The Familiar
In late 16th-century Madrid, a scullion, hunched in submission with callous-worn hands, slaves away at the rundown Casa Ordoño, using bits of magic to get through her daily chores. Luzia must go about her days without the “whiff of Jew” while keeping her magic hidden. The Spanish Inquisition is ever-present. Her world goes awry when the bread burns. When it is presented golden brown, Valentina Ordoño realizes her servant has been hiding a talent that can help her acquire the social invitations and status she craves. It isn’t only the Ordoños who want to use Luzia for their own means, but also Antonio Pérez, King Philip’s former secretary, and the wealthy Víctor de Paredes.
De Paredes becomes her patron for a torneo (tournament) showcasing the magic skills of a chosen few. But the competitors must walk the line between miracles to please the king and church, and accusations of witchcraft by the Inquisition – all while someone is eliminating them. Guillén Santángel, Parades’s servant and henchman, is to prepare Luzia for the torneo. His white skin and white hair make him look otherworldly, “a creature carved from ice.” He is immortal – a familiar, someone who “exist[s] only to serve others.” A centuries-old curse has doomed him to serve the De Paredes family throughout generations. As everyone around him lives and dies, he remains friendless. Luzia changes that. His heart is reminded to beat, and desire stirs as his physical appearance improves.
Luzia is shrewd and daring as she tiptoes through the dangerous world of informers and manipulators, navigating peril and betrayal at every turn. Starting as a villain, Valentina develops into a remarkable character. The intricate characters, an absorbing plot, and tender, heart-stirring love scenes, perfectly rendered, will have you falling in love with this delightful fantasy. Leigh Bardugo’s first adult standalone novel is inspired by her own family history.
