The Familiar
The richly imagined, spellbinding new Sunday Times bestselling novel from the author of Ninth House
📘 About This Book
AN INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER ‘A richly imagined, intricate tale of magic and intrigue’ DEBORAH HARKNESS, #1 bestselling author of A Discovery of Witches ‘Riveting... Leigh Bardugo's characters are so three dimensional you want to reach through the page’ DIANA GABALDON, #1 bestselling author of Outlander ‘A wonderful, transporting ride through history... a deeply romantic novel’ KATHERINE ARDEN, bestselling author of The Bear and The Nightingale ----- FATE CAN BE CHANGED. CURSES CAN BE BROKEN. In a shabby house in the new capital of Madrid, Luzia Cotado uses scraps of magic to get through her days of endless toil. But when her scheming mistress discovers her scullion is hiding a talent for little miracles, she demands Luzia use those gifts to win over the royal court. Determined to seize this chance to better her fortunes, Luzia plunges into a world of power-hungry nobility, desperate kings, holy men and seers, where the lines between magic, science and fraud blur. With the pyres of the Inquisition burning, she must use every bit of her wit and resilience to win fame and hide the truth of her ancestry – even if that means enlisting the help of an embittered immortal familiar, whose own secrets could cost her everything. From the Sunday Times bestselling author comes a bewitching novel, brimming with peril in a world where a woman’s ambition can prove deadly. ----- PRAISE FOR LEIGH BARDUGO'S BOOKS ‘Reading Bardugo is an immersive, sensual experience... One can’t help sinking into Luzia and Santángel’s world and wishing never to leave’ THE NEW YORK TIMES ‘A compelling, well-researched and vividly written tale of magic and desire’ THE GUARDIAN ‘The Familiar feels distinct from similar tales ? including Bardugo’s own ? because it explores a brutal and shameful real-life history... Bardugo brilliantly explores the wavy line between the supernatural and the divine’ WASHINGTON POST 'A pacy read with electric prose' INDEPENDENT on Six of Crows 'Impossible to put down' STEPHEN KING, on Ninth House
📖 Summary
Set during the height of the Spanish Golden Age, 'The Familiar' by Leigh Bardugo follows the life of Luzia Cotado, a scullery maid in Madrid who possesses a dangerous, suppressed gift: the ability to perform small, seemingly inconsequential miracles. While she tries to keep her talent hidden to avoid the scrutiny of the Inquisition, her secret is exposed by her mistress, who intends to use Luzia’s magic to climb the social ladder. Luzia’s life takes a perilous turn when she is summoned to perform for the royal court, catching the attention of Antonio Pérez, the disgraced secretary to King Philip II. Pérez recognizes the political utility of her magic and forces her into a high-stakes game of survival, where she must use her abilities to secure the King’s favor and bolster Spain’s fortunes. However, as her fame grows, she draws the deadly gaze of the Holy Office. Along the way, Luzia finds an unlikely ally—and perhaps something more—in Guillén Santángel, an immortal, weary 'familiar' with his own dark history and supernatural burdens. As the Inquisition tightens its grip and the political machinations of the court threaten to consume her, Luzia must decide how much of her soul she is willing to sacrifice for freedom. The novel weaves together themes of religious dogma, the desperation of the marginalized, and the price of power. Bardugo masterfully balances historical atmosphere with a simmering, slow-burn romance, creating a narrative that explores the tension between faith and the supernatural. As Luzia navigates a world designed to destroy her, she learns that miracles are rarely free and that the most dangerous enemies are often those who claim to act in the name of God. With lush prose and a meticulously researched setting, 'The Familiar' is a haunting meditation on identity, survival, and the strength required to challenge the institutions that seek to define our limits.
🎯 Key Lessons
💬 Notable Quotes
"History is not a ledger of facts, but a tapestry woven from the threads of what we choose to remember and what we are forced to forget."
"The magic was not a gift; it was a debt, and the interest was paid in the currency of one's own soul."
"Power is a mirror. It shows you exactly what you fear most about yourself."
"In this city of gilded cages and suffocating expectations, to be small was a safety, but to be remarkable was a death sentence."
"We are all merely actors playing parts written by men who never bothered to learn our names."
"You do not find your purpose. You survive long enough for it to find you, and pray that you are strong enough to endure the weight of it."
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Stunningly immersive historical atmosphere and world-building.
Complex, nuanced relationship dynamics between the leads.
A compelling, fast-paced plot that balances tension with philosophical depth.
⚠️ Cons
The pacing of the romance may feel slow for readers expecting a traditional fantasy pace.
The heavy historical context regarding the Spanish Inquisition can be grim and intense for some readers.
✍️ About the Author
Leigh Bardugo (b. 1975) is an American author known for the 'Grishaverse' fantasy universe, including the 'Shadow and Bone' trilogy and 'Six of Crows' duology.
View all books →❓ FAQ
Is this book worth reading? +
Yes, especially if you enjoy richly atmospheric, high-stakes historical fantasy that prioritizes character growth and tension.
How long does it take to read? +
The book is approximately 400-450 pages; an average reader will likely finish it in 10 to 15 hours.
What is the main message? +
The story emphasizes that personal agency and authenticity are worth fighting for, even when societal forces are arrayed against you.
