There was a pleasure in shared magic, and danger too. It pricked the mind and spirit. It filled the room with possibilities.
The Familiar
by Leigh Bardugo
Genre: Historical Fantasy
About: Luzia sleeps on the floor in the larder, a scullion in service to the Ordoño family who aren't much better off themselves. It's a miserable situation for all but one day a chance burnt loaf reveals Luzia to have powers the Ordoño's believe they can use to better their station. As do others who witness Luzia's 'miracles'. Soon the scullion turned Holy champion is entered in a game designed for her to lose. Her only ally is the whispered demon Santángel, but he could also be her enemy too.
Thoughts
Magic. The Spanish Inquisition. Leigh Bardugo. This should have been a winning formula and an easy five star read but, while I did overall enjoy it, I don't think it lived up to the hype.
The main reason I enjoyed it was because Bardugo's writing is incredible, her prose really takes you into character's heads and the sheer amount of historical detail was very impressive. I was also really drawn into the discussion around language; the power it takes from trauma and generations of forced secrecy. This world rang true and the magic system was really effective in exploring the ugliness to this area of history.
But it's certainly not a gripping read. There's a lot of setup that drags the pace and reminds you constantly that you're reading a story. Character actions and motivations are explained in detail, and often it's needed as a lot of the plot points don't make too much sense without the explanation. Luzia having such a horrible life while her aunt wraps herself in riches, or the long chain of people using Luzia to better their positions (Valentina - Victor - Santángel - Perez - the King...) Everyone is piled on top of the other in endless schemes that are more exhausting to follow than intriguing. Or at least they were to me because none of the schemes felt like the main plot - everything was leading up to something else and so everything read like a distraction. The Spanish Inquisition also didn't feel like the threat it's set up to be. By the end, that part of the story seemed like a little side obstacle rather than the truly perilous situation Luzia dreads at the beginning of the story.
So while the story itself didn't excite me, lots of little moments did. I loved Luzia and Santángel relationship, especially Santángel's backstory. I enjoyed seeing Valentina's journey and overall being in this world where ambition is the thing that will ruin you.
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