50 pages • 1 hour read
Leigh BardugoA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo follows orphaned Luzia Cotado, a kitchen maid hiding her Jewish heritage and magical songs in Spain's Golden Age. Her powers attract the attention of a powerful employer, a ruthless patron, and a disgraced official. Luzia gains a lover and ally in the immortal Santángel but faces the Inquisition and ambitious plots, questioning if her magic can help her survive.
Leigh Bardugo's The Familiar is celebrated for its compelling characters and intricate world-building, drawing readers into its richly imagined setting. Many praise its clever plot twists and emotional depth. However, some find the pacing uneven, with sluggish moments detracting from the story's flow. Overall, it's a strong addition to Bardugo's repertoire.
Fans of Leigh Bardugo's The Familiar will likely enjoy richly woven fantasies filled with complex characters and dark, immersive settings. Readers who appreciate the moral ambiguities and intricate world-building in Bardugo's Six of Crows series and Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses will find similar appeal here.
Fantasy
Historical Fiction
Magical Realism
Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance
Emotions/Behavior: Fear
Emotions/Behavior: Love
History: World