In my last TBR Tales article (the first TBR Check in!), I shared my expectations on two books that had come to me simultaneously—A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher and The Capital of Dreams by Heather O’Neill—based on their synopses. Though vastly different, both novels stood out to me as addressing themes of maternal power and control, magical settings, and the protagonists’ coming-of-age journeys. Now, having read both books, I’m excited to dive deeper into how these themes played out in unexpected ways and am excited to present a first ever comparative book review!
The maternal figures, for example, turned out to be even more nuanced than I had anticipated, each leaving a lasting imprint on the protagonists in strikingly different ways. The magic in both stories, too, was employed creatively—one through witchy rituals, the other through an enchanting, dreamlike atmosphere.
In this follow-up, I’ll be revisiting the themes I highlighted earlier, comparing how A Sorceress Comes to Call and The Capital of Dreams handle them, and reflecting on which aspects of each story resonated most with me. Whether you’re a fan of coming-of-age tales, magical realism, or simply enjoy a story about self-discovery, there’s something in these books for everyone. Let’s take a closer look.
The Books
First Impressions vs After Reading
Themes of Maternal Power and Control
What I had gathered from the synopsis: Mother-daughter dynamics is the first thing I noticed about both these books and how I got the idea of writing this article! While Cordelia’s mother in A Sorceress Comes to Call is a sorceress and has a particularly dominating presence in her life, Sofia’s mother in The Capital of Dreams is brilliant and artistic. Both mothers play an important role in shaping the protagonists, their sense of self and independence. As I head into motherhood myself, I am excited to dive into two portrayals back to back. Related to this, I want to see what kind of support network the girls end up creating for themselves.
After reading: Both Sofia and Cordelia have a complicated relationship with their mothers.
While Cordelia’s mother has her moments of being terrifying, her goal in life has been to make Cordelia comfortable and settle down with a wealthy husband. Without a support system of her own Cordelia fears her mother and feels like a bystander as she wrecks havoc in others lives.
Sofia has grown up feeling secondary to her mother. Clara has often remarked how she never wanted kids and her career as a writer and activist means everything to her. It is only when their home city is invaded that Clara starts to be more caring towards her daughter. Though she also does not have a support system, Sofia is still not afraid of Clara. She also doesn’t feel attachment towards her.
Magical Settings and Mystical Elements
What I had gathered from the synopsis:Fairy tales have magic. While it is obvious that A Sorceress Comes to Call has that element, The Capital of Dreams alludes to it through reference to old myths and faeries. I am not expecting a Fantasy tale in either with elaborate spells but more subtle forms of magic. These are serious books that address dark themes and hopefully the writing is able to convey high immersion and emotions.
After reading: Magic is used in different ways in A Sorceress Comes to Call and The Capital of Dreams. With a yielder of magic as an important character in the book, Cordelia has been exposed to and used by her mother through her magical abilities. Other people in A Sorceress Comes to Call are in danger too though they don’t always know it. There actually was quite a witchy ritual in this book!
The Capital of Dreams is more about the magical atmosphere and the nightmarish scenario of travelling alone in a dangerous land, whether it be forests or deserted houses or empty villages. It reminded me of the little red riding hood. I was constantly worried for Sofia and what she would encounter. Having a talking goose companion added a dreamy attribute to the story.
Neither of the books are spooky but they convey horror in their unique manner.
Coming of Age
What I had gathered from the synopsis: A Sorceress Comes to Call and The Capital of Dreams are coming of age stories. Cordelia feels the threat of her mother’s sinister plans and the time might finally be near when she takes a stand against her. In Sofia’s case, war sends her on an epic journey whose perils challenge being kind and surviving. I think both books have the potential to explore internal and external battles as Cordelia and Sofia face defining moments in life, taking the steps to become the women they are to become.
After reading: It is not possible to compare the two girl’s growth specifically as their situations are so widely different. That being said, between Cordelia and Sofia, I felt Cordelia in A Sorceress Comes to Call had the more relatable coming of age arc. Her story is more self-centred. She meets new people, over time learns to care deeply for them, and eventually fights for herself and their survival. On the other hand, Sofia is forced to grow up faster than Cordelia as she is put in the middle of a war zone. The truths she discovers about humanity, safety, her relationship with her mother, her duty towards her home and herself offer a rich thought-provoking narrative. Having grown up with an erudite mother, Sofia read older than her 14 years of age to me in The Capital of Dreams.
Other Aspects Highlighted During Reading
Fantasy Animals
Geese play an important role in both the books. The star, however, in A Sorceress Comes to Call is a horse who is actually possessed by a spirit. The geese in this novel can sense evil and I enjoyed how they interacted with the strange horse.
After getting off the train with the children, Sofia looks for safety. On the way to her grandmother’s house, she meets a talking goose who becomes her companion throughout The Capital of Dreams. The goose has character. It has opinions about the world and knows about how its species is often compared to swans. Sofia’s conversations with the goose as they traveled together were thought-provoking.
Writing Style and Immersion
A Sorceress Comes to Call and The Capital of Dreams are distinct in their styles of storytelling. While A Sorceress Comes to Call reads like a regency novel with magic, The Capital of Dreams is definitely more fairy tale. The new chapter pages have embellishments of intricate patterns like you would expect in a fairy tale book. A Sorceress Comes to Call is humorous, dark and easy to read. It focuses on the present time. The Capital of Dreams is meditative and serious. A young girl traversing a war affected area is not a fun situation to read about. It has chapters from past and present, as Sofia thinks about her relationship with her mother in the past now that she is separated from her in the present.
Verdict – One or the Other?
Having read both, I felt A Sorceress Comes to Call was an easier read. The Capital of Dreams has its niche audience. Anyone who enjoys magical realism and literary fiction that offers commentary on big themes like war and feminism would gleam a lot from The Capital of Dreams. A Sorceress Comes to Call is more like pop fiction (if I may be allowed to use some music lingo). SFF readers would enjoy it. I finished it faster than I had anticipated and it made my 30 books of year 30 list – it was so good. I would return to it.
Final Thoughts and Invitations
I enjoyed this exercise of comparing books through the lens of the same themes. I am looking forward to doing more articles in this style –
- TBR Check In: What I am Reading Next – to highlight two books before reading them and coming up with a reading plan on aspects to focus while reading
- TBR to Read: Comparative Book Reviews – to summarise how the reading actually went and if it met my initial expectations.
I will leave you with some questions:
- Which story resonates with you more—Cordelia’s personal journey in A Sorceress Comes to Call or Sofia’s wartime survival in The Capital of Dreams?
- Do you enjoy comparing books with similar themes? If so, what pairs of books would you recommend for a similar comparison?
About TBR Tales
Dive into the world of TBR Tales, where the journey through the to-be-read pile becomes a rich narrative of literary exploration. Join me as I navigate the pages of books, reflecting on the joys, challenges, and unexpected treasures found along the way. From rediscovering old favorites to embracing new genres, TBR Tales is a celebration of the reader’s life. Sign up for the TBR Tales Exclusive Mailing List and get an email from me when a new post is available! Thank you for reading. 🙂
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