The Familiar
question
Err.. how was the curse broken again?
GuluGuluGirl
Apr 19, 2024 08:43PM
Trying to wrap my head around how Santangel’s curse was broken. At what point?
How was ’Luiza able to use and harness Fortun’s talisman gem , when Don Victor had become his patron? The loss of Fortun’s powers would be an extremely unlucky turn for Don Victor.
Why would Santangel turn to ash every sunrise if the curse was certainly broken upon his first death? I’m guessing Luiza is ‘growing’ Santangel from the ash everyday like the pomegranate from the seed. . but why if the curse is broken? Turning to ash was a symptom of being parted from a de Paredes.
I don’t know. Any thoughts out there?
How was ’Luiza able to use and harness Fortun’s talisman gem , when Don Victor had become his patron? The loss of Fortun’s powers would be an extremely unlucky turn for Don Victor.
Why would Santangel turn to ash every sunrise if the curse was certainly broken upon his first death? I’m guessing Luiza is ‘growing’ Santangel from the ash everyday like the pomegranate from the seed. . but why if the curse is broken? Turning to ash was a symptom of being parted from a de Paredes.
I don’t know. Any thoughts out there?
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I don’t think the curse was broken, otherwise Santangel wouldn’t die each morning. I think Victor only became fearful of losing his luck. Since he had a son, the curse would continue until someone from the family line set him free.
Had similar thoughts about the curse. I just doesn't make sense for me.
And the curse had been broken, because Don Victor lost his luck. So I don`t know.
Maybe you can tap the power from anyones talisman, not just yours? No idea. It wasn`t explained much.
And the curse had been broken, because Don Victor lost his luck. So I don`t know.
Maybe you can tap the power from anyones talisman, not just yours? No idea. It wasn`t explained much.
Whoa. Bess! That’s brilliant! I think you’ve got it. That’s the angle… he’s still cursed but that’s also how he can stay immortal with Luiza.
I thought the curse was broken when they were both burned at the stake; so when they appeared from the sea, covered in ash, and they washed themselves in sea water, took clothes that mysteriously appeared, thanks Luisa , and ended up in a crummy rooming house, and were together forever to roam the world…..free of care of being pursued by anyone.
So: The curse was broken, at last, for Santangel, and apparently also for the person , and his family going back decades, dePardes,
who put the curse on Santangel to begin with (I hope the baby boy remained free of curses for the rest of his innocent life) , and Victor died alone in his bed, sorry Victor, no “tomorrow “ for you!!
This was quite an interesting book, glad I read it and sparked an interest in me for learning more about Sephardic culture.
So: The curse was broken, at last, for Santangel, and apparently also for the person , and his family going back decades, dePardes,
who put the curse on Santangel to begin with (I hope the baby boy remained free of curses for the rest of his innocent life) , and Victor died alone in his bed, sorry Victor, no “tomorrow “ for you!!
This was quite an interesting book, glad I read it and sparked an interest in me for learning more about Sephardic culture.
I agree with Bess that the curse was not broken. Victor loses Santángel’s luck at the end of the book because Santángel has left Victor’s service. See this quote from Ch 23 when Santángel is recounting how he tried to leave Tello de Paredes. After spending a night away from Tello and seeing his fingers start to turn to ash, Santángel returns to Tello. Tello says this to Santángel upon his return:
“We are bound to each other. So long as you remain in my service, your luck is mine and eternal life is yours. Ah, my friend, I dreaded this day and the look in your eyes. I’m grateful it didn’t come sooner.”
Because Santángel and Luzia escaped and Santángel left Victor’s service, Victor no longer gets Santángel’s luck. The curse is still in effect, so this means Santángel loses his eternal life—he burns to ash in the morning after their escape. However, Luzia is able to use her magic to put him back together again every morning. So although the curse is not broken, Luzia essentially makes the consequence of the curse moot through her abilities and they’re able to live on together.
I love how Bardugo pulled off this ending. Servitude and men’s power over when were important themes throughout the novel. I love how both Luzia and Santángel were able to break free of their servitude AND live the lives they wanted only through Luzia’s power. That’s my interpretation at least!
“We are bound to each other. So long as you remain in my service, your luck is mine and eternal life is yours. Ah, my friend, I dreaded this day and the look in your eyes. I’m grateful it didn’t come sooner.”
Because Santángel and Luzia escaped and Santángel left Victor’s service, Victor no longer gets Santángel’s luck. The curse is still in effect, so this means Santángel loses his eternal life—he burns to ash in the morning after their escape. However, Luzia is able to use her magic to put him back together again every morning. So although the curse is not broken, Luzia essentially makes the consequence of the curse moot through her abilities and they’re able to live on together.
I love how Bardugo pulled off this ending. Servitude and men’s power over when were important themes throughout the novel. I love how both Luzia and Santángel were able to break free of their servitude AND live the lives they wanted only through Luzia’s power. That’s my interpretation at least!
Dana, I love what you’ve said here about Servitude! This was a strong through line in the book and I couldn’t put my finger on it until I read your thoughts. 🙌❤️
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