It's always fun when I find a new author I love and discover a backlist of their books to enjoy. Over the past year I have devoured several books by T. Kingfisher, and I have more to read. T. Kingfisher is the pen name of Ursula Vernon. As Ursula Vernon, she is the author of many popular children's books such as the Dragonbreath series and the Hamster Princess series. T. Kingfisher is the name she uses when she writes for adults.
I think I've mentioned on the blog several times that I love A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking. This wasn't the first Kingfisher book that I read, but it is the one that sent me looking for more and I found a treasure trove.
A Sorceress Comes to Call is very loosely based on the Goose Girl fairytale. Cordelia's mother is an evil sorceress. She doesn't allow her daughter to have any friends, except her beautiful white horse Falada. She also has the ability to make her daughter "obedient". While she is obedient, Cordelia loses all control over her behaviors and speech, behaving exactly as her mother wishes. Cordelia knows her mother has done bad things, but is somewhat naive as to the depths of her evil. When her mother begins to worm her way into a noble household, and tricks the squire into marrying her, Cordelia realizes she must act to protect the innocent. Kingfisher is hard to pin down as to how to classify her books. This one is definitely fantasy, but also leans slightly into the horror genre. It is a satisfying read.
Swordheart is the most recent one I've read. Halla has been a housekeeper for her late husband's elderly uncle. When he dies, he leaves his estate to Halla which really ticks off the rest of his family. They try to force Halla to marry a cousin in order to keep control of the property. Halla, of course, is not excited about that idea and while looking for a way out, finds a sword that has been used as decoration for years. When she draws the sword out of its sheath, a man appears. Essentially, he is the sword, sworn to protect whoever wields it. His name is Sarkis, and with his help, Halla sets out to free herself of her in-laws and claim her inheritance. An eclectic cast of characters join them on their quest and many adventures are had. I enjoy Kingfisher's dry humor, which is especially on display in the character of the priest who joins their party.
Another of her works,
Thornhedge, is a shorter book, closer to a novella. It's based on the Sleeping Beauty fairytale, but isn't really about Sleeping Beauty. Toadling is one of the fairies who give a gift to the young princess, but the gift goes awry. Years later, when the prince comes to rescue Sleeping Beauty, Toadling is determined that he should fail. Why? Because Sleeping Beauty is sleeping for a reason and we DO NOT want her to wake up.
Other books by Kingfisher that I have read recently are Nettle and Bone, What Moves the Dead, A House with Good Bones, and novellas Minor Mage, Illuminations, and Nine Goblins. There are several more I am excited about reading. I'm thinking I'll try the Paladin series next.
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