Reviews with content warning for Antisemitism - El Familiar

The Familiar didn’t hit its stride until reaching the torneo about 30% in; I really struggled with whether I wanted to continue up until that point and it took me a while to get that far - after that part, I read the rest in a day. Once they reach La Casilla, the story became varied, interesting, with engaging characters and interactions. The magic never felt very expansive, but that wasn’t necessary for this story. I loved the setting in Spain during the Inquisition, with the right amount of fear, poverty, and riches depicted. I appreciated all of the female main characters, who both felt different in how they were written and all deeply similar as women in this world. I would be interested to read more from this author, but hopefully without the slow start (which is what lowered my score from 4)

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thelibraryskeeper's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

"Fate can be changed," Luzia said. "Curses can be broken."

Leigh has an absolute gift for writing and her adult novels have been such a breath of fresh air. This is a dark standalone historical fiction novel about a young woman who comes from a familia conversa (a Jewish family forced to convert in the face of the inquisition). She has magic in her blood which leads to a competition of piety. The book is tragic and hopeful all at once. The romance was perfection and unlike other readers, I felt it fit perfectly.

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teresaelj's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I don’t think bardugo can disappoint. There is something so addictive about this book and I think it boils down to a few things:
1. You’re constantly rooting for the women- even when they’re incredibly flawed
2. You want to know where the magic comes from and why it is
3. There is a constant sense of danger
4. You hunger just as much as the main character
I feel like I’m gonna have to read this one again but good lord I loved it. It was such a fun read and a type of story I haven’t read before. I know little of Spain in the 1490s and the fear of Jewish heritage or really anybody who wasn’t Christian. That in of itself was enough and then you read of fictional characters based on real life people that had these gifts.
The romance was great-

originally a little weirded out that he appeared so old? But it’s less old and sickly ? It got easier but it wasn’t an easy pill to swallow

And boy does this book remind us how awful men are - if we even need that?
I do feel at times I felt a little detached and cold with the main character but that’s where the supporting cast really reels you back into her.
Overall, would def read again. Brilliant book. I wanted more and that’s why it’s not a five - I feel more could have been added; I almost felt it was too short.

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hayy6747's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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