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The Familiar

By: Leigh Bardugo
Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang
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Publisher's summary

Long-listed, Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year, 2024

Long-listed, Barnes and Noble Best New Books of the Year, 2024

#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER * #1 INDIE BESTSELLER * NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“An immersive, sensual experience.”—The New York Times

"Essential."—The Washington Post

"Narrator Lauren Fortgang channels the currents of magic and intrigue running throughout Bardugo’s layered historical fantasy...Skillful narration combined with an enchanting storyline makes for great listening."—AudioFile

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo comes a spellbinding novel set in the Spanish Golden Age.

“A must-read for those who are seeking a little magic in their lives.”—Deborah Harkness, #1 bestselling author of A Discovery of Witches

In a shabby house, on a shabby street, in the new capital of Madrid, Luzia Cotado uses scraps of magic to get through her days of endless toil as a scullion. But when her scheming mistress discovers the lump of a servant cowering in the kitchen is actually hiding a talent for little miracles, she demands Luzia use those gifts to improve the family's social position.

What begins as simple amusement for the nobility takes a perilous turn when Luzia garners the notice of Antonio Pérez, the disgraced secretary to Spain's king. Still reeling from the defeat of his armada, the king is desperate for any advantage in the war against England's heretic queen—and Pérez will stop at nothing to regain the king's favor.

Determined to seize this one chance to better her fortunes, Luzia plunges into a world of seers and alchemists, holy men and hucksters, where the lines between magic, science, and fraud are never certain. But as her notoriety grows, so does the danger that her Jewish blood will doom her to the Inquisition's wrath. She will have to use every bit of her wit and will to survive—even if that means enlisting the help of Guillén Santángel, an embittered immortal familiar whose own secrets could prove deadly for them both.

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books.

©2024 Leigh Bardugo (P)2024 Macmillan Audio
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Critic reviews

"The sharp realism mixes with a genuine feeling of enchantment to create a top tier historical fantasy."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"The Familiar highlights all of the things that make Bardugo so well loved: a romance with maddening chemistry, an artfully built world, side characters with their own deep backstories, and a plot full of dark twists and spiderweb connections."—Booklist (starred review)

“Lush, gorgeous, precise language and propulsive plotting sweep readers into a story as intelligent as it is atmospheric.”—Kirkus (starred review)

Editorial Review

An unmissable historical fantasy from the author of the Grishaverse and Ninth House
The Familiar feels like the perfect match of story and author. The historical setting of Madrid during the Spanish Inquisition meets Leigh Bardugo’s gothic aesthetic and penchant for darkly turned fantasy so well, it’s almost crazy to think that she hasn’t written this story sooner. Lauren Fortgang, Bardugo’s longtime narrator, seamlessly slips into the many accents and personalities of the Spanish Golden Age. I deeply enjoyed listening to this very real-feeling historical fantasy about a girl with a Jewish past owning a magic that betrays her persecuted lineage. Bardugo is also so good at making bruised, confusingly lovable heroes, and I believe our poor Santángel is going to be added to that list. This is a lovingly written, intricately detailed fantasy that’s not to be missed. —Melissa B., Audible Editor

What listeners say about The Familiar

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    4 out of 5 stars

Great Stand Alone!!

Let me start by saying, I don’t even usually read the kind of genre but I enjoyed this!!

I downloaded this the moment it came out just because I love Leigh, and it did not disappoint. The writing is incredible!!! Multiple moments tickled my brain, they were so well written.

The beginning is a little slow but her writing makes up for it. It gets better with every chapter and I was really happy with the ending.

I would recommend it to people who want a good indie, old time novel!!

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The Familiar

WOW!! The book did start a little slow, but I’m so very happy that I stayed with it. I just finished the book and I literally have goosebumps and tears!! Excellent and didn’t see coming ending!

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A history lesson intwined with a Fanatsy

This book was super heavy. First time reading this author. Still sorting out what I thought.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Mother Bardugo Writes, I Read.

Had no idea what to expect going in but holy s*** was I not disappointed! Loved this stand alone! Loved the story, the mystery, the magic, all of it. My only complaint? That I now have to wait for the next Alex Stern book 😭

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Solid, but not compelling

I almost DNF'd it. If you haven't read Ninth House or Hell Bent, go read those.

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    2 out of 5 stars

Beautiful story

So original and beautifully narrated. A must listen for anyone loving a great story!

One two three

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Excellent!

Starting out slowly (almost too slow) the story builds momentum and ends with a slight twist. Leigh Bardugo has crafted a beautiful, rich story

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STUNNING

I loved this so much! Leigh Bardugo strikes again! From the first chapter I was hooked and finished it in just 2 sittings!

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Mysterious and Dark

I like how this book opens to the reader slowly, like a flower blooming. It’s steady but remains mysterious as the story unfolds. I really enjoyed this book, the main character Luzia feels very real, she is likable but self interested and follows her own intuition in a way that makes the whole book really satisfying! I’m looking forward to listening to and/or reading some of Bardugo’s other books now.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent story telling

Excellent story telling. Narrator brought the characters to life. I would recommend for fantasy fans

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