"Expertly blending humor with folkloric horror, this incredibly satisfying fantasy will delight Kingfisher’s fans and newcomers alike.”—Publishers Weekly, STARRED review
"This is another one of Kingfisher’s marvelous works (like the Hugo-winning Nettle & Bone) that takes elements of fairy tales, myths, and legends and blends them into a story that feels both familiar and new at the same time while subtly weaving a novel where women play the parts that men traditionally filled, and men serve as helpmeets, sidekicks, and love interests. . . . Highly recommended for readers who enjoy reimagined legends.”—Library Journal, STARRED review
"Dark fantasy fans will be enraptured by the descriptive narrative and well-developed characters.”—Booklist, STARRED review
Praise for the works of T. Kingfisher:
"Full of melancholy charm. . . . such a pleasure to read."—The New York Times
"T. Kingfisher’s delicate, bittersweet style of fantasy is like nothing else on shelves at the moment. . . . a perfect blend of sharp-edged humor and horror-tinged heart."—Paste
"Kingfisher never fails to dazzle."—Peter S. Beagle, Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Award-winning author of The Last Unicorn
"Kingfisher’s fairyland is full of teeth, wonder and horror; what’s dark is very dark, but what’s good will give you warmth. By the last page, my heart was mended.”—NPR
"A wonderful entwining of darkness & whimsy."—Travis Baldree, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Legends & Lattes
"Refreshing. . . . a true comfort read, in which gentleness endures despite outrageous cruelty.”—The Washington Post
"Absolutely delightful and full of charm and truth."—Naomi Novik, New York Times bestselling author of A Deadly Education and Uprooted
★ 05/01/2024
Cordelia's mother is an evil, murderous, self-centered sorceress who has decided to entrap a rich squire and set them up in style so that Cordelia can trap an even richer husband with her magic. But the sorceress has picked the wrong mark, and it will be her downfall. It's not the squire she's up against—it's his sister. Hester sees right through the sorceress, with some surprising assistance from an increasingly desperate Cordelia. Together, they marshal their forces in the hopes of defeating the sorceress and winning freedom. This is another one of Kingfisher's marvelous works (like the Hugo-winning Nettle & Bone) that takes elements of fairy tales, myths, and legends and blends them into a story that feels both familiar and new at the same time while subtly weaving a novel where women play the parts that men traditionally filled, and men serve as helpmeets, sidekicks, and love interests. Even better, the middle-aged heroine both saves the day and gets her happily-ever-after. VERDICT Highly recommended for readers who enjoy reimagined legends.—Marlene Harris