As a devoted content creator for hudsonfamily.net, and a self-proclaimed expert in crafting engaging narratives, I approached Leigh Bardugo’s “The Familiar” with immense anticipation. Bardugo, the literary architect behind series that ignited my passion for reading, such as Shadow and Bone, and the unforgettable Six of Crows, alongside the compelling King of Scars spin-off and the distinct Ninth House, had set an incredibly high bar. Her foray into adult historical fiction with the familiar promised a magical escape, yet, regrettably, the book charted a course dramatically divergent from my hopeful expectations. While Bardugo’s signature eloquent prose remains a strong suit, the narrative itself struggled to fully captivate.
The premise held such allure: magic interwoven with trials, champions emerging from oppression, and a life sculpted against adversity. However, “The Familiar” seems to only graze the surface of these potent themes, primarily centering on magic – though not in the envisioned spectacular manner – and the realities of living under extremist rule. This stand-alone novel, Bardugo’s inaugural venture into adult stand-alone fiction, felt somewhat adrift. It’s disheartening to admit, but the characters, with the exception of a fleeting grasp on Luzia’s name and her religious background intertwined with magic, proved surprisingly forgettable. Santángel, a character brimming with untapped potential and a rich backstory hinted at but never fully explored, ultimately fell short of his promise, despite moments of intrigue.
The plot itself is challenging to categorize. It’s evident that Bardugo drew inspiration from her family history, lending an enjoyable historical dimension to the narrative, although the depth of historical exploration felt wanting. The initial setup was intricate and promising, steering towards a direction that initially captivated, but my engagement gradually waned. The pacing slowed to a crawl, and the trials, anticipated to be high-stakes and gripping, were surprisingly underwhelming. Similarly, the magic system, despite its inherent potential, felt underdeveloped and left me yearning for more.
While romance takes a more prominent role than anticipated, typically a welcome narrative thread, the issue lay in the underdeveloped connection with the characters. Without a strong emotional investment in Luzia and Santángel’s journey, their romantic experiences failed to resonate deeply. However, the ending deserves commendation. It was beautifully crafted and profoundly impactful, salvaging some of the earlier disappointments.
In conclusion, “The Familiar” might have benefited from expansion into a series or simply a greater page count to allow for more comprehensive development of its various elements. While my expectations undoubtedly played a role in my critique, many of the highlighted shortcomings remain valid. Despite some enjoyable aspects, the book, considered within the context of Bardugo’s capabilities, is a letdown. Yet, viewed as her first foray into adult stand-alone historical fiction, it achieves a slightly more favorable standing.
My most anticipated release is finally in my hands 😭 *proceeds with shaky hands* pls don’t pull a hofas 🙏
“Santángel would do what he must. If he was a beast, let him be a beast without a cage.”
I haven’t even met Santángel but I would let him be a beast without cage tyvm 🤭. “I should warn you, this isn’t a happy story.””I don’t recall asking for such a thing”
Curses can be cruel
Leigh bestie….why don’t you kill me now because I can’t wait anymore 😭. “You’re done with me then?””I haven’t even begun.”
AHHHH I WANT IT RIGHT NOW PLEASE GOD GIVE ME THIS 🙏🏻😭💸.
I brought you the pomegranate because it means something different to everyone…A thousand stories.A thousand meanings.But in the end it belongs to no one, except the woman who holds it in her hand.
Someone help I can’t breathe 😮💨 I just know this will be so lyrical and poetic 😌
Omgg a new Leigh Bardugo book?! Different from the grishaverse and set in the Spanish golden age?!? Whilst being an adult historical fiction!? Sign me tf up!!
