Looking for more books like The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo? I have some book recommendations for you!
If you haven't already read this dark fantasy, filled with sumptuous narrative, magical realism and twisted love, let me share the blurb:
From the New York Times bestselling author of Ninth House, Hell Bent, and creator of the Grishaverse series comes a highly anticipated historical fantasy set during the Spanish Golden Age.
In a shabby house, on a shabby street, in the new capital of Madrid, Luzia Cotado uses scraps of magic to get through her days of endless toil as a scullion. But when her scheming mistress discovers the lump of a servant cowering in the kitchen is actually hiding a talent for little miracles, she demands Luzia use those gifts to better the family's social position.
What begins as simple amusement for the bored nobility takes a perilous turn when Luzia garners the notice of Antonio Pérez, the disgraced secretary to Spain's king. Still reeling from the defeat of his armada, the king is desperate for any advantage in the war against England's heretic queen—and Pérez will stop at nothing to regain the king's favor.
Determined to seize this one chance to better her fortunes, Luzia plunges into a world of seers and alchemists, holy men and hucksters, where the line between magic, science, and fraud is never certain.
But as her notoriety grows, so does the danger that her Jewish blood will doom her to the Inquisition's wrath. She will have to use every bit of her wit and will to survive—even if that means enlisting the help of Guillén Santangel, an embittered immortal familiar whose own secrets could prove deadly for them both.
- The Snow Series - by Regina Grimm (Me!) - Dark fantasy, magic, witchcraft, forbidden love, dangerous men, curses and danger all wrapped up in a "clutch your pearls" steamy fairytale retelling. If you liked The Familiar but want more heat, steam, and MEN, you might just love The Snow Series.
- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo - My favourite of Bardugo's excellent books. If you started with The Familiar, add Six of Crows to your TBR list immediately!
- Stardust by Neil Gaiman. Stunning scenery, a magical hidden world, witches and princes, power and love. A beautiful book and one of my all-time favourites. Very PG - read it with your kids - if they don't scare too easy!
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. Struggle, survival, magic, curses and a fairy world that will suck you into a fantasy you may never want to escape. Sexy and smart. A great read
- Ruin of Roses - by K. F. Breene. If you like dark fantasy novels so hot you burn your fingers, you might love Ruin of Roses. I'm mid-read and had to threaten myself to put it down long enough to write this blog post. Addictive, casual writing. Castles, dragon shifters, a cursed, sexy world. This book has it all.
What I loved about The Familiar
I was so excited to stumble across The Familiar. I have been a fan of Leigh Bardugo's for many years and was hesitant about taking a "non-Grishaverse" novel for a ride. I am so glad that I did. Leigh paints mid-Spanish Inquisition Madrid like a master. She breathes life into the streets, the people, the terror and the stench that would have been commonplace for the residents amid such a tumultuous time.
Magical realism takes on a whole new meaning as culture, religion, class, and gender roles of the time smash up against a woman struggling to hide an incredible - forbidden- power from those who would happily destroy her.
You can taste the desire to be free and authentic and embrace all you truly are in the midst of a world that would destroy you for such daring.
Check out the recommendations above for more titles that might get you your next reading fix after setting this great read aside.
Happy Reading!
With Love,
Check out her books:
Snow White and the Wicked Queen: Chapter 1
Snow White and the Vicious Curse: Chapter 2
Snow White and the Seven Thieves: Chapter 3
Snow White and the Poisoned Apple: The Final Chapter
Prefer to read the whole story at once? Grab your copy of Snow: The Complete Erotic Series now! All five books are available now as ebooks and paperbacks. Coming soon in Large Print format!
2nd edition coming 2025!
