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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo comes a spellbinding novel set in the Spanish Golden Age. A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2024 by The Washington Post, NPR, Goodreads, LitHub, The Nerd Daily, Paste Magazine, Today.com, and so much more! "A must-read for those who are seeking a little magic in their lives." Deborah Harkness, #1 bestselling author of A Discovery of Witches In a shabby house, on a shabby street, in the new capital of Madrid, Luzia Cotado uses scraps of magic to get through her days of endless toil as a scullion. But when her scheming mistress discovers the lump of a servant cowering in the kitchen is actually hiding a talent for little miracles, she demands Luzia use those gifts to improve the family's social position. What begins as simple amusement for the nobility takes a perilous turn when Luzia garners the notice of Antonio Prez, the disgraced secretary to Spain's king. Still reeling from the defeat of his armada, the king is desperate for any advantage in the war against England's heretic queenand Prez will stop at nothing to regain the king's favor. Determined to seize this one chance to better her fortunes, Luzia plunges into a world of seers and alchemists, holy men and hucksters, where the lines between magic, science, and fraud are never certain. But as her notoriety grows, so does the danger that her Jewish blood will doom her to the Inquisition's wrath. She will have to use every bit of her wit and will to surviveeven if that means enlisting the help of Guilln Santngel, an embittered immortal familiar whose own secrets could prove deadly for them both. A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books.
I've read one earlier book by Ms Bardugo, but it seemed to be aimed at a female teen audience. A book review suggested this would be historical fiction (inquisition era Spain) combined with some fantasy. Well, the review was accurate, but I found the historical fiction/fantasy ratio skewed too far to the fantasy side. The book is well written, the historical fiction aspect was well done, the characters were engaging - but quite a bit too much fantasy for me. ( )
I found the writing and the imagery it invoked to be so beautiful! The subject matter: historical fiction with a fantasy/fairytale bent, with seers, witches, curses and immortals. I did grow a bit angry, as the time period was the Spanish Inquisition, and a handful of men had control over who was and was not a heretic to the Roman Catholic religion.
I was super thankful that it was a standalone. I'm happy to see a tale told from beginning to end in just one novel. ( )
DNF - the first chapter was SO annoying. If this hadn't happened. If this hadn't happened. For an entire chapter! Way too twee. I've heard that it gets better about chapter 15 tho, so I may try again in the future, because I loved 9th House and Hellbent SO much.
First part, "This book is like drinking dull water. It's bland, tasteless and I've already forgotten what I read last night." Second half, "Gets interesting and the end is very satisfying if not a bit strange." ( )
I wanted to love this book but it reminded me so much of The Hunger Games, I ended up feeling like it lacked originality and missed many opportunities. I liked the story: girls and one boy compete in a magical competition to become the king of Spain’s magician, at a time when the Inquisition was still quite a threat to witches. The Familiar, as in the title, is the main character’s “coach” through the games. I was sad the Inquisition played such a minor role in the book. I’ve read books about the inquisition in Spain and its Jews. It’s a sad history that is worth reminding the world about now. So it’s an entertaining read but if I gave a title to my review it would be: Missed Opportunities. ( )
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo comes a spellbinding novel set in the Spanish Golden Age. A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2024 by The Washington Post, NPR, Goodreads, LitHub, The Nerd Daily, Paste Magazine, Today.com, and so much more! "A must-read for those who are seeking a little magic in their lives." Deborah Harkness, #1 bestselling author of A Discovery of Witches In a shabby house, on a shabby street, in the new capital of Madrid, Luzia Cotado uses scraps of magic to get through her days of endless toil as a scullion. But when her scheming mistress discovers the lump of a servant cowering in the kitchen is actually hiding a talent for little miracles, she demands Luzia use those gifts to improve the family's social position. What begins as simple amusement for the nobility takes a perilous turn when Luzia garners the notice of Antonio Prez, the disgraced secretary to Spain's king. Still reeling from the defeat of his armada, the king is desperate for any advantage in the war against England's heretic queenand Prez will stop at nothing to regain the king's favor. Determined to seize this one chance to better her fortunes, Luzia plunges into a world of seers and alchemists, holy men and hucksters, where the lines between magic, science, and fraud are never certain. But as her notoriety grows, so does the danger that her Jewish blood will doom her to the Inquisition's wrath. She will have to use every bit of her wit and will to surviveeven if that means enlisting the help of Guilln Santngel, an embittered immortal familiar whose own secrets could prove deadly for them both. A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books.
Well, the review was accurate, but I found the historical fiction/fantasy ratio skewed too far to the fantasy side. The book is well written, the historical fiction aspect was well done, the characters were engaging - but quite a bit too much fantasy for me. ( )