Title: |
The Familiar |
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Author: |
Leigh Bardugo |
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Category: |
Fantasy / Science Fiction |
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Rating: |
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Date Reviewed: |
November 2, 2024 |
Luzia has a few secrets. One is that her deceased parents were Jewish, which means she must hide her roots from the Inquisition. She goes to mass often and takes communion like a good Catholic. Her other secret is that she knows a few magical incantations - for instance she can multiply small objects (though, sadly, Luzia's limited magic does not allow her to multiply coins). Luzia uses her magic to make her hard life a little more tolerable. One morning, the cook burns the bread, so Luzia sings a small spell and magically makes the bread properly cooked. But what Luzia didn't know is that Valentina had just walked through the kitchen and already seen the burnt loaf - now she reentered the room and was surprised to see the bread made right. Valentina has learned Luzia's secret. The Ordoņos are desperate to better their grim circumstances. They seize on Luzia's magic to enhance their own position. Various aristocrats are invited to dinner. When the meal is done, a wine glass is smashed - but then Luzia will do an enchantment that makes the glass whole, much to the delight of the dinner guests. Although Luzia is an orphan, she does have an aunt, Hualit, whom she calls family. When Haulit hears of these magic escapades, she warns Luzia to be wary. The Inquisition might see her magic spells as the work of the devil; Luzia risks being burned at the stake for witchcraft. But Luzia is tired of being a scullion sleeping on a dirt floor, it is nice to be noticed. At one of the dinner parties, a red-bearded man watches Luzia reassemble the shattered glass. "What else can you do?" he asks in an ominous voice, and Luzia realizes she has attracted dangerous attention. But in a rash moment, she demonstrates some ability to control fire. Soon a different quality of visitor comes to the lowly house of the Ordoņos. Victor de Paredes is considered the luckiest man in Spain - he always seems to make investments and have them come out right. His ships returned laddened with riches. His expeditions find gold in the mountains. And now Victor in interested in seeing what Luzia can do. Accompanying Victor is a strange, silent man with weird eyes, this is the frightening Santangel. Santangel might be the devil himself. He said to be immortal. He seems to be able to disappear and then become noticed in the room. Victor wants Santangel to train Luzia, to make her a magician that will impress the king - and then Victor will receive a noble title from the king as a reward. I found this to be an enjoyable novel. There is always some dread that the Inquisition will find out about Luzia's Jewish ancestry, or else they might deem that her magic is actually the work of the devil and condemn her to be burned at the stake. Characters are always scheming - is there no one Luzia can trust? I also liked Luzia's character. Santangel expects that he will find her as dull as any kitchen scullion, but he ends up impressed by Luzia's smarts and willingness to speak her mind. Luzia knows she ought to play dumb before this sinister figure, but she finds herself unable to resist telling him off a time or two. Luzia has some wits, and a lot of courage. But will that be enough to win the torneo and get Victor his prize? Luzia must win, but without her magic appearing to be witchcraft. This book was a fast read, I like the intrigue and the plot and the well-drawn characters. Spain at the time of the Inquisition seemed to be convincingly portrayed. Bardugo has a couple other recent novels the she recently published: Ninth House and Hell Bent - I should read one of those books next to enjoy one of Bardugo's other highly acclaimed novels. |
