#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.
#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.
Reviews-
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Starred review from February 5, 2024
Two people with magical powers and sketchy pasts plot their escape from the Spanish Inquisition in this poignant romantic fantasy from bestseller Bardugo (Hell Bent). After Luzia Cotado, a housemaid hiding her Jewish heritage, allows her ambitious employer a glimpse of her ability to cast spells using “refranes” (Hebrew-Spanish proverbs), he enters her into a competition for royal miracle workers. Sponsored by Víctor de Paredes, a wealthy social climber, Luzia is trained by his “familiar,” Guillén Santángel, an undying retainer who long ago traded away his luck and freedom for immortality. Despite being initially suspicious of each other, Luzia and Santángel find that among the competition’s fake psychics, dangerous real magicians, and even more deadly patrons, they can only rely on their own powers and their growing mutual attraction. Bardugo puts an earthy spin on heavenly miracles, with much attention given to the mundane drudgery of daily life that is not erased—even with magic that can unburn bread. Luzia’s pursuit of her powers, even at risk of burning at the stake, comes across as both empowering and practical compared to a life of unrewarding toil, making it easy to root for her through the competition. The sharp realism mixes with a genuine feeling of enchantment to create a top tier historical fantasy. Agent: Joanna Volpe, New Leaf Literary. (Apr.)Correction: An earlier version of this review misspelled the name of one of the characters. -
Narrator Lauren Fortgang channels the currents of magic and intrigue running throughout Bardugo's layered historical fantasy. Scullery maid Luzia Cotado hopes to remain unnoticed, but when she uses a spell to restore burned bread and fix a torn dress, her ability to cast "little miracles" comes to light. Forced to compete in a dangerous magic competition, she is tutored by the darkly enigmatic Guilln Santngel, who has a mysterious past. Fortgang's expert characterizations capture Luzia's sharp intelligence, frustration at being dismissed and used, and growing confidence in her own abilities. Fortgang portrays Santngel with a cold gruffness that gradually transforms into cautious tenderness as his feelings for Luzia deepen. Skillful narration combined with an enchanting storyline makes for great listening. S.A.H. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
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September 13, 2024
Bardugo (Hell Bent) dips into historical fiction, blending elements of fantasy and romance for an exploration of power, wealth, and class. Working as a scullery maid, Luzia must keep her head down and hide her secret Jewish heritage from the ongoing Spanish Inquisition. She has a tendency to use her magical abilities to perform small miracles in her work, not unnoticed by her mistress, who uses Luzia to attract the attention of Antonio P�rez, a nobleman looking for ways to earn back his favor with Spain's King. Luzia is plunged into a world of nobles, and under the direction of the strangely secretive Guill�n Santangel, learns she has much greater power than she knew possible. Laura Fortang's narration is soothing and meditative. She breathes life into Bardugo's characters with her immersive narration, using their dialogue to portray their emotions. Her narration shines during moments of heightened intensity and singing as Luzia performs her magic. VERDICT Bardugo's venture into the Spanish Golden Age translates well into audio, emphasizing a deeply seductive and lushly detailed atmosphere that intrigues and delights. Suggest to listeners of romantasy and those who enjoy fantastical elements in historical settings.--Meghan Bouffard
Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
