The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ah, to never return to the days of armadas, to have to lie in the face of religion, to never have much hope if you have any magic at all.

Bardugo pulled off a neat hat-trick... just so long as you know what you're getting into. This is an extremely slow-burn historical romance tinged oh-so-dangerously with magic--during a time that was downright EFFICIENT with inquisitions. And oh, it was so easy to expect the inquisition, here.

BUT. The hope, the quirky conversations, the burning romance... I admit I was here for it. The historical accuracy was also very nice, and the neat twist of the Familiar, itself, got my heart pumping.

All told, if you're looking for more in the vein of Bardugo's other works, then manage your expectations. If you DO want a pretty damn fascinating look at a time both damn greedy and bloody minded, with a great deal of intrigue and human nature, inching its way to its inevitable end, then definitely pick this book up.

I enjoyed it. It's more historical romance with a healthy dollop of really creative magic. Sometimes, that's all we really need, no?



Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to DM requests. I think it's about time I get some eyes on them.

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