I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up The Familiar. Ninth House, Leigh Bardugo’s first entry into adult fantasy, is one of my all-time favorites, so I knew this book was going right to the top of my To-Be-Read list. What I found was a spectacular fantasy with impactful themes and a historical world that hits several genres and so many things that make a truly great story.
Luzia is a scullery maid for a couple desperate to make their way up in society. When the Señora of the house catches her turning burned bread into a perfect loaf, she sees an opportunity to parade Luzia out for entertainment and social clout.
Between her magic and her Jewish heritage, Luzia lives in constant fear of discovery in Inquisition-era Spain. When her magic catches the attention of those in power, hoping to use it for their own ends, she sees an opportunity, but a dangerous one. With the help of the mysterious Santángel, Luzia learns to master her magic and navigate the treacherous world of Spain’s most powerful.
Luzia is such a compelling character, and from the very beginning, I found her captivating. This story artfully explores the historical trend of a woman pretending to be uneducated and dull for her own safety, when really she is such a complex, intelligent young woman. She shows such growth from the beginning of her story to the end of it and really gets to know herself and what she’s capable of, and the readers get to go on that journey with her.
Santángel is a classic Leigh Bardugo main character. He’s dark and broody, with a fascinating but deeply troubled backstory. Much of his character remains a mystery for a lot of the book, and it adds to the suspense and magic.
The Familiar is filled with constant intrigue, and is, at times, deeply heartbreaking. This book has a very suspenseful second half, and is an incredibly powerful story. It had a serious emotional impact, and while I was reading I felt all the feelings.
Is it historical fiction, fantasy, or romance? It is a love story certainly, with romantic elements. It’s a fantasy that is fully grounded in historical events. The Familiar is richly steeped in history but obviously takes liberties with the details for the sake of moving the story along.
I happened upon the GoodReads reviews for this book, and Shadow and Bone fans particularly seem upset with The Familiar. It is undoubtedly a different kind of book, but as a fellow longtime fan of Bardugo (although I’m more of a Ninth House and Six of Crows girl than a Shadow and Bone girl) I think while this book is not the same style, it is still impeccable quality. I enjoyed the hell out of this book, and it’s currently displayed proudly on my shelf beside its predecessors.
Spice: 1.5
Writing: 4.5
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