Mitchell Del Prete’s Reviews > The Familiar > Status Update

Oranges are certainly of some significance, hopefully to be revealed sooner rather than later. I adore how the story of Luzia and Valentina mirrors Santángel and Tello. Servant and wealth experiencing a rise to prominence simultaneously, until inevitably, I imagine Valentina will experience a grand decadence. This is truly marvelously written

Unless she loses sight of what she's building, this is going to be an easy 5 stars

Lots of things to note within Bardugo's brilliant storytelling. The multi-faceted metaphor of the pomegranate is quite apt. It reflects the unbridled bloom of Luzia's life, as she she bestows the plant life within the narrative. It's red juice depicts the bloodshed that she has been, and may no longer shy away, from causing. And it conveys the contrast of good and evil that is so prevalent within the novel

Only 41 pages in and this is already beautifully written. The metaphor of Luzia and her Jewish heritage as a game bird being slowly cooked over the fire, the dialogue between Luzia and her tía, the snarky humour. All of it