The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

Luzia Cortado is a scullion in a poor, no-name household. Her existence is cold, meaningless, and lacking in almost every way. If it weren't for the scraps of magic she used to make her days a little easier, she'd have no reason to carry on at all. That is until the mistress of the house catches her red handed and forces her to use her magic to gain notoriety and favor amongst higher ranking households. Luzia doesn't mind being used in this way; she sees it as a way out, an opportunity for a better life that she never thought possible. However, the deeper she delves into this world of seers and alchemists, holy men and hucksters, the more the lines between magic, religion, and fraud blur together.

Leigh Bardugo has swiftly become one of my favorite authors, though I feel like I've read her work a bit out of order. The Familiar started strong for me. At first, I couldn't put it down. Then it slowed. Then it picked back up and finished strong. I still don't fully understand what this magic is or where it comes from. But I'm okay with it. I enjoyed the journey Luzia and Santangel took together. I enjoy the way Bardugo paints a literary picture and this book was so different from her others. My overall sentiment remains: impressed.

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