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Cordelia knows her mother is unusual. Their house doesn’t have any doors between rooms, 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 sorcerers.

After a suspicious death in their small town, Cordelia’s mother insists they leave in the middle of the night, riding away on Falada’s sturdy back, leaving behind all Cordelia has ever known. They arrive at the remote country manor of a wealthy older man, the Squire, and his unwed sister, Hester. Cordelia’s mother intends to lure the Squire into marriage, and Cordelia knows this can only be bad news for the bumbling gentleman and his kind, intelligent sister.

Hester sees the way Cordelia shrinks away from her mother, how the young girl sits eerily still at dinner every night. Hester knows that to save her brother from bewitchment and to rescue the terrified Cordelia, she will have to face down a wicked witch of the worst kind.

Just started this one

Yay, Ashlyn, how do you like it so far?

Through Ch. 10 ~ 26%

I love this one so far. I hope it continues to hold my interest.

(view spoiler)[Cordelia seems so scared to open her mouth. I feel for her because she has to be "obedient" but in a way that is punishment and cruel, it seems at times. I loved the relationship between her and Falada until we found out that Falada was under her mother's spell and telling her mom everything. I would want to run away too.

Being 14 and not allowed to close your bedroom door for privacy is awfully intrusive. I hate how Cordelia is expected to lie about her age and present herself to men the way her mother wants her to...just so disgusting. It's always about marrying wealth! I like that Hester is noticing things are not quite right with Cordelia. Hopefully, she will be her saving grace. (hide spoiler)]

I’m really enjoying this one so far Vicki! Glad you are enjoying it too

Chapters 1-10 (view spoiler)[So I’m really liking that this is dual POV. I really love Hester’s character and how she was unsure about the 14 year old, I’m assuming that’s Cordelia (I’m bad with names when listening to audiobooks), but now Hester wants to help her and get her away from her mom. I think the house paper is a great idea to get more people there to stop the mom. (hide spoiler)]

Through Ch 20 (55%)

(view spoiler)[Well, one thing was clarified for me that I was confused about. At one point when the book was talking about Doom's 17 year old daughter who was really 14 (something like that), I was thinking, "Hmm, I thought that was Evangeline and her daughter Cordelia." Then in the last part of this section it became clear to me that Doom IS E:vangeline. How did I miss that? I thought I had confused the girls, but then I remembered clearly that Cordelia's mother wanted her to lie about her age. SO glad that was cleared up for me. lol

I don't know what to think about who is truly responsible for Ruth's stabbing. But, once again, I am not clear on whether or not she died. I thought Evangeline was behind it somehow but I don't know why, or why anyone would've stabbed her. Unless Evangeline put a spell on Penelope because she wanted her out of the way and all she could think of was making Ruth inncent victim. I have no idea.

Oh, and the dude is going to marry Evangeline? lol Jeez

I think Hester is kind of the voice of reason. I think she's finally believing Cordelia. (hide spoiler)]

Through Ch 30

(view spoiler)[ Wow! Where to begin...

First, I know now that Penelope definitely was murdered. It kept saying she was stabbed but not until this section did it say she is DEAD and now she's a ghost. lol I just wonder how she's going to use Cordelia because it seems like she needs her help.

I hated that Falada is a familiar and that wicked laugh at the end of chapter 30, WHO is Falada, really? I don't think they can kill him or Evangeline. Hester's plan is probably going to fail too. No way I think Evangeline is not going to know what they're up to, right? I just want Cordelia to be able to break away from her mother's toxic behavior and free herself from that woman. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (I was too tired last night to post)

(view spoiler)[Well, I was beginning to think there was NO way they'd get rid of Evangeline or Falada. I thought this book was so good and I was kind of sad to see it end. I looked to see if there might be another book coming out, but it doesn't appear to be a series so I was disappointed. Glad I read it. (hide spoiler)]

10 chapters

(view spoiler)[ I agree, I really like Hester. I like that she's recognizing something very wrong is going on here.

poor Cordelia too. her mom is so controlling and yet she expects her to just know things. I like her maid too.

I'm glad Cordelia is getting a friend in Hester. (hide spoiler)]

I can't wait to see how you like it/what you think.

