by T. Kingfisher
Published 2024
THE 2025 HUGO AND NEBULA AWARD NOMINEE FOR BEST NOVEL From New York Times bestselling and Hugo Award-winning author T. Kingfisher comes a dark retelling of the Brothers Grimm's Goose Girl, rife with secrets, murder, and forbidden magic. Perfect for fans of Naomi Novic, Alix E. Harrow and Nettle & Bone. Cordelia knows her mother is unusual. Their house doesn't have any doors between rooms—there are no secrets in this house! Cordelia isn't allowed to have a single friend. The only time she feels truly free is on her daily rides with her mother's beautiful white horse, Falada. But more than a few quirks set her mother apart. Other parents can't force their daughters to be silent and motionless—obedient—for hours or 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, 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. 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. She 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.
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Top voices for narrating this book
Female · Middle-Aged · Narration · Character-Voice · Entertainment · Dark · +7 more
“This voice's mysterious and breathy texture, coupled with its slow and measured delivery, perfectly captures the gothic, suspenseful atmosphere needed for the narration.”
Female · Middle-Aged · Character-Voice · Narration · Calm · Mysterious · +3 more
“Her naturally dramatic and intimate tone provides the perfect balance for a narrator who unveils secrets with a sense of impending dread.”
Female · Middle-Aged · Conversational · Narration · Character-Voice · Social-Media · +58 more
“The deep, dark quality of this voice, along with its measured storytelling style, will enhance the overall sense of gothic mystery and dramatic tension.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Serious
“For a narrator drawing listeners into dark stories, this voice's smooth, intense tone is ideal for building intrigue and conveying a sense of underlying unease.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Neutral
“The distant and neutral British quality provides an objective yet haunting perspective, fitting for a gothic retelling of secrets and dread.”
For listeners: use the Best Narrator voice above in ElevenReader or Fish Audio. Character casting is for authors producing audiobooks with studio tools.
A young girl, initially quiet and terrified, but growing in awareness. Her voice should convey a sense of suppression and fear, with glimmers of her inner spirit.
Female · Young · Conversational · Character-Voice · Social-Media · Educational · +47 more
“Her soft, breathy quality perfectly captures Cordelia's initial terrified and suppressed demeanor, allowing glimmers of her inner spirit to emerge.”
Female · Young · Conversational · Soft · Warm · Intimate · +3 more
“This voice's intimate and gentle softness would convey Cordelia's quiet fear and inner vulnerability as she grows in awareness.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Pleasant
“The voice's quiet emotional clarity and soft warmth are excellent for depicting Cordelia's suppressed but deeply sensing nature.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“A gentle and soothing texture offers a nuanced interpretation, hinting at the potential for inner calm despite her initial terror.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Pleasant
“The slight emotional quiver in this young voice subtly portrays Cordelia's underlying fear and her awakening spirit throughout the story.”
A sorceress with a commanding and cold demeanor, capable of enforcing silence and fear. Her voice should be authoritative and subtly sinister.
Indian · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Confident
“This voice's deep, commanding presence and measured pacing are ideal for portraying a cold, deliberate, and subtly sinister sorceress.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Intense
“The intense and fluid tone of this voice is perfect for conveying a powerful antagonist capable of building fear and tension.”
Indian · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Confident
“A husky, grounded tone projects subtle menace and control, embodying the sorceress's enforcing and cold demeanor.”
Female · Middle-Aged · Conversational · Entertainment · Low · Educational · +56 more
“Its dark, low register and measured rhythm naturally convey an imposing and mysterious presence, befitting a powerful sorceress.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Confident
“This voice's command of audience and calm delivery can mask sinister intent with a veneer of unwavering control and authority.”
A kind and intelligent woman, perceptive and courageous. Her voice should be warm and empathetic, but with an underlying strength.
Canadian · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“Her warm, grounded presence and clear reassurance perfectly embody Hester's empathetic strength and perceptive nature.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Wise
“This voice's inherently warm and empathetic quality speaks directly to Hester's kind and perceptive nature, making her immediately relatable.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“With a steady, articulate delivery, this voice conveys Hester's calm intelligence and the underlying courage of her character.”
Indian · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“Parul's gentle strength and calming tone perfectly capture Hester's supportive yet subtly courageous spirit, making her feel trustworthy.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“The authentic and calm articulation of this voice would highlight Hester's perceptiveness and thoughtful demeanor, even in challenging situations.”
A wealthy, older gentleman, described as bumbling and a target for bewitchment. His voice should be pleasant and slightly naive.
Irish · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Pleasant
“His soft, melodic Irish lilt is ideal for capturing the pleasant, slightly bumbling nature of the wealthy, older gentleman.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Pleasant
“A gentle, thoughtful delivery offers a pleasantly naive interpretation of the Squire, making him seem warm yet susceptible to bewitchment.”