Scan barcode
A review by tinker_reads
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“But let it be my ambition and not my fear that seals my fate.”
― Leigh Bardugo, The Familiar
Rating: 4/5 stars
This book was an immediate add-on to my TBR. I was waiting for the gloomy autumn vibes to read it (the hoa hoa hoa vibes, if ykyk), and I stand correct on this one. This book had that mix of light and darkness, grime and wealth, warmth and coldness, reflected not only in the ambiance and background but also in the characters Bardugo created. The writing reveals maturity, which I enjoyed, and the plot develops in a slow-paced rhythm. As a medium-paced reader, I have to confess that the first 30-40 pages were a little difficult, so the book didn't hook me straight away. However, once the action began to take shape, I simply couldn't put the book down. Another thing I really appreciated was how the author builds her story - she poses the question, gives time for the reader to try to get to the answer, and then she answers it, without dragging it out for too long. It kept me on my toes for the majority of the book, and to be honest I think this is the reason behind my rating.
Now, onto the plot itself (beware because it might have a few spoilers). I liked the political intrigue, the competition/game of survival, and also the role of religion throughout the plot, but I was expecting a bit more of an explanation about the whole magic thing, how it works, where it comes from, who has it, who doesn't, that sort of thing. I know that in the book it's described that Luzia herself doesn't know how that knowledge came to her, and that she's not quite sure which language she uses to make the milagritos, but I think it was a poor choice by the author not to explore that a little further. Don't get me wrong, I really like the concept of mixing different languages, identities and places, the whole idea that we are all a melting pot of our past, but I think she could have reinforced this idea and provided the reader with more information and more knowledge, not only about the character we are getting to know, but also about the real historical background we are dealing with. That's why, in my opinion, although this is a historical fantasy, there's not enough fantasy or history.
One thing I did like, was the fact that the relationship between Luzia and Santángel was more of a sub-plot, which often happened off the page, instead of a trope-based romance. In all fairness, I enjoyed their moments, especially the ones where they get to know and understand each other - because it's also where the reader gets to know them. I liked Luzias' character, and I also liked that Leigh Bardugo didn't make her out to be an innocent person - she has a mind, she has desires, she has ambition, and she owns it. Her journey navigating the process of learning and growing her skills, as well as her performance in the competition, is what drives the plot forward. As for Santángel, I liked his dark demeanor - without, again, being a trope-based thing - because it's rooted in his origins, and not really in how he behaves around our fmc. I liked how the author used the concept of a Familiar in this plot, and it kept me hooked to know his story and his ending.
I still haven't seen anyone mention the role of Valentina and Hualit, their relationship with each other, and Luzia. This shines a light on another aspect of the story - the female role in a heavily prejudiced society - and in my honest opinion, this is one of the things Bardugo did best. The three had to play their way through a game made by men, within a society that pitted them against each other, making them unable to see how much they had in common - the urge to be seen as how they really were and not how society made them/told them to be. Hualit was a woman who did anything for survival, projecting a personna and enduring abuse, while not showing any real sign of compassion towards her niece Luzia, if that meant prejudice to her place in society - however, within herself, Hualit was actually a devout woman, striving for a chance to flee with her niece to a place where they could both be free and practice their beliefs in peace. Valentina always played by the book, hoping someday it would pay off when she would finally be loved and recognized as someone with charisma, substance and not just another dismissible house lady fighting for scraps of attention from her husband and the social diaspora around her. She despised Hualit and her libertine behaviour, but envied her freedom - how could she have wealth and status and be a mistress while she, a dedicated housewife, could not even afford a new dress? And lastly Luzia, who was always told she had too much ambition in her, but spent the majority of her life pretending to be a simpleton scullion girl, daring to want and dream of more, but never had a hand to help her lift of the floor. To me, Bardugo gave voice to all the women of that time, who wanted more and actually were more, but were forced and made to believe that they were nothing and couldn't be more than whatever the men decided they were.
As I already said in the beginning, I think this book thrives because of how carefully Leigh Bardugo conducts the plot. I couldn't predict what was coming next, and I find that really amusing while reading, because it keeps me on edge and always wanting more. I couldn't predict any of the plot twists - *SPOILERS AHEAD* and I confess that I spent the last pages in pure agony and stress. A complete rollercoaster. A shock. All I know is that that ending was really good, and I loved the fact that she also included an ending for every character of the story. Except Teoda, and I was bummed about it, but yes, everything else, chefs kiss. It's a solid 4 star book for me.
