The Familiar Audiobook By Leigh Bardugo cover art

The Familiar

A Novel

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The Familiar

By: Leigh Bardugo
Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang
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About this listen

New York Times Book Review Notable Books of the Year, 2024

Long-listed, NYPL Best Books of the Year, 2024

Long-listed, Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year, 2024

Long-listed, Amazon.com Best Books of the Year, 2024

Long-listed, NPR Best Book of the Year, 2024

Long-listed, Barnes and Noble Best New Books of the Year, 2024

#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER * #1 INDIE BESTSELLER * NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“An immersive, sensual experience.”—The New York Times

"Essential."—The Washington Post

"Narrator Lauren Fortgang channels the currents of magic and intrigue running throughout Bardugo’s layered historical fantasy...Skillful narration combined with an enchanting storyline makes for great listening."—AudioFile

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo comes a spellbinding novel set in the Spanish Golden Age.

“A must-read for those who are seeking a little magic in their lives.”—Deborah Harkness, #1 bestselling author of A Discovery of Witches

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 improve the family's social position.

What begins as simple amusement for the 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 lines between magic, science, and fraud are 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 Santángel, an embittered immortal familiar whose own secrets could prove deadly for them both.

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books.

©2024 Leigh Bardugo (P)2024 Macmillan Audio
Editors Select Fantasy Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Magical Realism Renaissance Witches & Wizards

Critic reviews

"The sharp realism mixes with a genuine feeling of enchantment to create a top tier historical fantasy."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"The Familiar highlights all of the things that make Bardugo so well loved: a romance with maddening chemistry, an artfully built world, side characters with their own deep backstories, and a plot full of dark twists and spiderweb connections."—Booklist (starred review)

“Lush, gorgeous, precise language and propulsive plotting sweep readers into a story as intelligent as it is atmospheric.”—Kirkus (starred review)

Editorial Review

An unmissable historical fantasy from the author of the Grishaverse and Ninth House
The Familiar feels like the perfect match of story and author. The historical setting of Madrid during the Spanish Inquisition meets Leigh Bardugo’s gothic aesthetic and penchant for darkly turned fantasy so well, it’s almost crazy to think that she hasn’t written this story sooner. Lauren Fortgang, Bardugo’s longtime narrator, seamlessly slips into the many accents and personalities of the Spanish Golden Age. I deeply enjoyed listening to this very real-feeling historical fantasy about a girl with a Jewish past owning a magic that betrays her persecuted lineage. Bardugo is also so good at making bruised, confusingly lovable heroes, and I believe our poor Santángel is going to be added to that list. This is a lovingly written, intricately detailed fantasy that’s not to be missed. —Melissa B., Audible Editor

Captivating Storytelling • Beautiful Prose • Outstanding Narration • Magical Atmosphere • Historical Authenticity
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Great, surprising story. The reader enters expecting magic and betrayal, only to find so much more.

Reminded me of why she's my auto buy

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Bardugo’s writes my favorite banter. Her characters always have the best backgrounds of hidden depths and intelligence. It’s impossible to put down. I loved this book. And Lauren Fortgang did it again. Her performances live rent free in my head constantly. Reheating lines of sarcasm and intimacy between characters is always so spot on. It feels like Bardugo’s writes with Fortgang’s voice in her head. I just freaking love them both.

The witty banter.

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It was a very well written story. I honestly couldn’t predict how it would end or where it was going even in the very last seconds. I would absolutely recommend this book.

Delightful & haunting

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A tale of what happens to greedy people who are not satisfied with what they have, and the outcome of wanting more.

Fools

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I loved everything about this book. The narrator was flawless and a perfect match to the content and accents. The story was a beautiful melody of magical realism, class struggle, social and religious politics, freedom of expression and fear of the inquisition, loss and lessons learned, and a surprising and enduring love. Captivating at every turn. My heart is full after reading this epic novel. I can’t wait to read more of Bardugo’s gorgeous writing.

Spectacular!

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Haunting story, read by a versatile, talented narrator. Lea Bardugo never fails to weave captivating tales with intriguing characters.

Terrific storytelling.

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Captivating story that left me feeling a range of emotions for each character. Beautifully written.

Leigh Bardugo does it again!

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The Familiar was an interesting new story. A twist on a vampiric type that was engaging and fun.

Interesting new story

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Great narration, poorly constructed story. I didn’t feel the chemistry between the characters and their story was just meh

Plot is just meh

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The story, the reading of it, the imagery... Absolutely beautiful. I'm pretty sure I'll be listening to this many more times than I thought I would. 😊

Absolutely beautiful

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