Kingfisher fan. There's almost nothing they write that I don't love (with the exception of a horror title or two). And this book is just **chef's kiss**

The story is simple: Evangeline is a sorceress. Cordelia is her daughter. Evangeline is cold, beautiful, cruel... she can 'occupy' people and make them do terrible things. Like murder. 

Her goals in life are thus: marry rich and make sure her daughter marries rich. To achieve that Evangeline finds Samuel, an older, guileless bachelor with a nice estate, an astute sister Hester and no ability to understand the viper he brought home.

Cordelia finds something in Samuel's household that she's never experienced before: safety. Hester is a lovely character. Hester will do anything to save her brother and soon, to save Cordelia too. And with a group of supportive friends (and an ex-lover), Cordelia finds a family and people worth risking everything for.

I'm not a reviewer and I won't try (for great, thorough reviews read Aztec Lady's Blog . Those are some brilliant reviews.) Hell, half the time I don't even remember the character's names a day later. I just remember how a book made me feel. And if it had major plot holes are silliness that took me out of the story.

Sorceress was the real deal. Intriguing, well-written. The evil was excellent. The betrayal of Cordelia by her mother's horse was everything. And the kindness she was shown not just by Hester and her friends, but also the servants in the house was lovely. Cordelia was a girl who wasn't allowed even the freedom to have her own thoughts. To be given safety was everything and knowing her own mother's goals and plans putting everything in danger ... exquisite.

The story did things unexpected. Everybody was resourceful and committed to helping. I didn't love the one otherworldly element introduced but it ended so perfectly that I won't quibble.

On a scale of 10: this book was a 9.2.