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A review by flightyreads
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Note: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
As a Jewish reader, every ounce of this book filled me with the anxiety of the Inquisition. But I could not stop turning the pages. Luiza’s and Hualit’s different journeys that were shaped by their Jewishness were incredibly interesting to read about. One who embraced their ancestry and the other who cast it away because it is all she knows.
Luiza’s character development is fascinating to read about because she truly acts like a young adult in that she grows, regresses, and grows again as seen by her actions. One moment she is a lovestruck teenager, the next she is bloodthirsty and determined. Despite these differences, it never feels as though Luiza is out of character, but rather she is changing her actions based on what she knows to be true around her.
The only complaints I had about this novel was that it took a while for me to understand Santángel’s appearance. I genuinely thought he looked more like a ghoul than a starved man at first, and it took a while to adjust to his supposed attractiveness. I also was sad about some characters’ endings and felt it was rushed, but at the same time it felt more realistic due to the quickness that they met their fates. Overall, I rated this book 4.5/5 stars and recommend this to fantasy readers looking to mix in a little historical fiction to their reading.
As a Jewish reader, every ounce of this book filled me with the anxiety of the Inquisition. But I could not stop turning the pages. Luiza’s and Hualit’s different journeys that were shaped by their Jewishness were incredibly interesting to read about. One who embraced their ancestry and the other who cast it away because it is all she knows.
Luiza’s character development is fascinating to read about because she truly acts like a young adult in that she grows, regresses, and grows again as seen by her actions. One moment she is a lovestruck teenager, the next she is bloodthirsty and determined. Despite these differences, it never feels as though Luiza is out of character, but rather she is changing her actions based on what she knows to be true around her.
The only complaints I had about this novel was that it took a while for me to understand Santángel’s appearance. I genuinely thought he looked more like a ghoul than a starved man at first, and it took a while to adjust to his supposed attractiveness. I also was sad about some characters’ endings and felt it was rushed, but at the same time it felt more realistic due to the quickness that they met their fates. Overall, I rated this book 4.5/5 stars and recommend this to fantasy readers looking to mix in a little historical fiction to their reading.