― Leigh Bardugo, The Familiar
Rating: 4/5 stars
This book was an immediate add-on to my TBR. I was waiting for the gloomy autumn vibes to read it (the hoa hoa hoa vibes, if ykyk), and I stand correct on this one. This book had that mix of light and darkness, grime and wealth, warmth and coldness, reflected not only in the ambiance and background but also in the characters Bardugo created. The writing reveals maturity, which I enjoyed, and the plot develops in a slow-paced rhythm. As a medium-paced reader, I have to confess that the first 30-40 pages were a little difficult, so the book didn't hook me straight away. However, once the action began to take shape, I simply couldn't put the book down. Another thing I really appreciated was how the author builds her story - she poses the question, gives time for the reader to try to get to the answer, and then she answers it, without dragging it out for too long. It kept me on my toes for the majority of the book, and to be honest I think this is the reason behind my rating.
Now, onto the plot itself (beware because it might have a few spoilers). I liked the political intrigue, the competition/game of survival, and also the role of religion throughout the plot, but I was expecting a bit more of an explanation about the whole magic thing, how it works, where it comes from, who has it, who doesn't, that sort of thing. I know that in the book it's described that Luzia herself doesn't know how that knowledge came to her, and that she's not quite sure which language she uses to make the milagritos, but I think it was a poor choice by the author not to explore that a little further. Don't get me wrong, I really like the concept of mixing different languages, identities and places, the whole idea that we are all a melting pot of our past, but I think she could have reinforced this idea and provided the reader with more information and more knowledge, not only about the character we are getting to know, but also about the real historical background we are dealing with. That's why, in my opinion, although this is a historical fantasy, there's not enough fantasy or history.
One thing I did like, was the fact that the relationship between Luzia and Santángel was more of a sub-plot, which often happened off the page, instead of a trope-based romance. In all fairness, I enjoyed their moments, especially the ones where they get to know and understand each other - because it's also where the reader gets to know them. I liked Luzias' character, and I also liked that Leigh Bardugo didn't make her out to be an innocent person - she has a mind, she has desires, she has ambition, and she owns it. Her journey navigating the process of learning and growing her skills, as well as her performance in the competition, is what drives the plot forward. As for Santángel, I liked his dark demeanor - without, again, being a trope-based thing - because it's rooted in his origins, and not really in how he behaves around our fmc. I liked how the author used the concept of a Familiar in this plot, and it kept me hooked to know his story and his ending.
I still haven't seen anyone mention the role of Valentina and Hualit, their relationship with each other, and Luzia. This shines a light on another aspect of the story - the female role in a heavily prejudiced society - and in my honest opinion, this is one of the things Bardugo did best. The three had to play their way through a game made by men, within a society that pitted them against each other, making them unable to see how much they had in common - the urge to be seen as how they really were and not how society made them/told them to be. Hualit was a woman who did anything for survival, projecting a personna and enduring abuse, while not showing any real sign of compassion towards her niece Luzia, if that meant prejudice to her place in society - however, within herself, Hualit was actually a devout woman, striving for a chance to flee with her niece to a place where they could both be free and practice their beliefs in peace. Valentina always played by the book, hoping someday it would pay off when she would finally be loved and recognized as someone with charisma, substance and not just another dismissible house lady fighting for scraps of attention from her husband and the social diaspora around her. She despised Hualit and her libertine behaviour, but envied her freedom - how could she have wealth and status and be a mistress while she, a dedicated housewife, could not even afford a new dress? And lastly Luzia, who was always told she had too much ambition in her, but spent the majority of her life pretending to be a simpleton scullion girl, daring to want and dream of more, but never had a hand to help her lift of the floor. To me, Bardugo gave voice to all the women of that time, who wanted more and actually were more, but were forced and made to believe that they were nothing and couldn't be more than whatever the men decided they were.
As I already said in the beginning, I think this book thrives because of how carefully Leigh Bardugo conducts the plot. I couldn't predict what was coming next, and I find that really amusing while reading, because it keeps me on edge and always wanting more. I couldn't predict any of the plot twists - *SPOILERS AHEAD* and I confess that I spent the last pages in pure agony and stress. A complete rollercoaster. A shock. All I know is that that ending was really good, and I loved the fact that she also included an ending for every character of the story. Except Teoda, and I was bummed about it, but yes, everything else, chefs kiss. It's a solid 4 star book for me.