The Familiar

A Novel

By: Leigh Bardugo

Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang

New York Times Book Review Notable Books of the Year, 2024

Long-listed, NYPL Best Books of the Year, 2024

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

Long-listed, Amazon.com Best Books of the Year, 2024

Long-listed, NPR Best Book 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

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)

A Bit Thin

While I appreciate this was a standalone, it might have benefitted from being a duology to more fully explore the characters and their interactions. I read that when Leigh Bardugo was writing this story, it was partly inspired by her family history and so I will refrain from critiquing the material of the story, rather its execution.

The summary makes the book out to be more exciting than it is. I don't really feel stakes for the characters, the politicking feels hollow, and I ended up caring much more about the side characters than the main couple.

It has a similar feel for me that the Shadow and Bone trilogy did, where it seemed like it was taking place on a stage and if I peeked behind the set dressing I would find a crew waiting to slot the next scene into place. This is a sharp contrast to my enthusiasm for Ninth House and Hell Bent, where everything was vivid and engaging and felt real.

This book also tells you the tone of it explicitly from the start and despite that, the scenes where I know I was supposed to feel strong emotion didn't really land. I know some people will really enjoy this book, but it was pretty middle of the road for me.

I think I want a sequel ...

Although this book started a tiny bit slow I was riveted by the 3rd chapter.
And only listened to this book until it was completed.
I found some of the character names a bit hard to remember who was who but I think that was only because
I am not as familiar with the Spanish language as I should probably be.
"The Familiar" was a interesting twist on a generational witch and ...
I don't want to give to much away. Excellent character growth.
I loved the narrator as well.
If you liked the authors work before I think you would like this.
If you like historical fiction with a paranormal slant, I also recommend this audio book.

Incredible Story

One of the best stories I have read in a long long time is not ever. There’s heartache, loss, meaning of significance, absolute love, so many wise tellings of life and so much more. I had no idea what to expect, the story was not what I had expected but even better. The ending was so beautifully written. Leigh you did again, now can you please publish the next Alex Stern book!!!

Slow

I appreciated the story line but it was so very different than Leigh’s last series. I’m on the fence whether I liked it or not.

Couldn’t help but love it

I read the first couple of reviews and proceeded with cautious optimism, and by the end of a satisfyingly long story I found I didn’t want it to end.
It took a minute to get used to the new story and characters, and that it’s supposed to be set in Spain but the narrator didn’t sound Spanish, but the story is magical and evocative and the main characters are complex, flawed, and redemptive. Also, my love of Lauren Fortgang’s readings inevitably won me over.
I loved it♥️🦂

unpredictable

there was more than one point when I thought I knew where this story was going and then it just beautifully changed. it's written beautifully and read beautifully. its an absolutely amazing story

Leigh Bardugo Does it Again

This book is amazing! What a great story! I had no idea how or where it would end, I won’t give anything away, but you should read and or listen to it. Just wow!

Great read👍

This is one of his best books that I have read. Teacher finds himself in impossible situations that you wonder how he will successful and survive.

Beautiful Story Telling

This is a book to remind us why we love books! A beautifully written story.

The beginning started off really slow

The book did grip you after halfway as some of the reviews mentioned. The end was OK.