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A review by doahdancer
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.5
Lovely story. Grab this if you are interested in a historical fiction that isn't British history based and has a very light fantasy/magic system aspect.
The ending was very satisfying and is led by the fulfillment of just fates for each character.
My one disappointment was the romance. If you like to stay out of the weeds in book relationships, this is perfect, but I would have loved to see more detail on why they became meaningful to each other. The end sort of implies they were drawn together by fate, but the human aspect of their emotions for each other were underdeveloped for my taste.
Bardugo has a terrific narrative voice that felt timeless and aptly channeled the gothic/medieval/Spanish feel of the setting. Overall wonderful read.
The ending was very satisfying and is led by the fulfillment of just fates for each character.
My one disappointment was the romance. If you like to stay out of the weeds in book relationships, this is perfect, but I would have loved to see more detail on why they became meaningful to each other. The end sort of implies they were drawn together by fate, but the human aspect of their emotions for each other were underdeveloped for my taste.
Bardugo has a terrific narrative voice that felt timeless and aptly channeled the gothic/medieval/Spanish feel of the setting. Overall wonderful read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Torture, Blood, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content