The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo Summary

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo follows Luzia Cotado, a Jewish scullery maid in 16th century Madrid who hides her magical abilities during the Spanish Inquisition. When her mistress discovers Luzia's talent for small miracles using Ladino refranes (magical sayings), she's forced into a deadly tournament to become the king's holy champion. Luzia must navigate political intrigue, religious persecution, and a forbidden romance with Guillén Santángel, an immortal familiar bound to servitude, while concealing her Jewish heritage from the Inquisition's deadly reach.

The Familiar appeals to readers interested in historical fantasy, Jewish history, and Spanish Golden Age settings. Fans of Leigh Bardugo's previous works, particularly those seeking adult historical fiction with magical elements, will appreciate this standalone novel. The book suits readers aged 22 and up who enjoy stories about marginalized protagonists, political intrigue, and romantic fantasy. It's ideal for those fascinated by the Spanish Inquisition period and stories exploring the intersection of magic, religion, and persecution.

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo offers a carefully rendered historical setting and well-constructed plot, though reviews are mixed. Readers praise the atmospheric depiction of Spanish Golden Age Madrid and the compelling romance between Luzia and Santángel. However, some critics note the story follows familiar romantasy tropes—an underdog heroine, brooding immortal love interest, and predictable plot beats. While the prose is serviceable and character motivations make sense, those expecting Bardugo's signature wit from the Grishaverse may find this standalone less distinctive.

The Familiar represents a departure from Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse (Shadow and Bone, Six of Crows) and her contemporary fantasy novels (Ninth House, Hell Bent). Unlike her previous fantasy worlds, this standalone is grounded in real historical events—specifically 16th century Spain during the Inquisition. The writing style is notably different, lacking the sharp irony and memorable dialogue of Six of Crows. While her earlier works feature ensemble casts and intricate heist plots, The Familiar focuses on a more intimate romance-driven narrative.

Refranes in The Familiar are magical sayings spoken in Ladino, a language blending Castilian Spanish and Hebrew. Luzia Cotado uses these small spells to perform "little miracles"—fixing burned bread, multiplying eggs, and eventually more powerful magic. The refranes represent her hidden Jewish heritage and connect to the cultural memory of Sephardic Jews expelled from Spain in 1492. Leigh Bardugo includes an Author's Note explaining that Ladino was preserved by displaced Jewish communities, adding historical authenticity to Luzia's magical practice.

Guillén Santángel is an immortal familiar bound in eternal servitude to the de Paredes family through an ancient bargain. Initially tasked with training Luzia for the tournament, he secretly plans to use her victory to break his curse by having her replace him. Despite his embittered nature, Santángel develops a genuine romantic bond with Luzia. His curse causes him to burn to ash each morning, requiring Luzia's magical refranes to heal him—a ritual that becomes central to their relationship after they escape together.

The tournament in The Familiar is a competition hosted by Antonio Pérez, the disgraced secretary seeking to regain King Philip II's favor after the Spanish Armada's defeat. Four miracle workers—Luzia, Gracia "The Beauty," Teoda "the Holy Child," and Fortún "the Farmer's Son"—compete through three trials to become the king's holy champion. The competition turns deadly when dark magic attacks occur during the second trial, and Fortún betrays Luzia during the final challenge. The proceedings collapse when Pérez loses the king's favor entirely.

The Familiar concludes with Luzia and Santángel condemned at an auto de fe (public execution by burning). At the last moment, Luzia uses her refranes to spirit them away to freedom. Both escape anonymously and travel the world together, with Luzia healing Santángel each morning from his curse that turns him to ash. Víctor de Paredes and the olive farmer Fortún lose their power. Valentina returns home with a lady playwright companion, while her husband Marius refuses to help Luzia and they separate.

The Spanish Inquisition serves as the primary antagonist force in The Familiar, creating constant danger for Luzia's hidden Jewish identity. The Inquisition targets Jews, Muslims, witches, and heretics, subjecting them to torture until confession. Luzia's growing magical notoriety increases her risk of exposure, and she's eventually arrested and imprisoned by Inquisition officials. Leigh Bardugo uses this historical context to explore themes of religious persecution, forced assimilation, and the dangers faced by marginalized communities in 16th century Catholic Spain under King Philip II.

Critics note The Familiar follows generic romantasy tropes: an underdog female protagonist who's secretly powerful, a virginal young woman romancing a brooding immortal man, and predictable plot progression. Reviewers found the feminist themes heavy-handed and the story lacking Leigh Bardugo's signature wit and memorable dialogue from previous works. Some felt the book was "perfectly adequate" but didn't stand out among countless similar fantasy novels. The simplicity of themes and absence of unique storytelling elements disappointed readers expecting Bardugo's typical literary powerhouse quality.

Luzia's Jewish heritage drives every aspect of her survival strategy in The Familiar. As an orphan during the Spanish Inquisition, she must hide her identity to avoid persecution, torture, and execution. Her magical refranes are rooted in Ladino, the language of expelled Sephardic Jews, connecting her powers directly to her forbidden ancestry. Her only living relative, Aunt Hualit, also disguises herself under a false Christian identity. The constant threat of exposure creates mounting tension as Luzia's magical notoriety grows, ultimately leading to her Inquisition arrest and near-execution.

The Familiar is set in late 16th century Madrid during Spain's Golden Age under King Philip II. The historical backdrop includes the recent defeat of the Spanish Armada against England's Queen Elizabeth I, leaving the king desperate for advantages. The Spanish Inquisition operates at full force, hunting Jews, Muslims, and heretics throughout Catholic Spain. Leigh Bardugo captures the period's atmosphere of fear, political intrigue, and religious persecution, while exploring the tension between magic, science, fraud, and faith in an era of seers, alchemists, and holy men.