About the Book
-
Author:
- Leigh Bardugo
- Genres:
- Fantasy
- Historical Fiction
- Magical Realism
Cover Story: Don’t Move!
BFF Charm: Natalie Imbruglia
Talky Talk: Historical Fantasy
Bonus Factors: Mysterious Loner Dude, Magical Tournament
Factor: Awful Grown-Ups
Relationship Status: Disappointed
Cover Story: Don’t Move!
Ma’am, ma’am—there’s a scorpion on your hand. Don’t make any sudden movements. I’ll get a shovel.
The Deal:
Luzia Cotado is a scullion (kitchen maid) who yearns to be so much more. Thanks to her aunt, she’s educated, and thanks to her self-confidence, she knows she’s better than her position. And thanks to her ability to create small miracles—unburning bread, repairing a broken glass—she’s now part of a tournament to gain King Philip’s favor, which she sees as an opportunity to move up in the world. If, that is, she can keep away from the scrutiny of the Inquisition.
BFF Charm: Natalie Imbruglia
Luzia’s not a really likeable person. She believes herself above her station, which I agree with, but it puts a chip on her shoulder that makes her seem ungrateful and cruelly ambitious. I’m all for her doing whatever she can to make her life better, but I’d hate to think that she’d step on me without a second thought if it got her even the slightest bit higher in the world.
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
When Luzia gains patronage from a wealthy benefactor, she also gains the scrutiny of Santángel, a mysterious man who promises to help her learn how to use and control her magic. He’s strangely beautiful, but his personality leaves a lot to be desired. And his apparent hatred of Luzia—while obvious to the readers means he’s mad about her—makes her want very little to do with him.
Until they both realize that their stubbornness and wishes for something more than their provincial lives means that they could work together to achieve their goals …
Talky Talk: Historical Fantasy
If you’ve been a reader of this site for a while, you know that we love Bardugo’s books. I was really excited to read The Familiar; it seemed really different from all of her other work. And it was different—but not in a great way. The book leans more magical realism than true fantasy, the characters are all somewhat unlikeable, the magic is confusing, and the story is really slow and the plot twists easy to figure out before they happen. I hate writing all that, because it makes me feel like I’ve had to tell a friend that her boyfriend’s a jerk (with a lot of examples).
There were occasional passages in which Bardugo’s trademarked wit shone through, though, including this conversation between Santángel and Luzia:
Santángel laughed then, an odd croaking sound that he silenced quickly, afraid to draw attention. “You’re quite mad,” he said.
“One has to get through the day somehow.”
Bonus Factor: Mysterious Loner Dude
Santángel is 100% an MLD. He lurks in corners, has strange (magical) gifts, doesn’t deny being an assassin, and might be way older than he looks. His story is fascinating, and I think I would have liked to have followed him rather than Luzia—the book is called The Familiar (which refers to him), afterall.
Bonus Factor: Magical Tournament
Luzia takes part in a tournament to impress King Philip along with three other gifted folks. It’s interesting getting to know them and their powers; their backstories are some of the most interesting bits of the book.
Factor: Awful Grown-Ups
As you might expect, most of the people in Luzia’s life—particularly her employers—are terrible people. They feel real, but in a really heartbreaking kind of way, both for them and the people in their lives.
Relationship Status: Disappointed
I went into our date with high hopes, Book, and went home with a bitter taste in my mouth. I don’t think we’re right for each other, in any way. But I wish you all the best.
Literary Matchmaking
Bardugo’s adult Alex Stern series is more fantastical and much more likeable.
E.M. Castellan’s In the Shadow of the Sun is another book about 16th century courtly magical intrigue.
Genevieve Cogman’s The Invisible Library series is another historical paranormal fantasy series.
FTC Full Disclosure: I bought a copy of this book with my own money and got neither a private dance party with Tom Hiddleston nor money in exchange for this review. The Familiar is available now.
