Leigh Bardugo, the bestselling author of the Grishaverse series (Shadow and Bone, Six of Crows), returns with an extraordinary standalone historical fantasy: The Familiar. Released in April 2024, this lush, genre-bending novel transports readers to 16th-century Spain during the height of the Inquisition. Combining rich history, dark intrigue, and Bardugo’s signature magic, The Familiar offers a tale that’s as atmospheric as it is addictive.
Set in a time of fear, superstition, and shifting political power, the novel follows Luzia Cotado, a kitchen maid with a hidden talent for magic. In a world where miracles are dangerous and suspicion can cost you your life, Luzia walks a knife’s edge. Her abilities draw the attention of Antonio Pérez, the disgraced secretary to King Philip II. Pérez, desperate to regain his standing at court, schemes to use Luzia’s gift for his own gain. What begins as a dangerous partnership soon spirals into a high-stakes game of survival, deception, and unexpected connection.
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Bardugo excels at weaving historical detail with fantastical elements. The dusty streets, gilded halls, and secret chambers of Spain come alive, as do the rigid hierarchies and constant threat of the Inquisition. Luzia’s “miracles” — small acts of magic performed under duress — are described with a quiet, restrained wonder, making them feel not like flashy spells but dangerous acts of rebellion against a society ruled by fear. Readers familiar with Bardugo’s Grishaverse will recognize her knack for morally complex characters, while newcomers will be swept up in her immersive world-building.
A Heroine with Depth and Defiance
At the heart of The Familiar is Luzia herself. Unlike the powerful warriors or queens of typical fantasy, she begins as a humble servant, a woman whose every move is constrained by class, gender, and religion. Yet Luzia is no passive victim. She’s resourceful, quick-witted, and determined to carve out some measure of freedom, even when every choice seems perilous. Her evolving dynamic with Pérez — part alliance, part manipulation, part reluctant empathy — gives the novel its emotional pulse. Both characters are trapped, in different ways, by the machinations of power, and watching them navigate this treacherous landscape makes for a compelling read.
Themes of Power, Faith, and Survival
While The Familiar delivers on suspense and darkly enchanting magic, it’s also a meditation on the costs of power and the compromises people make to survive. Bardugo draws sharp parallels between past and present, showing how systems built on fear can crush individuality and how small acts of defiance can echo like thunder. The book’s exploration of faith is equally nuanced. Miracles and superstition coexist uneasily, raising questions about who gets to define truth and who benefits from controlling it.
Why This Book Feels So Fresh
Unlike many historical fantasies, The Familiar doesn’t just use its setting as window dressing. Bardugo delves into the textures of 16th-century Spanish life — from the glint of gold in a royal chamber to the smoky kitchens where Luzia works. The result is a narrative that feels both intimate and sweeping. The stakes are personal (Luzia’s survival, her identity, her freedom) but also political, reflecting the larger forces of empire, religion, and gender at play. This makes The Familiar an ideal read for fans of character-driven fantasy, historical fiction, or simply anyone craving an immersive story that feels new and urgent.
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Readers who loved The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón or The City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty will find The Familiar equally enchanting. It’s a book that straddles genres — historical drama, fantasy, romance, political thriller — without ever feeling muddled. Bardugo’s prose glitters, her characters breathe, and her plot twists keep you guessing until the final pages.
Why You Should Pick It Up Now
The Familiar is more than a story about magic; it’s about resilience, cunning, and the small sparks of hope people hold onto in dark times. Bardugo has crafted a novel that feels both timely and timeless. For longtime fans, it’s proof she can excel outside the Grishave
