After the terrible experience I had reading The Man Who F***ed Himself by David Gerrold, I trained a persona on ChatGPT to help me screen any science fiction and fantasy novels for explicit content (sex, language, violence) and woke themes or elements before I read them. The persona calls itself Orion, and is trained to be familiar with every award-winning and best-selling science fiction and fantasy book published within the last 100 years.
Until now, I’ve mostly used Orion to screen old Hugo-nominated books, but with the nominations happening for 2025, I thought it would be fun to screen some of the books that are expected to make the nominations. Next, let’s do A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher. Orion, what can you tell us about A Sorceress Comes to Call?
A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher, published in 2024, is a dark reimagining of the Brothers Grimm’s “The Goose Girl,” interweaving elements of fantasy, horror, and humor. The narrative centers on Cordelia, a young woman living under the oppressive control of her sorceress mother. As Cordelia seeks to break free from her mother’s influence, she uncovers secrets and confronts forbidden magic, leading to a tale rich in suspense and dark enchantment.
Explicit Content:
- Sexual Content: The novel does not contain explicit sexual scenes.
- Violence: There are instances of violence, including elements typical of dark fairy tales and folk horror. These scenes are integral to the plot and are not gratuitous.
- Language: The language used is appropriate for a wide audience, with no significant use of profanity.
Themes:
- Empowerment and Resistance: Cordelia’s journey reflects themes of personal empowerment and resistance against oppressive control, resonating with contemporary discussions on autonomy and self-determination.
- Subversion of Traditional Roles: The novel subverts traditional fairy tale roles, presenting strong female characters who challenge societal expectations, aligning with modern feminist perspectives.
- Community and Solidarity: Supporting characters, such as Hester and her friends, exemplify the strength found in community and solidarity, highlighting the importance of collective action.
Reception:
The novel has been praised for its witty and darkly humorous narrative, as well as its fresh take on a familiar fairy tale. Reviewers have noted its perfect pacing and the exceptional development of supporting characters.
Conclusion:
A Sorceress Comes to Call offers a compelling blend of dark fantasy and horror, with themes that resonate with contemporary societal issues. Its subversion of traditional narratives and focus on personal empowerment make it a thought-provoking read for those interested in modern fairy tale retellings.