Through Chapter 20

(view spoiler)[ wow! Her possessing Penelope was just awful.
and then to throw her off the balcony.

Her mother is truly ruthless

and then to get him to propose?! OMG (hide spoiler)]

I'm really liking it!

Through 30 / 80%

oooh it's gearing up for a big end
I don't know the original tale to know how this re-telling should end lol
(view spoiler)[ but wow, penelope not being dead is interesting - will she be able to come back as a familiar? how does all that ghost stuff work?

and I think Cordelia is stronger than her mom. she just doesn't know it yet. I think she'll come out stronger and be able to beat her

I really like Hester and Imogen. What a fun team of friends they make. i hope Hester gets Richard in the end. he's waited so long (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 11-18 (view spoiler)[I wasn’t expecting Penelope to die in this one. She was such a nice person too it seemed like. Too bad that Doom or whatever her name is killed the maid and framed her like that. Hopefully they are able to clear her name. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 19-29 (view spoiler)[Still really enjoying this one. I am glad that Hester believes Cordelia and is trying to help get her away from her mom. The pretending to marry her off thing was an amazing idea. I wasn't expecting Penelope to come back as a ghost at all. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[This one was so good! I’m glad that everything worked out in the end. Cordillera was so much stronger and was able to overcome her mom forcing her to do things. (hide spoiler)]

Starting soon!

Still planning to start this one this week!

Chapters 1-8
really enjoying this so far. (view spoiler)[ Cordelia's mother is awful, I feel so bad for Cordelia. I had a feeling her mom was going to murder her friend but I had hoped I'd be wrong. And the way she did it, just terrible. I love that Hester calls the mom Doom. I'm very interested to see where this goes. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Eighteen
(view spoiler)[ Things are heating up. Poor Penelope, I was afraid Evangeline was going to do something like that. I'm glad Cordelia opened up to Hester, she needs all the help she can get. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Thirty One
(view spoiler)[ I knew Falada wasn't going to stay dead. He's magical the only thing that will kill him is the spell. I'm happy Cordelia finally has time free of her mother but am sad it's spent doing all this instead of finally getting to just be. I'm very curious to find out who it is that has wine in their soul. Maybe a drunk? (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ I really liked this. So glad that Evangeline got was she deserved. And that Hester ended up with Richard. Her brother was so chill about his wife dying which was pretty funny. (hide spoiler)]

Finally started 🙌
To Ch. 8: (view spoiler)[poor Cordelia. I feel so bad that she's been treated by her own mother so wickedly. She's such a timid thing. I love Hester and I can't wait to see their relationship blossom. It's really gonna bring Cordelia out of her shell. (hide spoiler)]

To Ch. 13: Yessss, I love that Hester (view spoiler)[planned this house party. You know more people in the mix is going to add to the drama. Particularly, her brother's ex. Hahahaha -- Cordelia's Mom, the Doom, as Hester calls her, is going to lose her shit! (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "10 chapters"
Agreed! I feel like (view spoiler)[Hester and Alice are going to be Cordelia's saving grace. I can't wait to see her Mom go down! (hide spoiler)]

Jessica wrote: "Chapters 1-8
really enjoying this so far. [spoilers removed]"

All I can picture is...

To 49%: (view spoiler)[Poor Penelope!!! Doom, I refuse to call her anything else now, is soooo evil! And poor Hester, feeling guilty now for inviting Penelope in the first place.

Also though. I love Hester so much and her thoughts on Richard...adorable 💕 (hide spoiler)]

To 76%, or Ch 28: (view spoiler)[I love the teamwork trying to get the better of Doom. Also, Penelope being in communication is certainly interesting 😀 (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "Through Chapter 20

wow"

Right!? That was so freaking sinister and then poor Hester (view spoiler)[ had to feel bad about inviting Penelope in the first place! (hide spoiler)]

Jessica wrote: "Chapter Eighteen
[spoilers removed]"

She definitely needs the help! I love everyone sort of working together ❤️

Finished! This was so great. Kingfisher is such a talent. I feel like I would have loved this even more if I had a connection/understanding of the original Goose Girl tale, which I do not, but yeah, either way, this was so fun. I love how Kingfisher seemlessly blends humor with the darker elements and her character work is always so good 💕