The Familiar is the new standalone historical fantasy by Leigh Bardugo, and Santangel and Luzia were giving Darkling and Alina Starkov from Shadow and Bone. There is almost a dark fairy tale feel to this book, which makes sense if you've read Bardugo's The Language of Thorns—Leigh's writing is as luscious as ever.

The Familiar takes place in Madrid during the Spanish Inquisition, some time after the defeat of Spain's armada against the English. Content warnings for the book include sexual scenes, adult language, torture, death, and mass persecution.

My discussion does contain spoilers, but I speak to everything very generally and out of context without giving away any major scenes.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 Welcome & The Familiar overview (What is The Familiar about?)
2:08 Luzia and Leigh Bardugo's worldbuilding
3:00 Commonalities between Santangel & Luzia and Darkling and Alina Starkov
3:46 Side character discussion (Valentina & Marius Ordoño, Antonio Perez, Victor De Paredes)
5:20 Guillen Santangel, the Scorpion
5:57 More plot summary and character discussion
7:43 How Valentina has one of the most satisfying growth arcs
9:17 Excerpt reading (Valentina's perspective, page 309)
10:30 Santangel as a morally gray love interest (excerpt reading, page 204)
11:09 The richness of Leigh Bardugo's writing (excerpt reading, page 159)
12:15 Ending discussion (final excerpt reading, page 379)
13:40 My review/rating of The Familiar
15:10 Is The Familiar spicy or steamy? (Is The Familiar a romance?)
15:43 Video wrap-up (what else I need to read in April)

Thank you for watching!

Other books mentioned:
Babel by RF Kuang
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
The Book That Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence
The Book That Broke the World by Mark Lawrence
Funny Story by Emily Henry
The Ever King by LJ Andrews


ABOUT ME:
Hi! I'm Sandra Bruxvoort: Japan-born American, Half-Filipina, Mom, Minimalist. Gamer, Book Reviewer, Fantasy Nerd. Here for the stories—that means books and adaptations of books. Oh, and I write things, too. New videos when anxiety compels me.

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