November 17, 2025
MarkBernstein.org
 

The Familiar

The Familiar
Leigh Bardugo

(order)

(November 17, 2025)

A scullery maid in 16th century Spain has secrets. First, she knows some songs which she can sing to do things like salvage burnt bread or unlock a chest without the key. Second, her grandparents were Jews. She has good reason to keep her head down, but her social-climbing mistress wants to use Luzia’s abilities to improve her status. Things get out of hand, as we know they will, and her handsome tutor is not exactly as he seems.