The Familiars (Familiars, 1) in 100+ Books in 2025

Jul 10, 2011 Dawn (& Ron) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ya, two-fer-read, fantasy, annas-abc-and-d-bookclub, childrens-fiction, animal-tales, tbr-challenge

The Familiars Read for Anna's ABC&D bookclub

Both Ron and I read this fantasy tale, about three familiars; a tabby cat, a tree frog, and a blue jay, and their three young wizards in training. The story centers around the familiar's journey to save their wizards. Along the way they learn about each other, themselves and big secrets that affect the entire land of Vastia. We both appreciated the map to help us follow them on their amazing journey. Our combined average rating is 3.75, rounded up to The Familiars Read for Anna's ABC&D bookclub

Both Ron and I read this fantasy tale, about three familiars; a tabby cat, a tree frog, and a blue jay, and their three young wizards in training. The story centers around the familiar's journey to save their wizards. Along the way they learn about each other, themselves and big secrets that affect the entire land of Vastia. We both appreciated the map to help us follow them on their amazing journey. Our combined average rating is 3.75, rounded up to 4 stars.

"How had the fate of Vastia fallen upon a tree frog, a blue jay, and himself, a fake familiar without even the tiniest whisker of magic?"

The story is seen and told through the eyes of Aldwyn, an ordinary tabby cat who suddenly finds himself pretending to be a familiar to escape a bounty hunter. The authors do a wonderful job of capturing the inner thoughts of a feline, and little touches that cat lovers will find themselves shaking their heads along in acknowledgement. The scene where Jack picks Aldwyn and there is that instant connection between them, is how we feel when all of our rescued pets have adopted us. Aldwyn must keep his secret from the other familiars, as well as the young wizards, while at the same time learning the world of magic, which becomes more difficult when they must save the young wizards. But is Aldwyn only an ordinary tabby cat?

"How quickly a journey can be made in one's mind when the travels by foot took so long!"

Dawn's thoughts. I liked the clever use of all kinds of magical animals used as familiars in this tale, chameleon crabs, pocket dragons to riding lizards and everything else in between. I appreciated how the three animal familiars learned of each other through discovering things about their childhoods and backgrounds, helping them to accept and learn to trust each other, showing that there is normally a reason behind someone's behavior. Though I really enjoyed these aspects and more, other things left me not so sure. Some things are not explained, not sure if this is intentional to keep readers curious, while other things are too conveniently discovered. Is my adult self getting in the way or the fact that I'm not used to reading broad fantasy like this (no, not even Harry Potter, yet), its hard to say. After reading other books in the series, I many have to come back and adjust my assessment. My rating is 3-1/2.

Ron's thoughts. I liked how the three familiars worked together and learned to accept each other's differences. The unexpected twist that a secret reveals sheds a different light on everything as they and the reader know it, which opens up interesting possibilities for the future books. I feel the way it is written makes it easy for young readers to follow, especially considering all the characters and magical beings sprinkled throughout. Overall, I found it a fun enjoyable read and rate it 4 stars.

We would like to mention a few scenes for adults to consider. There are two character's deaths, one where a witch gets boiled alive (157), a fight on a bridge where two people are thrown over the side (224-8) and the magical use of a wolf's snout as a tracking device which can only be obtained one way (201-2). These scenes are generally brief and not overly detailed or in anyway gratuitous, but could be a bit too graphic for some children.

As Gilbert the frog says. "You know, life isn't just about looking into the past and future, it's about living in the moment and appreciating what's right in front of you." That pretty much sums up the fun of this book, just sit back and enjoy the journey before you.
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Jun 03, 2012 Shannon marked it as will-never-read · review of another edition

Shelves: think-about

Not interested in this one.

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Aug 19, 2011 Doris rated it really liked it

Shelves: childrens, fantasy

This book was not something that immediately drew me, simply because of the title. But when I was moving the book, I saw the cover so looked at the back, then opened it - after I read the first 10 pages I realized I needed to buy it!

An interesting story about witchcraft, betrayal and ingenuity - 3 animals against the whole world... it was well written but with a rather predictable ending, but the true villain surprised me.

It's a children's book, but a fun, interesting read for an adult. It ende ...more

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Oct 22, 2012 Dolly rated it really liked it

Shelves: birthday, monsters, education-school, middle-grade, pets, 2013, lorton-jammin-book-party, scifi-fantasy

This is the first book in The Familiars series by Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson. Our oldest has really taken to this series and finished all three books (published so far) rather quickly.

I thought the story was dramatic and entertaining and we enjoyed talking about the human and animal characters. The story is full of drama, danger, wonder, and magic. It's a good introduction to the sci-fi/fantasy genre for older children.

Although I thought the ending was somewhat predictable, our oldes ...more

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Jun 07, 2012 Dawn (& Ron) rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya, read-by-ron, fantasy, annas-abc-and-d-bookclub, childrens-fiction, tbr-challenge

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Jan 29, 2011 Melody Costa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: kids, fantasy

A nice book for kids who like Harry Potter, Septimus Heap, Redwall and/or Wind in the Willows. Well written and action packed, this book is for animal and/or wizard lovers. I will definitely read more in the series.

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