REVIEW: The Familiar (Leigh Bardugo)

Book: The Familiar

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Premise: Luzia Cotado uses scraps of magic to get through her days of endless toil. But when her mistress discovers her talent, Luzia is plunged into a world of nobility, holy men and seers, where the lines between magic, science and fraud blur. With the pyres of the Inquisition burning, she enlists the help of an embittered immortal familiar, whose own secrets could cost her everything.

This book is a magical story set during 16th century Spain, where the difference between magic and miracles can lead to the notice of the Inquisition. Luzia has magic through her Jewish heritage, which, if known, would send her to the pyres. But she still ends up in a miracles competition to gain a place at the royal court. There's also an enemies to lovers plot between her and Gabriel, the familiar.

The plot was a bit slow and felt aimless to start with, but it eventually picked up. I really enjoyed the historical Spanish setting as it was new for me. There is a lot of jeopardy, as you'd expect with couriers and the Spanish Inquisition. I like how the author doesn't hide from the high stakes and I think pretty much all the characters face some sort of dangerous peril. I loved the ending as well, but I won't spoil it.