The Familiar: A Novel

I just finished The Familiar today and loved it.The story is gorgeous, with lush settings, sumptuous descriptions of clothing and intelligent characters who are passionate.Bardugo takes her characters and places them in Spain in the late 16th century along with actual people such as the prophetic dreamer Lucrecia de Leon and King Phillip of Spain, whose navy armada was defeated by Queen Elizabeth I.I loved the magic, which Leigh connected with actual illusionary acts of people in that century.A beautiful love story takes place as well.That all being said, I was startled out of the flow of reading when the author inserts the f word for no reason. I really doubt that the people at the time used that kind of language. Is the use of foul language for contemporary readers or for the publishers? It interrupts the flow of words on the page.Otherwise, loved the book.

I love Leigh’s writing and I actually devoured this book, even though it was on the slower side. Very interesting historical fiction, set during the Spanish Inquisition with magic and a love story. It had a gradual build up with the final chapters really captivating me.I thought Luzia, Valentina, Hualit, and few of the other female characters were very strong and really carried the plot. The atmosphere and setting created this addicting tension, Luzia had to hide her magic and Jewish roots from the Inquisition, and the fear of persecution is present throughout.Santángel was this mysterious enigma and I enjoyed his relationship with Luzia and how he confided in her. The magic that put him in this position of the familiar seemed very unique to me and overall, I enjoyed the subtlety of the magical system.Lauren Fortgang’s audiobook narration is always great, her ability to create movement in the words and delivery is really fantastic. I love her accents and emotion she adds to the characters.I’m pretty content with the outcome of the book. While it doesn’t pack the action scenes I might have been used to from this author, I think it’s worth checking out for the historical background and interesting characters.

Beautifully written, gorgeous prose steeped in history and culture. You are there, in 16th century Madrid -- you can smell the air, the streets, the oranges, the olives. Wonderful story (as usual) from Bardugo and relatable characters you will champion , both speaking and thinking in her always stylish, incisive dialogue. Full of eye-opening social commentary. I was unable to put it down except to notice the sheer beauty of the book-- magnificent dust jacket, patterned endpapers, a pomegranate etched into the back cover...A pleasure to look at, hold, read, AND I bought the Audible, too, because I absolutely had to listen to it!

The first thing I noticed about this book was the blackened end pages. Clearly the reader will be asked to consider black magic in an age of awful misogynistic hate, in the waning years of the Spanish Inquisition.The primary character is a scullion maid in a house of moderate but aspiring wishes for higher standing in the monarchy. The maid likewise wishes for more from life but is also beset by fears related to her Jewish ancestry.Ultimately the maid aligns with a mysterious “familiar,” a mysterious man who brings unending good fortune to another family of much higher standing and wealth. The familiar appears to escape death but pays for this privilege by providing this good fortune. He and the maid, who has modest magical skills that may derive from her ancestry find themselves paired in a macabre magical competition to gain favor for both of their families with the Spanish monarch.Obviously, reality must be suspended to enjoy this novel. It is an engaging read but at times seems too deeply wrapped in magical properties and fails to account adequately for the deep evils of the Inquisition.

Fun and whimsical but full of life decisions. I absolutely loved this newest novel by Leigh Bardugo. I read it over two days and already wish it hadn’t ended. Great news: it’s a stand alone novel that has a beginning, middle and an end. Bad news: it’s a stand alone novel with a beginning, middle and an end. Farewell Ms. Bardugo, until you write and publish again.

Absolutely obsessed with this book! I went in totally blind (other than knowing it was set during the Spanish Inquisition and involved magic). It was a wild ride and I loved every minute of it. I'll be doing a re-read before long.Gorgeous book! The end papers are fantastic and love the sprayed edges!

If I had not known the author I would still have appreciated it. She is doing something different and I admire that. Whether the resolution works for me, I do not know, but perhaps I need to be more of a romantic there. I like the risk taken.

Was für eine wunderschöne Geschichte, so fließend, so leicht, so betörend erzählt. Wie ein Märchen aus 1001 Nacht! Zum genießen …

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗿-𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗹𝘆, I am both Spanish and a History scholar specialised in the historical period this book is based on. Given my background, it always cheers me up when someone tries to write about this specific time period. 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 "𝘁𝗿𝘆". This book has good intentions but its poorly-executed plot made it dull and uninteresting for most of it.𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆, even though most historical details and descriptions have been are accurately researched, the characters are plain and they serve no purpose. The plot is vague and loopholed. Although I am trying to be as constructive as possible, I can't hide my disappointment because I used to be a big fan of Bardugo's previous books. There were many chances for it to be interesting... only to be squandered.Other aspects: For context, I read it in English. The book includes many words in Spanish or ladino (old language spoken back in the 16th century) For a non-Spanish speaker the great amount of vocabulary included in said languages that goes unexplained, far from resulting immersive may be a drawback. Eg. Words like 'sultanas' (a type of dried fruit) are details meant to show off how much research has been made rather than to contribute to the reader's immersion, I think.- passable historical facts (especially accurate and excessively extensive when it comes to the description of women's gowns and garments)- romantic relationship feel plastic and forcedI hope this review has been useful

This had me on the edge of my seat from the start!I love leigh’s book and this spooky magical read was fanr